The Graduate School’s grading system is based on a 4.0 scale. Graduate students are expected to maintain a grade point average of at least a 3.0 at all times. The grade of “C” is given for performance only minimally adequate at the graduate level. Any evaluation below a "C” must be marked as “F”, and is ranked as contributing no points to the student’s total quality point rating. The grade of “D” is not used for graduate coursework.
Repeating Courses
Although graduate students are allowed to repeat courses for graduate credit, it is generally not recommended since both grades will be calculated in the student’s grade point average. If you make an “F” in a course, you are required to repeat it. Making a “B” your second time taking the class will result in the average of an “F” and “B” in computing your grade point average. This is different from the general rules of the Graduate School and University.
Temporary Grade Notations
Temporary notations used by the Graduate School are the following: (1) “N” - “no grade available”, usually the result of an instructor not turning in a grade. (2) “I” - “incomplete coursework”; this grade requires that the student complete the incomplete work by the end of the next quarter. An “I” cannot be automatically changed to a “W”. If the “I” is not removed or a letter of extension is not requested by the instructor, it will be automatically changed to an “F” after one semester.
Academic Probation Policy
Any admitted student who fails to maintain good standing (GPA of 3.0 or better) will be placed on probation and have the next two terms that coursework is completed to bring the GPA back to a 3.0. In calculating a GPA in the Graduate School of Management, all coursework will be included regardless of whether a course has been retaken and a higher grade received or whether a course was required or not. On the 4.0 grading scale, one “A” will offset a “C”; however, it takes 3 “A’s” to offset one “F”. All other matters relating to academic probation, readmission after failure to re-establish good standing, etc. will be governed by the policies stated in the UAB Graduate Catalog.
Time Limitations
From the time of acceptance into the program, a student has five years to complete their course of study. After five years, each course must be validated on an individual basis. If the student has maintained close contact with his or her discipline, validation is almost always granted.
Transfer of Credit
No more than 25% of degree program can be transferred to meet requirements toward the master’s degree with the approval of the Graduate Dean. No such credit may be transferred unless the student was a fully-matriculated graduate student in the graduate school of the institution from which the proposed transfer is to be made and unless the student received a grade of “B” or better.
Formal transfer of credit is not made until the student has carried out the equivalent of one full-time term of graduate study at UAB, but previous study obviously is taken into consideration in planning courses to be taken in the student’s program.
It is the responsibility of the student to inform the Graduate School and his/her advisor of all credits to be transferred. All requests for approval of transfer credit must be received by the Graduate School Office 30 days before the date of graduation. Transfer credit accepted for UAB credit toward a degree will be utilized in calculating the student’s grade point average and the above time limitation also applies to transfer of credits.