GPA Calculation Rules
GPA is calculated by dividing total quality points (grade point value multiplied by credit hours for each course) by total quality hours attempted. Grades of IN, NC, NG, P, W, WP, WF, AU, U, and S are not calculated in the GPA.
Cumulative GPA is calculated by level (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) using the highest grade earned in each Rowan University course at that level, regardless of when the course was taken. No Incomplete (IN) grade may be carried beyond graduation or replaced with a withdrawal (W).
Source: Rowan University Registrar, Grading System/GPA Calculation page — verified Sep 2026
GPA Forgiveness
Undergraduate students who started at Rowan University as native freshmen, earned a cumulative GPA below 2.0 during their first academic year, left the University after that year, and have not attended Rowan for at least two consecutive years may apply to have their grades forgiven and their GPA restarted at 0.0.
Rowan University courses in which the student earned a C or better are accepted as transfer credit under this policy; the grades do not count toward GPA. The credits may count toward graduation but not toward the required minimum of 30 credits taken in residency. No credit is granted for courses graded C- or lower.
Source: Rowan University Registrar Transcript Key (PDF), p.3, updated May 2025 — verified Sep 2026
Latin Honors at Commencement
Qualification for academic honors at Commencement is based on a student's academic average at the end of the first term of the senior year, calculated over a minimum of 36 semester hours completed at Rowan University.
| GPA Range | Honor |
|---|---|
| 3.450-3.649 | Cum Laude |
| 3.650-3.849 | Magna Cum Laude |
| 3.850-4.000 | Summa Cum Laude |
Diplomas and transcripts reflect academic honors based on the cumulative GPA at the end of the senior year; honors are recalculated for grade changes approved within 90 days after the student's final semester.
Source: Rowan University Registrar Transcript Key (PDF), p.2-3, updated May 2025 — verified Sep 2026
Transfer Credit and GPA
Transfer credit may be applied toward a Rowan degree program, but transfer grades are not included in the Rowan cumulative GPA.
If a student repeats a course at another institution and transfers in a higher grade, that attempt counts toward degree credits, but prior attempts (both transfer and institutional) are excluded from the cumulative GPA while remaining on the student's transcript.
Source: Rowan University Registrar, Grading System/GPA Calculation page — verified Sep 2026