Grading System
The College uses a system of letter grades and quality points to evaluate student performance. Grade point averages are computed on a scale where
- A = 4.0 (93-100)
- A- = 3.7 (90- 92)
- B+ = 3.3 (87-89)
- B = 3.0 (83-86)
- B- = 2.7 (80-82)
- C+ = 2.3 (77-79)
- C = 2.0 (73-76)
- C- = 1.7 (70-72)
- D = 1.0 (60-69
- F = 0 (failing)
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| W | A W (Withdrawn) is recorded for students who withdraw from a course, take a leave of absence, or withdraw from the College. This grade does not affect the grade point average. |
| NF | An NF (No-Show) grade indicates that the student never attended the class and did not drop the course. This is not calculated as a failing grade. As of Fall 2018, this grade is used only as a midterm warning to indicate a lack of attendance in a course. Students who fail to attend a course and withdraw before the deadline will receive an F. |
| WP | A WP (Withdrawn Pass) grade means the student was passing the course at the time of withdrawal. This grade does not affect the grade point average. As of Fall 2024, students who withdraw from a course will receive a W grade. |
| WF | A WF (Withdrawn Fail) grade means the student was failing the course at the time of withdrawal. This grade does not affect the grade point average. As of Fall 2024, students who withdraw from a course will receive a W grade. |
| I | An I (Incomplete) grade should only be given when a student has satisfactorily completed most of the required work for the course, but due to medical reasons or other extenuating circumstances, is unable to complete the work by the end of the term. Incompletes should not be given in lieu of a letter grade to simply extend the time given to the student to complete the work in the absence of the required conditions. An I grade must be completed by the end of the next term or it automatically becomes an F grade. For each Incomplete grade change, a Grade Change Form must be completed and signed by the faculty member and must be submitted to the Registrar. |
| P | A P (Passing) grade indicates performance in a course for which specific grades are not given. A P is equivalent to a grade of C or better and may be used in designated pass/fail courses only. |
| S | A S (Satisfactory) grade indicates satisfactory performance in a non-credit course. |
| U | A U (Unsatisfactory) grade indicates unsatisfactory performance in a non-credit course. |
| AUD | An AUD (Audit) grade designates registration for a course as an auditor. |
| DEF | A DEF (Deferred) grade is issued in the first semester of the two-semester Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) major Capstone project. When the Capstone project is completed in the second semester, the DEF grade will be converted to a standard letter grade. The DEF does not calculate into the 75% Satisfactory Academic Progress calculation. |
Grade Changes. Any change to a student's grade must be proposed and justified by the instructor and approved by the instructor's department chair. No changes will be made to the student's official academic record after the student has officially withdrawn or graduated from Emerson College. Once a course is graded, the credits for that course may not be changed.
Grade Reports. All students may access their final grades and complete grade history online via myEmerson.
Mid-Semester Evaluations. Midterm grade reports are made available online to undergraduate students whose grades fall below a C in any enrolled course. Student Success and Academic Advising staff will outreach to students who received a midterm warning(s) encouraging them to meet with their instructor, consult their academic/faculty advisor and seek help from the Lacerte Family Writing and Academic Resource Center.
Academic Transcripts. Emerson uses a third-party, Parchment (parchment.com) for all transcript orders. Current instructions on how to order an Emerson College transcript can be found at emerson.edu/transcripts. Transcripts will be released only for students who have no holds.