The Grading System

Students at UT Southern are graded in their academic achievements according to a system of letter grades. To facilitate computation of averages of students’ grades, the University assigns numerical values called quality points to all letter grades of passing quality. Below are various letters used in grading, their meaning, and quality point value:

A+ — counts four (4.0) quality points per semester hour.

A — counts four (4.0) quality points per semester hour. 

A- — counts 3.7 quality points per semester hour.

B+ — counts 3.3 quality points per semester hour.

B— counts three (3.0) quality points per semester hour.

B- — counts 2.7 quality points per semester hour.

C+ — counts 2.3 quality points per semester hour.

C— counts two (2.0) quality points per semester hour.

C- — counts 1.7 quality points per semester hour.

D+ — counts 1.3 quality points per semester hour.

D— counts one (1.0) quality points per semester hour.

F— failure, zero (0.0) quality points for this grade.

P— pass. Hours count towards graduation requirements, but no quality points are awarded. This designation is used only in special circumstances such as labs, credits earned through by-pass tests, and some practica.

I — incomplete. This temporary grade must be replaced by a permanent one within the first four weeks of the following semester of enrollment. Failure to complete the course work within this period of time will mean that the “incomplete” becomes a permanent grade of “F.” Most (about 75%) of the work in a class should be finished before a grade of I will be given. Must be approved by the Provost.

W — the student withdrew from the course within the first four weeks of a semester or within the first two weeks of an evening or summer session. For purposes of computing grade point averages, the “W” is treated as though the student had never enrolled in the course; however, the course still counts toward attempted hours.

WP — the student withdrew from the course after the deadline for awarding the “W” and that course work was of passing quality at the time of withdrawal. For purposes of computing grade point averages, the “WP” is treated as though the student had never enrolled in the course; however, the course counts toward attempted hours.

WF — the student withdrew from the course after the deadline for awarding the “W” and that course work was not of passing quality at the time of withdrawal. For purposes of computing grade point averages, the “WF” is treated as though the student had never enrolled in the course; however, the course counts toward attempted hours

In all instances except administrative failures (i.e., a failure assigned by the Provost for excessive absences or for violations of the Honor Code), all grades are assigned by the course instructors.