Grades and Course Units
University Policy
Metropolitan College Policy
Pass/Fail Grades
Please note: The Pass/Fail option applies to Metropolitan College undergraduate courses only.
To encourage intellectual exploration, Boston University permits undergraduate students to elect up to 8 units of academic coursework on a Pass/Fail basis to satisfy requirements for the bachelor’s degree. Read the policy on Pass/Fail Courses for Undergraduate Students.
At the graduate level, courses taken Pass/Fail cannot be counted toward a graduate degree. Each department reserves the right to make exceptions within reason, as long as the course is not part of the core curriculum.
Honor Points
Honor points are the numerical equivalents assigned to each letter grade. To determine the total honor points for a course, multiply the number of units earned by the numerical honor point(s) assigned to the grade (e.g., a 4-unit course awarded an A equals 4 units multiplied by 4 honor points equals 16 total honor points).
Term Grade Point Index (GPI)
The grade point index for a term is computed by dividing the total term honor points earned at Boston University by the total term units of those subjects completed, with the following exceptions:
- The grade P (pass with units) is not computed in the grade point average.
- I (incomplete) grades are not computed in the grade point average until all additional required work is fulfilled and an appropriate letter grade is assigned.
- J (registration in same or continuing course necessary to complete requirements) grades are not computed in the grade point average until the required work in the same or continuing course is completed. At that time, the total units for the course are computed in the grade point average on the basis of the last grading date.
- For “D” grades, refer to the University Policy on “D” Grades for Undergraduate Students.
- Although F (fail, no units) grades are awarded zero honor points, the number of attempted units (per failed course/s) is computed into the cumulative grade point average.
- For a grade of “MG,” refer to the University Policy on Missing Grades.
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
The six stipulations listed above for the term GPI also apply to the cumulative grade point average. The cumulative grade point average is attained by dividing the cumulative honor points earned by the cumulative units of all those courses completed at Boston University, until either an undergraduate or a graduate degree is earned.
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate programs at Metropolitan College follow the University’s system of letter grades for evaluating coursework.
Graduate Students
Students matriculating in Metropolitan College graduate degree programs are required to maintain high levels of achievement to remain in good standing in their programs. Please refer to the requirements of each graduate program on this website.
Graduate programs at Metropolitan College use a system of letter grades for evaluating coursework, as shown in the following chart:
| Grade | Honor Points | Explanation |
| A | 4.0 | |
| A– | 3.7 | |
| B+ | 3.3 | |
| B | 3.0 | |
| B– | 2.7 | |
| C+ | 2.3 | Considered failure for all graduate programs at MET, with the exception of those named below |
| C | 2.0 | |
| C– | 1.7 | Considered failure for Actuarial Science, Computer Science, and Criminal Justice programs |
| D | 1.0 | |
| F | 0 | |
| I | Incomplete, with additional work required | |
| J | Registration in same or continuing course in the following term necessary | |
| AU | Audit, no units | |
| W | Withdrew | |
| MG | Missing grade, grade not assigned |
Academic Standards for Graduate Students
To graduate, a student must hold a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for all courses attempted. Any student whose cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 is placed on probation. When the student’s overall GPA returns to 3.0 or higher, probation is removed.
Grades of C+ or lower for most programs, or C– or lower for a few programs, are not considered passing for master’s degree programs.
Graduate students can only retake an individual course once. Both grades will count toward the cumulative GPA. Departments may limit the total number of courses in the degree program that can be retaken. Please check with your department for information about repeating courses.
Repeated Courses
Undergraduate Only
For policies related to repeated courses, please review the page Repeated Courses for Undergraduate Students.
Policy on Grade Grievances
Undergraduate
Undergraduate students with questions should review the Policy on Grade Grievances for Undergraduate Students in Boston University Courses.
Graduate
The graduate Policy on Grievances for Students in Graduate-Level Courses at Boston University’s Metropolitan College provides a means for a student to contest a final course grade received in a unit-bearing Metropolitan College graduate course when that grade is alleged by the student to be arbitrary. It is the shared responsibility of the instructor of record (hereinafter referred to as “instructor”), student, department, or program (hereinafter referred to as “department”), and school/college (hereinafter referred to as “MET”) to resolve allegations of arbitrary grading.
A “Boston University Metropolitan College course” is one whose instructor is hired and directly supervised by MET. Grading is the prerogative of the faculty and is based upon a student’s performance against a clearly articulated set of assignments, expectations, and standards.
Arbitrary grades are defined as those:
- assigned to a student on some basis other than performance in the course; or,
- assigned to a student by resorting to unreasonable standards different from those which were applied to other students in that course or section of the course; or,
- assigned to a student on the basis of criteria that are a substantial, unreasonable, and unannounced departure from the instructor’s previously articulated standards.
Issues that do not meet one or more of these criteria of arbitrariness are not appropriate bases for a grade appeal under this policy. Only final course grades may be formally appealed. Grades that are the result of academic misconduct are not appealable. Only grades earned in MET courses, either on campus or online, may be appealed.
All grievances must be made in a timely manner. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as prolonged hospitalization or debilitating illness, or other similar external inhibiting factors, the student must begin the process for contesting the course grade within six weeks of the official posting of the grade.
I. Before filing a formal appeal, a student is urged to resolve a grievance informally by meeting (or conferring) with the instructor responsible for the grading of the course to discuss the student’s concerns.
The student is responsible for bringing copies of all relevant information to the meeting (i.e., course syllabus, assignment sheet, graded work). The student should be prepared to show evidence of arbitrary grading. The instructor is expected to discuss the student’s concerns and to explain the basis for determining the grade.
If the instructor has left the University, is on approved leave, or does not respond to the student after a reasonable effort, the student should contact the chair of the department offering the course, the program director, or another appropriate academic administrator designated by the school/college if the course is part of a non-departmental program or division (hereinafter referred to as the “chair”).
II. If the student and the instructor are unable to arrive at a mutually agreeable solution, the student may file a formal appeal with the chair of the department in which the course was offered.
To begin the process of formal appeal, the student must submit to the chair a written statement that details the basis for the allegation of arbitrary grading, and present adequate evidence that supports the allegation.
Adequate evidence may include, but is not limited to:
- Syllabus for the course
- Assignment sheet outlining requirements and expectations
- Proof that requirements were met at a level necessary to exceed the assigned grade
- Demonstrable examples of clear bias
The chair will review the student’s appeal and any evidence presented, and may discuss the case directly with the student. If the chair finds no evidence of arbitrary grading, the appeal will be dismissed. If the chair determines that there is a valid reason to recommend a grade remedy, he/she should explore the possibility of an immediate resolution that is satisfactory to both the student and the instructor of record.
The chair will provide to the student, in writing, the result of his/her findings (and actions, if any), at the conclusion of the review. If the grievance is successfully resolved at the department chair level, and a grade change has been the result, the chair will file a summary report with the MET Dean’s office.
III. If the student is dissatisfied with the findings of the chair, he/she may appeal (in writing) the chair’s decision to the designated Associate Dean of the College, who will review the appeal and respond to the student in writing with the conclusions reached. If the student is dissatisfied with the decision of the Associate Dean, he/she may appeal this decision (in writing) to the Dean of the College. The decision reached by the Dean is final.
