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NORTHWEST INSTITUTE OF LITERARY ARTS
WHIDBEY WRITERS WORKSHOP
CATALOG, 2009-2011
GRADES
Grading System
Letter grades are used to assess achievement in most courses, though Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory (S and U) grades may also be used. Because ours is a graduate program only, we use grades of A through C. A grade point average of B (3.00) or better is required for a student to remain in good standing. Grade point values are:
| Grade | Point value |
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
Meaning of Grades
A (4.0) Excellent work for graduate courses; high level of achievement
B (3.0) Average work for graduate courses; acceptable but not excellent
C (2.0) Less than average work for graduate course
Plus (+) and minus (-) notations are used to indicate more specific levels of achievement.
Other grades
The following grades, which have no value for purposes of figuring grade point average, are used when appropriate:
| Y In progress |
Course has not yet officially ended and the student is still actively engaged in completing the course work. Often used when preparation of thesis manuscript extends beyond a single semester. |
| I Incomplete |
Student has satisfactorily completed most requirements for a course but for a good reason has not completed all requirements. Given only if arrangements have been made with instructor to submit missing requirements. Course must be completed by the end of the following semester. |
| W Withdrawal |
Registration in a course has been officially canceled by the student prior to the deadline for dropping courses. Failure to withdraw prior to the deadline may result in a U grade. |
| R Repeat |
Indicates that the student is repeating a course to improve a grade. |
| S Satisfactory |
Indicates B or higher level of achievement in a course taken on an S/U basis. Has no grade point value and is not used in figuring grade point average, but credit toward graduation is allowed for the course. Instructor's permission required to register on an S/U basis except for English 500: The Profession of Writing, English 599: Thesis and English 599 TC: Thesis Continuation. |
| U Unsatisfactory |
Indicates less than B level of achievement in a course taken on an S/U basis. Has no grade point value and is not used in figuring grade point average. Carries no credit toward graduation. Instructor's permission required to register on an S/U basis for courses other than English 500, English 599 and English 599TC. |
| Z Administrative Withdrawal |
Indicates that the student has been withdrawn from class because of a policy or procedural infraction, including failure to pay tuition. |
Final Grade Reports
Final grades are submitted by the faculty member to the registrar shortly after the end of the semester and made available to the student within two weeks.
Grade errors and changes
A request for a grade change must be submitted by the end of the semester following that in which the error is made. Students should make the initial request for a grade change to the instructor. Questions may also be directed to the student services director.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
The grade point average provides a snapshot of a student's achievement. GPA is figured by multiplying the value of each grade times the credit value of the course, adding the total grade points which result and dividing that total by the number of credits. Semester GPA includes only the credits and grades involved in a single semester; cumulative GPA includes all credits taken at the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts.
Petition for Grade Exclusion
A student who has attended the MFA Program for a time, done poorly and dropped out or been dismissed, then applied for and been granted re-admission and performed well for at least two semesters, may petition the program director for certain courses to be excluded from both the cumulative grade point average and the credits required for graduation, thus wiping the slate clean in terms of GPA and graduation requirements.