Academic Standing

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Policy

The academic status of every student is reviewed at the end of each semester. Failure to make satisfactory progress and remain in Good Academic Standing can result in Academic Probation or Dismissal, as detailed below.

Good Academic Standing

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences requires graduate students to maintain Good Academic Standing in order to remain enrolled in their graduate program and/or to retain GRS scholarships, fellowship support, and federal loans. The GRS criteria for Good Academic Standing are as follows:

• Have no more than two grades lower than B– and/or 2 W grades.
• Meet all milestones of the degree, such as comprehensive exams, on the schedule specified by the program.
• Meet all milestones of the degree with sufficient quality of work as specified by the program.
• Minimum Completion Rate: A student must complete at least 75% of all cumulative attempted unit hours. The cumulative attempted unit hours include all transfer units accepted by the University and noted on the academic transcript.

Courses outside the degree requirements (i.e., PDP and undergraduate) will still count toward a student’s overall GPA and academic standing, even though they do not fulfill specific degree requirements.

Please note: Good Academic Standing is distinct from Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and the GRS Academic Conduct Code. Please see the relevant Bulletin pages for additional information about those policies.

Academic Warning

A student receiving a grade lower than B– in a graduate course will be counseled by their faculty advisor and the Director will be informed. The Graduate Affairs Office will send a warning letter to the student.

Academic Probation

A student who receives a second grade lower than B– or whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 in any courses taken for more than one term will be counseled by the Program Director, will lose good academic standing, and will be placed on academic probation. All program guarantees are dependent on being in good academic standing.

The Program Director will advise the student on academic probation of the specific time frame (generally within two terms) during which the student must reestablish a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in courses and, thus, regain good academic standing. Failure to meet these requirements within the specified time, or receipt of a third grade lower than B–, will result in termination of the student’s enrollment at the University.

Academic Dismissal

A student on Academic Probation faces Dismissal when they have not achieved Good Standing (as defined above) after the most recent term of Academic Probation. Specifics regarding Dismissal will be determined by the school on a case-by-case basis. Dismissal results in permanent separation from the University. Appeals of Dismissal are directed to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs.

Time Limit

The MS/MA program shall be completed within three years after the first registration for study leading to the master’s degree. In extenuating circumstances, a student may petition with the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences for more time in which to complete the degree.

PhD degrees must be completed within seven years after the first registration for that degree, except for periods of authorized leave of absence. In addition, a full-time or certified full-time PhD student who is in good academic standing and who becomes the primary caregiver of an infant or adopted child will receive a one-year extension of their approved time to degree.

Petitions for extensions of time to complete degree requirements must be submitted prior to the end of the above limit. Students exceeding this time limit without an approved petition for an extension of time will not be permitted to register.