University Grading System

Each student is responsible for maintaining a minimum CGPA of 2.0 (3.0 master’s program) and must receive a passing grade in each course to graduate from Joyce University. Final program grades are computed from various elements and competencies mastered within the course and are reflected individually and collectively on each student’s final transcript. In courses with multiple components (e.g., didactic, lab, clinical), failure to pass one or more components of the course will result in a failing grade in the course as a whole. Assuming all course components are passed, the grade of record will be the letter grade earned in the didactic component of the course.

The required passing grade varies by course area, course component, and program, as outlined below.

Course area/component	passing grade
General Education Course*	74% (C)
Undergraduate Core Course	77% (C+)
Graduate Core Course	84% (B)
Nursing Experiential Learning Component (Skills Lab and Clinical)	85% (Pass)

*Select General Education courses require a minimum of 77% to earn credit and progress within the program of study. See program specific requirements.

Letter Grade Percentage GPA Equivalent

A 94 – 100% 4.0

A- 90 – 93% 3.7

B+ 87 – 89% 3.3

B 84 – 86% 3.0

B- 80 – 83% 2.7

C+ 77 – 79% 2.3

C 74 – 76% 2.0

C- 70 – 73% 1.7

D+ 67 – 69% 1.3

D 64 – 66% 1.0

D- 60 – 63% 0.7

F 0 – 59% 0.0

AU – Audit – is given when a student takes a course for no academic credit. Audit courses may be limited to students who have taken and passed the course at Joyce University or who have been awarded transfer credit for the course. An audit student is expected to participate in all course activities and complete all course-related assignments, projects, examinations, etc. An AU grade has no effect on GPA or on the rate of progress for purposes of calculating Satisfactory Academic Progress.

I – Incomplete - is given when a student is unable to complete the coursework by the end of the grading period (semester/term). If a student fails to complete a required segment of a course by the end of the grading period (semester/term) and believes that with additional time he/she could reasonably pass the course, the student should approach the faculty member and request the grade of “I” (incomplete). The decision to grant this request is at the discretion of the faculty member, with approval of the program director.

When the grade “I” (incomplete) is granted, both the student and the faculty member must agree on provisions for the make-up work. The grade “I” cannot extend beyond two weeks following the end of the grading period. When the work is completed in a satisfactory manner (within two weeks), the faculty member will complete a Grade Change form and the “I” grade will be changed to the grade earned. Failure to complete the work will result in failure of the class, at which time the “I” grade will be changed to an F. The F grade will be computed in the GPA. Students on academic warning will not be allowed to progress to the next set of scheduled courses until the “I” grade is resolved.

IP-Incomplete in Progress – is at the faculty member’s discretion to a student who has not completed all of the course requirements but has attended at least 67 percentage of the course. Students who are unable to complete the course work in the timeframe of two weeks as outlined in the “I” – Incomplete grade may receive an “IP” (Incomplete in Progress) with the approval of the program director and faculty member. Requirements for an “IP” grade must be fulfilled by the end of the next semester. A grade of “IP” that is not made up by the required date will automatically be changed to an “F”. Students must meet with the faculty member to develop a contract that stipulates the requirements for completing the course. The contract will include the length of time for completion and the consequences for failure to complete the requirements. A grade of “IP” is changed to the permanent grade once it is submitted by the faculty member.

L- Leave of Absence – is given when a student takes a Leave of Absence (LOA) before completing the coursework for the semester/block. The L grade has no effect of GPA or rate of progress for purposed of calculating Satisfactory Academic Progress.

SW- Scheduled Withdrawal – is given when a student is withdrawn or administratively withdrawn from Joyce University in a grading period that does not coincide with the student’s payment period. An SW grade has no effect on GPA or on the rate of progress for purpose of calculating Satisfactory Academic Progress.

TC – Transfer Credit – refers to transfer credit and is an indication of a transfer credit allowance. A TC grade has no effect on GPA; however, transfer credits are counted as credits attempted as well as credits completed, thereby affecting rate of progress.

W – Withdrawal – is given when a student withdraws from a course through 60% of the course time. Withdrawals have no effect on GPA. However, course credits will be considered as “attempted” but not “completed” for purposes of calculating Satisfactory Academic Progress (please consult the Withdrawal Policy).

WC- Withdrawal Cancel – is given when a student withdraws or receives an administrative withdrawal within the first two weeks of scheduled classes after the official start date of the classes. Withdraw Cancels will have no effect on GPA or credits “attempted”.

WF- Withdrawal Fail – is given when a student withdraws either voluntarily or involuntarily from a course beyond 60% of the course time. Course credits will be considered as attempted but not earned for purposes of calculating Satisfactory Academic Progress and will be calculated at 0.0 points for GPA.

Total Exam Score Average: Programmatic Core Courses

To pass the programmatic course, students are required to achieve an overall total exam score average at or above a threshold of 77% for all exams taken within the course.

Each course exam will be individually calculated, earning a distinct percentage.
Exam “percentages” (not points) will then be added individually and divided by the number of exams in the course to determine achievement of the 77% threshold.
Example if there are five modular exams in the course, and one final exam:

Results of exam 1 (50 questions) = 80%

Results of exam 2 (50 questions) = 75%

Results of exam 3 (50 questions) = 82%

Results of exam 4 (50 questions) = 70%

Results of exam 5 (50 questions) = 82%

Results of final exam (100 questions) = 77%

The total exam score average would be 77.6%, or 78% [(80+75+82+70+82+77)/6].

Total Course Grade: Programmatic Core Courses

If the 77% total exam score average threshold has been met, the final grade for the course will be calculated based on all incorporate points earned for exams, assignments, quizzes, and other coursework requirements.

Final Grade Appeal Policy

The Final Grade Appeal Policy is provided to students to address a final grade in a course, but only if a student has reason to believe that a final grade is not accurate due to a clerical or computational error or does not align with the expectations of the course syllabus. In these circumstances, a student may submit a Final Grade Appeal for an assessment regarding the accuracy of the final grade. Since the grading process involves the instructor’s assessment of the student’s academic performance, the only issue under consideration for a Final Grade Appeal is whether the student can provide clear evidence that the assignment of the grade was a result of an error or does not align with the expectations of the course syllabus.

The Final Grade Appeal Policy is not applicable and will not be considered for different course components, individual assignments or exams, final grades posted in previous semester, or students whose degrees have been conferred. A Final Grade Appeal may not be filed for repercussions imposed under the academic integrity or student conduct policies, or any other University Policy.

Final Grade Appeal Procedure

To initiate a Final Grade Appeal, the student must address the concern or issue with the faculty member of the course in writing. If the student feels as though the issue has not been resolved or adequately addressed, they may then submit a Final Grade Appeal in accordance with this Procedure.
Final Grade Appeals must be submitted by completing the electronic Final Grade Appeal Form. All sections of the Final Grade Appeal Form must be completed for consideration.
Final Grade Appeals are expected to be submitted no later than five business days of the end of the term at 4PM MT. After this deadline all grades are considered final.

Students will receive notification of the final decision via the student’s Joyce email. Decisions will be made within 15 business days of receipt of the complete Appeal. All Final Grade Appeal determinations are final.

Late Work Policy

Students are expected to complete all assignments, quizzes, and exams by the designated deadline found in the assignment details and/or course syllabus. Joyce University understands that there are times that turning in an assignment, quiz, or exam on time may not be possible due to extenuating circumstances, a significant life event beyond an individual's control that has an extreme impact on their ability to meet expectations or fulfill obligations. Students will have a 15% reduction from the total points earned on an assignment, quiz, or exam for each day that it is late up to 48 hours after the deadline. An assignment, quiz or exam is considered one day late as soon as the deadline has passed. After 24 hours beyond the deadline, it is considered two days late. When 48 hours have passed from the deadline, it will no longer be accepted, and the student will earn a zero.

The Late Work Policy does not apply to final assessments, discussion boards, and some lab and clinical requirements.

Academic Policies and Information

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ACADEMIC POLICIES AND INFORMATION