What is an Incomplete Grade?

A grade of "I" (Incomplete) represents a formal agreement between an instructor and a student to extend the deadline for coursework completion. An instructor may file a grade of "I" (Incomplete) for a student only if the student has completed the majority of the work for the course at a passing level, and only for reasons beyond the student's control. Additionally, both parties must submit an Incomplete Agreement to be approved by the dean's office regarding completion of the work, including: the nature of the work to be completed, the means by which the final grade will be determined, and the date by which the work must be completed. The completion date may be no later than 60 days^* from the grading deadline for the part of term in which the student took the course. The agreement shall also specify a default grade to be received if the work is not completed by the deadline indicated.

Beginning in fall 2025, instructors will initiate a request for an Incomplete through My Courses. When requesting the grade of "I" for a student, the instructor must also indicate the default grade and completion deadline. Once the student agrees to the terms, the Incomplete Agreement will be reviewed by the appropriate dean's office. Once approved, a temporary grade notation of "I" will appear on the student's transcript. If the instructor does not change the grade of “I” by the end of the agreed completion period, the Office of the University Registrar will automatically change the grade of “I” to the reported default grade, and the default grade will appear on the official transcript and be used for all other grading purposes as the actual grade received in the course.

^*Note: Under exceptional circumstances, the instructor and student may request an extension of the completion date to no later than 1 year from the end of the grading deadline of the part of term in which the student took the course. This extension must be included in the Incomplete Agreement at the time of submission for review and final approval.

Can I withdraw from a course after selecting an Incomplete?

Neither withdrawal nor excused withdrawal is an option if the final grade is reported as an Incomplete.

Additional Information

Incomplete grade policy (02.10.13)

Discontinuing from courses policy section of the bulletin.