Credit/No-Credit FAQs for Students
As recently announced, the University Senate has approved temporary changes which provide greater academic flexibility in the Spring 2020 semester.
This includes a simplified course withdrawal process and the option to change the grading basis of a course from letter grade to credit/no credit. Before making a decision about either of these options, it is important that you understand potential academic and financial aid impacts.
Transcript Notation
All SDSU transcripts will have a brief statement for the Spring 2020 semester that refers to this particular semester as being the COVID-19 global pandemic. This will put into context your academic record from this semester, such as additional withdrawals, or grades of CR/NC, etc.
Academic Probation
For the Spring 2020 semester only, the faculty approved temporary changes to the probation academic policy.
- If your GPA falls below a 2.0 after the Spring 2020 semester, you will not be placed on Academic Probation.
- If you are currently on probation, the Spring 2020 semester will not count as one of your three semesters allowed to be on Academic Probation. Also, if you are on probation and you do not earn a 2.0 GPA this Spring 2020 semester, you will not be academically disqualified.
- If you are on probation and bring your GPA above a 2.0 this Spring 2020 semester, your probation will be lifted.
Undergraduate
Changes for Spring 2020 Semester
Credit (CR) / No Credit (NC): Students are able to change the grading basis of a course from letter grade to credit/no credit (CR/NC) through this petition.
Withdraw: Students are allowed to withdraw from one or more classes through this petition.
Approval & Fees: Faculty signatures, a personal statement, and supporting documentation are not needed for CR/NC or to withdraw from classes. The $20.00 processing fee is also waived. The form will be updated soon to reflect these changes but until then you can submit the current Late Schedule Adjustment Form.
Deadlines: Petitions for CR/NC must be submitted by May 1, 2020 (7:59pm) to the Registrar’s Office by emailing the completed form to: [email protected]. Petitions for Withdraw must be submitted by May 7, 2020 to the Registrar’s Office by emailing the completed form to: [email protected].
Note: Grades of credit (CR) will be approved to satisfy (1) preparation for the major, (2) major, and (3) minor requirements for all majors and minors within the Fowler College of Business.
Q: What if I have a second major or minor outside of Fowler?
- If you have a second major or a minor outside of the Fowler College of Business, and wish to have a grade of credit applied towards the second major or the minor, you must obtain approval from that specific department.
Q: What if I am in the BSBA Online Degree Completion Program?
- The undergraduate rules apply to you. If you have any questions about your individual situation, please seek guidance from the program director, Dr. George Belch at: [email protected]
Review When Considering CR/NC
First and foremost, if you have any questions about your individual situation, please seek guidance from your academic advisor.
Financial Aid: If you receive "no credit (NC)" in a course, it may impact your future financial aid eligibility negatively, if overall, during the academic year (summer 2019, fall 2019, spring 2020) you did not complete 75% of your courses. For most students, withdrawals will not negatively impact financial aid status.
Q: What grades qualify as credit (CR) for undergraduate students?
- A CR is awarded for work equivalent to all grades which earn 2.0 or more grade points (letter grade A through C)
Q: What grades qualify as no credit (NC) for undergraduate students?
- A no credit (NC) is awarded for work equivalent to all grades which earn less than 2.0 grades points (letter grade C- through F).
IMPORTANT: For many classes, grades of C-, D+, D, and D- are passing. If the grading basis is converted to an NC, these are no longer a passing grade and you must repeat the course.
GPA: CR/NC grades are not calculated into your grade point average
Retroactive Withdrawals During The Spring 2020 Semester
After the last day of the Spring 2020 term (May 22, 2020), undergraduate students are allowed to request to withdraw from individual classes or a full semester’s work.
In some cases, this option may offer the greatest flexibility as you will know your final grade when making a decision, however, it could negatively impact your financial aid. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for further guidance.
Graduate
Changes for Spring 2020 Semester
Credit (CR) / No Credit (NC): A change in grading basis can be requested by contacting Graduate Affairs at [email protected] and requesting a Late Schedule Adjustment Petition. You must clearly explain the request, and that the request is motivated by the current crisis.
Withdraw: Students are allowed to withdraw from one or more classes through late withdrawals which can be requested by contacting Graduate Affairs at [email protected] and requesting a Late Schedule Adjustment Petition.
Approval & Fees: Faculty signatures, a personal statement, and supporting documentation are not needed. The $20.00 processing fee is also waived. The form will be updated soon to reflect these changes but until then you can submit the current form.
Deadlines: Petitions for CR/NC must be submitted by May 1, 2020 (7:59pm). Petitions for Withdraw must be submitted by May 7, 2020.
Review When Considering CR/NC
Financial Aid: If you are receiving financial aid, it is possible that a grade of No Credit will impact your award this semester, or in a future semester. Seek guidance from a financial aid counselor at [email protected].
Q: What grades qualify as credit (CR) for graduate students?
- A credit (CR) is awarded for work equivalent to all grades which earn 3.0 or more grade points (letter grade A through B)
Q: What grades qualify as no credit (NC) for graduate students?
- A no credit (NC) is awarded for work equivalent to all grades which earn less than 3.0 grades points (letter grade B- through F).
IMPORTANT: For many classes, grades of B- or below may be passing. If the grading basis is converted to a NC, this is no longer a passing grade and you must repeat the course if that course is on your program of study.
GPA: CR/NC grades are not calculated into your grade point average. You are required to have a GPA of 3.0 to advance to candidacy. Be sure and consider the effects of excluding or including a course on your overall and program of study GPA.
