Grades and Course Credits
University Policy
The University uses a system of letter grades and grade honor point equivalents for evaluating coursework, as shown in the chart below. Individual schools and colleges, however, may place restrictions on the use of certain grades, such as Pass/Fail. Grades cannot be changed after a student has been made an official graduate.
| Grade | Honor Points | Explanation |
| A | 4 | Excellent |
| A– | 3.7 | |
| B+ | 3.3 | |
| B | 3 | Good |
| B– | 2.7 | |
| C+ | 2.3 | |
| C | 2 | Satisfactory |
| C– | 1.7 | |
| D | 1 | Low pass |
| F | 0 | Fail, no credit |
| P | Not applicable | Pass with credit |
| I | Not applicable | Incomplete; additional work required |
| J | Not applicable | Registration in same or continuing course necessary to complete requirements |
| AU | Not applicable | Audit; no credit |
| W | Not applicable | Withdrew |
| MG | Not applicable | Missing grade; grade not assigned |
Grade point averages are computed by dividing the number of grade honor points earned by the number of credits attempted. The following grade symbols are not given grade honor points, and work recorded with any of these symbols is not used in calculating grade point averages: J, P, W, AU, and MG. I grades are not computed until additional required work is fulfilled and an appropriate letter grade assigned. The grades and credits of all repeated courses are calculated in the GPA. J grades are not computed until the continuing course is completed; at that time, the grade and honor points will apply to both the J-graded and continuing courses.
School of Management Policy
The following variation from the University’s grading symbols has been approved by the School of Management.
Incomplete Grades
An incomplete grade (I) is used only when the student has conferred with the instructor prior to the submission of grades and has acceptable reasons for the incomplete work. The instructor and student must confer with the Undergraduate Program Office regarding the reason for the I grade and the nature of the work to be completed. If the work to be completed is not received by the instructor by the last day of instruction in the following semester, then the I grade is permanently changed to an F grade. All I grades in SMG courses must be resolved before graduation.
H and P Grades
The H and P grades are not approved for any courses applied to the BSBA degree other than SMG SM 411, which is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.
Repeated courses can receive credit toward degree requirements only once. The grade received for a repeated course does not replace the grade for the original course; both grades are computed in the student’s cumulative grade point average.
Cumulative Grade Point Average
A student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) is based only on grades earned while the student is enrolled at Boston University. In the case of an intra-University transfer student, the cumulative average includes grades earned in all Boston University academic courses.
