Grading Policies

Incomplete Grades

A grade of incomplete (I) is issued as a place holder when a student has enrolled in a course but is unable to finish the course assigned. Students may request a grade of incomplete (I) from their instructor as long as they have been active in the course, unless extenuating circumstances can be demonstrated. Requests to instructors must be made on or before the last day of the course. Students must complete a request for incomplete form available through the Office of the Registrar or program department and submit it to the instructor for approval. If approved, the instructor will inform the student of the required work and deadline; the designated department representative, and the Office of the Registrar will also be notified of the request for an incomplete grade. A student is required to make up any incomplete course work within five weeks of the conclusion of the course. If the instructor denies the request, the student may appeal to the campus president. Incomplete grades are temporary grades; courses with I grade are calculated in attempted credit hours, but not in the grade point average. If work is not completed or a new grade is not assigned, the grade of incomplete converts into an F. Incomplete grades may be used if grades are not submitted by instructors in a timely manner. Upon submission of the late grades, incomplete grades are updated.

Withdrawal Grades

Students who withdraw from a course after the Add/Drop Period are awarded a withdrawal (W) grade and tuition is calculated based on the University’s refund policy. A W grade is counted for the maximum time frame requirement as credits attempted, but not credits earned in Satisfactory Academic Progress calculations. Withdrawal courses may affect federal student aid or registration eligibility for the next term.

Grade Appeal

In the event a student wishes to challenge or dispute a grade, a grade appeal must be initiated by the student within three weeks of receiving the grade by submitting a written request to the instructor. If satisfactory resolution is not reached, the written request must be submitted to the designated department representative. If after a review by the designated department representative the issue remains unresolved, a committee of uninvolved faculty or staff is selected by the campus president for the grade appeal hearing. The student and the faculty member may present information. Each appeal to the next level must be determined within two weeks. All decisions are final. Grade changes may result in the loss of federal student aid (FSA) eligibility because regulations may limit the time within which aid may be re-awarded or disbursed. Stratford University adheres to a schedule that allows grades to be submitted during the subsequent term. Because of this, students evaluated after grade submissions may have their FSA eligibility recalculated and may need to adjust their payment arrangements.

Student Grade Recognitions

Summa cum Laude: Graduating students with a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 receive the Summa cum Laude honor.

Magna cum Laude: Graduating students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 to 3.99 receive the Magna cum Laude honor.

President’s List: Undergraduate students who have a term grade point average of 4.0 and have completed a minimum of 13.5 credits, including at least 9.0 credits in the previous term are included on the President’s List.

Dean’s List: Undergraduate students who have a term grade point average of 3.75 to 3.99 and have completed a minimum of 13.5 credits, including at least 9.0 credits in the previous term are included on the Dean’s List.

Honors List: Undergraduate students who have a term grade point average of 3.5 to 3.74 and have completed a minimum of credits, including at least 9.0 credits in the previous term are included on the Honors List.