Unsatisfactory Academic Standing

Unsatisfactory Academic Standing

A graduate (master’s or certificate) student’s academic standing is considered unsatisfactory if any of the following outcomes occur:

• The student earns a grade of F for a credit-bearing course. No grade of F in a credit-bearing course may be counted toward a degree or certificate program. [Note: In the Urban Teachers collaboration program a student who earns an F grade will be automatically dismissed from the program. Please refer to the program handbook for more information.]
• The student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale).
• The student fails to meet other academic expectations as defined by individual programs—for example, performing unsatisfactorily during an internship placement.

Note: No more than one credit-bearing course in which the grade of C+, C, or C- is earned may be counted toward the degree or certificate.

Academic Probation

In the event that any of the above outcomes occur, the following actions are taken:

• The student is placed on academic probation for a period of not less than one semester. While a student can appeal the award of a grade (see Grade Appeals policy), a student cannot appeal the decision to place him/her on academic probation.
• As part of the terms of academic probation, the student will be placed on a Candidate Improvement Plan that outlines the specific requirements/goals that the student must meet within a designated timeframe in order to be reinstated to good academic standing (e.g. regaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0).
• Any courses taken during the probationary period must be approved by the student’s faculty adviser. If the student originally received an F grade in a required course, the student must repeat the course in which the unsatisfactory grade was earned. (See policies on Failure [F Grades] and Repeated Courses.) If the F grade was earned in a course that is not required, the student may take another course that meets with faculty adviser approval.

The student will be released from probation once s/he has met the following conditions (where applicable): the student has 1) met the all requirements/goals laid out in the Candidate Improvement Plan, 2) completed any required repeated or substitute (for elective) course(s) with a satisfactory grade, 3) regained a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale), as required for good academic standing, and 4) met all other conditions of probation set by his/her faculty adviser or the program.

Academic Dismissal

Students will be automatically dismissed from their academic program in the event that any of the following occur:

• The student fails to meet the requirements/goals laid out in the Candidate Improvement Plan within the designated timeframe and any other conditions set for reinstatement to good academic standing while on academic probation.
• The student earns two or more F grades cumulatively over the course of her/his entire program of study.

Dismissal decisions based on academic performance are final and cannot be appealed. While a student cannot appeal the School’s decision to dismiss him/her, a student may appeal the award of the original grade(s) that led to the dismissal (see Grade Appeals policy). Students who have been dismissed from the School of Education for any reason are permanently barred from matriculating in another credit-bearing or non-credit course or program in the School of Education.

Unsatisfactory Academic Standing

A doctoral student’s academic standing is considered unsatisfactory if any of the following outcomes occur:

• The student earns a grade of F for a course. No grade of F may be counted towards a doctoral degree program, and a student may be dismissed from the program.
• The student earns a grade of C+ or lower in any course. No grade of C+ or lower may be counted toward a doctoral degree program. Students receiving a C+ or lower will be required to retake the course (if it is a required course) or take an alternate course (if it was an elective course).
• The student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.25 (on a 4.0 point scale).
• The student fails to make adequate progress towards the doctoral dissertation. The doctoral committee will consider progress based on expectations set by the program, discussions with the adviser, and input from the student.
• The student fails to meet other academic expectations as defined by individual programs.

Academic Probation

In the event that any of the above outcomes occur, the following actions are taken:

• The student is placed on academic probation for a time period equivalent to 12 credit hours. While a student can appeal the award of a grade (see Grade Appeals policy), a student cannot appeal the decision to place him/her on academic probation.
• As part of the terms of academic probation, the student will be placed on a Candidate Improvement Plan that outlines the specific requirements/goals (in addition to regaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.25) that the student must meet within a designated timeframe in order to be reinstated to good academic standing.
• Any courses taken during the probationary period must be approved by the student’s faculty adviser. If the student received an unsatisfactory grade in a required course, the student must repeat the course in which the unsatisfactory grade was earned. (See policies on Failure (F Grades) and Repeated Courses.) If the unsatisfactory grade was earned in a course that is not required, the student may take another course that meets with faculty adviser approval.

The student will be released from probation once s/he has met the following conditions (where applicable): the student has 1) met the all requirements/goals laid out in the Candidate Improvement Plan, 2) regained a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 (on a 4.0 point scale), as required for good academic standing, and 3) met all other conditions of probation set by his/her faculty adviser or the program director.

Academic Dismissal

Students will be automatically dismissed from their academic program, irrespective of his/her cumulative grade point average at the time, in the event that any of the following occur:

• Fails to meet the requirements/goals laid out in the Candidate Improvement Plan and any other conditions set for reinstatement to good academic standing within 12 credit hours of being placed on academic probation.
• Earns a subsequent grade of C+ or below while on academic probation or having subsequently been reinstated to good standing following academic probation.
• Earns two or more F grades in the same semester or cumulatively over the course of his/her entire program of study.
• Earns two or more C grades (C+, C, or C-) in the same semester or cumulatively over the course of his/her entire program of study.
• Earns an F grade and one C grade (C+, C, or C-) in the same semester or cumulatively over the course of his/her entire program of study.
• Fails to successfully pass comprehensive exams after two attempts.

Dismissal decisions based on grades are final and cannot be appealed. While a student cannot appeal the School’s decision to dismiss him/her, a student may appeal the award of the original grade(s) (see Grade Appeals policy). Students who have been dismissed from the School of Education for any reason are permanently barred from matriculating in another credit-bearing or non-credit course or program in the School of Education.