A / Outstanding (4.00)

Professional or near-professional quality. Clearly written, well structured, and persuasively argued. Could use some refinements prior to publication or wider dissemination.

A– / Excellent (3.67)

Approaching professional quality. Could use some revisions to improve clarity, structure, and/or argument.

B+ / Very Good (3.33)

Clear and persuasive. The structure and/or argument require improvement but are generally sound.

B / Good (3.00)

Reasonably clear and persuasive. There are, however, notable flaws relating to clarity, structure, and/or argument.

B– / Pass (2.67)

Adequate. There are significant flaws relating to clarity, structure, and/or argument.

C+ / Low Pass (2.33)

Poor. There are major flaws relating to clarity, structure, or argument.

C / Minimal Pass (2.00)

Incoherent. There are major flaws relating to clarity, structure, and argument.

D / Failure (0.00)

Inadequate. Per the SAIS Red Book, a D may be used “when an Incomplete grade has not been resolved by the deadline”.

F / Administrative Failure (0.00)

Per the SAIS Red Book, an F is the “result of an Honor Code violation or when unfulfilled financial or academic obligations exist on non-degree student record”.