To be in good academic standing, graduate students must:

  • maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and
  • not earn any PRU (unsatisfactory progress in research) grades

Graduate students who do not meet these standards will be placed on academic probation.  To view a detailed chart, please go to the Academic Standing Rules chart.

Probation (1st semester):

  • Probation is incurred when the cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 or the student receives a PRU for research
  • Student will be notified by the Office of Graduate Studies and meet with advisor to address issues
  • Students transcripts will note academic probation
    • Grades leading to a cumulative GPA below 3.0 in the following semester will result in permanent academic probation notation and lead to registration holds, loss of RA/TA opportunties, and risk of dismissal.
    • Grades leading to a cumulative GPA above 3.0 in the following semester will result in good academic standing.
    • We encourage all students to work to restore their GPA as soon as possible.

Discretionary Dismissal (2nd semester):

  • Student will be notified by the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) and
  • Student will have 10 business days from notification to submit a remedial plan that has been approved by both the advisor and department head. Along with the remedial plan, students facing discretionary dismissal for GPA issues must submit a GPA calculator, demonstrating that it is possible to bring the cumulative GPA to a 3.0 or higher within 2 semesters.
    • If an approved remedial plan is submitted, it will be reviewed by OGS and
      • If approved by OGS, the student will be notified of conditions to improve.
      • If not approved by OGS, the student will be dismissed.
    • If a remedial plan is not submitted, either because the student did not submit a plan or because the student’s advisor and/or department head will not approve the plan, the student will be dismissed.
  • Academic probation notation will remain on transcripts for all future semesters.

Mandatory Dismissal (Last semester):

  • Students not meeting the terms of the remedial plan will be dismissed.
  • Other reasons for mandatory dismissal (departments must notify OGS in writing for any of the following reasons):
    • Failure to successfully defend the thesis after two attempts
    • Failure to be admitted into candidacy
  • Students being dismissed are given the opportunity to:
    • Submit a Withdrawal from Graduate School form to avoid having the dismissal notation on transcripts.
    • Submit a Dismissal Appeal form for extenuating circumstances only. Students must submit along with Dismissal Appeal form, documents regarding extenuating circumstances and the GPA Calculator.
      • If an appeal is denied, the dismissal notation will remain on the student’s transcripts.
      • If an appeal is approved, the student will be given more time to rectify the situation (terms detailed in appeal approval).
        • If the student is unable to rectify the situation under the terms of the appeal, the student will face mandatory dismissal again.

Students who have been dismissed may re-apply for admission, but:

  • The previous GPA remains on the transcripts.
  • If re-admitted into the same degree program, the student will only have one semester to rectify the situation (earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and/or not earn any PRU grades), or face mandatory dismissal again.