Pass / No Credit FAQs
Pass / No Credit FAQs
Pass / No Credit FAQs
What is the process for requesting the Pass / No Credit option?
- Login to Self-Service Banner, and click on “Optional Pass No Credit Form,” found under the “Student” tab.
- Students must choose P/NC or choose to accept the letter grade for each course.
For Spring 2021 Courses: Students may select the option through Self-Service Banner from May 18 through June 4, 2021.
For Winter 2020-2021 Courses: The deadline to choose P/NC via Self-Service Banner has passed. Please send an email to registrar-records@rowan.edu to submit your request. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
For Fall 2020 Courses: The deadline to choose P/NC via Self-Service Banner has passed. Please send an email to registrar-records@rowan.edu to submit your request. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
For Spring 2020 Courses: The deadline to choose P/NC via Self-Service Banner has passed. Please send an email to registrar-records@rowan.edu to submit your request. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Do graduate courses allow the Pass / No Credit option?
For graduate courses, minimum grades required for a Pass have been determined by the program and are available below:
What is the process for requesting the Pass / No Credit option in the case of an IN?
Instructors will enter the IN (Incomplete) course grade in Banner. Once the missing work is completed and graded by the instructor, the instructor will submit the final course grade to the Registrar’s office. If the student does not complete the work, the IN will turn into a grade of F at the end of the semester according to the university’s Grading System Policy. Students earning an IN will be contacted by the Registrar’s office when the final grade is submitted by the instructor with the opportunity to choose the Pass/No Credit Option for the course within 7 business days of the submission of the final grade.
Do I need to alert the instructor of the course of my intention?
No, students will confirm their intention on the Banner form.
How will P/NC grades impact my GPA?
P/NC grades do not count toward GPA. They neither raise nor lower your GPA.
Who can request the P/NC option?
Undergraduate and graduate students except those who are enrolled in a MD, DO, or PhD degree program can request the P/NC option. Please be aware, however, that in programs leading to certification or licensure, a P grade may not be accepted as verification that the necessary program learning outcomes were attained.
What is the benefit of taking Pass/No Credit? Is this better than a D letter grade?
You should always try to earn a letter grade if you can. Letter grades and/or a minimum GPA may still be required if you want to go to graduate school or pursue professional licensure. If you were unable to devote your full attention and effort to a class and you don’t feel a letter grade represents your academic performance, the Pass (P) grade allows you to earn the credits with no impact on your GPA.
How does the Pass/No Credit option impact financial aid eligibility?
The impact of P/NC grades on Satisfactory Academic Progress is unchanged. P/NC grades do not affect GPA; however, all grades, including the original grade(s) from repeated coursework, are calculated into cumulative GPA. Courses with the NC grade do not count as completed coursework and therefore will affect the PACE element of your Satisfactory Academic Progress. Please see the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy or email financialaid@rowan.edu.
What is the deadline for requesting the P/NC option?
For Spring 2021 Courses: May 18, 2021 through June 4, 2021
For Winter 2020-2021 Courses: January 26, 2021 through February 8, 2021
For Fall 2020 Courses: December 29, 2020 through January 25, 2021
For Spring 2020 Courses: June 15, 2020
What if I change my mind? Can I change back to a letter grade later?
You will not be able to change your selections via Self-Service Banner, however, you may submit a request to change back to a letter grade using the email process outlined below:
Send an email to registrar-records@rowan.edu from your Rowan student email account with this information for each course:
Student Name (Last, First):
Banner ID#:
Spring 2020 Course:
CRN:
TITLE OF COURSE:
SUBJ:
CRSE #:
SECTION:
Earned letter grade:
P/NC choice:
What if I choose a P grade in a prerequisite course with a minimum grade requirement?
The course will fulfill the pre-requisite regardless of any minimum grade requirement. This means that if there is a minimum grade requirement of C- to fulfill the pre-req, the P grade fulfills the minimum grade requirement even if your letter grade was below a C-. However, before taking the next course in the sequence, you are strongly advised to consult with the instructor or your advisor regarding your chances for success in the subsequent course. It may be in your best interests to retake the course even if you earn the P grade.
What if I earn the NC grade in a prerequisite course?
You do not earn credit for the NC grade and will need to retake the pre-requisite course.
What if I am repeating a course to improve an earlier grade?
If your earlier grade in a previous semester was an F, a retake with a grade of P will replace it. A grade of NC will not replace an earlier attempt; the earlier grade (F or otherwise) will remain.
How does a Pass/No Credit affect a student’s GPA in a second attempt?
While NC does not impact a student’s overall GPA, a Pass will positively impact GPA in a repeat scenario by removing the previous poor grade from the calculation.
If a student takes an Incomplete in a course and it isn’t completed by the selection deadline, will they still be able to select the P/NC option?
Yes. Once the instructor submits the earned grade, the student will have the option to select P/NC.
Can students choose a grade option for one course and the Pass/No Credit option for another course?
Yes. Students can choose a grade option for one course and the Pass/No Credit for another course.
Will every student who requests a Pass (P) for a grade be granted that or is there a review process?
There is no review process beyond the eligibility criteria.
How are Pass/No Credit grades viewed by competitive graduate programs such as medical school programs?
You should always try to earn a letter grade if you can. This may be especially important in upper-level science courses or pre-requisites for medical, dental, or professional school.
Will students need to confer with an advisor before deciding whether or not to opt for a Pass/No Credit grade or acknowledge in some way that they have read background information about the implications of their choice?
It is highly recommended that students discuss their decision with their academic advisor. However, students are expected to make informed and carefully considered decisions and are responsible for the implications.
Where there is programmatic accreditation, will Pass/No Credit option allow students to sit for board exams?
You should consult with your academic advisor before making the Pass/No Credit decision.
How will the Pass/No Credit option impact academic honors?
Bearing in mind that neither the Pass (P) or No Credit (NC) have GPA implications, academic honors will be determined as they normally are. Qualifications for academic honors at Commencement are based upon the student's academic average at the end of the first term of the senior year. Students’ transcripts indicate academic honors based upon the cumulative grade point average achieved at the end of the senior year. For further information, please see the Academic Honors Policy.
Will a Pass/No Credit prevent a student from being named to the Dean's List?
Dean’s List for a semester is based on 12 semester hours of letter (A-F) graded classes. This remains unchanged.
What will show on the Rowan transcript if a student decides to take a P grade? Will there be just the P or the P with the letter grade?
Only the grade of P will show on transcripts.
Will there be a record of my earned grade available if I should need it at some point?
Earned grades will remain in the Banner system, if a student should need to report them to a graduate or other institution in the future. Requests for this information can be sent to registrar@rowan.edu.
Will all students who fail a course automatically receive the No Credit designation?
No. Students who fail a course will receive an F on their transcript unless they complete the Pass/No Credit online form to request the No Credit option for that specific course.
If I choose the Pass option will I receive credits that count toward my overall requirement of 120 earned credits?
Yes. If you choose the Pass (P) option you will earn the credits associated with that course.
You must fulfill the minimum requirements for number of credits and GPA for your program. Grades for which you earn NC will not count toward graduation. P grades will, but with no effect on your GPA.