Letter Grades and Quality Points

Course grades are based on examinations and assessments, class participation, projects, and homework assignments. You typically receive a preliminary assessment of your academic progress in the course at mid-term or semester, and a final evaluation at the end of the term or semester. Students are graded using letter grades. Each letter grade has quality points assigned to calculate the grade-point average (GPA).

Special Grades

The following grades have “0” quality points:

(Computed in the Grade-Point Average)
Withdrawal /Failing: W/F
Administrative withdrawal/Failure in course

(Not Computed in the Grade-Point Average)
Incomplete: I
Temporary grade/Course requirements to be completed

Pass: P
Satisfactory achievement

Withdrawal: W
Student withdrawal

Withdrawal/Unsatisfactory: W/U
Administrative withdrawal/Unsatisfactory achievement

Transfer Credit: TC
Credit granted for course taken at another institution

Audit: AU
Course taken without credit

Satisfactory: S
Satisfactory achievement

Unsatisfactory: U
Unsatisfactory achievement

No Grade: NG
No grade given

Incomplete Standing

A course grade of "Incomplete" is assigned when you cannot complete course work or take the final examination for reasons beyond your control. You are expected to request “Incomplete” standing in advance by written request to your instructor with a copy to the Registrar. If you cannot request it in advance and miss your final examination, contact your instructor within twenty-four (24) hours of the scheduled examination time with a written explanation of the reason for your absence. In ABP, the instructor will confer with the director and program supervisor of the English Language Center, and in the baccalaureate program with the college assistant dean, to determine if a grade of “Incomplete” is warranted. If approved, the instructor will arrange for you to take the examination and complete the course. The missing work must be completed satisfactorily by the end of the next term or semester or the “Incomplete” grade becomes an “F”. If an “Incomplete” is assigned in a course which is the prerequisite for a subsequent course, the student may not enroll in the subsequent course until the “Incomplete” is replaced with a passing grade.

Failing a Course

If you earn a grade of “F” in a course, you have failed the course. This grade is calculated in your semester and cumulative GPA and appears on your academic transcript (course record). If you fail a required course, you must repeat the course. If the failed course is a prerequisite for a subsequent course or courses, you must pass the failed course before proceeding to the next course. If the failed course is not required and is not a prerequisite for other courses you must take, you may choose to repeat the course or accept the “F” grade as your final grade. If you pass the course the second time, the passing grade replaces the “F” grade in calculating your GPA. You may repeat a course only once. If you fail a required course more than once you will be subject to review by your college and may be dismissed from the University.

Term or Semester Grade-Point Average

Your term or semester grade-point average is calculated by adding together the numerical value of the grade for each course times the number of credit hours and dividing the total by the total number of credit hours taken. It is a measure of academic achievement for the semester and is used to calculate academic standing and eligibility for the Dean's List.

Cumulative Grade-Point Average

Your cumulative grade-point average is used to assess your overall academic standing in the University. It is calculated by dividing the sum of all grade points earned in all semesters by the total credit hours attempted in all semesters. For example, if you complete 30 credit hours of instruction and earned 30 credit hours of “B” (3 points per credit hour), you would have earned a total of 90 grade points (3 points per credit hour x 30 credit hours). Ninety (total number of grade points) divided by 30 (total number of credit hours taken) would yield a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Administrative Hold

Failure to pay for lost or damaged Zayed University equipment (laptops, cameras, etc.) or textbooks will result in an Administrative Hold being placed on your records. Until you have cleared the Hold by paying for the lost or damaged items, you will not be permitted to register for courses, receive grades or receive your degree, and you will not be allowed access to your academic transcript. Any Hold must be cleared before graduation.

Academic Warning

You will be placed on academic warning if your semester GPA falls below 2.0 but your cumulative GPA remains above 2.0. The phrase “Academic Warning” will be placed on your academic transcript, which you may view on the Intranet.

Satisfactory Academic Standing

You are considered in satisfactory standing if you maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0. This minimum average, a “C” average, is also required for graduation.

Academic Probation

If your cumulative grade-point average (CGPA) falls below 2.0, you will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. While you're on academic probation you might be required to take less load. In the following semester, if you earn a term grade point average of 2.0 or above but still have a cumulative grade-point average below 2.0, you will remain on academic probation. You must raise your cumulative GPA to 2.0 or above by the end of the third semester or be at risk of dismissal for failure to make satisfactory academic progress.

Academic Dismissal

If your semester GPA falls below 2.0 for two semesters in a row, but your cumulative GPA is still 2.0 or above, the dean or assistant dean of your college will review your academic record; as a consequence of the review, you may be eligible for dismissal for failure to make satisfactory academic progress.