GPA Calculation at USD
At USD, your Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by multiplying the number of units for each course by the grade points assigned to the grade received. The total grade points earned are then divided by the total number of units attempted.
USD Grade Scale
USD uses a 4.0 grading scale across most programs.
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.00 |
| A− | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B− | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C− | 1.67 |
| D+ | 1.33 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D− | 0.67 |
| F | 0.00 |
Grades of Incomplete (I) are not included in GPA calculations unless they are not resolved by the deadline, in which case they may be converted to an F.
Faculty & Program-Specific Grading Policies
Undergraduate & Graduate Programs
- Minimum GPA Requirements: Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to remain in good academic standing.
- Pass/Fail Courses: Some courses may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis, where a Pass is equivalent to a grade of C− or better.
School of Law
The USD School of Law employs a distinct grading scale and policies:
- Grade Scale: Grades range from 4.3 (A+) to 1.0 (F).
- Mandatory Curve: First-year courses are graded on a mandatory curve, with specific grade distributions required.
- Academic Standing: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.4 to remain in good standing.
- Graduation Requirement: A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.2 is required to graduate.
GPA Calculation Example
To calculate your GPA:
- Multiply the grade points for each course by the number of units the course is worth.
- Add up all the grade points.
- Divide the total grade points by the total number of units attempted.
For example, if you took three courses with the following grades and units:
- Course 1: A (4.0) in a 3-unit course = 12.0 grade points
- Course 2: B+ (3.3) in a 4-unit course = 13.2 grade points
- Course 3: C (2.0) in a 3-unit course = 6.0 grade points
Total grade points = 12.0 + 13.2 + 6.0 = 31.2
Total units = 3 + 4 + 3 = 10
GPA = 31.2 ÷ 10 = 3.12
Resources
- Academic Regulations: https://graduate.catalog.sandiego.edu/academics/academicregulations
- School of Law Grading and Ranks: https://www.sandiego.edu/law/registrar/grading-and-ranks/
- GPA Calculation Guide: https://www.sandiego.edu/torero-hub/documents/gpa.pdf