GPA Scales and Grading Practices
About This Policy
- Last Updated
- 03/06/2026
- Responsible Office
- Academic Affairs
Montclair State University maintains a standardized grading scale to ensure clarity and consistency in evaluating student performance. The University defines the official set of letter grades and their corresponding quality-point values used across all academic programs.
Each academic department applies this grading scale within the context of its disciplinary standards and course-level learning objectives. Instructors evaluate student work according to those standards and assign grades that accurately reflect achievement of stated outcomes.
Grading Practices
Additional information on submitting grades and other practices, including academic good standing for all students, are found on the website of the Office of the Registrar.
Withdrawal (WD) A withdrawal is processed after the add/drop deadline, and the course remains listed on the student’s transcript with a non-punitive grade of “WD,” which does not affect the GPA.
A WD grade may impact Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid purposes.
Montclair State University maintains GPAs to three decimal places for all purposes. No additional rounding will occur.
Undergraduate Students
| A = 4.0 | B = 3.0 | C = 2.0 | D = 1.0 |
| A- = 3.7 | B- = 2.7 | C- = 1.7 | D- = 0.7 |
| B+ = 3.3 | C+ = 2.3 | D+ = 1.3 | F = 0.0 |
*Note: See individual school/college/programs for specific policies. For example: A grade of “C+” or higher is required for all nursing courses (prefix NURS).
Graduate Students
The following grades are used for assessment of graduate coursework:
| A = 4.0 | B = 3.0 | C = 2.0 |
| A- = 3.7 | B- = 2.7 | C- = 1.7 |
| B+ = 3.3 | C+ = 2.3 | F = 0.0 |
*Note: The lowest passing grade for graduate courses is a C-. There are no D-range grades for graduate coursework.
The grade “S” (Satisfactory) is used to indicate satisfactory progress for master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation courses while they are being conducted. A grade of “U” (Unsatisfactory) is used to indicate unsatisfactory progress in a doctoral dissertation course. Two “U” grades will result in academic dismissal.
“S” grades will ultimately be updated to a “P” (Pass) or “F” (Fail) at the end of the student’s program. “U” grades will ultimately be updated to “NC” (No Credit) or “F” at the end of the student’s program.” NC results in no credit awarded and does not affect the GPA whereas F results in zero credit and affects the GPA.