How grading works at Cleveland State University
Cleveland State grades undergraduate coursework on a plus/minus letter scale running from A to F, with no A+ awarded at any point — A is the top of the scale. Quality points range from 4.00 for an A down to 0.00 for an F, including the intermediate A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C and D grades.
Graduate-level coursework (500-899) uses a related but shorter scale with no C+ or D grade, except for graduate students enrolled in 100-499-level courses.
A number of transcript symbols — NC, S, T, U, W, NR, X and I — are not letter grades in the GPA sense and do not figure into the grade point average. An unresolved X or I converts automatically to an F if not addressed by its deadline.
Source: CSU Registrar — Grades (Undergraduate Courses and Graduate Courses tables) — verified Aug 2026
How CSU calculates your GPA, and repeating a course
Your Cleveland State GPA is worked out by dividing total quality points earned by total credit hours attempted, and the result is carried to two decimal places, unrounded. Incomplete grades are excluded from your cumulative GPA until a final grade is entered, and a degree cannot be conferred while any I, X, T, or missing grade remains on your record.
Undergraduates may repeat a course up to two times. Under the D or F Option, repeating a course graded D or below lets the new grade replace the old one in your cumulative GPA and credit totals — effective Spring 2007 onward the earlier attempt is marked "Course Repeated, Attempt Forgiven" rather than counted, and only the most recent grade counts, even if it is lower than the original. Under the C or Higher Option, repeating a course already graded C or better keeps every attempt's grade in your cumulative GPA; nothing is forgiven. The Course Repeat Policy does not apply to graduate-level (500+) courses or to S/U-graded courses.
Source: CSU Registrar — Grade Point Average; Undergraduate Course Repeat Policy — verified Aug 2026
Academic Notice, Suspension and Separation
To be in good academic standing at the undergraduate level, Cleveland State requires a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher — a policy in effect since the start of Fall 2024. Falling below a 2.00 cumulative GPA places you on Academic Notice, visible only on your unofficial CampusNet transcript.
If you remain on notice and fail to reach both a 2.00 cumulative GPA and a 2.00 term GPA by the end of the academic year, you are placed on Academic Suspension: you must sit out two consecutive semesters and petition your college to return. A second suspension results in Academic Separation — a permanent dismissal from the university. Both suspension and separation appear on your official transcript.
Source: CSU Registrar — Undergraduate Academic Standing Policy FAQ (in effect since Fall 2024) — verified Aug 2026
GPA requirements to graduate
Cleveland State will not confer a degree while any Incomplete (I), "X", "T", or missing grade remains on your record — these must be resolved first.
Beyond the university's good-standing floor of a 2.00 cumulative GPA, minimum GPA requirements for a specific major or program are set at the department and college level, so they vary by degree; check with your academic department for the figure that applies to your program.
Undergraduates become eligible to apply to graduate once they have completed more than 87 credit hours and declared a major, using the "Apply to Graduate" button in CampusNet.
Source: CSU Registrar — Grade Point Average; Graduation Information (Undergraduate Applicants) — verified Aug 2026
Dean's List and graduating with honors
Each fall and spring semester, full-time undergraduates (12+ credits, or a part-time student completing a 12-hour step) with a semester GPA of 3.25 or better are named to the Dean's List; only credit graded A through F counts toward the 12-hour minimum, and Satisfactory-graded credit does not.
At graduation, undergraduates who have earned at least 30 credit hours in residence at Cleveland State and finish with a cumulative GPA between 3.30 and 4.00 (to two decimal places, unrounded) graduate with honors: 3.30–3.59 Cum Laude, 3.60–3.79 Magna Cum Laude, and 3.80–4.00 Summa Cum Laude. Each commencement, a University Valedictorian is chosen from candidates who have completed at least 60 credit hours in residence with a minimum 3.80 cumulative GPA.
Source: CSU — Dean's List; Graduation Information (Graduation Honors, University Valedictorian) — verified Aug 2026
Transferring credit and GPA into CSU
To transfer to Cleveland State as a degree-seeking student, you need at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA across all previous regionally accredited colleges and universities combined; some majors require a higher GPA. Transferring in with fewer than 12 semester credits also requires meeting freshman admission requirements.
Regardless of how many credits transfer in, you must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours in residence at Cleveland State to earn your bachelor's degree here.
Source: CSU Transfer Center — Frequently Asked Questions (Admissions Questions; residency requirement) — verified Aug 2026