Grades
Southern Wesleyan University uses letter grades as an indicator of the level to which a student has mastered the objectives of a given course. While efforts are made to eliminate subjectivity and bias, grades should be considered approximations. Grades are not an end in themselves but merely evidence of how well a given individual has met the institutionally set goals. Students are encouraged to develop their own learning goals and use grades as only one measurement among many.
Grades serve the school in many ways, including:
- Giving feedback to students;
- Determining whether credit is given for a course;
- Determining how well material has been mastered overall;
- Helping to improve instruction;
- Sharing with stakeholders such as advisors, parents, employers, funding agencies, accreditors, and graduate schools.
Primarily, grades are directly related to achieving specified learning outcomes stipulated in a course syllabus or other official course materials. In some cases, a portion of the grade may involve further learning related to the broader topic of the course or the overall Southern Wesleyan University learning outcomes. Grades may also indicate student engagement with the learning experience measured through class participation, attendance, timeliness, and optional activity or research.
The letter grades represent the following meanings:
| A |
Advanced |
The student has gone beyond the simple mastery of the course objectives. He/she can integrate the concepts presented with previously learned material as appropriate to the course. In addition, key ideas can be applied in new and complex settings bringing fresh insights and creativity. Work is of consistently high quality. |
| B |
Proficient |
The student has gained competence with respect to the course objectives and is able to satisfactorily apply concepts most of the time. Work is of moderate to high quality. |
| C |
Basic |
The student performs adequately in relation to most of the course objectives. There may be some areas of weakness, and he or she sometimes applies ideas incorrectly or incompletely. Work is of moderate quality with some inconsistency. |
| D |
Below Basic |
The student has minimal grasp of the course objectives. Many important concepts are only partially mastered, and he/she struggles to make adequate application. The quality of work is inconsistent and/or marginal. |
| F |
Failure |
The student has not demonstrated mastery of many or most of the course objectives. The quality of work is not sufficient to warrant gaining credit for the course. |
Faculty members at Southern Wesleyan University are hired both to teach and make expert judgments of how well students master course objectives. The judgments are arrived at in a wide variety of methods depending on course content and the instructor’s preference. SWU does not endorse any particular methodology, but faculty are required to adhere to the grade definitions listed above. Also, faculty are asked not to include items in the final grade that have no relation to the course outcomes, program outcomes, or student engagement with the topic.
All grades are reported in a system of eleven letter grades designated as “A” through “F” with appropriate plus and minus additions reflecting the following scheme:
| A |
4.0 |
| A- |
3.7 |
| B+ |
3.4 |
| B |
3.0 |
| B- |
2.7 |
| C+ |
2.4 |
| C |
2.0 |
| C- |
1.7 |
| D+ |
1.4 |
| D |
1.0 |
| F |
0.0 |
| NC |
No Credit (does not affect GPA) |
| P |
Pass |
| S |
Satisfactory completion but no credit toward graduation |
| I |
Incomplete |
| W |
Withdrew |
Grade Point Average
A student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the number of grade points earned by the number of credits attempted (excluding P and S grades).
In calculating undergraduate cumulative GPA, up to twelve credits with a grade of 0.0 earned before July 1, 1998, will not be included in the calculation. If a course is repeated, only the highest grade will be used to calculate the cumulative GPA.
For certain purposes specifically indicated in this catalog, the GPA is calculated on all work attempted.
Courses receiving grades of less than C- (B- for education certification majors; C for Early Childhood and Family Studies) will not be applied toward major, minor, or concentration requirements or other specified requirements within a major without permission from the major advisor and the school chair.
Pass-No Credit Courses
Courses graded with a high degree of subjectivity, or where evaluation is based on the simple completion of a specific list of requirements, will be graded on a P/NC basis. Credit earned on this basis will count towards graduation but will not affect the student’s GPA.
On-Campus program seniors may register for one elective course per semester for which they will receive the grade of Pass/No Credit. This option is reserved for students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and cannot apply toward a major, departmental requirement, or courses required for teacher certification or ordination. Also, instructors may remove any of their courses from this option. Arrangements for this option are to be completed at the time of registration.
Incomplete Grades
Under extenuating circumstances, a student, with permission of the appropriate dean and the faculty member involved, may be allowed to carry an incomplete grade until all required course work is completed.
The faculty member and the student will mutually determine the amount of time needed to complete the work within five (5) calendar weeks from the last day of classes.
The faculty member will recommend an incomplete only after ascertaining that all daily work is passed and that the student lacks completing only a relatively small amount of the semester’s work.
Repeated Courses
Grade replacement may occur for courses repeated solely at Southern Wesleyan University. If a student repeats a course that was completed at Southern Wesleyan University, only the highest grade will be used to calculate the cumulative institutional and collegiate GPA.
Course grades for repeated courses taken at Southern Wesleyan University will not replace grades earned at another institution for transfer credits has awarded. All attempts of transfer courses, including repeated courses, are used to calculate the cumulative collegiate GPA.
Students who receive financial aid from veterans’ or military benefits may be personally responsible for the tuition/fees for a course when repeating it for credit if the student met the minimum grade for the course on the first attempt or if the repeated course is variable credit (e.g., internship or practicum). VA and military students should contact the Veteran’s Services Representative for assistance before registration.
Veterans’ Benefits and Grades
Grade point averages for those receiving veterans’ benefits will be calculated on all work attempted. For certification of enrollment, those eligible should contact the Veteran’s Services Representative.
Federal and State Financial Aid and Grades
In determining eligibility for state and federal financial aid, the cumulative grade point average will be calculated on all work attempted.