Open Studies Academic Standing for Winter 2020
As a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the university's move to credit/non-credit (CR/NC) grading for the Winter 2020 term, Open Studies will manage the standings for the 2019-2020 academic year in a slightly different way.
Your 2019-2020 standing will be calculated based only on courses for which you have received a letter grade within the terms described above. Results of CR/NC will have no impact on your academic standing.
Academic Standing Assessment for Open Studies Winter 2020
Winter 2020 grades will not impact your academic standing. We will review your GPA from previous term(s) if applicable, and assign Satisfactory standing where possible. For Open Studies students who have a negative standing as a result and were not able to influence your academic standing positively, we will defer your assessment. For those students in Winter 2020 only, we will defer your assessment.
The following example is based on a student attending since Fall 2019. This does not represent all scenarios however, the same principles will still be applied.
| Fall 2019 GPA | Academic Standing | Assessment Result | Student Information |
| <1.6 | Unsatisfactory | Defer assessment | Next graded course work must increase GPA > 2.0 |
| 1.6 <>1.9 | Marginal | Defer assessment | Next graded course work must increase GPA > 2.0 |
| > 2.0 | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Continue to keep grades course work above 2.0 (C or better) |
The rules are provided in the University of Alberta Calendar and continue to guide us in how your academic standing will be assessed:
- University of Alberta regulations, categories and how GPA's are calculated for Academic Standing
- University of Alberta regulations for Open Studies students including the general timing of when academic standing is run
FAQs
No. We recognize this has been an 'out-of-the-ordinary' term. In order to minimize negative impacts, students may resume their studies in Open Studies for future terms. However, credit limits will be enforced for future term registration.
Students in Fresh Start or Exceptional Athletes, who have not been re-admitted or admitted into their faculty of choice will be permitted to complete another full year.
Transition Year Program (TYP) students who do not get admitted to their faculty of choice should contact the TYP Associate Director for available options for full-time continuing studies.
If you reached the maximum limit of 30 credits as of the end of Fall 2019, you would not be permitted to extend your studies further.
This university-wide decision was made by the General Faculties Council Executive Committee to ensure equity among all students, preserve academic integrity, and manage the issues presented by an uncertain future including the impact on students. You can find the decision document here.
Your instructors provided a revised course outline that will give the requirements for completing your courses. After the end of the term one of three grades may appear on your transcript:
Credit (CR): You have completed the requirements of the course and demonstrated sufficient mastery of the learning objectives.
No Credit (NC): You have not completed the course requirements.
Incomplete (IN): You haven't been able to complete the work, but could at a later date. In cases where you receive an IN the instructor will communicate what is required to earn CR within a timeframe that follows the Academic Calendar (Item 6 - Grades of Incomplete).
Withdrawal (W): If you choose to withdraw from a course by the withdrawal deadline, a remark of W is added to your transcript for the course. You can retake a course from which you have withdrawn once, but you do not have to retake a course from which you withdrew. It would only be recommended to retake a course from which you withdrew if you needed credit in the course for your program of study.
All students will receive a credit (CR) or no credit (NC) grade for all Winter 2020 courses. No letter grades will be assigned.
The only exceptions to this will be made by deans of programs where grades are required for accreditation or licensure requirements. Students will be contacted directly, no later than March 27, 2020, if this exemption applies to them.
The university will make a note on transcripts to indicate this grading scheme reflects the university's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you receive a credit (CR), you have completed the requirements of the course and demonstrated sufficient mastery of the learning objectives. This means you will receive credit for the course and it will count towards program requirements and prerequisites.
If you withdraw (W), you will be required to take the course again if it is needed. You do have the option to withdraw from the course, take a W, and retake the course at a later date to receive a letter grade. The decision is up to you.
No credit (NC) means you have not completed the course requirements and you will not receive credit for the course.
A withdrawal (W) means you removed yourself from the course before the course finished, and has no academic impact.
No credit (NC) means you have not completed the course requirements and you will not receive credit for the course.
An incomplete (IN) means you haven't been able to complete the work, but could at a later date. In cases where you receive an IN the instructor will communicate what is required to earn CR within a timeframe that follows the Academic Calendar (Item 6 - Grades of Incomplete).
A CR indicates that you normally would get a passing grade, D or above. An NC means you have not successfully completed the learning outcomes or mastery required.
All Winter 2020 course outlines have been updated by instructors to outline all changes to exams, assessments, and grading. Please refer to the updated course syllabus in each of your courses.
The receiving faculty (or other institution) retains the authority to decide how they are going to admit. You should contact them directly to understand how they are managing admissions.