The University of Michigan will implement a pass/fail grading system for first-semester freshmen in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) starting in fall 2025, the university announced on [DATE].
Under the grade-covering pilot program, students will receive only pass (P) or no credit (NC) grades for their first semester, though instructors will still assign letter grades for internal use. These letter grades will not appear on official transcripts or affect GPAs, with grading reverting to the traditional A–F scale in the second semester. The program applies exclusively to 3,500 incoming LSA freshmen and excludes students in other colleges, such as business or engineering.
University officials stated the policy aims to reduce academic pressure and support student mental health during the transition to college. “We believe that covering grades will help students start strong and curb the mental health crisis unfolding among college-aged individuals,” the university said in a statement. The change is intended to encourage exploration of new subjects without fear of long-term academic consequences.
Faculty and administrators have expressed support for the initiative. Derek Peterson, a professor of history and African Studies and former chair of the university’s Faculty Senate, welcomed the policy, stating: “Mental health is a real problem for undergraduates here in Michigan, as it is across higher education. Whatever we can do in terms of policy to enable our students to thrive.”
The University of Michigan is not the first institution to adopt such a policy. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) implemented a similar system in 1968, using a pass/no record grading scheme for freshmen. Under MIT’s model, grades of C or higher receive a “pass,” while lower grades are not recorded. Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences also voted in May 2025 to cap A grades at roughly 20% of undergraduate enrollment beginning in fall 2027.
The Michigan pilot program will run for one semester, with plans to evaluate its impact before considering broader application. University officials emphasized that the change reflects a shift toward fostering intrinsic motivation and collaboration over competition in the liberal arts and sciences curriculum.