Appealing a Final Grade

If a student believes that a final grade does not accurately reflect their coursework in a course, they must first contact their course instructor for possible resolution.

Only a student's final grade in a course or project may be appealed; appeals for individual assignments during an active course are not permitted. A grade appeal should be limited to specific charges of unfair action towards the student and may not involve a challenge of their instructor’s grading standard. Students have the right to expect thoughtful and clearly defined approaches to course grading but they must recognize that varied standards and individual approaches to grading are valid. A grade appeal considers whether a grade was determined in a fair and appropriate manner; it does not attempt to grade or re-grade individual assignments or projects.

In an appeal, students will need to substantiate their claim that their final grade represents unfair treatment compared to the standard applied to other students. In the absence of compelling reasons, such as clerical error, prejudice, or capriciousness, the grade assigned by their instructor is to be considered final. In a grade appeal, only arbitrariness, prejudice, and/or error will be considered as legitimate grounds for an appeal.

If a student still wishes to appeal their final grade, they may appeal their instructor's decision by requesting that an Academic Appeals Specialist open an official Grade Appeal. A student's appeal must be submitted using the official campus appeal form and should include the written correspondence between a student and an instructor regarding the initial request for a review of the student's grade. The Academic Appeals Specialist will send the student a grade appeal questionnaire that must be completed before a grade appeal will be escalated to the Department Chair for review. All decisions regarding a grade appeal will be communicated via the Appeal Specialist to a student's email address on file. The form is located in the Academic Plan & Forms menu in the University Forms section.

• No grade appeals will be considered for individual assignments that will not impact a student's final grade.
• No grade appeals will be considered for courses whose final grade was posted more than 90 days ago.
• No grade appeals will be considered that are not submitted in writing, either by email or letter.
• No grade appeals will be considered for students whose degrees have been conferred.

Grade Appeal Process Walkthrough:

• A student reviews their final grade with their instructor.
• A student submits the Academic Appeal Request form in their ecampus.
• The Academic Appeals Specialist contacts the student with additional information that may be needed to escalate their appeal.
• The appropriate Department Chair in the student's School will review the appeal and send a decision to an Academic Appeals Specialist within 30 days.

If a student's appeal is denied:

• Final Level of Appeal: A student must resubmit their appeal to an Academic Appeals Specialist using the ecampus form and ask that their appeal be reviewed by their School Dean.
• The School Dean will review the appeal and send a decision to an Academic Appeals Specialist within 30 days.
• The decision of the student's School Dean is considered final.

Questions regarding grade appeals may be directed to [email protected].