Grades and Course Units

University Policy

Questrom School of Business Policy

Undergraduate

The following variations from the University’s grading symbols have been approved by Questrom School of Business.

Incomplete Grades

An incomplete grade (I) is used only when the student must miss the final exam or final assignment due to a family or medical emergency. The student must confer with the instructor prior to the submission of grades and establish acceptable reasons for the incomplete work. The instructor must submit an Incomplete Grade Report to the Questrom Registrar’s Office that includes the reason for the I grade, the nature of the work to be completed, and the deadline for completion (if different from the default deadline). If the work to be completed is not received by the instructor by the last day of instruction in the following term, then the I grade is permanently changed to an F grade. All I grades in Questrom courses must be resolved before graduation.

Grade Grievances

A student who believes their work has not been evaluated fairly in a Questrom course should first consult the faculty member of the course in question. If the student and the instructor are unable to arrive at a mutually agreeable solution, a formal grade grievance may be filed in accordance with University policy.

Pass/Fail Grades

To encourage intellectual exploration, Boston University permits students to elect up to two courses of academic coursework on a P/F basis to satisfy requirements for the bachelor’s degree. In general, students enrolled in the Questrom undergraduate program may complete courses Pass/Fail in the following categories: 1) BU Hub electives, 2) Liberal arts electives, 3) Non-Questrom electives, and 4) Any course taken for free elective units. Students must work with their advisor to ensure they understand the implications of taking a course Pass/Fail. For additional information, please see the Policy on Pass/Fail Courses for Undergraduate Students.

The following courses are only graded on a Pass/Fail basis: QST ES 110, ES 210, ES 215, ES 310, and SM 395.

Repeating Courses

Students repeating a course can receive units toward a degree requirement 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. A student may only attempt to take a course twice. For additional information, please see the Policy on Repeated Courses for Undergraduate Students.

D Grades

Students must successfully have earned a minimum grade of C in four of the following courses, and no less than C– in the fifth course, in order to apply these courses toward their BSBA major and advance into 300-level Questrom courses:

  • CAS MA 121 or MA 123 (4 units)
  • QST AC 221 (4 units)
  • QST SM 131 (4 units)
  • CAS EC 101 (4 units)
  • BU Hub First-Year Writing Seminar (4 units)

For all other Questrom courses and specifically required non-Questrom courses such as CAS EC 102 applied toward the major, including courses toward any declared concentration, students must earn a grade of C– or higher.

For the remainder of their coursework, students follow the University policy on D grades.

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. The cumulative average includes grades earned in all Boston University academic courses.

Graduate

Most unit courses at Questrom School of Business are graded on a letter scale according to the following criteria:

Level

Grade

Honor Points per Unit

Superior Performance A 4.0
A– 3.7
B+ 3.3
B 3.0
B– 2.7
C+ 2.3
C 2.0
Lowest Grade Acceptable for Units C– 1.7
Failing Grade F 0.0

*Note: D grades do not exist at the graduate level. A student who earns below a C– in a course will be awarded an F.

Master of Science in Management (MiM) Grading: Given the unique program design, student grading categories are Pass and Fail. The strong peer-to-peer and challenge-focused learning process requires the full engagement of students and faculty in the learning process, so a Pass/Fail approach is both necessary and appropriate.

Policy on Grade Grievances for Graduate Students in Boston University Questrom School of Business

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.

All grievances must be made within the following time frame. Grievances filed outside applicable time deadlines are waived and will not be considered. The student must contest the course grade in writing to the instructor within three weeks of its official posting and (if necessary) to the Department Chair within six weeks of the official posting.

The student should make a good faith effort to resolve the grievance directly with the instructor responsible for the course’s grading. The student should request to meet with the professor (either virtually or in person). The student is responsible for bringing copies of the following information to the meeting: course syllabus, assignment sheet, and 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. The meeting must occur within six weeks of the official posting of the grade and ideally, within three weeks. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor as soon as possible after the grade is posted.

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 Department Chair or Faculty Director.

If the student and the instructor are unable to arrive at a mutually agreeable solution, the student may file a formal appeal with the Department Chair (or, if the Department Chair assigned the grade, with the Faculty Director). This appeal must be made within six weeks of the official posting of the grade or will be considered waived. To begin a formal appeal, the student must submit a written statement detailing the basis for the allegation of arbitrary grading pursuant to the above standard and present adequate evidence supporting it.

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 Department Chair (or, if the Department Chair assigned the grade, the Faculty Director) may issue a determination based on the student’s submission.

The Department Chair (or, to the extent that the Department Chair assigned the grade, the Faculty Director), in their sole discretion, may convene a meeting (either virtual or in person) with the student and faculty member to discuss the evidence presented by the student and the faculty’s response.

If the Department Chair (or Faculty Director) finds no evidence of arbitrary grading, the appeal will be dismissed. The student may appeal that dismissal within 10 calendar days to the Senior Associate Dean of Programs. To appeal, the student may submit the written statement and any evidence provided by the Department Chair. No new materials may be considered. The Senior Associate Dean will review the Department Chair’s decision to confirm that it complies with the standard laid out in this policy. The Senior Associate Dean will not consider new facts or evidence or review the dispute de novo.

Appeals filed outside of the 10-calendar-day window are waived and will not be considered. The Senior Associate Dean of Programs will inform the student of their decision in writing. The decision of the Senior Associate Dean is final.

A formal appeal may not result in a grade lower than the grade being appealed.

All formal grade grievances must be settled as promptly as possible and no later than seven weeks of the filing of the formal appeal to the chair.

Students must abide by the final disposition of the grievance (including any waivers of the right to contest a grade or the right to appeal) and may not seek review of the matter under any other procedure within the University.

Every effort should be made to avoid conflicts of interest.

This policy respects the confidentiality of students and instructors and holds all parties in any dispute responsible for upholding confidentiality.

Incomplete: I

A grade of I indicates that course requirements, such as a final exam or written coursework, have not been completed by the end of the term. An I grade is given at the instructor’s discretion. The instructor must submit an Incomplete Grade Report to the Questrom Registrar’s office that includes the reason for the I grade, the nature of the work to be completed, and the deadline for completion (if different from the default deadline). The student must arrange with the instructor to complete the remaining requirements no later than the end of the following term by completing an Incomplete contract with the instructor. When the work is completed, the instructor will determine the final grade. Note that cohorted students who receive an I in a core class (excluding MG 730) cannot continue to be cohorted the following term, unless the I is resolved before the start of the next term.

If work is not completed and a final grade is not submitted within one full academic term of when the I was issued, the I will be converted into an F grade. In extenuating circumstances, a student may petition for an extension of the time limit to complete the work. The instructor who gave the I grade must endorse the written petition, which must then be submitted to the MBA Center or Specialty Master’s & PhD Center, as appropriate.

An I grade has no honor points; therefore, it is not calculated into the cumulative GPA (CGPA). When the professor reassigns the grade once the student completes the work, or when the registrar converts the I to an F following the procedures outlined above, the grade for the course is then included in the calculation of the GPA. Students may not graduate with an I grade on their transcript for courses counting toward their degree requirements.

Incomplete Grades for Residential MBA Students

A grade of “I” indicates that course requirements, such as a final exam or written coursework, have not been completed by the end of the term. Please note:

  1. Students are expected to complete their coursework by assigned deadlines and by the completion of the course.
  2. An “I” grade is rarely given and only to be extended by the instructor for unanticipated and exceptional circumstances. An “I” grade is given at the instructor’s discretion. Students may neither elect nor expect to receive an “I” grade.
  3. Students who, for whatever reason, miss more than 1/3 of the sessions for a class are not eligible to receive an “I” grade. They must withdraw from the course and will receive a “W” grade or a Failing grade, subject to Bulletin policies and MBA Handbook guidelines.

To receive an “I” grade, prior to the instructor’s deadline for submitting grades:

  1. The student must have conferred with the instructor and offered acceptable reasons for the incomplete work.
  2. The instructor must submit the Questrom Incomplete Grade Report indicating the nature of the work outstanding and a date by which all course requirements must be completed, which will be sent to the MBA PDC Academic Affairs Committee, to the Questrom Registrar’s Office, and to the student.
  3. At the instructor’s discretion, the deadline for completion of work may be set at any time up to and including the first day of the following term (not including summer term). The instructor may also indicate the grade that will be awarded for the course in the event that the outstanding work is not completed by that deadline.
  4. Any requests for an extension of deadline beyond the first day of the following term must be made via petition to the MBA PDC Academic Affairs Committee two weeks prior to the start of the term (“Petition for Extension”).
  • Petitions for Extension that are submitted less than two weeks prior to the start of the term will not be considered.
  • A Petition for Extension must be endorsed by the instructor who awarded the “I” grade. Petitions for Extension that are submitted without an instructor endorsement will not be considered.
  • In determining whether to grant a Petition for Extension, the MBA PDC Academic Affairs Committee may consider the student’s overall performance and conduct in the program, whether the student has received “I” grades in any other classes, how the continuation of work from prior terms may impact the student’s ability to complete required work in their upcoming enrolled courses and/or how the allowance of additional time to resolve work related to the incomplete(s) may affect the student’s ability to remain on pace to complete their degree.
  • Granting a Petition for Extension is within the sole discretion of the MBA PDC Academic Affairs Committee. However, under no circumstances may the deadline for completing work related to an outstanding “I” grade be extended beyond the last day of the following term.
  • The MBA PDC Academic Affairs Committee will notify the Questrom Registrar’s Office of any extensions granted.
  1. Incomplete grades must be resolved within the time period allowed by the Incomplete Grade Report Form (or any Petition for Extension granted by the Academic Affairs Committee). When the work is completed, the instructor will determine the final grade. Incomplete grades not resolved by such date will be converted to the final grade indicated on the Incomplete Grade Report Form, or F if no grade is indicated.

Please note:

  1. Being on a Leave of Absence does not extend the time frame for completing outstanding work.
  2. Absent an exemption from the MBA Academic Affairs Committee, Full-Time MBA students who receive an “I” in Module One or Module Two cannot continue to the spring term unless the “I” is resolved before the start of the spring term.
  3. Students with “I” grades in core courses, excluding Executive Skills courses, are not eligible to be inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the national business honor society.
  4. An “I” grade has no honor points; therefore, it is not calculated into the cumulative GPA (CGPA).
  5. When the instructor reassigns the grade once the student completes the work, or when the Questrom Registrar’s Office converts the “I” to the grade designated or an “F” following the procedures outlined above, the grade for the course is then included in the calculation of the CGPA.
  6. Students may not graduate with an “I” grade on their transcript for courses counting toward their degree requirements.
  7. Any student who receives three or more “I” grades will be referred to the MBA PDC Academic Affairs Committee by the Questrom Registrar upon receipt of their third “I.” The Academic Affairs Committee of the MBA PDC will consider whether the student is reasonably likely to be able to complete the program in accordance with its requirements. To the extent that the student is struggling with circumstances outside the program, the Academic Affairs Committee may recommend or require a leave of absence, reduced load of courses, or other appropriate measures.
Course Withdrawal: W

A grade of W in a course indicates that the course was dropped after the term deadline to drop a class without a W. A student who withdraws from a course forfeits the right to complete the course in that term and to receive a grade. Please note that full-time MBA students who receive a W in Module One or Module Two cannot continue to spring term unless the W is resolved before the start of the spring term. Students are charged full tuition for W grades, and the W appears on the student transcript.

Course Failure: F

A grade of F indicates failure to pass the course. A student who earns a grade of F in a core course (including Executive Skills classes) must repeat that course with a passing grade. In order to meet unit requirements for graduation, a student who earns a grade of F in an elective course must subsequently repeat that course or take another elective and earn a passing grade. When a course is repeated, both the F and the subsequent grade remain on the student’s permanent record, and both grades are included in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Please note that full-time MBA students who receive an F in Module One or Module Two cannot continue to spring term unless the F is resolved before the start of the spring term.

Retaking Courses

MBA and MBA+MSDT students cannot retake a Questrom course that has been successfully completed in order to improve their grade performance and/or CGPA. MBA and MBA+MSDT students also cannot audit a class first and then retake it for units. Courses in which a grade of F or W have been received can be retaken because F and W grades cannot be used to satisfy MBA or MSDT degree requirements. MBA and MBA+MSDT students can also retake non-Questrom graduate electives at Boston University in which they have received a grade below B because only non-Questrom electives with grades of B or higher can be used to satisfy MBA or MSDT degree requirements.

Grading Guidelines

Questrom School of Business has the following school-wide voluntary grading guidelines for MBA core courses:

  • No more than 40% of the grades in a given MBA required course should be in the A or A– range.
  • Grades in the C+, C, or C– range are legitimate passing grades, and they should be used in the case of very low performing students.

Questrom School of Business has the following school-wide voluntary grading guideline for MBA electives:

  • No more than 50% of the grades in a given MBA elective course should be in the A or A– range.

The MS in Business Analytics Program follows the following voluntary grading guidelines:

  • In each graded course, no more than 50% of the grades will be A or A–.

An instructor can award fewer A/A– grades based on the subject matter and student performance in the course.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)

All graded graduate-level courses taken at Boston University Questrom School of Business to fulfill the MBA or MSDT requirements are included in the computation of the CGPA. Grades are computed on a 4.00 scale. The grade of Pass does not count toward the GPA, but the grade of F does count in the GPA. Coursework taken outside Boston University Questrom School of Business will not be calculated into the student’s CGPA. If a student drops from the MSDT portion of the dual degree program, all MSDT courses taken would count toward the student’s MBA CGPA.

Calculating CGPA for single and dual degree MBA students (excluding MBA + MSDT)

Dual degree students (excluding MBA + MSDT) will have cumulative grade point averages calculated separately for each degree. MBA + MSDT students will have one combined CGPA, which includes all Questrom coursework. In order to calculate CGPA, divide the number of grade points earned in Questrom courses by the number of Questrom units attempted (do not include W or P grades). The grades and units of all repeated courses are calculated in the GPA. The following grade symbols are not given honor points, and work recorded with any of these symbols is not used in the calculation of grade point averages: AU, P, W and MG. I grades are not computed until all required work is completed and an appropriate letter grade assigned.

(Honor points for grade) x (units in course) = Honor Points in Course

(Total honor points from all Questrom courses) ÷ (total Questrom units attempted) = Cumulative GPA

Grade Verification

Federal law prohibits staff members from giving grades over the phone. Students may receive an unofficial or official copy of their grades/transcript by logging on to the MyBU Student Portal.