For Students: Pass/Fail Grade Implementation

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters 

Spring 2020: Pass/Fail Implementation 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dorothy F Schmidt College of Arts and Letters has decided to offer students the opportunity to request a change from the Standard grade mode (A through F) to the Pass/Fail (P/F) grade mode for the Spring 2020 semester. Students will receive an electronic form from FAU to complete in order to request their preferred grade mode for each class. Students will have from April 8-April 22 to complete this form. 

FAQ’s 

1. Do students have to change their grades to Pass/Fail? No, students can keep their grades on the standard grade mode (A through F) if they desire. 

2. Do students have to change all of their class to Pass/Fail, or can they change one or a few of their classes to Pass/Fail? Students can select which of their classes they would like to keep on the standard grade mode (A through F) and which classes they would like to change to Pass/Fail. 

3. When are students able to make the change to Pass/Fail? Students will have a two week period from April 8 through April 22 to make this request. 

4. Once a student has decided to change their grades to Pass/Fail can they change it back to the standard grade mode? After April 22, decisions regarded the grading scale for a student’s courses cannot be changed. 

5. What is recommended for students retaking a course with grade forgiveness? If a student is retaking a course with grade forgiveness, the P/F option may not help you 

6. What is recommended for student on academic probation or returning from academic suspension? If a student is on academic probation or returning from academic suspension, P/F might not help because they are going to need actual grades to help their term GPA reach or maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher. 

7. Can a student change their grade from a spring class that was already completed? If a student has already finished the course—like a half term or minimester course—that grade can’t change.

8. Does changing a class to Pass/Fail affect my financial aid? Financial aid is on a case-by-case basis. There are still some minimum requirements that students will need to meet. Please visit http://www.fau.edu/finaid/covid-19/ for more information. 

9. Do all of the changes apply to graduate students in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters? Yes, all the same applies but graduate students will have the choice of S/U instead of P/F. 

 

Things to Consider When Changing a Class to Pass/Fail: 

1. Earning a “P” in the Pass/Fail grade does not calculate into your GPA. As such, if you are doing well in a course and need the grade to raise your GPA, you may not want the Pass/Fail grading. Please note that, a “F” grade does calculate into your GPA.

2. If you’re planning on graduate school or professional schools like law school or medical school, you probably don’t want to choose P/F for courses that might be required for admission. 

3. The Dean’s List and President’s List requires a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded coursework. 

4. If you take the P/F in a course that’s a pre-req for other courses in your major, you might not be as well prepared for those later courses. 

5. If you’re retaking a course with grade forgiveness, the P/F option may not help you.

6. FAU Student Athletes should think about NCAA requirements for retaining (or regaining) athletic eligibility. 

 

Please note the following: 

1. “Gordon Rule” requirements (math, writing, and WAC courses) will remain graded, unless for some reason a student has already fulfilled this requirement and they are taking the course for elective credit. 

2. Students in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters will not be placed on suspension regardless of grade outcomes this semester. 

3. FAU and any withdrawals this semester won’t count towards the withdrawal total limit. 

 

For more information please contact: 

Undergraduate Students: Undergraduate students should start by talking to their instructor. Students can also make an appointment to meet with their advisor. Virtual advising and online chat will be available. http://fau.edu/artsandletters/artsandlettersadvising/

Financial Aid information:  http://www.fau.edu/finaid/covid-19/ 

 

GPA Calculator: (Scroll down to the middle of this page and click the link for GPA Calculator):

https://business.fau.edu/undergraduate/current-students/fau-resource-index/index.php