Grading System
MSJ students are graded on a three-point system: High Pass (HP), Pass (P), Low Pass (LP), and Fail (F). The majority of students receive Passes in most of their courses, with High Pass and Low Pass grades reserved for students whose performance is significantly stronger or weaker than the average class performance.
MSJ students do not receive a GPA. Each student’s transcript lists the grade received in each course.
The three-point system may be equated with the following traditional grades:
A- or higher equals HP
B or B+ equals P
B- or lower equals LP
F equals Fail
Academic Standards
These academic standards apply to all MSJ students. They provide for a progressive standard of evaluation of a student's performance based upon the number of credits completed. Student records are reviewed prior to graduation to determine compliance with these standards; therefore, each student is responsible for monitoring his or her own academic performance and for abiding by these standards.
Each student is required to obtain a minimum grade of Pass in his or her first ten credits of the MSJ Program. A student who achieves a grade of Low Pass or Fail in any course while earning his or her first ten credits of the MSJ Program will be academically dismissed from the MSJ Program for unsatisfactory grades unless the Low Pass or Fail is offset by a High Pass in another course. This rigorous policy has been put into place because data has shown that students who do not attain a Pass or higher in their first 10 credits in the program continue to struggle in the program, and do not successfully graduate from the program.
Academic Standing
MSJ students are expected to achieve Passes in most of their courses. Students with two Low Passes are eligible to graduate. However, students who receive a third Low Pass* that is not offset by a grade of High Pass in the same semester (or in the semester immediately following the semester in which the student received the third Low Pass) will not be eligible to graduate. For purposes of this policy, a High Pass will cancel out a Low Pass even if the number of credits in the two courses are different.
Students with five grades of High Pass that are not offset by grades of Low Pass will graduate with Honors from the MSJ Program. Thus, a student could graduate with honors, for example, with five High Passes and no Low Passes, six High Passes and one Low Pass, or seven High Passes and two Low Passes.
An F is treated as a Low Pass for the purpose of determining a student’s eligibility to graduate; however, a student will not obtain credit for any course in which he or she receives an F.
A student who does not maintain satisfactory academic standing and who is academically dismissed from the MSJ Program or deemed ineligible to graduate may not appeal the decision.
The faculty reserves the right to change the provisions of these standards. Notice of changes will be posted and all changes will be binding on all students.
*At the faculty’s sole discretion, a student who earns a third Low Pass in the semester prior to graduation may be permitted to offset the Low Pass by enrolling in the MSJ Thesis course; however, the student will not be permitted to graduate until the MSJ Thesis is successfully completed with a grade of Pass or higher.
For additional information, please contact Helen Cummings at 973-642-8830 or by email helen.cummings@shu.edu.