A | Excellent
This grade is awarded for outstanding academic performance and the demonstration of exceptional mastery of the subject matter of the course.

B | Good
These grades signify above average academic achievement as evidenced by work that exceeds the minimum expectations for passing the course.

C | Minimally Acceptable
This grade designates academic achievement at the minimum level required for passing the course.
* a + or – following a grade indicates somewhat better or less good performance than that reflected by the definition provided.

F | Failure
This grade indicates failure to meet the minimum requirements for satisfactory completion of the course. It carries no quality points, and the course must be repeated and passed before credit is granted.

Grade*
An asterisk appearing next to a grade indicates that the course was repeated due to a low grade (C or F) obtained the first time the student took the course. When a student repeats a course, a new grade is assigned for the retaking of the course in the semester or term in which it was retaken. The asterisk appears next to the lower of the two grades, and the higher grade is included in the CGPA computation. Credits for both the original taking and the retaking of the course will be counted as attempted credits in rate of progress calculations.

I | Incomplete
This grade is issued in rare cases for extenuating non-academic circumstances that prevent the student from completing all course requirements on time. A grade of “I” requires the approval of the Program Director. The incomplete coursework must be completed by the end of the subsequent term; otherwise, the Incomplete will be changed automatically to a grade of F.

W | Withdrawal
Students who withdraw officially from graduate courses (using the designated withdrawal form) before the final examination will receive a grade of W. A grade of W may not be awarded after the final examination in the course.

IP | In Progress
This symbol is submitted in lieu of a grade when a thesis is still in progress at the end of the first term of registration for the thesis, and in subsequent terms within the time limit for completion, until the thesis is completed, submitted, evaluated and a final grade (P or F) is assigned.

P | Pass
This symbol designates satisfactory completion of the thesis. It is assigned four quality points. Upon completion, a thesis can only be assigned one of two grades: P or F.

Earned quality points are calculated for each course by multiplying the quality point value for the grade received for the course by the credit hour value of the course. For example, a 3 credit course with a grade of B would earn nine quality points (credit value of course [3] times quality point value of B [3]). The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is calculated by dividing the total earned quality points by the total attempted credits.

All AUD students have the capability to access their grades on-line through the student portal. This practice is highly encouraged at AUD. Students should contact the Registrar’s Office on how to access the student portal.

All grade changes must be processed within one month subsequent to the issuance of the grade. Faculty members must complete a Grade Change Form, together with evidence supporting the change and the revised grade breakdown. The Form must be signed by the Dean or Program Director and the Provost before it is sent back to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

Questions and concerns about grades often result from misunderstandings about grading practices and expected standards. Direct communication between instructors and the students usually clear up these misunderstandings. In some cases, however, a grade appeal is warranted.

Students have the right to appeal a grade and request a reconsideration of the assigned grade; however, they must provide sufficient, tangible evidence to support their request for a re-examination of the assigned grade. Reasons for reconsideration of a grade appeal may include:

• Miscalculation of marks;
• Misgrading of a paper, project or exam;
• Application of an evaluation or grading system which was not included in the course syllabus;
• A departure from the instructor’s previously announced standards;
• Assignment of a grade on some basis other than the student’s performance in the course;
• Demonstrable evidence of discrimination or prejudice in the assignment of the grade;
• Arbitrary assignment of grade (lack of consistent and equitable standards for grading).

Grade Appeals will be dismissed if:

• Allegations by the student do not indicate erratic grading;
• The basis of the disagreement is with the instructor’s particular grading standards;
• The appeal is not submitted within the given one month period subsequent to the issuance of the grade.

Students should follow the steps listed below to clarify any questions about a particular grade or the instructor’s grading policy:

1. The student should make an appointment with the appropriate instructor when there is any question about a particular grade or the instructor’s grading policy. Students in the Study Abroad Program (SAP) may contact the instructor via telephone or email;
2. The student seeking additional clarification related to grading should make an appointment with the appropriate Dean, Chair or Program Director;
3. The student seeking further recourse related to a grade received should make an appointment with the Provost/Chief Academic Officer. The Provost/Chief Academic Officer will discuss the questions raised with the instructor, give the student a perspective regarding the grade and review the mechanism for appeal;
4. The student may request a Grade Appeal Council to review the matter. Composition/ operations of the Council parallel those of the Honor Council;
5. In the event that the grade in question is received in a course taught by the Provost/Chief Academic Officer, the Dean, Chair or Program Director will discuss the matter with the President, give the student a perspective regarding the grade and review the mechanism for appeal. All grade appeals must be submitted within one month subsequent to issuance of the grade;
6. If a student chooses to appeal a decision beyond the Grade Appeal Council decision, all documentation can be submitted to the Provost/Chief Academic Officer for review. Final review may be requested of the university’s Grievance Officer.

Additional information/documentation on the grade appeal process can be obtained at the Office of the Provost/Chief Academic Officer.