Kennesaw State University complies with the University System of Georgia uniform 
grading system. The final grades and their definitions are as follows:
	
 Final
      Grades
 Quality
      Points per

      Credit Hour *
 A
 excellent
 4
 
 B
 good
 3
 
 C
 satisfactory
 2
 
 D
 passing, but
      less 

      than satisfactory
 1
 F
 failing
 0
 
 WF
 late withdrawal,
      failing
 0
			  
 * Quality points are not awarded in learning support courses. Grades assigned in these 
courses receive institutional credit only.

The following symbols will be used in the cases indicated:

I-The grade of "I" denotes an incomplete grade for the course, and will be awarded only when the student has done satisfactory work up to the last two weeks of the semester, but for nonacademic reasons beyond his/her control is unable to meet the full requirements of the

course. A grade of "I" must be removed (by completing the course requirements) within one calendar year from the end of the semester or summer term in which the "I" was originally assigned. In addition, should the student enroll in classes at KSU during the calendar year, the grade of "I" must be removed by the end of the first semester or term of enrollment during that calendar year.Upon completion of the course requirements within the specified time limits, a final grade will be assigned on the basis of the student's total performance. If the course requirements are not completed within the specified time limits, then the "I" will be changed to an "F" (for a course which awards letter grades of "A", "B", " C", "D", or "F") and the cumulative and adjusted grade point average will be recalculated accordingly or the "I" will be changed to a "U" (for a pass/fail course which awards a grade of "S" or "U"). An "I" cannot be removed by reenrolling in the course.

 

W-indicates that the student was permitted to withdraw from the course without penalty with the approval of the registrar within the first 28 working days (including registration days) of the semester. Withdrawals without penalty may be permitted after the official withdrawal period in hardship cases only with the approval of the registrar. A course in which a grade of W has been assigned will not be included in the calculation of the student's grade point average.

WF-indicates that the student was permitted to withdraw from a course after the first 28 working days (including registration days) of the semester with the approval of the registrar. The grade of WF is counted as an F in the calculation of the student's grade point average.

S-indicates satisfactory completion of a credit course and is not included in the calculation of the grade point average. It also indicates satisfactory completion of certain credit laboratory-type internships, or co-op courses specifically designated by overall faculty action.

U-indicates unsatisfactory completion of a credit course and is not included in the calculation of the grade point average. It also indicates unsatisfactory completion of certain credit laboratory-type courses specifically designated by overall faculty action.

IP-indicates progress in a learning support credit course, but not sufficient to meet the prerequisite requirements for the succeeding course. It is not included in the calculation of the grade point average.

V-indicates that the student was given permission to audit the course. It is not included in the calculation of the grade point average. Students may not transfer from audit to credit status or vice versa.

Grade Changes
Errors in grades must be reported to the Office of the Registrar immediately. In general, no grade changes will be made after the end of the semester/term following the semester/term in which the grade was assigned except with the approval of the Academic Standing Committee. In general, the Academic Standing Committee will not consider requests for grade changes beyond one year from the end of the semester in which the grade was assigned. A petition for a grade change will not be accepted after the date of graduation.

Deficiencies
A student who has received a grade of I, IP, F or WF in a course has a deficiency in the course. A student whose final grade is F or WF has a failure in that course. The student should repeat and pass the course in residence at Kennesaw State University before credit will be allowed. Repeating the course does not remove the F or WF from the total cumulative average.

A student who has otherwise completed all of the requirements for graduation and who has earned an incomplete in a course scheduled during the final semester in residence may remove the incomplete at the convenience of the department of instruction concerned.

Repeating Courses
When courses with earned grades of D, F, or WF are repeated with a C or higher grade, the unsatisfactory grades and course attempts will not be included in the calculation of the adjusted grade point average (AGPA). The student's permanent record and cumulative grade point average will retain all course attempts and grades. The AGPA will be used for determining academic standing and eligibility for program admission. It will not be used to meet graduation requirements which include a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.

Grade Point Averages
Kennesaw State calculates a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for each student. The CGPA is the total number of quality points earned, divided by the total number of semester credit hours in which a final grade has been assigned, excluding courses in learning support (0020, 0097, 0098, 0099). This average is inclusive of all courses attempted through KSU and does not include transfer credits. Eligibility for graduation and academic honors or merit-based scholarships will be based upon the CGPA unless the student received an "academic fresh start" or has returned for a second KSU degree.

A semester grade point average (QGPA) is calculated similarly each semester for courses attempted that semester. This QGPA becomes particularly significant for students on academic probation who must maintain a 2.0 QGPA to avoid academic dismissal.

The adjusted grade point average (AGPA) is calculated like the CGPA, but excludes unsatisfactory grades (D, F, WF) in repeated courses. The AGPA may be restarted for returning nontraditional students who petition the Registrar for an "academic fresh start" or the KSU students who return to work on a second degree and who petition the Registrar. The AGPA is used to determine academic standing (probation or dismissal) and program admission. This average is not used to determine eligibility for graduation, academic honors, or merit-based scholarships unless the student received an "academic fresh start" or returned for a second KSU degree. Graduating students who have received Academic Fresh Start or returned for a second degree must have 60 semester credit hours in residence at KSU after the fresh start was granted to receive an academic honors designation.

GPA For Second Degree
A student readmitted as an undergraduate student at KSU after completing an undergraduate degree will have his/her Adjusted GPA restarted at the time of readmission.

Grade Appeal Procedure

Any student has the right in any course of instruction to appeal a final grade when

he/she believes that the instructor has violated his/her stated grading policy. In

such cases the following procedure will be applied:

A. Each faculty member must specify his/her grading policy at the first of the

semester. He/she may change his/her grading policy for cause after that time,

  but he/she must do so uniformly, with ample notification to students, if at all

possible.

B. If a student believes that his/her final grade is unfair in terms of the instructor's

stated grading policy, he/she should first discuss the matter with the instructor. If

the student remains dissatisfied with his/her grade, he/she may immediately

appeal to the department chairperson for discussion and possible resolution.

C. If the student remains unsatisfied with his/her grade, he/she may file a written

appeal with the dean of the applicable college/school within 60 days from the end

of the semester in which the grade was assigned. If the instructor involved is a

department chair, the appeal should be filed with the dean of the college/school.

If the instructor involved is a dean, the appeal should be filed with the vice

president for academic affairs.

D. If, based on the above criteria, the dean finds that the student has reasonable

cause for an appeal, he/she must appoint a School Hearing Committee consisting

of three faculty members and three students. The members of the Hearing

Committee should be appointed in a manner determined by the dean. However,

in cases where the complaint is filed against a dean, the case is heard originally by

an ad hoc School Hearing Committee appointed by the vice president for

academic affairs.

E. Both the faculty member and the student have the right to an adviser to assist in

preparing and arguing their case.

F. The Hearing Committee may draw up its own rules of procedure, but minimum

due process protections shall include the right of both parties to be notified in

writing at least 72 hours in advance of the date, time and place of the hearing; the

right of the faculty member to be informed in writing of the specific nature of the

complaint against him/her and of the evidence and/or witnesses on which it is

based; and the right of both parties to present evidence and witnesses in their

behalf and to cross examine adverse witnesses.

G. A Hearing Committee has the right not to hear a case that the student presents to

the committee, when it regards the complaint as frivolous and irresponsible on the basis of

evidence that the student presents to the committee. In such circumstances, the committee

may want to recommend that the student talk to one of the university counselors.

H. All decisions will be rendered according to the principle of the preponderance of

evidence.

I. The Hearing Committee will be expected to produce a written report summarizing

the testimony, indicating its verdict, explaining the verdict and making

recommendations, if desirable, to either or both parties. Copies of the written

report will be submitted to both parties in the case, the vice president for academic

affairs, the dean of the applicable school and the department chairperson.

J. If the dean or the School Hearing Committee rejects the student's appeal, the next

level of appeals will be the vice president for academic affairs.

K. If the final decision should be in favor of the student, the instructor and the

student must attempt to agree upon a mutually acceptable grade. The Hearing

Committee will participate in the discussion between the instructor and the

student and try to mediate the dispute. However, if no agreement is reached, the

student may be given a "W" for the course and then may be given the chance to

earn credit for the course by special examination to be composed and graded by a

faculty member not involved in the case. The faculty member who composes and

grades the examination shall be of the same discipline and shall be selected by the

dean with the consent of the student. If the complaint was against a dean, he/she

shall be selected by the vice president for academic affairs with the consent of the

student.