Grading

Pass/No Pass grading was offered in the Spring 2020 and Spring 2020 Module II terms only. Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in those terms had the option to select a Pass/No Pass grading option after seeing their final grades in May. Pass/No Pass grading is not available for summer terms.

For program and college-specific pass/no pass grading questions click on frequently asked questions. 

For General Frequently Asked Questions About Pass/No Pass see below.

All Student Records

  • Where do I go to select my course as pass/no pass?

    • Accelerated online programs (AOP) students will be provided with the link to the Pass/No Pass Selection Portal the week of April 20. Students will make their selection(s) between Monday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 28.
    • Spring 2020 students will be provided with the link to the Pass/No Pass Selection Portal the week of May 11. Students will make their selection(s) between Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13.

  • Which courses does this pass/no pass option apply to?

    This applies to undergraduate and graduate courses taken in Spring 2020. It also applies to students enrolled in the second spring module for accelerated online programs (AOP).

  • Is there a limit on how many courses I can declare for pass/no pass for Spring Module II or Spring 2020?

    No; there is no limit on how many classes you can select for pass/no pass grading.

  • What is the deadline for selecting classes for pass/no pass grading for students enrolled in AOP Spring Module II or Spring 2020?

    Accelerated online programs (AOP) students must submit this request no later than Tuesday, April 28 at 11:59 p.m.

    Spring 2020 students must submit this request no later than Wednesday, May 13 at 11:59 p.m.

  • If I declare a course pass/no pass, how is my grade determined?

    You will have the chance to see your earned letter grades first, then opt for pass/no pass. Grades of A, B, and C will equate to a passing grade of P, and grades of D and F will equate to a no-passing grade of NP.

  • Will faculty be aware that I want to take my class as pass/no pass?

    Faculty members will assign grades as they normally would. After grades post, you have the choice to change to a pass/no pass grading option. Faculty will only know of your intentions if you share those intentions with them. 

  • How will a no pass (NP) grade affect my GPA?

    A no passing grade will have no effect on your GPA, but the credit hours for that class will count as hours attempted for your degree, and not as hours earned. 

  • How will a pass (P) grade affect my GPA?

    A passing grade will have no effect on your GPA, but the credit hours for that class will count as hours attempted and as hours earned for your degree. 


Dual Credit Students 

  • I am a dual credit student or a student at Brownsville/Harlingen ECHS. Should I opt-in to take my class(es) as pass/no pass instead of a standard letter grade?

    It depends. Your school district may have a policy on situations like this, so it would be best for you to verify directly with your school administrator or counselor. We recommend that you check with your high school and ask how a P or NP grade would transfer back to your high school.  


Undergraduate Student Records  

  • Is a Pass enough to satisfy a prerequisite that normally must be a C or higher?

    Yes; if you earn a pass, that is sufficient to meet a prerequisite for other classes requiring that you complete the one you are enrolled in.

  • How will the changes to pass/no pass affect repeated credit?

    If you are repeating a course this term and select the pass/no pass grading basis for that course a grade of Pass will subject your GPA to a possible increase, but a grade of NP could subject your GPA to a decrease depending on your previously-earned letter grade. Transcripts will continue to reflect repeated coursework as they do now. For help with your specific grading scenario, conctact the Office of the Registrar.

     

  • Will a pass or no pass grade affect me if I’m currently on Academic Probation or Academic Suspension?

    A pass or no pass grade has no effect on your GPA. If you are on academic probation, your probation will be extended through the fall semester. You will not fall into academic suspension.

    Academic Probation or Academic Suspension

  • If I take a class as pass/no pass, will it count toward my Excess Credit Hours?

    Yes; the credit hours for that class will count as hours attempted for your degree and toward the state-mandated limit unless you meet any of the exceptions. You can read more about Excess Credit Hours in the Undergraduate Catalog. 

    Excess Credit Hours

     

  • Will I still qualify for the President’s List or Dean’s List if I take classes as pass/no pass?

    It depends. To qualify for the President’s List or Dean’s List you must complete at least 12 credit hours with at least one class that has a letter grade. Your term GPA will then determine if you qualify for the President’s List or Dean’s List. If you take all your classes as pass/no pass, you won’t qualify for the Dean’s List or the President’s List. 

  • If I want to drop a class, will it count toward my six-drop limit?

    No; drops for the Spring 2020 term will not be counted toward your six-drop limit. If you have more detailed questions about your record, contact the Office of the University Registrar.


Undergraduate Degree Requirements 

  • Is a Pass enough to satisfy degree requirements that don’t specify a minimum letter grade (aside from F)?

    Yes; if you earn a pass, that is sufficient to meet degree requirements. 

  • How will this change my Degree Works?

    Your degree requirements in Degree Works won’t change. Email certification@utrgv.edu if you have any other questions. 


Graduate Student Records 

  • Will a pass or no pass grade affect me if I’m on Academic Probation or Academic Suspension?

    At the Graduate level as published in the Graduate Catalog, a grade of “P” = Satisfactory, and P grades are not calculated in grade points or attempted hours therefore a P grade will not change a student’s GPA. However, a grade of F= Fail and is calculated in both attempted hours and in GPA, therefore it will negatively affect GPA. 


Graduate Degree Requirements

  • Is a Pass enough to satisfy my degree requirements?

    • Some graduate level  programs require a minimum letter grade in certain courses, and those types of requirements are often dictated by external accrediting bodies. Also, some national certification/licensing exams require evidence of a particular minimum letter grade or better in order to qualify to take the exam.  
    • Some external accrediting bodies and some exam administrators may waive these minimum grade requirements, others will not. Students must work very closely with their Adviser and the accreditor/exam administrators to determine if a letter grade will be required or not. 


Financial Aid 

  • How will this affect my satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for financial aid?

    Pass/no pass grades will not have an impact on your GPA. Pass/no pass grades will count towards your attempted hours and maximum time frame for financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress. If you opt for pass/no pass grades for your courses and you are already deficient in GPA, you could move from a Warning and/or Appeal status to a Suspension status because your GPA will remain the same.  If you are considering moving from a standard letter grading option to pass/no pass, you should seek guidance from Financial Aid to understand the implications related to your financial aid satisfactory academic progress.  


Other Questions 

  • If I want to drop a class, will it count toward my undergraduate six-drop limit?

    No; drops for the Spring 2020 term will not be counted toward your six-drop limit. If you have more detailed questions about your record, contact the Office of the University Registrar. 

  • What if I submitted a request for a class to be graded pass/no pass, but I want to change my mind?

    You can log back into the Pass/No Pass Selection Portal and cancel your request there during your two designated days for pass/no pass selection. You will see a “cancel” option next to your classes.  After that time, please contact the Office of the University Registrar.

  • What if I didn’t submit a request for a class to be graded pass/no pass, but I want to change my mind?

    You can select to take a class as pass/no pass via the portal until the established deadline:

    • Accelerated Online Program Students:  Tuesday, April 27 at 11:59
    • Spring 2020 Students:  Wednesday, May 13 at 11:59 p.m.

  • Are these changes to the pass/no pass rules permanent?

    No; these changes are for the Spring 2020 semester only due to the widespread impact of COVID-19 on our community. Any updates to these changes will be communicated to students via their UTRGV email. 

  • I am an international student. Will changing my classes to pass/no pass grading impact my visa status?

    As long as you remain enrolled as a full-time student, changing your enrollments to pass/no pass grading basis for the Spring 2020 semester will not impact your status. 

  • What if I have other questions?

    No problem! Send an email to passnopass@utrgv.edu and we'll follow up with you within one business day in most cases. You can also call 888-882-4026.