See Policy AC4, Student Evaluation and Grading, for further information.

Standard Grading System

The standard grading system is used to describe the achievement level attained within a particular course.

Grading System

Grade	Grade Points	Percent Equivalent	Definition
A+	4.33	90-100	Exceptional achievement
A	4.00	85-89	Outstanding achievement
A-	3.67	80-84	Excellent achievement
B+	3.33	76-79	Very good achievement
B	3.00	72-75	Good achievement
B-	2.67	68-71	Good achievement
C+	2.33	64-67	Satisfactory achievement
C	2.00	60-63	Satisfactory achievement
C-	1.67	56-59	Marginal achievement. This grade does not permit a student to pursue another course for which the graded course is a prerequisite.
D	1.00	50-55	Minimal achievement. This grade does not permit a student to pursue another course for which the graded course is a prerequisite.
F	0.00	0-49	Unsatisfactory achievement. Student did not meet minimum course requirements.

Competency Based Grading Systems

KPU has two competency-based grading systems. These grading systems are used to describe whether a standard level of proficiency has been reached for a particular course. A course graded with a competency-based grading system does not factor into GPA calculations.

Mastery Grading System

A competency-based grading system given to courses that demand a clearly defined high standard of performance, in which the student must demonstrate mastery of all knowledge and/or performance requirements.

Grading System 2

Grade	Definition
MAS	Mastery. Student has met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standard.
NCG	No Credit Granted. Student has not met the required standard for the course and/or has not participated to the required level in course activities.

Experience Grading System

 A competency-based grading system given to courses in which an appropriate learning environment has been provided, but only the students can assess and decide the particular value(s) the course has yielded. Such courses demand student participation and, provided students participate, credit will be granted. 

Grading System 2

Grade	Definition
EXP	Experience. Student has participated at the required level in course activities.
NCG	No Credit Granted. Student has not met the required standard for the course and/or has not participated to the required level in course activities.

Grades Designated as GPA-Neutral - Not Used in GPA Calculations

Grading System 2

Grade	Definition
AEG	Aegrotat. A pass standing based on satisfactory demonstration of course learning outcomes, assigned where disabling illness or other extenuating circumstances prevented completion of all course assessments.
Apprenticeship Grades	Recorded on the transcript as numeric (percentage) values (effective 2014/15).
AUD	Audit. Student attended classes but was not evaluated.
CIP	Course in progress. A temporary grade.
DEF	Deferred. A temporary grade. The course duration does not correspond to the usual term duration. A final grade will be assigned within a year.
EXP	Experience. Student has participated at the required level in course activities.
I	Incomplete. A temporary grade. Course requirements incomplete at the grade submission deadline and to be completed and a grade submitted before a specific deadline date.
MAS	Mastery. Student has met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standard.
NA	Never Attended. Student registered but did not attend and did not officially withdraw.
NCG	No Credit Granted. Student has not met the required standard for the course and/or has not participated to the required level in course activities.
PLA	Prior Learning Assessment - Student granted credit based on successful Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) assessment.
TRF	Transfer. Student granted transfer credit based on successful completion of equivalent course at another institution.
W	Voluntary course withdrawal. Student initiated withdrawal from course of program prior to the published deadline.
WE	Course withdrawal based on extenuating circumstances. An approved withdrawal from course or program past published deadline.

Grade Point Average

The grade point average (GPA) is a method of expressing the academic performance of a student in a set of courses as a numerical weighted average.

Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by multiplying the grade points for a course by the number of semester credit hours assigned to that course, adding those values for a set of courses, and dividing the result by the total number of semester credit hours for those courses. A separate GPA is calculated for each academic level that includes only courses designated at that academic level. The transcript will reflect each level separately if appropriate.

Grade Points: A specific numerical value associated with the letter grade assigned to a course. Provides a basis for calculating grade point averages.

Credits / Credit Hours / Semester Credit Hours: A specific numerical value assigned to a course, generally corresponding to either the number of contact hours per week throughout the semester or to some other metric of student engagement. Most courses at KPU are 3 credits. Credit values for courses are used in the calculation of GPA and fees, as well as in the evaluation of credits required for a credential.

KPU recognizes the following GPAs:

• Institutional Cumulative Grade Point Average (Institutional CGPA): The GPA calculated for all courses taken at KPU.

• Program Grade Point Average (Program GPA): The GPA calculated for all courses applicable towards graduation with a specific credential.

• Term Grade Point Average (Term GPA): The GPA calculated for all courses taken at KPU in a specific term.

• Transfer Grade Point Average (Transfer GPA): The GPA calculated for all transfer and PLAR courses.

• Overall Grade Point Average (Overall GPA): The GPA calculated for all courses.

Sample GPA Calculations

Term 1

Sample GPA Calculations

Course	Grade	Grade Points	Credits	Total Grade Points
ANTH 1102	B+	3.33	3	9.99
CHEM 1102	B	3.00	5	15.00
CPSC 1102	B-	2.67	3	8.01
ENGL 1102	A	4.00	3	12.00
Totals			14	45.00
Term GPA = 45.00 / 14.0 = 3.21

Term 2

Sample GPA Calculations

Course	Grade	Grade Points	Credits	Total Grade Points
ANTH 1302	B	3.00	3	9.00
CHEM 1302	C+	2.33	5	11.65
ENGL 1302	A-	3.67	3	11.01
SOCI 1302	B+	3.33	3	9.99
Totals			14	41.65
Term GPA = 41.65 / 14 = 2.98
Institutional CGPA = (45.00 + 41.65) / (14 + 14) = 86.65 / 28.0 = 3.09

Incomplete Grade (I Grade) Contracts

The temporary I Grade is intended to assist a student in completing course requirements when circumstances prevent them from doing so during and by the end of the term. Temporary I Grade assignment is normally initiated by the instructor after consultation with a student. Students assigned a temporary I Grade must enter into an I Grade Contract, normally after consultation with the instructor. Once an I Grade Contract has been entered into a student will not normally be permitted to request a withdrawal under extenuating circumstances (WE). The following criteria are to be used by instructors in deciding whether to agree to an I Grade Contract:

1. Previous work in the course should have been at a satisfactory or passing level.

2. The student must have been prevented from completing requirements by some abnormal circumstance or juxtaposition of other responsibilities, such as 

   1. embarking on a project whose completion, as later affirmed by the instructor, turns out to be more time-consuming than contemplated.

   2. an emergency situation such as illness or accident has prevented the student from completing one or more of the course requirements.

3. Satisfying the conditions of an I Grade Contract should be achievable within a maximum of eight weeks after the grade submission deadline Therefore, I Grade Contract deadlines should typically not be more than eight weeks in length and should never extend beyond the subsequent term for which they are applicable.

4. An I Grade and accompanying I Grade Contract may also be issued when an active academic integrity investigation has not concluded before the grade submission deadline for the term.

5. There is no limit to the number of I Grade Contracts that a student may carry or enter into.

6. The final grade for a student who has been assigned an I Grade must be submitted on a Grade Reporting Form.

Passing Grade in a Course

The minimum passing grade in a course using KPU’s Standard Grading System is a D grade.

The minimum passing grades in a course using KPU’s competency-based grading systems are MAS or EXP.

A course in which a passing grade has been achieved may be used to satisfy program requirements for graduation, unless otherwise specified by the program requirements in the University Calendar.

A course granted credit with a grade of TRF, PLA, or AEG  may be used to satisfy program requirements for graduation, unless otherwise specified by the program requirements in the University Calendar. However, courses granted credit with a grade of TRF or PLA do not count towards KPU residency requirements.

Minimum Grade Required in a Prerequisite Course

To register in a course for which there is a prerequisite course (or courses), a student must have achieved a minimum grade of C (or AEG, EXP, MAS, PLA, or TRF) in the prerequisite course(s). Some courses and programs require a higher grade than C for prerequisites to their courses.

Grades for Repeated Courses

All grades are recorded on the student's transcript. If a course is repeated to replace a failed or lower grade, the higher grade will be used to compute grade point averages and to determine academic standing. Normally, a course may not be repeated more than once.

Grade Changes - Error

A student who believes that an error has been made in recording a final grade should first contact the instructor to verify the grade. If an incorrect grade has been submitted, the instructor will submit a Grade Reporting Form to correct the error. A non-temporary grade change must be approved by the course instructor and the appropriate Dean or designate. The grade change must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than four weeks after the end of the term. Upon receipt of the signed form, a correction will be made to the student’s academic record.

Grade Appeals

Only the instructor who assigned the grade may normally change a final grade. If a student feels that they have received an inaccurate and/or unfair grade, the student must first contact the instructor (or the Dean responsible for the course if the instructor is unavailable). If the student cannot reach a satisfactory resolution with the instructor, they may formally appeal the grade. Students wishing to file a grade appeal should refer to KPU’s Policy ST3, Grade Appeals.

Availability of Final Grades for Standard-Term Courses

Final grades for  standard-term courses may be obtained in Online Self-Service, following the final grade submission deadline for the term. Previous grades and transfer credits may also be viewed in the Records section of Online Self-Service.