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Incomplete (INC) Grades

If you are a student with questions about taking an incomplete and potential impacts, please schedule an appointment with our Inclusive Academic Advising team. 

How do I request an INC in a class? 

It is the student’s responsibility to initiate a request for an INC.  Reasons for requesting one must be acceptable to the instructor and is only appropriate when BOTH of these conditions are met:  

  1. The student has substantial equity at a passing level in the course with respect to work completed. 
  2. The student has been prevented by circumstances beyond the student’s control, such as illness or family emergency, from completing all of the course requirements on time.  

Ultimately, an INC is a decision/agreement between the student and their instructor.  It is up to the instructor to submit the grade of INC during the grading period; students do not have to complete a petition to request an INC.  Together, the instructor and student will come up with a deadline to complete the remaining coursework. An INC may not be requested/given because a student fails to complete all course requirements on time without explanation. 

Can I take an INC in more than one class? 

Yes, if the above conditions are met, a student can request INCs in as many classes as needed. Students should be advised that they will be flagged for grade review if taking INCs has resulted in completing less than 12 credits for the semester. Students should be reassured that we review ALL students who complete under 12 academic credits and this does not automatically mean they will receive academic action. Students will have a chance to explain their circumstances and plans for course completion during the grade review process.  Note that a student may not request to receive an Incomplete if the course has been completed and graded.

How long do I have to make up the work for an INC? 

When the INC is initially requested, the instructor should discuss and agree upon a timeline for making up the work. If the instructor does not set an earlier deadline, the default completion time for all INCs is two successive semesters. Students may not confer their degree with an Incomplete (INC) on the transcript.  

What happens if I never finish the work for a course I took an INC in? 

After two successive semesters, the INC grade will revert to a failure (F or Unsatisfactory if the course is taken S/U).  Students may not confer their degree with an Incomplete (INC) on the transcript.