Academic Standards

Academic Standards

Academic standing is calculated at the end of the fall, spring, and summer semesters.  Students will be notified by the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) if they are placed on Academic Probation or are Academically Dismissed.

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to be in good standing and eligible to graduate.  Students failing to meet the 3.0 minimum standard will be placed on probation or dismissed.

1. Students on academic probation are allowed to complete courses in the subsequent term in order to raise their GPA; however, concurrent enrollment in coursework (two courses taken in one block) is prohibited during the probationary semester.
2. Failure to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.0 by the end of their probationary semester will result in dismissal from the institution. Only one academic probation period is allowed per student.
3. Students on academic probation will not be allowed to enroll in the Capstone Project (BUSN 583 or EDUC 583).
4. A grade point average below 3.0 for a second time will result in dismissal.
5. Once dismissed due to low GPA, students may not reapply to the program.

Dismissal Appeals 

Students wishing to appeal their dismissal must submit an appeal letter to the Chief Academic Officer.

A. The appeal must be submitted within one week of being notified of the shortfall.

B. The student’s appeal must include an explanation of why the student failed to meet Academic Standards, and a detailed explanation of how the student plans to improve their academic record.

C. Submission of an appeal is not a guarantee of approval.

D. The Graduate Academic Affairs Committee (GAAC), the Financial Aid Director, and the Director of Student Success will review the appeal, and the CAO will notify students if their appeal was accepted or denied.

E. If the appeal is approved, the university will allow the student to continue enrollment.

F. If the appeal is denied, the student will not be eligible to remain enrolled as a student.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students are making Satisfactory Academic Progress toward graduation when they meet all three of the following:

• Maintain a cumulative GPA required for graduation as established by each degree program.
• Successfully complete 66.6% of all credit hours attempted for the program.
• Complete their degree in no more than 150% of the stated time frame for the degree program.

Any student failing to meet the minimum academic standards will need to appeal to the director of the specific graduate program in which the student is enrolled.