What is a grade method?
The grade method for a course refers to the level of assessment you will receive for your work in a course and how it will impact your GPA. Grade methods differ from course to course and can be different based on the degree, certificate or diploma requirements.
Grade method options
- Letter grade (A, B, C, D, or F): These grades count toward your GPA and toward your completion rate for attempted and earned credits.
- Pass/No Credit (P/NC): P grades do not impact your GPA. NC grades do not impact your GPA. Both are counted toward your completion rate for attempted and earned credits.
- Audit (AU): Students using this grade method are not graded on performance and do not earn credit. AU grades do not impact your GPA and are not counted toward your completion rate.
What you need to know about grade method changes
- Students may select grade methods during registration.
- Meet with your academic advisor before changing your grade method.
- Not all courses allow grade method changes. If a course does not allow this option, it will be noted in the course description in the online course schedule.
- Not all grade method options are available for every course.
- Make sure you understand the grade requirements for your program. For example, if your program requires a letter grade of “C” or higher in certain courses, you should not change the grade method to Pass/No Credit (P/NC).
- Students receiving veterans’ benefits should not request the Pass/No Credit (P/NC) grade method.
- P grades may or may not transfer to other institutions.
- AU grades are unlikely to transfer to other institutions.
- Audited courses are subject to normal tuition rates but are not eligible for financial aid.
How do I change my grade method for a course?
You can change your grade method at the time of registration, or after you have registered but before the published deadline.
- Log into eServices
- Choose View/Modify Class Schedule
- Click the pencil symbol
- Look for the Grade Method dropdown menu. Prior to the deadline, all available grade method options for the course will appear
- Select an alternative grading method
- Enter in your StarID password to confirm, then click the button to submit
Grade method change deadline
When there is an alternate grade method available for a course, students enrolled in the course may change their grade method until the withdrawal deadline for the course.
If you miss this deadline, you may request an exception by submitting:
What is Pass/No Credit and how is it calculated?
Pass/No Credit (P/NC) is the grade method normally used for developmental courses, but it may also be offered as an optional grade method for some courses during a particular semester. With this grade method, neither a P nor an NC affects your GPA.