Grading Methods

Credit/No Credit: Students may choose to take a course to earn credit/no credit rather than a grade. No more than one course per term and two courses in a year may be taken on a credit/no credit basis. Courses taken to satisfy general education or major/minor requirements may not be taken under the credit/no credit option.

Application to Audit a Course: Students wishing to attend a class without receiving college credit may do so with the consent of the instructor and the Registrar. Minimum requirement is a 3.00 cum GPA.

To audit a course, complete the audit application form and turn it in to the Registrar’s office.  If space is available on the first day of classes, the Registrar’s office will register you in the course as an Audit.  Do not register yourself in a course you intend to audit. Completion of an Audited Course will be indicated on your transcript with an “AU” grade. If you quit attending the course, you must withdraw. Failure to withdraw will result in a “NC” grade.

There is no charge to full-time students for auditing a course.

Midterm grades: Midterm grades are reported in Norse Hub for fall and spring semesters one week prior to the last day a student may drop a course with a ‘W’ on their transcript for 7-week and semester-long courses.

Midterm course grades will be reported for all courses with the following exceptions: senior project, these special registrations (285 Directed Study, 295 Directed Study, 375 Directed Readings, 389 Directed Research, 395 Independent Study), student teaching and internships. Please contact the course instructor if an expected midterm course grade is not visible on Norse Hub.

The intention of midterm grading is to ensure that all students have a sense of their performance in each course as they head into the final weeks of the semester. Midterm course grades will also allow students and advisors to have informed conversations about course load before the “Drop with a W” deadline.

Midterm course grades do not count towards GPA and will not be on transcripts. Additionally, they will not have any effect on eligibility for co-curricular activities nor academic standing.

Here are some suggestions for how to use midterm course grades:

• Reflect. Think about what strategies are working well and where you might need to make some changes. If you’re satisfied with your midterm grades, keep up the good work! If you are concerned about one or more of your midterm grades, consider the following:
• Reach out to your professors. Attend office hours (that is what they are for!). Ask to meet to discuss your concerns and ask for guidance.
• Stop by the Center for Academic Enrichment (108 Preus Library) or contact them via email (cae@luther.edu) to learn about academic supports and academic success workshops (e.g., time management, study skills) or sign up for tutoring.
• Schedule an appointment at the Nancy K. Barry Writing Center in Preus Library to meet with a Writing Center tutor.
• Reach out to your academic advisor.

Withdrawing from Courses: If a student chooses to not complete a course, it must be dropped on Norse Hub by the published deadline. Students who drop a course after the deadline to drop with no record, but before the withdrawal deadline will receive a “W” grade for the course. Failure to withdraw will result in a failing grade.