Grading policies

Incomplete "I" grade

An incomplete “I” grade can be assigned at the discretion of your instructor. According to University policy, incompletes may be assigned when extraordinary circumstances prevent you from completing your coursework on time. More information about when an incomplete grade is and is not allowed is below.

Incompletes appear on your transcript as the letter “I.”

Incomplete grade requires a contract with your instructor

If you and your instructor have discussed and agreed to an incomplete grade, you are required to complete an Incomplete Grade Contract.

On the contract, you will establish what work remains in order for you to finish the course and a timeline and deadline for you to complete the work. The final deadline must be within one term from the last day of final exams of the term you received the incomplete grade. Depending on your extenuating circumstances, you may be required to provide documentation.

Instructor and student responsibilities

You are responsible to complete the unfinished work by the established deadline. Your instructor is responsible for submitting your grade within four weeks of the date the work is completed.

If you do not complete the work or no grade is assigned, the “I” will lapse to an “F” or “N” consistent with the grade base of registration for the course.

Circumstances when an incomplete is appropriate

  • You have an extraordinary circumstance (i.e. extended illness, serious accident, family emergency) as determined by your instructor that justifies extending the deadline of the class.
  • You have already completed a substantial portion of the coursework with a passing grade.
  • You can complete the unfinished class work within a decided-upon time frame that is within subsequent regular (fall or spring) term from when you received the incomplete grade.

Circumstances when an incomplete is not allowed

  • You are required to re-take or attend the whole course in order to resolve the incomplete grade. (You are not allowed to sit in a class without being registered.)
  • You need to repeat the course. (You must not re-register for a course in order to complete an incomplete grade.)
  • You cannot make up the work on your own without attending the class a second time.

For additional reference, see the University’s Grading and Transcripts policy.

For graduate and professional students

For graduate and professional students, an 'I' remains on the transcript until changed by the instructor or department.

Grading policy

For more about incompletes, when they may be granted, and exceptions to the general guidelines listed above, read section D of the University's Grading and Transcripts policy. Additional information is available in the transcript key.

Repeating a course

In accordance with University policy (section E.4), if you are considering repeating a course keep in mind that:

  • You may repeat a course once.
  • Petitions to take a course a third time are rarely approved.
  • Petitions to take a course a fourth time will not be considered.

Contact your advisor or success coach to explore other options available for your circumstances.

Undergraduate students

If you are an undergraduate student who repeats a course, both grades for the course will appear on your official transcript, but the number of credits is only counted once and is not cumulative. The grade you earn during the last enrollment will count in your GPA, even if that grade is lower. If you earn an 'N' in a course you are repeating because you previously earned an 'F,' the 'F' grade will continue to be calculated in your GPA. 

Graduate students

If you are a student enrolled in the Graduate School, all registrations and grades for repeated courses remain on your graduate transcript and are calculated into your cumulative GPA. Remember that appropriate tuition and fees will be assessed for any courses that you repeat.

COVID-19 exceptions

Due to COVID-19, students had the following grading policy exceptions for fall 2020, spring 2021, and summer 2021 classes:

  • Undergraduate: Any classes for which you select the S/N option will not count toward any credit limits on S/N classes. Additionally, classes taken S/N may fulfill undergraduate program requirements.
  • Graduate and professional: Speak with your program about exceptions to the policy. They may differ from program to program.

Contact your program or academic advisor with questions.