Grading System

Central Connecticut State University uses the letter grading system as follows:  A, superior; B, above average; C, average; D, passing but below average; and F, failure. A grade of incomplete (INC) may be recorded, at the discretion of the instructor, for a course in which a student, because of circumstances beyond his or her control, has not completed certain work or has been absent from the final examination. A grade of NR (not recorded by instructor) will be entered if grades are not submitted in a timely manner. For undergraduate students, an INC or an NR not changed to another grade by the instructor within the first eight weeks of the subsequent major semester will be changed to an F. Responsibility for removing an INC or an NR within this time limit rests with the student.

Grade-Point Average—For computing grade-point average, grades are evaluated as follows for each semester hour of credit:                            

For example, a student receives an A in two courses, one carrying 3 credits and one carrying 1 credit; a B in a 3-credit course; a B- in a 3-credit course; a C- in a 2-credit course; a D in a 3-credit course; and an F in a 2-credit course. The grade-point average is computed as follows.

A or 4 quality points per hour x 4 credits = 16 quality points
B or 3 quality points per hour x 3 credits =  9 quality points
B- or 2.7 quality points per hour x 3 credits =  8.1 quality points
C- or 1.7 quality points per hour x 2 credits =  3.4 quality points
D or 1 quality point per hour x 3 credits =  3 quality points
F or 0 quality points per hour x 2 credits =  0 quality points
17 credits for a total of 39.5 quality points

To calculate this student’s semester grade-point average, the quality point total is divided by the total number of credits taken:  39.5 ÷ 17 = 2.32.

The cumulative grade-point average (CGPA) for a student’s record is determined by adding the credits attempted and dividing this total into the total number of quality points. The cumulative grade-point average indicates the academic record of the student for the time enrolled at the University and does not include transfer credit.

Good Standing Policy — All students are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher to be in Good Standing. All students who fall below a 2.00 will receive notification of either an academic warning or academic dismissal from the Registrar's Office.

Academic Warning — Those students who fall below a 2.00, but within the Academic Warning range appropriate to their accumulated credit hours, will be required to meet with a designated representative of their dean's office to determine an appropriate course of action.  Students failing to meet this requirement or who fail to pursue the recommended strategies over the course of the next regular semester may be subject to academic dismissal.

Students with fewer than 19 total credit hours will not receive an academic dismissal notice, regardless of their grade point average. Such students with a GPA below 2.00 will be notified of Academic Warning and will follow the procedures for students in this category as described above.

Dismissal Hearing — Students who fall below the Academic Warning range appropriate to their accumulated credit hours will receive notice of academic dismissal. These students may petition for academic probation by contacting the office of their academic dean. Students who fail to apply for probation or who are denied probation will be dismissed.  Following dismissal, a student must normally wait at least one semester before being considered for reinstatement.

From 70 credit hours onward, failure to maintain a GPA of 2.00 or above will result in a dismissal notice.

Total Credit Hours *     Academic Warning

1–18 credits—below 2.00 GPA
19–36 credits—1.60 to 1.99 GPA
37–53 credits—1.80 to 1.99 GPA
54–69 credits—1.90 to 1.99 GPA

Total Credit Hours *     Dismissal Hearing        

19–36 credits — below 1.60 GPA
37–53 credits—below 1.80 GPA
54–69 credits—below 1.90 GPA
70+ credits—below 2.00 GPA

* Completed at and transferred to CCSU

Only courses taken at Central Connecticut State University, including summer session and winter session courses, are included in calculating the student's cumulative GPA.  Courses taken at other institutions are not included in the student's Central Connecticut State University GPA.  However, transfer credits will count toward the total number of credits attempted for purposes of academic standing.

An academically dismissed student may enroll through the Enrollment Center/Office of Continuing Education as a non-matriculated student and seek to bring the cumulative grade-point average back to the good-standing level.  Also, an academically dismissed student may petition the academic dean of their major for reinstatement. 

After re-attaining good standing, as a result of work as a non-matriculated student, a student may request readmission to Central Connecticut State University as a matriculated student. Consultation with the Office of Admissions concerning deadlines for reactivation is advised.  

Students concerned about their academic progress should consult their academic advisor.