Admin Handbook

EDS Grading Standards for Graduate Students To EDS graduate students: Grading standards for graduate students are different from grading standards for undergraduates. Grades that may have been acceptable at the undergraduate level (such as B-, C+) are not acceptable grades for graduate students. This document is intended to give you guidance in understanding what is expected of you and to help you interpret the grades you receive in the upper-division and graduate level courses you take as a graduate student.

Additionally, you should know that the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research (OGSR) monitors the GPA of all graduate students. A graduate student whose overall GPA drops below a 3.0 is placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation risk dismissal if their GPA remains below 3.0 in future quarters.

Although you may have few or no S/U courses allowed in your program, you should be aware of the University’s S/U grading policy. According to UCSD policy, the minimum standard of performance for a grade of S (satisfactory) in a course that is offered S/U shall be the same as the minimum performance for a grade of B-. Any grade below Bperformance results in a grade of U (unsatisfactory) in a S/U course.

Implications for an EDS graduate student’s grade in a course A Excellent work, expected performance AGood work, improved performance encouraged B+ Acceptable work, improved performance expected B Minimally acceptable work, greatly improved performance expected BMarginal work, very poor performance (letter from Director with copy placed in student’s file) C+ (or lower)Unacceptable performance at the graduate level (may be subject to dismissal) Students who receive grades indicating that improvement in future courses is expected and who need guidance in how to improve are encouraged to confer with the course instructor and other program faculty.

Developing as a Professional Educator The development of professional demeanor and appropriate behavior when working with university faculty, school personnel, and parents, is central to becoming an effective K-12 teacher. Thus, EDS graduate students are expected to behave as a practicing professional by arriving on time and participating actively in all courses and seminars. EDS faculty are expected to document the attendance and participation of graduate students in all EDS courses and seminars. Similarly, EDS graduate students are expected to arrive on time for school visitations and practice teaching, and they are responsible for coordinating their schedules and behaving in a professional manner with school personnel, support providers, supervisors, students, and parents in the school setting. Failing to meet program professional expectations may be cause for disciplinary action by the Director and possible dismissal from the program.