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Grade Point Average

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    15. Final Exams
    16. Grade Changes
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    18. Grade Point Average
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  16. What Will You Do with an LSA Degree?

On this page:

What GPA is used for

LSA calculates both a term grade point average (GPA) and a cumulative GPA at the end of each term. GPA is used to determine: 

  • academic standing
  • eligibility to participate in certain academic programs 
  • academic distinction levels
  • degree requirements

A minimum GPA is required to graduate.  Students must earn at least a cumulative 2.00 GPA and at least a 2.00 GPA in their major and minor to earn their degree. 

How GPA is calculated

First, some definitions:

  • Michigan Semester Hours (MSH): These are credit hours. For a 3-credit course, a student earns 3 Michigan Semester Hours.
    • Note: "Michigan Semester Hours" is a term used mainly for GPA calculation and the residency requirement. Most policies will simply refer to "credits." 
  • Honor points: This is the number value of each grade. For example an A is worth 4.0, an A- is worth 3.7, etc.
  • Michigan Honor Points (MHP): This is calculated by multiplying a grade's number value (honor points) in a course by the semester hours it's worth. So an A grade (4.0) in a 3-credit course earns 12 Michigan Honor Points.

Term GPA is calculated by dividing the number of Honor Points (MHP) earned that term by the number of Semester Hours earned that term.

Cumulative GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of Honor Points earned by a student's total Semester Hours from all terms. 

Note: Not all grades earn Honor Points:

  • Grades of P, F, CR, NC, S, U, NR, I, Y, and VI do not count toward GPA. See full list of grades.
  • Grades associated with transfer credit do not count toward GPA.
    • The only exception to this rule is for courses elected on the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint campuses. 

Learn more: Computing Your Grade Point Average

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