Credit/No Credit Option
Beginning academic year 2022-23, Credit/No Credit (CR/NCR) is the only alternate grade mode offered. Students have until the end of the 8th week of classes to invoke or revoke a course with the Credit/No Credit grade mode. A minimum grade of C- is required for CR. NCR will be recorded for grades of D or F. Students who receive a grade of NCR will not earn credit for that course.
The Credit/No Credit grade system follows similar rules as the former Pass/D/Fail policy:
- Students may invoke the Credit/No Credit option for a single course when they are enrolled in courses totaling at least four credits.
- Students may invoke the Credit/No Credit option a maximum of two times. Students who have invoked one course in the Pass/D/Fail grade mode in a previous semester, may only invoke one additional course Credit/No Credit. Students who have already invoked 2 courses Pass/D/Fail in previous semesters have reached the limit and are not eligible to invoke an additional course Credit/No Credit.
- Courses taken with either the Pass/D/Fail or Credit/No Credit grade mode (Fall 2022 or later) count toward the five total allowed credits with non-standard grading. (The other categories of non-standard grading credits include AP, IB, other pre-college testing credits, and winter term internships.)
- Courses taken under the Credit/No Credit option may not be used to satisfy academic distribution, College Writing, First-Year Seminar or cultures and civilizations requirements.
- Courses taken under the Credit/No Credit option may not be used to satisfy major or minor requirements.
- With one exception: In the case of a first course taken in a department or program in which a student subsequently declares a major or minor, the student may, with the approval of the department chair or program director, count toward the course toward the major or minor requirements.
- The Credit/No Credit grade option is only available in fall and spring.
- A minimum grade of C- is required for CR. NCR will be recorded for grades of D or F. Students who receive a grade of NCR will not earn credit for that course.
- The CR/NCR grade mode is not available to students who are studying abroad.
The deadline to invoke a course Credit/No Credit for Spring 2024 was: Friday, April 12 at 5:00 pm (ET).
The deadline to revoke the Credit/No Credit grade option and return to standard grading for Spring 2024 was: Friday, April 12 at 5:00 pm (ET).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q Is this the same as the Optional Credit/No Credit mode from during the pandemic?
No, this is a new grade mode voted on by the faculty. Beginning academic year 2022-23, Credit/No Credit (CR/NCR) is the only alternate grade mode offered. Students have until the end of the 8th week of classes to invoke or revoke a course with the Credit/No Credit grade mode. The use of this CR/NCR grade system will be restricted in exactly the same manner as the former Pass/D/Fail policy.
Q How do I invoke the Credit/No Credit option?
A submission button is available above to invoke this alternate grade mode.
Q Can I revoke my Credit/No Credit grade option?
Yes, but only until the end of the 8th week of classes. After that, a student may not revoke the Credit/No Credit grade mode.
Q I am only taking three classes, can I take one under the Credit/No Credit option?
No, you must be enrolled in at least four total credits to invoke the Credit/No Credit option for one course.
Q Can I take a course that is satisfying a college requirement with this Credit/No Credit option?
No, Credit/No Credit courses may not be used to satisfy distribution, College Writing, FYSE, or culture and civilization requirements. Additionally, these may not be used to satisfy major or minor requirements.*
*with one exception: a first course taken Credit/No Credit in a department or program in which a student subsequently declares his/her major or minor may, with the approval of the department or program chair, be counted toward major or minor requirements.
Q Will the instructor of the course know I am not taking the course for a standard letter grade?
Maybe. Faculty have the option to see the grading mode displayed for each student on their roster. Some may choose to view this, but others may not. Faculty are required to enter a letter grade for all students, but behind the scenes letter grades of C- through A will be converted to a grade of “CR” (Credit), while a grade of D or F will be converted to “NCR” (No Credit).
Q Do these CR or NCR grades affect my GPA?
No, neither a grade of CR nor NCR will affect your GPA.
Q What is the effect of CR/NCR on pre-health preparation?
There are unique considerations for prospective pre-health students when deciding whether to CR/NCR a course; for example, professional schools are looking for ample evidence of the candidate’s ability to manage a full and rigorous course load, and often will not accept courses without a transcripted letter grade to fulfill a required prerequisite. We strongly recommend that you reach out to one of Middlebury’s pre-health advisors to discuss your goals prior to making a decision.