Grade notations beyond the A-F point scale
Alongside the five point-bearing letter grades (A, B, C, D, F), Lamar University's catalog lists six additional notations that carry no effect on the GPA: I (Incomplete), Q (course dropped), QL (dropped under Texas S.B. 1231's six-drop rule), S (satisfactory credit), U (unsatisfactory, no credit), and W (withdrawn from the university).
An Incomplete ("I") must be resolved by the last class day of the next long semester by default (the instructor may set an earlier deadline or grant an extension); if not resolved, the Records Office automatically changes it to an F, and once changed it cannot be converted back to an "I."
Source: General Academic Policies and Procedures — "Grading System" and "Incomplete Grades" sections — verified Aug 2026
How Lamar University calculates your GPA
The GPA is calculated by dividing total grade points earned by total semester hours attempted in courses graded A, B, C, D, or F. Grades of I, S, U, Q, and W carry neither semester hours nor grade points in the GPA computation, even though the catalog nominally lists them alongside F at "0 points."
Hours attempted include all work taken, whether passed, failed, or repeated — Lamar's published formula does not describe a repeat-forgiveness rule that removes an earlier attempt from the GPA calculation. Courses graded S or U count toward a student's semester hour load and full-time/part-time status, but are excluded from the GPA itself.
Source: General Academic Policies and Procedures — "Grade Point Average Computation" — verified Aug 2026
Academic probation, suspension, and expulsion
Students are placed on academic probation the first time their cumulative GPA falls below 2.00, or immediately after leaving good standing (2.00 or higher). While on probation, students are capped at 13 credit hours and must work with a College Success Coach on an academic success plan; a return to a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher restores good standing.
A student on probation who fails to earn at least a 2.00 semester GPA is placed on academic suspension: a first suspension requires sitting out one long semester or an entire summer, a second suspension requires two consecutive semesters, and a third suspension results in permanent expulsion.
Source: General Academic Policies and Procedures — "Academic Probation and Suspension" — verified Aug 2026
Minimum GPA to graduate
To graduate, a student must achieve a grade point average of 2.00 on the 4.00 scale (or 2.50, depending on the specific degree program) on all Lamar University coursework counted in the degree plan.
Source: General Academic Policies and Procedures — "Application for Graduation" — verified Aug 2026
Graduation honors GPA bands
Undergraduate honor graduates need at least 60 semester hours completed at Lamar University and a GPA of at least 3.50 on all undergraduate coursework attempted there. Only coursework taken at Lamar counts toward the honors GPA — transfer coursework is excluded.
- Cum laude (honors): 3.50–3.64
- Magna cum laude (high honors): 3.65–3.79
- Summa cum laude (highest honors): 3.80–4.00
Source: General Academic Policies and Procedures — "Graduation Honors" — verified Aug 2026
Frequently asked questions
What grading scheme does Lamar University use?
Where does this Lamar University grade scale come from?
Does Lamar University use plus/minus grading (A-, B+)?
No. Lamar's catalog lists only whole letter grades — A, B, C, D, F — worth 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0 grade points. No plus or minus variant appears anywhere in the grading system.
Source: General Academic Policies and Procedures — "Grading System" — verified Aug 2026
Do Incomplete, Withdrawal, or Drop grades affect my GPA at Lamar?
No. Grades of I (Incomplete), Q/QL (dropped), S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory credit), and W (withdrawn) contribute neither semester hours nor grade points to the GPA calculation — only A, B, C, D, and F count.
Source: General Academic Policies and Procedures — "Grade Point Average Computation" — verified Aug 2026
