Grading Policy
Grading System
The grading system can be roughly divided into two major categories: letter grades and auxiliary symbols.
- Letter Grades. Letter grades carry a quality point value and are used in the computation of semester and cumulative grade point averages (GPA).
- Auxiliary Symbols. Auxiliary symbols do not carry a quality point value and are not used in the computation of semester and cumulative grade point averages (GPA).
- W = Withdrawal. Given to any student who withdraws from all courses (i.e. withdraws from Messiah), or from a specific course after the 100% refund period for that course and before the final third of the part-of-term.
- I = Incomplete. Used only when a student cannot, for extraordinary reasons, complete a course by the end of the session of enrollment.
- P = Pass. Used for a passing grade in a Pass/Fail only course.
Grading Matrix
| Grade |
Description of the Standard |
Quality Point Value |
| A |
This grade is given in recognition of outstanding achievement. |
4.00 |
| A- |
This grade is given in recognition of excellent achievement. |
3.70 |
| B+ |
This grade is given in recognition of achievement above that expected at the graduate level. |
3.30 |
| B |
This grade indicates achievement expected of graduate students. |
3.00 |
| B- |
This grade indicates achievement somewhat less than expected of most graduate students. |
2.70 |
| C+ |
This grade indicates less than expected achievement but somewhat more than minimal meeting of course requirements. |
2.30 |
| C |
This grade indicates below average achievement and a minimally satisfactory meeting of requirements. This is the lowest grade for which credit can be earned toward a graduate degree. |
2.00 |
| F |
This grade reveals accomplishment inferior in quality and is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of course requirements. |
0.00 |
| P |
This grade indicates satisfactory achievement of course requirements in courses offered on a pass/fail only basis. |
0.00 |
| I |
An "I" signifying "incomplete" is a temporary grade given when a student is unable to complete the work for a course on time because of extraordinary circumstances. This temporary grade does not influence the student's grade point average; refer to “Incomplete Grades” for more information. |
0.00 |
Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Semester GPA: The GPA for each semester is calculated from the graded courses attempted during that semester
- Cumulative GPA: The GPA for all graduate courses taken at Messiah University.
Repeating Courses
Students may repeat any course in order to receive a better grade. Only the most recent occurrence of the grade and credits count in the calculation of the student’s cumulative GPA. All occurrences of repeated courses will be marked on the transcript. The credits earned for the first grade remain in the term and cumulative calculations until completion of the repeated course.
All courses that are repeated for a better grade must be taken at Messiah University. Courses taken at Messiah University may not be taken at another institution and transferred to Messiah University to fulfill a requirement in their program.
Students need to be advised of possible financial aid consequences of repeating courses for which credits have been earned. Therefore, students using federal financial aid must consult Student Financial Services for details about eligibility of aid.
Note: Students accepted into the Dietetic Internship Program and Occupational Therapy program are not permitted to repeat courses. See Program Director for more information.
Incomplete Grades
A grade of incomplete may be assigned if a student is unable to complete the course work for extraordinary reasons such as illness, emergency, or other reasonable cause; has completed at least two-thirds of the course; has a passing grade average; and a well-defined plan to complete the remaining course work.
Requests for an incomplete must be emailed to the course instructor before the last day of class. An incomplete grade must be resolved by the agreed upon date with the instructor but no later than four weeks from the last day of the particular course. The procedure to apply for an incomplete grade is as follows:
- The student presents a valid reason and requests his/her instructor to extend the time to complete the course. To be considered for an incomplete, the student must be passing the course and have completed at least two-thirds of the coursework. An incomplete should not be given merely because a student fails to complete all the course requirements on time. The instructor giving the incomplete will establish an appropriate completion date with the student. This date may extend to four weeks from the last day of the particular course. If the work is not completed by the designated date, the incomplete will be changed to an “F” and will be calculated as such in the student’s grade point average.
- When reporting final grades, the instructor will enter a grade of “I” in Self-Service. He/she will then be prompted to record an explanation for the incomplete grade. Self-Service automatically sends an e-mail message of confirmation to the instructor and the registrar’s office for review.
- When a student completes the course work, the instructor submits a grade change request to the registrar’s office via Self-Service.
- If a course is not completed within the extended timetable, the incomplete grade is converted to an F. Any exceptions to the timetable must be approved in advance with the instructor and the registrar’s office.
This policy keeps grade and student records up to date, provides for student emergencies, and establishes a reasonable deadline to help students avoid doing two semesters’ work at the same time. It also discourages procrastination
Change of Grade
If, after final grades have been submitted to the registrar’s office, it is determined that an error in the computation or recording of the grade has occurred, the instructor should submit a corrected grade via the online request form. All changes of grades must include supporting rationale and must be received no later than the end of the semester following the one in which the original grade was recorded. A student’s final grade may not be raised by doing additional assignments after the course has concluded or by revising previously submitted assignments. All grade changes require the approval of the registrar’s office.