Grades

A grade in a course is based on the quality of the student’s classroom and written work throughout the semester. Most course grades are not solely based on the final examination. Final course grades are made available to students at the end of each semester on UNCGenie. Students can view and print copies of their grades from UNCGenie. Details about grading policies are different for graduate and undergraduate students. The University Catalog has more information in addition to the overviews listed below.

Undergraduate Midterm Grades

Undergraduate students now receive midterm grades for each of their courses that are the standard 15 weeks in length. These grades are accessible in UNCGenie and will help you understand how you’re doing in your courses and give guidance on the second half of your semester. 

Login to UNCGenie to check your midterm grades. Once you review them, talk to your instructors about what your grades mean and what you can do to earn the final grade you want. Do not make any decisions about withdrawing a class before you talk to your instructor and your advisor.

Understanding midterm grades

Midterm grades are not included in your GPA calculations, nor are they recorded on your transcript. They are, essentially, an early signal from your instructor to you about how you’re doing at the end of the sixth week of classes. Because courses can vary a lot in the rhythm of assignments and how those assignments are weighted, your midterm grades will likely mean different things for each of your courses.  

Because the midterm grade is a snapshot of how you’re doing at one point in the course, it can let you know that you’re on the right track or that you need to do something differently.

• A good midterm grade (A, B) is a strong signal that you are currently doing well and should keep up the good work.
• A low midterm grade (C- or below) is a signal that you should make significant changes so you can finish the term with the highest possible final grade that keeps you on track in earning your degree.
• If you have received an F grade at the midterm, you should consider withdrawing from that course. Be sure to take action before the University’s posted deadlines to withdraw without a GPA penalty..

The best action for courses in which you have earned a C- or below is to talk to your instructor and your academic advisor. Instructors can help you understand what the midterm grade means in the context of each of your courses and how you might improve. Academic advisors can assist you in talking through academic support options (like tutoring or executive coaching), and help you understand the pros and cons of course withdrawal.

Contact your advisor with questions

Please consult your academic advisor or an advisor in the Students First Office before you make changes to your schedule based on your midterm grades. Your academic advisor can help you decide what course of action is best for you. If you have general questions about midterm grades, don’t hesitate to reach out to your School or College Advising Center.

GPA calculation

UNCG uses a semester hour credit and grade point system for evaluating undergraduates. Semester hour credits represent the number of course hours completed. Grade points are determined by the number of semester hour credits attempted and the grades earned. Hours attempted but not passed are included in this calculation. More detailed information on how GPA is determined can be found in the University Catalog.

Students can calculate how current or future course performance may impact their GPA with help from the Student’s First Office’s GPA Calculator.

Grade appeals

Students who wish to appeal an assigned grade should first discuss their concerns with the instructor. In cases of exceptional circumstances, the student may further appeal to the department head, the dean of the school or college, and the provost, in that order. More information, including examples of situations that would merit a grade appeal, can be found in the University Catalog.

Incomplete grades

In cases where a student cannot complete course requirements because of illness or other reasons beyond their control, they may request an incomplete “I” grade. Incomplete is a temporary grade given at the discretion of the instructor. 

Students must make arrangements with their instructor to set a timeline for completing their work to earn a permanent letter grade in the course. At maximum, all work must be completed by six months after the end of the term when the Incomplete grade was given. Unfinished incomplete grades will change to “F” grades.More information about incomplete grades can be found in the University Catalog.

Grade replacement

Undergraduate students can opt to retake a course and replace the original grade earned to improve their GPA. During their undergraduate careers, students may request to replace the grades for a total of four courses, up to a maximum of 16 credit hours, in which they have earned a grade of C-, D+, D, D- or F/WF. 

The following are exclusions that will prohibit students from using the grade replacement policy:

• Courses in which the final grade earned was the result of an Academic Integrity violation, which are recorded by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities
• Courses taken in future semesters once a student has applied and been approved for the Academic Renewal Policy
• Grade Replacement Requests submitted after a degree is conferred

To request a grade replacement, submit a form to the Registrar’s Office. More information about grade replacement can be found on the Students First Office site.

Academic Renewal (grade forgiveness)

Former UNCG undergraduate students who have been readmitted can petition to have the grades earned during their previous attendance period to be forgiven (excluded from GPA calculations). Students can initiate the request for Academic Renewal by filing a form with the Students First Office. More information can be found on the Students First Office site.

Retroactive grade change

After grades are officially recorded on a student’s transcript they cannot be changed except in extraordinary circumstances. No change may occur unless the instructor who gave the grade initiates the formal process of a retroactive grade change. The change must also be approved by the instructor’s department head and by the instructor’s dean. 

Retroactive grade changes are not made for students after they have graduated from UNCG. 
More information can be found on the Students First Office site.

Semester Honors

Undergraduate students with outstanding academic performance are recognized each fall and spring semester after grades are posted. Dean’s and Chancellor’s List honorees are posted on our website and the award is also listed on students’ transcripts. See the Semester Honors section for details.