Graduate Grade Appeal Process

Grading is the prerogative of the instructor. The Graduate Grade Appeal Process is used when a student wishes to appeal a final grade in a specific course.  Disputing general fairness in the class and/or dissatisfaction of the grade are not acceptable grounds for the appeal.

1. The student will have 5 working days from the time grades are posted to contact the instructor and request reconsideration of the grade.   The instructor will make a decision on the request within 5 working days and inform the student of that decision.

2. If a student wishes to continue the grade appeal following a decision by the instructor, the student must file a written appeal to the program director/department chair, within 5 working days of the instructor’s decision.

3. Students who wish to appeal the decision of the program director/department chair may appeal that decision to the college dean within 5 working days of that decision.  The dean will review the written appeal and other pertinent materials and render a decision regarding the grade under appeal within 5 working days.  The Dean’s decision will be final. 

For the purpose of this policy, a “working day” means a calendar day, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, and any other day when the university is not open.