Grades and Transcripts

Grades and Grading Scales (University)

Upon completion of a course, you will receive a grade report that gives the final exam score (if applicable) and a letter grade based on the number of points earned in the course. The Center will not release final grades or award credit until all outstanding accounts are paid in full.

Because examinations are the only supervised activities required for independent study courses, exam grades are major factors in determining final course grades. For most CDIS courses, you must score a certain minimum number of points on exams in order to pass the course. You cannot pass a course without passing the examinations, regardless of your grades for other parts of the course.

Plus/Minus Grading System: A plus/minus A, B, C, D, F system of grading is generally used for all courses except those originating from Missouri S&T, which uses a straight A, B, C, D, F scale. Also, University of Missouri (MU) students who pay graduate fees will be graded on the straight A, B, C, F scale, not the plus/minus scale, according to MU policy. The grade D is not awarded to students who have paid graduate-level fees, and the grade F carries no credit.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory: Some university courses may be taken (and some must be taken) on an S/U basis. A grade of S is reported for A, B, and C grades. A grade of U is reported for D and F grades. Requests for S/U grading should be made in writing. Students cannot change from one grading system to the other after the first assignment has been submitted or after the first 30 days of enrollment have elapsed, whichever comes first.

Auditing a Course: If you audit a course by enrolling as a "hearer," you only submit progress evaluations for grading; you do not take exams. Your status as hearer must be indicated before the first assignment has been submitted or before the first 30 days of enrollment have elapsed, whichever comes first. Your enrollment in the course is indicated on your record by an "H" and carries no credit. There is no reduction in fees.

Transcripts (University)

When requesting a transcript, please be sure your request includes the words "independent study."

The Office of the Registrar at the University of Missouri issues transcripts for MU. If you are a Missouri S&T, UMSL, or UMKC student enrolled in an MU course, contact the Center for transcript information.

If you need to have a transcript sent for an MU independent study course, send a written request to the Transcript Department at the University of Missouri. You must sign the written request, which may be sent by mail or fax to the address below. Contact the Transcript Department or visit its Web site to obtain the amount of the transcript fee, which must accompany your request.

Currently enrolled MU students can submit printable transcript request form, and fax or mail it to the Transcript Department.

If you are enrolled in a course originating from the UMSL, UMKC, or Missouri S&T campus prior to WS2003, please contact the Center for transcript information.

If you are currently enrolled or were enrolled in a course through the Center for Distance & Independent Study during WS2003 (or thereafter) that originates from one of the above campuses, please contact the appropriate campus office listed below:

Grades and Grading Scales (High School, Middle School, Elementary)

Upon completion of the course, students receive a grade report that gives the final exam score (if applicable) and a letter grade based on the number of points earned in the course. The Center will not release final grades or award credit until all outstanding accounts are paid in full.

Because examinations are the only supervised activities required for independent study courses, exam grades are major factors in determining final course grades. Students must score a certain minimum number of points on exams in order to pass the course. You cannot pass a course without passing the examinations, regardless of your grades for other parts of the course. The course grading scale provides the required exam points to pass the course.

The A, B, C, D, F system of grading is used by the Center for most independent study courses. Each course provides the grading scale and point ranges for students in that course.

Transcripts (High School, Middle School, Elementary)

If you are enrolled as a middle school/elementary student, home-schooled student, or as an MU High School diploma student, your transcript will remain on file at the Center and will be sent only upon written request. If you are a student enrolled in another institution, MU High School will automatically send your transcript to the school noted on your course application. If you want a copy of your transcript mailed elsewhere, please send a written request to the address below. The transcript request must be signed by the student if he/she is 18 or older or by the student's parent/legal guardian if the student is under the age of 18.

Request an Official Transcript for High School, Middle School, or Elementary Coursework
Note: In order to send a transcript we must have a written request including a signature. Please complete the Request Official Transcript Form. You may type in the appropriate fields, print the page, sign the form, then mail or fax it to us. There is no charge for High School, Middle School, and Elementary transcripts.

Center for Distance and Independent Study
136 Clark Hall
Columbia, MO 65211-4200
Fax: 573-884-9665

Student Records

The Center for Distance and Independent Study maintains student records in a computer database. Your six-digit CDIS ID number is used to identify your records. Your CDIS ID is printed under the "CDIS ID" heading on your enrollment receipt.

Please include this identification number on all lesson answer forms and any written communications with the Center, and have it available should you ever call the Center to ask about your records. You will also need to enter this six-digit number (and your password, which is your receipt number) in order to access a course on the Center's Web site, submit progress evaluations, request exams, and access other information related to your records.

Transferring Credit to Other Institutions

You may transfer credit for independent study courses to most educational institutions in the United States. If you are unsure whether or not a particular course will apply toward your specific educational goals, check with the institution to which you wish to transfer credit.