Grading for Graduate Students

How Does the Grading System Work for Graduate Students?

The University of Maine uses a letter-grade system ranging from A to F. Faculty members have the option of adding + (no A+) and – grades to the basic letter grades, but such fine distinctions may be inappropriate for many courses. There is no University-wide equivalence between percentage grades and letter grades. Each instructor makes these determinations according to the grading system described in the course syllabus. (University of Maine Registrar)

Please note that excluding grades of I and L, any work submitted in a graduate course that would not carry a grade of C or higher is considered failing and should be assigned a grade of F. (University of Maine Graduate School)

The letter grading system for graduate students is as follows: 

  • A: Excellent work 
  • B: Good work 
  • C: Satisfactory work 
  • F: Failure, with no credit earned 
  • L: Failure for lack of participation, which is appropriate if a student has not participated in at least half of the course 
  • I: Incomplete work, which is a temporary grade that indicates arrangements have been made with the instructor to complete work by a later date 
  • W: Withdrew passing 

I, for “Incomplete.”

This grade means that, in consultation with the student, the instructor has postponed the assignment of a final grade to allow the student to complete specific work not turned in before the end of the semester. Instructors assign the “I” grade only when persuaded that events beyond the student’s control prevented the completion of assigned work on time and when the student has participated in more than 50% of the class. If the incomplete work is not submitted within the time allotted by the faculty member, the grade will automatically be changed to an “F” grade. Students receiving an “I” grade cannot re-register for the same course until the incomplete has been made up or converted to an “F” grade. A student receiving an “I” grade may not make up missed work by sitting in on the course the next time it is taught.

Incomplete grades, unless made up during the period before the degree is awarded, will remain as I’s on the student’s transcript.  Each department offering a course may establish additional requirements for alteration or completion of an incomplete grade.  Official grading policy information for Graduate students is available in the Graduate Catalog at http://gradcatalog.umaine.edu/

L, Failure for lack of participation.

This grade indicates that a student participated in less than 50% of the class, but did not formally withdraw from the course. This grade counts the same as an F.

What Happens if I Receive a Low Grade?

When a student is issued a low grade, the first step in the process is for the student to discuss the concern with the appropriate faculty member. If the grade is not adjusted as a result of this, the following will apply:

The University of Maine Graduate School policy is that any grade below a B- will not be automatically counted for credit toward your degree. 

When a student earns below a B- in a course, the Graduate School of Business (GSB) default is to uphold the Graduate School policy where a student does not earn credit for a grade below a B-. Students may be recommended for dismissal if they have earned multiple grades below a B-, or have earned an L, D, or F. At the time the low grade is earned, the Academic Advisor will reach out to the student to alert them.

Should the student choose to appeal the GSB recommendation to the Graduate School, they should write a letter addressed to the Associate Dean and sent to the Academic Advisor covering:

  • Why the low-grade was earned, including any extenuating circumstances
  • Any supporting documentation (medical notes, Brightspace screenshots, email threads, etc.)
  • Actions the student plans to take in future semesters to do better in future classes

A committee of the Director of the Advising Center, the Associate Dean, and the Academic Advisor will seek additional information from the student’s professor. 

Once all materials are gathered, the low-grade committee will meet and review the student’s appeal. 

A decision will be made and communicated to the student. This recommendation will then go to the Graduate School, which will make a final determination and send the students an official decision via letter.

Even if the appeal is successful, the low grade earned will remain on the transcript and factor into the student’s GPA, per University of Maine Graduate School policy.

What is the Further Appeals Procedure?

If the student wishes to appeal the Graduate School’s official decision, the appeals process is as follows:

  • The student should write to the Dean of the Graduate School outlining the situation and requesting a review.  The Dean of the Graduate School or his/her designee will discuss the situation with the college dean and/or appropriate members of the department or graduate program.  The Dean of the Graduate School or his/her designee will then meet with the student and attempt to resolve the problem. 
  • If this resolution is not satisfactory, the Dean of the Graduate School will refer the appeal to the Executive Committee of the Graduate Board for one final review.  After hearing from the student and the faculty member(s) involved, the Executive Committee will render its decision, which shall be considered binding.  The decision will be communicated to the student in writing by the Dean of the Graduate School. 

(“Academic Appeals Procedure,” University of Maine Graduate School)