Academic Standards

	Grading System
	Quality Point Average (QPA)
	Class Entrance Requirements
	Graduation Requirements

Grading System

The following table shows the grading system used by Northeastern University. The numerical equivalent for each grade is also indicated.

Quality Point Average (QPA)

The quality points you earn in a given course are determined based on your letter grade and the semester hours carried by the course. The total quality points earned divided by the total number of semester hours constitutes the quality-point average (QPA).

As an example, the table below calculates the quality-point average for a student who has registered for eight courses and received advanced standing credit (ASC) in another.

Using these values, QPA = total quality points (57.334) divided by total semester hours (26), yielding QPA = 2.205.

The following rules apply.

• When you receive more than one grade in the same course, the most recent grade will be used to calculate your QPA.
• Neither a grade of I (incomplete) nor a grade of W (withdrawal) will be considered in the final calculation of the QPA.
• If you are a transfer student, you can receive advanced standing credits (ASC) for work completed at other institutions. While these credits count toward completion of degree requirements, neither the credits nor the grades earned in such courses are included in the QPA.

Class Entrance Requirements

The minimum overall quality-point averages listed are required for students to advance to the next rank and to graduate. 

A cumulative quality-point average of 2.0 or better in major courses is required for graduation. Students are expected to carry the normal prescribed curriculum for the program. Details on criteria for academic probation and suspension are available at 120 Snell Engineering Center.

Graduation Requirements