Grading Policies by Academic Unit

The College

The College uses the Common Grade Policy with the following exceptions:

  • College students enrolled in courses offered by the Booth School of Business can be conferred a grade of A+, albeit with a point value of 4.0.
  • College courses do not confer grades of “R” to College students.
  • Grades of “P” do not meet General Education Requirements.
  • The “Pass/Fail” option is informally arranged between student and instructor, before the instructor submits a grade for the course. The instructor will submit either a “P” or an “F” to the University Registrar.
  • A grade of “F” may not be subsequently changed, except when entered in error by the instructor or the Registrar.
  • Grades of “I” for College students enrolled in College courses must be accompanied with a fully signed “Request for Grade of Incomplete Form” when submitted to the University Registrar. This form specifies when the “I” is to be completed—by default it is within one year—and what grade is to replace the “I” if not completed by that time. If the coursework has not been completed within the specified time period, the “I” will remain as a permanent mark on the student’s transcript unless the instructor indicates a specific grade on the Incomplete form. If a student does not submit an Incomplete form by Friday of first week of the following quarter, a grade of “NGR” will be entered for the course. Extensions can be submitted to the University Registrar, signed by the instructor, at any time prior to the expiration date.
  • Students must request a withdrawal, “W”, from their adviser by 5 PM the Monday of the 9th week of instruction of the quarter. For more information, please see the section on Withdrawals in the College Catalog.
  • When College course grade rosters are received by the University Registrar and one or more grades on the roster are blank or contain a grade not permitted by College grade policy (such as an “I” grade without an accompanying “Request for Incomplete Form”), the University Registrar will issue a grade of “NGR”. The “NGR” may be resolved by submission of a final grade or a formal Incomplete form.  Students who are otherwise qualified for an “I” may petition the Dean of Students in the College for approval to arrange the Incomplete. The College Dean of Students will prepare for the University Registrar a list of courses for which these “NGR” rules are excepted – mostly BA Paper-type courses. For such courses, blank grades can remain.
  • For Graduating College students, passing grades for all required prior quarter courses are due to the University Registrar the Friday (or Wednesday in Autumns where that Friday is the day after Thanksgiving) two weeks before the awarding of the degrees. For required current quarter courses, the due date is the Tuesday after the end of the quarter, except in Spring Quarters when it is the Sunday at the end of the 10th (final) week of the quarter—a week before Convocation. In the absence of any grade for such a required course for a current quarter, the Dean of the College has authorized the University Registrar to record an administrative “P” grade. This administrative “P” as well as all other grades becomes permanent upon graduation.
  • The College publishes grading rules and instructions for all its instructors at: http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/thecollege/takingcourses/.
Biological Sciences Division, Physical Sciences Division, Social Sciences Division, Harris School of Public Policy Studies, Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy & Practice, and Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

The divisions/schools listed use the Common Grade Policy with the exceptions below.

  • Grades of “UW” indicate “Unofficial Withdrawal”.  Grades of “UW” are assigned by the faculty when they are unable to grade a student because the student has ceased attending the course and have not officially withdrawn.
  • Grades of “S” indicate “Satisfactory” and “U” indicate “Unsatisfactory.”
  • When grade rosters are received by the University Registrar and one or more grades on the roster are blank the University Registrar will issue a grade of “NGR.”
The Chicago Booth School of Business

The Chicago Booth School of Business uses the Common Grade Policy with the following exceptions:

  • Grades for Full-Time, Evening and Weekend sections of courses are due 9 days following the end of the quarter.
  • Grades for Executive MBA North America sections of courses are due two weeks following the exam.
  • Grades of Executive MBA Asia and Europe sections of courses are due two weeks following the second cohort’s exam.
  • A+ = 4.33, A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, B- = 2.67, C+ = 2.33, C- = 1.67, D+ = 1.33
  • For questions about grading, consult the Chicago Booth Registrar in the Student Records and Systems Department.
The Divinity School

The Divinity School uses the Common Grade Policy with the exceptions below.

  • When a quality grade is submitted to the University Registrar replacing an “I” grade within one year of the end of the quarter, no intervening “I” is recorded.
  • Grades of “UW” indicate “Unofficial Withdrawal”.  Grades of “UW” are assigned by the faculty when they are unable to grade a student because the student has ceased attending the course and have not officially withdrawn.
  • Grades of “S” indicate “Satisfactory” and “U” indicate “Unsatisfactory.”  These grades are used for doctoral students who are enrolled in an “Advanced Studies” course.
  • When grade rosters are received by the University Registrar and one or more grades on the roster are blank the University Registrar will issue a grade of “NGR”.  Grades of “NGR” indicate “No Grade Reported.”  When grade rosters are received by the University Registrar, and one or more grades on the roster are blank, the University Registrar will issue a grade of “NGR.”
The Humanities Division
  • When a quality grade is submitted to the University Registrar replacing an “I” grade before the start of the autumn quarter of the next academic year, no intervening “I” is recorded. If the work is not completed by the start of the autumn quarter of the next academic year, a grade of “UW” will be recorded. 
  • Grades of “UW” indicate “Unofficial Withdrawal”.  Grades of “UW” are assigned by the faculty when they are unable to grade a student because the student has ceased attending the course and has not officially withdrawn.
  • Grades of “S” indicate “Satisfactory” and “U” indicate “Unsatisfactory.” A “U” grade carries no earned unit credits.
  • When grade rosters are received by the University Registrar and one or more grades on the roster are blank the University Registrar will issue a grade of “NGR.”
  • When an NGR or blank grade is reported on the student’s academic record, the work can be completed for a quality grade before the start of the autumn quarter of the next academic year. If the work is not completed by the start of the autumn quarter of the next academic year, a grade of “UW” will be recorded (effective Autumn 2021).
The Law School

The Law School uses a numeric grade scale for its courses. Law students enrolled in courses offered by units outside the Law School earn grades per the units’ respective grading policies. Non-Law students enrolling in LAWS courses should consult with their area Deans of Students about how Law School grading will be accommodated.

Pritzker School of Medicine

For Medical students “P” grades will be submitted to the University Registrar in lieu of quality grades.

Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies

The Graham School uses the Common Grade Policy with the exceptions below.

  • For Students-at-Large enrolled in Chicago Booth courses, the Chicago Booth grading scale and associated grade values will apply.
  • Grades of “UW” indicate “Unofficial Withdrawal”.  Grades of “UW” are assigned by the faculty when they are unable to grade a student because the student has ceased attending the course and have not officially withdrawn.
  • When grade rosters are received by the University Registrar and one or more grades on the roster are blank the University Registrar will issue a grade of “NGR”.  Grades of “NGR” indicate “No Grade Reported”.