Grading

Grades are recorded for every course in which a student enrolls and may be accessed via campus connection. University grading policies may be found in the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Handbooks. Students are expected to be familiar with all such policies. Following are clarifying statements regarding some of these policies.

Incomplete Grades

As of fall 2025, the university’s Incomplete Policy has changed to allow only a one-quarter grace period (plus the relevant interim period) to resolve an incomplete grade. See the full university policy.

An Incomplete (IN) grade is a temporary grade that may be assigned by the instructor after reviewing and approving a request by the student. In order to receive an IN grade, the student must have a) a satisfactory record in the work already completed for the course, b) encountered unusual or unforeseeable circumstances which prevent them from completing the course requirements by the end of the term, and c) applied to the instructor for permission to receive an IN.

Students must submit the Incomplete Grade Request form in OneDepaul to seek a grade of Incomplete (IN) by the last day of classes for that term. If approved, the instructor must enter permission for the student to receive an IN grade through the form workflow by the last day of final exams for that term. An instructor will have the ability to set a completion date earlier than the full one-quarter grace period.

By default, an incomplete grade will automatically change to a grade of F after the completion period unless another grade is recorded by the instructor. An incomplete grade does NOT grant the student permission to attend the same course in a future quarter.

It is important to note that Course Online recordings for a specific course are only available in the course management system for one week after the quarter ends.

Course Repeats

Students are required to satisfy the minimum grade requirements for all courses in the declared degree program. Detailed information about such requirements may be found in the program description for the declared degree either on the CDM web site or in the University Catalog.

CDM understands that students may be required to repeat courses in which the minimum grade was not earned and encourages all students to reference the University policy titled Grades, Repeating Classes in either the undergraduate or graduate student handbook, as appropriate based on the level of the course.

In all cases, credit earned in a course may be applied to one degree program only. Students must consult with a faculty advisor about potential course substitutions if pursuing additional degree programs that require courses which were previously applied. Additionally, repeated grades and all credit hours earned apply in the declared program of study if a change of major or program is made prior to degree completion. The cumulative grade point average and credit hours earned are then locked upon graduation and would begin anew if a student is then admitted to a new degree program. For example, a grade of F earned in CourseX while in Major/ProgramX will still be used in GPA calculation in Major/ProgramY if the student changes to Major/ProgramY prior to graduating from Major/ProgramX. This is true even if CourseX is not a requirement in Major/ProgramY.

Grade Challenges

The University grade challenge policy exists to provide a forum for the fair resolution of academic disputes involving individual students and appropriateness of course grades. Before submitting a grade challenge, students must carefully read the section titled “Grades, Challenges to” in the Academic Student Handbook. Section D in the handbook describes the procedure for filing a grade challenge, including submission deadlines.

Grade Challenges for CDM courses must be submitted via the online form available in MyCDM. Prior to submitting a grade challenge, students should be prepared to enter a personal statement that describes the reason for the grade challenge and to include documentation to support the grade challenge. Students will be able to attach supporting documents when submitting the grade challenge. Attaching a copy of the course syllabus is strongly recommended. The CDM Grade Challenge Review Board normally meets during weeks 7 and 8 of the fall, winter and spring quarters.