Office of the Registrar

The ‘cumulative GPA’ is the total number of grade points earned (for CNU courses) divided by the total number of credit hours attempted (CNU). Transfer credit is not included in grade points and credit hours attempted, resulting in one GPA; however, transfer credit is included in credit hours earned towards a degree.

AU - Indicates that a student has audited a course (no degree credit is awarded) and is not computed in the cumulative GPA.
I - Indicates an incomplete grade and is not computed in the cumulative GPA.
M - Indicates that a student has received a medical/administrative/military withdrawal and is not computed in the cumulative GPA.
P - Indicates a passing grade in a pass/fail course; if the student receives a grade of P, it is not computed in the cumulative GPA while the grade of F is computed in the cumulative GPA.
UI - Indicates an ‘unauthorized incomplete’ denoting that a student did not participate academically in a course beyond the 60 percent date in the semester; this is computed in the cumulative GPA as an F.
W - Indicates that a student withdrew from a course and is not computed in the cumulative GPA.
Z - Indicates a zero credit course and is not computed in the cumulative GPA.

The grade of Incomplete, I, is a temporary grade that the instructor may assign when exceptional, documented circumstances prevent the student from completing required assignments or from taking the final examination. If the grade of Incomplete is assigned, the student must complete the work and the professor must submit the Grade Change Form (or Extension of Incomplete Form, if appropriate) to the Office of the Registrar by the third Friday of the next regular semester. If a Grade Change Form (or Extension of Incomplete Form) is not submitted as indicated, the grade of I will automatically convert to a grade of F on the following business day and will require the following signatures for a change of grade: instructor, department chair, and academic dean.

• Incomplete grades given in the fall: must be removed/extended by the above indicated deadline in the following spring semester.
• Incomplete grades given in the spring: must be removed/extended by the above indicated deadline in the following fall semester.
• Incomplete grades given in the summer: must be removed/extended by the above indicated deadline in the following fall semester.

All extensions of an incomplete grade require the signature of the instructor, department chair, and academic dean and must include a specific date (MMDDYY) prior to the last day of the next regular semester. I grades will roll to a grade of F once an extension date has expired. Note: Degrees will not be conferred for students with a missing grade or grade(s) of Incomplete, I, on his/her academic record and the student’s anticipated semester of graduation will be moved to the following term.

For most courses that are repeated, only the grade, credit, and grade points for the most recent course enrollment will be counted toward graduation requirements, credit hours earned, and included in the computation of grade point averages. Courses completed at CNU with a grade of D or F cannot be repeated at another institution. Students who, after their third attempt (excluding course withdrawals designated by a grade of W), do not complete a course required for a specific degree at CNU may not be allowed to graduate with that degree, as determined by the student’s academic department. Students, whose academic department removes them from the major because of three attempts (excluding course withdrawals designated by a grade of W) in a required course, may appeal to the Undergraduate Degrees Committee for reinstatement to their former major. Students who fail to successfully complete the mandatory general education or liberal learning curriculum courses after three enrollments may be academically dismissed from CNU. Students who are academically dismissed may appeal to the Academic Status Committee for reinstatement. Students who wish to appeal either committee should consult the Office of the Registrar website for deadlines, forms, and instructions regarding the appeal process. Appeals received after the published deadline will be held for the next scheduled meeting. Completed appeals should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.

Courses retaken after graduation will not replace grades previously earned; therefore grades, grade points, and credits for both course enrollments will be reflected in the cumulative and CNU totals on the student record.

The pass/fail option is intended to encourage students to enrich their academic programs by exploring challenging courses outside their major without the pressure of the regular grading system. Effective with fall semester 2008, the requirements for the pass/fail option are as follows:

• To register for a course under the pass/fail option, an undergraduate must have at least junior standing (see classification of students) with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00.
• To exercise this option, students must complete and submit a Pass/Fail Form to the Office of the Registrar by the end of the published period for that term. Once exercised, the pass/fail option can be revoked only by withdrawal from the course or by withdrawal from the University.
• Undergraduate students can complete no more than 12 credit hours under this option during their tenure at CNU.
• Undergraduate students can register for no more than six credit hours of pass/fail in any one term (counted fall, spring or summer).
• Courses that may not be taken on a pass/fail basis include those satisfying the liberal learning curriculum (liberal learning foundations, areas of inquiry and writing intensive) or requirements in the major, minor, concentration, or degree studies and graduate level courses (500- or ­600-level courses). University-designated pass/fail courses (offered only on a pass/fail basis) are exempt from this policy. Courses for which the pass/fail option applies are restricted to general (non­program) electives.
• Credit for a passing grade will count toward graduation but will not be used in determining the GPA. Credit for a failing grade will not be given; however, a grade of F will be computed in the cumulative GPA.
• Courses taken on a pass/fail basis count toward full­ or part-­time standing.
• A grade of P is granted for earning a D­- or higher in the pass/fail course.

Students may access their third­week, midterm and final grade reports by accessing their web­based, ‘CNU Connect’ account and clicking on the ‘CNU Live’ link. Final grades are available at the end of each term.