Transcript Guide
The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. See the Catalog of Studies for information on undergraduate and graduate program accreditation.
An official transcript is printed on secure paper with a red (PMS- 199) background, does not require a raised seal, and is valid only when it bears the signature of the Registrar. The University of Arkansas transcript is a complete record of the student's enrollment and academic history at the University of Arkansas, including all undergraduate, graduate, and law courses. Partial transcripts based on a student’s career (undergraduate, graduate, or law), or transcripts that include only selected coursework, are not available.
Academic Bankruptcy: A forfeit of all credit hours previously awarded unless otherwise granted by Academic Standards Committee.
Course Numbers: Each course offered by the University is designated by a number composed of four digits. The first digit identifies the level of the course: 0= below freshman level, which cannot be applied to degree requirements: 1= freshman; 2= sophomore; 3= junior; 4= senior or approved graduate; 5, 6, 7= graduate. Courses in the School of Architecture which are designed for the fifth year of the undergraduate, professional curriculum have course numbers beginning with 5. The second and third digits identify the course within the department. The fourth digit identifies the semester-hour value of the course; variable credit courses do not have a fourth digit. Prior to the Fall 1957, the course designator was a three-digit number, the first digit identified the level of the course and the third digit identified the semester-hour value of the course.
Credit Hours: All credit awarded is semester hour credit.
Grade Point Average: Prior to Fall I992, the semester grade-point average includes all University of Arkansas, Fayetteville courses taken that semester. The cumulative grade-point average includes all University of Arkansas, Fayetteville courses (only). Beginning Fall 1992, the grade-point averages are calculated using only University of Arkansas. Fayetteville courses of the same level (Undergraduate, Graduate, or Law). Grade-point averages are computed for Graduate School from Spring 1978 through Fall 1979 and after Summer 1992.
Grade Renewal (1979-1986): From Fall 1979 to Fall 1986, an undergraduate student was permitted to register for a course in which a grade has been previously received. designate that course for "grade renewed" under certain conditions and have only the second grade earned counted in the cumulative totals, including the grade-point average. The symbol for grade renewal (R) appears to the left of the credit hours attempted for the first course, and an adjusted cumulative total (adj. cum.) appears under the cumulative totals following the semester totals of the semester in which the course is repeated.
Grade Forgiveness (Fall 1996 & Forward): Undergraduate students could repeat courses under certain conditions and only the second grade earned counted in the GPA calculation. The symbol (R) appears by the original course.
Grade Exclusion (Spring 2020 & Forward): Undergraduate students may request up to 9 hours to be excluded from their undergraduate cumulative grade-point average. Grade Exclusion replaces the former Grade Forgiveness policy. The symbol (E) appears by the excluded course.
Changes: Changes to the academic record between 1985 and Fall 1992, are noted by an asterisk (*).
Academic Standing: Good academic standing is implied unless otherwise indicated on the transcript. Academic suspension is for one major semester (spring or fall) and all contiguous summer and intersessions from the close of the term which resulted in the academic suspension. Academic dismissal is permanent unless the student meets readmission standards per current university policy or if readmission is granted by the Academic Standards Committee.
Recording of Degrees: Degrees awarded prior to May 1986. are recorded on a special section of the academic record: after May 1986 through Summer 1992. Degrees are also recorded in the body of the academic record following the course listings for the last term completed prior to the degree being awarded. Beginning with Fall 1992, degrees awarded will be in a special section on the academic record.
Transfer Work: Beginning with Fall l992, transfer work accepted will be designated by summary only.
An exception will be for approved Study Abroad courses.
Explanation of Grades and Marks
| Grade | Description | Points | Exceptions/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | Outstanding | 4.25 | Law only, eliminated after Sp1992 |
| A | Outstanding | 4.0 | 6.0 prior to Fa1957 |
| A- | Outstanding/Very Good | 3.67 | 4.0 for Law, Fa1968-Sp1979; 3.75 for Law, Fa1979-Sp1998 |
| B+ | Very Good | 3.33 | 3.5 for Law, Fa1968-Sp1998 |
| B | Good | 3.0 | 4.0 prior to Fa1957; 3.25 for Law, Fa1968-Sp1998 |
| B- | Good/Satisfactory | 2.67 | 3.0 for Law, Fa1968-Sp1998 |
| C++ (C#) | Satisfactory | 2.75 | Law only, eliminated in Fa1982 |
| C+ | Satisfactory | 2.33 | 2.5 for Law, Fa1968-Sp1998 |
| C | Satisfactory | 2.0 | 2.25 for Law, Fa1968-Sp1998 |
| C- | Less Than Satisfactory | 1.67 | 2.0 for Law, Fa1968-Sp1998 |
| D+ | Less Than Satisfactory | 1.33 | 1.5 for Law, Fa1968-Sp1998 |
| D | Less Than Satisfactory | 1 | 0.0 prior to Fa1957; 1.25 for Law, Fa1979-Sp1998 |
| D- | Less Than Satisfactory | 0.67 | 1.0 for Law, Fa1979-Sp1998 |
| E | Conditional Failing | -1.0 | Prior to Fa1957 |
| F | Failing | 0.0 | -2.0 prior to Fa1957 |
| XF | Failing, Academic Dishonesty | 0 | |
| P | Passing with a C- or better | N/A | |
| PD | Passing with a D | N/A | |
| CR | Credit without grade points | N/A | |
| NC | No Credit | N/A | |
| R | Registered, no credit | N/A | |
| S | Satisfactory w/o credit | N/A | |
| I | Incomplete | N/A | |
| AU | Audit, officially enrolled | N/A |
More details about current grades and marks is available in the Catalog of Studies.
Grading Policy Changes in 2020
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, changes were made to the grading policy for spring and summer 2020 allowing for undergraduate students to request “P” grades in classes where they earned at least a “C-“ grade. Grades of “D” converted to “PD” and did not count in the student’s grade point average. Grades of “F” converted to “NC” and did not count in the student’s grade point average. The “F” to “NC” conversion was extended to fall 2020 for undergraduate students.
Graduate students were allowed to request “P” grades for classes where they earned at least a “C” grade and the grade of “NC” was applied to all earned grades of “D” or “F.”
Law students received either a “P” or “F” in courses taken in spring and summer of 2020.
Click here for full details of the grading changes in 2020.