Understanding your GPA

Cumulative GPA (or overall GPA) includes all the grades earned for all courses completed at UNC Charlotte.

Semester GPA includes the grades that are earned in a particular semester and contribute to the cumulative GPA.

Based on the grade earned in a course, students accumulate Quality Points. Quality Points, or Grade Points, are determined by multiplying the number of points assigned to each grade (see below) by the number of credit hours associated with that course.

GPA Hours are the total number of credit hours for the semester (if calculating a semester average) or the total number of credit hours at UNC Charlotte (if calculating a cumulative average). Both semester and cumulative GPA can be found on the unofficial transcript.

The GPA for an undergraduate student is determined by adding all accumulated Quality Points together, and then dividing by the total number of GPA Hours the student has attempted, excluding those for which the student received a grade of I, IP, W, P, AU, or N. In calculating GPA, only the credits attempted at UNC Charlotte are included.

Formula for Calculating GPA

Step 1: For each course, calculate the total Quality Points by using the scale below. GPA Hours are the number of hours a student is enrolled in for a term (for cumulative calculations, use the total hours earned at UNC Charlotte)

Quality Points x GPA Hours

A…………...4

B…………...3

C…………...2

D………..….1

F……………0

Example A: Susie is taking (1) 3 credit hour course and earns an “A”

3 x 4 = 12 points

Example B: Joe is taking (4) 3 credit hour courses and earns 2 “B”s and 2 “C”s

3 x 3 = 9 points

3 x 3 = 9 points

3 x 2 = 6 points

3 x 2 = 6 points

Total Quality Points= 30

Step 2: Divide the total Quality Points by total GPA Hours

GPA = Quality Points Earned / GPA Hours

Example A: At the end of the semester, Susie has 12 Quality Points and 3 GPA Hours

12/3 = 4.0 GPA

Example B: At the end of the semester, Joe has 30 Quality Points and 12 GPA Hours

30/12 = 2.5 GPA

Online GPA Calculator

Students can also use the online GPA Calculator to help determine their cumulative and semester GPA.  If you have questions about calculating your GPA, contact your Academic Advisor.

Academic Standing

In order to remain actively enrolled at UNC Charlotte, students must be in “Good Standing” by maintaining a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. Falling below the minimum 2.0 GPA may result in probation or suspension from the University, wherein students are no longer eligible to enroll in classes. Find out more...