Academic Standards

A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a scale where A = 4.0) in courses required by the graduate program is required in order to maintain satisfactory academic standing and graduate degree certification. When the cumulative GPA falls below 3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation. Once a student is placed on probation, the student has two semesters to attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, or the student will be dismissed.

Students admitted under Provisional status must earn a grade of B- or better in all courses taken in the first year. Failure to meet this requirement will result in dismissal from the program.

No credit is granted for graduate courses in which a grade lower than a B- has been received. For courses offered as CR/NC, to qualify for “credit”, the work of the student must be at the B- level or higher. Grades lower than a B- and NC, however, will appear on the student’s transcript and letter grades will be computed into the student’s GPA, although these courses will not fulfill degree requirements.

Graduate students who do not meet other academic/program standards will be dismissed from their graduate program. This process entails a warning letter from the chair of the graduate program to the student. If the necessary academic standards are not attained within a period specified by the graduate program, the graduate program’s chair informs the appropriate Dean that the student be dismissed from the program.

Students will be notified of the intended action. Appeals of such action may be made in writing to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) or designee within ten business days.The VCAA’s decision on the appeal will be final.