Graduate Dissertation, Thesis and Project Grading Policy

The L grade has been removed from the Graduate grading options effective fall 2018. The L or load grade was used in dissertation, thesis and project grading to signify that satisfactory progress has been made but that the work was not complete. With the removal of this grading option SEAS has determined that a uniform grading policy for dissertation, thesis and project should be implemented.

UB Graduate School Grading Policy

The L grade is removed from the graduate grading options effective fall 2018. L grades assigned prior to fall 2018 will be changed to S grades by the Office of the Registrar upon final acceptance of the dissertation, thesis, project or portfolio and completion of all degree requirements. If the instructor wishes to assign a default grade other than S, a Universal Grade Change form must be submitted. For master's degree students, if all degree requirements are satisfied by means other than the thesis, research, project or portfolio (e.g., comprehensive exam), any L grades received will remain permanently on the student transcript.

SEAS Policy

As L grades are no longer allowed for dissertation, thesis and project courses, effective fall 2018, the dissertation, thesis and project courses must be assigned a Satisfactory (S), Unsatisfactory (U) or an Incomplete (I) grade by the faculty supervisor at the end of each term. No weighted grades are allowed for the dissertation, thesis or project courses in SEAS.

Important Notes

  • Only S/U/I options will be available to faculty when grading. Grade of I should be used cautiously as faculty need to determine a default grade (for these courses always use U) and 12 months after the close of the term in which the I was assigned the I will default to U and will require an electronic grade change request to fix the grade.
  • If no grade is assigned to the dissertation, thesis or project in a given semester, the grade will default into an F on the last day of the following semester and will require an electronic grade change request to fix the grade.
  • More information about I and blank grades can be found in the Graduate School Policy library.

Updated 09/03/2021