Academic Standing

University Policy

College of Fine Arts Policies for Undergraduates

Grades of F (Fail, no units) do not count toward any degree.

The College of Fine Arts adheres to the Boston University Policy on D Grades for Undergraduate Students.

Academic Standing for Undergraduate Students in Full-Time Programs

The academic status of every student is reviewed at the end of each term. Failure to make satisfactory progress and remain in Good Standing can result in Academic Probation, Suspension, or Dismissal. For details on Good Standing, Probation, Suspension, Dismissal, and Reinstatement, please refer to the University policy on Academic Standing for Undergraduate Students in Full-Time Programs.

All students entering Boston University are expected to maintain high standards of academic honesty and integrity. The Academic Conduct Code details the guidelines governing disciplinary proceedings. It also articulates the University’s philosophy of discipline, defines violations of the code, and enumerates penalties applicable under the code.

The undergraduate program must be completed within seven years after the first registration for the degree.

Good Standing

Undergraduate students must maintain a term and cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 to be in good academic standing and to graduate from the College of Fine Arts.

Definition of GPI and GPA

GPI or Grade Point Index is a single-term indicator, calculated by dividing the grade points earned by the number of units attempted.

GPA or Grade Point Average is a cumulative average, calculated across all enrolled terms.

College of Fine Arts Policies for Graduate Students (On-Campus and Online)

The academic progress of every graduate student is reviewed at the end of each term, or after two cycles for online students. Failure to make satisfactory progress and remain in Good Standing can result in Academic Probation, Suspension, or Dismissal, as detailed below.

Good Standing

The CFA minimum standard for graduate students to be in good academic standing:

• a term cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 with a minimum passing grade of B– in each course. Grades below B– will not count toward the degree.
• students to meet all milestones of the degree (i.e., comprehensive exams, qualifying exams, recitals, dissertation prospectus, etc., as appropriate) on the schedule specified by the program and with sufficient quality of work as specified by the program.

Academic Probation

A student is put on Academic Probation when they are in danger of not making sufficient academic progress toward their degree, having fallen below the minimum standards for satisfactory academic progress. A grade below B– will place a graduate student on academic probation, as will a grade point index (GPI) below 3.00 (B) on a cumulative basis. A student will also be placed on Academic Probation if they are in danger of not making sufficient academic progress toward degree completion.

Students are reviewed after one term on Academic Probation. Those who earn a GPI and GPA of 3.00 or above, and complete a successful full-time or full-time-equivalent course load, will return to Good Standing. Those students who do not achieve Good Standing (as defined above) during the probationary term may move to Academic Suspension or Dismissal. A student can be on Academic Probation for no more than two consecutive terms.

All actions concerning academic standing, grading, probation, and dismissal may be appealed to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs & Enrollment in the College of Fine Arts.

Academic Suspension

A student on Academic Probation faces Academic Suspension or Dismissal when they have not achieved Good Standing (as defined above) after the most recent term of Academic Probation. Specifics regarding Dismissal or the terms of the Academic Suspension will be determined by the college on a case-by-case basis. Academic Suspension is a mandated academic separation from the institution which, if not lifted, could lead to Dismissal. Dismissal results in permanent separation from the University. Appeals of Dismissal or Suspension are directed to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs & Enrollment in the College of Fine Arts.

Dismissal

A student faces Dismissal if they have spent one or two terms on Probation and have not achieved a GPI and GPA of 3.00 and completed the minimum number of units required by the program, in the most recent term of Academic Probation. A student also faces Dismissal if they have spent at least one term on Suspension and have not fulfilled the terms of the Suspension. Decisions on Dismissal are made by the individual school or college on a case-by-case basis. Dismissal results in permanent separation from the University. Appeals of Dismissal are directed to the dean of the school or college of enrollment.

Discontinuation of Aid

Graduate students who fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress may have their institutional aid discontinued.

Readmission

Graduate students who have withdrawn or been dismissed may apply for readmission to the College of Fine Arts. Students approved for readmission are subject to the following regulations:

• Readmission to a program will require submission of a new application and payment of the application fee and will be subject to the admissions criteria at the time of application.
• Readmitted students will be subject to the rules and regulations set forth in the College of Fine Arts Bulletin at the time of readmission.
• Readmitted students will begin a new term limit, with their first term of registration in the new program and must complete all degree requirements of the current program.
• Readmitted students may have previous coursework petitioned to be reviewed for fulfillment of current degree requirements and be subject to the CFA graduate student transfer units guidelines.
• Students who have outstanding financial obligations to the University at the time of withdrawal or termination will be required to meet those obligations as a condition of readmission.
• Institutional aid will be evaluated based on the application at the time of application. Previously awarded aid packages are not automatically continued into the newly admitted program.