How grading works at Chapman
Chapman grades undergraduates on a 4.0 scale, with grade points assigned directly per letter: A (4.0), A- (3.7), B+ (3.3), B (3.0), B- (2.7), C+ (2.3), C (2.0), C- (1.7), D+ (1.3), D (1.0), and D- (0.7, the minimum passing grade). F (0.0) is failing. There is no A+ — the “excellent” tier tops out at A.
Source: Catalog, Academic Policies and Procedures (Grading Policies: Grade Points) — verified Aug 2026
How your GPA is calculated at Chapman
Each grade's points are weighted by course credits and averaged across your coursework. If you stop attending a course without officially withdrawing, you receive an FW (failure to withdraw) grade, which "is calculated as an 'F' grade in a student's GPA" — the same 0.0 value as F.
Grades of P and NP (Pass/No Pass) carry no grade points and are not computed in your GPA, and an officially approved W (Withdrawn) is a non-punitive notation that also does not affect your GPA.
If you repeat a course, only the higher grade and credit are computed into your GPA.
Source: Catalog, Academic Policies and Procedures (Grading Policies; Course Changes) — verified Aug 2026
Academic standing at Chapman
You're in Good Academic Standing as long as your Chapman (institutional) GPA and semester GPA stay at or above 2.000. Falling below 2.000 places you on academic notice; staying below 2.000 for two consecutive semesters can lead to academic dismissal. A minimum 2.000 Chapman and cumulative GPA is also required to graduate.
Source: Catalog, Academic Policies and Procedures (Academic Status; Petitions) — verified Aug 2026
GPA-based honors at Chapman
The Provost List recognizes full-time students with a 3.800 GPA or higher (in at least 12 letter-graded credits); the Deans' List recognizes a 3.600–3.799 GPA under the same conditions. Graduating with Latin honors requires a Chapman and cumulative GPA at or above 3.500 (cum laude), 3.700 (magna cum laude), or 3.900 (summa cum laude).
Source: Catalog, Academic Policies and Procedures (Academic Honors: Provost List, Deans' List, Latin Honors) — verified Aug 2026
Transfer credit GPA rules at Chapman
Transfer credit is only evaluated from regionally accredited institutions, and a minimum grade of "C-" is required for a course to transfer. All transferable credit attempted is calculated into your transfer and cumulative GPAs — including courses that didn't meet the minimum C- grade.
Source: Catalog, Academic Policies and Procedures (General Transfer Credit Policy; Transfer and Cumulative GPA Calculation) — verified Aug 2026
Frequently asked questions
What grading scheme does Chapman University use?
Where does this Chapman University grade scale come from?
Does Chapman award an A+?
No. Chapman's Grade Points table tops its "excellent" tier out at A (4.0), followed by A- (3.7) and B+ (3.3) — no A+ row, footnote, or exception appears anywhere in the catalog.
Source: Catalog, Academic Policies and Procedures (Grading Policies: Grade Points) — verified Aug 2026
Does Chapman award a D-?
Yes. D- is explicitly listed in the Grade Points table at 0.7, labeled the "minimum passing" grade.
Source: Catalog, Academic Policies and Procedures (Grading Policies: Grade Points) — verified Aug 2026
What is an FW grade, and does it affect my GPA?
Yes, it does. FW ("failure to withdraw") is assigned if you stop attending a course without officially withdrawing. Unlike an approved W, which is non-punitive and doesn't affect your GPA, Chapman's catalog states FW "is calculated as an 'F' grade in a student's GPA" — the same 0.0 value as an ordinary F.
Source: Catalog, Academic Policies and Procedures (Course Changes; Grading Policies: Grade Points) — verified Aug 2026
Does the Fowler School of Law use this same grading scale?
No. The Dale E. Fowler School of Law is a separate professional school with its own Law School Catalog, distinct from the undergraduate Dale E. and Sarah Ann Fowler School of Engineering (which does use this scale). This calculator covers Chapman's undergraduate grading scheme only.
Source: Catalog, catalog year selector (2025-2026 Law School Catalog listed separately from the Undergraduate Catalog) — verified Aug 2026
