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Grading Policies


A student is assigned a final grade for coursework. The table below indicates the index and the numerical values for assigning grade(s) and computing Grade Point Averages (GPA). Grades of A+ through F and W and WU, stand as final evaluations. Assigned grades may not be changed later by completing additional assignments, retesting or auditing a class.

Grade 

Index Value 

Numerical Value 

A+

4.0

97.0-100

A

4.0

93.0-96.9

A-

3.7

90.0-92.9

B+

3.3

87.0-89.9

B

3.0

83.0-86.9

B-

2.7

80.0-82.9

C+

2.3

77.0-79.9

C

2.0

73.0-76.9

C-

1.7

70.0-72.9

D+

1.3

67.0-69.9

D

1.0

60.0-66.9

F, FIN

0.0

0-59

PEN

-

-

AUD, NC, P, R, W, WA, WN and WU

-

-

Students who believe a grade is unfair may file a departmental grade appeal (see "Appeals" in this chapter of the York Graduate Bulletin).

Passing Grades

Passing grades range from A+ to D and P. The C-, D+, D, and P grades are not considered a passing grade in certain programs. Please consult individual program descriptions for details. The P grade does not affect the student's scholastic index.

Failing Grades

Failing grades are F and FIN. These grades are calculated in the student's scholastic index.

Affective September 1, 1990 CUNY Board of Trustees passed a resolution that a student may replace up to 16 credits of F (or FIN, WU) and the student must repeat the course at the same institution of CUNY where the failing grade was originally received. The student must receive a grade of C or above to have the failing grade no longer computed into the GPA.

If a student transfers from one institution of CUNY to another CUNY, the number of failing credits replaced in the previous college(s) will be subtracted from the 16 credits to determine how many failing credits may be replaced during the subsequent enrollment. If a student received two or more F's for the same course and subsequently earns a C or above, the initial F's will be subject to the 16-credit limit, not be included in the student's cumulative GPA, and the total number of credits of F not calculated in the GPA will be charged against the 16-credit limit. All failing grades will be considered in the calculations for any honors.

Computation of Grade Point Average (GPA)

The scholastic index (GPA) is calculated by multiplying the total number of credits earned by the index values of the grades and dividing the sum by the total number of credits attempted, including courses failed. For the purpose of computing academic index neither the credits nor the grades of AUD, NC, R, W, WA, WD, WN, WN (beginning Fall 2021) or P are included, while FIN and WU (received prior to Fall 2021) are counted as a failures and attempted credits. An overall C (2.0) average is required for graduation, in addition to an overall C average in the major discipline for most majors. Please consult individual major program descriptions for details.

Grade

Index Value

Total Credits Earned for Each Letter Grade

Total Quality Points (QP) Earned per Grade

A+

4.0

3

12.0

A

4.0

6

24.0

A-

3.7

6

22.2

B+

3.3

12

39.6

B

3.0

10

30.0

B-

2.7

15

40.5

C+

2.3

8

18.4

C

2.0

15

30.0

C-

1.7

3

5.1

D+

1.3

2

2.6

D

1.0

6

6.0

F, FIN

0.0

3

0.0

TOTAL

89

230.4

Number of credits taken = 89

Division of 230.4 (sum of quality points) by 89 total credits attempted with grades = 2.588 GPA

When calculating GPA, the GPA is not rounded up. The GPA is truncated after the one-thousandth decimal point.

Additional Grades

The following grades are noted on the transcript.

Grade

Description

AUD

A grade assigned when a student or a senior citizen registers for a course(s) just to observe. The course will not count toward any degree or certificate program.

F

Failing grade assigned to a student who failed to meet the requirements for the course

INC

Assigned by instructor in consultation with the student when there is a reasonable expectation that the student can successfully complete the requirements of the course no later than the last day of classes of the following semester

FIN

Failure to complete course work by not resolving an INC grade within the one-year deadline

PEN

PEN grade is a temporary grade assigned to a student when the disposition of the final grade requires further evaluation and is used to facilitate the implementation of the procedures for imposition of sanctions related to academic integrity

W

Withdrew from course(s) without academic penalty. Student participated in an academically related activity at least once

WA

Administrative Withdrawal

WD

Withdrew Drop: Dropped after Financial Aid certification date during the program adjustment period. Student participated in an academic related activity at least once.

WN

Students who never participated in academic related activity

WU

Students who participated at least once in an academically related activity and completely stopped participating, at any time before final exam

Repeated Course(s)

Credit(s) is not granted for repeated course(s) that have been passed. However, grades in repeated course(s) are calculated in the student's index GPA. It should be noted that a student may audit a course as described in the procedure for auditing of course(s) previously indicated.

Dean's List

At the end of each Fall and Spring semester, students with excellent academic records are recognized with the Dean's List notation on their undergraduate transcript. The criteria for inclusion are established as follows:

  • 3.5 GPA

  • Full-time status is defined as 12 graded credits per academic semester in residence

  • A part-time matriculated student (1-11 credits) must earn a term grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.50 in two consecutive terms (Fall followed by Spring, not including Winter) and cannot have a full-time course load (12 credits) for either term. However, the total number of credits combined for the Fall and consecutive Spring term must equal 12 or more credits.

Computation of Dean's List Nominees is based on:

  • The grades of A+ through F

  • Grades of INC, NC and R are calculated as F grades for Dean's List

  • Grades of AUD, PEN, W, WA, WN and WU (beginning Fall 2021) are excluded from calculations

  • Eligibility will be calculated when all grades have been processed by the Office of the Registrar. Should a student receive a grade change after the fact, a retroactive Dean's List recognition will not be awarded.

Note: Dean's List is based on the grade point average (GPA) at the end of each term and will not be adjusted for grade changes.