Grades
Grading System
The University’s official grading system is as follows:
| Exceptional Work: |
A |
= |
4.0 |
quality points per credit hour |
|
A- |
= |
3.7 |
quality points per credit hour |
| Very Good Work: |
B+ |
= |
3.3 |
quality points per credit hour |
|
B |
= |
3.0 |
quality points per credit hour |
|
B- |
= |
2.7 |
quality points per credit hour |
| Good Work: |
C+ |
= |
2.3 |
quality points per credit hour |
|
C |
= |
2.0 |
quality points per credit hour |
|
C- |
= |
1.7 |
quality points per credit hour |
| Marginal Work: |
D+ |
= |
1.3 |
quality points per credit hour |
|
D |
= |
1.0 |
quality points per credit hour |
|
D- |
= |
0.7 |
quality points per credit hour |
| Failing: |
F |
= |
0.0 |
quality points per credit hour |
Faculty have the freedom to determine what constitutes each grade for their classes.
Other Grades Recorded
| AUS |
Audit Satisfied = No quality points or credits. |
| AUU |
Audit not completed = No quality points or credits. |
| AUW |
Audit Withdrawn = No quality points or credits. |
| P |
Passing = No quality points. This grade is allowed only in classes approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. |
| W |
Withdrew = No quality points. |
| I |
Incomplete = No quality points or credits. This grade indicates that the work has not been completed because of factors that in the opinion of the instructor were outside the control of the student. Permission for this grade must be obtained from the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The student has 30 days after the beginning of the succeeding semester to remove an incomplete grade. If it is not removed within that period, the grade automatically becomes F. |
| CE |
Credit by examination = No quality points. |
| NR |
Not Reported = No quality points or credits. This grade is given if a grade is not reported by a faculty member. Students should contact the faculty member when an NR appears on the grade report. |
Quality Point Average
A student’s academic standing at the University is measured by the quality point average. To find this QPA, multiply the number of credit hours attempted by the numerical value of the grade (A=4; B+=3.3; etc.) This total is a student’s quality points. Divide this total by the number of credit hours attempted to obtain the quality point average. For example:
| Course |
Credits |
|
Grade |
Quality Points |
| English |
3 x B |
= |
3.0 |
9.0 |
| History |
3 x C+ |
= |
2.3 |
6.9 |
| Philosophy |
3 x A |
= |
4.0 |
12.0 |
| Science |
3 x D+ |
= |
1.3 |
3.9 |
| Language |
3 x F |
= |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
15 divided into |
31.8=2.12 QPA |
Quality Point Average and Graduation
To graduate a student must have:
- An overall 2.00 QPA; that is, the average for all courses taken at Franciscan University must result in a minimum 2.00 QPA.
- Students must also achieve a 2.00 QPA in their major program beyond the introductory courses, and overall in their minor courses. This calculation is based on Franciscan University courses only.
Note: Student may achieve an overall 2.00 QPA and not be eligible for graduation if they lack the necessary 2.00 QPA in the major program.
Mid-Term Grade Reports
Faculty are required to submit mid-term deficiencies for those students who are performing less than average or poor quality course work. In general, deficiencies represent grades C minus or below and are processed midway, through the semester as determined by the Academic Calendar. Students will be notified by email to check online for deficiencies approximately two weeks prior to the last day for withdrawal. Students receiving deficiencies can find this information located on their MyFranciscan student account; they may also request this information from their instructors. Parents who have permission to review their student’s grades will receive notification of their student’s deficiencies in the mail.
Final Grade Reports
Faculty submit final grades by deadlines determined by academic policy and the academic calendar. Final grades are not mailed to students or their parents but are available to students online on MyFranciscan. Unofficial copies of grades and transcripts may be printed from the student’s online account. Students needing official grade reports for employer reimbursement or other verify must make their request in writing to the Registrar’s Office.
Grade Challenge
Grade Appeals Procedure
1. Meeting with Instructor: Students may dispute a grade within one year of the grade being received. A student who seeks appeal of a final course grade will first speak with the instructor concerned. If the instructor determines that s/he was mistaken, s/he will re-calculate the grade and/or submit a request for a change of grade form. If the instructor maintains that the grade was not in error, the student may request a meeting with the Chair of the Department in which the course was taken.
2. Meeting with Department Chair: If the student wishes to proceed further with the appeal, s/he will then speak to the Chair of the Department in which the course was taken. The Chair, after speaking with both the student and instructor, may agree that the grade be upheld, or direct the instructor to alter it. If there is any question about the decision reached by the Chair, the aggrieved student or instructor will request a meeting with the School Dean or his/her designee. The Chair will keep a written record of all discussions. A copy of this should be forwarded to the School Dean if further action is necessary. If the School Dean is the instructor of the student filing the appeal, the appeal will be forwarded to the VPAA instead of the School Dean.
3. Conference: If either the student or the instructor wishes to proceed further with the appeal, s/he will contact the School Dean. If the School Dean is the instructor, the VPAA will be the designee of the School Dean’s role in the conference setting. Upon receiving the request, the School Dean or designee will call a conference with the student, Chair, and instructor. If the student wishes, they may invite a fellow student or advocate knowledgeable of the situation to attest on his or her behalf. The School Dean or designee will keep a written record of the conference, or may, at his or her discretion, invite a secretary to the meeting to assist in taking minutes. The School Dean or designee can only overturn a grade if it is found to be arbitrary, capricious, or inconsistent with the announced grading policy of the course. The final decision reached by the School Dean or designee will be communicated in writing to the student, instructor, and department Chair involved. Should the student refuse to follow the sequence herein outlined, his/her complaint shall be considered void.
[Revised 02/26/21]