Grades and WMU grading system

Grading scale and honor points

Grade	Honor points	Significance
A	4.0	outstanding, exceptional, extraordinary
BA	3.5
B	3.0	very good, high pass
CB	2.5
C	2.0	satisfactory, acceptable, adequate
DC	1.5
D	1.0	poor
E	0.0	failing
X	0.0	failure (unofficial withdrawal)
W		official withdrawal
I		incomplete
CR		credit
NC		no credit
AD		audit (noncredit enrollment)

The number of honor points earned in a course is the number of semester hour credits given by the course, multiplied by the number of honor points per hour of credit corresponding to the letter grade received as shown in the preceding table. For example, a grade of "B" in a 4-hour course gives 3 (numerical grade) x4 (credit hours), for 12 honor points.

"I" incomplete

This is a temporary grade which the instructor may give to a student when illness, necessary absence, or other reasons beyond the control of the student prevent completion of course requirements by the end of the semester or session. This grade may not be given as a substitute for a failing grade.

A grade of "I"must be removed by the instructor who gave it or, in exceptional circumstances, by the department chairperson. If the unfinished work is not completed and the "I" grade removed within one calendar year of the assignment of the "I", the grade shall be converted to an "E" (failure). Students who receive an incomplete grade in a course must not reregister for the course in order to remove the "I".

Dean's list

Semester criteria:

Have completed at least twelve (12) semester hours of work during the fall or spring semester for letter grade and have a grade point average of at least 3.50 for the semester

Summer session criteria:

Have completed at least six (6) semester hours of work during the Summer I or Summer II for letter grade and have a grade point average of at least 3.50 for the session.

Undergraduate honors

Honors are conferred upon graduating undergraduate students who have displayed a high level of performance during their university career.

Recipients of honors receive their degrees:

• Cum laude - when their grade point average is 3.50 to 3.69, inclusive
• Magna cum laude - when their grade point average is 3.70 to 3.89, inclusive
• Summa cum laude - when their grade point average is 3.90 to 4.00, inclusive

Rules:

In computing the grade point average for honors, the following rules will apply:

• All credits and honor points earned at Western Michigan University will be counted.
• Credits and honor points earned in correspondence and extension courses will be counted toward honors.
• All students must have earned at least fifty-six (56) semester hours of credits at Western Michigan University, of which fifty (50) must be graded by a letter grade and computed into the final cumulative grade point average.

The graduation program will list as candidates for honors all undergraduate students who have earned a point-hour average of 3.50 through the next-to-last semester of residence (based on a minimum of forty-five (45) semester hours of credit earned at Western of which thirty-five (35) hours must be in courses with grades.) Final determination of honors and level of awards will be based upon all work and will appear on the final transcript.

The student receives one grade in each course taken. The grade combines the results of course work, tests, and final examinations. Grades are indicated by letters, to each of which is assigned a certain value in honor points per hour of credit, as shown in the table below. How to Figure GPA