Navigating the Pass/No Pass Grading Option at UCLA: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding UCLA's grading policies, particularly the Pass/No Pass (P/NP) option, is crucial for students to strategically manage their academic performance. This article provides a detailed overview of the P/NP system, relevant deadlines, and procedures for undergraduate and graduate students. Grades are accessed through MyUCLA. All grades for a completed term are accessible through MyUCLA no later than two weeks after the last day of final examinations. If grades are not available, they have not been received from the instructor or are still being processed. If a grade is missing, contact the instructor or the department that offered the course. Do not call the Registrar’s Office directly for grades. If a grade is different from what was expected, contact the course instructor for explanation.
Understanding UCLA Grading Policies
UCLA employs a comprehensive grading system, and familiarity with its nuances is essential for academic success. All grades except DR, I, and IP are final when filed by the instructor in the end-of-term course report. Thereafter, a grade change may be made only in case of a clerical or procedural error or other unusual circumstances. For information about UCLA grade policies, see the Academic Policies section of the UCLA General Catalog.
Grade Availability and Discrepancies
Grades are accessed through MyUCLA. All grades for a completed term are accessible through MyUCLA no later than two weeks after the last day of final examinations. If grades are not available, they have not been received from the instructor or are still being processed. If a grade is different from what was expected, contact the course instructor for explanation. Do not call the Registrar’s Office directly for grades. If a grade is missing, contact the instructor or the department that offered the course.
Grade Revisions and Incomplete Grades
Grades are rarely revised, but incomplete grades may be completed. No grade may be revised by re-examination or, with the exception of the I and IP grades, by completing additional work. Students who are dissatisfied with a grade may request a review of their work with their instructor and an explanation of the grade assigned. All grade changes are recorded on the transcript.
Incomplete (I) Grade Removal: Once an Incomplete (I) grade is assigned, it remains on the transcript along with the passing grade a student may later receive for the course. An instructor may assign the I grade when work is of passing quality but is incomplete for a good cause (such as illness or other serious problem). If the work is not completed by the end of the next full term in residence, the I grade lapses to an F, NP, or U as appropriate. The College or school may extend the completion deadline in unusual cases. Graduate students should consult their departmental adviser.
Read also: Mastering Pass Protection
Pass/No Pass (P/NP) Grading Option: The Basics
Courses with an optional grading basis allow students (not instructors) to choose either a Letter grade or a Passed/Not Passed grade (for undergraduates) or Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory grade (for graduate students). In MyUCLA and the Schedule of Classes, the grade type for classes with optional grading is displayed as SO (Student Option) on the class information page. The default grading basis for an optionally graded class is Letter Grade (LG).
Key Considerations for Choosing P/NP
- Impact on GPA: A "Pass" grade does not affect your GPA, while a "No Pass" grade also doesn't affect your GPA.
- Major Requirements: Check with your department to see if P/NP is allowed for major requirements.
- Professional School Admissions: Be mindful of how professional schools view P/NP grades. Some may prefer letter grades for prerequisite courses.
Deadlines and Procedures for Undergraduates
Undergraduate students in good academic standing have specific deadlines and procedures for changing the grading basis of their courses.
Optional Grading Basis
Undergraduate students in good academic standing can change the grading basis on optionally graded courses using MyUCLA with no fee during the first six weeks of the term. Changes after Friday of week six require a petition; if approved, students are charged a per-class change fee.
Mandatory Grading Basis
Courses with a mandatory (non-optional) grading basis (e.g., Letter Grade only, Passed/Not Passed, Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory) are designated LG, PN, or SU in MyUCLA. Undergraduate students in good academic standing must petition to request a change in grading basis for these courses. The deadline for undergraduates to petition for change is Friday of the sixth week of the term.
Important Dates and Fees
Undergraduate students can make changes to the study list through Friday of the third week of the term without a fee. After Friday of week three a fee may be charged to make a change. Fees for transactions made through MyUCLA are assessed through BruinBill. Anything submitted or requested as an exception to a published deadline is subject to a penalty fee (included where applicable). For late enrollment transactions after published deadlines, students should contact their respective counseling units for petition and procedures.
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Deadlines and Procedures for Graduate Students
Graduate students also have specific deadlines and procedures for changing their grading basis.
Optional Grading Basis
Graduate students can change grading basis on optionally graded courses using MyUCLA with no fee through week ten of the term. For retroactive changes after the last day of instruction, students must petition and are charged a per-class late fee.
Mandatory Grading Basis
To change the grading basis on a mandatory-graded class, graduate students use a Graduate Degree Petition. All deadlines fall on Friday of the week(s) indicated. Fees apply as shown.
Additional Considerations
Transcript Notations
Regular terms: Impacted course drops processed after Friday of week two, and nonimpacted course drops processed after Friday of week four, are permanently recorded on the transcript. Summer sessions: See summer impacted course drop information on the Drop a Class page. Retroactive changes: A retroactive add or drop generates a transcript notation.
Important Notes from Fellow Students
- Dropping Courses: My friend, who is in the College of Letters & Science, says that I can drop a course through 10th week of the term.
- Fee Reduction: I heard I can enroll in 10 units or less and get my fees reduced.
- Graduation Paperwork: I’m planning to graduate!
- Research Credit: I’m doing research with a professor/employer.
- Undeclared Engineering: I am an Undeclared Engineering major.
- Transfer Credit: My transfer credits on my DPR aren’t matching what my counselor told me.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Passing
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