Pass/Fail
Actively enrolled degree-seeking undergraduates may select up to four standard-grade elective courses in Arts & Sciences and Education as Pass/Fail. The selection occurs when a student is a social junior or senior.
Information about the full policy, a chart of eligible social classes for upcoming academic years, details about the pass/fail election process, and answers to frequently asked questions are included below.
Note: Social senior, non-business students can submit a petition to [[m|bba]] to request to change a BUAD course to Pass/Fail. Petitions must be received by the pass/fail deadline for the semester and if approved count towards the maximums outlined in the university policy. All questions regarding this petition should be directed to Mason School of Business.
Read the Full Policy (click to expand)Actively enrolled degree-seeking undergraduates may select up to four standard-grade elective courses in Arts & Sciences and Education as Pass/Fail. The selection occurs when a student is a social junior or senior. A maximum of two courses may change to Pass/Fail from any one semester. Up to two of the four Pass/Fail selections may be applied retroactively to courses that have already received a letter grade. The remainder must be selected by the published deadline of the current semester. The selection of any retroactive Pass/Fail grades must occur by the published deadline of the student's last semester. The published deadlines shall not be earlier than the withdrawal deadline in the given semester. Deadlines will be listed on the Office of the University Registrar undergraduate academic calendar. A student's decision to designate courses as Pass/Fail is irrevocable. For this reason, when changing a graded course to a Pass, students are required to consult with their Major Advisor or Department Chair/Program Director. The following guidelines apply to Pass/Fail designations:
Exceptions to the policy should be submitted to the Committee on Degrees. |
Process to Elect Pass/Fail (Fall/Spring)
The pass/fail election process will open each fall and spring after add/drop has ended and will close at the end of the withdrawal period. Specific dates are available on the undergraduate academic calendar. When a form is fully submitted, the action will take place immediately in Banner and a PDF confirmation will be created.
A link to the Fall 2024 UG Pass/Fail Election Form will be available here in mid-September 2024.
Summer 2024 Pass/Fail Election Dates and Deadlines
Students graduating in Summer 2024 must have their election form(s) submitted by 11:59 p.m. on July 19, 2024.
When an election form is fully submitted during the summer term, an email with a copy of the responses will be sent automatically to the student's W&M email address. Pass/fail election forms received in the summer are processed manually during business hours and therefore are not available on the student record immediately.
UG Pass/Fail Election Form: Open May 28 - July 19, 2024
The UG Pass/Fail Election Form will be open in Summer 2024 from May 28, 2024, until 11:59 p.m. on July 19, 2024. Students can use the form to elect pass/fail for Summer 2024 courses, or for courses taken in a previous semester (for example, a course taken in Fall 2023).
For students enrolled in and wishing to pass/fail courses taken this summer, whether the election is considered a current term election or a retroactive election depends on the session the course is in, the last day to withdraw for that session, and the date the student submits the form. Examples:
- A student enrolled in a Summer Session One (S1) course completes the election form for the course on June 6. The pass/fail election is processed as a current term election.
- A student enrolled in a Summer Session One (S1) course completes the election form for the course on June 26. The pass/fail election is processed as a retroactive election.
- A student enrolled in a Summer Session Two (S2) course wishes to pass/fail a summer course on July 20 or later (after the summer deadline). If the student is not graduating in Summer 2024, they will need to wait until the form opens in Fall 2024 to make a retroactive election.
| Term | Election Considered Current Term Election |
Election Considered Retroactive Election |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Session One (S1) | May 28 - June 14, 2024 | June 15 - July 19, 2024 |
| Summer Session Two (S2) | May 28 - July 19, 2024 | n/a |
| Summer Session Three (S3) | May 28 - July 5, 2024 | July 6 - July 19, 2024 |
| Summer courses not in S1-S3 |
Contact [[w|grades]] for deadlines if your course is in a summer term other than S1-S3 |
|
| Courses taken in a prior semester (ex: Fall 2023) |
n/a | May 28 - July 19, 2024 |
When an election form is fully submitted during the summer term, an email with a copy of the responses will be sent automatically to the student's W&M email address. Pass/fail election forms received in the summer are processed manually during business hours and therefore are not available on the student record immediately. They will be reviewed and processed by the University Registrar's Office at least twice weekly during the election period. Students should allow up to three business days after submitting their election form for changes to be reflected on their record in Banner Self-Service. Students are encouraged to keep this timing in mind as they are deciding to make their pass/fail elections. Students should review the FAQs section for where current and retroactive elections are available to view in Banner Self-Service.
Eligible Social Classes based on Academic Year
Eligibility for the pass/fail election process is based on a student's social class. Eligible social classes for upcoming academic years are listed in the chart below.
| Academic Year | Eligible Social Classes |
|---|---|
| Fall 2023 - Summer 2024 | 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| Fall 2024 - Summer 2025 | 2024, 2025, 2026 |
| Fall 2025 - Summer 2026 | 2025, 2026, 2027 |
FAQs
When does the election form open and close for fall and spring?The form will be available after add/drop has ended for the current term. The form closes when the withdrawal period for the current term ends. Specific dates are available on the undergraduate academic calendar. |
When does the election form open and close for summer?Electing pass/fail for courses taken during the summer term depends on the session that your course(s) take place. The form will be available through the withdrawal period for Summer Session Two (S2), but whether your pass/fail election is considered a current term election or a retroactive election depends on the summer session your course is in and the date you submit the form. If you have questions about a specific course, email [[w|grades]]. Specific dates are available on the undergraduate academic calendar. |
How many courses can I pass/fail?
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Where can I view current semester pass/fail elections in Banner?Once processed, pass/fail elections for the current term will be available for students to view in Banner Self-Service under the Student tab > Registration > View Your Schedules & Prepare to Register:
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Where can I view retroactive pass/fail elections in Banner?Once processed, retroactive pass/fail elections will be available for students to view in Banner Self-Service under the Student tab > Student Records > Student Profile in two locations:
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My course starts after the election form closes for the semester but I'm not sure yet if I want to elect to pass/fail it. What can I do?W&M has a few courses each semester that are considered non-standard. These courses end earlier or start later in the semester than typical courses. If you are registered in a late starting course, you have until the withdrawal deadline for that specific course to elect to pass/fail it. If the election form is not available, email [[w|grades]] to inquire about electing that course as pass/fail. |
Does a retroactive pass/fail change my Dean's List status?Retroactive pass/fail elections may result in a change to Dean's List status for a prior semester. Students should consult with an advisor before making any retroactive pass/fail elections. |
Does a pass or fail grade impact my W&M GPA?A successful Pass will not count toward a student's GPA, but a Fail will count toward the GPA. |
Further Questions?
Students with questions should contact the [[w|registrar,Office of the University Registrar]]. Students seeking an exception to the pass/fail policy should submit a petition to the Committee on Degrees.
