The academic status or grading of student performance is determined at the end of each course and/or semester. Grades are determined based on scores collected throughout the course, including assignments, quizzes, practical exam results, course exams, daily clinic grades, skill assessments, and clinical competency evaluations. Each course has a syllabus that explains in detail how the grades are calculated. It is the student’s responsibility to read the course syllabi to ensure an understanding of course grading policies.
For both pre-clinical and clinical courses, within seven working days after the final course/system/rotation exam and receipt of preceptor evaluation (as applicable), the course/system/rotation director submits a final grade report. The grade report includes the percentage grade achieved in the class and a letter grade – either A, B, C or F. At the end of every semester, students will receive an unofficial copy of their transcript.
According to the LMU-CDM policy, the GPA on the transcript is calculated based on the letter grades (A, B, C, or F) for each course. A= 90-100% (4.00 Pts), B+ = 86-89%, (3.33 Pts), B = 80-85% (3.00 Pts), C+ = 76-79% (2.33 Pts), C= 70-75% (2.00 Pts), and F< 70% (0.00 Pts). A student who attains a B on the transcript would have a 3.00 used as a multiplier to calculate the GPA. Class rank will be determined by the student’s overall GPA.
Class Rank
Class rank is determined at the end of each academic year. Class rankings will be reported in the fall semester for the previous year’s coursework. To treat all students fairly, the rank order will be based on students who went through a similar program.
Student Grievances Regarding Grades
Academic Due Process – Exam Grade or Final Grade Reconsideration: if a student has a grievance about an exam or a final course grade, the student should immediately submit the grievance to the course/system director and Chairman/Head of the Department. The student must write a detailed email with the Chairman/Head of the Department in Cc for smoother communications. If not solved, then further questions or disputes may also be addressed to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and/or Dean of Clinical Affairs and/or the Associate Dean for Faculty and Students within 24 hours of the grade being posted.
A student desiring to appeal a grade must send a letter explaining the facts to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Dean of Clinical Affairs and the Associate Dean of Faculty and Students who will arrange a meeting with the student, the appropriate Dean, and the course director. Within five (5) working days, the student will be notified in writing of the decision.
Students should note that Grade Reconsiderations should not be based on disagreements with the course requirements, or the grading standards established by the professor. Good faith on the professor’s part shall be presumed unless the student can offer convincing arguments to the contrary. The student’s desire or “need” for a particular grade, while compelling to the individual on a personal level, shall not be considered “good cause” for purposes of appeal.
Remediation Policy
Any dental student who fails a course will automatically be placed on Academic Probation and will be referred to the Student Progress Committee. If the student is granted permission to remediate the course, then it is the student’s responsibility to meet with the Course Director alongside the Department Chair. To discuss the remediation process, the student will also be required to meet with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and/or Dean of Clinical Affairs to develop a plan of action. Successful remediation consists of achieving a final score of 70% or greater on each course component of an exam. If a student fails one of the remediation course components, they will fail the remediation. If a student fails a course in the fall, they will remediate it at the end of the spring semester. If a student fails a course in the spring, they will remediate it at the end of the summer semester. If a student fails a course in the summer, they will remediate it one week after the end of the summer semester. Remediation involves a final cumulative exam, and the study plan for the failed course should be discussed with the course director and the chair as mentioned above.
If remediation is successful, the student will be assigned a letter grade of “C” and a numeric grade of 70%. Remediation grading is completely independent of grades achieved during the course. A failure with subsequent successful remediation of the course will be reported on the student’s transcript as “F/C.” Under no circumstances will any other grade than F/C with a numeric score of 70% being reported. Failure of remediation is considered a failure of another course and will result in referral to the Student Progress Committee and may result in repeating the course in its entirety or dismissal. Students in the DMD program will be allowed to retake the failed course once. Remediation grades and repeated courses will all be noted on the student’s transcript.
Dental Hygiene students will not have the option to remediate a failed course due to the pace and limited course offerings. Successful completion of all dental hygiene courses (grade of 70 or above) is required to move forward in the dental hygiene program. Failure to complete any course requirements may result in a final grade of “F.” Extenuating circumstances will be managed on a case-by-case basis by the Course Director and the Dental Hygiene Program Director.