(Revised 02/16/2022)
College of Public Health and Human Sciences
A student may request an incomplete grade for a course that has not been completed if:
Refer to the OSU Incomplete Grades Policy for more details about incomplete/alternate grades, extension of time to remove incomplete grades, and incomplete grades and degree conferral.
Students are encouraged to communicate as soon as possible with the instructor if circumstances present themselves that might warrant an incomplete grade.
Reason for awarding an incomplete grade must be acceptable to the instructor.
Instructors may consider the following scenarios as acceptable reasons:
An incomplete grade is not to be used for poor academic performance such as a student doing worse in the class than expected or finding the workload for the course is more demanding than expected.
To determine if a student is passing the course at the time of the request, calculate the score earned based on the work that was due at the time of the request (irrespective of any extensions granted).
For example, if 10 pieces of work (assignments, exams, etc.) were due at the time of the request and only 7 have been submitted, convert the score achieved on the 7 submissions to a percentage out of the possible score on the 10 submissions based on assignment weightings (such as 70% if a perfect score was achieved on all submitted assignments and each assignment was worth ten percent).
The percentage achieved for the course at the time of the request would need to be more than the percentage considered a failing (F) grade for the course.
Instructors who know they will not be available to grade the outstanding coursework when it is due, will consult with the head (or designee) of the school responsible for delivering the course prior to issuing an incomplete grade.
This step raises awareness of the need for a contingency plan to ensure:
When an agreement is made to issue an incomplete grade, the instructor and student will complete a Contract for Completion of I Grade (pdf) to define the terms under which the outstanding coursework will be completed. A copy of the contract will be retained by the instructor who will send a copy to the student and cphhs.scheduler@oregonstate.edu.
An incomplete grade should not be used to redo work that has already been submitted by the student for the class.
If needed, the instructor may request access to Canvas by sending an email to canvas.support@oregonstate.edu along with the student’s ID number and course CRN.
An alternative solution to an incomplete grade might be to:
Students should consult with their academic advisor if any of these options are being considered, and will require advisor approval in some cases. These options need to be considered in relation to the deadlines, as well as the possible academic and financial implications.
Student is considering an incomplete grade request.
Student is referred to OSU policy and CPHHS practices.
Student decides to pursue and requests consideration of an incomplete grade from the instructor.
Stop if reason for an incomplete grade is unacceptable to the instructor.
Proceed if reason for an incomplete grade is acceptable to the instructor.
Stop if student is failing the course at the time of the request.
Proceed if student is passing the course at the time of the request.
Stop if logistical considerations are deemed unmanageable.
Proceed if logistical considerations are deemed manageable.
If instructor knows they will be unavailable when the outstanding work is due, instructor creates a contingency plan with unit designee.
Instructor and student complete a Contract for Completion of Incomplete (“I”) Grade (pdf) that the instructor sends to the student and CPHHS.Scheduler@oregonstate.edu.