Grade and Examination Requirements
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The Grading System and Grade Requirements
Ordinarily, student coursework is evaluated by letter grades, which are assigned a value based on a 4-point scale:
- A = 4.00
- A- = 3.67
- B+ = 3.33
- B = 3.00
- B- = 2.67
- C+ = 2.33
- C = 2.00
- C- = 1.67
- D+ = 1.33
- D = 1.00
- D- = 0.67
- E (failing grade) = 0
The Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS) students must maintain a grade-point average of at least a B (3.00) each academic year; the grade-point average is weighted for each course based on the number of course credits. For example, a grade received in a two-credit course proportionally impacts the grade-point average compared to a four-credit course. Many programs require their students to maintain a higher average (review PhD program requirements or master's program requirements). Please note: Harvard Griffin GSAS students may not take classes pass/fail.
In certain circumstances, non-letter grades are used (as described below):
Absent
Students who miss a regularly scheduled examination arranged by the Registrar’s Office are given a failing grade of absent (ABS), which will be changed only if the student is granted and takes a make-up examination. A grade of ABS = 0.
Excused
Students may receive a grade of excused (EXC) for a final examination or other course assignment if they have passed departmental examinations or other requirements and their program approves. If a student elects to take the final examination and complete the course, they receive a letter grade.
Incomplete
Incomplete grades (INC) are granted to graduate students only at the discretion of the instructor. If a student receives an INC, the student must complete the work of the course before the end of the next regular term. For example, if a student receives an INC during the fall term, the student must complete the coursework during the subsequent spring term by submitting work before the final day of the spring term. If a student is granted a leave of absence from the University during the period in which an INC ordinarily would need to be completed, the INC will remain on the student's transcript while the student is not enrolled, and the time of the leave will not count against the student's grace period.
If the work is not submitted within the required time frame, the INC becomes a permanent grade unless the student has petitioned successfully for an extension:
- INC grades incurred in cross-registered courses in another school are subject to Harvard Griffin GSAS rules and deadlines unless the other school’s deadlines are earlier.
- Extensions must be approved both by Harvard Griffin GSAS and by the other school.
- Incomplete grades cannot be changed once a final degree has been awarded.
- Students who receive an E or a permanent incomplete (INC) or absent (ABS) may retake the class for credit; however, both grades will appear on the transcript.
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Students taking Reading and Research (300-level courses) are graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (SAT/UNS) basis, but at the academic department's discretion, Reading and Research courses ("TIME-equivalent" courses) may be marked as ungraded (NOG). With permission of the instructor, students may petition the Registrar’s Office to take certain foreign language courses on a SAT/UNS basis (language courses that are graded SAT/UNSAT may not be counted toward the minimum course requirements for a higher degree). See the Academic Calendar for the deadline.
Students who pass with the equivalent of a B- or better receive a SAT grade; otherwise, they receive an UNS (UNS = 0). A SAT grade is not calculated into the grade-point average.
Exclusion from a Course
A student who neglects any course may, after a written warning by the instructor, be excluded from the course and receive a failing grade. A notation of EXLD (excluded) on the transcript indicates that the student was not permitted to continue in the course and that they received no credit. Students may not withdraw from a course that they have been excluded from. Students excluded from a course are denied the right to further course evaluation including final and make-up examinations.
Examination Requirements
In order to receive credit for a course with a regularly scheduled final examination, or both a mid-year and a final examination arranged by the Registrar’s Office, a student must take the examination or they will receive a grade of ABS unless previously excused by the department.
Absence due to illness
A student absent from a final examination because of illness must fill out a petition for a make-up examination at Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) within 24 hours of the beginning of the examination. In an emergency, if the student is unable to go to HUHS or is being treated elsewhere, a petition for a make-up examination must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. In this case, the student must also file a letter from a physician certifying the date and nature of the illness. Students who are unable to take an examination at the scheduled time due to a documented condition should contact the Disability Access Office as soon as the need is apparent to discuss make-up examination accommodations and procedures.
Absence for other reasons
Students who must be absent for reasons other than illness, such as a death in the family or a reason of similar gravity, may petition the Registrar’s Office for a make-up examination within one week of the end of the examination period. Students who do not take the regularly scheduled final examination in a course receive a grade of ABS (Absent) unless excused by their department. A grade of ABS is permanent on a student’s record if a make-up petition is not filed or not granted or if the make-up examination is not attended. Make-up examinations are given in January for fall term final examinations and in August for spring term final examinations.
In absentia petition
Students who, for sufficient reason, cannot be in Cambridge at the time of a final or make-up examination, may petition to take the examination in another place. In absentia petitions and information are available from the Registrar’s Office. Completed petitions must be filed 30 days before the regularly scheduled examination date.
Absence for religious reasons
Students may request an out-of-sequence exam due to religious observance by submitting a Religious Out of Sequence Exam Form 30 days prior to the start of the examination period. If granted, the rescheduled exam will typically be held within 24 hours of the scheduled exam.
Forms
Petition for Extension of Time for an Incomplete Grade
Petition to Change Grading Status
Petition for Make-up Examination
Religious Out-of-Sequence Exam Request