University Grading System

At the graduate level, instructors may report grades from 4.0 to 1.7 in 0.1 increments. Grades below 1.7 are recorded as 0.0 by the Registrar and do not count toward residency, total credit count, or grade and credit requirements. A minimum grade of 2.7 is required in each graded course that is counted toward a graduate degree. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation. Numerical grades may be considered equivalent to letter grades as follows:

Definitions for the following letter grades that may also be used:

X Grade

 An instructor may submit a grade of "X" for a student if the student's grade is not available when grades for the classes are submitted. The student does not receive credit for the course until a passing grade is turned in. In addition, if an instructor has not turned in any grade by the time grade reports are printed or at any time after, an "X" will be recorded until the grade is submitted. The GPA is not affected and no credit is granted.

The cumulative GPA includes credits granted for courses taken in residence at all campuses of the University of Washington and those with a “DL” (Distance Learning) offered when fully online. The UW transcript also reflects grades for other Continuum College courses that are not residence credit and grades for credit by examination. Credits by exam grades do not affect the student’s UW cumulative GPA.

Computation of GPA

The grade point average for graduation is computed by dividing the total cumulative grade points by the total credits attempted for courses taken in residence at the university. Grade points are calculated by multiplying the number of credits by the numeric value of the grade for each course. The sum of the grade points is then divided by the total credits attempted. Courses elected on an S/NS basis are counted as follows: Satisfactory grades are printed on the permanent record as an S and do not count in the quarterly or cumulative grade point average, but they do count as credits earned toward graduation. Not-satisfactory grades (NS) do not count in the quarterly and cumulative grade point averages and do not count as credits earned toward graduation.

Examples of How to Calculate your GPA:

Change of Grade

Except in case of error, an instructor may not change a grade that they have submitted to the Registrar. A student who finds administrative omissions or errors in a grade report must make application for review no later than the last day of the student’s next quarter in residence. Grades used to meet graduation requirements cannot be changed after the degree has been granted. Students are not automatically notified of grade changes posted after the first of the quarter.

Changing or Appealing Final Grades

Except in case of error, no instructor may change a final grade(1) that they have turned in to the Registrar. Grades used to meet graduation requirements cannot be changed after the degree has been granted.

Written Appeal of Grade Error

If a student believes that the instructor made an error in the assignment of a grade, or believe a grade recording error or omission has occurred, the following procedures are required to resolve the matter:

• The student must first discuss the matter with the instructor before the end of the following academic quarter.
• If they are not satisfied with the instructor’s response, the student may submit a written appeal that must include documentation⁽²⁾ to the director or the dean of the program⁽³⁾ that offered the course, with a copy of the appeal to the instructor. This must be done no later than 10 class days after your discussion with the instructor. The director or dean will consult with the instructor to ensure that the evaluation of your performance was fair and reasonable or whether the instructor's conduct in assigning the grade was arbitrary or capricious. Should the dean or director believe the instructor's conduct to be arbitrary or capricious⁽⁴⁾ and the instructor declines to revise the grade, the director, with the approval of the voting members of his or her faculty, shall appoint an appropriate member, or members, of the faculty of that program to evaluate your performance and assign a grade. The vice chancellor for academic affairs and the provost will be informed of this action.

Once the student submits a written appeal, this appeal, any supporting documentation, and all subsequent actions on this appeal may be maintained and/or recorded in written form for deposit in a department, school or college file. 

_{(1) Final grade means the grade received in the course and reported to the Office of the Registrar.}

_{(2) Documentation means all materials relevant to the grade determination and to the grade appeal process. Examples include grade reports, graded work, syllabus, student/faculty correspondence, etc.}

_{(3) Director or Dean means the administrator responsible for the respective school or program offering the course, which is under appeal.}

_{(4) Arbitrary or Capricious means in a manner deemed to be inappropriately subjective or otherwise inconsistent.}

Undergraduate and graduate students may amend their original grading options for courses during Extraordinary Circumstances Quarters (ECQ). Review the Extraordinary Circumstances Quarter website for specific information about the following terms that have been deemed an Extraordinary Circumstances Quarter. Students may continue to move between numeric to S/NS grading or from S/NS to numeric for grades earned only in Extraordinary Circumstances Quarters until their degree has been posted. A change of registration fee is assessed for each change of grading option made, except for changes to Spring 2020 courses. Satisfactory (S) grades will count toward degree and graduation requirements.