Understanding the Saint Francis University GPA Scale and Academic Policies

Saint Francis University (SFU) has clearly defined institutional policies that govern the maintenance of student records, ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of all student information. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) grants students specific rights regarding their education records. To release their educational record to parents or third parties, students must complete a student information release authorization form, accessible through my.francis.edu.

Grading System at Saint Francis University

At Saint Francis University, a student’s scholarship rating in each subject is determined by the combined results of examinations and class work. Grades may be modified with “+” and “-” designators, indicating levels of performance that rank between the letter-grade definitions provided below.

Letter Grades and Their Meanings

A: Superior command of subject matter and exemplary performance in virtually all course requirements (e.g., examinations, written assignments, projects, oral presentations, class participation).
B: Highly developed command of subject matter. Consistently high level of performance in most course requirements, exceeding the instructor’s expectations.
C: Fundamental command of essential subject matter. Satisfactory performance in most course requirements.
D: Substantial deficiencies in command of subject matter. Minimal performance in several of the course requirements.
F: General failure to understand the subject matter. Unsatisfactory performance in many or most course requirements.
FF: This grade is used for students who fail a course due to habitual absenteeism. An instructor who assigns a grade of “FF” is required to document the habitual absenteeism by reporting the student’s last day of attendance in that class prior to the onset of two weeks of unexcused absence from a class that follows a conventional fourteen-week semester schedule.
I (Incomplete): This grade is to be used when the student has failed to complete all course requirements by the end of the semester. The grade of “I” may be used at the discretion of the instructor, but no instructor is required to extend this option to students. The grade of “I” is intended for use in cases when small amounts of course work remain to be completed. Instructors must complete an “Incomplete Grade Form” for each “I” grade given, stipulating what work must be completed. The form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office, and a copy of the form will be sent to students after grades are recorded. A student receiving this grade must submit the required work to the instructor not later than 14 days after the beginning of the subsequent semester (summer sessions included); the instructor must submit a letter grade to the Registrar not later than 21 days following the beginning of the subsequent semester.
CN (Continuing): A “CN” grade may be used only when the student initiates the process by obtaining a “CN” contract from the Registrar’s Office. In this contract, the student, the instructor, and the Provost must agree to both the intended date of completion and the specific nature of the assignment to be completed. Once the contract is agreed upon, it must be submitted to the Registrar.
P (Pass): Students registering for a Pass-Fail course will receive either a “P” for Pass or “F” for Fail on their academic transcripts.
AD: Students who wish to take courses for their information only may choose to audit the classes. The courses will appear on the transcript with a grade of “AD” and will not count toward any semester or cumulative totals.

Calculating the Quality Point Average (QPA)

Grades of “A, B, C, D, F, W, and AD” are entered on the student’s permanent academic record. Grades of “A, B, C, D, and F” are used to compute the student’s quality point average. Each letter grade earns quality points as described in the example provided below. Mid-semester grade reports and semester grades will be available online to students through the campus network.

Pass-Fail Option

Selected courses may be taken for a “Pass-Fail” grade. The Pass-Fail option may not be used for courses which the student is required to take or for prerequisites for those required courses. One Pass-Fail course may be taken in any given semester of the Sophomore, Junior and Senior years. Faculty members are not informed about students electing the Pass-Fail option. Faculty are to grade all students on the “A through F” scale.

Auditing Courses

Students who wish to take courses for their information only may choose to audit the classes. The courses will appear on the transcript with a grade of “AD” and will not count toward any semester or cumulative totals. Students must specify on their registration forms which courses they are auditing and must pay the audit fee (one-half tuition) if tuition is being determined on an individual course basis.

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Grade Appeals

If a student is not satisfied with a grade, they should contact the instructor for an explanation of the grade determination. If still unsatisfied, the student will then appeal to the department chairperson or director of the academic program sponsoring the course. The chairperson/director will review the grade determination with the course instructor, and then meet with the student to explain the outcome of the appeal. A student who remains unsatisfied with the results of the appeal must, prior to the end of the sixth week of the subsequent Fall or Spring semester, submit a letter of appeal to the appropriate dean. The letter must include a summary of the meetings with the instructor and the appeal results, as well as a rationale for the appeal. After discussing the appeal with the instructor and the department chairperson/program director, the dean will meet with the student to explain the final decision.

Academic Advising

The primary purpose of an academic advising program is to assist students in the development of meaningful educational plans which are compatible with their life goals. At Saint Francis University, academic advising is viewed as a continuous process of clarification and evaluation. The Center for Academic Success, located in St. Francis Hall, works in conjunction with the academic advisor and the student to help support educational needs and goals. Individual academic advising conferences are available to students each semester. The advisor will review and utilize any available data about the student’s academic and educational needs, performance, goals, and problems. The ultimate responsibility for making decisions about life goals and educational plans rests with the student. As part of the University’s First Year Experience Program, entering freshmen students are assigned to advisors when the students participate in the Summer Orientation and Academic Registration (SOAR) Program during the summer prior to their freshman year. The advisors work with students during the freshman year. For students who need additional help from someone beyond their assigned academic advisor, appointments are available at the Center for Academic Success in St.

Academic Honors

Students who earn a semester quality point average of at least 3.80 are named to the Provost’s List. Part-time students enrolled at Saint Francis University will be eligible for the designation, “Academic Honors in Continuing Studies,” if they have completed a minimum of 15 credits between September 1 of one year and August 31 of the following year. Such students must achieve at least a 3.5 quality point average on all Saint Francis University courses taken in the particular year. These students must carry a part-time status throughout the year. A part-time student who enrolls full-time (12 credit hours) in a particular semester (excluding summer sessions) forfeits the opportunity to earn “Academic Honors in Continuing Studies.” Such a student, however, is automatically eligible for the Saint Francis University Dean’s List during the semester in which he or she is enrolled as a full-time student. Degrees with honor are conferred by the University for exceptional scholastic achievement at Saint Francis University, subject to the following considerations: 1) one or more semesters spent abroad or in a Washington, D.C., semester as part of a degree program offered by Saint Francis University shall be considered as study at Saint Francis University; 2) one or more semesters spent at cooperating hospitals as part of the University’s Medical Technology or Podiatric Science programs shall be considered as study at Saint Francis University; 3) in the case of students who accelerate their program, honors shall be computed on the basis of total courses taken at Saint Francis University; 4) no student is eligible for academic honors who has not completed at least 64 credits of his or her course work at Saint Francis University. The degrees with honors are as follows: Cum Laude for a cumulative Q.P.A. of 3.5; Magna Cum Laude for a cumulative Q.P.A. of 3.7; Summa Cum Laude for a cumulative Q.P.A. of 3.9.

Academic Standing

Academic standing is based on semester and cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) on all Saint Francis University courses once a student has attempted at least 12 credits. The quality point averages determining good academic standing, academic warning, academic probation, and academic dismissal are established to provide students with a clear understanding of their responsibilities during their college careers. Cumulative G.P.A. Cumulative G.P.A. Cumulative G.P.A. Semester G.P.A. below 2.0, and cumulative G.P.A. Semester G.P.A. below 2.0, and cumulative G.P.A. Semester G.P.A. below 2.0, and cumulative G.P.A. Cumulative G.P.A. Cumulative G.P.A. Cumulative G.P.A. Cumulative G.P.A. Students placed on academic probation are required to participate in a structured study laboratory program entitled Study Acceleration: Gaining Excellence (SAGE). SAGE consists of supervised study periods, individual tutoring, skills workshops, and self-assessment under the direction of University faculty and staff. Students who are on warning or probation at the end of spring semester are encouraged to attend summer semester at Saint Francis University and raise their cumulative G.P.A. to that required for good standing. When student’s cumulative G.P.A. If students on academic probation do not participate in SAGE. After the first academic dismissal, students may appeal to the Provost. If the appeal is granted, students may return to the University for the next semester (fall, spring, or summer). If the appeal is denied, students may not apply for readmission for at least one calendar year, at which time the readmission request must be approved by the Provost upon the recommendation of the Academic Standing Committee. Students who have been away from the University for at least five years after a second dismissal may apply for readmission at that time.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is an essential part of the Saint Francis University experience. Dishonesty in any aspect of the life of the University is viewed as being incompatible with its moral tradition. Saint Francis University’s policy on academic honesty guides students in dealing with such issues in the process of learning.

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Matriculation and Degree Requirements

A non-matriculated student is one who is not a candidate for a degree. Once a student has matriculated at Saint Francis University, all courses in the major must be completed at Saint Francis University. Likewise, it is expected that all collateral courses will be completed at Saint Francis University. The Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees are conferred by the University only at commencement. The program of study leading to each degree is usually completed in eight semesters of full-time enrollment. Students are required to follow the course curricula as stated in the Saint Francis University catalog in effect at the time of the student’s entrance into the University or when the student declares a major. A student who wishes to follow a curriculum, in its entirety, adopted after that time, must file a Policy Waiver Request Form available at the Registrar’s Office. A candidate for any degree must complete the last 30 credits at Saint Francis University. Every candidate for a degree must make formal application for the degree at least one semester before the graduation date. Candidates for a degree must be present at the annual commencement exercises to receive their diplomas in person. To participate in commencement, a student must have completed all requirements for the appropriate degree or, if the student is within six (6) credits of completing degree requirements (or within two courses of completing degree requirements, not exceeding eight credits) and has at least a 2.0 cumulative and major quality point average, must apply in writing to the Registrar for permission to attend commencement ceremonies. The requirements for a baccalaureate degree are completion of 128 or more credits (as outlined in the remaining sections of this publication) with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00 or better in all courses taken at Saint Francis University, and a cumulative G.P.A.

Registration and Attendance Policies

Registration is held for current students at an announced date preceding the end of each semester. Students must register for a Saint Francis University course before or during the semester in which the course is taken. Students may not register for a course later than seven calendar days after the first scheduled class meeting of the fall or spring semester or three calendar days after the first scheduled class meeting of a summer session. Students wishing to add or delete a course must access the web-based registration program to make changes to their schedules. Students should consult academic advisors for approval of the changes to class schedules prior to adding or dropping courses. Changes of schedule may be made through the seventh day of the semester. Saint Francis University is committed to helping students achieve their goals. Students are expected to attend all classes for which they are registered as part of their academic obligation. Every instructor maintains a record of attendance and determines how absences will affect a student’s grade, as explained in the course syllabus. If a student is absent excessively from class, the course instructor will report those absences to the Center for Academic Success who in turn will contact the student’s advisor. Once reported, effort will be made to intervene with the student to resolve any reasons the student might have for not attending class. The student’s parents may be contacted after the Center for Academic Success and the student’s advisor have a conversation. The University attempts to maintain a safe, positive, and nurturing atmosphere to help every individual student succeed. Students needing to miss class for military obligation, hospitalization, or medical absence due to a disability, should notify their instructor(s) directly and contact the director of the Center for Academic Success for official notification distribution. A full-time load is 12 to 18 credits. With the approval of the Provost, students may take up to 21 credits, provided that they have a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 3.0 or t…

GPA Systems in Other Countries

It's worth noting that grading systems vary significantly across the globe. In many countries, the GPA scale and the interpretation of grades differ considerably from the system used at Saint Francis University.

Africa

Angola: The grading system depends on the districts.
Kenya: The grading system varies based on the level of the institution. Secondary schools use a grade A to E system, while institutes and colleges use a KNEC grading system with classifications like Distinction, Credit, Pass, and Fail.
Nigeria: The choice of grading system depends on the institution and faculty, with scales ranging from 1 to 8, 1 to 4, or A through G. Degrees are awarded in classes like First Class, Second Class (Upper Division), and Third Class.
South Africa: Some universities follow a model based on the British system, with an A considered 75% and above at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Tanzania: The A-level secondary education system uses grades from A to D, with an S grade as a minimum qualification for university enrollment.

Asia

Afghanistan: Schools use a 0-100 scale, with 40 as the minimum passing score. Universities also use a 0-100 scale, with 55 as the minimum passing score (before 2016 it was 50).
Bangladesh: Public universities often classify bachelor's and master's degrees according to the British undergraduate degree classification system. A GPA above or equal to 3 is equivalent to a 1st Class honors degree.
India: Universities follow a Percentage System, while many technical institutes follow a 10-point GPA System. Some educational boards still use 'divisions' to classify performance.
Iran: The grading system is similar to French-patterned systems, with 10 as the passing grade and 14 out of 20 considered excellent.
Israel: Schools use grades from 1-100 starting in the 4th grade. Universities may use both numerical and alphabetical grade systems.
Lebanon: Schools follow either the French (0-20 scale) or American grading system.
Malaysia: The Percentage System is used, with 35 as the minimum passing mark. Scores of 91-100% are considered excellent.
Singapore: Each of the six autonomous universities uses a different grading scale and degree classification.
Vietnam: Universities use a 0-100 point grade scaling, with 71 required to pass.

Europe

Belgium: Universities use a 0 to 20 scale, with 10 as the passing grade. Secondary schools use a scale from 0 to 100 or a percentage scale.
Bulgaria: Grades range from 2 (Fail) to 6 (Excellent), with plus and minus signs used to further differentiate marks.
Denmark: The current scale, syv-trins-skalaen, ranges from 12 to -3, with 12 being the highest.
Finland: Several systems are used, including a scale of 4 (fail) to 10 (highest) in comprehensive schools and 0 (fail) to 5 (pass) in universities.
France: Grades typically range from 0 to 20, with 10 as the average.
Germany: Grades vary from 1 (very good) to 6 (insufficient).
Hungary: A five-point scale is used, with 1 (insufficient) as the failing grade and 5 (very good) as the highest.
Ireland: A points system is used for the Leaving Certificate, with lettered and numbered grades.

North America

Canada: Most universities use a 4.0 scale, though some provinces like British Columbia use a 4.33 scale. Quebec uses a unique percentage-based grading system. A GPA of 3.7 - 4.0 is considered excellent.

Panama

When it comes to grade point average (GPA), Panama uses a 0-3 point scale to determine the student's GPA. Most universities evaluate classes with two mid exams and a final. The final exam encompasses the whole course syllabus, whereas the mid exams usually review half. In some schools, if the average grade of the two mid exams is equal to or higher than 7.00, the student is able to pass the class without needing to take a final exam (since there are only two exams, some teachers also pass students who average 6.50; others weigh in the decision based on the student's performance in class). In high schools, the year is divided into three trimesters and classes are usually yearlong. Students need an average of 6.00 or higher in all the three trimesters exams to avoid having to take a final to pass the class. In the event of a student scoring less than 6.00 in the third trimester, he or she would have to take a final exam, regardless of average. This is considered controversial since the last trimestral exam is not more important than the first two, but the rule stands to prevent students who have already reached the minimum average (e.g., two 10.00 in the first two give a student the lowest possible average of 6.33) from not making an effort during the last three months of the year.

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