Grades

Understanding Grades, GPA and Academic Policies at Mizzou

As a student, understanding how grades and GPA work is essential for setting goals, monitoring your academic progress and making informed decisions about your coursework.

Grades represent your instructor’s evaluation of your academic performance. Each course syllabus explains how grades are determined—commonly through exams, assignments, participation and attendance.

For full grading policies, see the Faculty Handbook, Undergraduate Catalog and the University Registrar’s grading policies.

Understanding GPA

Your Grade Point Average (GPA) reflects the grades you earn in courses with letter grades A–F. GPA can be calculated for a single semester, a group of courses or all MU coursework (cumulative GPA). For more details on the grading scale (A–F and plus/minus), visit: Registrar: Grades Procedures & Policies .

Important Notes

  • Only UM coursework counts toward your official UM cumulative GPA.
  • Repeated courses are subject to the MU Course Repeat Policy.
  • GPA impacts academic standing, scholarships, program admission, graduation honors, graduate/professional school eligibility and more.

Tools to Help You Calculate GPA

The Registrar provides calculators you can use anytime:

Grading Options You May Encounter

  • A–F Grading: This is the standard grading system at MU. No special steps are required to enroll in A–F grading.
  • S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) Grading: S/U grading is similar to pass/fail. Key points:
    • Only “S” grades earn credit; neither S nor U affects your GPA.
    • Some programs and requirements may not accept S/U grading.
    • Students must receive advisor approval and must make the change in person at the Registrar’s Office within deadlines.

Full grading options policy.

Auditing a Course

Students may take a class without earning credit or a grade. The class appears on the transcript with an “H,” which does not impact GPA.

Full audit policy details.

Incomplete Grades

An “I” (Incomplete) may be assigned only when:

  • The completed work is passing, and hardship prevents completion by the end of the term.

Students have one calendar year to complete the work. After that, the “I” may convert to an “F” depending on when it was assigned.

Full incomplete grade policy and process.

Withdrawing from Courses

Students may drop or withdraw from courses within published deadlines (see Academic Calendar). Grades assigned during withdrawal include:

  • W – Student was passing at the time of withdrawal. Does not affect GPA.
  • F – Student was failing at the time of withdrawal. Does affect GPA.

There is no “medical withdrawal” policy that removes grades; however, students may consider one of the existing withdrawal policies.

Withdrawal policies and processes:

  • Course Withdrawal
    • Students may drop a course through the posted drop deadlines, or withdraw from a course before the posted withdrawal deadline, by following Registrar procedures. Before dropping or withdrawing, students should review potential financial impacts and consult with their academic advisor.
  • University/Term Withdrawal
    • A term (university) withdrawal occurs when a student drops all classes for the semester and requires submitting a Term Withdrawal Form through the Registrar. Students should consult with their academic advisor and review deadlines and financial aid or housing impacts before completing the proccess.
  • Active Military Duty Leave
    • Students called to active military service may choose to withdraw from all course, drop courses or receive incompletes with tuition and academic record options depending on their selection. Documentation of orders is required, and the Registrar coordinates adjustments to on-campus housing, financial aid and academic standing.
  • Leave of Absence (LOA)
    • A leave of absence allows students experiencing significant life events to temporarily pause enrollment for up to one year while retaining access to support services. Students must submit a Leave of Absence Request Form and may not enroll at another institution during the leave.

Midterm Grades and Academic Progress

MU does not officially post midterm grades, but instructors often provide feedback throughout the semester. It’s important to:

  • Review scores and feedback regularly
  • Talk to instructors or TAs when you have questions
  • Meet with your academic advisor if your performance is not meeting your goals

Staying informed early helps you make decisions about studying, academic support or course adjustments before deadlines pass.

Need Help Understanding Your Grades or GPA?

Academic advisors are here to help you:

  • Plan for GPA goals
  • Understand grading implications
  • Explore your options for repeating courses, withdrawing or choosing S/U grading
  • Connect with campus resources to support your success

Please reach out to your advisor anytime you have questions about how grades or policies affect your academic path.