Grades and Standards of Scholarship

Midland utilizes the dual grading system of letter grades (A-B-C-D-F) and pass-pass marginal-no credit (P-PM-NC). The A-F system is used in the majority of courses. The P/NC system is typically used for intercollegiate sports courses and a minority of other, unique courses. In courses other than these, the P/NC grading system may be used exclusively by the instructor only if approved by the department concerned.

A student enrolled in an A-F graded course may choose to be graded by the alternate P/NC system. The instructor evaluates all students’ work on the basis of a letter grade, but the grade of the student who chooses the P/NC grade system is reported to the University Registrar as a P, PM or NC. Students may opt for the P/NC grade system in a maximum of one course per term, including summer, exclusive of courses designated as graded on the P/NC only basis. Students are reminded that the core curriculum courses identified in this catalog must be graded A-F. In addition, some majors do not allow use of the P/NC option. In P/NC only courses, the student has no choice of grading systems. In all other courses, the A-F grading system choice is assumed unless the student has clearly indicated to the instructor the student’s preference for the P/NC option.

Grading options must be made by the deadline established by the Academic Calendar and filed with the University Registrar. Once a valid grade has been submitted to the University Registrar, the student’s grading option choice cannot be changed except in the case of exceptional circumstances. The University requires a minimum of two-thirds of the credits for graduation to be graded on the A-F system. The number of P/NC options a student may take, exclusive of P/NC only courses, is limited to four courses. A minimum of two-thirds of the credits for the major must be graded on the A-F system. Departments may raise the two-thirds minimum, but may not lower it without the approval of Academic Affairs. In instances where the departmental standard is more or less than two-thirds, the variation is stated in this Catalog.

Grades

Grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F, and AW are assigned on the basis of student accomplishment. A grade of W or IW is assigned for withdrawn courses. An A grade represents superior academic work and indicates that the student has displayed initiative, skill, and thoroughness in thinking and course work. The B grade indicates work of high quality and is awarded for accomplishment well above the average. A grade of C is awarded for satisfactory completion of all course requirements. The D grade indicates academic work below the average in quality. An F grade indicates failure to meet the minimum requirements of the course. Note, the Nursing Program a 77% exam grade average and a C+ for satisfactory completion of courses with the NUR prefix. A grade of C is required in nursing prerequisite courses. See the Nursing Student Handbook for more information.

An AW indicates Administrative Withdrawal from the course. No academic credit is awarded for courses in which the student receives a grade of F or AW; F and AW grades are computed as 0.00 in the GPA.

In the P-PM-NC system, the P grade indicates the student has satisfactorily completed the minimum requirements for the course and receives academic credit for the course based upon the equivalent of a grade of C- or better. The PM indicates that the student passed the course with a grade of less than C-. An NC grade indicates the student did not successfully complete the minimum requirements and hence no academic credit is earned in the course. A PX indicates a test out grade.

Standard Grade Scale

Midland University utilizes a standard* grading scale that is as follows:

*Rounding up policies are at the discretion of the professor.

Repeated Courses

If a student chooses to repeat a course, the higher of the two grades is used when calculating the cumulative GPA, although both course notations and final grades are carried on the official grade transcript. A P/NC grade cannot be used to replace an A-F grade.

Grade Point Average

In addition to the grading system described above, the University uses a grade point average based on a 0.00- 4.00 numerical system. Grades of P, PM, NC, PX, TC, IW, and W will not be calculated into GPA.

Sample Computation of a Term Grade Point Average:

A student’s GPA for each term is determined by dividing the number of points earned in A-F graded courses by the number of A-F graded credits taken. The P, PM and NC grades are not computed into the student’s grade point average. In this instance, the Passing (P) grade is not computed in the GPA. Thus, the grade quality points of 39.8 are divided by 11 (letter-graded credits) = GPA = 3.618. Sixteen credits, however, are earned toward the graduation requirement of 120 credits. A student’s cumulative grade point average is determined in the same manner, with the exception that the calculation is based upon the total number of A-F graded credits taken by the student while enrolled at Midland. Transfer courses do not count toward the Midland GPA. Courses for which a grade of IN is recorded are not included in calculating the student’s GPA until the incomplete is removed.

Grade Reports

Students may access their midterm and final grades online through the student portal. If grades or access are no longer available, a student may request in writing a copy of their grade report from the University Registrar.

Course Prerequisite Policy

All prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher in order to proceed to the subsequent coursework. This policy is a requirement, unless the course is in programs where prerequisite requirements are otherwise stated. Examples would be programs in the Dunklau School of Business that allow D- or higher to meet prerequisite and program requirements, or majors in the School of Nursing that require C or higher and average test grades, as indicated in their policy and handbook, for prerequisite and program requirements. For courses on a grade option scale, a P or higher is required to meet prerequisite requirements.

Incomplete Policy

A grade of IN may be given when work is incomplete because of mitigating circumstances such as prolonged illness, excused emergencies, or scholarly reasons. An incomplete should only be used when students have completed a substantial portion (roughly two-thirds) of the course with a D or better and can reasonably be expected to complete the work within the time allotted to remove the incomplete.

The deadline for removal of incomplete grades is as follows:

• Fall and Spring terms – Sixty (60) days following the conclusion of the term

• Early Fall, Late Fall, Early Spring, Late Spring, and Summer terms – Forty-five (45) days following the conclusion of the term

Deadlines are posted to the official Academic Calendar.

In cases of hardship and at the instructor’s discretion, students may be granted extensions on the incomplete deadline. Incomplete grades not removed by the deadline will automatically be recorded NC or F, depending upon the student’s original grade option choice for the course.