Statement

The Graduate College asserts that grades earned by a graduate student reflect the quality of their academic performance, as judged by the instructor of the course. The faculty member assigned to the course has the responsibility to assess the learner activity and assign a grade in a fair and reasonable manner.

The Graduate College recognizes that, though rare, a student may feel that their grade does not accurately reflect his/her academic performance for one or more following reasons:

• There was an arithmetic error made in calculating the grade on an individual assessment or the final grade;
• The student can prove that an assessment or final grade was given in an arbitrary or capricious manner (i.e., deviation from the policies stated on the course syllabus); or
• The student can prove that the faculty member failed to invoke the use of a predetermined and communicated rubric/scoring system or failed to communicate expectations for an assignment(s)

Graduate students with grievances concerning grades should follow the steps to appeal outlined on the Provost’s website and noted below. If the appeal is still unresolved, the student may appeal to the Graduate College in writing via graduatecollege@drexel.edu.

Grade Appeal Process: 

• Students must begin by following the appeal process within the school/college in which the course was taken, which always begins with the instructor of record for the course;
• If the dean (or dean's designee) of the college denies the appeal, the student may file an appeal to the Graduate College;
• Students should email graduatecollege@drexel.edu to file an appeal and include the following information:
  • A letter of appeal, stating why they are appealing their grade
  • Include any documentation, which might include emails, screenshots, etc.
• Students who file appeals with the Graduate College will receive an initial response outlining the process, requesting additional information, or notification of the inclusion of other necessary service units within two business days
• Once all documentation has been gathered, an independent and diverse committee of faculty from across the University, but not from the involved college, will be convened to review and make a recommendation to the Dean of the Graduate College
• The Dean of the Graduate College will render a decision and that decision is final - there are NO OPTIONS for further appeal

See also Grades Policy: Graduate Students and Statute of Limitations for Change to Grades or Academic Record.

Students in the Thomas R. Kline School of Law or the College of Medicine are subject to the policies, procedures, guidelines, rules, regulations and requirements set forth in their program’s respective student handbooks and not those of the Graduate College.

Grade Appeals Procedure

Updated 9/27/23.