Grading Policies

The following information applies to University students except School of Law. Law School students should view the School of Law Grading Policies for more information.

The university uses a four-point scale to calculate a grade point average (GPA). Grade point values are assigned as follows:

Grade	Indication	Points per Unit
A+	Outstanding	4.0
A	Outstanding	4.0
A-	Outstanding	3.7
B+	Good	3.3
B	Good	3.0
B-	Good	2.7
C+	Fair	2.3
C	Fair	2.0
C-	Fair	1.7
D+	Poor	1.3
D	Poor	1.0
D-	Poor	0.7
F	Failure	0.0

The following symbols have no grade point value and are not used in the calculation of the GPA: "AU" (Audit); "I" (Incomplete); "CR" (Credit); "NC" (No Credit); "W" (Withdrawal); "UW" (Unofficial Withdrawal).

The A+ grade is granted as strictly an honorary distinction. 4.0 is the highest amount of points a student can earn.

The GPA is calculated by dividing the total grade points earned by the total units completed. For example:

Course	Grade	Units	Grade Points
MGT 342	A-	3.0	11.1
FI 302	B+	3.0	9.9
MKT 399	A	1.0	4.0
TOTAL		7.0	25.0	GPA = 3.57

Only GGU courses are used to compute the GPA, not courses transferred in from other schools.

The GPA is calculated by academic level: undergraduate, graduate or doctoral. Each course is assigned one and only one academic level. A student's course academic level may be different from its default academic level. For instance, the default academic level for MATH 30 is undergraduate. If taken as part of an undergraduate program, it will be assigned the undergraduate academic level; if taken as part of a graduate program, however, it will be assigned the graduate academic level.

The GPA calculation will include all courses taken at a given academic level, regardless of whether those courses apply toward degree or certificate program requirements. GGU does not issue "program" GPAs.

The GPA calculation is frozen at the term a degree has been recorded. Courses taken after the degree is recorded will not be included in the degree's GPA, even if they are at the same academic level. For instance, undergraduate courses taken after earning a bachelor's degree will not be retroactively included within that degree's GPA.

All instructors are required to submit grades within two weeks after the end of the term. The Office of Records and Registration notifies the schools regarding instructors who have not submitted grades by this deadline. If you do not see your grades on GGU4YOU after this deadline, please contact the school that offered the course for assistance.

School	Phone Number	E-mail Address
Ageno School of Business	415-442-6500	biz@ggu.edu
School of Accounting	415-442-6559	accounting@ggu.edu
School of Taxation	415-442-7880	tax@ggu.edu
Undergraduate Programs	415-442-6565	undergrad@ggu.edu

You may request an instructor assign an "I" (Incomplete) grade provided:

• You are making satisfactory course progress as evidenced by a passing grade.
• You have completed the majority of the academic course work.
• You are unable to complete the remaining course material because of unforeseen - but fully justifiable - circumstances.

Course work must be completed and the grade received by the Office of Records and Registration by the deadline date established by the instructor but not later than the following:

• Fall courses -- April 28.
• Spring courses -- August 22.
• Summer courses -- December 19.

If the course work is not completed by the designated deadline, the "I" grade change automatically to "W" (Withdrawal).

Units for courses graded as "I" do not count toward calculating full-time unit load for international students with a student or scholar visa.

If you wish to withdraw from a course, but the drop deadline has past, you may request your instructor to assign you a "W" (Withdrawal) grade. This will have no effect on your GPA. The instructor has the right to decline this request. If you take the course again, you will be required to register and pay the full tuition.

If you are a financial aid recipient, be aware that "W" grades affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluation per regulations established by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). A course with a "W" grade cannot be counted towards your program completion rate. The completion rate to remain compliant with the policy is six trimester units for undergraduates and four trimester units for graduates. If you do not satisfy this rate, you will be put on financial aid probation and may be denied further financial aid at Golden Gate University. For more information, please refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

If you stop attending a course in which you are enrolled and do not officially withdraw from the course by dropping it or requesting a "W" grade (only available after the drop deadline), then your instructor will assign a grade of "UW" indicating unofficial withdrawal.

You may retake courses, and the original and subsequent grade(s) will appear on your academic record. Only the most recent course will be counted toward fulfilling graduation requirements, and only its grade will be calculated into the cumulative grade-point average calculation. The only exception is a course graded with a "W" grade, which does not replace the original grade in the grade-point average calculation. The option of replacing the grade used in the grade-point average calculation is not available to students in the process of satisfying the terms of conditional admission; for these students, the first grade earned will be used in determining admission criteria.

There is no discount in tuition or fees for repeated courses. Repeated courses cannot be used in determining enrollment status for financial aid eligibility.

A "Dean's List" notation is placed on undergraduate students' academic records each time they achieve a 3.50 grade point average or higher in at least six units within one reporting term. Only courses completed at Golden Gate University are considered in this criteria. These students also receive a letter from the Dean of Undergraduate Programs.

Complete information on the policies and procedures for contesting a grade can be found here.