Overview

Coursework is evaluated on the following scale:

An instructor has the option of affixing a minus to the grade of A, a plus or a minus to the grades of B and C, and a plus to the grade of D. A plus increases the number of grade points awarded by 0.3, and a minus decreases the number of grade points awarded by 0.3.

All grades are considered final and are not subject to change except for errors in calculation, or as a result of a successful academic petition. Students should contact their student success advisor about submitting a petition, if desired. The grade of I or IN is resolved to a grade when work is completed or the incomplete extension deadline has been reached (see: Grade of I or IN).

GPA Calculations

The GPA is determined by dividing the number of grade points by the number of credits the student has attempted in A-F letter-graded courses at Bethel. When a course is repeated, only the last attempt is used in computing the GPA. The exception is when a course is designated as repeatable, in which case it can be taken for a grade for a prescribed number of times, with each occurrence factoring into the GPA.

Cumulative GPA

Coursework included in the cumulative GPA calculation meet all of the following criteria:

• Completed.
• Given a letter grade of A-F.
• Taken in the term being evaluated for academic standing.
• Taken at the level of the student's degree/credential of pursuit at that time (undergraduate, masters, doctoral).

Coursework not included in the cumulative GPA calculation are:

• Non-A-F letter graded courses. These courses are graded as: AU, CR, I (Incomplete for A-F letter graded courses), IN (Incomplete for S/U courses), IP, N, NR, P/F (pass/fail), S/U, W and WZ. 
• Courses taken at a level other than the student's degree/credential of pursuit at that time (undergraduate, masters, doctoral). 

Grade of AU

The grade AU is given when a student audits a course. 

Auditing at Bethel is defined as observation in the classroom setting.  Participation beyond attendance in class activities is the instructor’s prerogative. Not all courses are available to audit. Students wishing to audit a course must secure the consent of their student success advisor and the course instructor at the beginning of the term. A student may change to or from audit status with the instructor’s approval only during the first 60% of the course.

Auditors are required to meet the attendance requirements set by the instructor. Students who do not meet the attendance requirements will be graded WZ.

Grade of CR

The grade CR is used for coursework that is excluded from GPA calculations.

Grade of I or IN

The grade I or IN is given when a student is unable to complete the course requirements in the regular time due to extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control. The incomplete must be negotiated with and approved by the instructor before a grade of I or IN will be allowed. Remaining work must be of the kind that can be done largely through independent effort. The grade of I or IN must be resolved with a letter grade of A-F or S/U grade, assigned by the instructor prior to the incomplete extension due date. If not resolved by the due date, the student will receive the default grade designated by the instructor.

The maximum incomplete extension due date an instructor may assign is 12 weeks from the end date of the part of term in which the course occurred. Students with multiple grades of I or IN may be required to withdraw from future coursework and finish their program after all grades of I or IN have been resolved.

Incompletes in practicums and internships may be handled differently. The following courses have a maximum incomplete extension due date of one year from the end date of the part of term in which the course occurred:

Grades of IP, N, and NR

The grades of IP (In Progress), N (Not Graded) and NR (Not Reported) are generated for administrative use only. These grades are not counted in the GPA.

Grades of S and U

The S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) grade mode is used in designated courses as noted in the course description. Most other courses are graded based on the default A–F grade mode. A student may count no more than 12 credits of S/U graded courses toward graduation requirements. The S grade indicates achievement equivalent to at least a grade of D.

Grade of W

The grade W is given to a student who officially withdraws from a course by the withdrawal deadline, which is approximately 60% of the total course length.  After the withdrawal deadline, students will receive the grade they have earned. Grades of W do not affect the Grade Point Average (GPA).  

The undergraduate GPA is calculated only on the basis of undergraduate credits attempted at Bethel.