Grading & Transcripts
Grading
Coursework is graded with a letter system (A, B, C, D, or E) except for special courses noted below. An instructor may add "+" or "-" to grades.
The minimum acceptable grade to successfully pass a course is a C-. The maximum term
and
cumulative GPA is 4.0.
Letter grades are converted into numbers, or points, as follows:
- A+ = 4.3
- A = 4.0
- A- = 3.7
- B+ = 3.3
- B = 3.0
- B- = 2.7
- C+ = 2.3
- C = 2.0
- C- = 1.7
- D+ = 1.3
- D = 1.0
- D- = 0.7
These numbers are used to calculate Michigan Honor Points (MHP) and the Grade Point Average (GPA). Michigan Honor Points (MHP) are calculated by multiplying the number of credit hours for which the course was elected by the number of points earned on the grading scale. For example, a grade of B for a 3 credit hour course produces 3 (credit hours) x 3.0 (points for a grade of B+), or 9 honor points. The grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing Michigan Honor Points earned for a term or more by the number of semester hours (or credit hours) for the courses. A total of 45 MHP for 12 course credit hours produces a GPA of 3.75.
Other transcript notations include
Visit (VI)
"VI" appears on the transcripts of students who successfully complete a course which they have elected to visit (audit). These courses do not count for degree credit requirements. Students who do not complete a course to the satisfaction of the instructor and who have not dropped the course may receive a notation of "E" or "ED" (unofficial drop, equivalent to failure) on their transcript. This grade is calculated as part of the student’s GPA.
Satisfactory (S) and Unsatisfactory (U)
With permission from the advisor and the course instructor, a student may elect S/U grading in a course that would otherwise be letter graded. Instructors cannot assign letter grades to students electing courses designated as S/U. A grade of "S" indicates that the instructor considers the student to have performed satisfactorily at the graduate level, and is counted toward the credit hour requirements of the graduate program. A grade of "S" is considered to be a grade of "B" or better. A grade of "U" is assigned when a graduate student’s level of performance is not acceptable, and is not counted toward a student’s required credit hours. Grades of "S" and "U" are not converted into numbers, and are not factored into the Grade Point Average or Michigan Honors Points.
Drop (W) and Unofficial Drop (ED)
A course that is officially dropped after the first three weeks of a full term (or the first two weeks of a half term), will be recorded with the notation of "W," and will not earn credit hours toward the degree program or Michigan Honor Points.
A student who registers for a course and either never attends or stops attending—but does not officially drop the course—receives a notation of "ED" (unofficial drop). A notation of "ED" is equivalent to a grade of "E" (failure).
Incomplete Grade Policy
Effective for students admitted Fall 2012 and beyond:
- An "Incomplete" (denoted on the transcript by the symbol I) may be given by an instructor only if the work is unfinished for reasons acceptable to the instructor.
- The unfinished work that resulted in an incomplete grade must be submitted within one year (12 months) of the time when the grade was given. If an Incomplete is given in the Fall term, the coursework must be submitted by the last day of the following Fall term. If an Incomplete is given in the Winter term, the coursework must be submitted by the last day of the following Winter term.
- Based on University policy, the "I" is not removed when the course is completed but remains on the transcript. For example, if a "B" grade is earned, the grade will appear on the transcript as an "IB".
- An "I" grade will lapse to an "E", if the unfinished work is not submitted by the required deadline described in the previous paragraph. In such cases, no degree credit is earned and the course is then computed as an "E" in the term and cumulative grade point averages.
*Exceptions to this policy require approval of the Assistant Dean of Student Engagement
and Practice. Requests for exceptions must be made in writing by the student and signed
by the faculty instructor.
Grade Grievance policy
- We encourage any student who believes that a grade received in a course is unfair to set up an appointment with the instructor to discuss how the grade was determined.
- If step 1 does not resolve the grade issue, the student must contact the instructor in writing, within two weeks of the start of the next term. For grades given for Fall term courses, the student has two weeks into the beginning of the Winter term. For grades given for Winter term courses, the student has two weeks into the beginning of the Spring or Spring/Summer term. The instructor should respond in writing to the student within 2 weeks of receiving the student complaint.
- If the disagreement is not resolved in the steps above, the student must file a written appeal with the Department Program/Curriculum Committee. The appeal must be received no later than the first 6 weeks of the Fall/Winter term following the semester when the grade was given. The student must explain the nature of the dispute and attach copies of all relevant graded materials. The instructor will receive a copy of the letter and will have the opportunity to respond to the Department Program/Curriculum Committee.
- The Department Program/Curriculum Committee will consider the student appeal and the instructor's response. Each party has the option to appear before the committee and may do so without the other(s) being present.
- If the Department Program/Curriculum Committee concludes the original grade to be reasonable, a statement will be drafted to the student rejecting the appeal.
- If the Department Program/Curriculum Committee recommends the grade be changed, a document will be drafted stating the reasons for and specifying the recommended new grade. The Department Program/Curriculum Committee will then determine if the instructor is willing to change the grade or if some other action is acceptable. If these actions fail a letter will be placed in the department’s grievance file, and in the instructor’s and student’s files stating the Department Program/Curriculum Committee’s findings. The student will also receive a copy of the letter.
- If the instructor is no longer at the University the Department Program/Curriculum Committee will change the grade.
- The student will be notified in writing of the final decision. There will be no further hearing on this matter.
Learn more about Grading here
Transcripts
The University of Michigan offers students two ways to request their transcript: mailed physical copies, or digital versions. The Office of the Registrar provides in depth coverage on pricing, delivery methods, notorized transcripts, third party requests, and unofficial transcripts. To view the options that best suit you, please follow the link below.