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Grade Point Average Explanation


The grade point average is calculated based on courses in which one of the following grades is earned:

PRIOR TO FALL 2008 UNDERGRADUATES
BEGINNING FALL 2008 UNDERGRADUATES
GRADUATES
Grade Earned
Quality Points Per Hour
Grade Earned
Quality Points Per Hour
Grade Earned
Quality Points Per Hour
A 4.0   A 4.0  
A
 4.0
  B+ 3.5   A- 3.7  
B+
 3.5
B 3.0   B+ 3.3  
B
 3.0
  C+ 2.5   B 3.0  
C+
 2.5
C 2.0   B- 2.7  
C
 2.0
D 1.0   C+ 2.3  
D
 1.0
F 0   C 2.0  
F
 0.0
WF 0   C- 1.7  
 
      D+ 1.3  
 
      D 1.0  
 
      D- 0.7  
 
      F 0.0  
 

The following grades are NOT included in the calculation of the GPA:

  • W, IW, WP, WF (beginning Fall 2008), NR, P, S, NC and I*;
  • Grades transferred from another institution Fall 1985 or later.

*"I" (Incomplete): For both graduate and undergraduate students, if the grade of "I" is not removed within one calendar year or upon graduation, whichever comes first, it shall be changed to an "F" and count as a failure in the computation of the GPA.

Calculation of the Grade Point Average

The GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the number of hours attempted (NOT the number of hours passed) for which letter grades were earned. Do NOT include any hours in which a P or S was earned.  The result, rounded off to two decimal places, is your GPA. (See example below).

Each term, both your semester and cumulative GPAs will be indicated on your Academic History Report (used for academic planning). The chart below is an example of how to determine quality point values earned for letter grades.

Example of the Grade Point Average Calculation

COURSES TAKEN
COURSE HOURS
GRADES EARNED
QUALITY POINTS
INSTRUCTIONS
English 101
3
B
9.0
  1. Add the course hours attempted. Do not include S/NC or P/NC hours: 3 + 3 + 3 + 4 = 13 hours.
  2. To calculate your total quality points:
    • For each course, multiply the number of course hours attempted by the number of quality points indicated in the chart above. Example - for Math 125, 3 course hours attempted x 2.0 quality points (grade of C) = 6.0 total quality points earned for Math 125.
    • Next, add the quality points for all courses: 9 + 6 + 6.9 + 13.2 = 35.1 quality points.
  3. Divide the total quality points by the total course hours attempted: 35.1 / 13 = 2.7.
  4. Round the result to two decimal places: 2.70.
Math 125
3
C
6.0
French 211
3
C+
6.9
Geography 131
4
B+
13.2
First Year Studies
2
S