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Grading Policies and Procedures

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Effective Date: Fall 2026
Last Reviewed: Fall 2025
Last Revised: Fall 2015
Next Review: Fall 2036

Policy Statement

The transcript is an accurate and complete historical record of work attempted at the university. Changes to transcript entries that alter the enrollment history of a student are not to be made. Final grades are reported at the close of each academic term and become a part of the students’ permanent records. Students may access their grades in FlashLine.

Academic Grades

The following grades are determined and assigned by faculty based upon appraisal and evaluation of student performance in completing requirements of a course:

Letter Grade Description
A (4.000) Denotes "superior scholarship."
A- (3.700)
B+ (3.300)
B (3.000) Denotes "good performance" for students in undergraduate courses and "average performance" for students in graduate courses.
B- (2.700)
C+ (2.300)
C (2.000) Denotes "fair or average performance" for students in undergraduate courses and "below average performance" for students in graduate courses.
C- (1.700)
D+ (1.300)
D (1.000) Denotes "poor (but passing) performance" for students in undergraduate courses and "far below average performance" for students in graduate courses.
F (0.000) Denotes failure of the student’s overall performance. This grade is earned and is not used for students who never attended or stopped attending the course (see NF and SF marks in Administrative Marks section below).
S The grade S (Satisfactory) denotes passing performance and is used for courses where S/U grading, rather than letter grading, is permitted. The credit hours are awarded, but the grade is not counted in grade point averages. Work earning an S grade may be applied toward meeting degree requirements.
U The grade U (Unsatisfactory) denotes failing performance and is used for courses where S/U grading, rather than letter grading, is permitted. This grade is earned and is not used for students who never attended or stopped attending the course (see NF and SF marks in Administrative Marks section below). Credit hours are recorded as attempted, and the grade is counted as an F (zero quality points) in grade point averages.
Y The grade Y denotes a passing grade in undergraduate courses in which students have elected the credit/no credit grading option. The credit hours are awarded, but the grade is not counted in grade point averages.1
Z The grade Z denotes failing performance in undergraduate courses in which students have elected the credit/no credit grading option. The credit hours are recorded as attempted, and the grade is not counted in grade point averages.1
1

Refer to the Credit/No Credit Grade policy for conditions governing the acceptability of credit/no credit (Y/Z) grades at Kent State.

Administrative Marks

The following administrative marks are assigned when a letter grade is not appropriate.

Mark Description
AU The mark AU (Audit) denotes enrollment in a course without benefit of a grade or credit, typically for purposes of self-enrichment and academic exploration. Students may audit any course subject to space availability and prior departmental approval. To audit a course, students must go through registration procedures and be assessed registration fees. An audited course cannot be applied toward a student’s degree or certificate. An instructor may impose whatever attendance requirements deemed necessary upon the students registered for audit. The students must be informed of these requirements at the beginning of the semester. Failure to meet such attendance requirements subjects the students to being withdrawn from the course by the instructor. The AU mark is not counted in grade point averages.1
CP The mark CP (Complete) denotes completion of requirements for registered course COOP 20092 Cooperative Education. The CP mark is not counted in grade point averages.
CR The mark CR (Credit) denotes credit hours, but not letter grade, earned through successful completion of an alternate credit program (e.g., exam credit, trade competency or other non-institutional credit). The CR mark is not counted in grade point averages.
IN The mark IN (Incomplete) may be given to students who—due to extenuating circumstances—are unable to complete the required work between the course withdrawal deadline and the end of classes. The timeline shall be adjusted appropriately for summer sessions and flexibly scheduled courses. The IN mark is not counted in grade point averages.2
IP The mark IP (In Progress) may be given to students to indicate that work is in progress toward a thesis, dissertation, research, individual investigation or a similar effort that requires additional time beyond a semester. A grade will be given when the work is completed. The IP mark can be utilized only in designated courses and remains a terminal mark if the student does not complete the requirements for the course. For courses required for a degree or certificate, a grade must be given before the credential may be granted. The IP mark is not counted in grade point averages.
M The mark M (Missing) was used until 1980. It is similar to the NF and SF marks (see below) and counts as an F grade (zero quality points) in grade point averages.
NC The mark NC (Not Complete) denotes requirements have not been completed for registered course COOP 20092 Cooperative Education. The NC mark is not counted in grade point averages.
NF The mark NF (Never Attended–Fail) denotes that the student neither attended any class session nor formally withdrew from the course. The NF mark counts as an F grade (zero quality points) in grade point averages. In the case of undergraduate courses taken credit/no credit, the NF mark will be changed to a Z (no credit) grade.1
NR The mark NR (Not Reported) indicates the instructor did not submit a grade. For courses required for a degree or certificate, a grade must be given before a credential can be granted. The NR mark is not counted in grade point averages.
SF The mark SF (Stopped Attending–Fail) denotes that the student stopped attending the course and did not formally withdraw. The SF mark counts as an F grade (zero quality points) in grade point averages and must be accompanied by a date of last attendance in the course. Faculty who cannot determine the exact date of last attendance may use the date of the last academic activity in which students participated. In the case of undergraduate courses taken credit/no credit, the SF mark will be changed to a Z (no credit) grade.1
T The mark T denotes student participation in a national or international academic exchange program and is not counted in grade point averages.
TR The mark TR (Transfer) denotes accepted transfer coursework and is not counted in grade point averages.
W The mark W (Withdrawal) denotes that the student has withdrawn from the university or from any individual course without evaluation. For courses in the College of Podiatric Medicine, this mark is given to students who withdraw prior to midterm exams. The W mark is not counted in grade point averages.
WF The mark WF (Withdrawal–Fail) is used by the College of Podiatric Medicine to denote that the student has withdrawn from the university or from any individual course/rotation with failing status after seven weeks of course instruction. The WF mark is not counted in grade point averages.3
WP The mark WP (Withdrawal–Pass) is used by the College of Podiatric Medicine to denote that the student has withdrawn from the university or from any individual course/rotation with passing status after seven weeks of course instruction. The WP mark is not counted in grade point averages.3
1

A student receiving the AU, NF or SF mark is enrolled officially in the course; however, credit hours for the course are not applied toward the student’s course load for financial aid and other select purposes.

2

Refer to the Incomplete Mark policy for conditions governing student eligibility and approval for an Incomplete mark at Kent State.

3

Please refer to the College of Podiatric Medicine section in the University Catalog for procedures for withdrawal.

Calculating Grade Point Average

Quality points are awarded on the following scale:

  • Each hour of A equals 4.000 points
  • Each hour of A- equals 3.700 points
  • Each hour of B+ equals 3.300 points
  • Each hour of B equals 3.000 points
  • Each hour of B- equals 2.700 points
  • Each hour of C+ equals 2.300 points
  • Each hour of C equals 2.000 points
  • Each hour of C- equals 1.700 points
  • Each hour of D+ equals 1.300 points
  • Each hour of D equals 1.000 point
  • Each hour of F equals 0.000 points
  • Each hour of NF equals 0.000 points
  • Each hour of SF equals 0.000 points
  • Each hour of U equals 0.000 points

A grade point average is determined by dividing the total number of points earned by the number of quality hours taken. Totals are extended to three decimal points and are not rounded up or down.

Overall GPA is computed by dividing the total quality points by the total quality hours. Grades of S (Satisfactory), Y (Credit) and Z (No Credit) are not included in the GPA.

Example of calculation:

Reason For Policy

A fair and transparent grading policy ensures that students are evaluated based on their understanding, effort and mastery of course material. It promotes accountability, encourages consistent engagement and provides clear expectations for academic performance while maintaining academic integrity and rigor.

Procedures

There are no procedures associated with this policy.

Forms/Instructions

There are no forms associated with this policy.

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Where can I see my GPA?
    There are several places in FlashLine where you can view your GPA. Your unofficial transcript can be accessed by clicking on "View Unofficial Transcript" in the Student Category / Resources Page / Grades and Transcripts section. You can also see your overall GPA on your Student Dashboard and in your GPS degree audit.
  2. How can I get help calculating my GPA?
    There are many online calculators that can help you determine your GPA. The Kent State GPA Calculator allows you to input the grades and hours to help calculate a term GPA.
  3. Why doesn't my 1.970 GPA round up to a 2.000?
    For purposes of calculating GPA, Kent State extends the GPA to three decimal points with no rounding up or down. If you have a requirement that requires a 2.000 GPA, a 1.970 GPA will not satisfy it.

Additional FAQ: Grading Policies and Procedures

Definitions

Attempted Credit Hours: Students' total credit-hour registration, either for a specific term or overall for all terms. Attempted credit hours include courses for which students have received either a letter grade (e.g., A, B, C) or other administrative mark (e.g., AU, IN, IP, NA, NR, W). Attempt hours include accepted transfer credit hours.

Dean's List: In recognition of academic excellence, a Dean's List is compiled each academic semester for undergraduate degree-seeking students. To qualify, students must have a 3.400 term GPA and must have completed 12 or more regular letter-graded credit hours by the end of that semester. This notation is printed on the students' official transcript.

Earned Hours: Credit hours for courses that the student completed with a grade or administrative mark that is considered passing. Earned hours include accepted transfer credit hours.

GPA Hours: Credit hours for courses for which the student received a grade that is used to determine a Kent State GPA. GPA hours do not include transfer credit hours.

GPS Degree Audit: The GPS degree audit is a summary of degree requirements merged with a student's academic record, which provides a real-time assessment of progress toward graduation. The audit is organized in blocks of like requirements. The degree audit is the official list of all requirements for graduation.

Graduate Planning System (GPS): A program that provides students with a roadmap to degree completion which includes a real-time degree audit and an individualized educational plan.

Passed Hours: Credit hours for courses that the student completed with a grade or administrative mark that is considered passing. Passed hours do not include transfer credit hours.

Quality Points: A value assigned to each letter grade (A-F, NF, SF, U) and multiplied by credit hours associated with the grade. Quality points are assigned only to courses calculated in GPA hours.

Related Information

Revision History

Amended fall 2026: Revised policy updates Pass/Fail to new term Credit/No Credit and adds FAQ, definitions and related information.

Amended fall 2015: Revised policy separates academic grades from administrative marks; updates A, D and S grade definitions; updates AU, IP, NR and W mark definitions; adds definitions for CP/NP, CR, SF, NF, T and TR marks; establishes a grade deadline; and revises timing of IN marks for undergraduate courses to align with graduate courses and withdrawal deadline;