American University GPA Calculator
Welcome to the American University (AU) GPA Calculator. This tool is designed for current and prospective AU students to accurately calculate their semester or cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). Whether you're planning your semester, tracking your academic progress, or seeing how future grades might impact your standing, this calculator simplifies the process based on AU's specific grading system.
AU GPA Calculator
How to Use the GPA Calculator
Follow these simple steps to calculate your GPA:
- For each course, enter the course name (optional), the number of credit hours, and the letter grade you received or expect to receive.
- If you have more than one course, click the "+ Add Another Course" button to add a new row.
- Once you have entered all your courses, click the "Calculate GPA" button.
- Your calculated semester GPA will appear in the blue box below the buttons.
Understanding the American University Grading System
Your GPA is a critical measure of academic performance at American University. It's calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted for which a letter grade is awarded. American University uses a plus/minus grading system, which is reflected in the quality points assigned to each grade.
Official AU Grade Point Values
The following table shows the official grade-to-point conversion used by American University:
| Letter Grade | Quality Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.70 |
| B+ | 3.30 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.70 |
| C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.70 |
| D | 1.00 |
| F | 0.00 |
Note: Grades such as P (Pass), W (Withdrawal), and I (Incomplete) are not included in the GPA calculation.
GPA Calculation Example
Let's calculate the GPA for a student with the following semester results:
- SIS-105 World Politics (3 credits): Grade A
- ECON-100 Macroeconomics (3 credits): Grade B+
- STAT-202 Basic Statistics (4 credits): Grade B
- LIT-240 American Literature (3 credits): Grade A-
Step 1: Calculate Quality Points for each course.
Quality Points = (Credit Hours) x (Grade Point Value)
- SIS-105: 3 credits × 4.00 points = 12.00 quality points
- ECON-100: 3 credits × 3.30 points = 9.90 quality points
- STAT-202: 4 credits × 3.00 points = 12.00 quality points
- LIT-240: 3 credits × 3.70 points = 11.10 quality points
Step 2: Sum the total credit hours and total quality points.
- Total Credit Hours: 3 + 3 + 4 + 3 = 13 credits
- Total Quality Points: 12.00 + 9.90 + 12.00 + 11.10 = 45.00 quality points
Step 3: Divide total quality points by total credit hours.
GPA = 45.00 / 13 = 3.46
The student's semester GPA would be 3.46.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is considered a good GPA at American University?
While "good" is subjective, a GPA of 3.5 or higher is generally considered strong and is often required for Dean's List honors and competitive graduate programs. A GPA of 3.0 is typically the minimum to remain in good academic standing.
How do Pass/Fail (P/F) courses affect my GPA?
Courses taken on a Pass/Fail basis do not affect your GPA. A "P" grade earns you the credits for the course, but no quality points are assigned. An "F" grade in a P/F course is treated as a regular F and is factored into your GPA.
Can I use this tool to calculate my major GPA?
Yes. To calculate your major-specific GPA, simply enter only the courses that are required for your major and click "Calculate GPA". This can be helpful for tracking your progress within your specific field of study.
Disclaimer: This calculator is an unofficial tool provided for estimation purposes only. Your official GPA is maintained by the American University Registrar's Office and can be viewed on your official transcript via the myAU portal.