The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine utilizes two grading systems to evaluate student performance: the Alpha Grading Scale and the Qualitative Grading Scale. The grading system used for each course is determined by the program and the nature of the course. Course syllabi clearly indicate the grading system applied.

Alpha Grading Scale
The Alpha Grading Scale is based on percentage ranges and corresponds to established GPA quality points. Only grades earned on the Alpha scale are used in the calculation of semester and cumulative grade point averages.

Grade Scale

Grade	Quality Points	Percentage
A	4.0	100-89.5
B	3.00	89.49-79.5
C	2.00	79.49-69.5
F	Below 69.5	0.00

Grades below 69.5% are recorded as F. PCOM does not award D grades.

Qualitative Grading Scale
The Qualitative Grading Scale is applied to clinical, skills-based, or other competency-
driven coursework where performance is evaluated against defined standards rather
than numerical percentages. Grades assigned under this system do not carry GPA
quality points.

Grade Description
Honors Demonstrates superior work exceeding expected competency in all knowledge
and skill areas, with full fulfillment of course requirements.

High Pass - Demonstrates above-average work exceeding expected competency in all
knowledge and skill areas, with full fulfillment of course requirements.

Pass - Demonstrates expected competency in all knowledge and skill areas and
fulfills all course requirements.

No Pass - Demonstrates below-expected competency and/or fails to meet course requirements.

Remediated Coursework
Students who do not meet course requirements on the first attempt may be eligible for
remediation, subject to program policy. Upon successful remediation, the following
grades apply:

Grade Description

Grade Scale

Grade	Quality Points	Percentage
B*	3.0
C*	2.0
P*	Pass

B* Successful remediation of a C alpha grade; recorded as a B for GPA
purposes.

C* Successful remediation of an F alpha grade; recorded as a C for GPA
purposes.

P* Successful remediation of a No Pass in a qualitative course; recorded as
Pass.

Individual programs determine which components or courses are eligible for
remediation.

Repeated Coursework
All attempts at repeated coursework appear on the student’s transcript. Only the
highest alpha grade earned for a repeated course is included in GPA calculations.
Qualitative grades do not replace alpha grades, and vice versa.

Dissertation Coursework
Dissertation and select research-based requirements are evaluated on a
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. These grades do not contribute to the GPA.

Grade Description

S Successfully met all dissertation/course requirements.
U Did not meet dissertation/course requirements.

Withdrawn Coursework
Withdrawal grades reflect the timing of the student’s separation from a course:

Grade Description

W Withdrawal prior to the midpoint of the course.
WF Withdrawal after the midpoint with a failing grade at the time of withdrawal.
WP Withdrawal after the midpoint with a passing grade at the time of
withdrawal.

Withdrawal grades appear on the transcript but do not carry GPA quality points.

Audit Coursework

Grade Description

AU Enrollment on an audit basis. Audit courses do not fulfill degree requirements
and do not require formal assessment.

Incomplete Coursework

An Incomplete grade may be assigned when a student, due to approved and
documented circumstances, is unable to complete the required coursework by the
scheduled end date.

Grade Description
I Temporary placeholder grade indicating incomplete coursework.

Course requirements must be completed within six (6) weeks of the course end date
unless the program grants an extension and such extension cannot exceed an
additional six weeks (total 12 weeks from course end date). If coursework is not
completed within the required timeframe, the Incomplete converts to the earned grade based on completed work or to F/No Pass, depending on the grading system used forthe course.

Program-Specific Requirements

Academic programs may establish additional grading expectations, including minimum
passing grades, progression requirements, or limitations on remediation. When
program-specific grading policies are published in program handbooks or course syllabi
must align with and cannot override this institutional policy.