Last Revised: 10/14/2004
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SCHOLASTIC REQUIREMENTS

GRADES AND GRADE POINTS

The grade system in use employs five grades: A, B, C, D, or F. The mark X represents an incomplete course; the mark IP (In Progress) is given in theses and other courses which cannot be completed within one semester; credit awarded by examination and hours earned with the mark CR are counted in determining classification, but are not included in determining grade point average. The Q mark is given for courses dropped from the thirteenth class day (fifth class day for summer session) and until the last day for dropping courses without penalty as stated in the Academic Calendar. The mark NC may be given only for failure to complete satisfactorily the requirements for selected courses, including student teaching. Courses with the mark NC and the marks Q and X are not included in determining grade point average.

  1. A student’s classification and rank in class are determined by grade points as follows:
    Grade Description Grade Points Per Semester Hour
    A Excellent 4
    B Above average 3
    C Average 2
    D Passing 1 (not necessarily satisfying degree requirements)
    F Failure 0
  2. Grade points are computed for a given semester on the basis of semester hours attempted. A course attempted is defined as one in which the student is enrolled after the date for dropping without penalty, as specified in the current Academic Calendar.
  3. To calculate a grade point average, divide the total number of semester hours attempted into the total number of grade points. The grade point average is carried out two decimals (2.00) and is not rounded. Hours attempted in courses taken for Credit/Non-Credit grades will not be used toward the calculation of grade point average.
  4. A student may repeat at Sam Houston State University one time any course in which a grade of F was earned without counting additional hours attempted. Any subsequent repetition of such course will be counted as additional hours attempted. Subsequent courses repeated in which the student has earned the grade of D or better are not counted as additional hours attempted, and the student may not receive additional credit but will be given grade points earned above the original grade received. Students may not repeat by correspondence any course in which a previous grade of D or F has been earned. Deficient grade points in SHSU GPA (overall, major, and/or minor) must be made up in residence at Sam Houston State University.
  5. The mark X indicates that the student has not been able to complete the course because of emergency circumstances beyond the student’s control. These circumstances usually prevail over other drop dates and opportunities to withdraw from the course. When the student is given the X mark, it is assumed that the student will be able to finish the course without further instruction or tutoring from the faculty member in charge of the course. It is to the advantage of the student to complete a course at the earliest opportunity in which the mark of X has been given. Permission to award the mark of X is granted only by the chair of the academic department involved with the recommendation of the instructor. If the student meets the prescribed requirements of the course before the end of the next academic semester (Summer school, two sessions, is considered a unit equivalent to a long semester.) after the X is given, the student will receive the grade earned; otherwise, the mark X will be automatically changed to the grade of F.
  6. A student receiving a grade believed to be in error after the grade is reported should request a review of this grade upon receipt. The review of the grade should be made with the instructor involved. Please refer to Student Guidelines.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

  1. Regular and punctual class attendance is expected of each student at Sam Houston State University.
  2. Each faculty member will keep a record of student attendance.
  3. Each faculty member will announce the policies for accepting late work or providing make-up examinations. Students are expected to show appropriate cause for missing or delaying major assignments or examinations.
  4. A student shall not be penalized for three or fewer hours of absences when examinations or other assigned class work have not been missed; however, at the discretion of the instructor, a student may be penalized for more than three hours of absences.
  5. Each instructor is obligated to clarify in writing to each student enrolled in class at the beginning of the semester or summer session the instructor’s classroom policy regarding absences.
  6. Class absences will be recorded and counted only from the actual day of enrollment for the individual student in that specific class.

STUDENT ABSENCES ON RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS

Section 51.911(b) of the Texas Education Code requires that an institution of higher education excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. A student who is excused under this subsection may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the absence. Refer to the Academic Calendar for the deadline date for notification by students to the faculty members of the student’s intent to be absent on religious holy days.

FINAL EXAMINATIONS

Final examinations are not given before the designated time in the official examination schedule. A student is not permitted to take a final examination before all other work for the course is completed. A student who is compelled to be absent from a final examination may petition the chair of the academic department involved to permit a mark of X in the course. This permission is granted only by the academic department chair with the recommendation of the instructor concerned.

DEAN’S LIST OF ACADEMIC HONORS

Those outstanding undergraduate students who attain a grade point average of 3.5 or better, with no grade of F, for all courses attempted while earning not less than twelve semester credit hours of academic course work during the semester are included on the Dean’s List of Academic Honors. The Dean’s List is released at the close of each semester. In order to provide the recognition these students have earned, the Dean’s List is distributed throughout the University community as well as by the News Bureau to the various other media. (See President’s Honor Roll, below.)

PRESIDENT’S HONOR ROLL

Those undergraduate students who achieve a grade point average of 4.0 in all course work attempted while earning not less than twelve semester credit hours of academic course work during the fall or spring semester attain the distinction of being included on the President’s Honor Roll. The names of those students achieving the highest attainable grades denoting academic excellence comprise the President’s Honor Roll and are released at the conclusion of each semester. In order to provide the recognition these qualifying students have earned, the President’s Honor Roll is distributed throughout the University community as well as to the various other media. (See Dean’s List of Academic Honors, above.)

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