What is Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grading?

Answer:

Due to the extraordinary COVID-19 circumstances, UCF graduate students will have the opportunity to choose Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grading for eligible courses in which they are enrolled in the spring semester 2020. Students will be able to choose this option from April 10 through April 27. After April 27, students may no longer choose a grading system and their choices are final. Transcripts will indicate that the S/U option was made available this semester because of the pandemic.

It is very important that you contact your advisor and/or program director to see whether this choice makes sense for you. Choosing S/U may in some cases have an effect on financial aid, and this choice may not meet requirements for your degree. More on this below.

The University uses an alphabetic system to identify student grades and other actions regarding student progress or class attendance, as follows: (https://catalog.ucf.edu/content.php?catoid=14&navoid=1197#grade-system)

Grades Grading Points Per Semester Hour of Credit
A 4.00
A- 3.75
B+ 3.25
B 3.00
B- 2.75
C+ 2.25
C 2.00
C- 1.75
D+ 1.25
D 1.00
D- .75
F 0.00
NC No Credit (NC replaces the use of D+, D and D- in certain courses)
S Satisfactory (w/credit)/Satisfactory Progress
U Unsatisfactory (no credit)/Unsatisfactory Progress

If you choose to change your letter-graded courses to an S/U grade, those selected courses with grades that are equivalent to A, A-, B+, B, or B- grades will be converted to a Satisfactory (S) grade. If your instructor agrees to give you an Incomplete (I) grade, and you wish to opt-in for S/U grading, you must opt-in by April 27 for that course. Then, once you complete the course requirements (or fail to complete the course requirements in the time allowed), your earned letter grade will be converted to S/U on your transcript.

Grades of C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F or NC will be converted to an Unsatisfactory (U) grade. Keep in mind that most labs are linked directly to the course. If you are registered for a lab that is graded separately and does not require you to be registered simultaneously to the lecture, then the option will exist.

Grades of S and U do not impact the GPA. A grade of S will result in credit for the course, but it will not be used in the calculation of your GPA. A grade of U will reflect attempted credit that was not earned in the course, but it will not affect the GPA.

Students may select the S/U grading option for most courses that are graded. Keep in mind that most labs are linked directly to the course. If you are registered for a lab that is graded separately and does not require you to be registered simultaneously to the lecture, then the option will exist.

Please consult with your faculty advisor and/or graduate program director before making any decisions regarding your academic plan.