Policies & Procedures
Grading Policy
Campus Policies
Definition of Grades
Instructors in the School of Library and Information Science use a grading system that includes plus and minus grades as well as straight letters. Numerical equivalents for these grades are as follows and typical for a grade point averge figured on a 4.0 scale.
A = 4.0, A- = 3.7
B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7
D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, D- = 0.7
F = 0.0
Individual faculty members may apply different methods to computate and justify the letter grades awarded. A grade issued by a SLIS instructor for a course project, test, or final grade for the course carries the meaning as described below.
Letter grades have been defined as follows by student and faculty members of the Curriculum Steering Committee and have been approved by the faculty as an aid in evaluation of academic performance. These definitions should assist students by giving them an understanding of the grading standards of the School of Library and Information Science and reflecting the expectation that successful graduate students perform at the grade level of B or higher.
| A (4.0) | Outstanding achievement. Student performance demonstrates full command of the course materials and evinces a high level of originality and/or creativity that far surpasses course expectations. The grade of A+ is not granted in SLIS, except in very exceptional cases. |
| A- (3.7) |
Excellent achievement. Student performance demonstrates thorough knowledge of the course materials and exceeds course expectations by completing all requirements in a superior manner. |
| B+ (3.3) |
Very good work. Student performance demonstrates above-average comprehension of the course materials and exceeds course expectations on all tasks as defined in the course syllabus. |
| B (3.0) | Good work. Student performance meets designated course expectations, demonstrates understanding of the course materials, and performs at an acceptable level. |
| B- (2.7) | Marginal work. Student performance demonstrates incomplete understanding of course materials. |
| C+ (2.3) | Unsatisfactory work and inadequate understanding of course materials. |
| C (2.0) | |
| C- (1.7) | |
| D+ (1.3) | Unacceptable work; course work performed at this level will not count toward the M.L.S. or M.I.S. degree; for the course to count toward the degree, the student must repeat the course with a passing grade. |
| D (1.0) | |
| D- (O.7) | |
| F (0.0) | Failing. Student may continue in program only with permission of the dean. |
Grades are assigned by individual instructors based on a combination of student performance measures developed for each course. Student achievement of course objectives is usually assessed through the use of multiple performance measures. For example, a combination of several of the following assessment methods is common: examinations, class participation, written assignments and exercises, research papers, or term projects. Other methods, depending on course content and objectives, may include in-class small group exercises, oral presentations, field-based projects and field experiences, role-playing, or case study presentation.
No course in which a student receives a grade lower than C (2.0) will be counted toward requirements for any SLIS degree. Effective Fall 2010, any required course on which a grade lower than B- is received must be repeated; an elective course on which a grade lower than B- is earned need not be repeated, but it may be repeated or another course must be taken in its place. Repeating an unacceptable course or taking another in its place does not remove the credit points for that course from a student’s cumulative grade point average. All grades achieved in SLIS courses will be counted in the SLIS and IU GPA. Since a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B) is required for graduation, any grade below B must be balanced by another sufficiently above B to keep the GPA at the 3.0 level.
A “grade” of S for Satisfactory or U for Unsatisfactory is issued for such courses as S401 Computer Based Information Tools and S605 Internship.
Grade of Incomplete (I)
The grade of Incomplete (I) may be used on the final grade report at the discretion of the instructor. The grade I indicates that the student’s work in a course is satisfactory thus far but has not been completed as of the end of the semester.
The grade of Incomplete may be given only when the completed portion of a student’s work in a course is of passing quality, and may be awarded only upon showing hardship to the student that would make it unjust to hold the student to the original time limit for course completion. It is the responsibility of the student who has incurred a grade of Incomplete in any course to fulfill the requirements of that course within a maximum of one calendar year from the date on which the I grade is recorded. An earlier date may be established by the instructor involved based on the individual circumstances of the student and the course involved. After one calendar year, a grade of Incomplete automatically changes to a grade of F on the student’s record.