Incompletes

The mark of “IN” (Incomplete) should only be assigned for instances when work cannot be completed due to documented illness or other emergency occurring after the twelfth week of the semester. The mark of “IN” should not be used for instances in which a student did not finish assignments before grades are due. In those cases, students will be given the grade earned at the time the semester ended.

» Processing Grades of Incomplete
» Process to Remove the Incomplete
» Extension of Time for Removal of Incomplete
» Process to Request an Extension of Time for Removal of Incomplete

Processing Grades of Incomplete
If an “IN” is assigned as the student’s grade, the instructor should contact Carmen Gomez, who will request an Incomplete Form from the Grades Department. The Incomplete Form needs to specify to the student and the department:

• work remaining to be completed
• procedures for its completion
• grade in the course to date
• weight of remaining work when computing the final grade

Process to Remove the Incomplete

When the student completes all work to satisfy the Incomplete, the faculty member works with Carmen Gomez in the Student Affairs Office who processes the request to have the “IN” changed to a grade. The student will be notified of the grade change by the Grades Department.

A student may remove the “IN” by completing only the portion of work that remains incomplete as a result of documented illness or emergency occurring after the twelfth week of the semester.

A student may not re–enroll in the same course. Previously graded work may not be repeated for credit. It is not possible to remove an “IN” by re–registering for a course. Students taking intensive courses and other special session courses should confer with their Student Services Advisor about corresponding third week and twelfth week of class dates.

A student has one calendar year in which to remove an Incomplete. If the “IN” is not removed within this time, the course is considered “lapsed,” and the grade is changed to “IX” (Expired Incomplete).  IX grades will be calculated into the student’s grade point average as 0 points (as if it were an “F”). Courses offered on a Credit/No Credit basis or taken on a Pass/No Pass basis for which a mark of Incomplete is assigned will be lapsed with a mark of “NC” (No Credit) or “NP” (No Pass) and will not be calculated into the grade point average.

Extension of Time for Removal of Incomplete
Removing the “IN” within the one-year timeframe should be the student’s highest priority. With the instructor’s support, a student may petition the Committee on Academic Policies and Procedures (CAPP) for an extension of time for the removal of an Incomplete. Extensions beyond the specified time are rarely approved if the student has enrolled in subsequent semesters, since the removal of the “IN” should be the student’s first priority.

For additional information, go to the Academic Standards page in the USC Catalogue.

Process to Request an Extension of Time for Removal of Incomplete

The following steps outline the process for requesting a time extension:

• The student informs Carmen Gomez in the Student Affairs Office that they wish to request approval for an extension of time to remove the Incomplete.
• A “Request for Extension of Time for Removal of Incomplete” form is submitted to the Office of Academic Review. The student explains reasons for requesting the extension, and the instructor must provide a statement explaining what is required to complete the course and why the instructor feels the student should be given extra time.
• “Request for Extension of Time for Removal of Incomplete form” is forwarded to the Dean or Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
• The student is notified in writing of the outcome by the Office of Academic Review.