Grade Scale, GPA, and Credit Application
This policy governs the following topics:
- Excelsior University unit of credit
- Application of duplicative credit to Excelsior University programs
- Application of specific types of credit to Excelsior University programs
- Time limits on the application of credit to Excelsior University programs
- Grades awarded by Excelsior University
- Excelsior University GPA
For information on transfer credit, see the Transfer Credit Sources policy. For information on individual degree program requirements, see the related university catalog.
Unit of Credit
Excelsior operates on a trimester calendar. One unit of credit is equivalent to one semester credit.
Duplicative Credit
When duplication is confirmed, only one of the sources of credit can be applied to the student’s Excelsior academic program. This practice applies even if the sources of credit have different numbers, titles, levels, or if they are offered by different departments or institutions. Duplication is a term used when content between two or more sources of credit overlap. Excelsior considers duplication to occur if fifty percent (50%) or more of the content overlaps.
Developmental, Remedial, Certificate Only, and Continuing Education Courses
Courses and exams that are designated as developmental or remedial, certificate only, and continuing education units (CEUs) will not apply to degree requirements.
Physical Education Courses
Up to two (2) semester hours of credit from college-level physical education activity courses may be applied to undergraduate academic programs.
English as a Second Language Transfer Credits
English as a Second Language courses which have been granted college-level credit at an accredited institution can be considered for credit at Excelsior with the following limitations:
-
a. Coursework in English as a Second Language may not be used to meet the Written English Requirement.
b. The six-credit ceiling limit in composition includes college-level work in English as a Second Language; see the Written English Requirement.
c. English language composition may be considered to duplicate English as a Second Language coursework if appropriate.
Post-Baccalaureate Credit Used Toward Undergraduate Degree
It is the policy of Excelsior University, in accordance with New York State Education Department policies, to limit and in some cases prohibit the application of post-baccalaureate coursework toward an undergraduate or dual degree. It is at the purview of Excelsior to determine if post-baccalaureate credits can be considered toward an Excelsior degree.
Time Limitations on Applicability of Transfer and Excelsior Credit
Generally, there is no time limit on the use of credit from approved sources of credit to satisfy the requirements of the general education component of Excelsior University degree programs. The only exception is the Information Literacy requirement which must have been taken within ten years of the date the student becomes admitted into Excelsior. There are time restrictions on the acceptability of courses or examinations used to satisfy some of the professional component or core requirements of the University’s degree programs listed below.
The following degree programs have established a time-related restriction on the application of certain subject areas meeting degree requirements.
| Degree Program | Subject Area | Time Limit Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity |
Cybersecurity Component |
5 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology |
Computer Electrical (not AC/DC) Electronics |
10 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Information Technology |
Information Technology Component |
5 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology |
Calculus I Calculus II Natural Science Computers Nuclear Engineering Technology Electrical (not AC/DC) Electronics |
10 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Technical and Professional Writing |
Concentration courses |
10 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Logistics Operations Management |
Concentration courses |
15 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences |
Natural Science component Science courses |
10 years |
| Associate in Science in Nursing and Associate in Applied Science in Nursing |
Human Anatomy and Physiology core Microbiology |
5 years |
|
All Nursing requirements |
Eligible Credit: Excelsior courses completed since 2020 AND no more than 5 years prior to the academic policy date, C graded or higher are eligible. |
|
| LPN to BS in Nursing |
Human Anatomy and Physiology core Microbiology |
5 years |
|
All Nursing requirements |
Eligible Credit: Excelsior courses completed since 2020 AND no more than 5 years prior to the academic policy date, C graded or higher are eligible. |
|
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
All Nursing requirements |
5 years |
| Master of Science in Nursing Education |
All Nursing requirements |
5 years |
| Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Administration of Health Care Systems |
All Nursing requirements |
5 years |
| Master of Science in Nursing Informatics |
All Nursing requirements |
5 years |
| All dual-degree programs in nursing |
All Nursing requirements |
5 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Business (including Dual degree) |
Business component courses |
15 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management (including Dual degree) |
Professional business core |
20 years |
| All non-nursing graduate level degrees |
All credits applied toward the degree |
5 years |
Grade Scale
The following grading policies apply to all Excelsior University schools and programs. Excelsior sources of credit include Excelsior undergraduate courses and graduate courses. Individual degree programs may have minimum grade requirements, which are identified in the school catalogs.
| Grade | Quality Points |
In GPA Calculation? |
In SAP Calculation? |
On Official Transcript |
Numerical Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 90% - 100% |
| B | 3.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 80% - 89% |
| C | 2.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 70% - 79% |
| D | 1.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 60% - 69% |
| F | 0.00 | Yes | Yes | Yes | 59% or below |
| I | N/A | No | No | Yes | |
| P | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | |
| W | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | |
| AW | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | |
| MW | N/A | No | No | Yes |
Incomplete (Grade of I)
The grade of I indicates that a student has been granted an extension of time to complete the work in an Excelsior course. Grades of I will convert to F if not completed within the time the extension has been granted. Students with two or more I grades for Excelsior sources of credit will not be allowed to register for any additional Excelsior sources of credit. Students with I grades will not be approved for graduation.
Withdrawal (Grades of W)
“W” grades indicate withdrawal without academic penalty.
At the undergraduate level, a student may withdraw from the same course a maximum of three times. After the third withdrawal from the same course, the student is not allowed to register for the course without permission from an academic advisor. An undergraduate student may receive a maximum of six W grades in Excelsior courses (not including AW or MW). After six W grades, the student will not have the option of withdrawing from a course. The student will receive the grade that is earned for work completed and the level of achievement for that work.
At the graduate level, students are allowed to accumulate a maximum of four W grades (not including AW and MW) in Excelsior courses. After four W grades, the student will not be allowed the option to withdraw from a course. The student will receive the grade that is earned for work completed and the level of achievement for that work.
Administrative Withdrawal (Grades of AW)
The grade of “AW” is assigned when a student has been administratively withdrawn from an Excelsior course because of excessive absenteeism.
After six AW grades, the undergraduate student will be Academically Dismissed from Excelsior.
Graduate students are allowed to accumulate a maximum of four AW grades (not including W or MW). After four AW grades, the graduate student will be Academically Dismissed from Excelsior University.
Military Withdrawal (Grades of MW)
A grade of MW withdraws a student from a course when they are unable to complete a course due to military training or deployment. The grade of MW indicates withdrawal without academic penalty from an Excelsior course.
Grade Point Average
Excelsior requires an overall 2.0 GPA for completion of an undergraduate degree and an overall 3.0 GPA for completion of a graduate degree and graduate certificates. If an Excelsior source of credit is repeated, the most recent grade earned for the source of credit will be used in all GPA calculations.
The overall GPA is based on grades recorded for all Excelsior sources of credit that are applied to the student’s degree program, whether taken before or after admission. This GPA cannot be modified by removing grades earned.
The letter grades (other than P for passing) of all work qualifying for credit toward an Excelsior degree are converted to the numerical equivalents system listed above for purposes of computing the overall GPA. GPAs will not be rounded.
Are Exceptions of Policy Allowed?
Students in some programs can appeal the time limit on the applicability of credit.
Procedure
Duplicative Credit and Application of Credit - Credits for Teaching
To verify college teaching experience, the Registrar’s Office must receive a letter from the Academic Dean, Department Chairperson, Commanding Officer, or Program Supervisor stating the course number and title and the dates of instruction. The letter should also indicate that the person requesting the credit was the sole instructor of the course.
Post-Baccalaureate Credit Toward Undergraduate Degree
Excelsior University recognizes that there are varying scenarios in which post-baccalaureate credit may be considered toward undergraduate or dual degree programs. Each scenario will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
In cases when Excelsior University determines that the post-baccalaureate credit would benefit the student’s undergraduate or dual degree program, the student must provide written permission permitting Excelsior University to apply post-baccalaureate credit toward degree requirements.
Course approval will not be provided for undergraduate students seeking to take post-baccalaureate level courses except in the instance of the bridge and graduate components of registered dual degree programs.
Post-baccalaureate transfer credit listed on an Excelsior University transcript is not distinguished as graduate level credit.
