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Credit-No Credit (CR-NC)

Last updated: 05/22/2023

This page will be updated in real time as additional needs arise. We are communicating the most current information we have. All students are strongly encouraged to work with their academic advisors to determine possible implications of their choices.

Spring 2023 Credit-No Credit (CR-NC) Option Selection

The Office of the Registrar has provided a form allowing students to choose the CR-NC option for all eligible classes starting May 10, 2023.

Go to form

CR-NC Grading Thresholds  

Credit (CR): Undergraduate students must perform at or above the 2.0 level; graduate students must perform at or above the 3.0 level.

No-Credit (NC): Below 2.0 for undergraduate students, below 3.0 for graduate students.


CR-NC Grade Reporting Option Details

For spring semester 2023 only, students have the option to choose CR-NC until the end of the semester. This means, students will be able to review their posted spring 2023 course grades beginning May 10, 2023, and will have until 11:59 p.m. (EST) May 17, 2023, to select the CR-NC grade reporting option.

Students may use the CR-NC grade reporting option for any course, except those that are:

  • being audited
  • already being taken for Pass/No Grade (P/N)
  • are subject to external accreditation agencies that require a numeric grade (which include Construction Management and Urban and Regional Planning)

Students should consult with their academic advisor before choosing the CR-NC option to ensure this option is beneficial to their long-term academic goals. MSU will return to the CR-NC policy listed in Academic Programs effective Summer 2023.  

What this Means for Students Now

At this time, the CR-NC grade reporting option can be applied to any eligible course (see exceptions listed above), with the timeline for undergraduates to choose this option beginning May 10, 2023 and extending through 11:59 p.m. (EST) on May 17, 2023.  

Academic Advisors by college


CR-NC FAQs

Undergraduate CR-NC FAQs

For the spring 2023 semester only, the CR-NC grade reporting option can be applied to all courses, except those that are being audited, are already being taken for Pass/No Grade (P/N), are subject to external accreditation agencies that require a numeric grade (which includes Construction Management and Urban and Regional Planning). The timeline to choose CR-NC begins May 10, 2023 and goes until 11:59 p.m. (EST) May 17, 2023. CR-NC allows students to choose to receive a CR-NC on their transcript rather than a numeric grade for a course. GPA calculations do not include CR and NC grades. CR (Credit) means that numeric grades of 2.0 or above will earn credit and display a CR. NC (No Credit) means that no credit is granted and grades below a 2.0 (1.5, 1.0, 0.0) will display an NC.

To ensure continuity of funding, students receiving financial support from third parties (TPC) (such as their employer, high school, military benefits, prepaid college savings programs, etc) that require numeric grades should contact their program directly.

The Office of the Registrar will run the ASUS report as normal on May 10, 2023, providing students with a first look at how they are academically positioned. An additional column will be included notifying the review teams of the students enrolled in summer 2023 to target communication plans. Another report will be run again after the end of the CR-NC request period to compare any differences from the first run. Advising staff will have some extended time (TBD) to finalize ASUS decisions for spring 2023.

To earn the honors option, the numerical grade submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the instructor must meet the department's minimum Grade requirements for Honors Options.

If a student is extending a past incomplete for a previous semester, they should work with the faculty to receive an Extension of Time form.
If a student is completing an “I” assigned during the spring 2023 semester, they can elect the CR-NC option during the open period and the Office of the Registrar will handle those on a case-by-case basis.
Yes. Courses repeated during Spring 2023 are eligible for CR-NC if previously taken under a different grading system.
Yes. Courses taken in Spring 2023 as CR-NC may be repeated in the future under a different grading system. (Repeating a major or university requirement after spring 2023 will require the course to be completed under a numerical grading system)
The underlying numeric grade is available behind the scenes if a student should need to know this information for future graduate or secondary program admissions. The student can make a request to the Office of the Registrar at reg@msu.edu, stating the course name and number you would like revealed. You will receive a letter stating the grade that can be submitted with your application. Please note that if you also request transcripts that only CR-NC will be reflected.
LCC is offering MSU guest students the option of taking a pass/fail on Spring 2023 course(s). A pass/fail does not count toward GPA but still appears on the transcript. To utilize this option, eligible students should contact the LCC Registrar’s Office at Registrar@lcc.edu no later than April 24, 2023.

This decision is final and cannot be reversed. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their MSU Academic Advisor to ensure they are making informed choices about their individual situation.
To receive Dean’s List honors for spring 2023 at least 12 or more of your credits will have to be recorded as a numerical grade (not CR-NC). These courses must also be part of an undergraduate program and not taken to fulfill the requirements of a graduate or professional degree program. Please see the full Dean’s List explanation.

Graduate CR-NC FAQs

For the spring 2023 semester only, the CR-NC grade reporting option can be applied to all courses, except those that are being audited, are already being taken for Pass/No Grade (P/N), are subject to external accreditation agencies that require a numeric grade. The timeline to choose CR-NC begins May 10, 2023, and goes until 11:59 p.m. (EST) May 17, 2023. Graduate CR-NC allows students to choose to receive a CR-NC on their transcript rather than a numeric grade for a course. GPA calculations do not include CR and NC grades. CR (Credit) for graduate students means that numeric grades of 3.0 or above will earn credit and display a CR. NC (No Credit) for graduate students means that no credit is granted and grades below a 3.0 (2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1.0, 0.0) will display as NC.

Details about how different programs are handling Spring 2023 CR-NC options are outlined on the Pre-Health Website’s Health Careers page. Students should contact their advisor with any additional questions.

General CR-NC FAQs

During Spring 2023, students will have between May 10th and May 17th at 11:59 p.m. (EST) to request the CR-NC option for their courses. Full session grades are due Tuesday, May 9th at 5 p.m. The form to request CR-NC will open on May 10th (exact time TBD).
Students who receive financial support from third parties, including but not limited to military benefits, GI Bill, tuition reimbursement, or gift aid should determine if CR-NC is their best option. Students should also be mindful of the impacts the CR-NC grade reporting option could have on admission to graduate/professional schools, Dean's List eligibility, or licensure requirements. Academic advisors will be able to help students make the best choice.

Students should first understand the impact of choosing the CR-NC grade reporting option by discussing it with their academic advisor prior to the end of the term. Students should keep in mind the impacts of their decision as it relates to admission to graduate/professional schools, Dean's List or Board Award eligibility, or licensure requirements. Academic advisors will be able to help students make the best choice.

Beginning May 10, 2023, students will be able to see their Spring 2023 posted grades. After checking the posted grades, students can determine if the CR-NC option should be used for one or more classes. The form to request the CR-NC grade reporting option will open on May 10 (exact time TBD). Once submitted, the form will automatically route to the Office of the Registrar for posting. Once the student chooses the CR-NC option it cannot be reversed. The underlying numeric grade is available behind the scenes if a student should need to know this information for future graduate or secondary program admissions.


Courses taken as CR-NC will have no impact on student GPAs. Courses taken as CR-NC will not count towards Dean’s List or Board Award calculations.

If a student already has a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 (3.0 for graduate students) then having a numerical grade recorded as a CR will not negatively impact a student’s future aid eligibility. NC grades, though they do not affect a student’s GPA, are still counted as attempts in the Pace of Completion and Maximum Timeframe. So, receiving NC grades can result in a student being put on financial aid Warning or Disqualification, just as dropping the course can.

For more details on the financial aid SAP policy see Satisfactory Academic Progress on the Office of Financial Aid website. Students who are not sure how receiving a CR or NC grade will impact their aid eligibility should contact the Office of Financial Aid (517-353-5940, finaid@msu.edu) to review their individual situation and how a switch to CR may affect their financial aid.

Colleges, departments, and programs will have access to the grades originally assigned by the instructors when they make decisions about using the CR-NC option. Students should contact the college, department, or program to review their individual situation.

Students with VA educational benefits, please note that if you complete the term and elect No Credit for one or more courses, entitlement will be used for the entire term, and you will receive full payment

 

Military benefits users include those using:

  • Federal Tuition Assistance
  • Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program
  • GI Bill®

If the class you took at another university is a Spring 2023 course and if it reports a numeric grade to MSU, it is eligible for CR-NC. For grades that are posted after the course selection period the student must contact the academic college and request a Grade Change, which will prompt the academic office to complete an Administrative Action form on behalf of the student.