Credit/No Credit Grading
In credit/no credit grading, students earn credit for a course if it is passed but do not receive a standard letter grade. Not all courses can or should be taken credit/no credit at Miami University. We recommend you speak with an academic advisor before opting to take a course for credit/no credit.
What is the deadline to change a course to credit/no credit?
Deadlines for changing a course to credit/no credit are listed on the academic calendar. We strongly encourage you to make your desired changes well before the deadline (which will be 11:59 p.m. ET on the date listed on the academic calendar) to allow time to troubleshoot any issues you may encounter invoking the change. If you encounter issues while trying to change your grade option, email the Office of the University Registrar (registrar@MiamiOH.edu) even if it is after hours.
How do I change a course to credit/no credit or standard letter grade?
- Check the academic calendar to make sure the deadline has not passed.
- Log into Banner Self Service
- Select “Registration”
- Select “Register for Classes”
- Select the desired semester/term and click “Continue”
- All courses you are registered for in the selected semester/term will display. In the “Grade Mode” column, the grade option/mode will have a link for selection if you are able to make this change. If there is no link for grade option/mode, the change requires instructor permission.
- Click the link and select the grade mode.
- Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click “Submit Changes” to record your selection. The green “Save Successful” message confirms your change.
What course(s) can I take credit/no credit?
Undergraduate level courses - The undergraduate credit/no credit policy discusses which courses may be taken credit/no credit. Generally all Miami Plan courses may be taken credit/no credit without special permission. Courses in your major, major related hours, or minor cannot be taken as credit/no credit. Non-Miami Plan courses require instructor permission.
Graduate level courses - The graduate credit/no credit policy discusses which courses may be taken credit/no credit. Generally, only those courses normally approved by the Graduate School to be taken credit/no credit are eligible.
Can first year students take a course credit/no credit?
You may register a course on a credit/no-credit basis providing you are concurrently enrolled in 12 hours for standard letter grades. During the summer term, freshmen may register for courses on a credit/no-credit basis providing they are concurrently enrolled for four semester hours for grades. Courses offered only on a credit/no-credit basis are not factored in. If at any time during the semester, you drop below 12 hours for standard letter grades (four credit hours for the summer term), the credit/no-credit status will be changed back to standard letter grade.
What grade must be earned to receive credit in a credit/no credit course?
- Undergraduate courses require a minimum grade of D- to earn credit.
- Graduate courses require a minimum grade of B to earn credit.
Can I change my course grade option if I have an active registration hold?
Yes. Students with holds should contact the One Stop for assistance with changing their grade mode.
How do credit/no credit courses impact my GPA?
Courses taken credit/no credit count toward earned hours but are excluded from the grade point average (GPA) calculation, so they neither harm nor help a grade point average.
How will undergraduate courses taken credit/no credit count toward grade and degree requirements?
No more than 10 percent of the total credit hours earned at Miami University may be earned in courses taken on a credit/no-credit basis. Courses taken Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 as credit/no credit will not factor into the 10 percent limitation.
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors may register for one or more eligible courses per semester on a credit/no-credit basis. (Freshmen: see FAQ on credit/no credit for First Year students)
Students may not enroll on a credit/no-credit basis in any course in which they have previously earned credit. A student may not enroll for grade in any course for which they have received “credit” on a credit/no-credit basis.
How do credit/no credit courses factor into Deans’/President’s list and Latin Honors eligibility?
Courses taken credit/no credit do not factor into GPA and thus do not count toward Deans’/President’s list or Latin Honors eligibility.
I am enrolled in a class that requires a minimum grade as a prerequisite to move on to the subsequent course. If I change my course to credit/no credit, how will this be handled?
If your prerequisite course is currently in progress, you will be able to register for the subsequent course if all other requirements are met. After the semester/term ends, departments will be able to determine if a student has met the minimum grade requirement to continue in the next course. If you have additional questions regarding prerequisites please speak with an advisor.
What if I change my mind after I select the credit/no credit option?
You can change your course grade option (credit/no credit or letter grade) as many times as you wish in Banner Self Service through 11:59 p.m. ET on the deadline listed on the academic calendar. After that time, the grade option is locked in and cannot be changed. If you make changes to your course grade options, it is your responsibility to review each change after making it in Banner Self Service to ensure that the change was successful.
Can I apply the course repeat policy to a course taken credit/no credit?
No, the course repeat policy can only be applied to courses taken and repeated for standard letter grade.
I withdrew from a class without considering the credit/no credit option. Can I get back into the class?
Your instructor will determine whether you missed too much material to be successful in the course. If your instructor approves your return into the class, they will email the Registrar to have you added back into the course.
Will taking a course credit/no credit impact my financial aid?
Courses taken credit/no credit are eligible for federal financial aid, however, because they do not factor into grade point averages, students with Satisfactory Academic Progress concerns may wish to consult with a One Stop staff member. Students receiving veterans education benefits may also wish to consult with a One Stop staff member regarding the impact of credit/no credit coursework on aid eligibility.
If I want to apply to graduate/professional school or pursue certain careers, should I take any credit/no credit courses?
Typically, students who wish to pursue graduate/professional school or certain careers after graduation are cautioned against taking credit/no-credit courses because feedback has shown that credit/no-credit grades on your academic record may be a negative factor in the evaluation of your application for admission or employment by most professional schools (law, medicine, etc.), by many graduate schools, and by some employers and undergraduate schools.
Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 were atypical semesters and many colleges and universities allowed students to exercise this option more freely than would normally occur. We do not know how all graduate/professional programs and employers will choose to evaluate credit/no credit courses taken in Spring 2020 and Fall 2020.
The Mallory-Wilson Center for Health Education offers information on credit/no credit for students who may be considering health related graduate/professional programs or careers. The Sue J. Henry Center for Pre-Law Education offers information on credit/no credit and other topics here for students who may be considering law related graduate/professional programs or careers.
If you are considering a graduate/professional program or career where you think this could have an impact on your opportunities for success, we encourage you to explore your credit/no-credit questions with the college/university programs or employers in which you are interested.
Can I still relocate to Oxford if I change a course to credit/no credit and do not have 16 graded hours?
No. You must have 16 graded credit hours earned at Miami University in 100+ level courses and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. The 16 graded hours cannot include post-secondary work, College Credit Plus course work, AP, CLEP, transfer credit, or credit/no credit coursework. More information can be found on the Taking Courses on Another Miami Campus page.
I am a College Credit Plus student. Am I allowed to take classes credit/no credit?
CCP students must speak with a high school counselor on this topic.