Grade Point Average and Grading System

A grade is assigned at mid-semester and at the end of the semester in each subject for which a student is officially registered. Only the grades assigned at the end of the semester are recorded on the permanent record. The following grading system is used:

Grades of W, F, S and U receive no quality points.

The grade point average (GPA) is computed by dividing the quality points achieved by the number of credits attempted at Bridgewater College. All credits for which a student enrolls are counted as credits attempted except those credits for which a grade of W or S is received. A student may repeat course work in which he or she has received a grade of D+, D, D- or F. In the case of repeated work, the highest grade is used in computing the student’s GPA; however, both grades will remain on the student’s permanent record.

Work accepted for transfer to Bridgewater College is recorded as credits earned. Credits attempted and quality points achieved are not transferred. Hence, a student’s GPA, both cumulative and in the student’s major, is only dependent upon work attempted at Bridgewater. However, grades on previous course work are calculated in the Bridgewater College GPA when determining graduation with honors.

All College-approved study abroad and Washington Semester credits are received on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. However, a student may petition the vice president and dean for academic affairs to include all grades earned for honors and cumulative GPA calculations.

I - Incomplete Achievement

This grade may be given when a student has been unable to complete the course or has been absent from the final examination because of illness or an emergency situation that is beyond the student’s control. The time and conditions for the removal of an I must be approved by the registrar when it is assigned but no later than the sixth week of the following semester. In determining the grade point average, credits with a grade of I are not counted as credits attempted.

W - Withdrawn

This grade indicates withdrawal from a course in which the student was officially registered. In order to receive it, the withdrawal must have the approval of the instructor of the course, the student’s academic advisor and the registrar before the withdrawal deadline (see the academic calendar, inside front cover). A grade of W may be assigned from the last day of the initial drop/add period until the last day of the tenth week of the full semester, the second week of Interterm and Summer Session I, and the fourth week of Summer Session II. Following these deadlines, the option of withdrawing will no longer be available. In determining the GPA, credits with a grade of W are not counted as credits attempted.

F - Unsatisfactory achievement (carries no credit)
S - Satisfactory achievement
U - Unsatisfactory achievement (carries no credit)
AUD - Audit (carries no credit)

For field internships and student teaching, grades of S or U are assigned. Courses carrying grades of S or U do not contribute to credits attempted or grade points achieved, nor do they figure in the GPA, but appropriate credits earned are credited to the student’s permanent record.

For students wishing to audit a course, a grade of AUD is assigned. A grade of AUD does not contribute to credits attempted, credits earned or grade points achieved. The AUD grade does not figure in the GPA.