Grading System
Instructors in graduate programs are required to use the following uniform criteria in assigning grades to students:
| Grade |
Meaning |
| A |
Excellent mastery of course content and excellent ability to apply course content concepts. The work displays initiative, independence and application. In some courses, originality may be required. |
| B |
Satisfactory mastery of course content and ability to apply course content concepts. Work indicates a grasp of the significance, interrelatedness and uses of the material covered. |
| C |
Minimal understanding and knowledge of course concepts. |
| F |
Unsatisfactory understanding of basic facts and principles which constitute the course content. Work receives no academic credit. |
| S |
Satisfactory performance on thesis, research, field work, software engineering projects, some special topics or some internship coursework; equivalent to a minimum B grade (82%) at the graduate level. |
| U |
Unsatisfactory performance on thesis, research, field work, software engineering projects, some special topics or some internship coursework; Work receives no academic credit. |
| W |
Withdrawal. This grade is assigned to students who withdraw after the drop/add period and according to withdrawal policy. |
| WX |
Administrative withdrawal due to extensive absences. |
| INC |
Incomplete work |
| IP |
In Progress |
Plus and Minus Grades
Instructors may use plus (+) and minus (-) signs with grades to provide differentiation among students.
Grade Points and Grade Point Averages
Each grade has a grade point value. A grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation and for status as a degree candidate. Only prerequisite and required courses count in the GPA. requirement for graduation. A student whose GPA is below 3.0 may be dismissed for academic reasons after the academic warning period (see Academic Standing and Warning section).
| Grade |
Point Value |
Grade |
Point Value |
| A |
4.00 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| A- |
3.67 |
C |
2.00 |
| B+ |
3.33 |
C- |
1.67 |
| B |
3.00 |
F |
0 |
| B- |
2.67 |
U |
0 |
Grades of W, WX and INC carry no point value and are not considered when calculating the GPA
Incompletes
An incomplete may not be granted unless a student has completed at least half of the work of the course with a passing grade and by permission of the instructor and program director. A grade of “INC” (incomplete) will be assigned when illness, emergency or unusual circumstances beyond the student’s control prevent the student from completing the assigned coursework and/or examination(s) by the end of the semester or session. It is not meant to be used to allow for late assignment submission.
A student who wishes to apply for a grade of “INC” must secure and complete, with the instructor, the Application for Incomplete Grade form. This form is available from the Registrar's Office or online at www.hood.edu/gradforms. The course instructor will identify the deadline date for completion of the work, the conditions under which the grade of “INC” will be removed and the consequences for failure to meet those conditions. The instructor, the student, and the program director must sign and approve the Application for Incomplete Grade form and the provisions for completion. The completed Application for Incomplete Grade form must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than the last day of classes for the term.
All assignments for the course in question must be completed by March 15 for fall courses, October 15 for summer courses and August 15 for spring courses, but instructors may assign deadlines before these standard dates. Any subsequent request for a further extension of the incomplete grade must be submitted by the student and approved by the instructor, program director and Registrar. Upon submission of the final work by the student, the instructor will notify the registrar's office of the final grade, which will be entered on the student's transcript for the course, replacing the original INC grade.
Grade Appeal
If a student receives a final grade in a course that they believe is incorrect or unfair, they may appeal that grade by following this procedure. For clarity and legal reasons, all formal complaints and appeals described below must be in written, not oral, form:
- Student must contact the faculty member involved, in writing, within 30 calendar days of the posting of the disputed grade. The grade appeal request must outline the specific grievances about the grading procedure, grounds for appeal and attach relevant documentation (syllabus, guidelines for papers or presentations etc.).
- The instructor should provide a decision regarding the grade appeal review within 30 calendar days of the receiving the request from the student. However, based on the context and extent of the grade dispute, the instructor may take longer than 30 days to render a decision.
- If, after hearing the instructor’s explanation, the student still wishes to appeal the grade, she or he must present the grade appeal to the program director within 30 days of notification from the instructor. The program director must provide a decision regarding the grade appeal review within 30 calendar days of receiving the request from the student. However, based on the context and extend of the grade dispute, the program director may take longer than 30 days to render a decision.
- If the student is still not satisfied, they may make a final appeal to the dean of the Graduate School. In such cases, the dean must be contacted within 30 days of the notification of the program director.
- Should a student fail to follow the above timeline, their appeal will be dismissed. In each stage of the appeal process, the student will receive a letter stating the reviewer's determination.
- All parties to the grade appeal (student, instructor, program director and dean) are to maintain strict confidentiality until the matter is resolved.