University of Nebraska at Kearney
Academic Information
1994-96 UNK Undergraduate Catalog
Grading System
Go directly to Grade Point Average (GPA) Computation,
Deans' List,
Academic Amnesty,
Graduation Honors,
Academic Requirements,
Appeal of Academic Suspension,
Grading Options,
Credit/No Credit,
Audit Grading,
Credit by Correspondence,
Advanced Placement and Credit by Examination,
Re-Registered Courses,
CLEP Test-University of Nebraska at Kearney, or
Incomplete Removal.
Traditional Grading/Scholarship Quality Points
Eight traditional grade indices are used: A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, F, in descending order with F indicating academic failure. Letter grades carry weighted scholarship points as follows: A=4 points, B+=3.5 points, B=3 points, C+=2.5 points, C=2 points, D+=1.5 points, D=1 point and F=0 points per credit hour attempted. Weighted scholarship points are not awarded for courses graded on the credit/no credit system. "W", awarded as a result of withdrawing from a course prior to completion, is not computed in the GPA. A grade of "TF" is used when the student fails to complete course requirements or officially withdraw from the course. A "TF" grade is included in G.P.A. computation as a failing grade. (Also see sections on withdrawal, change of schedule and grade average computation.)
Grade point averages are computed for each term and accumulated for the duration of attendance. Credit hours accepted in transfer from institutions outside the University of Nebraska, or hours resulting from a competency-based assessment, and credit hours earned at UNK under the credit/no credit grading system are excluded in grade average computations. Withdrawals from courses resulting in a "W" and incompletes "I" are disregarded in deriving grade point averages. All grades resulting in technical failure "TF" are used in computing grade averages. Grades earned in courses taken at another campus of the University of Nebraska after July 1, 1991 will be used in calculating the students cumulative University/UNK GPA. The Registrar's Office must be notified by the student if a course is retaken in order to remove an earlier grade in that course, and to initiate a new computation of the cumulative GPA based on the most recent grade earned for that course. In computing the GPA for a second undergraduate degree at UNK, a student may request the Registrar to use only those hours from the first degree which apply to the second degree.
During the spring and fall semesters, the Deans' List is established to honor undergraduate students for their academic achievements. Students with a 3.5 or better semester GPA and having completed at least 12 credit hours during that semester are eligible. Courses taken on a credit/no credit basis are not included among the necessary 12 credit hours. Students on the Deans' List may obtain their certificate of recognition from their respective Dean's office after the first month of the following semester.
Students, after 24 consecutive credit hours of successful work at UNK, UNO, UNL, or UNMC, with a grade point average of at least 3.0 cumulative GPA for these hours may petition the Registrar's Office at UNK to have either or both of their first two semesters' grades at UNK removed from their cumulative grade point average. If a student has completed more than 24 consecutive hours all of their hours must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA. No other semesters may be considered. Courses form those semesters will remain on the student's transcripts. Course during those semesters in which a minimum of a "C" grade is earned may continue to count as hours toward graduation. Thus, Academic Amnesty allows students to have either or both of their first two semesters' grades removed from their cumulative grade point average, but their grades from those semesters remain on the student's permanent record. They may use only courses with a grade of C or better from those semesters to meet graduation requirements.
The petition is subject to the following conditions:
- 1. The student shall be at least six years removed from the semester of year to be deleted.
- 2. The student is responsible for initiation of the petition.
- 3. The petition must be approved by the student's academic advisor and the Registrar.
- 4. The semester listing of courses grated amnesty will be marked, on the student's permanent transcript, "Approved for Academic Amnesty."
Students will obtain an Academic Amnesty Form in the Office of the Registrar. The form must then be signed by the academic advisor and the Registrar before Academic Amnesty is granted.
The University of Nebraska at Kearney confers graduation honors on students who meet the following qualifications:
- Scholastic
- Averages - Honors
- 3.90-4.00 - Summa Cum Laude
- 3.80-3.89 - Magna Cum Laude
- 3.70-3.79 - Cum Laude
- 3.50-3.69 - Honorable Mention
The above grade averages are computed on the basis of a minimum of 60 semester hours' credit earned and completed in residence at UNK. Courses taken during the semester in which the student plans to graduate are not used in determining honors for commencement. When final grades for the semester are received, the students final honors standing will be calculated and recorded on the permanent record. Grades and credit hours earned at colleges or universities other than the University of Nebraska are not applicable in determining graduation honors.
- Transfer Students Only
A minimum of 45 credit hours must be completed at UNK prior to the final semester, and registration during the final semester must be sufficient to complete a total of 60 credit hours at UNK if the student wishes to be identified in the commencement program as an honors graduate candidate.
All students should maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA for work taken at this institution. If a student's cumulative GPA falls below the following limits, he/she will be placed on academic probation:
Credits
Attempted | Minimums
Cumulative GPA |
| 0-16 | 1.0 |
| 17-32 | 1.50 |
| 33-48 | 1.65 |
| 49-64 | 1.80 |
| 65-80 | 1.90 |
| 81 & Above | 2.00 |
Unless special permission is granted, students on academic probation must carry less than a full load (16 hours). Members of the Student Affairs Division are available to work individually with probationary students to help them meet their individual needs. Students who do unsatisfactory coursework (probation) for two consecutive semesters are suspended for one academic year; however, he/she may enroll for one or more summer sessions.
Graduation is dependent upon a minimum GPA of 2.0, utilizing earned grades of all courses taken while pursuing any undergraduate degree. This minimum GPA must also be earned in all courses needed to fulfill competency requirements within a comprehensive major, or within the major and minor programs of study, or within the endorsement areas in teacher education programs. Individual departments, however, may require a grade of at least a "C" for courses in their majors.
Students entering any program of study within the College of Education must be accepted for Teacher Education. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required before admission to Teacher Education may be granted. (Also refer to the section outlining application process for admission to teacher education.) To be graduated from any teacher education program of study and be recommended for a teaching certificate, a candidate must have met the scholarship requirements cited in the preceding paragraph.
Students suspended from the University for academic reasons have a right to appeal their suspension from the University. The following appeals process is recommended.
- 1. The Appeals Board will be made up of two members of the Students Affairs Staff appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and one member representing academic administration appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
- 2. Students are expected to present their appeal in writing and with a written recommendation from their academic advisor or the chairperson of the department in which they major before the appeal is considered by the Board.
Students who are successful in their appeal must:
- 1. Enroll in no more than the number of hours recommended by the Appeals Board.
- 2. Normally full-time students will repeat at least 6 hours of course work with previously recorded grades of D, F, or TF. Part-time students normally will repeat at least 3 hours of course work with previously recorded grades of D, F, or TF. The final decision about the number of courses to be repeated during the student's period of probation rests with the Appeals Board.
- 3. The Appeals Board will designate the grade point average students must receive during the semester they are re-admitted to the University. Students will be required to receive at least a minimum grade point average of 2.0, but the Board may also require that the students receive a higher grade point average. Students who do not receive the designated grade point average will again be suspended for a period of two consecutive semesters.
- 4. Students must meet with their academic advisor at least twice during the semester they are re-admitted, to report their academic progress.
In addition to traditional grading (A, B, C, D, F) a student may opt to be graded in registered courses by credit/no credit, or audit. Credit/No Credit and audit grading options must be declared at the time of early registration or open registration if early registration is not utilized. Tuition rates and related fees are identical for each of these grading options. Grading options cannot be changed once the student has paid fees for the summer session or after the Open Drop/Add period ends for the fall and spring semesters. Each option is described as follows:
A student may elect one course each semester (a summer session is considered as a semester) for which he/she chooses to be graded on the basis of credit/no credit. A student must declare the grading option at the time of registration. The credit/no credit refers only to the final grade in the course as recorded by the Registrar. Nothing will change in the content of the course and the course examinations. When a student completes the course, he/she will receive a letter grade. If that grade is at least a "C" the student will receive the appropriate hours' credit and this will not affect the student's grade average. If the letter grade is a "D" or "F", the student will receive no credit for the course and the student's GPA will not be affected. It will show on each student's record that the course was taken and credit was not granted. This grading system is at the option of the student, but will operate with the following restrictions:
- 1. The option is available only to students who have completed 28 semester hours and are in good academic standing.
- 2. The student must have met all of the prerequisites required for enrollment in the course chosen.
- 3. The course chosen cannot be used to meet major, comprehensive major, minor, or endorsement area requirements.
- 4. The student may choose only one course per semester, unless it is an established function of the course, to be taken on a credit/no credit basis.
- 5. A maximum of 18 credit hours may be taken on a credit/no credit basis.
- 6. Students wishing to declare a course CREDIT/NO CREDIT must do so at the Registrar's Office by the end of the first week of the semester (Spring or Fall) or by the end of the first class day (Summer).
- 7. The CREDIT/NO CREDIT grading option cannot be changed after the first week of the semester.
The responsibility for assuring that the student satisfies the above restrictions lies with the student and his/her advisor. The actual granting or withholding of credit is the responsibility of the Registrar's Office.
Audit grading does not result in the accumulation of credit hours applicable to a program of study. No audited course may be subsequently granted credit unless it is repeated as a re-registered course under the traditional grading option.
Auditing is generally limited to one course per semester, but is not specifically limited to a cumulative total. Auditing may be opted without regard for the student's classification. Change from audit grading to traditional grading must be completed by the end of the first week of the semester.
Correspondence study applicable to any undergraduate degree may be accepted but is limited to a maximum of ten (10) semester hours, regardless of source or institution awarding the correspondence course credit.
The academic department directing the student's major shall make the determination regarding the acceptability and applicability of all correspondence study related to the major program. The Registrar's Office shall determine when courses may be appropriate for the General Studies program.
A student entering the University with a particularly thorough background from high school may apply for advanced placement and/or credit in one or more subjects in which his/her preparation is superior.
Advanced placement and/or credit may be achieved by three different methods. Each of the three methods is described as follows:
- 1. By passing a proficiency examination administered by an academic department of UNK.
- Where exceptional circumstances warrant, a student may receive credit by demonstrating a superior level of competence on a proficiency-based examination.
- Assessment of a student's competence may assume a variety of formal and informal techniques as designed by the department and shall be subject to the approval of the department head and dean of the college. A fee is assessed for each course examination before credit is awarded. A student may not take an examination for credit in any course which (1) is a prerequisite for courses completed, (2) has a lower level of required proficiency, or (3) involves significantly similar content.
- Credit earned by examination is applicable toward degree requirements and is awarded after successfully completing 30 semester hours in residence. Petition to take such examinations should be submitted to the appropriate department chair.
2. By earning a prescribed grade on an Advanced Placement Program examination administered by the College Entrance Examination Board.- Recognition of special competencies by the College permits a student to receive Advanced Placement and college-level credit for satisfactory performance on subject matter proficiency tests of the College Entrance Examination Board. Credit will be granted for those College courses most nearly equivalent to the Advanced Placement tests. An applicant who has taken an Advanced Placement examination should request that his/her score be reported to the Office of Continuing Studies.
- Advanced Placement examinations are recognized in the following areas: American History, Biology, Business, Chemistry, English, European History, French, German, Spanish, Mathematics, Music, Physics, and Computer Science.
- A student may not take an examination for credit in any course which (1) is a prerequisite for courses completed, (2) has a lower level of required proficiency, or (3) involves significantly similar content.
3. By demonstrating proficiency in subject areas selected by successfully completing the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).- The University of Nebraska offers students an opportunity to earn College credit in selected areas by demonstrating proficiency in subject areas by completing the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Academic departments which have approved the program will grant credit for CLEP tests to those students who pass the test at the 50th percentile or above, according to the national norms. A fee of $35 is charged for each test. For additional information regarding the CLEP examination, contact the Office of the Dean of Continuing Education.
- Credit may be obtained through the College Level Examination Program on courses listed below:
- A student may not take an examination for credit in any course which (1) is a prerequisite for courses completed, (2) has a lower level of required proficiency, or (3) involves significantly similar content.
A student may repeat completed courses in an effort to improve his/her level of competency without restriction or limitation on the number of courses that may be repeated, or the number of times a specific course may be repeated. The most recent grade received will replace the previous grade and will be the prevailing grade on the student's official academic record, and be used for recalculation of the student's GPA. If the re-registered course grade is lower than the initial or preceding grade, the student has no recourse available to appeal for the reinstatement of the higher grade unless extenuating circumstances are clearly in evidence.
A grade of "NC" (No Credit) cannot be used to replace a letter grade previously earned. Grades earned in equivalent courses taken at another campus of the University (UNL, UNO, UNMC) may be used to replace a grade earned at UNK. Students should notify the Registrar's Office at UNK of their intent to repeat a course. Credit can be issued only once for a repeated course. Only those courses identified as University equivalents by the academic departments may be considered under this policy. No other substitutions will be allowed.
| Name | Course Equivalent | Credits |
| American Government | PSCI 110GS | 3 |
| American History I | HIST 250GS | 3 |
| American History II | HIST 251GS | 3 |
| General Biology | BIOL 103GS | 4 |
Calculus with
Analytic Geometry | MATH 115 | 5 |
| College Algebra | MATH 102 | 3 |
| Trigonometry | MATH 102; 103 | 6 |
Computers and
Data Processing | BMIS 281 | 4 |
| General Chemistry | CHEM 160GS; 161GS | 8 |
| General Psychology | PSY 203GS | 3 |
| Intro to Bus Mgmt | BMGT 391 | 3 |
| Intro to Accounting | BACC 250, 251 | 6 |
| Intro to Business Law | BSAD 311 | 3 |
| Intro to Macroeconomics | ECON 270GS | 3 |
| Intro to Microeconomics | ECON 271GS | 3 |
| Intro to Marketing | BMKT 335 | 3 |
| Intro to Sociology | SOC 200GS | 3 |
| Trigonometry | MATH 103 | 3 |
| Western Civilization I | HIST 210GS | 3 |
| Western Civilization II | HIST 211GS | 3 |
All course work assigned must be completed before a grade is awarded. The mark of "I" (Incomplete) is reserved for conditions in which a student has been unable, due to circumstances beyond his or her control, to complete the course by the end of the term. Unless an extension of time is granted in writing by the Registrar's Office, an incomplete must be removed within twelve calendar months. If the coursework is not completed during this time then the "I" will remain permanently on the student's transcript and cannot be changed other than by re-registering for the course.
If an extension is desired, the student must initiate a written request for a specific time of extension, must exhibit extenuating circumstances beyond his control, and must make the request in advance of the twelve-month expiration. The request must be supported by a written endorsement from the course instructor, or the department chairperson in the absence of the instructor, and submitted to the Registrar's Office prior to the expiration of the twelve month period.
ugradcatalog@unk.edu
10-3-95
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