This article explains how academic performance is graded at Nexford University, including the grading scales, how grades are calculated, and other important grading policies.
Note: This article reflects the policies in the current catalog. Learners enrolled under a previous catalog version should refer to their applicable catalog or contact Learner Success for clarification.
Undergraduate Grading Scale
Nexford uses a four-point grading scale for undergraduate courses. Plus (+) and minus (-) modifiers are not used.
| Grade | Percentage | GPA Equivalent | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90--100% | 4.0 | High level of mastery |
| B | 80--89% | 3.0 | Solid level of mastery |
| C | 70--79% | 2.0 | Satisfactory level of mastery |
| F | Below 70% | 0.0 | Failing |
| W | -- | -- | Withdrawn |
Nexford does not award D grades. Any score below 70% in an undergraduate course is recorded as an F.
The minimum passing grade for undergraduate courses is C (70%).
Graduate Grading Scale
Nexford uses a four-point grading scale for graduate courses. Plus (+) and minus (-) modifiers are not used.
| Grade | Percentage | GPA Equivalent | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90--100% | 4.0 | High level of mastery |
| B | 80--89% | 3.0 | Solid level of mastery |
| F | Below 80% | 0.0 | Failing |
| W | -- | -- | Withdrawn |
Nexford does not award C or D grades in graduate programs. Any score below 80% in a graduate course is recorded as an F.
The minimum passing grade for graduate courses is B (80%).
Rounding Policy
A final course grade with a percentage ending in .5 is rounded up. For example, a score of 89.5% is treated as 90% and recorded as an A.
W Grade (Withdrawal)
A W is recorded when you officially withdraw from a course after the Add/Drop period (Day 5). A W does not affect your GPA but does count toward your attempted credits for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) purposes.
How Your Final Grade Is Calculated
The weighting of assignments, quizzes, projects, and other assessments varies by course. Your course syllabus is the definitive source for how your final grade is calculated. Review it carefully at the start of each course to understand what is expected and how your work will be evaluated.
Expected Time Commitment
Nexford follows the US Department of Education's credit hour definition. As a general guide:
- A 3-credit, 8-week course requires approximately 18-25 hours of academic work per week, including learning activities, assessments, and independent study
- A 1-credit, 4-week seminar course requires approximately 10-12 hours per week
Proctored Assessments
Nexford requires learners to complete proctored assessments at designated points in their program — typically at the beginning, middle, and end — to verify learner identity and uphold academic integrity. These are administered through a third-party proctoring service integrated with Canvas.
Failure to complete a required proctored assessment or inability to verify your identity may result in a failing grade and disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
The specific proctored assessment courses for each program are listed in the Academic Evaluation and Grading section of the University Catalog.
Questions About Your Grade?
If you have concerns about a grade, start by contacting your course instructor through the Canvas course inbox. If the issue remains unresolved, a formal grade appeal process is available. See the Who Can I Talk to About Changing a Grade? article for full details.
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article