Grading Systems and Transcript Designations
Learn about our grading system and how your GPA is computed.
Grades represent the instructor’s evaluation of student competencies and course performance. Grades assigned by Adelphi instructors conform to University standards, policies, and procedures. Each instructor will inform students of applicable grading standards for a course. Students may review the material submitted to the instructor for evaluation, such as that student’s papers and examinations. At the end of each semester, grades are given in semester courses. Instructors submit grades to the Office of the University Registrar within 48 hours of the scheduled final exam.
Grading System
Adelphi has a letter grading system. Passing grades, in rank order, are A, B, C, D, and P (Pass). Failing grades are designated with F. D grades are not awarded in graduate classes.
| Letter Grade | Grade Points (per credit hour) | Quality Range |
|---|---|---|
| A+, A | 4.0 | Superior mastery of facts and principles; clear evidence that stated course objectives and requirements were met by the student. |
| A– | 3.7 | Superior mastery of facts and principles; clear evidence that stated course objectives and requirements were met by the student. |
| B+ | 3.3 | Above-average mastery of facts and principles; evidence that stated course objectives and requirements were met by the student. |
| B | 3.0 | Above-average mastery of facts and principles; evidence that stated course objectives and requirements were met by the student. |
| B– | 2.7 | Above-average mastery of facts and principles; evidence that stated course objectives and requirements were met by the student. |
| C+ | 2.3 | Average mastery of facts and principles; some evidence that stated course objectives and requirements were met by the student. |
| C | 2.0 | Average mastery of facts and principles; some evidence that stated course objectives and requirements were met by the student. |
| C– | 1.7 | Average mastery of facts and principles; some evidence that stated course objectives and requirements were met by the student. |
| D+ | 1.3 | Little mastery of facts and principles; acceptable evidence that stated course objectives and requirements were met by the student. |
| D | 1.0 | Little mastery of facts and principles; acceptable evidence that stated course objectives and requirements were met by the student. |
| D– | 0.7 | Little mastery of facts and principles; acceptable evidence that stated course objectives and requirements were met by the student. |
| F | 0.0 | No mastery of facts and principles; little evidence that stated course objectives and requirements were met by the student. The student may be eligible for dismissal following a departmental review. |
Other Transcript Designations
Where the grade of “A”, “B”, or “C” is not used.
Students who are auditors register for a course, pay the regular tuition, but do not receive a grade or credit.
Issued when the student has not completed the course requirements by the end of the semester and has obtained permission from the instructor to take additional time to complete the course work. The incomplete designation “I” may be used by instructors only if a student has been excused from the completion of course requirements because of illness or other exceptional, compelling circumstances. Students may have no more than one calendar year after the end of the semester in which the grade was given to resolve an “Incomplete.” Unresolved Incompletes convert to Fs after this time. This then becomes the final grade.
The IP grade may be assigned only for research courses that are designed to take longer than one semester. The research project must be completed within two years. If it is not finished within that time the student will be withdrawn from the class and a W will be placed on the student’s transcript.
Issued when the student has officially withdrawn from a course. This procedure is accomplished only on official University Action Request Forms. “W” is not computed in the GPA. (See Withdrawing from Courses under Rules and Regulations on the University Bulletin.)
Computing the Grade-Point Average (GPA)
For each semester’s work, a semester’s GPA is computed as: the total number of quality points earned divided by the total number of quality hours.
Earned Hours are credit hours awarded to the student for the successful completion of academic coursework or its equivalent.
Attempted Hours are the number of credit hours actually registered for by a student, except for audited courses and those from which one has been officially dropped.
Quality Points are computed by multiplying the grade points per hour by the credit hours of the course. For example, a B+ in a 3-credit undergraduate course would generate 9.90 quality points.
Quality Hours are all graded credits taken at Adelphi University.
No points are given for the “P” grade, and the “P” is not computed in either the semester or the cumulative GPA. A failing grade is recorded and computed as an “F”. Refer to the section “Unfinished Course Work” concerning how “I” is treated in the computation of the GPA.
A student who has received advanced placement credit and/or transfer credit will have the cumulative GPA computed on the basis of total quality hours at Adelphi. For example: if a student presents 120 credits for graduation, 8 credits of which are for advanced placement or transfer credit, the cumulative GPA is computed on 112 credits.
Repeat Policy
A course’s repeat-for-credit status is determined by the faculty.
Effective Fall 2023
When a student repeats a course at Adelphi for-credit (repeat-for-credit) both grades are included in the calculation of the GPA. When a student repeats a course for which the faculty have determined not repeatable for credit (repeat-no-credit), only the most recent grade is included in the calculation of the GPA. Courses that can be repeated for credit, count toward graduation requirements, as well as total earned credit. For courses that cannot be repeated for credit, only one successfully completed course shall count toward graduation requirements and total earned credit.
Prior to Fall 2023
For courses taken at Adelphi, a student receives academic credit for those completed with a grade of D- or better, or a grade of P in a class taken Pass/Fail. If a student fails a course and subsequently repeats it, both grades will appear on the transcript and will be used in computing the GPA. If a student who passed a course elects to repeat it, both grades will appear on the transcript and will be used in computing the GPA; however, the credits will be counted only one time toward graduation.
Unfinished Course Work
The designation “I” (Incomplete) will be issued when the student has not completed the course requirements by the end of the semester and has obtained permission from the instructor to take additional time to complete the course work. The Incomplete designation “I” may be used by instructors only if a student has been excused from the completion of course requirements because of illness or other exceptional, compelling circumstances. Students may have no more than one calendar year after the end of the semester in which the grade was given to resolve Incompletes. Unresolved Incompletes convert to “F”s after this time. This then becomes the final grade.
The Pass/Fail grade option is designed to encourage undergraduate students to explore disciplines outside their major without affecting their GPA. The letter P (Pass) or F (Fail) are the only grades assigned when students choose the Pass/Fail grade options. The student will be given credit for courses in which the grade of P is earned, but these courses will not affect the computation of the GPA. A grade of F earns no credit but will affect the computation of the GPA.
The following restrictions apply:
The P/F option is not available:
- to students whose semester or cumulative GPA is less than 2.0
- for courses required for a major or a minor
- for independent study
- for General Education courses
A maximum of eight courses may be taken with the P/F option in the baccalaureate. Transfer students are advised to consult the section of the University Bulletin titled “Latin Honors.”
Grades are submitted only by the instructor of the course. Any change of grade must be approved by that instructor within one year of the conclusion of the course. A grade may be changed only if there is unequivocal evidence that it was the result of computational or mechanical error.
Students who believe their grades are incorrect or unfair should begin the change of grade discussion with the course instructor.
How to Obtain Your Grade Report
You can conveniently access a free-of-charge copy of your official grade report.
Simply log in to eCampus using your Adelphi username and password, select CLASS from the services list, and choose the “My Grades” section in the menu, select the term, and download your official grade report.
If you need help logging into eCampus, please contact the IT Help Desk at 516.877.3340 or helpdesk@adelphi.edu.