Understanding the GPA System at UGA
At the University of Georgia, your GPA (Grade Point Average) is more than just a number—it’s a key academic benchmark. Whether you’re aiming for the Dean’s List or plotting your grad school trajectory, knowing how GPA is calculated is essential.
Two Types of GPA
UGA students typically encounter two main types of GPAs:
- Institutional GPA: Calculated from all coursework completed at UGA. This is the GPA that shows up on your UGA transcript and is used to determine academic standing, honors, and eligibility.
- Cumulative GPA: Includes both UGA courses and any accepted transfer credits. However, UGA only uses institutional GPA for most academic decisions like honors and graduation requirements.
UGA Grade Scale and GPA Points
Here’s the standard grading scale used across most undergraduate programs at UGA:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| A− | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B− | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C− | 1.7 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
| WF | 0.0 |
| W | Not included |
| I (Incomplete) | Not included |
| S/U (Pass/Fail) | Not included |
Note: W (Withdrawal), I (Incomplete), and S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) grades do not affect your GPA.
How GPA is Calculated
The formula is pretty standard:
GPA = (Total Grade Points Earned) ÷ (Total Credit Hours Attempted)
Let’s say you took 5 courses totaling 15 credit hours and earned the following grades:
- A in a 3-credit course → 4.0 × 3 = 12 points
- B+ in a 3-credit course → 3.3 × 3 = 9.9 points
- B in a 3-credit course → 3.0 × 3 = 9.0 points
- C in a 3-credit course → 2.0 × 3 = 6.0 points
- A− in a 3-credit course → 3.7 × 3 = 11.1 points
Total points = 48.0 | Total credit hours = 15
GPA = 48 ÷ 15 = 3.20
Faculty and Program Grading Variations
UGA’s grading scale is generally consistent across most programs, but certain graduate and professional programs may apply stricter policies. For example:
- The College of Pharmacy may require a minimum grade of C in all major courses.
- The School of Law uses a separate numeric grading system (e.g., 70–100 scale) and converts those to GPA internally.
- Graduate programs often use a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 for continued enrollment.
Always check your department’s handbook for specific grading rules if you’re in a professional or graduate program.
Academic Standing and Honors
At UGA, your GPA has a direct impact on your academic standing:
- Dean’s List: Requires a 3.50 GPA or higher with at least 14 credit hours of graded coursework.
- President’s List: Requires a 4.0 GPA with the same credit conditions.
- Graduation Honors:
- Cum Laude: 3.60–3.74 GPA
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.75–3.89 GPA
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.90–4.00 GPA