How to Request a Change to S/U Grading

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students can request a change to S/U grading through using the following steps:

  1. Log in to your account
  2. Navigate to the Rebel Student Homepage
  3. Select the "View Grades" tile
  4. Choose the "Fall 2023" term
  5. Select "Change Grade to S/U"
  6. Refer to the Changing Grades to S/U guide for detailed instructions

Please email registrar@unlv.edu if you have any questions or need assistance.

Graduate Students

Graduate students should request a change to S/U grading through the using the following steps:

  1. Log in to your account
  2. Click on the "Forms" Tab
  3. Click on the "Additional Forms" link
  4. Complete the "Request for Change of Grading Basis in the Graduate-Level Course" form

Please email grad.rpc@unlv.edu if you have any questions or need assistance.

Important Dates

  • Final Grades Due: Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023
  • S/U Request Forms Open: Friday, Dec. 22, 2023
  • Deadline to Submit S/U Requests: Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. PST

Note: S/U requests will only be accepted after final grades have been posted in .

Grading Equivalencies and GPA Calculations

The S/U grading option only applies to classes with initially assigned letter grades and excludes audited, withdrawn, or incomplete classes. The Office of the Registrar will use the following grading equivalencies:

  • Undergraduate Courses
    • S (Satisfactory) = Grade of "C-" or better*
    • U (Unsatisfactory) = Grade of "D+" or lower
  • Graduate Courses
    • S (Satisfactory) = Grade of "B-" or better**
    • U (Unsatisfactory) = Grade of "C+" or lower

* Students should review the Academic Considerations and Program and Course-Based Exclusion sections below regarding their particular degree requirements. Undergraduate coursework in the subject codes KIN, NURS, or SW will use the equivalency of C or better for an S grade.

** Students should confirm with their graduate coordinator/advisor whether a B- or B is accepted.

GPA Calculations

  • S/U grades do not factor into GPA or grade point balance calculations.
  • S/U grades count as a course attempt. This is important for courses with an "attempt rule." If you've previously taken the course and are requesting S/U grading, your first attempt will no longer count toward your GPA or credits. However, if you retake the course after this semester, you may lose any credits that you earned for the course this semester.
  • Students who choose the S/U grading option for all classes will have no semester GPA, with no impact on cumulative GPA.
  • Only courses with letter grades contribute to semester and cumulative GPAs.

Financial Aid Considerations

S/U grades may impact eligibility for some forms of financial aid and scholarships. Students should contact the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office if they have questions about their specific situation.

Academic Considerations for S/U Grading

  • "S" grades are not letter grades and may not satisfy degree requirements where certain letter grades are required for completion. The department for the course will determine the applicability of "S" grades when letter grades are typically required. In addition, "U" grades will not satisfy degree requirements.
  • If a course for which you choose S/U grading serves as a prerequisite for a higher-level course, it is your responsibility to be prepared to complete coursework at the next level successfully.
  • S/U grades are subject to evaluation by receiving universities when transferring or applying to new programs, such as graduate or professional schools.
  • The Pre-Professional Advising Center and the Division of Health Sciences Advising Center encourage students to meet with a PPAC Advisor before requesting S/U grades for students who intend to pursue professional school entry, as some areas of professional practice may require letter grades. Please see below for more program-specific information.

Professional Schools

The Boyd School of Law, Kerkorian School of Medicine, and School of Dental Medicine have established their own procedures for fall 2023 grades. Law, medical, and dental students are advised to consult their respective Deans' offices for specific guidance.

Schools of Integrated Health Sciences, Nursing, and Social Work

Certain undergraduate and graduate programs in the School of Integrated Health Sciences, School of Nursing, and School of Social Work are excluded from the plan to cancel scheduled final exams due to accreditation/licensure requirements. These programs will independently determine how to conclude the fall 2023 semester.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students are encouraged to seek academic advising before submitting the S/U grading request in . Academic advisors are available for virtual drop-in advising and can be reached via email. Academic advisors will be available during the weeks of Dec. 11 and 18, with limited availability from Dec. 26 through 29. While most Advising Centers will not be open for in-person advising, virtual, phone, and email advising options are available.

S/U grades are subject to evaluation by receiving universities when transferring or applying to new programs, such as graduate or professional schools.

Please email registrar@unlv.edu if you have any questions.

Graduate Students

Graduate students should confirm with their graduate coordinator/advisor whether a grade of a B- or B is accepted for "S" grades, as some programs have licensure and/or accreditation requirements. Graduate program handbooks will also specify whether B- or B grades meet program requirements. In most programs, graduate students may count up to six credits of "Satisfactory" graded coursework from fall 2023 toward master's or doctoral degree requirements. However, they should consult their graduate coordinator/advisor for specific degree requirements.

In general, "S" grades will fulfill most 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ prerequisites and graduation requirements. For program-specific or future application requirements, students should consult with academic advisors or graduate coordinators/advisors to make informed decisions aligned with their academic and professional goals.

Please email grad.rpc@unlv.edu if you have any questions.

Program and Course-Based Exclusions from S/U Grading

Undergraduate Students

Many Integrated Health Sciences majors and programs do not allow S/U grading due to accreditation requirements. Students considering S/U grading should consult their academic advisor or program director before proceeding.

  • Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Medical Physics, Physician Assistant (PA), Doctor of Medicine (MD), and other Accredited Programs
    • Students intending to apply to professional healthcare programs should be aware that accrediting bodies typically require a letter grade for application consideration.
    • The accredited program requires a letter grade (A-F).
  • Pre- Comprehensive Medical Imaging (Pre-CMI)
    • Pre-CMI students' scores diminish on applications to accredited programs (Radiography and Ultrasound) if they opt for S/U grades.
      • For applications to these programs, points are awarded on the grades for select courses based on a 4.0 scale. An "S" defaults to a "C," diminishing the applicant's score.
    • The accredited program requires a letter grade (A-F).
  • Comprehensive Medical Imaging B.S. and Health Physics B.S.
    • The accredited program requires a letter grade (A-F).
  • Pre-Health Physics and Pre-Nutrition
    • The accredited program requires a letter grade (A-F) during major applications.
  • Registered Dietician – Nutrition B.S.
    • 200, 300, and 400-level courses must earn Cs or higher for a Verification Statement upon graduation.
    • S grades are not calculated into GPAs when applying through DICAS for acceptance into MS-DI programs.
    • Per ACEND, verification statements can only be issued for courses with a C or higher.
    • The accredited program requires a letter grade (A-F).
  • Athletic Training B.S. & M.S., Doctorate of Occupational Therapy, Doctorate of Physical Therapy, and Doctorate of Medical Physics
    • The accredited program requires a letter grade (A-F).
  • Kinesiology B.S.
    • Students enrolled in the B.S. of Kinesiology must earn a "C" or better in courses required for the major. A grade of "S" will not satisfy this requirement.

Pre-Nursing Students: S/U grading is not allowed for specific courses, including KIN 223, KIN 224, BIOL 251, MATH 124, NURS 299, and CHEM 108. S/U grades earned in these courses will not be applied toward admissions requirements for pre-nursing students seeking admission to the BSN program.

Nursing Students: S/U grading is not allowed for specific courses, including NURS 305, NURS 306, NURS 307, NURS 313R, NURS 320, NURS 325, NURS 329, NURS 342, NURS 350, NURS 401, NURS 405, NURS 406, NURS 419, NURS 420, NURS 425, and NURS 427. S/U grades earned in these courses will not be applied toward graduation requirements for the BSN program.

Undergraduate students in the Social Work BSW or Pre-Social Work cannot request S/U grading for field practicum courses (SW 419, SW 429). S/U grades earned in these courses will not be applied toward graduation requirements for the undergraduate Social Work program.

Graduate Students

Graduate students in the Social Work program cannot request S/U grading for field practicum courses (SW 719, SW 729, SW 739, SW 749, SW 759, and SW 769). S/U grades earned in these courses will not be applied toward graduation requirements for the graduate Social Work program.

Additional Information

For undergraduate questions related to fall 2023 grading, please email registrar@unlv.edu.
For graduate student questions related to fall 2023 grading, please email grad.rpc@unlv.edu.