Grading Policies and Interpretations
College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Programs
Grades assigned to students in most graduate programs of the College of Arts and Sciences are as follows: A (distinction); B (quality expected of graduate students); C (below graduate standards); D (not accepted for graduate credit at Stetson); and F (fail). At the faculty member's discretion, pluses and minuses may be used to further refine a student's grade. Grades assigned to the MFA graduate program in Creative Writing are P (pass) and F (fail).
Final grades are to be submitted within seven days of course completion.
A student who fails to maintain an academic average of B (3.0) in graduate coursework is at risk of being dismissed, as is a student who earns grades of C+ or lower. See Academic Standing, Academic Probation, Dismissal, and Readmission for details.
Grade Point Average Calculation
Students’ cumulative grade-point averages are based on a four-point scale. Letter grades are assigned the numerical equivalents per credits listed below. Grades are carried to the third decimal and are not rounded.
| A+ = 4.00 | B- = 2.67 | D = 1.00 |
| A = 4.00 | C+ = 2.33 | D- = 0.67 |
| A- = 3.67 | C = 2.00 | F = 0.00 |
| B+ = 3.33 | C- = 1.67 | X = 0.00 |
| B = 3.00 | D+ = 1.33 | W - 0.00 |
The grade-point average is determined by dividing the numerical equivalents of the grades earned by the total GPA credits, including all courses failed except for grades excluded under the Course Exclusion Policy. Recognize, however, that other universities, agencies, and employers may calculate GPA’s using all grades that appear on the transcript, including grades excluded. Only courses taken at Stetson will be used by the University in computing the student’s cumulative grade-point average.
Additional Grades
In addition to the grades identified above, the following are additional grades that can be given:
| I | incomplete. This is the grade given when a student cannot complete the work of the course because of illness or other extenuating conditions, and the instructor’s academic Dean has approved an extension of time for the completion of a course. The coursework must be completed by the agreed-upon date between the faculty member and student or two weeks prior to the last day of classes in the next academic session of enrollment; but in all cases, it must be removed within 24 months from the date issued regardless of enrollment status; otherwise, the I becomes an F. An I grade cannot be removed by repeating the course. |
| P | course passed. Credit is given. Does not affect grade-point average. |
| W | an approved withdrawal from all courses at the University before mid-term. See the Academic Calendar for the actual date. No credit is earned and the grade-point average is not affected. |
| X | the grade received for the late drop of a course without academic penalty. No credit is earned and the grade-point average is not affected. The grade must be approved by the student’s academic Dean. |
| NR | grade not reported. |
Requesting an Incomplete
Graduate students are expected to complete all assignments by the due dates listed in the course syllabus. Instructors must submit final grades within seven days after the last day of class.
In exceptional cases, such as illness or other serious circumstances, a graduate student may request an extension to complete outstanding coursework. This request must be submitted in writing to the instructor before the end of the course.
If the instructor approves the request, they will outline the remaining work to be completed and establish deadlines on an Incomplete Form. The deadline for completing the work must be no later than two weeks before the end of the next academic session, and cannot exceed two years from the course end date.
The instructor then forwards the completed Incomplete Form to the Office of Graduate Studies, which reviews it before sending it to the Dean’s Office for final approval. Once approved, the student will receive an Incomplete (“I”) grade for the course.
Additional guidelines regarding the Incomplete grade can be found in the University Catalog under “Interpretation of Grades.”
If an Incomplete grade is not resolved by the approved deadline, it will automatically convert to a permanent grade of F. The deadline for removing the Incomplete will be strictly enforced.
Extending an Incomplete
In cases of serious extenuating circumstances, students may submit a written appeal requesting an extension. The appeal must clearly describe the remaining work and explain why the original deadline could not be met. The faculty member must first approve the appeal before it is forwarded to the Office of Graduate Studies for processing.
The Office of Graduate Studies will then coordinate with the Dean of the College to review and approve the appeal. The appeal must include the instructor’s approval and a revised timeline for completing all outstanding assignments.
The maximum extension granted through an appeal is 24 months from the original date the Incomplete was assigned, regardless of the student’s enrollment status during that time.
School of Business Administration Graduate Programs
Grades assigned to students in graduate programs of the School of Business Administration are as follows: A (distinction); B (quality expected of graduate students); C (below graduate standards); D (not accepted for graduate credit); and F (failure). At the faculty member’s discretion, plusses and minuses may be used to further refine a student’s grade.
A student who fails to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in graduate coursework is at risk of being dismissed. Any graduate student receiving a D or F in an advanced-level class will be dismissed from the program. A dismissed student may apply for re-admission after a one-year absence from the program but is not guaranteed acceptance. For details, see section on Academic Standing, Academic Probation, Dismissal, and Readmission.
Undergraduate foundation courses, completed at an institution other than the Stetson University School of Business Administration, in which a grade of D or F was earned, must be retaken.
A Post-Baccalaureate student enrolled in the School of Business Administration must earn a C or higher in all foundation courses. A Post-Baccalaureate student who fails to earn a C or better in any foundation course will not be permitted to enroll in future courses in the School of Business Administration.
Grade Point Average Calculation
Students’ cumulative grade-point averages are based on a four-point scale. Letter grades are assigned the numerical equivalents per credits listed below. Grades are carried to the third decimal and are not rounded.
| A+ = 4.00 | B- = 2.67 | D = 1.00 |
| A = 4.00 | C+ = 2.33 | D- = 0.67 |
| A- = 3.67 | C = 2.00 | F = 0.00 |
| B+ = 3.33 | C- = 1.67 | X = 0.00 |
| B = 3.00 | D+ = 1.33 | W - 0.00 |
The grade-point average is determined by dividing the numerical equivalents of the grades earned by the total GPA credits, including all courses failed except for grades excluded under the Course Exclusion Policy. Recognize, however, that other universities, agencies, and employers may calculate GPAs using all grades that appear on the transcript, including grades excluded. Only courses taken at Stetson will be used by the University in computing the student’s cumulative grade-point average.
Additional Grades
In addition to the grades identified above, the following are additional grades that can be given:
| I | incomplete. This is the grade given when a student cannot complete the work of the course because of illness or other extenuating conditions, and the instructor’s academic Dean has approved an extension of time for the completion of a course. The work of the course must be completed two weeks prior to the last day of classes in the next academic session of enrollment (excluding summer term); but in all cases, except graduate thesis courses, it must be removed within 24 months from the date issued regardless of enrollment status; otherwise, the I becomes an F. An I grade cannot be removed by repeating the course. |
| P | course passed. Credit is given. Does not affect grade-point average. |
| W | an approved withdrawal from all courses at the University before mid-term. See the Academic Calendar for the actual date. No credit is earned and the grade-point average is not affected. |
| X | the grade received for late drop of a course without academic penalty. No credit is earned and the grade-point average is not affected. The grade must be approved by the student’s academic Dean. |
| NR | grade not reported. |
School of Business Administration's Interpretation of a Grade of "I" for Graduate Programs
For all Graduate Business Programs, the “next academic session of enrollment” shall be defined as the seven or eight weeks immediately following the course in which the student received the grade of incomplete.
Requesting an Incomplete
Graduate students are expected to complete all assignments by the due dates listed in the course syllabus. Instructors must submit final grades within seven days after the last day of class.
In exceptional cases, such as illness or other serious circumstances, a graduate student may request an extension to complete outstanding coursework. This request must be submitted in writing to the instructor before the end of the course.
If the instructor approves the request, they will outline the remaining work to be completed and establish deadlines on an Incomplete Form. The deadline for completing the work must be no later than two weeks before the end of the next academic session and cannot exceed two years from the course end date.
The instructor then forwards the completed Incomplete Form to the Office of Graduate Business Programs, which reviews it before sending it to the Dean’s Office for final approval. Once approved, the student will receive an Incomplete (“I”) grade for the course.
Additional guidelines regarding the Incomplete grade can be found in the University Catalog under “Interpretation of Grades.”
If an Incomplete grade is not resolved by the approved deadline, it will automatically convert to a permanent grade of F. The deadline for removing the Incomplete will be strictly enforced.
Extending an Incomplete
In cases of serious extenuating circumstances, students may submit a written appeal requesting an extension. The appeal must clearly describe the remaining work and explain why the original deadline could not be met. The faculty member must first approve the appeal before it is forwarded to the Office of Graduate Business Programs for processing.
The Office of Graduate Business Programs will then coordinate with the Dean’s Office to review and approve the appeal. The appeal must include the instructor’s approval and a revised timeline for completing all outstanding assignments.
The maximum extension granted through an appeal is 24 months from the original date the Incomplete was assigned, regardless of the student’s enrollment status during that time.