Grades and Grading Policies < University of Florida (2024)

Grades and Grade Points

The Office of the University Registrar records student grades.

The word credit refers to one semester hour, generally representing one hour per week of lecture or two or more hours per week of laboratory work.

Passing Grades and Grade Points

Credit Earned Prior to May 11, 2009 | Summer A

Passing Grades and Grade Points

Credit Earned Effective May 11, 2009 | Summer A

The degree-granting college may require a specific minimum grade in particular courses.

Failing Grades and Grade Points

Non-Punitive Grades and Grade Points

Definitions

E: Failure

H: Deferred grade assigned only in approved sequential courses or flexible learning

I* / I: Incomplete

N* / NG: No grade reported

S: Satisfactory

U: Unsatisfactory

W: Withdrew

WF: Withdrew failing

I*, N* and I, NG Grades

I* or N* grades recorded on the student record indicate the non-punitive initial-term receipt of an I or NG. A grade of I* or N* is not considered a failing grade for the term in which it is received, and it is not computed in the grade point average. However, if the I* or N* has not been changed after 150 days, it will be counted as a failing grade and used in computation of a student's grade point average.

For purposes of determining grade point average after the initial receipt of an I* or N* grade, the three Summer terms are considered collectively as a single term. I* and N* grades are not assigned to graduating students; they receive failing grades of I or NG.

An incomplete grade may be assigned at the discretion of the instructor as an interim grade for a course in which the student has completed a major portion of the course with a passing grade, been unable to complete course requirements before the end of the term because of extenuating circ*mstances, and obtained agreement from the instructor and arranged for resolution of the incomplete grade. Instructors are not required to assign incomplete grades.

If make-up work requires classroom or laboratory attendance in a subsequent term, students must not register for the course again. Instead, they should audit the course and pay course fees.

If the make-up work does not require classroom or laboratory attendance, the student and their instructor should decide on an appropriate plan and deadline for completing the course.

When the course is completed, the instructor will initiate the change of grade. These procedures cannot be used to repeat a course for a different grade. An I grade should not be assigned to a student who never attended class; instead, instructors should assign a failing grade.

W and WF Grades

Courses dropped after drop/add and before the withdrawal deadline will be graded W. WF grades are no longer issued by the university, but in previous years they reflect courses dropped after the withdrawal deadline.
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Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grade Option | S/U

Subject to college degree program and department guidelines, students can take elective coursework and earn grades of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory). A grade of S is equal to a C (2.0) or better. Grades earned under the S/U option do not carry grade point values and are not computed in the University of Florida grade point average. Courses with a grade of S will count as credits earned in a degree program. Such grades are included in the student's permanent academic record and are reflected on the transcript. After the S/U option is approved, the grade cannot revert to a letter grade.

Other academic institutions and agencies may interpret a grade of U as a failing grade.

If a student chooses the S/U option they must be in good standing and not on university academic probation. To elect the S/U option, students must obtain the approvals indicated on the form. Students can elect the S/U option for one course only each term; this option is in addition to courses that are taught only on an S/U basis. Courses taken to fulfill the general education and the Writing Requirement cannot be taken S/U.

For Fall, Spring, and Summer C terms, the S/U option deadline is Friday of the third week of classes. For Summer A and Summer B terms, the deadline is Wednesday of the second week of classes.

H Grades

An H grade, which signifies a deferred grade assignment, is normally assigned at the end of a term when a specific course's class calendar differs from the traditional course calendar. Now that UF flexible learning courses have been incorporated into the student records system, H grades will also be assigned to students who cannot complete their flexible learning course requirements before the end of the traditional grade cycle.

While H grades for traditional courses become punitive at a date determined by the college, H grades for flexible learning coursework generally become punitive 32 weeks after course enrollment. However, any grade of H received by a degree candidate will become punitive (and calculated as a failing grade) at degree certification.

Grade Point Averaging

The term average refers to the grade point average (GPA) for work completed in the current or most recent academic program attended at the University of Florida. Grades received at other institutions are NOT averaged with grades received at the University of Florida for the purpose of meeting university GPA requirements. Other agencies and honorary societies will compute averages in accordance with their own standards and policies. Averages are determined by computing the ratio of grade points to semester credits attempted.

Calculating the Grade Point Average

• Multiply grade value by the number of credits for total grade points.
• Divide the total number of grade points by the number of credits carried. (S/U option grades are not calculated in the GPA.)
• The GPA value is displayed to the hundredths place and not rounded up (i.e., 3.248 = 3.24).

Dismissal for Insufficient GPA

Just as a sufficient GPA is critical for academic success, an insufficient GPA could lead to dismissal from the university. Students must maintain a minimum GPA based on their cumulative UF credits to avoid dismissal and cancellation of advanced registrations.
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Grade Values for Conversion

To see calculations based upon former grade values, please refer to the 2009-10 undergraduate catalog.

Repeat Coursework

University of Florida coursework that is repeated is counted in the computation of students' UF grade point average as many times as grades for that course are recorded, although credits will be awarded only once.

When a student earns a C (2.0) or higher in a course, they will not be allowed to repeat that course. Any exceptions to this policy must be made via an approved petition to the student’s college.

If the student entered UF with credit for Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and they then repeat and pass the equivalent course at UF, they will receive a grade for the UF course and no credit for the prior work.

Grades received at other institutions will not be averaged with grades received at the University of Florida. Repeat coursework taken at the University of Florida will result in calculation of the UF grade in the UF grade point average only, with credit earned only once.

Outcomes when Repeated Coursework involves Transfer Coursework

Coursework taken at another institution and then repeated at UF

Only UF grade computed in GPA; credit earned only once.

Coursework taken at UF and then repeated at another institution

Only UF grade computed in GPA; credit earned only once.

Coursework taken and repeated at another institution

No grades will be calculated into the UF GPA and credit is awarded only once.

Repeat course equivalencies are identified based on the state’s common course taxonomy. Refer to the statewide course numbering system for the definition of course equivalencies.

Colleges may not accept grade points and credits earned from lower-level courses if they are taken after the student has received credit/grades for advanced courses or exam credit in the same field.

Grade Changes

Grade changes will be accepted and processed by the Office of the University Registrar for one calendar year after the term in which the course was attempted.

Any grade changes submitted after the deadline must be accompanied by additional supporting information or documentation justifying the extension and submitted to the appropriate college dean. If the dean approves the exception, they will forward an authorized grade change form to the Office of the University Registrar.

One calendar year is specified as the published grades due date of the same semester in the following year.

This policy does not apply to grades of I or I*, which designate a grade of incomplete.