Assessment is communicated either via letter grades (as opposed to percentages) for most coursework or pass/no-pass for capstones and other, more qualitatively evaluated course requirements. An instructor has the right to assign a final grade based on any combination of written work, participation, maintaining a cooperative and scholarly attitude, attendance, student self-assessment according to faculty-stipulated guidelines, and other skills or competencies that indicate achievement of course Learning Outcomes. The basis for assigning a grade is provided in the course outline, which details learning outcomes, expectations, and assignments and is made available to students prior to the beginning of each course. ADLER is committed to curbing grade inflation. A “B” at the graduate level indicates that the student’s performance meets expectations for someone who has been granted admission to a master’s program. Following are letter grade equivalents to grade points (on a four-point scale), percentages, and descriptions. (Note: With the provision that the student self-assessment component will not exceed 40% of the final assessment.)
ASSESSMENT SCHEMA
| Letter | Grade | Percentage | Description |
| A+ | 4.0 | 90-100 | Exceptional |
| A | 4.0 | 85-89 | Superior |
| A- | 3.67 | 80-84 | Excellent |
| B+ | 3.33 | 77-79 | Above Average |
| B | 3.0 | 74-76 | Good |
| B- | 2.67 | 70-73 | Satisfactory |
| C+ | 2.33 | 67-69 | Marginal |
| C | 2.0 | 64-66 | Below Average |
| C- | 1.67 | 60-63 | Minimum |
| F | 0 | Failing | Failure |
ADDITIONAL GRADES
E – Continuous Enrollment: Students who have been approved by their Program Dean, or Director, for a Leave of Absence and who pay a Continuous Enrollment fee (See Schedule of Tuition and Fees), will have an “E” entered on their transcripts for every trimester they do not sign up for at least 1 credit (See Continuous Enrollment).
I – Incomplete: Students who are absent from the course or unable to complete course requirements due to serious illness, a family emergency or other approved critical circumstances may request makeup work or an extension (See course Attendance). If the request is accepted, the instructor will report to the Registrar a grade of “I” or Incomplete, along with a copy of the request and documentation, what must be done to complete the course, and the date by which the completion is due. When the work is completed, the instructor will submit a grade that replaces the incomplete. An incomplete will revert to an “F” or failing grade if it is not removed by the end of the trimester following that in which the student was originally registered for the course.
IP – In Progress: Courses that are not completed in the trimester in which they were taken due to an approved extension. Approval of the Program Dean is required for an IP grade to extend beyond two trimesters following that in which the course began. A Continuous Enrollment Fee may apply (see Continuous Enrollment).
P OR N – Pass or No Pass: Some courses, such as experiential seminars or practicum, are designated as “pass-no pass” by Program faculty. In these cases, students are assigned a grade of “P” for Pass or “N” to indicate they did not meet the standards necessary to pass. No student may graduate with an “N” grade for which they have not successfully repeated the course. Students may repeat courses for which they received an “N” grade no more than twice.
W – Withdrawal (Dropping a Course): Dropping a course according to the procedures outlined in the Dropping a Course policy results in the notation “W” next to the course listing on the student’s transcript. Please see each Academic Program for individual program withdrawal policies.
X – Program Dismissal: The grade of “X” indicates that a student has been dismissed from a program as a result of a decision by the Program Dean, in the case of failure to comply with School policy as outlined in the Academic Calendar and other School documents, after a recommendation of dismissal by the Academic Standing Committee, as a result of actions taken under the Ethical Conduct and Dispute Resolution process, or other disciplinary action.
Note on Grade Disputes
Students may not typically grieve grades. Instructors are not required to re-read papers and may not do so with the intent of re-assigning a grade after the final grades for the course have been submitted to the Registrar. However, if a student feels that an instructor is unjustly biased in her or his treatment of a student for other than academic performance, or that academic policies have not been applied as outlined in this Calendar, the student may use the Discrimination and Harassment Complaints Procedure to make an official complaint.