A limited pass/fail (P/F) grading system is available to encourage students to enrich their academic programs and explore more challenging courses outside their majors, without the pressures and demands of the regular grading system.
Requirements
- Completed a minimum of 30 credit hours completed at Virginia Tech
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above
Courses that are only offered pass/fail can be taken without completing 30 credits hours or having a 2.0 GPA.
Restrictions to Pass/Fail Options
- Required courses within the major, minor, or Curriculum for Liberal Education cannot be taken pass/fail
- No more than two courses per semester may be taken pass/fail
- Only ten percent (10%) of the total number of credits required for graduation can be taken pass/fail
- This number is based on the course work completed at Virginia Tech
- Transfer credits cannot be used in establishing these limits
- Example: Student completed 80 credits at Virginia Tech and transferred in 40 credits. Student is eligible to take eight credits of free electives pass/fail.
- Additional degree programs cannot be used to increase the number of pass/fail credits a student is permitted to use toward any degree
- A course taken pass/fail cannot be repeated under the "A-F" grading system
Determining Grade Assigned to Pass/Fail Courses
- A grade of "P (pass)" is granted for earning a "D" or better
- A grade of "F (fail)" is given for earning a "D-" or lower
- A failing grade is included in the GPA calculation
- A failing grade under the P/F option. The "P" or "F" is recorded on the student's transcript and credit is given if the course is passed. If the course is failed, the "F" is considered equivalent to an "F" received under the "A-F" grading system and is included in calculation of the GPA. Once credit is received for a course taken under the P/F system, the course cannot be repeated under the "A-F" grading system.
The rules governing pass/fail enrollments are University rules, and the Dean's Office is authorized to permit exceptions.