Thesis/Dissertation Grade Policy FAQ

1. What is the basic change in thesis/dissertation grading that will take effect Fall 2008?

The essential change is the awarding of real-time, permanent, grades to thesis (5000) and dissertation (6000) courses. The current system, in which interim ‘R’ grades are awarded and replaced by letter grades at the end of the graduating semester, will be discontinued.

2. Why is OSU doing this?

The new system will provide timely information to students as to their research progress and will eliminate problems associated with failure to replace ‘R’ grades with acceptable letter grades in a timely manner. It will also mean that the student’s overall GPA reflects only non-research course work. Successful completion of the thesis/dissertation component of the degree will be reflected by approval of the document, and its defense, by the advisory committee.

3. Whose decision was this?

Many campus constituencies were involved in this decision. The Graduate & Professional Student Government Association was the body that proposed this new system, and the various Graduate Faculty Groups and Graduate Council all voiced approval. This grading system also received full administrative approval from Instruction Council and the Council of Deans.

4. When does the new grading policy go into effect?

The new grading policy applies to all grades applied after the first day of classes of the Fall 2008 semester. From that point onwards, all thesis (5000) and dissertation (6000) courses will be graded as either ‘SR’ (for Satisfactory Research) or ‘UR’ (for Unsatisfactory Research).

5. What happens to existing 'R' grades? Can they be changed to letter grades?

Any faculty member who wishes to assign letter grades to students in thesis or dissertation hours taken prior to the Fall 2008 semester must do so prior to the first day of the Fall 2008 semester. After this date, all existing ‘R’ grades for previous semesters will be permanent and will be interpreted thereafter as ‘SR.’ If faculty members wish to assign letter grades to research hours taken previously, they are urged to submit the necessary change of grade forms as soon as possible.

6. When is the last day I can turn in a change of grade form for an 'R' grade earned in a previous semester?

Any form changing an ‘R’ grade to a letter grade which is dated before the first day of classes for the Fall 2008 semester will be accepted by the Registrar’s Office (if promptly received), and the ‘R’ grade will be changed to the requested letter grade.  (Note, however, that this letter grade will have no effect on the student’s eligibility for graduation.) Forms dated on or after that date will not be accepted, and the ‘R’ grade in question will become permanent.

7. Can I change 'R' grades earned prior to Fall 2008 to 'SR' or 'UR'?

No. The ‘SR’ and ‘UR’ grades were approved as official grades starting with the Fall 2008 semester.

8. Will the 'R' grade totally disappear?

No.  ‘R’ grades will still be available for creative component courses and other non-thesis/dissertation courses appropriate for this grade.

9. What effect do the new 'SR' and 'UR' grades have on a student's GPA?

Neither the ‘SR’ nor ‘UR’ grade has any effect on the student’s GPA.

10. What about the requirement for a 3.0 GPA in research hours to graduate? How will the research GPA be calculated?

Effective Fall 2008, a research GPA will no longer be calculated, nor will it serve as a requirement for graduation.

11. Can a student be placed on academic probation for a series of 'UR' grades?

Since the ‘UR’ grade is not used in calculating the GPA, no direct academic sanction, such as academic probation or dismissal from the Graduate College, will be imposed for earning one or more ‘UR’ grades. However, departments may wish to use a series of ‘UR’ grades as a basis for terminating a student from that program. Departments and programs should establish these criteria and document them fully in their graduate student handbooks.

12. Can a student include courses in which a 'UR' was earned on a Plan of Study?

No. Only thesis or dissertation courses with grades of 'SR,' 'R,' 'A,' 'B,' or 'C' may be used to fulfill plan of study requirements.

13. Can I give a grade of 'I' for a 5000 or 6000 course?

As per existing policy, the grade of ‘I’ is not appropriate for 5000/6000 courses; only grades of ‘SR’ and ‘UR’ will be appropriate effective Fall 2008.

14. Which office can I call if I have other questions?

For questions relating to the implementation of the new policy, call the Registrar’s Office at 405-744-6876. If you have questions regarding the academic impact of the new policy, call the Graduate College at 405-744-6368.