Understanding the SMU Grading System and GPA Calculation

Navigating the grading system is crucial for students at any university. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the grading system and GPA (Grade Point Average) calculation methods used at Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Samuel Merritt University (SMU), offering clarity for both current and prospective students.

Grade Point Average (GPA) at SMU

A student’s grade point average (cumulative GPA) is computed by multiplying the credit hours of each course attempted by the grade points earned in the particular course and then dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of hours attempted, excluding those hours for which grades are shown with an asterisk on the grade chart. The GPA is truncated, not rounded, at three decimal places. Your DRP will also have your GPA calculate for the term, major/minor, and cumulative.

SMU Dedman School of Law Grading

SMU Dedman School of Law students are graded on a letter scale. Prior to Fall 2022, students were graded on a letter scale from A to F (4.0 scale). In Fall 2022, the grading system was updated to include A+ to F (4.3 scale). When reviewing transcripts for students in the Classes of 2023 and 2024, note that A+ grades were not given prior to Fall 2022.

Class Ranking

Law students at SMU Dedman School of Law are not given an individual class rank until graduation. Determine where a student's grade point average places him or her in the class by referring to the numeric cutoffs listed below. SMU Dedman School of Law releases the numeric cut off for the top 10%, top 25%, top 33%, and top 50% for each class following each semester; however, in fall semester of the first year of law school only top 33% and top 50% are released.

Credit/No Credit Grading System

Like many educational institutions across the country, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SMU Dedman School of Law completely converted to online instruction as of March 23, 2020. In recognition of the significant challenges portions of the student body faced in that transition, the law faculty voted that a grading system of “Credit/No Credit” would be used for the Spring 2020 semester. No other grades were issued.

Read also: Navigating University Grading

Grade Replacement Repeat Policy

Effective for courses taken in Fall 2017 or later, undergraduate students may repeat up to six courses taken at SMU for which grades of D+ or lower were received. The grade from the repeated course, even if lower, will be the grade used to calculate the student’s GPA. A course may be repeated only once under this policy.

Pass/Fail Option at SMU

Students may take one course per term on a pass/fail basis. The maximum total credit with a grade of Pass that may count toward a degree is 12 hours. A student must indicate intention to take a course pass/fail no later than the published deadline in the academic calendar (the last day to declare pass/fail is also the drop/withdrawal deadline for the respective term) by completing the Undergraduate Pass/Fail Option Declaration Form. Students may not change their pass/fail declaration back to a letter grade. If a department grades a course pass/fail for all students by departmental policy, a declaration by the student is not required. Students should consult with their advisers before declaring the pass/fail option for any course, as some courses may not be taken pass/fail. In general, elective courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis. With the exception of courses only offered on a pass/fail basis, courses required to fulfill the University Curriculum may not be taken pass/fail. Courses in the academic majors and minors also are excluded; however, in some programs, courses may be taken pass/fail after the minimum program requirements have been met. SMU schools may have different pass/fail policies for major and minor courses; students should see the academic requirements in each school’s section of this catalog for information on pass/fail grading. Studies, that may not be taken pass/fail by a particular student. Under the pass/fail option, pass (P) grades are A, B and C (including C-); failing (F) grades are D+, D, D and F. Letter grade (or vice versa) after the pass/fail grade has been assigned. Number of hours earned. May not be taken on a no-credit or pass/fail basis. Be graded on a pass/fail basis. Option from the program director and the faculty member teaching the course. Classes and no later than the second day of classes for J Term.

Grades and Grading Policies at Samuel Merritt University (SMU)

Each school, department or program is responsible for establishing and providing to its students both a progression policy and a grading policy. Under no circumstances will any form of “D” or “F” or “U” be considered a passing grade for any course or clinical experience in University programs. At the end of each semester a student’s work in each course is evaluated and assigned a grade.

Letter Grades and Point Values

Samuel Merritt University recognizes the following letter grades and assigns point value as listed below:

A: 4.0
A-: 3.7
B+: 3.3
B: 3.0
B-: 2.7
C+: 2.3
C: 2.0
C-: 1.7
D+: 1.3
D: 1.0
D-: 0.7
F: 0
I: Incomplete (Not computed)
IP: In progress (Not computed)
P*: Pass (Not computed) - May be used only if designated in the catalog and student handbook course description or by petition.
S: Satisfactory (Not computed)
U: Unsatisfactory (0)
W: Withdrawal (Not computed)
Z: Audit (Not computed)

Plus/Minus Grading

Each school, department, and program shall determine to what extent and under what circumstances plus/minus grading is used. If used, a plus adds three-tenths (.3) to the grade point value up to a maximum of four grade points, while a minus reduces the grade point value by three-tenths (.3).

Read also: GPA Grading in Canada

Grade Changes

Final grades are permanent with the exception of “I” (incomplete) and “IP” (in progress) and are to be changed only in the case of error in computation or recording. The student may not submit additional work, rewrite papers, nor make-up or retake examinations to improve a grade which has been officially recorded in the Registrar's Office. All grade change requests must be submitted to the instructor within the first two weeks of the next full semester after the grade was assigned. Once this period has passed, no grade changes will be made. Only faculty may submit grade change forms to the Registrar's Office.

Incomplete Grades

A grade of “I” or “incomplete” may be assigned by the faculty member when the student’s work is substantially complete yet incomplete due to circumstances beyond the student’s control. A online petition for an incomplete must be initiated by the student, and approved by the faculty member, prior to the deadline for the submission of the term grades. It is not the responsibility of the faculty member to petition for an incomplete grade, but an instructor may originate an incomplete grade if the student is unable to do so and has specifically requested an incomplete grade from the instructor. The petition must include the reason for the incomplete grade, the coursework to be completed, and the deadline for submitting the work. The student must satisfactorily complete the work prior to the end of the next semester in which the course is offered. Upon completion of the coursework, the instructor must submit an online change of grade form to the Registrar's Office. An incomplete grade not changed by the due date will be changed to an “F.” An extension of the due date, not to exceed one semester, may be requested for extraordinary reasons. An incomplete grade may be used to satisfy prerequisite requirements, at the discretion of the appropriate department chair.

In Progress Grades

Enrollment in more than one term. The symbol indicates that work in progress has been evaluated as satisfactory to date; assignment of a final grade must await completion of additional coursework. All work is to be completed within one calendar year of the date of first enrollment. An extension may be permitted with the approval of the instructor and the department chair as long as the student completes the program within the required length of time (see Length of Study for Graduate Program). A final grade will be assigned to all segments of the course based on overall quality. The grading symbol “IP” will not be used in calculating grade point average. If the “IP” grade is not converted to a letter grade within the appropriate period, it becomes an “F” and is used in computing the grade point average in the semester the “IP” changes. Approval to assign an “IP” grade in courses other than those listed requires the written approval of the appropriate department chair.

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit at SMU

SMU grants credit and placement for scores of 4 or 5 on most AP examinations taken in high school. Credit will be awarded only for exams taken while in high school. Students may not receive credit for an AP exam, an International Baccalaureate exam and a college course covering the same subject matter; i.e., the course equivalency will only be awarded once. Students may decline all or part of their test credit in favor of taking the equivalent credit at SMU; declining credit is an irrevocable declaration. An official copy of test results must be sent from the testing agency to the University Registrar’s Office for credit.

Understanding Grades

An "F" is a failing grade. With a "D-" and above you will earn course credit, but may not meet the requirements for your major or be able to progress in a sequence of classes.

Read also: Education Grading Explained

Dean's List

In order to be eligible for Dean's List, an undergraduate student must 1) be enrolled in at least 10 units and 2) achieve a current term grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

Graduation Honors

Cum laude - 3.50 to 3.69

Additional Considerations at SMU

Your all-college GPA is the GPA used from all your grades at any college or university you’ve attended, including SMU.
Your SMU GPA is your GPA based only on your SMU grades.
"Freshman Forgiveness" doesn’t exist. However, SMU does have the Grade Replacement Repeat policy that students may take advantage of, regardless of their year.

Other Important Academic Policies

Attendance

Regular classroom attendance is expected and essential for successful academic achievement. Faculty may elect to establish attendance policies, including the assignment of a failing grade for excessive absences. Students are responsible for all work missed because of absences and must make arrangements with their instructors to make up work. Make-up work for unexcused absences, including missed examinations, is at the discretion of the faculty member. Attendance is required at all clinical assignments. These clinical experiences may include, but are not limited to, direct client care, skills labs, and observational experiences. The clinical experience is necessary for application of knowledge and skills, as well as for socialization to the professional role. To the clinical site, when appropriate. Unexcused absences may be interpreted as failure to meet course objectives and may result in a clinical grade of unsatisfactory for the course. See also specific department requirements.

Auditing a Course

Audit is a contract to attend theory/didactic classes without active participation, e.g., discussion, seminars, exams, and handouts. Audits are permitted only when space is available in the class. No credit is received for the audited course. Upon completion of the course, a grade of Z for audit is recorded on the permanent transcript. A student may only audit a course if they have previously passed the course or have completed an equivalent course through approved transfer credit. Students may audit courses outside of their program, with the approval of the instructor and department chair. Audit petitions must be filed with the Registrar’s Office no later than the first two weeks of the term. Please refer to audit fees on the tuition and fees page.

Challenge Examinations

Currently enrolled students and/or applicants to any program may petition to challenge by examination knowledge and skills obtained through previous education and/or work experience which cannot be documented as transfer credit. Enrolled students must be in good academic standing to be eligible for a challenge examination. A course can be challenged only once, and a student cannot challenge a course he or she previously completed unsuccessfully. The units and grades earned as a result of a successful challenge will be recorded on the official transcript and will show as credit by examination. Unsuccessful challenge results will not be recorded. All challenge petitions must be filed by the end of the fourth week of the semester. All challenge fees are non-refundable and are to be paid at the time the petition is filed with the Office of the Registrar. The student pays the fee to the Business Office. In a Nursing course involving both theory and clinical components, the theory component must be completed successfully before the clinical challenge is attempted. Fees will be assessed for challenge credit, applicable to either didactic or clinical coursework.

Walking in Commencement

Students in good academic standing and with approval from their program director may walk in the commencement ceremony closest to their last semester for the following reasons:

A course (or courses are) is still In Progress or Incomplete and will be completed by the end of the semester following a commencement ceremony.
A student is in their last semester of a program that lands in or follows the date of a commencement ceremony.
For the time frame of January 1 through June 30, students will attend the spring commencement held in May.
For the time frame of July 1 through December 31, students will attend the fall commencement held in December.

Participation in the commencement ceremony does not indicate graduation from the student's program. Graduation and the conferring of degrees will occur after all program requirements have been successfully completed. Students are recommended to review departmental graduation criteria in their specific program policy handbooks.

Semester Unit System

Samuel Merritt University uses the semester unit system for representing course credits. One unit is awarded for each hour of classroom work per week, with the expectation that students will spend an additional three hours per week in study outside of the classroom. A semester normally includes 14-16 weeks of instruction. Thus a class which meets for at least fifty minutes three times per week is credited as three semester units of credit. Undergraduate laboratory work is credited at one unit per three contact hours. Semester units of credit is the minimum required for the award of a master’s degree at Samuel Merritt University. A credit hour is defined as an amount of work that reasonably approximates one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours out-of-class student work each week (Carnegie Unit Definition), for approximately fifteen weeks or the equivalent of one semester. This policy makes no attempt to award units to clinical or laboratory hours by any standard methodology. Departments may choose to conduct final examinations or require submission of final projects/papers prior to this week. Due dates for papers and projects and dates/times for final examinations outside of the designated finals week must be approved by the Department Chair/Program Director and defined in course syllabi. The academic department is responsible for conducting final examinations in a reasonable and pedagogically sound manner, and for ensuring that instructional hours delivered in all courses are consistent with assigned credit hours.

Independent Study

An independent study is a type of elective course that provides students the opportunity to meet their educational needs which exceeds course content available in the regular curriculum. An independent study course cannot be used as 1)remediation for previously failed coursework or 2) as a requirement to assess clinical skills after returning from a leave of absence. Independent study courses shall in all cases be equal in rigor and time requirements for learning activities as any other course offered by the University. A syllabus will be required for review and approval by the University Curriculum Committee. All independent study courses must have a qualified Faculty of Record. Signature approval of the independent study course by the Dean/Chair and the Academic Vice President is required. An independent study course can be taken by any upper division undergraduate student or graduate student in good academic standing. All independent study courses must be completed in a single semester. An independent study course may range from one to three semester units, as justified by the course syllabus. All independent study courses will bear normal tuition unless, in exceptional circumstances, waived by the Academic Vice President. Grading will follow published policy.

Personal Leave of Absence:

At the discretion of the University, a personal leave of absence (LOA) may be granted for up to one year for students in good academic standing and for compelling reasons. Good academic standing means that the student's current work in all courses meets or exceeds the minimum expected published GPA of the program in order to matriculate. For financial aid recipients, under federal guidelines, a student on a leave of absence is considered withdrawn from the University. An LOA guarantees enrollment upon the student’s return but does not ensure placement in specific coursework. Upon return, students need to complete a new background check (and drug screen if appropriate) and update all clinical paperwork. All prior account balances must be cleared and the student must reapply for financial aid. The specific program may require a form of remediation for certain courses prior to students return (see program handbook for details). A student must submit a written request for re-entry to the Office of the Registrar a minimum of 60 days prior to re-entry. Students will be charged the current tuition rate upon return. Samuel Merritt University will withdraw the student from the program and University if the student does not return by the indicated year and term….

FERPA Rights

Under FERPA, a student is an individual who is or has been in attendance at an educational institution. Applicants do not have FERPA rights unless and until they are admitted and are in attendance at the University. Please note that only the actual student can submit a FERPA request to review their Records.

Add/Drop Period

The Add/Drop period occurs within the first two weeks of the course (first week of the course for 5-week courses). During that period, a student may drop and add courses without academic and/or financial penalty via SMURF or by completing the appropriate form and submitting it to the Registrar’s Office. The effective date of the drop is (1) the date in which the student drops the class in SMURF OR (2) the date when the student submits the drop form. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the drop request is either processed online via SMURF or received and processed by the Registrar’s Office. Drop requests will not be backdated. A course that is dropped within the add/drop period will not appear on the transcript. If by dropping a course a student ceases to be enrolled, they are considered to have withdrawn (see withdrawal policy) from the University and must follow the readmission process if the student wishes to return to the University. Students enrolled in the MOT, OTD, DPT, and DNP-Anesthesia programs may only drop or add elective courses.

Advanced Standing Credit

Advanced standing credit for post-professional graduate programs: Post-professional graduate programs may award advanced standing credit to students who have completed a formal post-professional course of study in a program accredited by a specialized accreditation agency. Advanced placement credits will be posted to the transcript only after completion of all other required coursework in residence. Advanced standing credit toward the Master’s degree will be awarded only to students holding a bachelor’s degree in a related field or in a degree acceptable to the department faculty.

Viewing Grades

Students may view and print their end-of-semester grades using my.SMU. Please note: Grades or course listings from semesters prior to Fall 2000 are not available using the Course/Grade menu item.

Declaring a Major at SMU

Once a Lyle major is declared, the student can then declare their second major, a dual degree program, and other majors and/or minors. When students first matriculate to SMU, they are assigned an academic pre-major advisor by the Lyle’s record’s office. Each student must meet with his or her assigned academic advisor before enrolling for an academic term. The advisor will assist the student in planning a program of study, understanding the Degree Progress Report, and scheduling courses that will count toward graduation requirements. For an effective advising relationship, the student must be prepared when meeting with the advisor and initiate the advising appointment. After completing 24 credit hours and meeting other program admission requirements, students may be eligible to declare their major and transfer their records to an advisor in the department that houses their major. Students must meet the subset requirements for their major before declaring it. Each department has a different set of requirements. The University Curriculum applies to admitted and attending students prior to Fall 2020 or who transferred to SMU with 30 or more hours before the Fall 2020 semester. Mustang StartUp is a virtual Orientation experience. Students learn more about SMU, enroll in classes, and learn how to take placement exams.

Resources for Academic Success

SMU and Lyle offer many options to help students with their academics. A list of programs and opportunities you may wish to take part in can be found here. Lyle has five departments and seven majors with various specializations.

Graduation

Graduation, no later than the first week of their final term. Graduation form must be filed, even if the student is not planning to participate in commencement activities. All graduating students are assessed a graduation fee whether or not they plan to participate in commencement exercises. The graduation fee is applied to the cost of the final degree audit, preparation of records for licensing agencies, the diploma, academic regalia worn at commencement, and expenses for the commencement ceremony. Graduation dates posted on the transcript and diploma are the official last day of the student’s final term, as listed on the academic calendar.

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