Grade Point Average

A student's grade point average (GPA) is the average of all traditional letter grades earned on a scale of 0.0 to 4.0. The grade and credit earned for each course remains a part of the student's permanent record and is used in the calculation of the student's GPA.

There is a built-in GPA calculator in Degree Works. Instructions on how to calculate GPA and the definition of cumulative GPA are listed below.

How to Calculate GPA

Each traditional letter grade (A through F) is associated with a certain number of quality points per credit.

A student's GPA is calculated by adding together the products of the quality points per credit by the number of credits for each class. The sum of these products is then divided by the sum of the credits attempted.

Sample GPA Calculation

Class

Grade Assigned

Quality Points Per Credit

Credits

Total Quality Points

WRIT 101

A-

3.7

3

11.1

M 105

B

3.0

3

9.0

BIOB 101N

C+

2.3

4

9.2

PHL 110E

F

0.0

3

0.0
  1. Multiply the quality points per credit by the number of credits to calculate the total quality points earned for a class.
    1. 3.7 * 3 = 11.1
    2. 3.0 * 3 = 9.0
    3. 2.3 * 4 = 9.2
    4. 0.0 * 3 = 0.0
  2. Add together the total quality points for each class (Column 5) for a sum of 29.3 quality points.
    1. 11.1 + 9.0 + 9.2 + 0.0 = 29.3
  3. Add together the credits for each class (Column 4) for a sum of 13 credits.
    1. 3 + 3 + 4 + 3 = 9
  4. Then, divide the sum of quality points by the sum of credits for a GPA of 2.25.
    1. 29.3 / 13 = 2.25

Cumulative GPA

Per the Board of Regents Policy 301.9, cumulative GPA is defined as the grade point average which is computed by dividing the summation of grade points earned by the summation of credits carried, except that neither the credits nor the grade points shall be counted for the following:

  1. Non-credit, remedial, developmental, or other sub-college-level courses;
  2. Courses passed on a grade-basis of pass/fail; and/or
  3. Transferred coursework.

In other words, the cumulative GPA is computed by dividing the total quality points earned by the total number of credits attempted, excluding courses assigned W, WF, WP, CR, NC, NCR, I, AUD, or N grades and remedial courses numbered under 100, which have grades preceded by an R. 

For repeated courses, other than those assigned W, WF, WP, NC, NCR, I, AUD, or N grades, only the most recent grade earned will count toward the cumulative GPA.

Grades for courses transferred from other colleges and universities are not included in the calculation of the institutional cumulative GPA.

View Cumulative GPA on Unofficial Transcript

See instructions on how to view your unofficial transcript.

Scroll down to the bottom of your unofficial transcript and refer to the "Institutional GPA."

View Cumulative GPA on Student Profile
  1. Log into CyberBear
  2. Click "Student Services"
  3. Select "Student Profile" under Academic Records

Your GPA is displayed on your Student Profile under "Curriculum, Hours, & GPA" in the "Hours & GPA" tab. This tab may display multiple types of GPAs, such as institutional, transfer, and overall.

The "Institutional GPA" represents your cumulative GPA at UM and is responsible for determining your academic standing. Transfer GPA is not factored into a student's academic standing.

Launch UM virtual tour.