Incomplete Work
About This Policy
- Last Updated
- 09/03/2024
- Policy Owner
- Academic Affairs
- Responsible Office
- Academic Affairs
The grade of “Incomplete” (IN) can be used at the discretion of the instructor when a student has not completed the required coursework. The IN grade signifies that a final grade is being withheld until the required work is completed and approved.
Conditions for Receiving an IN Grade
Students may be eligible for a grade of IN in cases where there is evidence that the student has completed a substantial portion of work in a course, but because of unexpected circumstances, such as illness, or personal reasons, did not complete all coursework. Excessive absence or low grades alone cannot constitute the reason for an incomplete.
A grade of incomplete can be given to a course only after a conversation between the student and instructor. The instructor has discretion to decide whether the student’s circumstances warrant a grade of IN. In all cases, the IN grade is a privilege exercised by an instructor. It is not a right ascribed to a student. The instructor is not required to provide an IN grade.
A grade of IN is not a passing grade, and so courses cannot count as meeting a prerequisite until the incomplete work is satisfied.
For an IN grade to be assigned the instructor of the course must initiate the Incomplete Contract. The instructor will send the completed contract to the student and the student will sign and send the contract back to the instructor. The instructor will sign and distribute the final contract to the student, chair/director, dean, and the Provost’s Office. The instructor must then submit the IN as part of the final grade process for the course.
Removal of an IN Grade
IN grades should be completed within one of the time frames below. For an IN grade to be removed and a new grade to be assessed, students are responsible for completing their work before the following dates (these are deadlines for instructors to assign grades, so work may be required due earlier):
- February 15 for IN grades assigned for the previous fall semester or winter session.
- June 30 for IN grades assigned for the previous spring semester.
- October 15 for IN grades assigned for the previous summer semester.
Extending the Deadline for Removal of an IN Grade
If there is reason to extend the deadline for an IN grade removal, it is the student’s responsibility to initiate this by first communicating with the course instructor and submitting a Request of Extension of an Incomplete Grade. This request must be signed by the instructor and the appropriate chair/director or dean, and distributed to the student, chair/director, dean, and the Provost’s Office.