On July 1, 1979, George Peabody College for Teachers merged with Vanderbilt University. The Vanderbilt seal is embossed on all George Peabody College transcripts issued since the merger.
Academic Calendar
The academic year consists of fall and spring semesters and a summer term. The Doctor of Medicine program is offered on a year term.
Academic Units
Credit hours are semester hours except in the Doctor of Medicine program. Credits in the Doctor of Medicine program are course- or rotation-based.
Accreditation
Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Covid-19 Pandemic
During the Spring 2020 semester, Vanderbilt University was affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Effective Monday, March 16, and extending through the end of the Spring 2020 semester, all instruction was moved to online and other alternative learning options. In addition, temporary changes to grading policy were implemented, including adjustments to the options for pass/fail grading.
Questions may be directed to the Office of the University Registrar at registrar@vanderbilt.edu.
During the Summer 2020 term, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, all undergraduate instruction was moved to online and other alternative learning options. In addition, temporary changes to grading policy were implemented in the Graduate School, Blair School of Music, College of Arts and Science, and Peabody College, including adjustments to the options for pass/fail grading.
Questions may be directed to the Office of the University Registrar at registrar@vanderbilt.edu.
Course Numbers
Effective Fall 2015
| 0000–0799 | Non-credit, non-degree courses that do not apply to a degree program |
| 0800–0999 | Courses that will be eventually given credit (e.g., study abroad) |
| 1000–1999 | Lower-level introductory undergraduate courses. Generally, no prerequisites |
| 2000–2999 | Lower-level intermediate undergraduate courses. May have prerequisites |
| 3000–3999 | Upper-level intermediate undergraduate courses. Likely have prerequisites or require instructor permission |
| NOTE: The range 3400–3599 has been reserved for future program growth and is not to be used at the present time | |
| 4000–4999 | Upper-level advanced undergraduate courses. Usually have prerequisites or require instructor permission |
| 5000–5999 | Introductory-level graduate and professional courses (including those co-enrolled with undergraduates) |
| 6000–7999 | Intermediate-level graduate and professional courses |
| 8000–9999 | Advanced-level graduate and professional courses |
Prior to Fall 2015
- 100- and 1000-level courses are primarily for freshmen and sophomores. May not be taken for graduate credit.
- 200- and 2000-level courses are normally for juniors and seniors. Selected courses may be taken for graduate credit.
- 300-, 3000-, and above-level courses are for graduate credit only – unless special permission is granted.
Current Grading Systems
College of Arts and Science (A&S), effective Fall 1982;
Blair School of Music (BLR), effective Fall 1986;
College of Connected Computing (CCC), effective Fall 2025;
Divinity School (DIV), effective Fall 1983;
Division of Unclassified Studies (DUS), effective Fall 1982;
School of Engineering (ENG), effective Fall 1991;
Graduate School (GS), effective Fall 1992;
Law School (LAW), effective Fall 1988;
School of Medicine (MED), Medical Masters and other Doctoral Programs, effective Fall 2010;
School of Nursing (NURS), effective Fall 2007;
Peabody College (PC) undergraduate, effective Fall 1990;
Peabody College (PC) professional, effective Fall 1992.
| Grade | Quality Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.3 | LAW only |
| A+ | 4.0 | Not in A&S, DIV (or BLR, PC as of Fall 2012) |
| A | 4.0 | |
| A- | 3.7 | |
| B+ | 3.3 | |
| B | 3.0 | |
| B- | 2.7 | |
| C+ | 2.3 | |
| C | 2.0 | |
| C- | 1.7 | |
| D+ | 1.3 | Not in PC professional, NURS (or GS, MED as of Fall 2011) |
| D | 1.0 | Not in PC professional, NURS (or GS, MED as of Fall 2011) |
| D- | 0.7 | Not in PC professional, MED, NURS (or GS as of Fall 2011) |
| F | 0.0 |
Owen Graduate School of Management (OGSM), Master of Accountancy, effective Fall 2011.
| Grade | Quality Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.5 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.5 |
| F | 0.0 |
Owen Graduate School of Management (OGSM), All Management Programs, effective Fall 2007.
| Grade | Description | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|
| SP | Superior Pass | 4.0 |
| HP | High Pass | 3.5 |
| PA | Pass | 3.0 |
| LP | Low Pass | 2.5 |
| F | Fail | 0.0 |
School of Medicine (MED), Doctor of Medicine Program, effective 2003.
| Grade | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| H | Honors | Superior or outstanding work in all aspects. |
| HP | High Pass | Completely satisfactory work with some elements of superior work. |
| P | Pass | Completely satisfactory work in all aspects. |
| P* | Marginal Pass | Serious deficiencies requiring additional work (temporary grade). |
| F | Fail | Unsatisfactory work. |
Prior Grading Systems
Grading systems in place prior to the dates listed above are available on the
Prior Grading Systems webpage.
Current and Cumulative Statistics
| EHRS | Earned Hours |
| QHRS | Quality Hours |
| QPTS | Quality Points |
| GPA | Grade Point Average (calculated as GPA = QPTS/QHRS) |
Other Symbols
| AB | Absent from final examination (temporary grade)** |
| AU/AD | Audit** |
| AW | Audit Withdrawal** |
| CE | Credit by Examination |
| CR | Credit only (no grade due) |
| E | Condition, with permission to retake exam (temporary grade)** |
| H | Incomplete in Arts and Science honors course |
| Honors in Divinity School** | |
| I | Incomplete (temporary grade)** |
| IP | In progress (temporary grade)** |
| LP | Low Pass |
| M | Absent from final examination (temporary grade)** |
| MI | Absent from final examination and incomplete (temporary grade)** |
| NC | No credit toward current degree** |
| NO EQ | Transfer or study abroad coursework with no Vanderbilt equivalent |
| P | Pass** |
| PI | Permanent Incomplete (DIV, GS, LAW, MED, NURS, PC)** |
| PM | Pass-Medical (GS only) |
| R | Repeat of previous course |
| RC | Previous trial of repeated course** |
| S | Satisfactory** |
| U | Unsatisfactory** |
| W | Withdrawal** |
| WF | Withdrawal while failing** |
| WP | Withdrawal while passing** |
| X | Grade unknown, hours earned awarded** |
| ** Does not affect grade point average. (Prior to Fall 2008, the AB, I, M, and MI grades were calculated as an F in A&S and PC.) |
Prior Degrees
Effective July 1, 2021, degrees from external institutions are not listed on the Vanderbilt University transcript. Any transcript released prior to that date may have external degrees listed for students who earned a university degree prior to enrolling at Vanderbilt.
University Courses
Courses offered in the UNIV subject are University Courses. The University Course initiative, which ran from 2016 to 2020, was developed to promote new and creative trans-institutional learning.