Covid-19 Grading
The University of Montana adapted certain academic processes in Spring Semester 2020 to address the Covid-19 pandemic. This option was introduced due to the sudden change to remote learning in the middle of the semester.
This adaptation is briefly noted on the transcripts of every student who was enrolled for that semester
Below are the provisions for alternate grades implemented in response to Covid-19. The full policy is available in the 2019-2020 Catalog Addendum.
Step-By-Step Guide to Choosing CCR~/CR~/NCR~
What is CCR~/CR~/NCR~ Grading?
It is an optional grading mechanism that affords students more flexibility without the inherent anxiety of traditional letter grades. It is available for Spring 2020 courses and was introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Complete Credit (CCR~)/Credit (CR~)/No Credit (NCR~) grades do not factor into your GPA. Complete Credit (CCR~) and Credit (CR~) grades count towards earned semester hours. A No Credit (NCR~) grade does not count toward earned semester hours.
Undergraduate courses: CCR~ = C- and above; CR~ = D- through D+; NCR~ = F
Graduate courses: CR~ = C and above; NCR~ = C- and below
How do I choose this alternative grading option?
Please email grading@umontana.edu
Does my instructor or advisor have to electronically approve my request?
No. However, we highly encourage undergraduate students to discuss this option with their academic advisor first. The University cautions students that many graduate and professional schools and some employers do not recognize non-traditional grades (i.e., those other than A, B, C, D, F) or may discriminate against students who use the CCR~/CR~/NCR~ option for many courses.
For graduate students, the Graduate Council provision states “Students must consult with their academic advisors before making this decision, as different programs will have different concerns about long-term implications of non-graded courses on their transcripts (professional certification, employment opportunities, etc).”
Can my instructor or advisor choose this grading mechanism for me?
No. While you should consult with them, opting in is entirely controlled by the student.
What does "CCR~" mean?
A Complete Credit (CCR~) designation reflects performance at any of the levels A, B, or C (C- or above), and designates adequate understanding of the subject matter and adequate preparation for more advanced work in the field. Undergraduate-level courses completed with a CCR~ grade will qualify as prerequisites and will satisfy degree or general education requirements at UM or other MUS campuses.
Can I switch courses from a previous semester to the "CCR~/CR~/NCR~" grading mechanism?
No. This choice is only available for courses registered during the spring semester 2020. Students who finish incomplete work from a prior semester must complete their work under the grade option chosen at that time.
How is this different for graduate students?
Graduate and professional students may elect to take any graduate level course or any 400-level UG course on a Credit/No Credit (CR~/NCR~) basis, rather than a traditional grade. The only exception is that the CR~/NCR~ will NOT apply to courses for which all requirements were due before spring break (10-week or shorter courses*). Faculty will provide traditional grades as normal, but students can elect to opt for “CR~” for grades of C and above; grades of C-or lower will be awarded "NCR~". Read the whole provision on the Graduate School page.
I'm going to receive an "N" or "Incomplete" grade. What is my deadline to opt-in for CCR~/CR~/NCR~ grading?
Students have up to seven calendar days after their final grade is posted to their transcript by the Registrar. Be sure to stay in touch with your instructor and monitor your Academic Transcript in CyberBear to make sure you know when your final grade is posted. It is your responsibility to notify the Registrar's Office by the deadline.
What is the difference between CR~ and CR?
The tilde was added to differentiate between courses that are only taught for credit/no credit grading and courses that will be converted to the new grading option. Our standard definition of Credit, or CR, for undergraduate courses is "D- or higher." The definition of Credit~, or CR~, for undergraduate courses is "D- through D+".
Updated 3/1/2024 | Email questions to grading@umontana.edu.
Spring Semester 2020 Policy Provision
Undergraduate
In light of the challenging remote instructional environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in order to moderate student stress while adapting to a new system of course delivery, the University of Montana will implement an alternative grading mechanism effective during the spring semester of 2020. This optional Complete Credit/Credit/No Credit grading mechanism, made available for all courses taken for undergraduate credit, will afford students more flexibility and reorient their focus to achieving course outcomes without the inherent anxiety of traditional letter grades.
A Complete Credit (CCR~) designation reflects performance at any of the levels A, B, or C (C- or above), and designates adequate understanding of the subject matter and adequate preparation for more advanced work in the field. Courses completed with a CCR~ grade will qualify as prerequisites and will satisfy degree or general education requirements at UM or other MUS campuses.
A Credit (CR~) designation reflects minimally acceptable performance at any D level (D- through D+). Courses completed with a CR~ grade qualify as prerequisites and satisfy degree requirements only in those instances where a CR is normally accepted.
The No Credit (NCR~) designation is for work of failing quality (F).
Complete Credit/Credit/No Credit grades do not factor into students’ Grade Point Average (GPA). Complete Credit/Credit grades count towards earned semester hours. A No Credit grade does not count toward earned semester hours.
Faculty will grade students as usual per their syllabi grading structure, with an understanding that the transition to remote learning might impact each student differently.
Students have the option of choosing Complete Credit/Credit/No Credit grading for any number of their courses up to seven calendar days after their final grade is posted to their transcript by the Registrar.
UM will include a designation on students’ transcripts, indicating the extraordinary circumstances of the global public health emergency during Spring 2020.
The University cautions students that many graduate and professional schools and some employers do not recognize non-traditional grades (i.e., those other than A, B, C, D, F) or may discriminate against students who use the CCR~/ CR~/NCR~ option for many courses.
Graduate
For Spring 2020, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, graduate and professional students may elect to take any graduate level course or any 400-level UG course on a Credit/No Credit (CR~/NCR~) basis, rather than a traditional grade. The only exception is that the CR~/NCR~ will NOT apply to courses for which all requirements were due before spring break (10-week or shorter courses*). CR~ credits will not count toward GPA, but will count toward degree requirements. Students must consult with their academic advisors before making this decision, as different programs will have different concerns about long-term implications of non-graded courses on their transcripts (professional certification, employment opportunities, etc). Faculty will provide traditional grades as normal, but students can elect to opt for “CR~” for grades of C and above; grades of C- or lower will be awarded NCR~.
Students have the option of choosing Credit/No Credit grading for any number of their courses up to seven calendar days after their final grade is posted to their transcript by the Registrar.
UM will include a designation on students’ transcripts, indicating the extraordinary circumstances of the global public health emergency during Spring 2020.
School of Law
Per faculty mandate, all spring 2020 law grades appear as Credit/No Credit to mitigate the COVID-19 disruption to traditional face-to-face curriculum delivery.