If you have been doing work of passing quality, but are unable to complete a small portion of the course requirements (i.e. a lab assignment or term paper) because of an illness or other serious problem, then you have the option of requesting an "incomplete" in the course. While it is your responsibility to speak to the instructor in order to request an incomplete, it is entirely up to the instructor whether or not to grant your request.

Removing an Incomplete

If your professor agrees to give you an incomplete, you must finish the remaining coursework¹ during your next completed regular quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring).²

IMPORTANT: Do not re-enroll in the course in order to remove your incomplete!

Once you have finished the work required for the incomplete and submitted it to your professor, you've completed your part of the task. The professor will fill out a Report of Academic Revision and submit it to the Registrar's Office. $5 will be charged to your bar account for the removal of the incomplete.

Requesting an Extension for an Incomplete

If for some reason, you are not able to remove the incomplete within the next completed quarter, you should petition to extend the time for removing the incomplete. This request requires a L & S Student Petition and a note from the professor agreeing to the extension. You must specify the exact date by which the work will be completed, what work remains to be done, and why you were unable to complete the work within the allotted timeframe. As with any petition, however, there is no guarantee of approval.

Effect on GPA

The "I" grade has no effect on the GPA of the term in which it was taken. A student receives units and grade points for the course after all the coursework has been completed. The actual grade appears on the transcript and DPR in the term in which the work was completed. At this time the grade points and units are averaged into the cumulative GPA (NOT the term GPA).

Both the Incomplete and the Final Grade are noted on the transcript.

¹It is important that you and your instructor agree upon the work you must do in order to remove the incomplete.

²Some departments may require you to sign a contract with the professor.