April 3, 2020
Due to the extraordinary COVID-19 circ*mstances, UCF graduate students will have the opportunity to choose satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) grading for eligible Spring 2020 courses. Students will be able to choose this option from April 10 through April 27. After April 27, students may no longer choose a grading system and their choices are final. Transcripts will indicate that the S/U option was made available this semester because of the pandemic.
It is very important that you contact your advisor and/or program director to see whether this choice makes sense for you. Choosing S/U may in some cases impact financial aid and this choice may not meet requirements for your degree.
Find out more and stay updated on information related to the College of Graduate Studies.
GRADING SYSTEM AND GPAs
The university uses an alphabetic system to identify student grades and other actions regarding student progress or class attendance, as follows. Refer to the catalog for detailed information.
| Grades | Grading Points Per Semester Hour of Credit |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.75 |
| B+ | 3.25 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.75 |
| C+ | 2.25 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.75 |
| D+ | 1.25 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | .75 |
| F | 0.00 |
| NC | No Credit (replaces the use of D+, D and D- in certain cases) |
| S | Satisfactory (with credit) satisfactory progress |
| U | Unsatisfactory (no credit) unsatisfactory progress |
If you choose to change your letter graded courses to an S/U grade, those selected courses with grades that are equivalent to a A, A-, B+, B or B- grades will be converted to a Satisfactory (S) grade.
If your instructor agrees to give you an Incomplete (I) grade, and you wish to opt in for S/U grading, you must opt in by April 27 for that course. Then, once you complete the course requirements (or fail to complete the course requirements in the time allowed), your earned letter grade will be converted to S/U on your transcript.
Grades of C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F or NC will be converted to an Unsatisfactory (U) grade. Keep in mind that most labs are linked directly to the course. If you are registered for a lab that is graded separately and does not require you to be registered simultaneously to the lecture, then the option will exist.
Grades of S and U do not impact the GPA. A grade of S will result in credit for the course, but it will not be used in the calculation of your GPA. A grade of U will reflect attempted credit that was not earned in the course, but it will not affect the GPA.
Students may select the S/U grading option for most courses that are graded. Keep in mind that most labs are linked directly to the course. If you are registered for a lab that is graded separately and does not require you to be registered simultaneously to the lecture, then the option will exist.
OPTING IN AND WITHDRAWAL
I am considering opting-in for an S/U grade for a class. How should I proceed?
Read through these FAQs, review your graduate program handbook, and schedule an appointment to speak with your faculty advisor and/or graduate program director for guidance. Some programs have requirements that limit you to letter grades (e.g., accreditation standards; minimum letter grade requirements) for certain classes. Additionally, some programs have strict rules about dismissal for “U” grades that you should consider as you make this choice.
I am in provisional admission status, on probation or on a conditional retention plan. Can I choose S/U grading?
Yes, but it is important to consider the implications of your choice. If you were admitted provisionally or are currently on probation or a Conditional Retention Plan, you should contact the student services team in Graduate Studies (email gradrcrd@ucf.edu) about your specific situation before opting in.
How does a student opt-in? By what deadline?
Students will opt-in by completing an online request form. When available, students will opt-in using the self-service option in myUCF. Navigate to my.UCF.edu > Student Self Service > Student Center > Other Academic (dropdown menu) > COVID-19 S/U Option. The decision to opt-in should be made in consultation with your faculty advisor and/or graduate program director as soon as possible. The S/U opt-in period will begin April 10; the last day to opt-in is April 27.
Can I withdraw from a class instead of opting-in for an S/U?
You can withdraw from a class until Monday, April 20.
What happens if I don’t opt-in for an S/U?
You will receive the letter grade you earn for your class(es).
How does my decision to opt-in for a S/U grading impact my financial aid and/or satisfactory academic progress (SAP)?
Information about the impact of S/U grading on financial aid will be given prior to April 10. Please pay attention to your knights.ucf.edu email for the information.
Will opting-in for S/U grades affect my tuition reimbursem*nt from my employer? What about my scholarship?
It is important that you check with your employer or scholarship award PRIOR to opting in for S/U grading. Some employers and scholarships will only pay if you earn letter grades in your courses.
Is the request form available yet?
The online form is not yet available. It will be available April 10. Students will be notified when this online form is available.
COURSE ELIGIBILITY AND CONTINUED STUDIES
Are there any classes that are not eligible for S/U grading?
Most classes are eligible for the Spring 2020 S/U opt-in policy. There are only a few exemptions that have been approved. Without a special exemption from the university, your faculty advisor or graduate program director cannot prevent you from opting in for S/U grading. Instead, their role is to advise you on what they think are the potential consequences of your choice. You are encouraged to seek their advice, but the ultimate decision is yours.
If I am taking a class that is a pre-requisite, how will an S/U impact my ability to register for the next class?
Some courses require a set letter grade in the pre-requisite for it to count. An S/U grade could negatively impact your academic progress in that degree program. It is important for you to consult with your faculty advisor and/or graduate program director to understand the impact of the S/U election on required pre-requisites.
I am a graduate student who is enrolled in an undergraduate class as a pre-requisite for my graduate program and I am expecting a C grade in this class. If I choose the S/U option, will I receive an S or a U?
S/U grading is linked to your status as a graduate student. Thus, any grade of C that you earn, regardless of the level of class you are taking, will be evaluated using the graduate S/U conversion. Any C grade you earn will be converted to a U grade.
How does a U grade impact my GPA or academic standing?
An unsatisfactory (U) grade will not impact your GPA, but it may impact your academic standing. In general, receiving more than 6 credits of U grades can result in dismissal. Some programs have more strict standards, so you should refer to your graduate program handbook for information about how a U grade may impact your academic standing.
How would choosing S/U grading impact me if I’m part of a special population or cohort such as international students, veterans, student athletes, etc?
Please contact the appropriate resource office to anticipate the impact:
| Student Athletes | Academic Services for Student Athletes (ASSA) | 407-823-5895 or assa@ucf.edu |
| International Students | UCF Global | 407-823-2337 |
| Veterans | Veterans Academic Resource Center (VARC) | 407-823-2707 or varc@ucf.edu |
| Financial Aid | Office of Student Financial Assistance | 407-823-2827 or finaid@ucf.edu |
I expect to earn a C (or C-/C+) in a class. What should I do?
This may be a difficult decision to make depending on your circ*mstances, so we recommend that you discuss this with your faculty advisor, graduate program director, college graduate advising office and/or the College of Graduate Studies. Failure to discuss your options with a knowledgeable advisor could result in making a choice that will negatively impact your academic progress in your program.
If I already withdrew, will I be able to reinstate in a course now that the opportunity to earn a U exists?
Students who request a withdrawal reversal already have the ability to do so within 3 business days from the date you withdrew. However, the request to reverse the withdrawal in this case must occur no later than Wednesday, April 22.
If I am graduating this semester, how will S/U affect me in a class I need to pass to graduate? How will it affect my GPA?
Remember that S/U grades do not change your GPA. They only reflect credit earned or not earned. For instance, if you are in your last semester and need specific letter grades to get or keep your GPA above 3.0, then the S/U grade will not be a good choice for you. If your GPA is already above 3.0 and you just need the credits to complete your degree, then the S/U grade might be something to consider. It is important to understand and review your degree audit and situation with your faculty advisor and/or graduate program director so that you can make an informed choice.
How will S/U grades this semester be explained when I have my transcript sent to another professional or graduate school?
The back of the transcripts contains a legend detailing grades. Transcripts will indicate that the S/U option was made available this semester because of the pandemic. Additional information will be available at registrar.ucf.edu. If you are a graduate certificate or master’s degree student wishing to apply to another graduate degree program, you should talk with your faculty advisor and/or graduate program director for information about how choosing S/U grades may impact your chances of being admitted in other graduate programs or how choosing S/U grades might impact the course transfers to those programs.
How will U grades impact my graduate assistantship?
Graduate assistantship students are expected to maintain good academic standing. Speak with your faculty advisor and/or graduate program director if you have questions about how receiving a U grade could impact your funding.
How will U grades impact my university fellowship?
Most university fellowships require students to receive satisfactory grades in all classes (unsatisfactory grades are C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F, NC and U). If you have questions about how a U grade could impact your graduate fellowship, email gradfellowship@ucf.edu.
Would I have to use grade forgiveness later if I choose to repeat a course in which I received a U grade?
No. Grade forgiveness is not available to graduate students.
Would repeating a course in which I received a U be considered as a second attempt?
Yes. U grades means that you did not earn credit for the course. If it is a required or core course in your plan of study, it would have to be repeated. If it is an elective course, then you could choose to repeat the elective course or you could pick a different elective from those allowed as part of the degree. You would still need to meet the necessary elective credit hour requirement for your degree plan of study.
Can I appeal my decision to receive an S/U for a class?
Appeals to reverse your request for an S/U will not be allowed.
Please consult with your faculty advisor and/or graduate program director before making any decisions regarding your academic plan.
