FAQ for Spring 2021 Grading Options (COVID-19)

Smeal and Smeal Bound Student FAQ for COVID-19 Grading Policy (Applies to Spring 2021 semester only)

“The current pandemic has posed challenges for all of us.  Given the circumstances, it is natural that you may decide to utilize AG in this Spring 2021 semester.  Please consider that assessment of learning and academic performance using letter grades (A, B-, etc.) is the reigning expectation in institutions of higher education in the United States and many other countries.  The letter grade is used to convey your attainment of learning outcomes and level of mastery in each course subject that appears in your transcript.  In that context, letter grades are often viewed as differentiators when it comes to career exploration, graduate school admissions, and other post-graduate interests based on academic competitiveness.

While SP 21 AG is an available option for students that have been unduly affected by the COVID-19 crisis, I encourage you to only use this if necessary.  For instance, changing an ‘A-’ to an alternative grade (SAT - Satisfactory) to prevent a slight drop in your GPA is not recommended.  This would impede recruiters and graduate programs from appreciating your true mastery of the material.  Please use the SP 21 AG option selectively and carefully.”

– Dr. Felisa Preciado Higgins, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education

The University has an FAQ that will answer many of your questions about the optional COVID-19 grading options for the Spring 2021 semester. First, go to these websites and read through the information:

• https://keeplearning.psu.edu/alternative-grading/
• https://keeplearning.psu.edu/alternative-grading/#etm
• https://undergrad.psu.edu/aappm/G-11-alternative-grading.html

Alternative Grading Breakdown

Alternative Grading options depend on which semester the course was taken. In Spring 2020, generally any course could utilize Alternative Grading. In Fall 2020, Alternative Grades in MGMT 301, ACCTG 211, MKTG 301 and FIN 301 can not be used for Smeal ‘entrance to major’ purposes.

This Q&A is aimed specifically at Smeal-specific questions, so it is limited in scope. 

Question: How can I request to change my grade under the new COVID-19 grading policy and what is the process? 

Answer: The University will be publishing the specifics of this information in the future on this website:   

https://keeplearning.psu.edu/alternative-grading/

Question: Will SAT, V, Z graded courses count towards my credit window for Smeal Entrance to Major? 

Answer: The SAT, V and Z grades will NOT count toward your entrance to major credit window. The SAT/V/Z grades will also not be used in the calculation of your grade point average. 

• Sophomores (admitted in SU 19, FA 19 and SP 20) making adequate progress should be in or near the credit window (25-59 credits) already.   
• First-year students (admitted in SU 20, FA 20 and SP 21) should continue to take normal credit loads. If you use the COVID-19 grading system in the Spring 2021 semester, as long as you are making adequate progress, you will be able to apply for your major on time.

Question: What alternate grade is acceptable to meet “C or better” entrance to major required courses? 

Answer: 

• A Spring 2021 Alternative Grade of SAT is allowed for ENGL 15/ESL 15/ENGL 15A/ENGL 30/ENGL 137H/CAS 137H, MATH 110/140/141 and SCM 200/STAT 200.
• A Spring 2021 Alternative Grade of SAT or V is allowed for ECON 102.  If you are interested in pursuing a major in Actuarial Science, please review the information below from the CAS/CIA/SOA VEE Administration Committee to learn more about Alternative Grading for ECON 102.
• Please note that Smeal will NOT accept Spring 2021 Alternative Grades in MGMT 301, ACCTG 211, MKTG 301 and FIN 301 for entrance to major purposes. 
  • If you take a SAT/V/Z grade in MGMT 301, ACCTG 211, MKTG 301 and FIN 301 in the Spring 2021 semester, the course will not count towards entering your Smeal major.  You will have to retake that course(s) and earn a standard letter grade (C or better) in a future semester.  Be advised, retaking a course could result in exceeding the Smeal entrance to major credit window (59 cumulative completed Penn State credits) among other potential negative ramifications (financial aid, delayed graduation, etc.) so you should discuss this with your adviser.
  • This is a significant change from the Spring 2020 Alternative Grading policy, where SAT grades were and are accepted for MGMT 301, ACCTG 211, MKTG 301 and FIN 301 towards Smeal entrance to major credit.
  • This is the same as the Fall 2020 Alternative Grading policy, where SAT grades were NOT accepted for MGMT 301, ACCTG 211, MKTG 301 and FIN 301 towards Smeal entrance to major credit.

Question: What alternate grade is acceptable to meet graduation requirements for “C” required courses that are not entrance to major courses? 

Answer: A COVID-19 grade assignment of SAT is required to fulfill your “C” required courses.

Question: What alternate grade is acceptable to meet graduation requirements for “D” required courses? 

Answer: A COVID-19 grade assignment of SAT or V will fulfill a “D” required course.

Question: I am an Accounting major in the Smeal College of Business or am interested in pursuing a major in Accounting and I am planning to take the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam. Can I take courses under the Spring 2021 COVID-19 grading policy (SAT, V, Z)? 

Answer: Qualifications to sit for the CPA exam are determined by individual states. We recommend students in the Accounting major or intending to be Accounting majors contact the state where they intend to take the exam for guidance.  https://www.thiswaytocpa.com/licensure/state-requirements/