Get credit without affecting your GPA

Do you want to take an interesting, unfamiliar, or challenging course, but are worried about how it might affect your GPA? Many degree programs will let you take a class as pass/fail. If you receive a grade of D or above, you’ll get credit hours for the course and a grade of P on your academic record, but your GPA won’t reflect the grade. But keep in mind that if you receive an F, that F will appear on your transcript and be calculated into your GPA.

Talk to your advisor

Every degree program has different requirements for taking the pass/fail option—check your school's academic bulletin for details. Most pass/fail courses are electives. Note that after you've invoked the pass/fail option, you can't change back to a letter grade for the course.

If you want to take a class as pass/fail, you’ll need to get a pass/fail option form from your academic advisor. Fill out the form, get the required signatures, and return the form to Student Central by the pass/fail deadline.