Academic Evaluation and Grading

Credit Hour Policy

Nexford University awards semester credit hours. The University follows the US Department of Education's definition of academic credit hour calculation. One semester credit hour reflects 45 hours of learner effort, encompassing both academic engagement (such as participation in learning activities, assessments, and faculty interactions) and preparation (such as independent study, reading, and research). A three-credit course requires approximately 135 to 144 hours of academic engagement and preparation over the duration of the term.

For an eight-week, three-credit course, learners are expected to spend 18–25 hours per week on all academic activities, including learning engagements, assessments, and independent study. For a four-week, one-credit seminar course, learners should allocate 10–12 hours per week to meet course requirements.

Proctored Assessments

Nexford University requires learners to complete proctored assessments at designated points throughout their academic program. Depending on the curriculum, these assessments may occur at the beginning, middle, and/or end of a program. Such assessments are used to verify learner identity and uphold the University's standards of academic integrity.

Assessments are administered through a third-party proctoring service integrated with the Canvas learning management system. Failure to complete a required assessment or inability to verify a learner's identity may result in a failing grade for the course and disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.

The following courses contain required proctored assessments for each academic program:

Career Pathway Certificate in Operations Management

• BUS 2125 The World of Business (beginning of the program)

• BUS 2200 Principles of Management (middle of the program)

Career Pathway Certificate in Professional Sales

• PSY 1200 Decoding the Digital Consumer (beginning of the program)

• ECM 2100 Digital Selling and E-commerce Strategies (middle of the program)

Mini-MBA Graduate Certificate

• BUS 6070 Leadership and Organizational Development (middle of the program)

Associate of Applied Science in AI for Business

• BUS 2200 Principles of Management (beginning of the program)

• SCI 3150 Physical Science of Artificial Systems (middle of the program)

• AIA 3120 Low-Code Development (end of the program)

Associate of Applied Science in Business

• BUS 2125 The World of Business (beginning of the program)

• BUS 2200 Principles of Management (middle of the program)

• CUL 2200 Intercultural Communication (end of the program)

Bachelor of Business Administration

• BUS 2125 The World of Business (beginning of the program)

• BUS 2200 Principles of Management (middle of the program)

• CUL 2200 Intercultural Communication (middle of the program)

• BUS 4250 Strategy and Organizational Planning (capstone course, end of the program)

Bachelor of Science in AI for Business

• BUS 2200 Principles of Management (beginning of the program)

• SCI 3150 Physical Science of Artificial Systems (middle of the program)

• AIA 3120 Low-Code Development (middle of the program)

• PSY 1200 Decoding the Digital Consumer (middle of the program)

• CUL 2200 Intercultural Communication (middle of the program)

• AIB 4250 AI in Business Capstone (capstone course, end of the program)

Master of Business Administration

• BUS 6070 Leadership and Organizational Development (beginning of the program)

• BUS 6110 Organizational Strategy (middle of the program)

• BUS 6140 Business Administration Capstone (capstone course, end of the program)

Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship

• PRD 6100 Executing a Vision: Product Design & Development for Entrepreneurs (beginning of program)

• FIN 6300 Funding for Startup Founders (middle of the program)

• ENT 6800 Entrepreneurship Capstone (capstone course, end of the program)

Master of Business Administration in Finance

• FNT 6100 Financial Planning & Analysis (beginning of program)

• FIN 6160 Corporate Finance (middle of the program)

• FIN 6500 Strategic Financial Management Capstone (end of the program)

Master of Science in AI & Technology Management

• AIA 6700 AI Strategy for Business Transformation (beginning of program)

• BUS 6410 The Law and Ethics of Information Technology (middle of the program)

• AIA 6800 AI & Technology Management Capstone (capstone course, end of the program)

Master of Science in Data Analytics

• BAN 6010 Business Analytics (beginning of program)

• BUS 6410 The Law & Ethics of Information Technology (middle of the program)

• BAN 6800 Data Analytics Capstone (capstone course, end of the program)

Master of Science in Digital Transformation

• MHY 6700 Internet of Things (beginning of program)

• MHY 6750 Cybersecurity Leadership (middle of the program)

• ECM 6800 Digital Transformation Capstone (capstone course, end of the program)

Grading Scale: Grade Point Average (GPA)

Nexford University requires learners in graduate-level programs to earn a minimum of a B in each course and learners in undergraduate-level programs to earn a C.  Nexford University does not award D grades. Grade Point Averages (GPAs) are based on a four-point scale.

Undergraduate Grading Scale

Graduate Grading Scale

Final Course Grade Appeal Process

The purpose of the grade appeal process is to recognize faculty authority in the grading process while protecting learners from possibly erroneous, prejudiced, arbitrary, or capricious academic evaluation. All attempts to resolve final course grade disputes must originate between the learner and the faculty. If a learner believes that a final course grade does not accurately reflect their coursework, they must first contact the faculty for possible resolution. If the learner and the faculty are unable to resolve the learner’s concern, the learner may pursue a formal final course grade appeal process. This includes:

1. Pursuing a formal final course grade appeal after all attempts to resolve the learner’s concern with faculty have been unsuccessful.

2. Filing a formal final course grade by submitting the Final Course Appeal form, within 5 days of the course end date, and all relevant documentation to the University Review Committee (URC) after all avenues with working with faculty have been exhausted.

3. The URC will review the learner’s request and supporting documentation and will respond to the learner within 5 business days.

4. If the learner is not satisfied with the URC’s outcome, the learner may follow the Grievance Policy outlined in the catalog within 3 days of received the response from the URC.

Late Work Submission

Learners may submit assignments after the due date, except for Module 1. 
Module 1 must be completed on time because learners are required to participate in the course by Day 10 to avoid being withdrawn (as indicated in the Course Participation and Inactivity policy). 

For all other modules, including the final project:

• Late submissions are accepted for up to 5 days after the due date. 

• A 5% deduction will be applied for each day an assignment is late.

• After 5 days past the due date, the submission window closes with no exceptions. 

Course Extension

Nexford University recognizes that circumstances may arise that affect a learner's ability to complete coursework within the established timeframes. Learners are expected to meet assignment deadlines and complete their courses within the scheduled timeframe. Late submissions may be subject to grade deductions in accordance with the Late Work Submission Policy.

Assignment and course extensions are intended for learners who experience documented extenuating circumstances that affect their ability to meet established deadlines. Extension requests are not automatically approved and must meet the applicable requirements outlined below. Each request is evaluated based on the circumstances presented and the supporting documentation provided.

Assignment extension

Assignment extensions are not approved for Module 1. Learners must meet the course participation requirement by the 10th day of the term.

Learners must submit their Assignment Extension Request Form no later than 24 hours within the assignment due date.

Requests must include documentation supporting the extenuating circumstance. Examples include a medical certificate or doctor’s note, proof of a death in the immediate family, or documentation of other significant circumstances beyond the learner’s control.

Course extension

Nexford courses are scheduled for up to 56 days (eight weeks), inclusive of applicable late work provisions. A course extension provides eligible learners with up to two additional weeks to complete the course, for a maximum course completion period of 70 days (10 weeks). Learners who are unable to complete the course within the scheduled timeframe due to extenuating circumstances may request an extension by submitting a Course Extension Request Form.

To be eligible for a course extension, learners must:

1. Have completed the first three modules of the course.

2. Demonstrate passing performance in the course at the time of the request.

3. Submit the request during the Module 5 window and no later than the last day of the course. Requests submitted after the course end date will not be accepted.

4. Provide documentation supporting the extenuating circumstance. Examples include a medical certificate or doctor’s note, proof of a death in the immediate family, or documentation of other significant circumstances beyond the learner’s control.