Academic Standing for Undergraduate Students in Full-Time Programs

Effective January 1, 2015

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 for a stated time or until stated conditions are met, or Dismissal, as detailed below.

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.

Good Standing

Full-time students maintain good academic standing when they achieve all three of the following: (1) earn at least 12 academic units in the term just completed; (2) earn a term GPI of at least 2.00; and (3) maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00. [Note: Academic units do not include PDP (Physical Education and Dance) units. Grades for transfer units are not counted in the GPA.]

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 a 2.00 GPI or GPA or not completed 12 units in a term. Students are reviewed after one semester on Academic Probation. Those who earn a GPI and GPA of 2.00 or above and complete 12 units during the probationary semester will return to Good Standing. Those students who do not achieve Good Standing (as defined above) during the probationary term will move to Academic Suspension, Dismissal, or a second term of Academic Probation, as determined by the school or college of enrollment. Students can be on Academic Probation for no more than two consecutive terms. Academic Probation does not prohibit students from participating in extracurricular activities or intercollegiate athletics.

Students currently on Academic Probation who have completed Boston University summer courses may request a review of their academic standing at the end of the summer session. Such a review would combine the summer session and the student’s previous term of enrollment for the purposes of satisfying the unit threshold requirement related to Good Standing and for calculating the GPI and GPA.

Academic Suspension

A student faces Academic Suspension when they have spent one or two terms on Probation and have not achieved Good Standing (as defined above) in the most recent term of Academic Probation. Specifics regarding the duration and terms of the Academic Suspension will be determined by the individual school or college on a case-by-case basis. Appeals of Suspension are directed to the dean of the school or college of enrollment.

Reinstatement after Academic Suspension

Students who have fulfilled their period of Academic Suspension must meet with their academic advisor and must also reestablish their standing in the school or college of enrollment by contacting the designated official in the school or college. Students are reinstated to a probationary standing.

Dismissal

A student faces Dismissal if they have spent one or two terms on Probation and have not achieved a GPI and GPA of 2.00 and completed 12 units 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.

Please see the Financial Assistance office for the academic requirements for maintaining financial aid.