Grading System

The course grading system at Fisk for graduate studies is as follows:

• The grade of “A” indicates work of high quality.
• The grade of “B” indicates good work.
• The grade of “C” indicates unacceptable work.
• The grade of “D” indicates failure in the course.

Plus and minus grades may be attached to letter grades. Grades awarded with a minus (“-”) indicate achievement at the lower limit for that grade; grades awarded with a plus (“+”) indicate achievement at the upper limit for that grade.

The minimum acceptable grade point average in all coursework towards the degree is a "B-” (2.7). Courses completed with grades of C+ (2.3) or below are not counted toward degree requirements, but such grades will be counted in calculating a student’s grade point average. Students may either retake the course for a higher grade to count toward their MA or MS degree, or take another course instead. HOWEVER, since all didactic courses are counted in calculating a student’s GPA, it is important to clarify that an “A” grade in Thesis Research (or in Thesis Preparation) may not be used to offset “C” grades in other graduate courses. The overall GPA of a graduate student must be 3.0 or above to qualify for graduation with the master's degree. For students in the Bridge Program enrolled at Fisk and taking a Vanderbilt course, a B- in that course, the credit can be applied to their MA work but it will not transfer for credit at the PhD level at Vanderbilt. Only a B grade or above will transfer.

The grade of “I” (Incomplete) is given when a student has substantially and satisfactorily completed most of the work in a class, but cannot complete all course requirements within the semester. The student must have achieved an average of “B” or better in work completed for the course to request an “I” grade, and is responsible for assuring that both student and instructor have a clear understanding of the requirements and timeline for completion of the “I” grade. The “I” grade must be removed prior to obtaining permission to defend the Master’s thesis.

Pass-fail registration for graduate students is permitted under certain circumstances:

• Graduate students may take non-required undergraduate courses outside the major field on a pass-fail basis. These courses are not considered in computing grade point average, nor are they counted toward the total hours necessary for graduation. A "pass" grade in such a course indicates work equivalent at least to a letter grade of "B".
• No more than one course per semester may be taken on a pass-fail basis.
• At the time of registration, the student must indicate any course to be taken on a pass-fail basis.
• Students entering courses on a pass-fail basis are held to the same standards of achievement as other students. They are expected to meet recitations, tests, papers, and examinations.
• The Registrar sends each instructor, at the beginning of the semester, a list of students registered on a pass-fail basis in that instructor's classes.
• No student, once registered for pass-fail evaluation in a given course, may subsequently change registration to a letter-grade basis; nor may a student once registered for a letter grade subsequently elect the pass-fail option.