Grading System

The grading scale used for official grades for all Carey Businses School students-graduate, undergraduate, and non-degree-is listed in the table below. Please note that the grades of D+, D, and D- pertain only to under-graduate coursework. The grade of A+ is not assigned at any level.

Each faculty member assigns grades according to his/her own system. All students must possess acceptable written command of the English language; faculty will consider writing quality when assigning grades and make referrals for those needing improvement in writing skills.

Failure

An F (failure) grade indicates the student's failure to complete satisfactorily the work of the course. If laboratory work is part of a course in which an F is received, both the lecture and laboratory work must be repeated unless the instructor in the course indicates otherwise. If the course is not required for graduation, it need not be repeated; the failing grade, however, remains on the transcript and is calculated into the grade point average.

Withdrawal

The WD (withdrawal) grade signifies an official withdrawal approved by the Office of the Registrar. It is not assigned by the instructor. If you wish to withdraw from a course, you must submit an add/drop form.

Incomplete

An I (incomplete) grade is used when the instructor is not prepared to give a final grade for the course because of some justifiable delay in the student's completion of specific course work. A final grade is submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the instructor after grading the student's completed work, provided it is done within the agreed time frame. In the event that the work is not completed within the agreed time frame and no grade is reported within four weeks after the start of the following semester, a grade of F replaces the I on the student's academic record.

Repeated Courses

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students are permitted to repeat only those courses for which they receive a grade of C- or below. Both grades appear on the academic record; however, only the second grade is used in calculating the grade point average. A maximum of three courses may be repeated, but each course may be repeated only once. Course credit is applied toward degree requirements only once, even if a course is repeated. Repeated courses are indicated with an R on the student's academic record.

Graduate Students

Graduate students are permitted to repeat only one course in which a grade of B- or below is received; the course may be repeated only once. When a course is repeated, both the original and repeated grade appear on the academic record; however, only the second grade is used in calculating the grade point average. Students will receive credit for the course only once. Repeated courses are indicated with an "R" on the academic record. Graduate students should be aware of the following when repeating courses:

If a graduate student on provisional admission status earns a grade of B- or below, the course may not be repeated and the student will not be admitted to the program.
Only one course with a grade of C+, C, or C- will count toward a degree program. Graduate students do not receive credit toward their degree or certificate for courses in which second or third grades of C+, C, or C- are earned.
The number of C and F grades used to determine academic disciplinary actions (probation and dismissal) includes repeated course grades.
Graduate students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) to maintain eligibility for financial aid and to receive approval for graduation.

Grade Point Average

If you began your studies at Johns Hopkins after January 1, 1989, both semester and cumulative grade point averages are noted on your academic record.

To calculate grade point average (GPA):

multiply the number of credits for each course by the quality points (noted on Grading Scale) associated with the grades received in each course
add quality points
add credits
divide quality points by the number of credits

Transcripts, Grade Reports, and Academic Record Requests

Currently enrolled students can access their semester grades and review and update their address information through a Web-based Student Directory at registration.jhu.edu. Students who have questions about this service should contact the Registrar's Office at 410-516-9816.

Students receive grade reports-mailed to their home address-once the faculty member has submitted the grades to the Registrar's Office following the end of the course. This report is not available by telephone or personal inquiry. Students who do not receive grade reports within three to four weeks from the end of the course should call the Registrar's Office at 410-516-9816. Students may also view their grades at registration.jhu.edu.

Students who wish to obtain transcripts of their academic records should access onestop.jhu.edu/registration/transcripts.

Students must request transcripts from previously attended colleges and universities directly from those institutions. Photocopies of transcripts from other domestic educational institutions will not be made available to a student. These documents are submitted specifically for consideration of admission and cannot be made available for any other use. Requests for photocopies of transcripts from international educational institutions, however, will be considered due to the difficulty of obtaining those documents directly.

Note: Transcripts and grades are not issued for a student with an outstanding financial obligation to the university.

Requests to inspect and/or receive copies of documents (other than transcripts from previous institutions) maintained in the academic record of a student may be submitted under the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (commonly known as FERPA), as amended. Each October, the university publishes its policy on family educational rights and privacy in the Johns Hopkins Gazette. Copies of this policy can be found online at www.jhu.edu/news_info/policy/ferpa.html. See section on Privacy Rights of Students. Requests for inspection of academic records must be submitted in writing with an original signature to: Office of the Registrar, Carey Business School, Johns Hopkins University, 6740 Alexander Bell Drive, Suite 110, Columbia, MD 21046.

Faxed requests will not be honored. For further information or questions, contact the Registrar's Office at 410-516-9816.

Grade Appeals

In determining student grades, the Carey Business School relies on the considered academic judgment of its faculty and academic advisers. Mere disagreements with a faculty member are not the basis for a grade appeal.

Student concerns regarding grades should be discussed thoroughly with the faculty member. If the student and faculty member are unable to reach agreement, the student may appeal the faculty member's decision first to the chair of his or her department.

A final appeal may be made to the dean of the Carey Business School, whose decision is final. At each review level, evaluation of grade appeals is limited to three criteria:

whether there was an error in recording the grade
whether the faculty member applied consistent standards in assigning grades
whether the grade was a result of a faculty member's failure to follow standards announced in the syllabus for assigning grades

Students are required to work with their academic adviser when submitting an appeal. The appeal must be in writing, setting forth the specific basis and evidence for the appeal according to the criteria listed above. Grade appeals must be initiated and resolved within one semester after completion of the course in question.

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