University of Washington Incomplete Grading Policy

Per Scholastics Regulations Chapter 110 Grades, Honors, and Scholarships instructors may choose to assign an Incomplete grade for courses.

Systems of Grading

Undergraduates

Section 1.A. 3. System of Grading (Undergraduates)
3) The Grade I

  • Instructors may grant an incomplete grade if the student has done satisfactory work to within three weeks of the last day of the quarter and if circumstances prevent the student from completing the remaining work for the course by the end of the quarter. Instructors are never obligated to grant a student’s request for an Incomplete. Instructors will use the designated process for students to request and for instructors to approve the awarding of an Incomplete grade.
  • A grade must be submitted by the instructor of the course by the grading deadline per the Academic Calendar for the next subsequent quarter. For Spring quarter, the subsequent quarter is considered to be the Autumn Quarter. This submission is done through the established late grade submission process. The submitted grade will replace the “I” on the transcript. If no grade is submitted the Incomplete will convert to a grade of 0.0 and the “I” will be removed from the official transcript. If a default grade was submitted by the instructor this grade will replace the “I” on the transcript. Courses taken CR/NC will change to a NC.
  • In no case shall an Incomplete on the record at the time a degree is granted be subsequently changed to any other grade.
  • The grade I shall count neither for registered hours nor in computation of grade-point averages.
  • Instructors, on behalf of the student, may request an extension for one additional quarter beyond the original grading quarter using the established extension request process.
Grading Practices for Graduate Students

Section 1.B. 2. Grading Practices for Graduate Students
2) The Grade I

  • An Incomplete may be given as indicated in in Subsection 1.A.3.a with the exception that an incomplete received by the graduate student does not automatically convert to a grade of 0.0, but the “I” will remain as a permanent part of the student’s record.
  • In order to obtain credit for the course, a student must convert an Incomplete into a passing grade by the last day of the next quarter in residence. This rule may be waived by the dean of the college in which the course is offered.

Instructions for UW Tacoma Students

If you are within three weeks of the end of the quarter, you can request an Incomplete grade from your instructor.

To request an Incomplete grade, you must:

  • Complete the Incomplete Grade Request form. You should do this no later than the last day of the quarter, but before that is better. Your instructor needs to have enough time to review your request and discuss it with you before grades are due. Grades are due on the Tuesday after the last day of the quarter (refer to the Academic Calendar).
  • Make a separate request for each course you want to request an Incomplete grade in.

To submit the form, you will need to know:

  • your course abbreviation and number (e.g., TMATH 110)
  • your instructor’s name
  • your instructor’s email address.

When you submit the form, it will be sent directly to the instructor whose email you provided. You will receive a confirmation email. 

After you submit the form, you must follow up with the instructor to discuss your request for an Incomplete grade and what steps you would take to complete the work for the course by the time the Incomplete grade expires.

Remember that, 

  • Per policy, your instructor is not required to grant your request for an Incomplete grade.
  • If you are given an Incomplete grade, you do not register for that course again in a future quarter. That will not “make up” the work for the Incomplete grade.
Are you a UW Bothell or UW Seattle student?

UW Bothell: Please refer to the UW Bothell Incomplete grade policy for instructions and access to the request form.

UW Seattle: Please refer to the UW Seattle Incomplete grade policy and request form for instructions.

By completing and submitting this form, you are confirming that you understand:

  • That you must have done satisfactory work to within three weeks of the last day of the quarter.
  • That your instructor(s) are not required to grant your request for an Incomplete grade.
  • That you have one quarter to complete the work and receive a grade for the Incomplete (for spring quarter, the next quarter is considered to be autumn).
  • That if you do not receive a grade after one quarter, the Incomplete grade will change to a failing grade (or the default grade your instructor provided). 
  • For undergraduate students only: That the “I” will be removed from your transcript after the grade is received or the Incomplete grade converts.This is based on your status as a student, and not on the level of the course.
  • That an Incomplete in your transcript at the time of degree conferral cannot be changed to any other grade.
  • That an "I" grade does not count toward credit hours or GPA.
  • That you cannot repeat the course to replace an Incomplete.
  • That your instructor can request a one-quarter extension on your behalf.