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Grades and Records

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Grading System
Academic Warning 
Transcripts
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Name Change
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Grading System 

The following symbols are used by UMUC-Europe:

Grade	Interpretation	Quality Points
A	Outstanding scholarship	4
B	Good scholarship	3
C	Satisfactory scholarship	2
D	Marginal performance	1
F	Failure	0
FN	Failure for nonattendance	0
G	Grade under review	0
S	Satisfactory (C or higher)	0
AU	Audit	0
I	Incomplete	0
R	Repeated course	0
W	Withdrawal	0

Satisfactory:  The grade of S

The grade of S is used when a satisfactory (S)/marginal (D)/failure (F) grading system applies. The grade of S is equivalent to a grade of C or higher. This grade is used to denote satisfactory progress in an experiential setting or practicum, such as EXCL 301. Although the grade of S confers credit and appears on the permanent record, courses graded S are not used in determining grade point average.

Marginal Performance: The Grade of D

The grade of D is the minimum passing grade and denotes borderline understanding of the subject. Only a limited amount of coursework in which the grade of D has been earned can be applied toward a degree. For additional information, students should refer to specific certificate and degree requirements in this Catalog. Most regionally accredited colleges and universities will not accept transfer courses in which a D has been earned.

Failure: The Grade of F

The grade of F means a failure to satisfy the minimum requirements of a course. Although it carries no credit, it is included in calculating the grade point average. A student assigned the grade of F must register again for the course, pay the applicable fees, repeat the course, and earn a passing grade in order to receive credit for that course. The military services require that students receiving tuition assistance reimburse the government if they receive the grade of F.

Failure for Nonattendance: The Grade of FN

The grade of FN means a failure in the course because the student has not attended or participated in course assignments and activities. It is assigned when the student ceases to attend class but has not officially withdrawn. The military services require that students receiving tuition assistance reimburse the government if they receive the grade of FN.

Grade under Review: The Mark of G

The mark of G is an exceptional and temporary administrative mark given only when the final grade in the course is under review. It is not the same as a mark of Incomplete.

Incomplete: The Mark of I

The mark of I (Incomplete) is an exceptional mark given only to students whose work in a course has been satisfactory but who for reasons beyond their control have been unable to complete all the requirements of a course. The following criteria must be met:

• The student must have completed at least 60 percent of the work in the course with a grade of C or better.
• The mark of I must be requested before the end of the course.

The procedure for awarding the mark of I is as follows:

1. The student must ask the faculty member for a mark of I. (Faculty members cannot award a mark of I on their own initiative.)
2. The faculty member decides whether to grant the request.
3. The faculty member sets a date (no more than 4 months after submitting the original grade) for completion of the remaining requirements of the course.
4. The faculty member and the student together agree on the remaining requirements of the course and the deadline for submitting the work.
5. The student is responsible for completing the work.
6. After the work is completed, the faculty member submits a grade change to replace the mark of I on the student's record with a grade.

If the mark of I is not made up within four months or by the agreed-upon deadline, the I is changed to an F. Students should be aware that a mark of I in their final semester may delay graduation.

The mark of I cannot be removed by means of credit by examination, and it cannot be replaced by a mark of W (defined below). Students who elect to repeat an incomplete course must register again for the course, pay the full tuition and applicable fees, and repeat the course. For purposes of academic retention, the course grade is counted as an F. The mark of I is not used in determining grade point averages.

Withdrawal: The Mark of W

When a student officially withdraws from a course, a W is assigned. The W can be posted only when it is documented by an Application for Withdrawal. (See the Enrollment section of this Catalog for filing instructions.) For purposes of academic retention, the mark of W is counted as attempted hours. It is not used in determining grade point average.

Audit: AU

When a student audits a course, an AU is assigned. Any course may be audited. Students seeking neither credit nor grades may register to audit a course provided they meet current admissions standards. Auditors pay the same fees as those taking the course(s) for credit. Once a class has begun, a student cannot change registration status from audit to credit or from credit to audit.

CHANGE OF GRADE

With the exception of the I (Incomplete) and G, all grades and marks are final and cannot be changed.

GRADING REPEATED COURSES

When a course is repeated, only the higher grade earned in the two attempts is included in the calculation of the grade point average. For purposes of academic retention, both attempts are counted. Both grades are entered on the permanent record, with a notation indicating that the course was repeated. Students cannot increase the total hours earned toward a degree by repeating a course for which a passing grade was earned previously.

To establish credit in a course previously failed or withdrawn from, students must register, pay the full tuition and applicable fees, and repeat the entire course successfully.

Students may not register more than twice for the same course without the prior approval of the director, Student Affairs.

INSTITUTIONAL CREDIT

A course that may not be applied toward graduation may be assigned a credit value for purposes of semester load and tuition. This institutional credit is included in the grade point average and in determining eligibility for financial aid and veterans educational benefits. However, students required to take these courses do so in addition to the 120 units (of graduation credit) required for the degree.

CALCULATION OF GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)

The grade point average is calculated using the quality points assigned to each grade (see list below). First, the quality-point value of each grade is multiplied by the number of credits; then the sum of these quality points is divided by the total number of credits attempted for which a grade of A, B, C, D, or F/FN was received.

Grade Quality Points

A — 4

B — 3

C — 2

D — 1

F/FN — 0

Academic Warning and Dismissal

At the end of every term, the cumulative grade point average of each student who has attempted at least 15 credits at UMUC is computed based on all UMUC graded coursework. In January, June, and September, the registrar reviews each student's record and takes action, required by UMUC policy, according to the student's level of progress as described below. There are four levels of academic progress: satisfactory, warning, probation, and dismissal.

Levels of Progress

Satisfactory

A student whose cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher is considered to be making satisfactory progress.

Warning

A student whose cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 will be placed on academic warning. The student will remain on academic warning as long as the cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 but the reviewed GPA is 2.0 or better.

However, a student who attempts 15 credits or more in a period of at least four terms and earns no quality points will receive an academic warning regardless of the cumulative GPA.

A student on academic warning whose reviewed GPA is 2.0 or better, but whose cumulative GPA is less than 2.0, will continue on warning until he or she has completed courses with UMUC that raise the cumulative GPA to 2.0 or better.

A student on academic warning is limited to a maximum enrollment of 4 credits per term.

Probation

A student on academic warning or admitted on provisional status whose reviewed GPA is less than 2.0 will be put on probation.

A student on probation whose reviewed GPA is 2.0 or better, but whose cumulative GPA is less than 2.0, will return to academic warning or provisional status.

A student on academic probation is limited to a maximum enrollment of 4 credits per term.

Dismissal

A student on probation whose reviewed GPA is less than 2.0 will be dismissed.

Regardless of cumulative GPA, a student who has maintained an average of at least 2.0 during a reviewed period will not be dismissed at the end of that period. A student who is dismissed is ineligible to register again for UMUC courses until he or she is reinstated.

Reinstatement After Dismissal

A student whose cumulative GPA falls within academic dismissal range loses eligibility to re-register with UMUC. The student may petition for reinstatement by writing to University of Maryland University College-Europe, Office of the Registrar, Unit 29216, APO AE 09102. The petition must contain an explanation of how the student will be able to improve academic performance. The student may re-enroll only after the request for reinstatement is approved and two academic terms have elapsed since the dismissal. Reinstated students will be placed on academic warning immediately or will retain provisional status, as appropriate. Credits earned at any other institutions during a period of dismissal from UMUC will not be accepted in transfer.

Scholastic Recognition

Dean's List

Students who complete at least 12 credits (in courses graded A, B, C, D, or F) with a GPA of at least 3.5 in an academic year at UMUC are eligible for the Dean's List.

Students who fail to earn the required average by the end of the academic year must complete a minimum of 12 more semester hours during the next academic year to be considered for the Dean's List again. All courses taken during an academic year are used in computing the average, even though the total number of credits may exceed 12. An academic year is designated as fall through summer terms. Eligibility for the Dean's List is calculated once a year, after summer term.

Academic Honors

Academic honors for excellence in scholarship are determined by the student's cumulative GPA calculation for UMUC courses. The distinction of summa cum laude is conferred on those students with a cumulative GPA of 4.000, magna cum laude honors is conferred on those students with a cumulative GPA of 3.901 up to 3.999, cum laude honors is conferred on those students with a cumulative GPA of 3.800 up to 3.900. To be eligible for any of these categories of recognition, a student must have earned at least 45 credits at UMUC in courses for which a letter grade and quality points were assigned. For honors to be conferred with a second bachelor's degree, the student is required to have a total of 45 credits of new UMUC credit and the requisite GPA.

Honor Societies

Transcripts 

Transcript requests should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar of the University of Maryland University College unit (Europe, Asia, Stateside) where the student was most recently enrolled. Requests may be submitted by mail or fax. Permanent academic records of students who have left UMUC-Europe and have not enrolled elsewhere within UMUC are maintained by UMUC-Europe. Unless the student has subsequently enrolled in another unit of UMUC, all transcript requests should be sent to the Office of the Registrar in Heidelberg. Transcript requests must be signed by the student and should include the following information:

• Student’s full name
• Social Security number
• Names of all units of the University of Maryland University College attended
• The first and last dates of attendance

Transcripts should be requested at least two weeks before they actually will be needed. Forms for requesting transcripts are available at education centers and at www.ed.umuc.edu/undergrad/services/transcripts/Transcripts_Form.pdf. For additional information, e-mail edtranscripts@ed.umuc.edu.

Confidentiality
A transcript is an official record of a student’s work. All academic records are confidential. Therefore, UMUC-Europe releases transcripts only upon receiving a signed request from the student.

Fees
A complimentary transcript is mailed with each diploma. All other transcript requests should be accompanied by payment of $5 for each transcript requested. There is no charge for sending a transcript to another institution in the University System of Maryland. Rush transcripts which are processed within 24 hours of receipt may be requested at a cost of $20 each. No transcript will be released until all financial obligations to UMUC have been satisfied.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Under the provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), students have the right to inspect and seek correction to their educational records. Requests for such inspection and correction of student records may be made to: 

University of Maryland University College
Office of the Registrar
Unit 29216
APO AE 09102

In addition, most institutional information concerning students may not be released to third parties without the prior consent of the students themselves. The only student information which may be released without prior consent is directory information:  the student’s name, primary field of study, dates of attendance, degrees/awards earned, birth date and the previous educational institution most recently attended. This information is disclosed even in the absence of consent unless the student files written notice by the end of the second week of the term in which the student begins each school year. To prevent automatic disclosure of directory information, this notice must be filed annually to the Registrar within the time allotted above.

A record of all disclosures of a student's educational record is maintained, except for those made to the students themselves, made at the written request of the student, made to USM instructional or administrative officials, or directory information disclosures.

See Appendix E of the 2006/2007 Undergraduate Catalog for additional information about access to and disclosure of student records.

Name Change

Students who move during the term should not only leave a forwarding address with the postal authorities but should also notify the UMUC-Europe Office of the Registrar in Heidelberg as soon as possible.
Requests for a name change on official records of UMUC must be accompanied by one of the following documents:

1. Copy of a court order.
2. Copy of marriage certificate.
3. Statement from a legal officer certifying the name change.

The request can be made by letter or completion of the Notification of Student Name Change form (UMRS-046) which is available from the local field representative or online: Name Change form (PDF 53 KB). This request should be mailed with the appropriate document to the Office of the Registrar. To ensure accurate and complete student records, a student must continue to register under his or her former name until the request and documentation have been forwarded and processed.

Last updated: 26 June 2007