Grading System

Contents

Graduate students must achieve a grade of 70% or more in order to receive credit for normal graded courses or pass or credit for courses with a different grading mode. Students who are qualifying or probationary may have to achieve a higher overall average than the 70% minimum, if this is a condition of their acceptance.

Qualifying and probationary students who fail one course will be Required-to-Discontinue (RTD).

Fully Qualified graduate students will be classified as probationary after failing one course in their graduate program. Upon successfully repeating the course (or a suitable, approved substitute) the student's status will be changed back to "fully-qualified". A failing grade must be resolved within one year. A second failure in any course will result in the student being discontinued (RTD).  Students with unresolved grades on their academic records are ineligible for FGSR funding including graduate scholarships (GSS), and graduate teaching assistantships (GTA).

NP (Not Passed) grades are considered failing grades and are assigned 55% in the calculation of the average.

The system of normal grading is a percentage system and the following evaluations also apply:

¹Administrative grades are not included in the calculation of a grade point average or when determining the cumulative hours towards program completion.  IN and DE indicates that an extension has been granted.  IP is an interim grade for a one-term course taught over two or three terms; the final grade is applied to the second term of the course.  NR is used when a course in 'in progress;' this includes courses with an end date beyond the normal end of term.  CW is used when a student is not permitted to complete a course by a disciplinary ruling.

²AU, AW, and W grades are neutral.  Grades of P, C, and AG are passing grades; F and N are failing grades.  These grades are included when determining cumulative hours towards program completion.  These grades have no numeric value, therefore are not included in a GPA calculation.

Graduate Grading System and Descriptions

The University of Regina employs a percentage grading system. A grade of less than 70% is a failing grade for graduate programs. A graduate student may fail (achieve a grade of less than 70%) one course and continue in his/her program. Should a student fail a second graduate class in her/his program, he/she will be required to discontinue from that program.  Graduate Grading Descriptions includes approximate grade equivalencies to alpha and 4.0 grading systems.

Grading Descriptions

Percentage Grades

95-100

An exceptional performance:

• exemplary knowledge and understanding of the subject material, relevant issues, literature, and techniques
• the work is original and demonstrates insight, understanding and independent application or extension of course expectations in ways that would contribute significantly to expertise in the relevant field(s) (e.g., it is publishable)
• demonstrates exceptional depth/scope of research, theory, and techniques supported extensively by the relevant literature and far exceeding course expectations
• exceptional level of analytical and critical ability demonstrating independent application of  unique and multi-perspective solutions to complex problems related to the subject material
• the work contains no errors in grammar, spelling, format, citation style, or referencing and is well communicated, coherent, clear, and highly persuasive

90-94

An outstanding performance:

• superior knowledge and understanding of the subject material, relevant issues, literature, and techniques
• the work demonstrates original thinking, new analysis, or new interpretation and outstanding ability to integrate multiple perspectives in comprehensive and complex ways
• demonstrates outstanding depth/scope of research, theory, and techniques supported extensively by the relevant literature and exceeding course expectations
• outstanding level of integration of course material demonstrating analytical and critical insight, understanding, and independent application or extension of course expectations in relation to difficult problems related to the subject material
• the work contains no errors in grammar, spelling, format, citation style, or referencing and is well communicated, coherent, clear, and highly persuasive

85-89

An excellent performance:

• excellent knowledge and understanding of the subject material, relevant issues, literature, and techniques
• the work demonstrates original thinking, new analysis, or new interpretation and makes insightful points that represent a high level of integration, comprehensiveness and complexity
• demonstrates excellent depth/scope of research, theory, and techniques relevant to course expectations and appropriate  literature
• excellent ability to solve difficult problems related to the subject material and/or to examine the material in a critical and analytical manner
• the work contains no errors in grammar, spelling, format, citation style, or referencing and is well communicated, coherent, clear, and highly persuasive

80-84

A very good performance:

• very good knowledge and understanding of the subject material, relevant issues, literature, and techniques
• the work demonstrates ability to apply knowledge and understanding in new ways and/or to provide new analysis or new interpretation
• demonstrates a good depth/scope of research, theory, and techniques relevant to course expectations and appropriate  literature
• very good ability to solve moderately difficult problems related to the subject material and/or to examine the material in a critical and analytical manner
• the work is relatively free of errors in grammar, spelling, format, citation style, or referencing and demonstrates very good communication, coherence, and clarity

75-79

A good or satisfactory performance:

• good knowledge and understanding of the subject material, relevant issues, literature and techniques
• the work is complete and some new analysis or new interpretation is provided
• arguments are supported by evidence and demonstrate a good depth/scope relevant to course expectations and relevant literature
• good ability to solve moderately difficult problems related to the subject material and/or to examine the material in a critical and analytical manner
• the work contains few errors in grammar, spelling, format, citation style, or referencing and demonstrates satisfactory communication, coherence, and clarity

70-74

A minimally acceptable performance or marginal pass:

• a basic grasp of the subject material, relevant issues, literature and techniques
• the work is complete, but little new analysis or new interpretation is provided
• arguments are sufficiently supported by evidence and demonstrate minimally acceptable depth/scope relevant to course expectations and relevant literature
• basic ability to solve moderately difficult problems related to the subject material and/or to examine the material in a critical and analytical manner
• the work contains multiple errors in grammar, spelling, format, citation style, or referencing and/or there are difficulties in effective communication, coherence, or clarity

0-69

An unacceptable or failing performance:

• a weak grasp of the subject material, relevant issues, literature and techniques
• the work is incomplete, with no new analysis or new interpretation
• arguments are not supported by evidence and/or demonstrate very limited depth/scope relevant to course expectations and relevant literature  (See also the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) policy on ‘academic conduct and misconduct’)
• unsatisfactory ability to solve moderately difficult problems related to the subject material and/or to examine the material in a critical and analytical manner the work contains many errors in grammar, spelling, format, citation style, or referencing and/or there are substantial difficulties in effective communication, coherence, or clarity

Calculation of Averages for Graduate Students

Standing will be determined on the basis of weighted percentage average (WPA) computed by dividing the sum of the credit hours times the marks accumulated during the term by the total credit hours attempted. In summary, WPA is calculated as:

The sum of (credit hours X marks)
The sum (credit hours)

For purposes of the calculation, a grade of NP is calculated at 55%, a grade of XF is counted at 0%. The minimum passing grade for all course work completed as a graduate student is 70%. Competence in writing skills is required in courses at the University of Regina.

Grades Assigned on Withdrawal. The part of term is divided into three periods for grades:

• Period 1: no grade; the course does not appear on the student's official transcript.
• Period 2: grade of W; appears on the student's official transcript but is neutral in the calculation of grade point averages.
• Period 3: grade of NP: appears on the student's official transcript and is a failing grade that counts as 55% in calculation of grade point averages.

After the end of period 2 (= the “academic withdrawal deadline”), a grade can be converted from NP to W only with the authorization of FGSR which will normally gives its approval only when a withdrawal is requested for reasons beyond the student's control (for example, illness, accident, involuntary job transfer, or serious personal problems). Requests received after the end of the term will usually only be considered in terms of a full withdrawal from all of the term's courses. A written request may be, and supporting documentation will be, required (supporting documentation will be treated as confidential). Regardless of whether or not there is an associated fee adjustment, students who are on student loan funding during a term in which they withdraw for medical or compassionate reasons should notify Saskatchewan Student Loans of their withdrawal, and provide a copy of the supporting documentation.

Deferral of Final Examination and/or Term Work

Grounds for Deferral. Deferrals on deadlines for completion of assignments, writing of final examinations, or thesis defenses may be granted to students on the basis of illness, accident, or other extreme and legitimate circumstances beyond their control. Thesis deferrals will only be considered for events that occur after a thesis has been submitted to FGSR. A thesis defense may only be deferred if all of the following conditions are met: 1) the delay in scheduling occurred for reasons beyond the student’s control; 2) the student submitted a thesis to FGSR on or before the deadline set by FGSR for the student’s program; 3) the thesis was deemed acceptable by FGSR to be sent to the External Examiner, and 4) the External Examiner deemed the thesis to be acceptable to proceed to defense.

Authority to Approve Deferrals During the Term. The authority to approve deferrals of term work (assignments and mid-term examinations) within the term belongs to the instructor of the course. All deferred work must be completed by the date of the final examination (or, if there is no final examination, by ten days after the start of the examination schedule for Fall/Winter terms and within five days for the Spring/Summer term) in order to allow the instructor to submit grades promptly. In the case of mid-term examinations, the instructor may assign a make-up examination or may transfer the weight of the examination to another examination or assignment, including the final examination. Some line-faculties have regulations governing this process.

Authority to Approve Deferrals Beyond the End of the Term. The authority to approve deferrals of final examinations and/or term work beyond the date of the final examination rests with the Dean of FGSR.

Making an Application for a Deferral Beyond the End of the Term. Students must apply using a Graduate Student Application for Deferral of Term Work and/or Final Exam Form available from the FGSR office or the web site. As well, they should notify their academic unit and their instructor of their difficulties as quickly as possible, by telephone or e-mail if they are unable to come to the university. The student submits the form with supporting documentation to the instructor who completes the relevant section of the form and forwards all materials to the Dean of FGSR.  Requests for deferral received more than 3 days after the final day of the examination period will be denied.

Supporting Documentation. Supporting documentation is required and must be submitted before a deferral is approved. For illness or accident, students must provide the University of Regina Student Medical Certificate to their physician to complete and ensure that it is received in the FGSR office. The physician should clearly indicate the start and end dates of the illness and the student's inability to write an examination, to complete assignments, and/or to attend classes as relevant to the request. The approved form may be printed from the web www.uregina.ca. For other circumstances, students should consult the FGSR office.

When a decision has been made, the Dean or designee will forward the form to the Registrar's Office who will inform the student and the instructor.

Maximum Length of Deferral. Outstanding course assignments must be submitted, and deferred final examinations written, by January 31 for Fall courses, by May 31 for Winter courses, and by September 30 for Spring/Summer courses. In cases of prolonged illness or other incapacity, the Dean has the authority to extend the deferral to the end of the term: that is, to the end of Winter term for Fall courses, to the end of Spring/Summer term for Winter courses, and to the end of Fall term for Spring/Summer courses. Students who are unable to complete the deferred work by the deadline may be eligible for aegrotat standing or a medical or compassionate withdrawal and should consult FGSR before the expiry of the deferral.

Grading of Deferrals - Deferred (DE) and Incomplete (IN) Grades

An interim grade of DE ("deferred") is assigned for a deferred final examination or deferral of both final examination and term work. An interim grade of IN ("incomplete") is assigned for deferral of term work alone. When the deferred final examination has been written, and/or missing work completed, the instructor (or, in the instructor's absence, the department head or department head's designee) will grade the work and assign a percentage grade to replace the interim grade.

Beginning on May 15, September 15, and January 15 for the previous Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer courses respectively, the Registrar's Office will convert any unreplaced grade of DE to a grade of NP, and any unreplaced grade of IN to a percentage grade based on the portion of the course completed or to a grade of NP, as determined by the instructor and approved by the Dean. The grades of students who were granted a deferral only to the end of the first month of the subsequent term may be converted by the Registrar's Office earlier than the schedule indicated above.

In Progress (IP) Grades

IP grades are given in the first term of courses that are timetabled over two or three terms. A grade of IP must be submitted for the course in the first term. Grades of IP are not calculated in the average.

NR Grades

When completion of a course is delayed, for reasons intrinsic to the course, beyond the due date for submission of grades, the Dean upon request from the instructor may approve the assignment of grades of NR for those students who are affected, until the course can be completed.

Aegrotat Standing

In rare circumstances, aegrotat standing in one or more courses in a term may be granted on medical or compassionate grounds to a student who meets the following conditions:

• the student is prevented from completing the term by serious illness or other extreme circumstances beyond the student's control;
• the student's illness is certified by a physician, or, other circumstances are certified by a professional in the relevant field or confirmed by other documentation acceptable to the dean;
• a deferral of term work and/or final examination is not appropriate because of the nature or severity of the illness or of the other circumstances;
• the student has completed at least 50% of the work contributing to the grade in the course; and,
• the instructor of the course confirms in writing that the student has demonstrated an understanding of the course material.

Aegrotat standing is granted by the dean of the faculty or college in which the student is enrolled.  The uncompleted work may be term work, the final examination, or a combination of the two.