The UMSL Grading System
The grading system in all schools, colleges, and other parallel units at UM-St. Louis is based on a four-point scale. The grade value for each letter grade is as follows:
| 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 |
| F = 0.0 | ||
| DL = Delayed | ||
| EX = Excused | ||
| FN = Failure/Non Participation | ||
Faculty have full discretion in using full-letter grades, plus/minus grades, or any combination of full-letter and plus/minus grades. For more detailed information regarding grading policies please refer to the bulletin which can be found online at http://www.umsl.edu/bulletin/undergraduate/policies.html.
Graduate Study: The Graduate School does not recognize a D grade for a graduate student enrolled in a course carrying graduate credit. According to the regulations of the Graduate School, grades lower than C- are recorded as F.
Calculating Grade Point Average
Grade point average is computed by dividing the total number of quality points (number of credit hours for a course, multiplied by the grade value received) by the number of hours completed (excluding grade modification hours).
For example:
| 3 credit hours x A (4.0) | = 12.0 quality points |
| 3 credit hours x B+ (3.3) | = 09.9 quality points |
| 5 credit hours x B- (2.7) | = 13.5 quality points |
| 3 credit hours x C (2.0) | = 06.0 quality points |
| 14 credit hours | = 41.4 quality points |
| 41.4 total quality points / 14 hours completed |
= 2.957 or 2.96 |
Graduate Study: All courses taken at UM-St. Louis for graduate credit figure into the calculation of the transcript GPA; however, only those courses included in the degree or certificate program figure into the calculation of the program GPA. The program GPA must be at least 3.0 to receive a graduate degree or certificate.
Delayed Grades - "DL"
Instructors may use their discretion in giving students a delayed "DL" grade, which indicates that a portion of the required course work is incomplete. Undergraduate students have one semester (excluding the summer session) to complete course requirements or the "DL" automatically converts to an "F"; graduate students have two semesters (excluding the summer session) to complete the necessary work.
Excused Grades - "EX"
Excused grades are given only in exceptional instances where the instructor's approval and dean's approval are given. From the fifth through the twelfth weeks of the Fall or Spring terms (the third through the sixth week of the 8-week Summer term) students may withdraw from a course with an excused grade, providing they are passing the course and receive the approval of their instructor. Otherwise, a failing grade is given.
Grade Point Modification
When the grade received in an initial attempt in a course at UM-St. Louis is a "D+", "D", "D-", or "F", the grade may be replaced in the calculation of the GPA by the grade received in a second or subsequent attempt of the same course at UM-St. Louis. All grades received in second or subsequent attempts will be included in GPA calculations. Grade modification is not an option at the graduate level.
A maximum of 15 credit hours may be dropped from the calculation of the student's GPA. All attempts of a given course will appear on the official transcript with the grade(s) earned. The transcript will have an explanation which states that the GPA is calculated using all grades earned in a course except the initial attempt when a course has been repeated and the grade modified. Grade point modification is not available for graduate students.
Note: Grade modification is not automatic. After completing the second or subsequent attempt of the course to be modified, students must process the necessary paperwork with an academic advisor in the academic unit in which the student is currently enrolled.
Repeating Courses
Students may not repeat courses for grade point average or credit hour purposes in which grades "A", "A-", "B+", "B", "B-", "C+", "C", or "C-" have been earned.
If a student earns a "D+", "D", "D-", or "F", the course may be repeated. All grades earned will affect the calculation of one's cumulative grade point average; the course hours, however, will only be counted once in calculating the number of credit hours completed toward one's degree.
