St. Joe’s students will now have the option to designate any undergraduate course they are taking this semester Pass/No Penalty (P/NP), according to an announcement from Cheryl McConnell, Ph.D., provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. The announcement follows the university’s shift to virtual instruction for the remainder of the semester due to the coronavirus.

What does this mean?

Undergraduate students can designate any course P/NP, a term known widely as “pass/fail.” Previously, only free electives could be designated P/NP. Now, any course can be designated P/NP, including those counting toward students’ General Education Program (GEP), major or minor.

How many courses can be designated P/NP?

There is no limit to how many courses students can designate P/NP this semester. Previously, students could only designate one free elective P/NP per semester and only two throughout their undergraduate career. 

Who can opt in?

Any undergraduate student at St. Joe’s can designate courses P/NP this semester. Previously, only those with junior or senior status could do so.

How do I decide if I should choose the P/NP grading option?

McConnell advised students to consult academic advisors before making decisions, as there are reasons they may choose not to request a P/NP course designation, like if students are pursuing a higher degree.

“For example, for students pursuing careers in health or medical professions, law school, or other paths with professional licensure, graduate schools or professional organizations may not allow P/NP designations,” McConnell wrote in the announcement. “At this time, there is no guarantee that grace will be given by those organizations or licensing boards.”

An undergraduate student cannot designate a graduate course they are taking as P/NP.

How does this affect students’ GPA?

Courses designated P/NP do not affect students’ GPA, according to the university’s existing P/NP policy. Students will receive credits for courses they pass and a “P” on their transcript. 

If a student fails a course, they receive the non-passing grade “NP,” which carries no credit and does not affect the calculation of the grade point average, according to the 2019-2020 academic catalog.

When should students make final decisions concerning P/NP designation?

The university’s academic advising centers are working on a new P/NP request process that will be communicated to students by April 1. The deadline to request a course be taken P/NP is extended to April 15, the course withdrawal date.