Undergraduate and Special (NonDegree) Student Lapsed Incomplete Grades

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Policy Number:
UW-1094
Responsible Office:
Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

This policy defines parameters for use of Incomplete grades for students enrolled in the undergraduate and university special student careers, and consequences of same.

Definitions:
Academic Division (School/College)
An academic group of the university, defined in UW-803, Faculty Policies and Procedures Chapter 3, that serves as a school, college, or like unit and is led by a dean or director who reports to the provost.
Extended Incomplete Grade (EI)
A temporary grade that extends the time limit to remove an Incomplete grade.
Incomplete Grade (I, or IN for Credit/No Credit Course):
A temporary grade assigned when a limited amount of academic work is not completed during the term.
Term
A period of time during the academic year when classes are offered. The three terms at UW-Madison are fall, spring, and summer. Fall and spring terms may also be referred to as semesters.
University Special Student
An individual enrolled in UW-Madison credit courses who is not in degree status.
Scope:

Undergraduate and university special students enrolled in credit-bearing courses.

Policy:

  1. Eligibility

    1. A grade of Incomplete may be assigned to an undergraduate or university special student who, because of illness or another unusual and substantiated cause beyond their control, is unable to complete the coursework.
    2. To be eligible for an Incomplete grade, the student must:
      1. Be earning a passing grade to-date in the course, and
      2. Have a limited amount of work to complete by the end of the term.

  2. Completing Coursework

    1. The student must initiate the request for a grade of Incomplete with the instructor before the end of the term.
    2. The instructor and student must agree on the coursework to be completed and establish a plan for the work to be submitted by the student. The instructor-assigned grade change must be entered in the student information system and updated on the student record prior to the following deadlines:
      1. Incomplete grades assigned in spring or summer term must be updated on the student record by the Friday of the eighth week of the following fall term.
      2. Incomplete grades assigned in fall term must be updated on the student record by the Friday of the eighth week of the following spring term.

  3. Consequences for Not Completing Coursework

    1. If the Incomplete grade is not changed to a final grade by the deadline, the Incomplete grade will be changed (lapsed) to a grade of F or N (for Credit/No Credit courses).
    2. If the outstanding work is unable to be completed by the deadline due to additional extenuating circumstances, the instructor may extend the time the student has to complete the outstanding work by submitting a request to change the Incomplete grade to a grade of Extended Incomplete (EI).
      1. The Extended Incomplete grade must be accompanied by a new deadline date which should typically be no later than the last day of instruction for that term.
      2. If the Extended Incomplete grade is not changed to a final grade by the deadline specified by the instructor, the grade will be changed (lapsed) to a grade of F or N (for Credit/No Credit courses).
    3. A graduating student with an Incomplete grade must complete all coursework before their degree can be awarded. The completion of coursework after the intended term of graduation means that a student will be awarded their degree at the next official conferral date.

  4. Implementation Plan

    Prior to fall 2025, each academic division addressed the assignment of incomplete grades for undergraduate and university special students differently. To implement this policy:

    1. All unresolved I and IN grades assigned to undergraduate and special students in all schools/colleges in or prior to fall 2024 will be lapsed to F or N.
    2. All I and IN grades assigned to undergraduate and special students in all schools/colleges in spring and/or summer 2025 will be lapsed to F or N unless they are changed by:
      1. The end of the fourth (4th) week of classes of the fall 2025 term (for College of Letters & Sciences students);
      2. The last day of class of the fall 2025 term (for non-College of Letters & Sciences students).
    3. All I and IN grades assigned to undergraduate and special students in fall 2025 and thereafter will be lapsed to F or N on the Friday of the eighth week of the next fall or spring term.
Related UW-Madison Policies:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Policy Manager:
Vice Provost for Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research
Contact:
Associate Director, Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research -- Michelle Young, MEYOUNG@WISC.EDU, (608) 262-2143
Effective Date:
08-26-2025
Date Issued:
04-17-2025
Retrieved:
06-13-2025 12:02:33