Understanding the University of Cincinnati Grading Scale: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Cincinnati (UC) employs a comprehensive grading system to evaluate student performance. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of the grading scale, its implications, and related academic policies at UC. Understanding these policies is crucial for students to monitor their academic progress, maintain good standing, and achieve their academic goals.

Decoding the Grading System

At the end of each term, students can access their final grades through the Catalyst student portal immediately after the instructor submits them. These grade reports provide a summary of total graduate hours and hours for the current semester. The report also distinguishes between "units taken" (course credits enrolled in but not successfully completed or pending a final grade) and "credits passed" (course credits successfully completed with a final grade other than F). These values are reflected on the student's transcript as attempted hours and earned hours.

A graduate grade point average (GPA) is calculated at the end of each semester. While approved transfer credits from other institutions contribute to the total credits earned, the grades associated with those credits are not factored into the GPA calculation. All graduate coursework, regardless of the UC college in which it was completed, is included in these calculations.

Incomplete Grades: Navigating the "I"

The "I" grade, signifying incomplete, is assigned when a student has satisfactorily completed a significant portion of the coursework but has not finished all required components by the end of the term. The instructor assigning the "I" grade must set a specific deadline for the student to complete the remaining coursework, allowing sufficient time for final evaluation and grade changes before the grade automatically converts to an "F." This deadline is capped at one year from the last day of exams. However, the instructor is not obligated to grant the student the full year.

If the remaining coursework is completed within the agreed-upon timeframe (and within the one-year limit), the instructor will submit a change of grade online via Catalyst, based on the quality of the completed work. If the instructor does not set a specific completion date, the student has one year from the end of the term in which the "I" was assigned to finish the coursework and submit it to the instructor for evaluation and final grade approval by the Registrar. Graduation will not be permitted if a student has a grade of "I" on the transcript.

Strategies for GPA Management

Predicting the grades needed in upcoming quarters can be challenging. It's important to remember that the more courses a student has taken, the more terms it will take to raise their cumulative GPA. Therefore, it's crucial to start strong by engaging with professors, managing time effectively, and utilizing available UC campus resources.

To estimate the potential impact of future grades on the cumulative GPA, students can use a GPA calculator. This involves:

Entering current courses and anticipated grades.
Multiplying the predicted grade by the course's credit hours for each course.
Summing the credit hours (Box A) and the total Quality Points (Box B).
Dividing the total Quality Points (Box B) by the total credit hours (Box A) to estimate the semester GPA (Box C).
Adding the current Total Quality Points (Box D, obtained from OneStop) to the new Quality Points (Box B) to get Box G.
Adding the current credit hours (Box E) to the new credit hours (Box A) to get Box F.
Dividing Box G by Box F to estimate the new Cumulative GPA.

Academic Standing: Probation and Dismissal

Cincinnati State students enrolled in a degree or certificate program must maintain satisfactory academic performance to remain in good standing. Students who fail to meet the required GPA/grade standards will be placed on academic probation. During this period, students are allowed to continue their studies, but they must adhere to academic intervention strategies, such as meeting with an advisor or faculty director and developing a success plan. A student who triggers probation criteria a second time may be eligible for dismissal from the college.

A student may appeal the academic suspension or dismissal through a written request to the Provost. The written request must include a rationale for the appeal and supporting documentation. The student must maintain a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher in every enrolled semester and must earn a grade of C or higher in all Developmental Level courses (i.e., MAT 093, MAT 096, ESL 051, or ESL 052).

College of Nursing Specifics

The College of Nursing has specific grading policies. Unlike traditional grading scales, the graduate-level grading scale here transitions directly from C to F. Anything below a B-minus is considered a failing grade. All "I" grades for required nursing courses must be resolved to progress to the next sequential course. Specifically, an "I" grade in any sequential nursing course must be removed by the end of the second week of the subsequent term for the student to continue enrollment in the next course in the sequence, adhering to the University Course Descriptions.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Students are expected to adhere to the clinical code of conduct and demonstrate safe and professional practice in the clinical setting.

Additional Grade Designations

Several other grade designations appear on UC transcripts:

S: Represents satisfactory performance or passing in courses graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
N: Administratively assigned by the Office of the Registrar if no grade is reported by the instructor. Students receiving an N grade are initially ineligible for Dean's List or Academic Merit.
W: Assigned to students who withdraw from a full-semester course after the Last Day to Drop but before the Last Day to Withdraw. The same applies to flexibly-scheduled courses with corresponding deadlines.

Administrative Withdrawal for Non-Attendance

A student enrolled in a class who does not attend any class sessions for the consecutive equivalent of 20% of the total class length after the No Show period may be administratively withdrawn from the course. For example, this would be three weeks for a 15-week class or two weeks for a 10-week class. Instructors are required to include information in their syllabus explaining how attendance is taken and stating that non-attendance for the consecutive equivalent of 20% of the total class length will lead to administrative withdrawal. The instructor will use an eform to notify the Associate Dean to administratively withdraw the student from the class. The last day an instructor may submit an Administrative Withdrawal is the last day students can withdraw from the class.

Auditing Courses

Students have the option to audit a course without receiving a grade or credit. Regular tuition applies to audited courses, and no college credit can be earned or later claimed.

Dean's List and Academic Merit

Students who earn 12 or more credit hours in a semester for academic courses with quality points and achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher with no grades of I, IP, F, or U qualify for the Dean's List. Those earning between six and 11 credit hours under the same conditions qualify for Academic Merit. Students who receive a grade of N will not initially be eligible for Dean’s List or Academic Merit. To be eligible for Dean’s List or Academic Merit, the grade change for the N grade must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the end of the tenth instructional day of the following semester. Grade changes for N grades submitted after the tenth instructional day of the following semester will not be recalculated for Dean’s List or Academic Merit status.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Advising and Accessibility Resources

Academic advising is a collaborative experience, involving faculty advisors, academic advisors, and clinical site coordinators. This partnership requires participation and involvement of all team members and the student as it is built over the student’s entire educational experience at the university. Meeting with an academic advisor prior to registering for classes and developing a plan for achieving academic success is highly recommended.

Accessibility Resources provides accommodations and support to students with disabilities in both online and in-person programs. Whether a student experiences test anxiety, needs extended time on assignments, or has any circumstance impacting their academic success, Accessibility Resources can assist in identifying the necessary support.

Grade Disputes and Changes

It is the student’s responsibility to check their grades for accuracy. Any errors, discrepancies, or omissions should be reported to the instructor and/or division dean responsible for the course within 30 days of the end of the semester for which the grade was issued. Changes to course grades must be initiated by the instructor who issued the grade and submitted to the appropriate division dean for approval no later than two semesters after the semester in which the grade was originally issued.

Instructor Prerogative and Program GPA

The College does not have a universal policy or standard for determining grades for courses or assignments. Grading policies and procedures are the prerogative of each instructor. In some instances, academic departments or programs have established grading standards that apply to a particular course or group of courses.

Program GPA is calculated as the total quality points earned divided by the total credit hours attempted for all courses bearing quality points listed in the student’s current Degree Audit curriculum. Foundations-level Mathematics courses that use course numbers beginning with a zero, as well as English as a Second Language courses, are not calculated in the GPA.

Incomplete Grades (I and IP)

A grade of I (incomplete) or IP (incomplete for classes graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis) is awarded at the discretion of the instructor. When unusual circumstances prevent a student from completing course requirements during the semester in which the student is enrolled, the instructor may agree to record a grade of I or IP until the final grade is established. Timetables and requirements for the completion of the course are the instructor’s prerogative.

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