what is an incomplete course

by Judah Wilkinson 8 min read

INCOMPLETE COURSES. If a student has been doing satisfactory work until near the end of a term, and then because of illness or other unavoidable circumstances has been prevented from completing the work, the instructor may give the student an "Incomplete" and extend the privilege of completing the work by a later date.

Rationale. The instructor gives a grade of “I” (Incomplete) to a student who for a valid reason is unable to complete work by the end of the course.

Full Answer

What is an incomplete grade?

An Incomplete Grade ("I") is a non punitive grade given only during the last one-fourth of a term/semester and only if a student (1) is passing the course and (2) has a justifiable and documented reason, beyond the control of the student (such as serious illness or military service), for not completing the work on schedule.

What do I do if my course is incomplete?

The student must arrange with the instructor to finish the course at a later date by completing specific requirements. These requirements must be listed on a Request for Grade of Incomplete form signed by the instructor, student, and department chair; and also entered on the grade roster by the instructor.

How do I report an incomplete grade to the instructor?

Students should make arrangements with the instructor to receive an incomplete grade before the end of the term." Instructors are encouraged to use the Report of Incomplete Grade form as a contract with the student as to what course work must be completed by the student for the I grade to be removed and replaced with a grade.

What does it mean to take an incomplete in college?

What Does it Meant to Take an Incomplete in College? Even if you're the most conscientious student, situations can come up that may temporarily interfere with your college life. Something like a family emergency or a personal illness or injury can quickly put you behind on your coursework.

What does incomplete course mean?

Taking an incomplete in a college course is exactly just what it sounds like: Your participation in the class is incomplete. You were unable to finish the required coursework by the time the semester or quarter concluded.

Does an incomplete affect your GPA?

Incomplete grades are not be included in your grade point average at the end of a quarter. However, at the time of graduation, any remaining 'I' grades are included when your grade point average is computed in order to determine whether you have achieved the 2.000 average required for the bachelor's degree.

How long does an incomplete grade last?

Incomplete Grades must be resolved no later than one year (twelve months) from the published end day of the semester in which the grade was assigned.

How does incomplete work in college?

An incomplete has to be agreed on between the student and the instructor and is usually only given when the student is passing the course. Once it's determined that the student is eligible for an incomplete and both the student and instructor agree on the terms, an incomplete agreement is submitted to the school.

Is an incomplete the same as an F?

3 Incomplete Grades Teachers award a grade of incomplete with the expectation that students will finish any necessary work within a specified time frame. If students do not meet that deadline, most schools convert the grade to an F, which is then included in the student's GPA.

What does incomplete mean on a report card?

A grade of Incomplete (noted "I" on the transcript) may be assigned when a student in good standing in a course has completed and passed a majority of the work required for a course but, for reasons beyond the student's control, cannot complete the entire course.

Will an incomplete affect my financial aid?

Failing or taking an incomplete grade in courses can impact your financial aid in multiple ways. The 3 main impacts may be owing money back for the current term, losing federal aid eligibility for future terms, and not meeting the renewal criteria for scholarships and institutional aid.

Can I ask my professor for an incomplete?

Asking for an incomplete should be done face to face. Usually, I would recommend in person, but a zoom call may be your only option. Start by asking your professor for a meeting outside of the office hour times. Once the meeting is scheduled, you need to be prepared to plead your case.

How do you complete an incomplete graduation?

You can get proof from your nodal or district officer. You just have to meet with your district officer, and tell him why you discontinued your graduation in past time and want to continue your graduation and make a gap year proof. You have not mentioned, in which time you have left your graduation.

What does an incomplete mean for financial aid?

Incomplete courses (“I” grades) are not considered as units completed and can affect your SAP status. For Financial Aid purposes, passing grades are considered to be a grade of A-D and Credit.

What happens if you fail a class in college?

If you fail a class, you'll get a 0 on your transcript — and that can bring down your GPA. Failed classes count toward your GPA, though some colleges do not count pass/fail classes in your GPA calculation. If you get an F, you still have to pay for the class without receiving any credit toward your degree.

What does incomplete grade mean on canvas?

An incomplete grade (IN) is a temporary grade contingent on the student's agreement to complete the work they missed. If the student does not meet terms and conditions associated with the incomplete grade within two semesters of the grade's assignment, then the (IN) will become an F (or failing) grade.

How does an incomplete affect my financial aid?

Failing or taking an incomplete grade in courses can impact your financial aid in multiple ways. The 3 main impacts may be owing money back for the current term, losing federal aid eligibility for future terms, and not meeting the renewal criteria for scholarships and institutional aid.

How much does a 1 credit class affect your GPA?

It depends on how many quality points they earn for each grade. If the D is in a 1-credit-hour course, the student will earn a 3.76 GPA. If the A is in a 1-credit-hour course, they will earn a 3.3 GPA. Same grades, same total number of credit hours, but different weights based on the credit hours of the course.

What can lower your GPA?

7 Common Mistakes That Can Seriously Hurt Your GPAPoorly managing your time. ... Completing work late or not at all. ... Not getting involved in the discussion. ... Not taking advantage of free tutoring services. ... Not studying regularly. ... Not setting clear goals. ... Not getting enough sleep.

Do missing assignments affect GPA?

For this particular case, the only thing you should be worrying about on your transcript is your GPA. Missing assignments will receive low or 0 scores which might significantly impact your grade, which is a bad thing for students.

What is an incomplete grade?

“The instructor gives a grade of “I” (Incomplete) to a student who for a valid reason is unable to complete a substantial portion of the work of the course. The determination of a “valid reason” rests with the instructor, but examples of valid reasons include a serious health, family, or personal problem arising late in the semester. A grade of “I” must be removed by the instructor’s submitting the new grade to the Registrar no later than 14 days prior to the first day of classes of the fall semester of the next academic year following the awarding of the grade of Incomplete. After this date, the grade of “I” shall be changed to a grade of “F”. In order for a senior to graduate at the May commencement, all of a student’s Incomplete grades must be removed by the beginning of the spring examination period.”

When should incompletes be given?

Incompletes should only be given when there is a reasonable expectation that a student can and will complete the work by the deadline. Incompletes should not comprise the majority of the work expected throughout the duration of the course.

When does an I grade have to be removed?

A grade of “I” must be removed by the instructor’s submitting the new grade to the Registrar no later than 14 days prior to the first day of classes of the fall semester of the next academic year following the awarding of the grade of Incomplete. After this date, the grade of “I” shall be changed to a grade of “F”.

What does "incomplete" mean in a course?

INCOMPLETE COURSES. If a student has been doing satisfactory work until near the end of a term, and then because of illness or other unavoidable circumstances has been prevented from completing the work , the instructor may give the student an "Incomplete" and extend the privilege of completing the work by a later date.

Why do instructors assign grades of IP?

In courses designed to extend beyond the term of registration, e.g., thesis research, instructors may assign a grade of IP to indicate "in progress" toward completion. In courses not designed to extend beyond the term of registration, instructors may assign a grade of I to indicate a student's course work was incomplete due to documented ...

What is IP grade?

An IP or I grade is replaced by a regular grade when the course work is completed. The grade point average for the term in which the course was registered, as well as for subsequent terms, and cumulative grade point averages will then be retroactively computed using the regular grade replacement.

What happens to an incomplete grade?

Once an Incomplete (I) grade is assigned , it remains on the transcript along with the passing grade a student may later receive for the course. An instructor may assign the I grade when work is of pass

What does it mean to have to complete work in the semester?

It usually means you have to complete remaining work within a certain deadline, often by the end of the next semester, and if you don’t, your grade will automatically be issued based upon the grade you’ve earned without that work.

What does outstanding requirements mean in college?

It means it will affect your GPA if you don’t complete the course. Outstanding requirements must be completed to get a grade.

What does "passing equity" mean in college?

Commonly, that means you get no credit or GPA adjustment from that one course and you get a placeholder incomplete grade , and this is granted because of some sort of difficult circumstance like a physical or mental illness or family emergencies. It certainly requires an actual conversation with the professor of the course about it.

What does INC mean in college?

It means you didn’t finish the work for the course by the time the semester ended, and that your professor very generously gave you an INC (Incomplete) to allow you additional time to finish your coursework.

What does it mean when you get a grade for a missed class?

It means you did not flunk but you did not complete the requirements for the course. If you have received such a grade, you must contact the professor and find out what work you missed and what the deadline for submission of the missing work. Then get busy completing the missing work and be sure to submit it directly to the professor in the required form.

What happens if you don't complete your work by the end of the next term?

If the work is not completed by the end of the next full term in residence, the I grade lapses to an F, NP, or U as appropriate. The College or school may extend the completion deadline in unusual cases (not applicable to graduate students).

What is an Incomplete (I) Grade?

An Incomplete Grade ("I") is a non punitive grade given only during the last one-fourth of a term/semester and only if a student (1) is passing the course and (2) has a justifiable and documented reason, beyond the control of the student (such as serious illness or military service), for not completing the work on schedule. The student must arrange with the instructor to finish the course at a later date by completing specific requirements. These requirements must be listed on a Request for Grade of Incomplete form signed by the instructor, student, and department chair; and also entered on the grade roster by the instructor. Grades of "I" assigned to an undergraduate course at the end of the Fall 2007 semester and later, will default to "F" unless the instructor has designated a different automatic grade. See also Removal of "I" policy.

How long does it take to remove an I grade from UNT?

A student may remove a grade of “I” within one year by completing the stipulated work. After completion of the stipulated work the instructor of record records the final grade on a UNT Grade Change Form and obtains the department chair’s signature.

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What is an I grade?

An "I" grade is a non-punitive grade given only during the last one-fourth of a semester and only if a student (1) is passing the course; (2) has justifiable reason why the work cannot be completed on schedule; and (3) arranges with the instructor to finish the course at a later date by completing specific requirements that the instructor must list on the electronic grade roster. All work in the course must be completed within the specified time (not to exceed one year after taking the course.)

What is an incomplete grade report?

Instructors are encouraged to use the Report of Incomplete Grade form as a contract with the student as to what course work must be completed by the student for the I grade to be removed and replaced with a grade. On the form, the instructor states:  (1) which assignments or exams should be completed and when; (2) how this work will be graded; and (3) how the student's course grade will be calculated. Both the instructor and student sign this agreement and both should retain copies.

Who grants approval for graduate courses?

For courses taken for graduate credit, such approval may be granted only by the Graduate College.

Can you extend your college grade?

For undergraduate courses, the one-year limit may be extended for one additional year if approved  by the instructor and student's college dean. See the Incomplete Grade policy in the General Catalog for complete details.  Please use the Petition for Extension of Coursework for an Incomplete Course form to request an extension of an incomplete grade.

How many years can you complete an incomplete?

One year is the maximum time that the university allows for a student to complete an Incomplete. For example, an Incomplete taken in Autumn Quarter this year must be completed by the end of Autumn Quarter next year.

What happens if you have too many incompletes?

If you accumulate too many Incompletes, the extra workload can drag you down and cause you to fall behind in your current classes. This situation can easily snowball and make your current quarter unmanageable if you're not careful.

What happens if you miss an exam in a class?

For Incompletes involving missed exams, instructors will commonly ask the student to take the final exam the next time the course is offered (for example, in the following quarter).

What to do if you ask for an incomplete?

If you feel intimidated by asking for an Incomplete, your Academic Advisor can coach you on how to write a courteous email request to your professor.

Can you take an incomplete class?

You don't so much take an Incomplete as ask for one. The procedure is pretty straightforward: you need to discuss the possibility with your instructor by the last day of class. If your instructor is willing, then the two of you will work out a plan to complete your remaining work in the course.

Do you get units for incomplete classes?

You do not earn the units for an Incomplete course until the class is completed successfully. This also means that if you do not meet your minimum academic progress requirements because of the Incomplete, you may become a candidate for academic probation (or a more elevated status if you are already on probation).

Can you turn in incomplete work for a second time?

Instead of submitting a grade for you, at the end of the current quarter the instructor will submit an Incomplete notation on your record. At this point, all you have to do is turn in your remaining work, or take the exam that you missed. Do NOT enroll in the course for a second time-- this is not the proper way to finish an Incomplete. Just finish your remaining work. If you can do this by the agreed-upon deadline, the instructor will then change the Incomplete on your record into a grade.

What is an incomplete grade?

According to Academic Senate Regulations, the grade of Incomplete ('I') may be assigned when a student’s work is of passing quality and represents a significant portion of the requirements for a final grade, but is incomplete for a good cause as determined by the instructor; good cause may include current illness, serious personal problems, an accident, a recent death in the immediate family, a large and necessary increase in working hours or other situations of equal gravity.

How long does a grade incomplete stay on your record?

If the degree has not been conferred, and the work has not been completed by the end of the term three calendar years after the grade Incomplete has been assigned, and during which the student has not been in academic residence, then the grade Incomplete shall remain on the student’s record, unless the course is repeated. The three-calendar-years limit for the completion of courses assigned the grade Incomplete shall apply to all and only those courses in which the grade Incomplete is assigned on or after September 1, 2010.

How to remove I grade from schedule builder?

To remove the 'I' grade, you must contact the instructor who initiates the Incomplete Grade Change via the online Grade Change Tool. For more information, see Grade Changes . If the Incomplete grade remains on your record because work has not been completed within three calendar years in which you were not in academic residence, contact the Office of the University Registrar.

Do you have to include incomplete grades in your grade point average?

Incomplete grades are not be included in your grade point average at the end of a quarter. However, at the time of graduation, any remaining 'I' grades are included when your grade point average is computed in order to determine whether you have achieved the 2.000 average required for the bachelor’s degree. An Incomplete grade, in these computations, has the same effect as a grade F, NP, or U, depending on which option you have exercised. Therefore, it is recommended that students not delay the clearance of incomplete grades so as not to jeopardize graduation.

Can I reenroll in a course if I have an incomplete grade?

You may not re-enroll in a course if you have an unresolved Incomplete grade for that course. To remove the 'I' grade, you must contact the instructor of record to complete the online Incomplete Grade Change via the online Grade Change Tool. For more information, see Grade Changes. If the Incomplete grade remains on your record because work has not been completed within three calendar years in which you were not in academic residence, please contact the Office of the University Registrar. Students can use OASIS to see pending and past grade changes submitted on their record.

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