Decoding the GPA: A Guide for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Students

Navigating the world of grades and GPAs can be confusing. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the GPA system at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), covering everything from how grades are calculated to academic honors and actions.

Understanding UWM Grades

At UWM, grades are typically posted on the PAWS system within two weeks after the last day of finals. The Registrar’s Office is the go-to resource for students seeking to understand their grades, GPA calculations, honors designations, and academic actions.

The Grading Basis

Most coursework at UWM is taken on a graded basis. UWM employs a letter grade system, complete with plus and minus grades, based on a 4.000 scale. The grade point average recorded on the official UWM transcript reflects only credits earned or attempted at UWM. Some schools and colleges may have different standards for GPA calculation, potentially including transfer work. Students should consult the Academic Catalog for specifics regarding degree requirements. Credits taken as audit or credit/no credit do not factor into the UWM GPA.

Calculating Your GPA

The number of grade points earned in a course is determined by multiplying the points associated with the grade by the number of credits the course is worth. For example, a student earning a B in a three-credit course would receive nine grade points. GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of graded credits taken.

To calculate your GPA, follow these steps:

Read also: Decoding the 5.0 GPA Scale

Convert letter grades to grade points: Use the UWM grading scale (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0.0). Note that plus and minus grades will have corresponding values (e.g., A- might be 3.7).
Multiply grade points by credit hours: For each course, multiply the grade points by the number of credits the course is worth.
Sum the total grade points: Add up the grade points for all courses.
Sum the total credit hours: Add up the credit hours for all courses.
Divide total grade points by total credit hours: This yields your GPA.

The Dreaded "F" Grade

UWM maintains an "F" grading system to comply with federal regulations for students receiving financial aid. When assigning an "F," instructors also report the student's "week of last participation" in the course. "F0" indicates no attendance or participation, while "F16" signifies completion of the entire term. The "week of last participation" will be visible on unofficial transcripts and grade reports. If you fail a course, you don’t receive any Grade Points.

The Incomplete Grade

An Incomplete (I) grade may be assigned if a student has successfully completed the majority of a course but is unable to finish the final examination or a limited amount of coursework due to illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond their control. Undergraduates must complete a course marked Incomplete before the end of the next succeeding semester (excluding summer sessions and UWinteriM).

UW Flexible Option Grading

UW Flexible Option programs hosted by UW-Milwaukee use grades on the A-F (4.0) scale. A traditional letter grade of A, A-, B+, B, or B- is awarded to students who successfully demonstrate mastery in all the assessments of a course. Students are assigned a grade of F if: they do not complete any assessments in a course, they do not master the assessments required to earn a PR grade, or they do not successfully complete (or master) the assessments in a course. Students who demonstrate progress in a course but are unable to finish it within their 12 week subscription period may be eligible for a “PR” grade. The PR grade does not award any credit, but it does count as an attempt for repeat purposes. Students who receive a PR grade are able to re-enroll in the course during any future subscription period (it does not need to be the next subsequent period), and you will pick up where you left off in your Canvas course. Each instructor sets the criteria necessary to be eligible for the PR grade in that course.

Academic Honors

UWM recognizes academic excellence through various honors programs and distinctions.

Undergraduate Honors

A complete list of Honors offered by Undergraduate degree programs appears with the information about each degree in our Academic Catalog. Select from a list of undergraduate majors, and you’ll find an “Honors” tab listed for each major.

Read also: Understanding ASU Tuition

Commencement and Final Honors

Each School or College offers Commencement Honors (a recognition that grants a student a gold cord distinction for the purposes of the graduation ceremony) and Final Honors (a distinction on your transcript to highlight degrees awarded Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude). Academic honors are Cum Laude (GPA of 3.50 - 3.69), Magna Cum Laude (3.70 - 3.89), and Summa Cum Laude (3.9 - 4.0).

Dean’s Honors List

The Dean’s Honors List identifies the names of students who have earned Dean’s Honors each semester. The Dean’s List is finalized and published approximately one month after the end of the final grading period each semester, excluding UWinteriM. Criteria for earning Dean’s Honors are based on the student's academic program.

Academic Standing and Actions

UWM has established minimum standards of academic achievement that all enrolled students must meet.

Academic Action Policy

The university-wide Academic Action Policy holds you, as an enrolled UWM student, to minimum standards of academic achievement. The standard minimum Grade Point Average for a UWM undergraduate is 2.0, which is equal to a “C” grade. Graduate Students must maintain a 3.0 or better. Unacceptable academic performance will result in formal academic action. The following actions are recorded on the unofficial transcript: (1) Academic Probation; (2) Academically Dropped for One Semester; (3) Final Probation and (4) Academically Dropped for Two Years.

Academic Probation

Probation is a formal academic action that documents unacceptable performance on your unofficial transcript. If your cumulative GPA falls below 2.000 at the end of any grading term, you will be placed on Academic Probation. If you are Academically Dropped for any period of time and are permitted to enroll, you would return on Final Probation.

Read also: GPA Calculation at UAB

Academic Drop

An Academic Drop is dismissal from the university for academic ineligibility. You may be reinstated immediately after a drop action or readmitted after the specified drop period (one semester or two years). If readmitted or reinstated, you will be placed on Final Probation. These actions (reinstatement or readmission) may only be taken by the dean of the school or college by which you were dropped. If you were Academically Dropped for any amount of time and you wish to change your field of study, you must first obtain permission to re-enter from the academic dean of the school or college from which you were dropped. When reapplying, indicate your current desired field of study in the appropriate box on the application. If readmitted, you must contact the academic dean of the school or college you wish to transfer to and initiate the process of officially changing your classification.

If approved, the student’s cumulative UWM GPA will be reset as of the point of readmission. All grades earned prior to readmission will continue to appear on the student’s transcript and record. Any credits earned prior to readmission will continue to count toward the student’s cumulative totals along with any applicable degree requirements.

Seeking Assistance

If your GPA is falling or if you are in danger of being placed on Academic Probation, talk to your Academic Advisor for advice on bringing up your grades.

Grade Appeals

A student (undergraduate or graduate) may appeal a grade on the grounds that it is based on a capricious or arbitrary decision of the course instructor. If the recommendation made by the person or body designed to hear such appeals is acceptable to the student, they shall notify the dean or designee of the school or college of their acceptance of the recommendation, and the instructor shall take appropriate action regarding grade change, if needed.

Additional Resources

UWM provides various forms and digital tools to support your academic journey. These include forms for:

Add/drop/swap classes or change credits/grading option after published deadlines.
Withdrawing from a term after the published deadlines.
Updating personal information.
Requesting a waiver of a student’s late registration fee.

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