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Calculating Your Grade Point Average
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One of the first steps in achieving good academic standing is to learn how to calculate your GPA. Once you know the GPA, you can then figure out exactly what grades you will need to raise your CSUF and total grade point averages to 2.0 minimum required for readmission. Business majors must also raise their major GPA to 2.0 to qualify for readmission. After you review this section, use our on-line GPA Calculator to estimate how many A’s and B’s you need to raise your GPA to 2.0.

When you look at your unofficial university transcript on Titan Online , you will notice that there are three grade point averages listed at the end of each academic term completed. If you are a transfer student, you will also see a transfer GPA listed.

  1. Term GPA: the grade point average for your grades for a single semester.
  1. CSUF GPA: the grade point average for all courses attempted at CSUF.
  1. Transfer GPA: the grade point average for courses completed outside of CSUF.
  1. Cumulative GPA: the grade point average for all courses attempted at CSUF and at other institutions.


How to Calculate Your Grade Point Average

The grade-point average (GPA) is obtained by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of GPA units attempted.

GPA = Total grade points earned
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*Total GPA units attempted

*Units from courses in which you earned grades of A-F, IC, or WU.

As illustrated in the grading chart below, grade points are based on the traditional 4-point scale and vary depending on the unit value of the course.

Grades

Points

 

1-Unit Course

2-Unit Course

3-Unit Course

4-Unit Course

5-Unit Course

A

4.0

Outstanding

4

8

12

16

20

A-

3.7

 

3.7

7.4

11.1

14.8

18.5

B+

3.3

 

3.3

6.6

9.9

13.2

16.5

B

3.0

Good

3

6

9

12

15

B-

2.7

 

2.7

5.4

8.1

10.8

13.5

C+

2.3

 

2.3

4.6

6.9

9.2

11.5

C

2.0

Average

2

4

6

8

10

C-

1.7

 

1.7

3.4

5.1

6.8

8.5

D+

1.3

 

1.3

2.6

3.9

5.2

6.5

D

1.0

Poor

1

2

3

4

5

D-

0.7

 

0.7

1.4

2.1

2.8

3.5

F, WU, IC

0.0

Failing

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

 

Example:  How to Calculate Your GPA

Semester Courses

GPA Units

X

Grades

=

Grade Points

English -101 College Writing

3

  

A (4.0)

  

12

Math - 115 College Algebra

4

  

C  (2.0)

  

8

Psychology -101  Introductory Psychology

3

  

B- (2.7)

  

8.1

Biology -101

3

  

C+ (2.3)

  

6.9
Total:
13
      
35.0

In this example, the student earned an “A”, “C”, “B-”, and “C+”.

A = 12 grade points
B- = 8.1 grade points
C+ = 6.9 grade points
C =  6 grade points

GPA =   Grade Points (35)
GPA Units (13)

GPA =   35  = 2.69
13


Grading System

Traditional Letter Grades GPA Units Earned Graduation
Units Earned
A+, A, A-
Yes
Yes
B+, B, B-
Yes
Yes
C+, C, C-
Yes
Yes
D+, D,
Yes
Yes
D-
Yes
Yes
F
Yes
No
Non-traditional Grades    
CR
No
Yes
NC
No
No
Administrative Symbols    
I ( Authorized Incomplete)
No
No
IC (Incomplete Charged)
Yes
No
W (Authorized Withdrawal)
No
No
WU (Withdrawal Unauthorized)
Yes
No
Special Notes:
  • CR grades earn units toward graduation, but are not calculated in your GPA
  • I  grades not completed within one year will be changed to an IC (or NC)
  • WU and IC grades are calculated as an F in your GPA
  • W grades do not earn units, and are not calculated in your GPA
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