Grading Policy

The grading policy of the School is designed to provide feedback on the quality of the student’s work. Symbols A, B, C, F, I, and IP are used in grade reporting as defined below.

A Distinguished, clearly superior work showing high quality of insight, depth of knowledge, and with no fundamental deficiencies

B Demonstrates acceptable acquisition of basic subject and/or skill mastery

C Demonstrates minimum mastery of graduate level knowledge, awareness and skills. (doctoral students must retake the course)

F Inadequate work or the absence of work

I “Incomplete” denotes that an examination or required assignment has been postponed for a serious reason after consultation with the instructor. An “incomplete” grade may be given at the instructor’s discretion. Students who have not contacted a faculty member regarding completion of course requirements are subject to a failing grade. An incomplete contract is available in the Dean’s Office for those who wish to put in writing a plan for completion of course requirements. Students given approval to postpone course requirements must complete them on the date specified by the instructor. If the notation is still incomplete at the close of the following semester, it is converted to a failing grade (F).

IP Work for the course is “In Progress” due to the nature of the particular course or course schedule. “IPs” are not automatically converted to “Fs.”

P The dissertation courses (709, 729, 790 and 791) are graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

W “Withdrawal:” When a student drops a course after the University census date.

NR Grade “Not Reported” by the instructor. To correct the transcript, the instructor must file a change of grade form. “NR” carries no connotation of student performance and no grade point value is given.

AU “Auditor:” course not taken for credit (SOE audit courses require students to pay full fees)

RC “Registration Canceled” is put on a transcript when the Bursar cancels registration due to non-payment of tuition and fees.

*Departments may have their own policies regarding minimum passing grades. Check with your Program Assistant/Program Coordinator.

**Teacher Education candidates who do not earn a passing grade of B- must repeat the course.

On-Line Grading

USF faculty must report their student grades on-line through Banner, accessed via myUSF. Please note, although there is a grading function in Canvas, this is not the official grade reporting portal and will not result in grades being reported to the University Registrar. While instructors are welcome to use this function for tracking purposes, final grades must be submitted in Banner, via myUSF.

Late Grade Submission

If grades are not submitted online by the deadline (see the USF Academic Calendar), you must contact your program assistant to get the online link to submit a change of grade request for each student. Instructors must complete one Change of Grade request per student for each course. Requests are submitted electronically to the Dean’s Office for approval and then submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Contact your Program Assistant for the link to the online change of grade request form.

Change of Grade

Once grades have been submitted to the USF Office of the Registrar, they will not be changed unless there has been an evident injustice, and only after the Dean has received the faculty member's request giving the reason for the change. This includes changes from “I”, “IPs” to a letter grade. The change will become effective only after the Change of Grade form has been approved by the Dean and filed with the University Registrar’s Office. Changes should be submitted as soon as possible after the student completes the course work.

Probation and Disqualification

Any student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.00 will be placed on academic probation. Students who fail to raise their cumulative grade point average to 3.00 by the time they have completed the next six semester hours of graduate work are subject to disqualification from the program.

Students whose cumulative average falls below a grade point average of 2.50 in any one semester are also subject to disqualification unless otherwise informed by the School of Education.

Time Limitations for Degree Completion

Time limitation for completion of a School of Education M.A./Credential degree is 4 years from the time of a student’s official admission to the School and commencement of the program. Time limitation for completion of a School of Education Doctoral degree is 7 years from the time of a student’s official admission to the School and commencement of the program. Students who need to extend beyond the time limitation must appeal to and obtain approval from the Dean's Office.