Grades and Course Credits
University Policy
Metropolitan College Policy
Pass/Fail Grades
Please Note: The Pass/Fail option applies to Metropolitan College undergraduate courses only.
Undergraduate students may elect to take up to two (2) non-concentration courses on a Pass/Fail basis; however, students must obtain approval from their academic counselor and the course instructor. Students must make arrangements for a Pass/Fail grade prior to the first examination or the fifth week of class, whichever comes first. Pass/Fail Approval Forms may be obtained from Metropolitan College Undergraduate Student Services.
At the graduate level, courses taken Pass/Fail cannot be counted toward a graduate degree. Each department reserves the right to make exceptions within reason, as long as the course is not part of the core curriculum.
Honor Points
Honor points are the numerical equivalents assigned to each letter grade. To determine the total honor points for a course, multiply the number of credits earned by the numerical honor point(s) assigned to the grade (e.g., a 4-credit course awarded an A equals 4 credits multiplied by 4 honor points equals 16 total honor points).
Semester Grade Point Index (GPI)
The grade point index for a semester is computed by dividing the total semester honor points earned at Boston University by the total semester credits of those subjects completed, with the following exceptions:
- The grade P (pass with credit) is not computed in the grade point average.
- I (incomplete) grades are not computed in the grade point average until all additional required work is fulfilled and an appropriate letter grade is assigned.
- J (registration in same or continuing course necessary to complete requirements) grades are not computed in the grade point average until the required work in the same or continuing course is completed. At that time, the total credits for the course are computed in the grade point average on the basis of the last grading date.
- Although F (fail, no credit) grades are awarded zero honor points, the number of attempted credits (per failed course/s) is computed into the cumulative grade point average.
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
The four stipulations listed above for the semester GPI also apply to the cumulative grade point average. The cumulative grade point average is attained by dividing the cumulative honor points earned by the cumulative credits of all those courses completed at Boston University, until either an undergraduate or a graduate degree is earned.
Graduate Students
Students matriculating in Metropolitan College graduate degree programs are required to maintain high levels of achievement to remain in good standing in their programs. Please refer to the requirements of each graduate program on this website.
Graduate programs at Metropolitan College use a system of letter grades for evaluating coursework, as shown in the following chart:
| Grade | Explanation |
| A | Pass with credit |
| A– | |
| B+ | |
| B | |
| B– | |
| C+ | Considered failure for all graduate programs at MET, with the exception of those named below |
| C | |
| C- | Considered failure for Computer Science programs, Military programs, and Actuarial Science |
| D | |
| F | |
| I | Incomplete, with additional work required |
| J | Registration in same or continuing course in the following semester necessary |
| AU | Audit, no credit |
| W | Withdrew |
| MG | Missing grade, grade not assigned |
Academic Standards
To graduate, a student must hold a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for all courses attempted. Any student whose cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 is placed on probation. When the student’s overall GPA returns to 3.0 or higher, probation is removed.
Grades of C or lower for most programs, or C– or lower for a few programs, are not considered passing for master’s degree programs.
Graduate students can only retake an individual course once. Both grades will count toward the cumulative GPA. Departments may limit the total number of courses in the degree program that can be retaken. Please check with your department for information about repeating courses.
