Pass / No Credit FAQs For Spring 2020 Only
Pass / No Credit FAQs For Spring 2020 Only
Pass / No Credit FAQs For Spring 2020 Only
What is the process for requesting the Pass / No Credit option?
Due to the emergency move to remote learning in spring 2020, Rowan implemented an expanded option for most students (excluding those in DO, MD, or PhD programs) to choose P/NC grades instead of letter grades for their spring 2020 courses. While the ability for students to select this through the Self-Service Banner function ended on June 15, students can continue to elect the P/NC option for their spring 2020 courses by the method listed below. If you previously selected P/NC but wish to revert to the original letter grade, you may submit those requests using the same method. The final date for any changes to spring 2020 grades for P/NC is December 18, 2020. Please be sure to consult with your advisor regarding this issue. Note: This extended process excludes those whose degrees have been conferred, as those academic records become locked at conferral.
To elect the P/NC option, email 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:
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 here.
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 fall semester according to the university’s Grading System Policy. Spring 2020 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.
Will the Pass/No Credit option be available for summer term also?
No. The Pass/No Credit grading option was established for the Spring 2020 semester due to the emergency closing of the campus and conversion to remote/online classes. For Summer 2020, although all classes will be delivered in a remote/online format, this is not an emergency decision and students who do not wish to continue in remote/online classes are not compelled to do so. As such, we will return to normal grading policy. Under normal policy, students may request the approval of a professor to be graded Pass/No Credit subject to restrictions. Information is available on the Registrar’s website.
What is the deadline for requesting the P/NC option?
December 18, 2020
What if I change my mind? Can I change back to a letter grade later?
You may change back to a letter grade up until December 18, 2020 using the same process described in FAQ #1.
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 for Spring 2020 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 June 15, 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 will this impact the academic probation and dismissal process for Spring 2020?
No undergraduate students will be academically dismissed after the Spring 2020 semester. Graduate students should consult with the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies via email at globalstudent@rowan.edu or their program coordinator.
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 Spring 2020 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.