Understanding the Mizzou GPA Scale: A Comprehensive Guide

For students at the University of Missouri (Mizzou), Grade Point Average (GPA) is a crucial indicator of academic performance. This article explains the Mizzou GPA scale, how it's calculated, its implications, and other related academic policies.

GPA Basics at Mizzou

The University of Missouri employs a standard 4.0 grading scale to assess student achievement. This GPA reflects your academic standing, influences course planning, and is essential for graduation. Generally, students need a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to graduate from the University of Missouri.

How Mizzou GPA is Calculated

To calculate your GPA at Mizzou:

Assign Grade Points: Each letter grade is assigned a specific number of grade points.
Multiply by Credit Hours: Multiply the grade points for each course by the number of credit hours the course is worth.
Sum the Points: Add together all the grade points earned for each course.
Divide by Total Credit Hours: Divide the total grade points by the total number of credit hours taken.
The result is your GPA.

For example, if a student earns an A (4.0) in a 3-credit hour course and a B (3.0) in a 4-credit hour course, the calculation would be:

(4. 0 * 3) + (3.0 * 4) = 12 + 12 = 24
24 / (3 + 4) = 24 / 7 = 3.43 (GPA)

Detailed Grading Scale

Mizzou uses a plus/minus grading system to provide a more nuanced evaluation of student performance. The grade points associated with each grade are as follows:

A+ = 4.00
A = 4.00
A- = 3.7
B+ = 3.3
B = 3.00
B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3
C = 2.00
C- = 1.7
D+ = 1.3
D = 1.00
D- = 0.7
F = 0

GPA Calculator

To simplify GPA calculation, students can use a GPA calculator, an online tool that automates the process. These calculators allow students to input their grades and credit hours for each course, providing an immediate GPA calculation.

Importance of GPA

GPA is a key factor in various aspects of a student's academic journey:

Academic Standing: Maintaining a satisfactory GPA is essential to remain in good academic standing. Students in good standing whose term grade point average falls below 2.0 (but above 1.0) are placed on Academic Probation. Students on probation who fail to raise the cumulative GPA to the minimum required in the time allowed and students who earn a term grade point average of less than 1.0 are ordinarily dismissed.
Graduation: A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is generally required to graduate from the University of Missouri.
Scholarships and Internships: Many scholarships and internships require a minimum GPA for eligibility.

Academic Actions and Probation

An academic action is a change in academic status because of grades earned (for example, the student is “placed on academic probation” or “removed from academic probation” or “dismissed from the university”). Students in good standing whose term grade point average falls below 2.0 (but above 1.0) are placed on Academic Probation. Students on probation who fail to raise the cumulative GPA to the minimum required in the time allowed and students who earn a term grade point average of less than 1.0 are ordinarily dismissed from the university.

Students placed on academic probation may continue to enroll in classes. However, it is recommended that they discuss their upcoming semester with their academic advisor.

Course Repeat Policy

Mizzou has a course repeat policy that allows undergraduate students to improve their GPA under certain conditions. When a grade received in a first attempt, for an undergraduate course at MU, is a “C-” or lower, the grade may be replaced in the calculation of the GPA by the grade received in any second attempt of the same course at MU (unless the repeat grade is an “I” or “W”). Students must request that this replacement be done by completing the “Request for GPA Adjustment” form in the Registrar’s Office (130 Jesse Hall).

Read also: Understanding Mizzou Costs

Key points of the Course Repeat Policy:

Eligibility: Applies to courses where the initial grade is "C-" or lower.
Replacement: The initial grade is replaced in GPA calculation by the second attempt's grade.
Maximum Hours: No more than 15 semester hours will be dropped from the calculations of the student’s GPA.
Transcript: All attempts of a given course will appear on the official transcript with the grade(s) earned.
Limitations: Grades of “C” or greater may not be replaced under the Course Repeat Policy because these grades are considered acceptable work and would not prevent a student from graduating from MU. Students may not apply the course repeat policy to courses once they have graduated.

S/U Grading System

Students may elect to take courses under the S/U (Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory) grading system in several MU colleges and schools. The “S/U” grading system is more appropriate for students wishing to take elective courses in a subject matter field in which they will be competing with majors, for mastery learning situations, and for courses graded primarily on the basis of attendance.

Key aspects of the S/U system:

Grade Conversion: A grade of “S” is assigned for grades of “C-” or higher, while a grade of “U” is assigned for grades of “D” or “F”.
GPA Impact: Neither grades of “S” or “U” contribute to the grade point average.
Restrictions: First-semester freshmen and students on scholastic probation are not eligible to enroll in courses on an S/U system. Students cannot elect to enroll in more than one course on an S/U basis in a given semester.

Withdrawals and Incompletes

Withdrawal ("W"): Students may drop a course through the end of the business day of the fifth week or the 25th class day of the semester. It will have no effect on the grade point average. After the last day to drop, students are withdrawing from a course if they choose to leave the course. At this point a grade of W for withdraw is recorded. W grade does not affect the grade point average.
Incomplete ("I"): An incomplete grade may be assigned if there is such evidence of hardship as to make it unreasonable to hold the student to established course or semester deadline. An incomplete can only be assigned at the end of the term and instructors are strongly encouraged not to offer an Incomplete ahead of that time. The time allowed for the removal of an “I” grade is one calendar year from the date of its recording. If the incomplete work is not completed within one calendar year, a grade of “F” will automatically replace the grade of “I” in all undergraduate courses.

Grade Appeals

Students have the right to appeal grades if they believe the grade was assigned arbitrarily or capriciously. Any review under this section is an appeal of the decision by the instructor and is not to be considered a de novo review of the academic performance of the student. In no case shall the review involve a substitution of the instructor’s judgment with respect to the substantive quality of the student’s academic performance.

Additional Academic Policies and Resources

Mizzou provides various academic resources and policies to support students. These include:

Read also: Mizzou's Quest for NCAA Glory

Academic Advising: Advisers in your School or College’s advising office have the authority to act on behalf of the Dean.
General Education Requirements: The MU Faculty have developed a comprehensive program of University General Education course work that equips students with the skills, knowledge and foundations in the disciplines required of all informed citizens. All MU students must satisfy University General Education requirements as a part of their undergraduate degrees.
Cross-listed Courses: A cross-listed course is found in myZou under more than one department or program listing. For example, History 2600, Early Christianity, and Religious Studies 2600, Early Christianity, are identical.
Visiting Student Program: The Visiting Student Program is intended to serve non-degree-seeking students.

tags: #mizzou #gpa #scale #explanation