Here you will find the information you need to better understand key academic policies, procedures, and processes, and to know your rights and responsibilities as a UMGC student.
Academic Policies and Procedures
For questions about your academic program, start by contacting a UMGC advisor, who can refer you to the appropriate point of contact to address your needs. Or you can refer to this complete list of contacts by academic department.
Academic Integrity
UMGC students are expected to maintain the highest level of integrity throughout their academic pursuit. Intellectually honest academic work represents independent analysis and acknowledges all sources of information that contribute to the ideas being explored.
- For help with citing sources in your work you can review the library's citation guides.
- Learn more about UMGC's policies and standards for academic integrity.
Grading
UMGC uses a standard grading scale of A, B, C, D, and F for most of its courses. In addition, there is an FN grade for failure due to non-attendance and a G grade for when a grade is under review. Other grades may be available for specific courses.
Your syllabus has the grading criteria specific to your class. Be sure to review grading criteria at the beginning of the semester to understand how your grade will be calculated and to manage your expectations on classroom participation, written assignments, etc.
Some instructors may use a grading rubric to assess your work and provide feedback. Understanding how you are being assessed and what the requirements are for each assignment can help you to do your best work. If you have questions about grading criteria in your course, reach out to your professor for clarification.
If you are dissatisfied with a final course grade from your instructor, you have 90 days to bring it to their attention. The escalation process for this is outlined in the arbitrary and capricious grading policy.
Please review the UMGC catalog for all the available grading options.
Academic Levels of Progress
Your grade point average is computed at the end of each term to determine your academic level of progress. Your GPA equals the sum of grade points you've earned divided by the total number of credits you've taken.
Every letter grade a student receives for a course is worth a specified number of grade points as follows:
- A = 4.0
- B = 3.0
- C = 2.0
- D = 1.0
Example: If you earned an A in a 1-credit class (4x1=4 points) and a C in a 3-credit class (2x3=6 points), your GPA would be 2.5 (10 points÷4 credits). Your cumulative GPA is a calculation of all course credits attempted and the grades received.
For more information and to review the requirements to maintain satisfactory academic standing, read the academic levels of progress policy.