The grade of "I" for "Incomplete" may be awarded only at the end of the semester when all but a minor portion of the course work has been satisfactorily completed. Graduate students should make arrangements with the instructor to receive an Incomplete grade before the end of the semester. Instructors are encouraged to use the Report of Incomplete Grade form as a contract with the student as to what course work must be completed by the student for the I grade to be removed and replaced with a grade. On the form, the instructor states: (1) which assignments or exams should be completed and when; (2) how this work will be graded; and (3) how the student's course grade will be calculated. Both the instructor and student sign this agreement and both should retain copies.

Graduate students have a maximum of one calendar year to remove an Incomplete. An Incomplete not removed within one year is replaced by a failing grade of "E" and counted as an "E" in determining the student's grade-point average. If the coursework cannot be completed within one year, the student may petition to extend the Incomplete. This petition must be submitted before the grade converts to an “E”.

If there is a possibility that the student's cumulative grade-point average will fall below 3.00 through the conversion of Incomplete grades to failing grades, the graduate degree will not be awarded.