S-U Grading FAQ

How is an S or U grade determined?

An S grade is equivalent to a C (2.) or better, while a U grade is equivalent to C- or lower (https://catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/academic-regulations/grades-grading-policies/).  Therefore, a student earning the equivalent of a C-, D+, D, D-, or E in a course would earn a U grade in an S-U grading framework.  Regardless of whether a student earned an S or U grade in the course, the grade for that course does not calculate into the GPA.

Is S-U grading the same as Pass/Fail?

No. S-U grading is not equivalent to Pass-Fail grading. If a student earns a U for a class, credit is not granted for that class, and the course will not count toward degree requirements.  UF does not offer Pass-Fail grading, in which a grade of “Pass” would include all grades that are D- and above and a grade of “Fail” would include E grades.

  

What is the S or U grade based on, the UF grade scale or my instructor’s grading?

The grading scheme under S-U does not change, it is based on your instructor's letter grading scheme for the course.

Which courses are not eligible for S-U grading?

Courses that ended before March 9, 2020 are not eligible for S-U grading.  Also 2 courses (SPA4004, SPA4101) offered by PHHP are not eligible because they provide critical foundation for the Master’s program in speech language pathology to ensure students meet standards for clinical certification.  If you are in either one of these courses, please consult with your advisor if you have any questions. 

Why are some courses not eligible for S-U grading?

Faculty are responsible for assessing students’ performance in their courses.  In order to allow faculty to fulfill their responsibility of assessment of their students, the Deans and faculty in each college determined which courses should not be eligible for S-U grading.  Courses deemed ineligible were done so by the faculty and the administration as a result of careful consideration.  

If I am in a course for which I still want to receive a letter grade, what should I do?

To receive a letter grade for the course, do not submit a request to change the grading framework. 

Can I choose a required course to be graded with S-U?

Yes.

Can I choose a prerequisite course, including one in which I need to make better than a C, to be graded with S-U?

Yes.  For this semester only, you may proceed to the next-level course with an S grade. 

Can I earn general education and/or writing credit in a course that is S-U graded this semester? Will I earn credit only with an S grade?

In this Spring 2020 semester only, you can earn general education and writing credit (assuming you also meet the required writing criteria) if you earn an S grade.

Can I choose some courses to be S-U graded and others to be letter graded?

Yes. We do encourage you to think about which courses you have found most difficult to handle in the transition and also how having some courses graded S-U and others letter-graded might appear to someone reviewing your transcript in the future. Your departmental advisors will be best positioned to help you consider best options based on your future intentions.

Can I opt into S-U grading if I am on academic probation?

Yes, you will be allowed to choose S-U grading in this Spring 2020 semester only.  Regardless of whether you choose to have S-U grading for all or selected courses, your probation period will be extended by one semester, unless you earn letter grades sufficient to be removed from your probation status.

Will I need any approval from my instructor, department chair, or dean, like the normal S-U grading change process?

No. Once you hit the “submit” button, your form will be routed directly to the Registrar.

What if I am taking course(s) that require a letter grade for admission to professional or grad schools, to be eligible to sit for a professional exam, etc.?

Please consult information provided at http://undergrad.aa.ufl.edu/for-students/covid-19-and-academic-policies/, by your department via email, web site, etc., and/or your academic advisor and/or faculty before you make a decision.  Opting for S-U grading may indeed have serious negative consequences on your career goals, including but not limited to your admission to graduate or professional schools, as well as your ability to sit for professional exams.

Can I choose to have more than one eligible course graded with S-U?

Yes. If your course is eligible for S-U grading, you may choose more than one eligible course. You may also choose selected eligible courses for S-U grading and leave other eligible courses letter-graded.  You may also select all eligible courses for S-U grading.

If I choose S-U grading for a course, can I return to letter grading at any point during or after the semester?

No. Once you submit your S-U grading change request form, the action cannot be undone. You will not be permitted to change back to letter grades for those courses you’ve requested.

Will an S-U grade be calculated into my GPA?

No.

If I elect to take a course with S-U grading this semester, can I retake the course for a letter grade?

Yes.

If I am on probation, can an S grade help me improve my GPA to have a chance to exit probation?

No, since S-U grades are not calculated into your GPA, they cannot change your probation status. 

Can my probation be extended now since the S-U grading will not help me improve my GPA?

Yes, your probation status will be extended by one semester.

Are S-U courses of the same rigor than letter-graded courses?

Requirements for an S-U are the same as the letter-graded course.  To move forward to subsequent courses, a student must earn a C or better in an S-U-graded course.  Please consult your departmental advisor about specific course expectations under the S-U grading framework. 

Once I switch over to S-U grading in a class, can I stop participating in lectures and completing assignments?

You are advised to continue full participation in the class even if you have opted for S-U grading.  Remember that material learned in this class will likely be critical for you to successfully transition to more advanced classes.  Also remember that the S grade means you scored numerically to an equivalent of C or better, based on your instructor’s grading scale outlined in the course syllabus.  While this eases the pressure of trying to earn an A or B, you still must perform well enough to reach the C mark for the class.  This means that you will still need to be aware of your numerical grades on your assignments, exams, and other graded work. 

I elected the S-U option, and the course is no longer showing up in my degree audit. When will this be corrected?

Spring 2020 courses that were switched to the SU option will be used by the degree audit in the appropriate places prior to the end of the semester.  NOTE: If a grade of U is earned, the course will not be used for your degree program.