Pass/Fail

To encourage students to venture into fields outside their major areas of competence and concentration, the College makes available the option, under certain conditions, of registering in courses on a pass/fail basis. The criteria for a passing grade can vary, and is established by the instructor. Courses taken under the pass/fail option yield full credit when passed but, whether passed or not, are not computed in the grade point average. 

First-year students are not eligible to elect the pass/fail mode but may enroll for courses offered only on a pass/fail basis. Second, third and fourth-year students at Wake Forest may elect no more than 4 pass/fail hours in a given semester.

Courses in the major(s) not used for satisfying major requirements may be taken on a pass/fail basis if the department of the major does not specify otherwise and if the student obtains permission from his or her academic advisor and the course instructor.

The last day to change from grade mode to pass/fail is the drop date (refer to the appropriate academic calendar for more information). If a student wishes to later change a course back from pass/fail to a letter grade, they must do so by the Friday of the twelfth week of the semester.

Please note the following:

  • Courses used to fulfill core, quantitative reasoning, cultural diversity, major, minor, or certificate program requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis unless they are offered only on that basis.
  • No more than 18 hours taken on a pass/fail basis may count towards a degree.
  • Courses in the School of Business may not be taken pass/fail unless they are offered only on that basis.

Grade mode change requests are made through Workday and students can check the process in which their approvals are in by going into their Workday inbox and clicking the Archives. Please contact the Office of the University Registrar for any questions.