Grades and Grading Scale
Grades can be accessed online via Campus Connect. Grades can be viewed and printed using the Unofficial Transcript in the Student Center in Campus Connect.
Once a grade is assigned, university policy prohibits faculty from changing the grade unless the professor made a clerical or computational error when calculating it. Removal of an incomplete grade in accordance with University policy is an exception to the grade change policy.
Faculty may not assign or accept additional graded material in order to improve a student’s final grade. They may not conduct a substantive reevaluation of the student’s exam or coursework.
Grades are assigned in accordance with the following definitions (a plus or minus grade represents a slight variance from the indicated definition):
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| A | The instructor judged the student to have accomplished the stated objectives of the course in an EXCELLENT manner. |
| B | The instructor judged the student to have accomplished the stated objectives of the course in a VERY GOOD manner. |
| C | The instructor judged the student to have accomplished the stated objectives of the course in a SATISFACTORY manner. |
| D | The instructor judged the student to have accomplished the stated objectives of the course in a POOR manner. |
| F | The instructor judged the student NOT to have accomplished the stated objectives of the course. |
| FX | Student failed to accomplish the stated objectives of the course due to non-attendance. Non-attendance is defined as never attending or ceasing to attend an in-person course (or never participating or ceasing to particiapte in an online course) without officially withdrawing. The FX is calculated into the student's GPA as an F. Instructors are required to provide the last date of attendance/participation. |
| IN | Temporary grade indicating that, following a request by the Student, the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the Instructor have given permission for the student to receive an incomplete grade. In order to qualify, the student must have: 1. satisfactory record in the work already completed in the course; 2. encountered unusual or unforeseeable circumstances, which prevent him/her from completing the course requirements before the end of the term; and 3. applied to the instructor and to the Associate Dean for permission to receive the IN. The incomplete will expire at the end of the following semester. If the work is not complete, the student will receive a failing grade. |
| PA | Passing achievement in a pass/fail course. (Grades A through D represent passing performance.) |
| W | Withdrawal from the course instituted by the student after the last day to drop with a refund and before the final withdrawal deadline. |
| WA | Withdrawal from the course initiated by an administrator at a student’s request, usually outside of established deadlines. Administrative withdrawals may be granted under extraordinary circumstances and require documentation for support. |
| M | Final grade not submitted by instructor. |
| AU | Auditor status; course does not earn credit. |
| R | Temporary grade indicating that the student is making satisfactory progress in a course that formally extends beyond the end of a term. |
Calculation of Grades
| Letter | Description |
|---|---|
| A | 4 times the number of credit hours assigned to the course |
| A- | 3.7 times the number of credit hours assigned to the course |
| B+ | 3.3 times the number of credit hours assigned to the course |
| B | 3 times the number of credit hours assigned to the course |
| B- | 2.7 times the number of credit hours assigned to the course |
| C+ | 2.3 times the number of credit hours assigned to the course |
| C | 2 times the number of credit hours assigned to the course |
| C- | 1.7 times the number of credit hours assigned to the course |
| D | 1 times the number of credit hours assigned to the course |
| F, FX | No quality points awarded |
| AU, W, WA, IN, PA | Quality points not assigned |
First-Year Grade Curve and Upper-Level Classes with 50 or More JD Students
The following mandatory grade curve applies to all first-year courses and to upper-level classes with 50 or more enrolled JD students:
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| A | 12%-17% |
| A- and/or B+ | 20%-30% |
| B | 20%-30% |
| B- and/or C+ | 20%-30% |
| C or below | 10%-15% |
In addition, the mean or average for all DePaul JD students in any course subject to this grade curve must be between 2.95 and 3.15. All LARC sections taught by the same instructor during the semester are aggregated into one course for purposes of this curve.
Upper-Level Grade Curve: Classes with 21 - 49 JD Students
The mean or average for all DePaul JD students in any upper-level course with an enrollment between 21 and 49 students must be between 2.95 and 3.15.
Upper-Level Classes with 20 or Fewer JD Students
No mandatory grade curve applies to courses with enrollments of 20 or fewer DePaul JD students. However, any instructor submitting grades for DePaul JD students more than half of which are grades of A shall provide the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs with a brief explanation of the methodology that led to this result.
LLM, MLS (MJ) and other non-JD students are not included in the grade curves set forth in this subsection.
Computation of GPA
GPAs are computed by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of graded credit hours. Graded credit hours do not include courses graded WA, W, PA, IN, M, or AU, but do include courses graded F or FX. Grade point averages are reported to three digits and cannot be rounded up. Students must report their grade point average as it appears on official and unofficial transcripts.