University Undergraduate Advising Handbook

DEFERRED GRADE (DF)
(Senate Policy 48-40)

If, for reasons beyond a student's control, he/she is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the student may ask the instructor for a deferred grade. If the instructor agrees to this action, the instructor reports the student's grade as a DF at the end of the semester to delay issuing a grade and to allow the student more time to complete course work.

Deadline for Course Completion
Impact of Summer Enrollment
Extension
Impact on the Student's Record
     Degree Audit
     Transcript and Grade Reports
Advising Recommendation
Student Action
Advising Note

DEADLINE FOR COURSE COMPLETION

When an instructor defers a student's grade by submitting a DF, the deadline is the end of the sixth week of the next semester. If the following semester is a summer session and the student is not enrolled, then the student has until the end of the sixth week of fall semester.

The deferred grade deadline does not change if a student is on a leave of absence or chooses not to enroll for the subsequent semester.

Unless an extension has been granted, a DF becomes an F if the instructor does not change it to a grade by the deferred-grade expiration date.

IMPACT OF SUMMER ENROLLMENT

Regardless of session or campus, if a student is enrolled in Penn State resident instruction, Continuing Education, or World Campus course work for summer, the deferred-grade expiration date is the last day of classes in the second six-week summer session (see Summer Sessions).

EXTENSION

Extension beyond six weeks may be granted for extenuating circumstances only. The course instructor must approve the extension. A deferred grade form indicating the date the deferral expires must be processed. Deferred grades should not be extended beyond the end of the semester following the semester when the DF was granted.

IMPACT ON THE STUDENT'S RECORD

Degree Audit

If a student has a deferred grade, his/her degree audit will include a section titled Incomplete Courses and will list any DF courses. (See section 6 of this sample degree audit.)

Transcript and Grade Reports

When a student receives a deferred grade, DF will appear on the student's transcript and grade reports instead of a grade. The student's grade-point average for that semester will be calculated without the deferred-grade credits. The letter "I," signifying "incomplete," is printed next to the student's grade-point average on his/her transcript.

When the time limit has expired, a grade will be assigned, the grade-point average will be recalculated, the "I" will be removed, and, if appropriate, the student will be named to the Dean's List. When these changes are entered on the student's official record, an updated grade report is mailed to the student's home address.

ADVISING RECOMMENDATION

To ensure clarity, the instructor who has approved a deferred-grade request should provide the student with a written statement detailing the agreed upon plan for completing work. For example:

I have agreed to give John Doe a deferred grade for PHIL 321, spring 2005. He must hand in two book reviews and take the final exam in order to complete course requirements. This work must be turned in by October 1 to allow time for grading prior to the deferred-grade expiration date. Dr. George Jones, 04/30/05

STUDENT ACTION

1. Obtain approval for a deferred grade from the course instructor. If the course instructor is not available, contact the student's appropriate dean's office.

2. Request a written statement from the instructor for your records (see advising recommendation above) or, if necessary (see below), complete a deferred grade form (available from the student's appropriate college dean) and submit it to the Registrar's office.

A deferred grade form is only required if the instructor

1. wants to allow the student less time to complete the required work (in that case an earlier course completion date can be entered on the form),

2. wants to extend the deadline for completing the required work, or

3. is not available and the deferred grade is approved by the student's appropriate college dean.

Students follow the same procedures to defer a grade in a Continuing Education course as in a resident instruction course.

The policies and procedures to defer a grade through World Campus are listed in the World Campus Course Catalog.

ADVISING NOTE

It is important to consider the impact that the completion of course work required to remove the DF will have on the student's workload during the next semester. A student deferring 6 credits of work and registering for 19 credits could be carrying an effective credit load of 25 credits during the first six weeks of the following semester. The student should be advised that this is an extreme overload.

The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. Please consult a Penn State academic adviser for more detailed information.

This page is part of the University Undergraduate Advising Handbook, which is maintained by the Division of Undergraduate Studies, DUS@psu.edu.

Last Update: May 2008