Undergraduate Students

Overall GPA for Graduation

To graduate from Kent State University with an associate degree, bachelor's degree, undergraduate minor or undergraduate certificate, all students must earn a minimum 2.000 overall grade point average (GPA). Some programs require a higher overall GPA for graduation, and these are noted on the program’s page in the University Catalog and in the GPS degree audit.

A student's overall GPA is calculated using all coursework taken at Kent State, with the exception of grades exempted through Kent State's course repeat or GPA adjustment policies.

Major, Minor and Certificate GPA for Graduation

To graduate with a declared undergraduate major, minor or certificate, all students must earn a minimum 2.000 GPA in the program. Some programs require a higher GPA for graduation, and these are noted on the program’s page in the University Catalog and in the GPS degree audit.

A student’s major, minor or certificate GPA is calculated using only the courses that complete the requirements in that major, minor or certificate. When multiple courses may be used to complete a specific requirement (e.g., “choose from” or either/or choice), the course with the highest passing grade will complete the requirement and be used in the calculation of the major, minor or certificate GPA.

The major, minor and certificate GPA can be found in the student’s GPS degree audit; they are not displayed on the student transcript or diploma and are not stored in the university’s student information system.

Latin Honors GPA

For information on how the GPA is calculated for Latin Honors (bachelor’s degrees) and for Distinction (associate degrees), refer to the Honors at Graduation policy in the University Catalog.

Graduate Students

To be considered “in good standing,” a 3.000 average or better in all graduate and required undergraduate work undertaken at Kent State University should be maintained by graduate students¹. In order to qualify for graduation, the student must have a 3.000 average in all graduate courses attempted. The grade point average of a student who enlists in the military service after work is begun toward a graduate degree may, at the student’s request upon return from military service, exclude the grades earned in the last semester in which that student is in residence prior to induction.

¹

Students seeking the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree are expected to maintain a minimum 2.000 grade point average. 

Calculating Grade Point Average

Quality points are awarded on the following scale:

• 1 credit hour of A equals 4.000 points
• 1 credit hour of A- equals 3.700 points
• 1 credit hour of B+ equals 3.300 points
• 1 credit hour of B equals 3.000 points
• 1 credit hour of B- equals 2.700 points
• 1 credit hour of C+ equals 2.300 points
• 1 credit hour of C equals 2.000 points
• 1 credit hour of C- equals 1.700 points
• 1 credit hour of D+ equals 1.300 points
• 1 credit hour of D equals 1.000 point
• 1 credit hour of F equals 0.000 points
• 1 credit hour of NF equals 0.000 points
• 1 credit hour of SF equals 0.000 points
• 1 credit hour of U equals 0.000 points

A grade point average is determined by dividing the total number of points earned by the number of quality hours taken. Totals are extended to three decimal points and are not rounded up.

As an example, assume a student has completed 30 credit hours with a grade distribution of 3 credit hours of A, 3 credit hours of B, 3 credit hours of B-, 15 credit hours of C, 4 credit hours of D and 2 credit hours of F.

Dividing 63.100 by 30, a GPA of 2.103 is obtained, which is slightly above a C average. Overall GPA is computed by dividing the total quality points by the total quality hours. Grades of S (Satisfactory), Y (Pass) and Z (Fail) are not included in the GPA.