PRP 3454 Undergraduate Pass and Fail

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  2. University Senate and Governance
  3. Policies, Procedures, Standards and Guidelines
  4. PRP 3454 Undergraduate Pass and Fail

James K. Krause, Ed.D., Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Effective Date: Fall 2017
NOTES: Endorsed by BUCC November 28, 1990. Revised by BUCC 4/8/1998. Presented to University Forum April 15, 1998 for information purposes only. Revised by BUCC January 17, 2001. Presented to University Forum February 7, 2001 for information purposes only. Revised by BUCC January 29, 2003. Presented to the University Forum February 5, 2003. Revised by BUCC February 7, 2007. Presented to University Forum February 28, 2007 for information purposes. Revised by BUCC November 16, 2016. Presented to University Forum December 7, 2016.
 

Introduction. There are two circumstances in which the usual grading scheme (A, A-, B+, etc.) may be replaced by Pass/Fail (P/F). The first is the Pass/Fail Option for Students, which may be elected by a student. Section I of this policy governs Pass/Fail Option for Students The second circumstance is Pass/Fail Only Courses, which covers all offerings of an approved course. Section II of this policy governs Pass/Fail Only Courses.

Grades in pass/fail courses are not used in the computation of a quality point average (refer to PRP 3522- Grades, Quality Points and Quality Point Averages).

I. Pass/Fail Option for Students

After attaining sophomore standing, a degree student may elect courses on a pass/fail basis until the final day of the Drop/Add period in accordance with the following rules:

A maximum of two courses (not more than eight credit hours in total) may be included as part of the minimum graduation requirement. No more than one Pass/Fail Option course, as defined in this section, may be taken in any one semester or session.

Courses taken using the Pass/Fail Option must be free electives. The following may not be taken using the Pass/Fail Option:

  • Major requirements including cognate courses
  • Minor requirements
  • Courses used to fulfill General Education points

The instructor is not informed that the student is exercising the Pass/Fail Option for Students. The letter grade reported by the instructor is later translated by the Registrar’s Office into a grade of "P" or "F" in accordance with PRP 3522 - Grades, Quality Points and Quality Point Averages.

If, subsequent to the completion of a course on a Pass/Fail Option for Students basis, the student changes their major to one in which the instructor's original grade is required, they may request that the chairperson of the academic department be notified of the actual letter grade earned.

A student who has received a grade of "F" in a course may not take it later on a Pass/Fail Option for Students basis.

The student may revoke a decision to take a course on a Pass/Fail Option for Students basis. The revocation must be completed by the close of the business day three weeks after the middle day of the semester. This will allow the Pass/Fail Option for Students to be used again.

II. Pass/Fail Only Courses

A department may apply to have one (or more) of its courses offered on a Pass/Fail Only basis. This designation is made through the approval sequence as defined on the Omnibus form.

An approved Pass/Fail Only course may be used to meet general education requirements or requirements of a major or minor.

An approved Pass/Fail Only course shall not be included in the two course maximum of the Pass/Fail Option for Students.