Grades, Transcripts & Other Rules

GRADING SYSTEM

The quality of work done by a student is indicated by the symbols, A, B, C, D, F, P, U and S. An A indicates the highest standard of work; D is the lowest passing grade; an F, outright failure. Grades P or S indicate a letter grade of C- or better (B- or better for graduate courses). An I (Incomplete) is given at the end of a semester only when a student through no personal fault is unable to complete the course with the class. A student receiving an I is not eligible for the Dean’s List for that semester until the course is completed. At the close of each semester a report of grades is available on-line to each student.

Grades earned for course(s) from which a student withdraws are as follows:

Dropping one or more course(s) but remaining in at least one course;

  1.  A grade of “W” is recorded for each course dropped on or before the last day to drop courses.
  2.  A grade of “WF” is recorded for each course dropped after the last day to drop courses.

Dropping all courses (withdrawing from the University);

  1. 1. A grade of “W” is recorded for each course when withdrawing from the University on or before the last day to drop courses.
  2. 2. A grade of “WF” is recorded for each course when withdrawing from the University after the last day to drop courses.

The “Last Day to Drop Courses” is published on the website.

If special circumstances warrant, circumstances beyond the control of the student, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the University may grant, upon request, permission to have the grade of “W” recorded in place of the grade of “WF”.

For a student who has earned a grade of D or F in a course and repeats the course, the cumulative point average will reflect the higher grade, although both grades will remain on the transcript. The course must be repeated for the same number of semester hours at Heidelberg University.

A course repeated more than once will be treated as a separate course with no replacement of a previous grade unless the course is designed to be a repeatable course.

The student and the instructor must sign an incomplete form prior to the grade being awarded. A student receiving an “I” must complete the work by the date stated on the incomplete form, which can be no later than one year from the date of recording.

No grade changes may be made once a grade has been officially recorded unless an error in computing or in recording the grade has occurred and has been verified by the instructor and the department chairperson. If a student wishes to appeal a grade, a description of the procedure is available in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. All appeals must be resolved by the subsequent fall or spring semester after the grade was recorded.

Quality Points. A student receives quality points as follows: four points for a grade of A, three for B, two for C and one for D. The P, U or S grades do not figure into the point average.

Point Average. A student’s point average is expressed by the ratio between hours taken and quality points earned; i.e., a semester’s work of 15 hours on which 30 points were earned would make the student’s point average 2.00.

GRADE CHANGE POLICY

Heidelberg University course grades are calculated and assigned by the instructor who teaches the course. Once a student’s final course grade has been officially recorded by the Registrar, the grade may be changed if, and only if, (1) a new grade has been determined under the Heidelberg University Student Grade Appeal Policy, or (2) a grade of Incomplete is replaced with a letter grade as specified in the current Heidelberg University undergraduate and graduate catalogs, or (3) the Dean of the University has assigned a lower grade in an academic honesty violation as specified in the “Heidelberg University Guidelines and Community Standards,” or (4) an error in computing or in recording the grade has been identified by the instructor and has been verified by the instructor, the Department Chair and the Dean of the University as specified in the Faculty Manual or (5) the Faculty has acted under the powers specified in the Faculty Manual. A course grade may not be changed after the date of a student’s graduation.

TRANSCRIPT OF CREDIT

A written, signed request with payment is required to initiate transcript production. Forms are available from Heidelberg’s website and the Office of the Registrar. There is a charge of $3.00 per transcript which can be paid by check, cash or credit card. Faxed requests can be honored when accompanied by credit card information and signature. When the request is made by 11:00 a.m., transcripts are generally available the next day after 3:00 p.m. Immediate processing is available for a $25.00 fee which includes the cost of one transcript. Any special mailing fees are the student’s responsibility.

OTHER RULES & REGULATIONS

The general rules and regulations of the University pertaining to discipline and conduct are available to students in the Heidelberg University Guidelines and Community Standards available in the Student Handbook. In any situation not specifically covered by a regulation, the University reserves the right to take action that will most effectively protect the welfare of its students and the interests of the University.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher is required for graduation. The following minimum cumulative grade point average standards apply for a student to remain above the probationary level:

1-16 hours attempted - 1.60
17-32 hours attempted - 1.70
33-47 hours attempted - 1.80
48-63 hours attempted - 1.85
64-79 hours attempted - 1.92
80 or more hours attempted - 2.00