Tiako University

Grade and Grade Point Average

Students receive a grade in each course in which they are registered. Each course syllabus indicates the relationship between course components and assignments in determining the final grade. Grades are used in determining the grade point average (GPA). The University measures progress using a 4-point scale as follows:

Grade Category

Each grade category can be defined as follows:

• Excellent (A): Exceeds most requirements and expectations; demonstrates excellent analytic, synthetic, integrative, and/or creative skill.
  
• Very Good (B): Exceeds many requirements and expectations in one or more ways; demonstrates creativity and originality.
  
• Average (C): Meets all requirements and expectations and exceeds some in one or more ways; demonstrates better-than-average analytic, synthetic, integrative, and/or creative skill.
  
• Poor (D): Fails to meet some aspects of requirements or expectations.
  
• Failure (F): Fails to meet basic requirements and expectations.
  

Grades Not Affecting GPA

The following grades do not affect the GPA:

• Audit (AU): Indicates that the student attended the course without expectation of credit or grade.
  
• In Progress (IP): Indicates that the grade was not available from the instructor at the time the transcript was printed.
  
• Incomplete (I): This grade is used when circumstances beyond a student’s control prohibit the student from taking the final exam or completing course work. It is not a grade given to students who need to retake a course because the student has fallen substantially behind.
  
• Withdrawal (W): Indicates withdrawal from the course after a drop/add period. The grade of “W” will not be assigned to any student who has taken the final examination in the course. An instructor may not withdraw a student from a course. W is not included in determining grade average but does count toward hours attempted when determining satisfactory progress.
  
• Pass (P): Given for internship courses. Also indicates student has passed with a “C” level grade or higher; not included in determining grade average but does represent satisfactory progress toward graduation.
  

Additional Grades

Additional grades designators are:

• FR Indicates an “F” grade that has been repeated.
  
• EX Indicates student was exempted from a course; no credits are awarded for exempted courses.
  
• R Indicates course was repeated; only higher grade used for computing grade average.
  
• WNA Withdrawn; never attended; not used in computer of satisfactory progress.
  

Incomplete Grades

To receive an incomplete (I) grade, the student must petition by the last week of the term for an extension to complete the required coursework. The student must be satisfactorily passing the course at the time of petition. Incomplete grades that are not completed within two weeks after the end of the term will be converted to the grade earned and will affect the student’s GPA. Arrangements for the “I” grade and its completion must be initiated by the student and agreed to by the instructor and advisor. An Assignment of Final Grade for Completion of an Incomplete (I) form must be completed each time a grade of “I” is assigned. On the form, the instructor will specify to both the student and the department the work remaining to be done, the procedures for its completion, the grade in the course to date, and the weight to be assigned to work remaining to be done when the final grade is computed.

If make-up work requires classroom or laboratory attendance in a subsequent term, the students should not register for the course again; instead, the student must audit the course and pay audit fees. If the make-up work does not require classroom or laboratory attendance, the instructor and student should decide on an appropriate plan and a deadline for completing the course. When the student completes the course, the instructor will submit a change of grade to the Department that will route the information to the Office of the Registrar. Should the work not be completed within the agreed upon time frame, the University will assign a grade of “F.” These procedures cannot be used to repeat a course for a different grade. An “I” grade will not be assigned to a student who never attended class; instead, instructors may assign a failing grade.