The alternative spring 2020 grading policy allows students to choose class-by-class to have their earned letter grade recorded or have it replaced by a Pass/Not Pass (P/NP) grade. Note that the Pass/Not Pass policy is mandatory for dental school and law school students.
The policy is outlined in the Undergraduate Bulletin and the Graduate/Graduate School of Management bulletin.
STUDENT FAQs
- When do I choose whether to keep my recorded grade or have it replaced with a P/NP?
After faculty file grades for the semester using the standard letter grade scale (deadline is May 12), you will have until May 26 to choose whether to keep the grade you earned or change it. No student will be able to make a change to P/NP until May 12 after grades are posted. Undergraduate students receiving a final letter grade of F will NOT be required to switch the grade to NP. By default, the letter grade of F will be converted to NP. Graduate students will need to choose to switch a letter grade of F to NP. If a student receives a letter grade of F as part of an academic integrity sanction, the grade cannot be converted to NP. - How do I know if my classes are eligible for the P/NP grading option?Undergraduate students —
The undergraduate P/LP/NP grading option is available for undergraduate classes taken by students in an undergraduate program. Courses being taken at the graduate level by undergraduate students will be eligible for the graduate P/LP/NP grading option. Courses in a Health Sciences Professional program are not eligible for a pass/not pass grading option, even if taken by students in an undergraduate program. In addition, you need to have received a standard letter grade in the course to utilize the P/LP/NP option. Other situations where undergraduate classes are not eligible for the P/LP/NP grading option:
- Classes that students are completing on a credit/no credit, satisfactory/unsatisfactory or audit basis.
- Classes where an academic misconduct finding mandates the use of a letter grade.
- Classes that were graded prior to the campus transition to remote teaching in March.
View the full Alternative Undergraduate Grading Policy.
Graduate School and Graduate School of Management students — The graduate grading option is available for graduate classes being taken by students in a graduate or undergraduate program. Courses in a Health Sciences Professional program are not eligible for a pass/not pass grading option, even if taken by students in a graduate program. In addition, you need to have received a standard letter grade in the class to utilize the pass/not pass option. Other situations where graduate classes are not eligible for the pass/not pass grading option:
- Classes that students are completing on a credit/no credit, satisfactory/unsatisfactory, or audit basis.
- Classes where an academic misconduct finding mandates the use of a letter grade.
- Classes that were graded prior to the campus transition to remote teaching in March.
View the full Alternative Graduate/Graduate School of Management Grading Policy.
Health Sciences Professional students — The Pass/Not Pass grading option is not available. Students and classes in Health Sciences Professional programs will follow standard grading for the semester.
Law School students — Students and classes in Law will be graded on an Honors/Pass/Not Pass basis, as previously announced, except those that were already scheduled to be graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Dental School students — The School of Dentistry has determined that all pre-doctoral spring 2020 courses that were not completed before the onset of the COVID pandemic will adopt a mandatory Pass/Not Pass grading policy except for courses that were already scheduled to be graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
- How do I elect the pass/not pass grading in my classes?
From May 12, starting around 1 p.m. when final grades are posted to your record, through May 26, undergraduate and graduate students will be able to use CheckMarq to update the grading option in any or all your eligible classes. On the page in CheckMarq where you view your grades, a button will exist to change the grading for each eligible class with an assigned letter grade. You will be able to make decisions on a class-by-class basis, and the changes will be immediately reflected in your grades and GPA. See detailed instructions on Marquette Central’s website.
- What do the Pass/Not Pass grades mean?
Undergraduate Courses- Pass (P) means you earned a grade of C or higher
- Low pass (LP) means you earned a C-, D+ or D
- Not Pass (NP) means lower than a D (failing grade)
- P/LP/NP grades will not be computed in your GPA.
Graduate School/Graduate School of Management Courses
- High Pass (HP) means you earned a grade of B or higher
- Pass (P) means you earned a B-, C+, or C
- Not Pass (NP) means lower than a C (failing grade)
- HP/P/NP grades will not be computed in your GPA
Law School Courses
- Honors (H) signifies exceptional performance of a limited number of students in the course
- Pass (P) means you earned credit based on the usual scale
- Not Pass (NP) means no credit was earned (failing grade)
- HP/P/NP grades will not be computed in your GPA
School of Dentistry Pre-doctoral Courses
- Pass (P) means you earned a grade of C or higher. A grade of C is equivalent to a 2.0 GPA and the minimum GPA required to remain in academic good standing at the dental school
- Not Pass (NP) means lower than a C (failing grade)
- Pass/Not Pass grades will not be computed in your GPA
- How do P/NP differ?Undergraduate Students
- Pass will earn credit and fulfill requirements
- Low Pass will earn credit and fulfill requirements unless your academic program states otherwise. A Low Pass will not fulfill pre-requisite or minimum grade requirements in certain programs. These will be available by the end of the semester, and you should consult your academic adviser to determine the best choice for you.
- Not Pass will not earn credit or fulfill requirements
Graduate Students
- High Pass will earn credit and fulfill requirements
- Pass will earn credit and fulfill requirements as determined by individual academic programs.
- Not Pass will not earn credit or fulfill requirements
- How do I decide whether to keep my letter grade or to convert it to P/NP?
Look at your GPA and check the scale in the bulletin to convert the number to the average grade you get. Every grade that is at or above your average, you should keep as a letter grade. For those below, consider P/NP. Check with your academic adviser, particularly if you’re on an academic plan for not meeting GPA requirements for satisfactory academic progress or academic probation. If you are in an academic program that has licensure or certification requirements, it’s also important for you to consult with your adviser. Undergraduate students receiving a final letter grade of F will NOT be required to switch the grade to NP. By default, the letter grade of F will be converted to NP. Graduate students receiving a final letter grade of F must make the choice to switch the grade to NP. If a student receives a letter grade of F as part of an academic integrity sanction, the grade cannot be converted to NP.
- What if I change my mind after switching the grading option for one of my classes?
Through May 26, you will be able to use CheckMarq to change your grading option back to a letter grade through the same process you used to change to pass/not pass grading. After May 26, your grading choice will be considered final.
- What if my final letter grade is not entered on May 12?
At any point a letter grade is assigned in one of your eligible classes between May 12-26, the pass/not pass grading option will be available to you in CheckMarq. For example, if you receive an Incomplete in a class on May 12 and subsequently earn a final letter grade on May 20, you will have from that point through May 26 to utilize the pass/not pass grading option in CheckMarq. For any final letter grades that are assigned after May 26, a paper form will be available to request the pass/not pass grading option for a two week period after the final grade is assigned (the paper form is also available to students who do not have a two week period to select the pass/not pass grading option in CheckMarq).
- Will my instructor know when grading if I choose P/NP?
No, because students exercise the option to change their letter grades to P/NP after instructors file grades, instructors are not aware which students change to P/NP while grading.
- Are there any undergraduate classes where P/LP/NP grading options cannot be used?
P/LP/NP grading options are not available for graduate students enrolled in undergraduate classes (they will follow the HP/P/NP options), classes where the student is already enrolled on a non-graded basis (e.g., credit/no credit), and in classes where an academic misconduct finding mandates the use of a letter grade.
- Will switching the grading option of my classes have an impact on eligibility for the Dean’s List?
For spring 2020, Dean’s List criteria for undergraduate students will require a minimum of 12 graded credits across all colleges. Credits where pass/not pass grading is selected are not considered graded credits. For instance, if you are enrolled in 15 credits in the semester and switch six of those credits to pass/not pass grading, you will have nine graded credits for the term and not be eligible for the Dean’s List in the semester. In addition, receiving a grade of NP will disqualify you from eligibility for the Dean’s List (a grade of F continues to be a disqualifying grade, as well). Please consult your college dean’s office for more information.
- What if I have other questions?
Contact your academic adviser before you make your choice.
FACULTY FAQs
- What should I do right now?
File grades by the deadline. Students will have the option to convert their letter grades to P/NP only after grades are filed.
- What should I tell students who are worried about their grades now?
Encourage students to wait to decide on P/NP until after they have their grades. - When grading, will I know if students choose P/NP in the class I’m teaching this semester?
No, students exercise the option to change their letter grades to P/NP after grades are filed.
