Definition and use of INC grades
INC means “Incomplete course work, no credit granted.” This grade should be assigned only in exceptional circumstances, and only by formal arrangement between the instructor and the student, with the approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies. In effect, an agreement to alter the conditions and deadlines of coursework and course credit is an accommodation arrangement, and we wish to ensure that this accommodation is appropriate, timely, and likely to succeed.
It has long been the case that INC grades have—with the very best of intentions—been granted informally and as a matter of course to graduate students. Unfortunately the good intentions of all have not secured good outcomes: many courses listed as incompletes are never actually finished, and many students who are granted incompletes in one term experience a snowball-effect of stress into the next term of study, failing as well to complete their new courses. It has also been the case that instructors are unaware that students securing an INC in their course may well have unresolved INC grades from prior courses, or in other courses the same term. These students flounder invisibly, as their cases can evade the detection of the Associate Chair, who might be able to devise a better plan to support their studies should these difficulties come to light in a more organized, formal, and timely way.
In a “true” INC, the instructor and the student have formalized an agreement to complete the work within a specific period of time, and never any longer than one academic term after taking the course. At that time, any INC grade still unrevised by the instructor will lapse to FTC (Failed to complete). Students with INCs on their records may not be recommended for graduation.
Note: any student attempting to complete missing course work in the following term will in essence be carrying extra courses; under the circumstances, this may not be in the best interest of the student.
Instructions
Please email the Graduate Coordinator for the English Department Graduate Course Incomplete form.
Important Information
- To be used at the end of the term, when grades are being submitted. If it becomes clear earlier in the term that a student will be unable to complete the work, the student should be encouraged to drop the course and the matter should be brought to the attention of the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, to assist in advising the student.
- Earned grade: The grade the student would receive if s/he were to receive 0 on the assessment in question.
- INC grades should only be submitted if an INC Grade Agreement Form has been submitted.
- When there is no accompanying form, approved by the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, this means there is no agreement to complete the work and instructors should submit the earned grade in the course.
Filling out the Form
- Signature from both the student and the instructor are required. This ensures that neither party can initiate and complete the form without the other party agreeing to the terms.
- There will be instances where either the student or instructor is unable to physically sign the form: e.g., illness. In these cases, an email clearly indicating the terms of the INC and that both parties are aware of, and agree to, the terms, is acceptable. The email must be attached to the submitted form.
Submitting the Form
- Once the form has been completed and both signatures have been obtained, the form will be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator.
- INC forms must be completed and submitted by the official grade submission deadline; sooner than that is much better.
Approving the Accommodation
- The Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, will review all INC Grade Agreement Forms. Normally, this will involve reviewing the student’s academic record, and meeting in person with the student requesting the accommodation.
- If the student is in good standing, and has no other INC agreements outstanding, approval will be granted.
- However, other accommodations may be proposed, including withdrawal from the course in question, depending on circumstances.
- The Associate Chair, Graduate Studies will inform both the student and the instructor when the INC Grade Agreement Form has been approved, or if it has not.
