Grades and Grade Point Averages

Grading regulations cover Loyola’s grading policy, including grade-point-average (GPA) calculations used to determine both distinctions to recognize excellence and penalties for students who do not maintain appropriate grades. Grade appeals and academic grievance procedures can be found in this section.

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Academic Actions - Undergraduate Students (UG)

Undergraduate - Probation, Suspension and Dismissal

At the end of each semester, students will be notified by their associate dean of any academic actions.

An undergraduate student whose Loyola cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below 2.0 will be automatically placed on academic probation. In the subsequent semester, the student will be required to make substantial progress toward a Loyola cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

Substantial progress is defined as removal of at least one-half of the existing quality point deficiency, with the remainder of the deficiency to be removed in the following term. Failure to make substantial progress during the probationary period may result in the student’s suspension or dismissal. For more information about substantial progress requirements, students should schedule an appointment with the associate dean. 

A student is removed from probation upon achieving a Loyola cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and upon fulfilling any other probation conditions required by the college. 

All decisions regarding suspension are made on an individual basis. Suspension results from the student's inability to make substantial academic progress while on academic probation. Academic suspension may be appealed in writing to the associate dean. This appeal must be received in writing with supporting documentation within 10 business days from the date of the suspension communication. A decision will be made within 7 days.

Readmission to the University Following Academic Suspension

Students wishing to return to the university after a period of academic suspension must re-apply for admission through the Office of Admissions. Readmission is not automatic and will be determined by an admissions committee consisting of members of the Offices of Admission, Scholarships and Financial Aid, and the Associate Dean of the College in which the student was most recently enrolled.  Please see the Office of Admissions application process for re-admit students.  

Upon readmission to the University, the admissions committee will provide the student with a clear accounting of his/her financial aid status. Note: Applications for re-admission will not be considered for any student with an outstanding financial obligation due to the university or for any student who has an active Finance, Financial Aid, Admissions, Student Affairs, or Student Records registration hold on his/her record.

All students previously suspended who have been granted readmission will be re-admitted provisionally. Students will be required to maintain substantial academic progress as established by the admissions committee upon readmission. The admissions committee may apply additional stipulations to a student’s readmission depending on the specific circumstances of their case. Failure to meet these requirements and/or stipulations will result in the student being dismissed from the University.

Coursework Taken Elsewhere During Academic Suspension

Students who have been suspended may take up to 3 courses at another accredited institution with approval from their associate dean prior to taking courses elsewhere. Note: pre-approval to take coursework elsewhere does not guarantee re-admission to the University.

If the student is re-admitted to the University, course credits will be considered for transfer provided the courses have a Loyola equivalent and that the courses are eligible for transfers as per University policy. See Transfer of Coursework policy.

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Academic Actions - Graduate Students (GR)

Probation, Suspension and Dismissal

In order to remain in good academic standing, a graduate student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

A graduate student whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be automatically placed on academic probation. In the subsequent semester, the student will be required to improve their cumulative GPA to a 3.0 or higher. Fialure to return the student's GPA to 3.0 or higher in the semester following their initial probation placement may result in the student's supsension or dismissal. If a student is not suspended or dismissed after failing to improve their GPA to 3.0 or higher, they will be placed on continued probation for one additional semester.

A student is removed from probation upon achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. All decisions regarding suspension, dismissal, or continuation of probation are made on an individual basis. The final decision to allow a student to continue in a graduate program rests with the associate dean and/or program director. 

Academic suspension may be appealed in writing to the associate dean. This appeal must be received in writing with supporting documentation within 10 business days fromt he date of the suspension notice. A decision will be made by the associate dean's office within 7 days. 

Individual graduate programs may have specific grade requirements that also trigger academic actions. Students should consult their individual program bulletin pages and handbook to view those additional requirements. 

 

Academic Amnesty 

The Academic Amnesty Policy is designed to benefit undergraduate students who are currently enrolled at Loyola University New Orleans to complete their undergraduate degree. Their grade point average or major grade point average must be below 2.000 to qualify for Academic Amnesty.

This policy will allow students to repeat a maximum of 3 courses (up to 12 hours) in which a grade of “C-“ or below was received.

Upon completion of all degree requirements and petitioning to graduate, students must submit the Academic Amnesty Request Form to the associate dean of their College for approval. If approved, the associate dean will notify the Director of Student Records. The effect of the previous repeated courses will be removed from the student’s record (will not average into the student’s grade point average and/or major grade point average).

Academic Amnesty Request Forms are available in the Office of Student Records or the associate dean of the student's college. 

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Academic Career

Students may have an undergraduate, graduate, professional (law), doctoral (nursing practice) and continuing education career at Loyola University. Each career has its own GPA. 

 

Academic Forgiveness

The Academic Forgiveness Policy is designed to benefit students who are returning to the university to continue pursue an initial undergraduate degree at Loyola University New Orleans after an extended absence of no less than two academic years at any college or university and whose cumulative GPA when they were last enrolled was less than a 2.0.

Students may request Academic Forgiveness at the time of readmission. The Office of Admission or Office of Professional and Continuing Studies will seek approval from the associate dean of the college that the student is seeking admission. If approved, the associate dean will notify the Director of Student Records and the academic record will be adjusted.

  • Grades of “A” through “C” will be changed to a grade of “Pass”.*
  • Grades of “C-“ through “F” will have the effect of the grade removed.
  • All previously recorded grades will remain on the academic record and the record will be noted with Academic Forgiveness granted.
  • Students may use Academic Forgiveness only once.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 60 semester hours at Loyola to be considered for Latin distinctions at the time of graduation.

It is the responsibility fo the student to contact the Financial Aid office to determine if any aid would be available upon their return. 

*Updated August 2017 to include grades of C.

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Academic Grievance Procedure

Coverage

A greivance is a complaint made in writing to an administrative officer of the University concerning an academic decision made by a person or group of persons acting in an official University capacity that directly and adversely affects the student. The purpose of a grievance procedures is to obtain an independent review of the allegedly improper academic decision. 

  • Any Loyola undergraduate or graduate student is entitled to file an academic grievance. This procedure does not include grade appeals, or matters of discrimination or harassment, which are addressed by separate procedures.
  • This grievance procedure applies only in those cases involving a perceived academic impropriety arising from a decision taken by: (1) an individual instructor or researcher; (2) a school, department, or program; (3) a committee charged to administer academic policies of a particular school, department, or program; or (4) the University Director of Registration Services, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the University Senate, or any committee or subcommittee charged to administer the academic policies of Loyola University New Orleans.

Grievance and Appeal Procedures

Informal Attempts at Resolution: the student first should discuss the matter with the individual most directly responsible for the decision in question.

The Filing of the Grievance:

  1. If informal means of resolution prove unsatisfactory, the student should thereafter set forth in writing a statement of the decision that constitutes the subject matter of the dispute, the grounds on which it is being challenged, and the reasons why the grievant believes that the decision was improperly taken. The statement should also include a description of the remedy sought and the informal efforts taken to date to resolve the matter.
  2. The grievance document should be submitted to the dean of the school in which the grievance arose. If the grievance is related to the Honors Program or to any other academic unit reporting directly to the Office of the Provost, the grievance should be submitted directly to the aforesaid office. If the dean of the school is a subject of the grievance, the grievance should be submitted directly to the Office of the Provost. A grievance must be filed within 30 days of the end of the academic semester in which the adverse decision occurred or should reasonably have been discovered. Except in extraordinary circumstances, delay in filing a grievance will constitute grounds for rejection of the grievance.
  3. A grievance must be filed within 30 days of the end of the academic semester in which the adverse decision occurred or should reasonably have been discovered. Except in extraordinary circumstances, delay in filing a grievance will constitute grounds for rejection of the grievance. 

The Response to the Grievance:

  1. The relevant dean will consider the grievance, and attempt to resolve the matter.
  2. The dean may also refer the grievance, or any issue therein, to any person appointed by the dean who can consider the matter and report to the dean as the latter directs. The dean will inform the grievant (and the party against whose decision the grievance has been filed) in writing of any referral of the matter and will specify the matters referred, the directions to the person or persons to whom the referral is made, the name of that person, and contact information.
  3. In undertaking the review, the dean or the grievance officer may request a response to the issues raised in the grievance from any individuals believed to have information considered relevant, including faculty, staff, and students.
  4. The dean will decide the grievance, and will notify the grievant (and the party against whose decision the grievance has been filed) in writing of the disposition made of the grievance and the grounds for the disposition at the earliest practicable date after his or her receipt of the grievance.
  5. Normally, no more than 60 days should elapse between the filing of a grievance and the disposition by the dean. If, because of absence of key persons from the campus or other circumstances or exigencies (including those due to breaks in the academic calendar), the dean decides that disposition on that schedule is not possible, he or she shall inform the grievant (and the party against whose decision the grievance has been filed) of that in writing, giving the grounds therefore and an estimate of when a disposition can be expected. During summers and the winter closure, this time frame will nearly always be extended.

The Filing of an Appeal:

  1. If the grievant is dissatisfied with the disposition of the grievance at the decanal level, either on substantive or on procedural grounds, she or he may appeal in writing to the Provost.
  2. The appeal must contain the following:
    1. A copy of the original grievance and any other documents submitted by the grievant in connection therewith.
    2. A copy of the determination made by the dean on that grievance.
    3. A statement of why the reasons for the determination of the dean are not satisfactory to the grievant. This statement should specifically address the matters set forth below in the Standards for Review.
  3. The grievant will file her or his appeal at the earliest practicable date after the grievant's receipt of the determination by the dean. Normally, no more than 30 days should elapse between the transmittal of the dean's decision on the grievance and the filing of the appeal.

The Response to the Appeal:

  1. The Provost may refer the appeal to any person who can consider the matter and report to the Provost as the latter directs. In conducting the investigation, confidentiality will be maintained to the greatest extent possible.
  2. The Provost will inform the grievant (and the party against whose decision the grievance has been filed) in writing of any referral of the matter and will specify the matters referred, the directions to the person to whom the referral is made (including the time frame within which the person is to report back to the Provost), the name of that person, and contact information.
  3. The Provost will decide the appeal, and will notify the grievant (and the party against whose decision the grievance has been filed) in writing of the disposition made of the grievance and the grounds for the disposition at the earliest practicable date after his or her receipt of the appeal. The decision of the Provost shall be final, unless the grievant requests a further appeal to the President, and the President agrees to entertain this further appeal.
  4. Normally no more than 45 days should elapse between the filing of the appeal and the disposition by the Provost. If, because of absence of key persons from the campus or other circumstances or exigencies (including those due to breaks in the academic calendar), the Provost judges that disposition on that schedule is not possible, he or she will inform the grievant (and the party against whose decision the grievance has been filed) of the fact in writing, giving the grounds therefore and an estimate of when a disposition can be expected. During summers and the winter closure, this time frame will nearly always be extended.

The Request to the President: If the student is dissatisfied with the disposition of the appeal by the Provost, he or she may write to the President of the University giving reasons why he or she believes the grievance result to be wrong. No more than 30 days should elapse between the transmittal of the Provost's disposition and the written statement to the President urging further appeal. In any case, the President may agree or decline to entertain this further appeal. If the President declines to entertain the further appeal, the decision of the Provost is final. If the President decides to entertain the further appeal, he or she will follow the general procedures set forth in Section "Response to the Appeal" above, and the decision of the President will be final.

Grievance Determination

For a grievance concerning a decision of the University Director of Registration Services, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the University Senate, or any committee or subcommittee charged to administer the academic policies of Loyola University New Orleans the grievant will file his or her grievance with the Provost, rather than with the dean, and the Provost will handle that grievance in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section "Response to the Grievance" above.

There is no appeal of the Provost's disposition of that grievance except as specified by "Request to the President" as itemized above. 

Standards for Review and Procedural Matters

The review of grievances or appeals will usually be limited to the following considerations:

  • Were the pertinent policies properly followed?
  • Were the proper facts and criteria brought to bear on the decision? Were improper or extraneous facts or criteria brought to bear that substantially affected the decision to the detriment of the grievant?
  • Were there any procedural irregularities that substantially affected the outcome of the matter to the detriment of the grievant?
  • Given the proper facts, criteria, and procedures, was the decision one which a person in the position of the decision maker might reasonably have made?

The time frames set forth herein are guidelines. They may be extended by the relevant administrative officer in his or her discretion for good cause.

Questions concerning the filing and appeal of grievances should be directed to the Office of the Provost. The Provost will designate someone within her or his Office to provide the inquiring party with proper direction.

Privacy Violations

Students who feel that their privacy has been violated, should review Loyola's Privacy, Student Records, and Student Rights Regulations which include instructions on procedures to file a student complaint.

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Attendance

Each instructor must include an attendance policy in each course syllabus with regard to how attendance in class will affect grading. Attendance will not be required on the major religious holidays of your faith.

 

Change of Grade

An instructor may change a grade previously assigned by processing an official change of grade form obtained in the Office of Student Records or in the dean’s office. The instructor must request the grade change and cite the reason for changing the grade. The form must be approved by the instructor, the department chair, and the associate dean under whose jurisdiction the course was offered. The deadline for submitting a change of grade is 6 weeks into the following semester. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for deadlines.

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Course Syllabus Policy 

Syllabi for courses are published on the web-based schedule of classes on the Loyola Online Records Access (LORA) system by term and subject and are available for review and downloading. 

 

Dean's List

An undergraduate degree-seeking student enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, or College of Music and Fine Arts, who completes at least 12 credit hours; or a registered undergraduate adult part-time degree-seeking student who completes at least 9 credit hours are eligible to be placed on the Dean’s List if they recieve an appropriate GPA for the semester. An appropriate GPA is defined as an earned term 3.5 GPA with no I, X or blank grades. Grades of P are not used in GPA calculations. Students who are placed on the Dean’s List will have this distinction indicated on their transcript at the end of each semester.

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Grade Appeals

The student has a right to know the grade he or she has earned, the right to know the grading system of the instructor, and the right to know grades as they are given during the semester. The grading system for each course should be included in the course syllabus.

If the student feels that he or she is not being graded justly, the student should first consult the instructor. If this consultation with the instructor proves unsatisfactory, the student should then consult the department chairperson. If the student still feels that the problem has not been resolved, he or she should consult the associate dean of the college in which the course is offered.

The student has the right to submit a grade appeal form to the associate dean up to 30 days after the beginning of the subsequent semester. The student shall collect and present any evidence (tests, papers, laboratory reports, etc.) to the associate dean. Until the grade is finally determined, the student’s academic standing and all related rights and privileges are based on the grade as originally assigned.

If the grade appeal cannot be mediated between the student and the associate dean, the student can request the associate dean convene a grade appeal committee. The associate dean may appoint this committee composed of the associate dean or the dean’s designated representative; two faculty members, who, if possible, should be familiar with the course; and one student who has taken the course, if possible.

  • The associate dean or designated representative will serve as the non-voting chairperson of the grade appeal committee.
  • The student and instructor are to be informed of the composition of the grade appeal committee, and the associate dean should honor any reasonable objection either might have to appointed members.
  • Both the student and the instructor have the right to present their position in person to the grade appeal committee.
  • The burden of proof will be on the student.
  • The decision of the grade appeal committee is final, and the grade it decides upon becomes the official grade for the course.

If the associate dean denies a student a grade appeal committee hearing, the student may appeal to the provost. The provost may convene a grade appeal committee composed of himself or herself or a designated representative; two faculty members, who should, if possible, be familiar with the course; and one student from the college in which the course is offered and who has taken the course, if possible.

  • The provost or designated representative will serve as the non-voting chairperson of the grade appeal committee. 
  • Both the student and the instructor are to be informed of the composition of the committee, and the provost should honor any reasonable objection which either might have to appointed members.
  • Both the student and the instructor have the right to present their position in person to the grade appeal committee.
  • The decision of this grade appeal committee is final, and the grade it decides upon becomes the official grade for the course.

Loyola students enrolled in courses at other institutions are subject to the grade appeal policy at those institutions.

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Grade Point Average

A student’s grade point average is based on credit hours, grading method (pass/fail, etc.), grade awarded, and quality points.

The following definitions apply:

  • QUALITY HOURS are the units upon which a student’s grade point average is calculated. They differ from earned hours because quality hours do not include the pass grade and do include failed courses.
  • LOYOLA EARNED HOURS are the credit hours earned while taking courses at Loyola.
  • TOTAL EARNED HOURS are the credit hours earned while taking courses at Loyola as well as the hours awarded for transfer work toward a student’s degree.
  • QUALITY POINTS every letter grade has an assigned number of quality points that are used to calculate total quality points for a course. Total quality points for a course are calculated by multiplying the quality points associated with a grade (eg: A=4) by the number of quality hours associated with the course. (eg: One three-credit-hour course with a grade of A will result in 12 quality points.)
  • LOYOLA GRADE POINT AVERAGES are calculated by dividing the Loyola quality points by the Loyola quality hours.
  • LOYOLA CUMULATUIVE GRAD POINT AVERAGES include only the coursework taken at Loyola. 
  • ATTEMPTED HOURS are all courses registered beyond the drop/add period including W grades.

 

Grade Reports

A report of the grades made by a student in his or her scheduled courses is available through LORA. Students requiring a “paper copy” may also request this through LORA. Loyola’s grade reports list the courses, grades, Loyola grade point averages (both cumulative and semester) and the total earned hours. 

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Grading - Undergraduate (UG)

Each instructor has the option of using a grading method within each course that best meets the needs of students and the subject. However, all grades are translated by instructors into the following grades:

A Excellent This grade is assigned 4.0 quality points per semester
A- Excellent This grade is assigned 3.7 quality points per semester hour.
B+ Above Average This grade is assigned 3.3 quality points per semester hour.
B Above Average This grade is assigned 3 quality points per semester hour.
B- Average This grade is assigned 2.70 quality points per semester hour.
C+ Average. This grade is assigned 2.3 quality points per semester hour.
C Average. This grade is assigned 2 quality points per semester hour.
C- Below Average This grade is assigned 1.7 quality points per semester hour.
D+ Minimally Passing. This grade is assigned 1.3 quality points per semester hour.
D Minimally Passing. This grade is assigned 1 quality point per semester hour.
F Failure or failure to withdraw. No quality points are assigned.
I Incomplete. This grade is to be assigned only when the instructor has been presented with serious and compelling reasons why the student should be allowed to complete the course at a later date. These reasons are customarily medical. The I grade is not an automatic extension. An I grade which has not been made up by the sixth week of the subsequent term, excluding summer terms, will be changed automatically to F.
P Pass. Pass/fail grades are available only in courses designated as pass/fail. Grades of P are not counted toward quality point averages.
X No Grade Submitted.  
W Withdrawal. Indicates that the student withdrew by the tenth week of class in the Office of Student Records. No credit is awarded.
AU Audit Complete.  
AI Audit Incomplete.  
AP Advanced Placement.  
EX Exempt from course requirement.  
FA Failed Audit.  
IP In Progress. An IP grade may be granted for certain courses that typically are longer than a normal semester.

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Grading - Graduate (GR)

Each instructor has the option of using a grading method within each course that best meets the needs of students and the subject. However, all grades are translated by instructors into the following grades:

A Excellent. This grade is assigned 4 quality points per semester hour.
A- Excellent This grade is assigned 3.7 quality points per semester hour.
B+ Above Average This grade is assigned 3.3 quality points per semester hour.
B Average This grade is assigned 3 quality points per semester hour.
B- Below Average This grade is assigned 2.7 quality points
C+ Below Average This grade is assigned 2.3 quality points per semester hour.
C Below Average This grade is assigned 2 quality points per semester hour.
C- Below Average This grade is assigned 1.7 quality points.  This grade will not count toward graduation.
D+

Minimally Passing 

 This grade is assigned 1.3 quality points per semester hour. This grade will not count toward graduation.
D Minimally Passing  This grade is assigned 1 quality point per semester hour. This grade will not count toward graduation.
F Failure No quality points are assigned.
I Incomplete. This grade is to be assigned only when the instructor has been presented with serious and compelling reasons why the student should be allowed to complete the course at a later date. These reasons are customarily medical. The I grade is not an automatic extension. An I grade which has not been made up by the sixth week of the subsequent term, excluding summer terms, will be changed automatically to F.

 

 

 

 
P Pass. Pass/fail grades are available only in courses designated as pass/fail. Grades of P are not counted toward quality point averages.
X No Grade Submitted.  
W Withdrawal. Indicates that the student withdrew by the tenth week of class in the Office of Student Records. No credit is awarded.
AU Audit Complete.  
AI Audit Incomplete.  
AP Advanced Placement.  
EX Exempt from course requirement.  
FA Failed Audit.  
IP In Progress. An IP grade may be granted for certain courses that typically are longer than a normal semester.

The use of certain other administrative notations on student grade reports are explained in those reports. Averages are computed only on the basis of letter grades A through F.

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