Viewing University Of Alabama Student Grades: A Simple Guide

Students at the University of Alabama can access their grades through the myBama portal. Here, they can view their midterm grades and final transcripts. The University of Alabama uses a GPA system, with grades ranging from A+ to F, and including pluses and minuses. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 to pass and use the pass/fail option. Students can repeat courses if they receive a grade of D or F, but repeating courses may negatively impact their financial aid eligibility. Students can also appeal grades if necessary, by initiating an inquiry under the Undergraduate Final Course Grade Grievance Policy.

Understanding the grading system

The University of Alabama uses a letter-grade system, with corresponding grade points, to evaluate student performance. The grading system and grade point calculations vary slightly for undergraduate and graduate students.

Undergraduate Students

For undergraduate students, passing grades range from "A+" to "D-". The "F" grade indicates failure, and "I" stands for "incomplete". Plus and minus signs can be added to letter grades, with the plus sign raising the points awarded by 0.33 points per hour and the minus sign lowering it by the same amount. For example, each hour of "C+" earns 2.33 grade points. The highest GPA an undergraduate can receive is 4.0.

In freshman composition and introductory math courses, the grades reported include "A+", "A", "A-", "B+", "B", "B-", "C+", "C", "C-", and "NC" (No Credit). A grade of "C-" or higher is required to advance to higher-level English and math courses.

Under certain conditions, students can take courses on a pass/fail basis, where they will receive a "P" for passing or "F" for failing. This option is only available for elective courses, and students must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher to choose it.

Graduate Students

Graduate students must maintain an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 or better for all graduate courses. Grades below "C" are counted in computing scholastic averages but do not carry credit toward a degree. The letter grades used include "A", "B", "C", "D", "F", "I", "N", "NC", "P", "W", and "AU".

Law Students

The University of Alabama School of Law calculates the GPA for a course by multiplying the grade received by the number of hours in the course, then totalling these figures for all courses, and finally dividing by the number of semester hours attempted. The highest GPA a law student can receive is also 4.0.

Grades in law school courses are given on a numeric scale from 0 to 4.33, which corresponds to the letter grades. Examinations are graded anonymously, with student identities protected until after grades are submitted.

Viewing grades online

Students at the University of Alabama can view their grades online via the myBama portal. Here, students can access their midterm grades, as well as any final grades that have been submitted.

Midterm grades of "F" or "NC" (no credit) with a reason of "Earned" will allow the student to continue in the class and attempt to improve their grade. However, these grades will be reflected on the transcript as the student's final grade for the class if they do not improve.

The official grades of the university are as follows:

• Undergraduate students and law students: A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F, NC, I, N, P, W, and AU.
• Graduate students: A, B, C, D, F, I, N, NC, P, W, and AU.

Students can also view their GPA (grade point average) online, which is computed on the following grades: "A," "B," "C," "D," "F," or "I," with any pluses or minuses that appear on the record. An "I" counts as an "F" until replaced by the earned grade. Grades of "P," "W," "NA," or "NC" are not used when computing the GPA.

For graduate students, the GPA is calculated on the following grades: "A," "B," "C," "D," "F," "N," and "I." Again, an “I” or “N” counts as an "F" until replaced by the earned grade.

Students can also view their class ranking online at the end of the Spring and Fall semesters. The Registrar publishes the GPA for the Top 10%, Top 20%, Top 25%, Top 33%, and Top 50% of each class. Students outside the Top 15% will not receive individual ranks.

Grade point averages

At the University of Alabama, undergraduate passing grades are awarded as letter grades, including "A+," "A," "A-," "B+," "B," "B-," "C+," "C," "C-," "D+," "D," and "D-." Each grade is assigned a specific point value, with "A" receiving four points per credit hour, "B" receiving three points, "C" receiving two points, and "D" receiving one point. The plus (+) and minus (-) signs further modify these grades, with a plus increasing the points by 0.33 and a minus decreasing them by the same amount. For instance, a grade of "C+" would be worth 2.33 points (2.00 + 0.33).

When calculating the GPA, certain grades are treated differently. Grades of "P" (Pass), "W" (Withdrawal), "NA" (Not Applicable), or "NC" (No Credit) are typically not included in the GPA calculation. However, a grade of "F" (Fail) received in a course taken under the pass/fail option will be computed in the GPA. Additionally, an "I" (Incomplete) grade is initially treated as an “F” until replaced by the earned grade.

The University of Alabama distinguishes between two types of GPAs: overall GPA and institutional GPA. The overall GPA considers all collegiate-level work, including credits transferred from other postsecondary institutions. On the other hand, the institutional GPA solely comprises coursework completed at the University of Alabama. Both calculations take into account all attempted work, including failed or repeated courses.

To be in good academic standing, graduate students at the University of Alabama must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for all graduate courses. Grades below a "C" are counted in the GPA calculations but do not carry credit toward a degree. Additionally, specific programs or departments may have their own minimum grade requirements for advancement or degree completion.

Pass/fail options

At the University of Alabama, students can choose the Pass/Fail option for eligible courses they are enrolled in and have not yet received a final grade. This option is available to all undergraduate and graduate students. Students are encouraged to contact their academic advisor before making this decision.

To be eligible for the Pass/Fail option, a student must be a sophomore, junior, or senior with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Only elective courses can be taken as pass/fail, and a maximum of four courses or 12 credit hours (whichever comes first) can be taken as pass/fail while earning an undergraduate degree. Only one course each semester (fall, spring, and summer) can be taken as pass/fail. Transfer students must have completed at least 15 credit hours at the University of Alabama with a GPA of 2.0 or higher to use the pass/fail option.

The Pass/Fail option was also available for students who participated in University of Alabama faculty-led Study Abroad programs during the Spring 2020 semester. Any passing grade was recorded as a P, and any failing grade was recorded as an F.

It is important to note that once the deadline to add a course has passed, students cannot request the pass/fail option nor rescind the decision for a course.

Appealing a grade

Students at the University of Alabama can access their grades through the midterm grading screen on myBama.

The University of Alabama has a procedure for appealing a grade. If a student believes that their grade is incorrect due to a mathematical or clerical error, they can request that it be changed. The change must result in a deviation from an otherwise mandatory grading standard. If the change is approved, other grades will not be changed to compensate. Faculty members cannot change a reported grade based on subjective considerations, such as a re-evaluation of the analysis. These considerations should be addressed in the initial grading process, not during the appeal.

Students can discuss their examinations with professors after receiving their grades. However, examinations are graded anonymously, and professors do not learn the names associated with the grades until after they have been submitted.

For students in the School of Law, the Registrar publishes the GPA for the top 10%, 20%, 25%, 33%, and 50% of each class at the end of the Spring and Fall semesters. Students can indicate their relative standing within these bands on their resumes.

Frequently asked questions