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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 required conditions are met, a student may request an Incomplete (INC) in more than one class. However, a student is not eligible to receive an INC in all classes if they take a leave of absence before the class end date. Please note: you may not request an Incomplete for a course that has already been completed and graded.

Additionally, students who complete fewer than 12 academic credits in a semester due to INCs will be flagged for a grade review. This review process applies to all students who have completed less than 12 credits, and being flagged does not automatically result in academic action. Students will have the opportunity to explain their circumstances and discuss their plans for course completion during the review process.

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. Please note: students may not graduate with an Incomplete (INC) on their transcript.

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

If the required coursework is not completed after two successive semesters, the Incomplete (INC) grade will be converted to a failing grade (F; or Unsatisfactory if the course is graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory), or to the final grade calculated using completed work and zeros for any missing assignments, as determined by the instructor. Please note: students may not graduate with an Incomplete (INC) on their transcript.