Frequently Asked Questions
-
Is this the same Pass/Fail policy that we had for spring 2020?
No, there are key differences, particularly in the limit of courses that can be requested and the enforcement of specific grades for program requirements and prerequisites. Please read the Interim Pass/Fail Grade Policy to understand the criteria and limitations.
-
If I choose Pass/Fail, do I have to continue to participate in the course, such as completing tests and homework?
You must complete assignments and quizzes/exams as required in your course syllabus. Please consult with your instructor on what needs to be completed to pass the course.
Taking a course for the Pass/Fail grade only means that at the completion of the course鈥攚hen the instructor submits a letter grade for what you earned鈥攖he letter grade will be converted into either a Pass (Y) or a Fail (Z) on your academic transcript. If you stop participating in the course, you could end up earning a Fail (Z) grade even if you had a passing grade at the time you submitted the request for a Pass/Fail grade.
-
Is the Pass/Fail grade the right choice for me?
Before doing anything, please talk to your academic advisor about the consequences of selecting the Pass/Fail grade. We strongly encourage you to keep up with your coursework so that you are making good progress toward graduation. Keeping the letter grade may be a better choice for a multitude of reasons, including transferring to another university, increasing your GPA to graduate, applying to graduate school or becoming eligible to sit for a certification or licensure exam.
However, if you find that you are struggling, then choosing the Pass/Fail grade for a course may be the best option for you. Be aware that many program areas are not allowing students to apply a Pass/Fail grade toward graduation requirements, see the list of program restrictions.
-
How do I request the Pass/Fail grade?
For a summer 2020 course, please contact your advisor, who will submit the request on your behalf. You can find your assigned advisor in FlashLine or through your college page. The finished form will be sent to the Office of the University Registrar, and you will be notified once your request is processed. If you have any questions about your request, contact the Registrar's at regpetition@kent.edu.
For a fall 2020 course, students submit their request through the Student Dashboard on . See instructions on submitting request.
- First day to request: Monday, December 7, 2020
- Last day to request: Thursday, December 24, 2020 (11:59 p.m.)
- Last day to cancel request: Thursday, January 7, 2021 (11:59 p.m.)
Detail information on the process to request for spring 2021 courses to come.
-
When can I request the Pass/Fail grade?
For a summer 2020 course, the deadline for your advisor to submit the Pass/Fail Grade Request Form is 11:59 p.m.on Sunday, November 15, 2020.
For a fall 2020 course, you can start requesting the Pass/Fail grade on Monday, December 7, 2020 through FlashLine. The deadline to submit is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 24, 2020.
Information to come on deadlines and the process to request for spring 2021 courses.
-
How many courses can I request for the Pass/Fail grade?
You have a limit of four courses over the span of summer 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021. For each of those terms, you can request up to two courses, but you cannot request more than four total. Below are examples of how it would look like if you were to meet the four-course limit.
Summer 2020 Fall 2020 Spring 2021 Example 1: 0 courses 2 courses 2 courses Example 2: 1 course 1 course 2 courses Example 3: 1 course 2 courses 1 course Example 4: 2 courses 1 course 1 course Example 5: 2 courses 0 courses 2 courses Example 6: 2 courses 2 courses 0 courses -
Can I request Pass/Fail for 4 courses in one semester and 0 in the others?
No. While you are allowed four total for three terms, you only can request up to two courses for each term.
-
How will the Pass/Fail grade affect my financial aid and/or scholarships?
A course graded as Pass (Y) will count as earned hours for . Scholarship eligibility and renewal requirements are available in FlashLine 鈥 just click on the name of your scholarship under Financial Aid Awards. If you have any questions regarding requirements to continue your financial aid or scholarship, contact the One Stop for Student Services (or the student services department at the campus you attend).
-
What grades equal a 鈥減ass,鈥 and what grades equal a 鈥渇ail鈥?
For undergraduate courses, the D grade and higher will be converted to Pass (Y); and F grades will be converted to Fail (Z).
For graduate courses, the C grade and higher will be converted to Pass (Y); and C-, D+, D and F grades will be converted to Fail (Z).
-
How will the course with the Pass/Fail grade display on my GPS degree audit and on my transcript?
- GPS Degree Audit: The grade your instructor gave you will display next to the Pass (Y) or Fail (Z) grade. For example, if your instructor gave you a B+ grade, it will display as YB+ on your degree audit. Courses with the Fail grade will be listed on the GPS degree audit under 鈥淚nsufficient 鈥 Does not meet requirement.鈥 To find your GPS degree audit, login to FlashLine, select Student > Resources > Advising and GPS, and then select "GPS Audit and Plan."
- Transcript: The grade Y (Pass) or Z (Fail) will display on your transcript for those courses.
Undergraduate Courses Grade that your
instructor submitsGrade that appears
on your transcriptGrade that appears on
your GPS degree auditA Y YA A- Y YA- B+ Y YB+ B Y YB B- Y YB- C+ Y YC+ C Y YC C- Y YC- D+ Y YD+ D Y YD F Z ZF Graduate Courses Grade that your
instructor submitsGrade that appears
on your transcriptGrade that appears on
your GPS degree auditA Y YA A- Y YA- B+ Y YB+ B Y YB B- Y YB- C+ Y YC+ C Y YC C- Z ZC- D+ Z ZD+ D Z ZD F Z ZF -
Can I request the Pass/Fail grade for any course?
Some program areas are not allowing students to apply a Pass/Fail grade toward graduation requirements. If your program/course is not on the list of program restrictions, and you meet the criteria, you may request the Pass/Fail grade.
-
Do I have to change my course to the Pass/Fail grade?
No, we greatly encourage you to continue to take the course with the letter grade and do the best that you can, knowing that you still will be able request the Pass/Fail after you receive your final grade.
-
Can a graduate student request the Pass/Fail grade?
Yes, all students, undergraduate and graduate, may request the Pass/Fail grade as long as you meet the criteria and your program and course are not on the list of program restrictions.
-
Can I request Pass/Fail for a College Credit Plus (CCP) course?
Yes. Per House Bill 404, the chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, in consultation with the superintendent of public instruction for the Ohio Department of Education, is allowing CCP students to select the Pass/Fail grade option if available to all students. This allowance is effective for the 2020-2021 academic year and the 2021-2022 academic year unless additional guidance or statutory requirements are issued. CCP students are strongly encouraged to discuss this option with their school counselors and college advisors as this type of grade may affect grade point average/class rank calculations, future financial aid, athletic eligibility, etc.
-
Can I request the Pass/Fail grade for a course that has been taught online since the start?
Yes, you can request the Pass/Fail grade for an in-person, online or hybrid online/in-person course offered in summer 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021 as long as you meet the criteria and your program and course are not on the list of program restrictions.
-
What courses will I be able to select for the Pass/Fail grade?
Any course is eligible with the following restrictions:
- You are enrolled in the course in summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021.
- You have not withdrawn from the course.
- You have not earned an SF (Stopped Attending-Fail) or NF (Never Attended-Fail) grade.
- You have not requested the AU (Audit) mark for the course.
- Your course is not graded S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory). If you are unsure of your course's grading, you can look it up in the .
- Your course is not on the list of program restrictions.
-
How does the Pass/Fail grade count in my GPA?
Neither the Pass (Y) grade nor the Fail (Z) grade will be calculated into your 黑料网 GPA. Credit hours for the Pass (Y) grade will count in your earned hours.
-
How will the Pass/Fail grade count toward my program?
You receive a Pass (Y) grade in the course:
- The course鈥檚 credit hours are counted in Earned Hours and Hours Towards Degree.
- The course鈥檚 credit hours are not added to GPA hours and are not calculated into Quality points for any GPA (overall, major, minor or certificate).
- Your GPA does not change.
- The grade your instructor gave you will display in your GPS degree audit next to the Pass (Y) grade (e.g., YB+, YB-).
- Your GPS degree audit will show the program requirement as met if you have earned the minimum grade required for the course, see chart below for examples.
You receive a Fail (Z) grade in the course:
- The course鈥檚 credit hours are not counted in Earned Hours and Hours Towards Degree.
- The course鈥檚 credit hours are not added to GPA hours and are not calculated into Quality points for any GPA (overall, major, minor or certificate).
- Your GPA does not change.
- Your GPS degree audit, where applicable, displays the course under 鈥淚nsufficient 鈥 Does not meet requirement.鈥
Please know that some program areas are not allowing students to apply a Pass/Fail grade toward graduation requirements, see the list of program restrictions.
Meeting Grade Requirements with the Pass/Fail Grade
Even if you receive a Pass (Y) grade, your GPS degree audit will use the grade your instructor gave you to apply toward the program requirement. For example, if your program requirement has a specific minimum grade, you still need to earn that minimum grade even if you request the Pass/Fail grade.
Examples on how a course could apply toward a program requirement on the GPS degree audit:
Your program requirement: Your instructor
gave you this
gradeGrade on
your
transcript:Grade on
your GPS
degree audit:Does it count
toward your
requirement?Undergraduate course (min. C grade listed) B Y YB Yes Undergraduate course (min. C grade listed) C- Y YC- No Undergraduate course (no min. grade listed) D Y YD Yes Undergraduate course (no min. grade listed) F Z ZF No Writing-Intensive Course-WIC (min. C grade listed) B+ Y YB+ Yes Writing-Intensive Course-WIC (min. C grade listed) D+ Y YD+ No Graduate course (no min. grade listed) A- Y YA- Yes Graduate course (no min. grade listed) C- Z ZC- No
-
Does the Pass/Fail grade affect my GPA for Latin Honors (e.g., cum laude)?
Neither the Pass (Y) grade nor the Fail (Z) grade will be calculated into your GPA to determine cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude for bachelor鈥檚 degree graduates, or the 鈥渨ith distinction鈥 honor for associate degree graduates.
-
Will a Pass/Fail grade affect my standing for the President鈥檚 List or Dean鈥檚 List?
Pass/Fail courses will not be used in the calculation for the .
Eligibility:
- President's List: 15 credit hours of courses that are all letter graded
- Dean's List: 12 credit hours of courses that are all letter graded
-
Can I request the Pass/Fail grade for my WIC (writing-intensive course)?
Yes, you can request Pass/Fail; however, you still will need to earn a C grade or higher to meet your WIC requirement for graduation. Please know that some program areas are not accepting a Pass grade for the WIC to graduate, see the list of program restrictions.
-
Will the Pass/Fail grade meet the prerequisite for the next course?
Course prerequisites with a specific grade will continue to be enforced for any courses taken Pass/Fail for summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021. Therefore, the grade your instructor gives you for a Pass/Fail course in those terms will be used in prerequisite checking for courses in a future term.
Example 1 for an undergraduate course:
Prerequisite for CMGT 31023 is CMGT 22200 You take CMGT 22200 for the Pass/Fail (Y) grade in summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021.
Your grade in
CMGT 22200Are you able to register
for CMGT 31023?Y-C+ Yes Y-C Yes Y-C- Yes Y-D Yes Z-F No Example 2 for an undergraduate course:
Prerequisite for MATH 12003 is minimum C grade in MATH 12002. You take MATH 12002 for the Pass/Fail (Y) grade in summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021.
Your grade in
MATH 12002Are you able to register
for MATH 12003?Y-C+ Yes Y-C Yes Y-C- No Y-D No Z-F No Example for a graduate course:
Prerequisite for CS 62263 is CS 52202 or MATH 51021. You take CS 52202 for the Pass/Fail (Y) grade in summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021.
Your grade in
CS 52202Are you able to register
for CS 62263?Y-C+ Yes Y-C Yes Z-C- No Z-D No Z-F No -
Will my instructor know that I chose the Pass/Fail grade?
No, course instructors are not made aware, and they will give you a letter grade in the course as is normally done. The letter grade is then converted to either Pass (Y) or Fail (Z) for your GPA and transcript.
-
I received an e-mail that I was approved for Pass/Fail so why am I still seeing my grade in Blackboard/FlashLine?
Your instructor will give letter grades for all students in the course as is normally done. After your final grade is posted, it automatically will be converted to the Pass/Fail grade to be displayed on your transcript. Both the Pass/Fail and your letter grade will display in your GPS degree audit (e.g., YB+, ZF).
-
What are my options if I don鈥檛 want either the letter grade or the Pass/Fail grade?
While we encourage you to stay in the course with a letter grade, please talk to your instructor about your academic performance in the course. We also recommend that you talk to your academic advisor about other options that may be better for your situation.
-
I withdrew from my course; can I now change that W to a Pass/Fail grade?
No, if you have withdrawn from the course, you will not be eligible to request the Pass/Fail grade for the course. Therefore, it is very important that you talk with your instructor and your advisor to choose the best option for your situation, whether that be to stay in the course with the grade, request the Pass/Fail grade or an incomplete, or withdraw from the course.
-
Why was my request for the Pass/Fail grade denied?
Some requests will not be eligible for the Pass/Fail grade. They include:
- You are requesting for a course completed in a term other than summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021.
- You withdrew from the course in the requested term.
- You earned an NF or SF grade in the course.
- You selected the Audit mark rather than a grade for the course.
- Your course has S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) grading.
- You submitted the Pass/Fail grade request after the deadline.
- Your requested course is on the restricted list for your program.
Please contact your advisor if you have any questions about why your request was denied.
-
Can I request the Pass/Fail grade for another semester?
Students always have had the opportunity to request the Pass/Fail grade for undergraduate courses. However, for four terms 鈥 spring 2020, summer 2020, fall 2020, spring 2021 鈥 many of the conditions that limited the grade鈥檚 applicability were waived. Please see the in the University Catalog that governs all terms except the four listed.
-
Can I cancel my request and have my Pass/Fail grade changed back to a letter grade?
If you later decide you want the letter grade on your transcript and in your GPA, you may cancel your request.
You can find the Cancellation of Pass/Fail Request form in FlashLine (Student Dashboard). After your request has been processed, you will receive an email confirmation to your kent.edu account that the Pass/Fail request has been canceled. You can confirm the cancelation by looking at the grade mode next to the course on both the Add/Drop Classes page and the Student Printable Schedule page in FlashLine. If final grades have been entered, you will see the letter grade next to the course in your GPS degree audit the next day.
Last day to cancel your Pass/Fail request for fall 2020 is Thursday, January 7, 2021 (11:59 p.m.).
-
My course has already ended and been graded; can I change that grade to Pass/Fail?
If your course was in session in summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021鈥攁nd you meet the eligibility criteria鈥攜ou may request the Pass/Fail grade as long as you meet the deadline for that term.
-
If I take a course for Pass/Fail and later change my program, can I still use that Pass/Fail course for my new program?
Per the current (item #5), which remains unchanged, you may request an exception from the new program area to use the Pass/Fail course toward the program requirements. You must still meet any grade requirements with the course in the new program.
-
Can I request the Pass/Fail grade for a course that is being graded S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)?
No, courses that are being graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory cannot be changed to Pass/Fail.
-
Can I request the Pass/Fail grade for a course I am repeating? If yes, what grade will be used for my GPA?
Yes, you may request the Pass/Fail grade when repeating a course, and you may repeat a course for which you requested Pass/Fail for the first attempt. Please know that, for undergraduate courses, the Pass grade has the same value as a D grade, although it will not be calculated in your GPA. Therefore, any grade higher than a D will be counted in your GPA, instead of the Pass grade, for repeated courses.
For example, if you failed a course the first time and then earned a Pass grade in the repeat, the F grade is excluded from your GPA. If you earned a C grade the first time and then earned a Pass grade in the repeat, the C grade stays in your GPA.
See the table below for how using the Pass/Fail grade for a repeated undergraduate course will affect your GPA.
Grade in
1st attemptGrade in
2nd attemptWhat grade
counts in GPAC Pass (Y) C C Fail (Z) C C- Pass (Y) C- C- Fail (Z) C- D Pass (Y) D D Fail (Z) D F Pass (Y) Neither F Fail (Z) F Pass (Y) C C Pass (Y) C- C- Pass (Y) D Neither Pass (Y) F Neither Fail (Z) C C Fail (Z) C- C- Fail (Z) D D Fail (Z) F Neither
Don't see your question? Ask it Now.
-
Is this the same Pass/Fail policy that we had for spring 2020?
No, there are key differences, particularly in the limit of courses that can be requested and the enforcement of specific grades for program requirements and prerequisites. Please read the Interim Pass/Fail Grade Policy to understand the criteria and limitations.
-
If I choose Pass/Fail, do I have to continue to participate in the course, such as completing tests and homework?
You must complete assignments and quizzes/exams as required in your course syllabus. Please consult with your instructor on what needs to be completed to pass the course.
Taking a course for the Pass/Fail grade only means that at the completion of the course鈥攚hen the instructor submits a letter grade for what you earned鈥攖he letter grade will be converted into either a Pass (Y) or a Fail (Z) on your academic transcript. If you stop participating in the course, you could end up earning a Fail (Z) grade even if you had a passing grade at the time you submitted the request for a Pass/Fail grade.
-
Is the Pass/Fail grade the right choice for me?
Before doing anything, please talk to your academic advisor about the consequences of selecting the Pass/Fail grade. We strongly encourage you to keep up with your coursework so that you are making good progress toward graduation. Keeping the letter grade may be a better choice for a multitude of reasons, including transferring to another university, increasing your GPA to graduate, applying to graduate school or becoming eligible to sit for a certification or licensure exam.
However, if you find that you are struggling, then choosing the Pass/Fail grade for a course may be the best option for you. Be aware that many program areas are not allowing students to apply a Pass/Fail grade toward graduation requirements, see the list of program restrictions.
-
How do I request the Pass/Fail grade?
For a summer 2020 course, please contact your advisor, who will submit the request on your behalf. You can find your assigned advisor in FlashLine or through your college page. The finished form will be sent to the Office of the University Registrar, and you will be notified once your request is processed. If you have any questions about your request, contact the Registrar's at regpetition@kent.edu.
For a fall 2020 course, students submit their request through the Student Dashboard on . See instructions on submitting request.
- First day to request: Monday, December 7, 2020
- Last day to request: Thursday, December 24, 2020 (11:59 p.m.)
- Last day to cancel request: Thursday, January 7, 2021 (11:59 p.m.)
Detail information on the process to request for spring 2021 courses to come.
-
When can I request the Pass/Fail grade?
For a summer 2020 course, the deadline for your advisor to submit the Pass/Fail Grade Request Form is 11:59 p.m.on Sunday, November 15, 2020.
For a fall 2020 course, you can start requesting the Pass/Fail grade on Monday, December 7, 2020 through FlashLine. The deadline to submit is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 24, 2020.
Information to come on deadlines and the process to request for spring 2021 courses.
-
How many courses can I request for the Pass/Fail grade?
You have a limit of four courses over the span of summer 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021. For each of those terms, you can request up to two courses, but you cannot request more than four total. Below are examples of how it would look like if you were to meet the four-course limit.
Summer 2020 Fall 2020 Spring 2021 Example 1: 0 courses 2 courses 2 courses Example 2: 1 course 1 course 2 courses Example 3: 1 course 2 courses 1 course Example 4: 2 courses 1 course 1 course Example 5: 2 courses 0 courses 2 courses Example 6: 2 courses 2 courses 0 courses -
Can I request Pass/Fail for 4 courses in one semester and 0 in the others?
No. While you are allowed four total for three terms, you only can request up to two courses for each term.
-
How will the Pass/Fail grade affect my financial aid and/or scholarships?
A course graded as Pass (Y) will count as earned hours for . Scholarship eligibility and renewal requirements are available in FlashLine 鈥 just click on the name of your scholarship under Financial Aid Awards. If you have any questions regarding requirements to continue your financial aid or scholarship, contact the One Stop for Student Services (or the student services department at the campus you attend).
-
What grades equal a 鈥減ass,鈥 and what grades equal a 鈥渇ail鈥?
For undergraduate courses, the D grade and higher will be converted to Pass (Y); and F grades will be converted to Fail (Z).
For graduate courses, the C grade and higher will be converted to Pass (Y); and C-, D+, D and F grades will be converted to Fail (Z).
-
How will the course with the Pass/Fail grade display on my GPS degree audit and on my transcript?
- GPS Degree Audit: The grade your instructor gave you will display next to the Pass (Y) or Fail (Z) grade. For example, if your instructor gave you a B+ grade, it will display as YB+ on your degree audit. Courses with the Fail grade will be listed on the GPS degree audit under 鈥淚nsufficient 鈥 Does not meet requirement.鈥 To find your GPS degree audit, login to FlashLine, select Student > Resources > Advising and GPS, and then select "GPS Audit and Plan."
- Transcript: The grade Y (Pass) or Z (Fail) will display on your transcript for those courses.
Undergraduate Courses Grade that your
instructor submitsGrade that appears
on your transcriptGrade that appears on
your GPS degree auditA Y YA A- Y YA- B+ Y YB+ B Y YB B- Y YB- C+ Y YC+ C Y YC C- Y YC- D+ Y YD+ D Y YD F Z ZF Graduate Courses Grade that your
instructor submitsGrade that appears
on your transcriptGrade that appears on
your GPS degree auditA Y YA A- Y YA- B+ Y YB+ B Y YB B- Y YB- C+ Y YC+ C Y YC C- Z ZC- D+ Z ZD+ D Z ZD F Z ZF -
Can I request the Pass/Fail grade for any course?
Some program areas are not allowing students to apply a Pass/Fail grade toward graduation requirements. If your program/course is not on the list of program restrictions, and you meet the criteria, you may request the Pass/Fail grade.
-
Do I have to change my course to the Pass/Fail grade?
No, we greatly encourage you to continue to take the course with the letter grade and do the best that you can, knowing that you still will be able request the Pass/Fail after you receive your final grade.
-
Can a graduate student request the Pass/Fail grade?
Yes, all students, undergraduate and graduate, may request the Pass/Fail grade as long as you meet the criteria and your program and course are not on the list of program restrictions.
-
Can I request Pass/Fail for a College Credit Plus (CCP) course?
Yes. Per House Bill 404, the chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, in consultation with the superintendent of public instruction for the Ohio Department of Education, is allowing CCP students to select the Pass/Fail grade option if available to all students. This allowance is effective for the 2020-2021 academic year and the 2021-2022 academic year unless additional guidance or statutory requirements are issued. CCP students are strongly encouraged to discuss this option with their school counselors and college advisors as this type of grade may affect grade point average/class rank calculations, future financial aid, athletic eligibility, etc.
-
Can I request the Pass/Fail grade for a course that has been taught online since the start?
Yes, you can request the Pass/Fail grade for an in-person, online or hybrid online/in-person course offered in summer 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021 as long as you meet the criteria and your program and course are not on the list of program restrictions.
-
What courses will I be able to select for the Pass/Fail grade?
Any course is eligible with the following restrictions:
- You are enrolled in the course in summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021.
- You have not withdrawn from the course.
- You have not earned an SF (Stopped Attending-Fail) or NF (Never Attended-Fail) grade.
- You have not requested the AU (Audit) mark for the course.
- Your course is not graded S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory). If you are unsure of your course's grading, you can look it up in the .
- Your course is not on the list of program restrictions.
-
How does the Pass/Fail grade count in my GPA?
Neither the Pass (Y) grade nor the Fail (Z) grade will be calculated into your 黑料网 GPA. Credit hours for the Pass (Y) grade will count in your earned hours.
-
How will the Pass/Fail grade count toward my program?
You receive a Pass (Y) grade in the course:
- The course鈥檚 credit hours are counted in Earned Hours and Hours Towards Degree.
- The course鈥檚 credit hours are not added to GPA hours and are not calculated into Quality points for any GPA (overall, major, minor or certificate).
- Your GPA does not change.
- The grade your instructor gave you will display in your GPS degree audit next to the Pass (Y) grade (e.g., YB+, YB-).
- Your GPS degree audit will show the program requirement as met if you have earned the minimum grade required for the course, see chart below for examples.
You receive a Fail (Z) grade in the course:
- The course鈥檚 credit hours are not counted in Earned Hours and Hours Towards Degree.
- The course鈥檚 credit hours are not added to GPA hours and are not calculated into Quality points for any GPA (overall, major, minor or certificate).
- Your GPA does not change.
- Your GPS degree audit, where applicable, displays the course under 鈥淚nsufficient 鈥 Does not meet requirement.鈥
Please know that some program areas are not allowing students to apply a Pass/Fail grade toward graduation requirements, see the list of program restrictions.
Meeting Grade Requirements with the Pass/Fail Grade
Even if you receive a Pass (Y) grade, your GPS degree audit will use the grade your instructor gave you to apply toward the program requirement. For example, if your program requirement has a specific minimum grade, you still need to earn that minimum grade even if you request the Pass/Fail grade.
Examples on how a course could apply toward a program requirement on the GPS degree audit:
Your program requirement: Your instructor
gave you this
gradeGrade on
your
transcript:Grade on
your GPS
degree audit:Does it count
toward your
requirement?Undergraduate course (min. C grade listed) B Y YB Yes Undergraduate course (min. C grade listed) C- Y YC- No Undergraduate course (no min. grade listed) D Y YD Yes Undergraduate course (no min. grade listed) F Z ZF No Writing-Intensive Course-WIC (min. C grade listed) B+ Y YB+ Yes Writing-Intensive Course-WIC (min. C grade listed) D+ Y YD+ No Graduate course (no min. grade listed) A- Y YA- Yes Graduate course (no min. grade listed) C- Z ZC- No
-
Does the Pass/Fail grade affect my GPA for Latin Honors (e.g., cum laude)?
Neither the Pass (Y) grade nor the Fail (Z) grade will be calculated into your GPA to determine cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude for bachelor鈥檚 degree graduates, or the 鈥渨ith distinction鈥 honor for associate degree graduates.
-
Will a Pass/Fail grade affect my standing for the President鈥檚 List or Dean鈥檚 List?
Pass/Fail courses will not be used in the calculation for the .
Eligibility:
- President's List: 15 credit hours of courses that are all letter graded
- Dean's List: 12 credit hours of courses that are all letter graded
-
Can I request the Pass/Fail grade for my WIC (writing-intensive course)?
Yes, you can request Pass/Fail; however, you still will need to earn a C grade or higher to meet your WIC requirement for graduation. Please know that some program areas are not accepting a Pass grade for the WIC to graduate, see the list of program restrictions.
-
Will the Pass/Fail grade meet the prerequisite for the next course?
Course prerequisites with a specific grade will continue to be enforced for any courses taken Pass/Fail for summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021. Therefore, the grade your instructor gives you for a Pass/Fail course in those terms will be used in prerequisite checking for courses in a future term.
Example 1 for an undergraduate course:
Prerequisite for CMGT 31023 is CMGT 22200 You take CMGT 22200 for the Pass/Fail (Y) grade in summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021.
Your grade in
CMGT 22200Are you able to register
for CMGT 31023?Y-C+ Yes Y-C Yes Y-C- Yes Y-D Yes Z-F No Example 2 for an undergraduate course:
Prerequisite for MATH 12003 is minimum C grade in MATH 12002. You take MATH 12002 for the Pass/Fail (Y) grade in summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021.
Your grade in
MATH 12002Are you able to register
for MATH 12003?Y-C+ Yes Y-C Yes Y-C- No Y-D No Z-F No Example for a graduate course:
Prerequisite for CS 62263 is CS 52202 or MATH 51021. You take CS 52202 for the Pass/Fail (Y) grade in summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021.
Your grade in
CS 52202Are you able to register
for CS 62263?Y-C+ Yes Y-C Yes Z-C- No Z-D No Z-F No -
Will my instructor know that I chose the Pass/Fail grade?
No, course instructors are not made aware, and they will give you a letter grade in the course as is normally done. The letter grade is then converted to either Pass (Y) or Fail (Z) for your GPA and transcript.
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I received an e-mail that I was approved for Pass/Fail so why am I still seeing my grade in Blackboard/FlashLine?
Your instructor will give letter grades for all students in the course as is normally done. After your final grade is posted, it automatically will be converted to the Pass/Fail grade to be displayed on your transcript. Both the Pass/Fail and your letter grade will display in your GPS degree audit (e.g., YB+, ZF).
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What are my options if I don鈥檛 want either the letter grade or the Pass/Fail grade?
While we encourage you to stay in the course with a letter grade, please talk to your instructor about your academic performance in the course. We also recommend that you talk to your academic advisor about other options that may be better for your situation.
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I withdrew from my course; can I now change that W to a Pass/Fail grade?
No, if you have withdrawn from the course, you will not be eligible to request the Pass/Fail grade for the course. Therefore, it is very important that you talk with your instructor and your advisor to choose the best option for your situation, whether that be to stay in the course with the grade, request the Pass/Fail grade or an incomplete, or withdraw from the course.
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Why was my request for the Pass/Fail grade denied?
Some requests will not be eligible for the Pass/Fail grade. They include:
- You are requesting for a course completed in a term other than summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021.
- You withdrew from the course in the requested term.
- You earned an NF or SF grade in the course.
- You selected the Audit mark rather than a grade for the course.
- Your course has S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) grading.
- You submitted the Pass/Fail grade request after the deadline.
- Your requested course is on the restricted list for your program.
Please contact your advisor if you have any questions about why your request was denied.
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Can I request the Pass/Fail grade for another semester?
Students always have had the opportunity to request the Pass/Fail grade for undergraduate courses. However, for four terms 鈥 spring 2020, summer 2020, fall 2020, spring 2021 鈥 many of the conditions that limited the grade鈥檚 applicability were waived. Please see the in the University Catalog that governs all terms except the four listed.
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Can I cancel my request and have my Pass/Fail grade changed back to a letter grade?
If you later decide you want the letter grade on your transcript and in your GPA, you may cancel your request.
You can find the Cancellation of Pass/Fail Request form in FlashLine (Student Dashboard). After your request has been processed, you will receive an email confirmation to your kent.edu account that the Pass/Fail request has been canceled. You can confirm the cancelation by looking at the grade mode next to the course on both the Add/Drop Classes page and the Student Printable Schedule page in FlashLine. If final grades have been entered, you will see the letter grade next to the course in your GPS degree audit the next day.
Last day to cancel your Pass/Fail request for fall 2020 is Thursday, January 7, 2021 (11:59 p.m.).
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My course has already ended and been graded; can I change that grade to Pass/Fail?
If your course was in session in summer 2020, fall 2020 or spring 2021鈥攁nd you meet the eligibility criteria鈥攜ou may request the Pass/Fail grade as long as you meet the deadline for that term.
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If I take a course for Pass/Fail and later change my program, can I still use that Pass/Fail course for my new program?
Per the current (item #5), which remains unchanged, you may request an exception from the new program area to use the Pass/Fail course toward the program requirements. You must still meet any grade requirements with the course in the new program.
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Can I request the Pass/Fail grade for a course that is being graded S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)?
No, courses that are being graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory cannot be changed to Pass/Fail.
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Can I request the Pass/Fail grade for a course I am repeating? If yes, what grade will be used for my GPA?
Yes, you may request the Pass/Fail grade when repeating a course, and you may repeat a course for which you requested Pass/Fail for the first attempt. Please know that, for undergraduate courses, the Pass grade has the same value as a D grade, although it will not be calculated in your GPA. Therefore, any grade higher than a D will be counted in your GPA, instead of the Pass grade, for repeated courses.
For example, if you failed a course the first time and then earned a Pass grade in the repeat, the F grade is excluded from your GPA. If you earned a C grade the first time and then earned a Pass grade in the repeat, the C grade stays in your GPA.
See the table below for how using the Pass/Fail grade for a repeated undergraduate course will affect your GPA.
Grade in
1st attemptGrade in
2nd attemptWhat grade
counts in GPAC Pass (Y) C C Fail (Z) C C- Pass (Y) C- C- Fail (Z) C- D Pass (Y) D D Fail (Z) D F Pass (Y) Neither F Fail (Z) F Pass (Y) C C Pass (Y) C- C- Pass (Y) D Neither Pass (Y) F Neither Fail (Z) C C Fail (Z) C- C- Fail (Z) D D Fail (Z) F Neither
View the Pass/Fail Interim Policy
View Programs Not Allowing Pass/Fail
View FAQ on Pass/Fail
Pass/Fail Timelines
Summer 2020 Courses
Students send their request via email to their advisor to submit. (Find Your Advisor)
- First day to request: Friday, October 16, 2020
- Last day to request: Sunday, November 22, 2020 (11:59 p.m.)
Fall 2020 Courses
Students submit their request through the Student Dashboard on .
See instructions on submitting request.
- First day to request: Monday, December 7, 2020
- Last day to request: Thursday, December 24, 2020 (11:59 p.m.)
- Last day to cancel request: Thursday, January 7, 2021 (11:59 p.m.)
Spring 2021 Courses
Students submit their request through the Student Dashboard on .
See instructions on submitting request.
- First day to request: Tuesday, April 20, 2021
- Last day to request: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 (11:59 p.m.)
- Last day to cancel request: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 (11:59 p.m.) *
* If you want to change your two submitted Pass/Fail requests, first cancel the course(s) you no longer want Pass/Fail and then request the new course(s).
View the Pass/Fail Interim Policy
View Programs Not Allowing Pass/Fail
View FAQ on Pass/Fail
Pass/Fail Timelines
Summer 2020 Courses
Students send their request via email to their advisor to submit. (Find Your Advisor)
- First day to request: Friday, October 16, 2020
- Last day to request: Sunday, November 22, 2020 (11:59 p.m.)
Fall 2020 Courses
Students submit their request through the Student Dashboard on .
See instructions on submitting request.
- First day to request: Monday, December 7, 2020
- Last day to request: Thursday, December 24, 2020 (11:59 p.m.)
- Last day to cancel request: Thursday, January 7, 2021 (11:59 p.m.)
Spring 2021 Courses
Students submit their request through the Student Dashboard on .
See instructions on submitting request.
- First day to request: Tuesday, April 20, 2021
- Last day to request: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 (11:59 p.m.)
- Last day to cancel request: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 (11:59 p.m.) *
* If you want to change your two submitted Pass/Fail requests, first cancel the course(s) you no longer want Pass/Fail and then request the new course(s).