GAPS Course Grade Appeals

The faculty member is responsible for the evaluation of student academic work and assigning of course grades. Once a grade has been submitted to the Office of the Registrar, only the instructor can change the grade, except in the case of a grade appeal. Failure of the student to submit the appeal within the required time will negate the student’s complaint.

The following process is available for students who wish to appeal a final grade received in a course:

1.  Student contacts the instructor to discuss the course grade.

Within three weeks after the final course grade was posted, the student must contact the instructor in writing to identify the reason why the course grade was unwarranted and request a possible grade change. If the instructor decides that a grade change is warranted, the instructor will send written notification to the Educational Center Director and will notify the student of the change.

If the instructor does not agree that a grade change is warranted, the student has the right to appeal the grade. Grade appeals should not be made frivolously.  Appropriate grounds for grade appeals include situations in which the grade given is alleged to be inconsistent with the course syllabus or in which inappropriate professional conduct or unfairness have influenced the grade. In order to appeal a grade, the student must be prepared to document performance on all course work and explain why the grade received is not consistent with the course expectations expressed in the syllabus.

2.  Student sends a written appeal to the Educational Center Director.

If a student wishes to submit a grade appeal, they must do so in writing within two weeks of receiving notification of the instructor’s final decision. The student should send a letter or email to the appropriate Educational Center Director (or the Assistant Dean of Distance Learning in the case of an online course). The letter of appeal should include rationale why the course grade was unwarranted and how it was inconsistent with the course syllabus. The student should also include copies of any coursework in question. The Director will carefully review all facts and evidence in the case and determine a decision in a reasonable period of time after receipt of the appeal. The Director will notify the student of the grade appeal decision in writing.

3.  Student sends a written appeal to the Vice President of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

A final appeal may be made in writing to the Vice President of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.  This final appeal must be sent within two weeks of receiving notification of the Director’s decision. The letter of appeal should include rationale why the course grade was unwarranted and how it was inconsistent with the course syllabus. The student should also include copies of any coursework in question. The Vice President will carefully review all facts and evidence in the case and may convene a group of faculty for further deliberation. The Vice President will make the decision in a reasonable amount of time after receipt of the appeal and will notify the student of the final grade appeal decision in writing.

The decision of the Vice President of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies is final.