Frequently Asked Questions
With the university’s transition to online learning, we want to provide as much information and support as possible to our Longhorn community.
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Q-drop and Pass/Fail FAQs for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021
Pass/Fail, Q-drop
Do undergraduate COVID policies apply to graduate students? (January 21)
In many cases, no. When reading a communication about COVID-19 policies, be sure that you’re aware of the intended audience for it. Contact your program’s graduate coordinator or graduate advisor if you have questions.
Does the COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exception apply to OnRamps students? (January 19)
No. The COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exception does not apply to high school students taking classes via OnRamps.
Can an undergraduate student enrolled in a graduate course use the undergraduate COVID-19 pass/fail exception on the graduate course? (January 11)
No. The COVID-19 pass/fail exception should not be used for graduate courses, including for undergraduate students enrolled in graduate-level courses or in an integrated program.
Do the new policies apply to transfer coursework? Can I take a course at another institution, designate it as one of my COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exceptions, and count it for my degree? (January 6)
No, COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exceptions are not applicable to transfer coursework. If a student takes a class at another institution and transfers it in with a letter grade or with a “CR” or “Pass” grade, the student cannot choose to use one of their COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exceptions to count the class for a degree requirement. (Note that a college or school can elect to allow a transfer class with a grade of “CR” or “Pass” to fulfill a degree requirement through petition.)
I am pursuing an integrated program for fall 2020 and/or spring 2021 and I am now classified as a graduate student, may I use the online system to submit COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exceptions (CPFE’s)? (January 6)
No, you must submit a request for a CPFE by emailing the following address: registrarCPFE@austin.utexas.edu.
How do I request a COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exception? (January 6)
Instructions vary by college/school:
Communication, Engineering, Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, Natural Sciences, Social Work: You may submit a COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exception online. Your request will be updated on your student record immediately.
Architecture, Business, Geosciences, Nursing: You may submit a COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exception online. Your request will then be routed to an advisor for review. Someone from your college or school may follow-up with you to discuss your COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exception request and its impact on your degree progress. Once you submit your request you will receive a tracking number that allows you to track the status of your request.
Education, Undergraduate Studies: Your college/school requires you to contact your advisor who will discuss the COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exception request with you, and if necessary, submit your request on your behalf. Please work with your advisor to track the status of your request.
I am an undergraduate student and have not yet paid my tuition bill for spring 2021. Can I still submit spring 2021 COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exceptions via the online system? (January 6)
Students eligible to use the online system must have already paid their tuition bill for spring 2021 in order to submit COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exception requests for that semester.
Why was the date to select a COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exception changed from June 15, 2021 to May 28, 2021? (December 10)
This earlier date was adopted for a number of reasons including wanting to ensure we confer degrees as quickly as possible after the semester ends while also providing enough time to support the start of summer semester and summer orientation events.
What grades qualify for a “CR” or Pass? (December 10)
Generally, a Pass (noted on the transcript as a CR) is a D- or higher, but there are some exceptions. Please refer to the Course Catalog for detailed information.
Can I use 2 or 3 COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exceptions in a single semester AND 2 regular Pass/Fails in the same semester? For example, I am taking 5 classes. Can I change 3 classes to COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exceptions and 2 classes to regular Pass/Fail? (December 10)
The standard Pass/Fail deadline for spring 2021 remains unchanged, and is still the midsemester deadline of April 5, 2021.
Can I change a standard Pass/Fail to a COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exception? (December 10)
Yes, you can change your standard Pass/Fail to a COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exception during the exception period of January 6 through May 28, 2021
How do I change my course or grade to the COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exception? (December 10)
Unless you are graduating in fall 2020 (see graduating FAQ), you can work with your academic advisor beginning January 6, 2021, through May 28, 2021, to elect up to three COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exceptions. You will want to consider your options before your elections and be advised if you have questions. Further details will be provided to students and staff when the process for electing COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exceptions has been developed.
Can I choose to change a UEX course to a COVID-19 Pass/Fail Exception? (December 10)
Yes, you can change to COVID Pass/Fail grading status for: a semester-based UEX course in fall 2020 or spring 2021; a self-paced UEX course where a grade was received between September 1, 2020 and May 28, 2021; and/or a self-paced UEX course that is not yet completed at the time of the request. Any UEX coursework changed to COVID Pass/Fail will count toward the 3 allowed COVID Pass/Fail Exceptions.