Course Completion Policies & Procedures

The standard grade framework applied to all School of Continuing Studies courses/programs unless otherwise specified is the following numeric final grade framework. A passing grade for most courses is 50%. However, certain programs and courses may require a higher passing grade to meet industry standards, accreditation requirements, or credentialing criteria. Learners are responsible for reviewing course-specific grading policies to ensure they meet the necessary requirements for successful completion.  

• A+ = 90-100%
• A = 85-89%
• A- = 80-84%
• B+ = 77-79%
• B = 73-76%
• B- = 70-72%
• C+ = 67-69%
• C = 63-66%
• C- = 60-62%
• D+ = 57-59%
• D = 53-56%
• D- = 50-52%
• F = 0-49% 

Credit/No Credit Grade Policy

The University of Guelph is committed to developing the whole learner, providing a learning environment that encourages exploration. The School of Continuing Studies (SCS) credit/no credit grade option encourages student learning and participation in academic areas in which they have interest but perhaps not expertise. This policy allows learners taking courses through the SCS’s Academic Upgrading (AU) and High School Enrichment (HSE) opportunities to receive credit for eligible courses without impacting their cumulative average. This grade option is not available to University of Guelph students who fall under the purview of the Undergraduate, Graduate or Associate Diploma calendars or general Open Learning Program students.

The intention of this option is to provide AU and HSE learners with the opportunity to explore university level learning. The application of this grade option to a course is automatic upon enrolment in the HSE and AU opportunities and is not subject to consideration through the academic consideration process.

Learners complete coursework as usual and must achieve a final mark of at least 50%, to receive a credit (CR) under this option. So long as a learner does not reverse a credit/no credit request for a final numeric grade, the course(s) are not included in the calculation of the learner’s overall cumulative or semester average.

The SCS’s credit/no credit policy is separate from the University of Guelph undergraduate credit/no credit policy. They bear no influence on one another. The SCS’s credit/no credit policy, therefore, does not impact the total number of credits/courses an undergraduate student is allowed to apply the undergraduate Credit/No Credit policy to.  

Courses where the credit/no credit grade option has been applied can be used subsequently to satisfy degree-credit certificate or diploma requirements, provided those courses are included in the certificate or diploma in question.

If a learner fails the course and receives a No Credit (NCR), it is in the learner's best interest not to request that the credit/no credit grade option be reversed to a numeric final grade. Nevertheless, the option to change the NCR final grade into a numeric final grade will still be available to the learner.

Reversing the Credit/No Credit Grade Option

The credit/no credit grade option applied to courses taken by HSE and AU learners can be reverted to a numeric final grade, after the last day of classes, by submitting a reversal request by email to the learner success advisor.

Grade Reassessment

Degree-Credit and ELP Course Grade Reassessment

Grade reassessment is the process of reviewing the calculation of grades, or the methods and criteria used to establish final grades for a learner in a course or misapplication of an academic regulation. The outcome of a grade reassessment may be a grade increase, a grade decrease, or no change to the grade. The detection of errors or omissions in the calculation of final grades will result in the assignment of a revised grade.

Errors or Omissions

Learners who believe there have been errors or omissions in the calculation of their final grade for a course should discuss their concern with the instructor in writing (via email) as soon as possible and no later than the 10th class day of the subsequent semester. The request must pertain to work completed during the semester. Learners must also submit relevant assignments or tests that have been returned to them. If the grade reassess request is not addressed and/or under review after five workdays, the learner may submit the request in writing to the chair/director/academic coordinator (ELP) of the academic unit offering the course. The chair/director/academic coordinator (ELP) shall forward the learner’s request to the instructor and the instructor shall respond to the chair/director/academic coordinator (ELP) within five working days. The instructor has the responsibility of ensuring that the calculation and totalling of marks is accurate. The instructor must reply to the chair/director/academic coordinator (ELP), in writing, giving assurance that the review is complete. Where there is a change in grade, the chair/director/academic coordinator (ELP) signs the “Grade Reassessment” form and forwards it to the School of Continuing Studies learner success advisor. The learner success advisor will advise the learner in writing of the change of grade. If there is no change of grade, it is the instructor’s responsibility to inform the learner in writing.

Methods or Criteria

The course outline distributed to the class at the beginning of the semester defines the methods and criteria used to establish final grades for a course. Learners who believe that the methods or criteria used by an instructor in determining a final grade have been unfair, unreasonable or inconsistent with the course outline, should request the chair/director/academic coordinator (ELP) of the academic unit offering the course to review the methods or criteria used. They should submit the request in writing by the 10th class day of the subsequent semester and should state the reasons for the request.

Misapplication of an Academic Regulation or Procedure

Learners who believe that the misapplication of an academic regulation or procedure has affected their final grade in a course should discuss their concern with the instructor. If the concern is not resolved to their satisfaction, they may submit a complaint in writing to the chair/director/academic coordinator (ELP) of the academic unit offering the course. If a learner's concerns remain unresolved after review from the chair/director/academic coordinator (ELP), they may appeal to the SCS director, operations and people.  

Non-Degree-Credit Course Grade Reassessment

In-Course Work

Learners wanting to have an in-course assessment reassessed, for a course that is still underway, must submit a request in writing to the instructor of the course. By asking for a grade reassessment, a learner accepts that their grade may increase, decrease, or stay the same. The detection of errors or omissions in the calculation of grades will result in the assignment of a revised grade. Instructors will update reassessed in-course grades in CourseLink as necessary. Learners normally initiate grade reassessments, but instructors may also initiate this process.

In-Course Work (Post-Completion of Course)

Learners who believe there have been errors or omissions in the calculation of their final grade for a course, or simply disagree with the final grade they have received, may request a grade reassessment. This request must be submitted no later than the 10th class day of the subsequent semester. Learners must first reach out via email to their course instructor. If, after review, the course instructor agrees that a change in grade is warranted, they will fill out a Grade Reassessment form and send it to the manager, program development for approval. It will then be sent to the learner success advisor for processing.

If a learner does not hear back from their instructor after 10 working days, they must submit a request in writing directly to the School of Continuing Studies manager, program development, responsible for overseeing the course/program.  

The request must pertain to a specific in-course assessment. Reassessment of all course assessments is not possible.

The manager, program development shall forward the learner's request to the instructor of the course in question and the instructor shall respond to the manager, program development within 10 working days. In addition to ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the assessment itself, the instructor has the responsibility of ensuring that the calculation and totalling of marks is accurate. The instructor must reply to the manager, program development in writing, giving assurance that the review is complete.

Where there is a change in the grade, the manager, program development signs the 'Grade Reassessment' form and forwards it to the learner success advisor for processing. The manager, program development will advise the learner in writing of a change of grade. If there is no change to a grade, it is the manager, program development's responsibility to inform the learner in writing.

Third-Party Reassessment

If a learner remains dissatisfied after the instructor reviews, reassesses, and explains the rationale for the grade, they can request a formal regrading of their work by a "third party"—someone other than the instructor; in most cases, another instructor within the learner’s program of study. This reassessment is permitted when:

1. A learner does not accept the instructor’s re-grading after the instructor has provided a rational/explanation
2. The instructor does not respond to the manager, program development within 10 working days
3. The learner does not feel they can discuss the matter with the instructor for any number of reasons

A learner must submit their request and reasons to have an assessment reassessed by a "third party", in writing, to the manager, program development. Learners must explain why the original grade and, if applicable, the instructor’s revised grade, was inappropriate, based on evidence from the course outline, course notes, textbooks etc.

Upon receipt of a learner’s request and explanation, the manager, program development will:

1. Review the appeal, and discuss the appeal with the learner and with the instructor to gain both perspectives
2. Identify an appropriate individual who can objectively re-evaluate the assessment
3. Request a clean original copy of the assessment without instructor notes if re-evaluation is undertaken
4. Communicate to both the learner and the instructor, with rationale, the outcome of the assignment grade reassessment
5. Request that the instructor recalculate course grades, as needed, to incorporate the reassessed assignment grade

If approved, this process will be completed at no personal cost to the learner.  

Once again, by asking for a grade reassessment by a "third party", a learner accepts that their grade may increase, decrease, or stay the same. The decision of a "third-party" regrade is final. A learner cannot ask for a subsequent regrade from an alternative "third-party".

Final Grade

Final grades are released to learners who have been assessed within approximately 2 to 3 weeks following course completion, or approximately 6 days after the final day of the exam period if your course is a degree-credit course with a final exam. This timeline is based on the various stages of approval to ensure the accuracy of each learner grade before grades are posted for a course.

Final grades will only be posted in the SCS Student Portal.

Please note that final grades cannot be released over the telephone or email.

Statement of Grade and Confirmation of Completion Letters

Learners may obtain a Statement of Grade and/or Confirmation of Completion letter through the SCS Student Portal. If there is information missing from either of these documents, please email our main office with your full name and request. Be sure to highlight the missing information you want included in your Statement of Grade and/or Confirmation of Completion letter.  

Please note that Statement of Grade and/or Confirmation of Completion letters do not serve as proof of certification.

Learners will have access to course materials through CourseLink for a limited time after enrollment. After this period, access to course content will expire. Access duration may vary depending on the course type and format. Learners are encouraged to download or retain any permitted resources for future reference before their access ends. Once access has expired, course materials, including readings, videos, and activities, will no longer be available. Re-access to content is not guaranteed after the course concludes. 

Learner Access to Final Examination Materials

Final examination papers and final assignments (physical or digital) are to be retained by instructors for a period of one semester.

Printed or written materials directly related to final examinations shall be made available to a student, upon written request to the department chair/director or ELP academic coordinator. The request must be submitted by the fifth class day of the next semester.

Printed or written materials to be made available include the examination question paper, the marking scheme keyed to desired responses to questions, where appropriate; the learner's response to the examination questions; and records taken by examiners during oral or any other examination. 

If you are a School of Continuing Studies (SCS) learner who requires a transcript, please visit our Transcripts & Credentials page for instructions.

University of Guelph Undergraduate Learners

University of Guelph learners currently registered in a degree program or intending to transfer into a degree program should note double-counting regulations. Up to 50% of the requirements for a degree-credit certificate/diploma may be applied toward a major, minor or area of emphasis. The remaining 50% of the certificate/diploma requirements may be applied to electives, provided the specific courses in the certificate/diploma meet degree program requirements. Being students can overlap 70% of their certificate courses with their major/minor, etc. requirements. For more information on double-counting regulations, undergraduate students should consult with the academic advisor for the degree program they seek to complete. Learners may also benefit from consulting with the School of Continuing Studies learner success advisor. Note that the Certificate in Leadership is exempt from this restriction.

The Certificate in Indigenous Environmental Governance is exempt from the current Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program regulations regarding double-counting of courses. Students completing the Certificate can count the Certificate towards the fulfillment of another specialization. 

School of Continuing Studies Degree-Credit Certificate Learners

SCS learners can only double count up to 50% of SCS degree-credit certificate or diploma courses with another degree-credit certificate or diploma (e.g., 2 courses in a 2.50 credit certificate). Therefore, a School of Continuing Studies learner may apply for a second certificate or diploma if at least 50% of the courses in their second certificate or diploma have not already been counted towards any other certificate or diploma program. Please note that the Certificate in Leadership is exempt from this restriction.

Non-Degree-Credit Certificate and Diplomas

Some of our non-degree programs offer multiple certificates and diplomas within a shared subject area or area of study. Learners who wish to pursue more than one non-degree-credit certificate or diploma may do so, provided that each credential represents a distinct body of learning.

To ensure the integrity and value of each credential, at least 50% of the courses required for the second certificate or diploma must be unique and not previously applied toward the completion of another non-degree credential. This means that learners may not use more than 50% of the same courses across two or more programs.

Learners are encouraged to plan their learning pathways accordingly and consult with the learner success advisor if they have questions about eligibility for multiple credentials. 

If you have successfully completed all requirements towards your certificate or diploma program, you can apply to receive your certificate document. Please visit our Order Your Parchment page for details.

If you have successfully completed requirements for a micro course, you will receive a micro-credential electronically shortly following the release of your final grade.

The School of Continuing Studies reserves the right to make changes to the micro-credential offerings with no prior notice. Some micro-credentials may have expiration dates as course materials are subject to change over time; however, you will continue to have access to your micro-credential even after expiry. Micro-credentials will be issued through the approved digital credential wallet platform.

In Canada, the tuition portion of your course fee is income tax-deductible. Tax receipts (T2202) are available directly from the SCS Student Portal in February for studies completed in the previous year:

• Login selecting the I have an account already option and enter your U of G account credentials (login and password)
• Go to the Tax Receipt option under Student Home 

Please note that not all course tuition fees are tax-deductible. If you have any questions, please email our main office or phone us at 519-767-5000.