academic probation phd

UC Davis Graduate Studies

Academic probation, academic probation topics, reaching good standing, notice & next steps, u grade probation, employment & fellowships, taking a leave, withdrawal & readmission, disqualification, academic probation (ap).

Graduate students are considered to be in good academic standing when they have a term and cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, have less than 9 units of U, F, or I grades, and are making satisfactory progress towards their degree.  When those conditions are not met, students are assigned academic probation status.  Probation status is assigned to students automatically in the electronic campus system.  Academic probation status begins after grades have posted for the previous quarter, and continues until the student meets the requirements for good standing.  

Reasons for Academic Probation

There are three reasons students are assigned probationary status for not being in good academic standing.  

• Term GPA (individual quarter) below 3.0.
• Cumulative GPA below 3.0.
• Nine (9) or more cumulative units of Unsatisfactory (U), Incomplete (I), or Failing (F) grades

Three Types of Status Notation

There are three status notations that can be assigned to students who are not in good standing: Academic Probation, Probation Continued, and Subject to Disqualification. 

• Academic Probation - see section above for criteria - Assigned for the initial quarter in which the student is not in good standing, and in non-consecutive subsequent quarters in which the student is not in good standing.  
• Probation Continued - After the initial quarter on academic probation, probation continued status is assigned to consecutive quarters in which the student is not in good standing.  
• Status is assigned automatically by the campus system. Graduate Studies does not consider students who received an I grade in their only term course to be subject to disqualification or on academic probation status if the student isn't otherwise eligible.   

Being assigned Subject to Disqualification status does not mean you are going to be disqualified, but it shows there are serious concerns in your academic work.  Meet with your Graduate Advisor right away to discuss program expectations and what you can do to meet them.

Transcript Notation

A student's current academic standing is notated at the end of the Official Transcript.  Official Transcripts for students on academic probation or subject to disqualification status read "STUDENT NOT IN GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING."  The notation will be updated to "STUDENT IN GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING" once the student returns to good standing or they have satisfied all the requirements for graduation. 

Students on academic probation will reach or return to good standing when they have both a term and cumulative GPA of 3.0+, and no more than 8 cumulative units of U, I, or F grades. 

Considerations for Reaching Good Standing

Enrolling in only s/u or p/np graded coursework.

Students on academic probation for GPA, who enroll in only S/U or P/NP graded courses, will remain on academic probation the following quarter.  Graduate students on academic probation for term or cumulative GPA must take letter graded coursework to change their academic standing. 

Repeat Coursework

Graduate students may repeat up to three courses in which they received a C (including C+), D, F or U,  unless the course is variable topic or variable unit.  No special approval is required.  

• Variable unit courses (e.g. 299, 298, 396) may not be repeated to replace a grade in the same course.
• Variable topic courses may sometimes be repeated for new credit, but not to replace a previous grade in the same course.  Repeat restrictions for each variable topic course are included in the  General Catalog .
• Letter graded courses may not be repeated as S/U.  Courses in which the student received a U grade, may be repeated for an S/U or a letter grade. 

Retroactive Actions

Retroactive actions, including grade changes, adds/drops, withdrawals, and grade mode changes, are changes to the student record following the last day of instruction for any quarter.  The Office of the University Registrar (OUR) Grade Change Deputies and the UC Davis Grade Change Committee, are responsible for reviewing request for retroactive action.   A request for retroactive action may be appropriate if the student was incorrectly registered, a clerical or procedural error was made in grading, or if the student experienced circumstances (e.g. health/mental health problems, personal or family emergency, etc.) that significantly disrupted their academic work.  More information about retroactive actions is available on the OUR Retroactive Actions & General Appeals webpage  and the Grade Change Committee Guidelines webpage . 

Academic Probation Notices & Next Steps

At the beginning of each quarter, Graduate Studies Senior Academic Advisors (SAA's)  send email notices to graduate students on academic probation and their Graduate Coordinator.  The purpose of the notices is to inform students about academic probation status and encourage advising.  Students may be assigned a registration hold for the following quarter.  SAA's include hold information in the notices, along with the steps to release the hold. 

Don't panic if you receive an academic probation email from Graduate Studies.  You are welcome to reply if you have any questions, but a response or explanation is not expected. 

Next steps if you are on academic probation:

1. check your transcript.

If you are surprised or not sure why you are on academic probation, check your unofficial transcript on MyUCDavis .  Review the three reasons for academic probation at the top of the page.  If you believe there is an error on your transcript, contact the course instructor or your Graduate Coordinator.

2. Consider why and what next

After you Did you have difficulties learning a new concept? Are you feeling overwhelmed?  Do you have personal or family priorities? Are you struggling with your health or mental health?  All of these and any others are valid reasons, and it's OK to not know.  Try to list or outline what you need to move forward and possible next steps.  The good news is that there's no need to figure it out on your own.  

3. Contact a Graduate Advisor

Even if you know why you struggled academically and have ideas about making positive adjustments, you may not be aware of all the resources and options available to you.  Navigating grad school is not possible to do alone, and every student has layers of support in their program and Graduate Studies.  Advisors can help talk through challenges, make a plan, locate resources, and discuss other options, like building a mentor relationship or taking a break to regroup.   If you were assigned a registration hold for the upcoming quarter, you will need to reach out to your Graduate Advisor for advising as part of the process to release the hold.   

Contact information for Graduate Coordinators is available on your  Program page , along with the contact information for your Graduate Chair and Graduate Coordinator. 

Other advising resources

Graduate Advisors in your program are the primary contact for advising students on academic probation, but you also have other support resources in your network .  

• Your program Graduate Coordinator - contact information is available on your Program Page .
• Your major professor, committee members, and other program faculty.
• The Graduate Studies Senior Academic Advisors (SAA's) are available to meet if you would like to talk to someone outside your program, or you would like more information about academic probation process and policy.  You can  make an appointment  or email  y our SAA   directly.

Registration Holds

Registration holds for the next quarter are assigned to students with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 or a term GPA of 2.0 or lower.  Graduate Advisors may request a registration hold be assigned to a student on academic probation for cumulative I, U, or F grades to require advising.  In order to release the hold, students must meet with a program Graduate Advisor to develop a plan for making progress and returning to good standing.  You and your Advisor will document your plan on the Recommendation for Release of Academic Hold . 

Steps for releasing an academic hold:

• Meet with your Graduate Advisor to develop and document a plan to return to good standing using the Recommendation for Release of Academic Hold .  Graduate Advisor contact information is available on each Program page .  
• You or your Advisor can give the Release of hold form to your Graduate Coordinator for submission to Graduate Studies SAA's.
• SAA's will review the plan, release or move the hold as directed by the Graduate Advisor, and notify you and your Coordinator.

Continuous Academic Probation for U Grades

Unsatisfactory (U) grades in variable unit courses (e.g. 299, 298) can only be adjusted through a retroactive drop/withdrawal or retroactive grade change .  Students who accumulate 9 or more units of U grades in variable unit courses will have academic probation status noted on their record continuously until they graduate.  Probation status is assigned automatically through a campus wide system, and continuous academic probation doesn't necessarily reflect a graduate student's actual academic performance or progress.  In acknowledgement, Graduate Studies differentiates between 'active' and 'inactive' continuous academic probation in regards to employment and fellowships.  

• Continuous Academic Probation for Single Term GPA - Students who receive a term GPA below 3.0, and do not enroll in additional letter graded courses (e.g. enrolling in only 299), will remain on academic probation unless they enroll in and receive a B grade or better in an additional letter graded course (upper-division undergrad or graduate level).  The 'active' and 'inactive' probation considerations apply to these students as well for purposes of employment and fellowship.  

'Active' continuous academic probation

Graduate students on continuous academic probation are only considered to be on 'active' probation during the initial quarter of probation status, as long as they do not receive additional U, F, or I grades.  Exceptions for employment and fellowships are required for students on 'active' probation.

' Inactive' continuous academic probation

After the initial quarter, continuous academic probation is considered ' inactive ', unless the student receives additional U, F, or I grades or their term/cumulative GPA falls below 3.0.  In that case, the student will return to 'active' probation for at least one additional quarter.  Students on 'inactive' probation do not require an exception to policy in order to be employed as an ASE/GSR or to receive fellowships.  

Employment & Fellowships on Academic Probation

Students on academic probation are eligible for employment or fellowships only by exception.  Requests for exception are submitted to Graduate Studies by the program, and reviewed by the Graduate Studies Associate Dean for Students.  The primary purpose is to ensure that students on academic probation are receiving support from their program and have a plan to reach good standing.  

Employment as an ASE or GSR/RA

Graduate Studies approval of a Petition for Exception to Policy (PEP) is required for a student on academic probation to be employed as an ASE (TA, AI, Reader, Tutor) or a GSR/RA.  In addition to the PEP form, programs must also submit a statement of support outlining the student's plan to return to good standing and how the program will academically support the student during the quarter.  PEPs must be submitted at least a month before the employment start date, and may be sent to Graduate Studies by the Graduate Coordinator or the student's hiring department.  T he Graduate Studies Associate Dean for Students will review the request, and one of the SAA's will communicate their decision to the student, Coordinator, and hiring department staff (if not the Coordinator). 

Fellowships

Graduate Studies approval of an exception to policy is required for a student on academic probation to receive fellowship funds.  The student's program must submit a letter of support to the Graduate Studies Financial Team ( i [email protected] ).  The letter should outline the reasons the student is on academic probation, and the student's plan for returning to good standing.  Letters are reviewed by the Director of GS Student Financial Support and may receive additional review from the Associate Dean for Students. After review, the program will be notified of their decision.  

Continuous Academic Probation  (see section above)

Students on 'active' continuous academic probation must have an approved exception ( PEP or fellowship support statement) in order to be employed or receive fellowship funds.  Students on 'inactive' continuous academic probation may be employed or receive a fellowship without an exception.   

Taking a Temporary Leave - PELP

There are many reasons why students struggle academically, and these may or may not be related to difficulties with academic work.  Academic difficulty may be a sign that you need to take a break to regroup, focus on self-care or family care, or consider your goals.  Graduate students may take up to three quarters of leave through the Planned Educational Leave Program (PELP) .  PELP is a temporary break in academic work that guarantees your ability to continue in the program when you return.   It's normal to feel overwhelmed during graduate school, and there is nothing wrong with putting a pause on your program.  If you're on academic probation and considering taking a leave through PELP, schedule a meeting with your program Graduate Advisor to plan next steps when you return.  

If you feel unsure about continuing, would like to take a long-term break, or you want to focus on other areas, like employment or family, you may discontinue your studies by withdrawing.  Students who withdraw from the program no longer maintain a student status, but may apply for readmission to the program at a later date using the Readmission Application .   Readmission requires program approval and is not guaranteed.  If readmitted, you will return at the point you withdrew, and the minimum conditions to reach good standing still apply.  If you're considering withdrawing, meet with a Graduate Advisor to discuss whether withdrawal is the best option and to review the process if you have plans for readmission in the future.  See the Withdrawal & Readmission webpage for more information.  

Graduate students on academic probation are never disqualified automatically or without an opportunity to improve their academic performance.  Programs may recommend the disqualification of a student on academic probation who: 1) received less than a 2.0 term or cumulative GPA, 2) have been on academic probation for two or more consecutive quarters, 3) did not improve their following quarter GPA or academic performance as directed in an unsatisfactory Student Progress Assessment (SPA), or 4) after accumulating 9+ units of U, I, or F grades they do not makeup the number of units required in a SPA or receive additional U, I, or F grades.  Programs may also recommend disqualification of a student who is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree.  Students do not need to be in Subject to Disqualification status for a program to recommend disqualification.  

Students who are disqualified may no longer continue in their degree objective within the major, but they may apply for admission to a different graduate program at UC Davis.  With approval of the program, doctoral students who are disqualified may be permitted to pursue a terminal master's degree in their major.   More information about disqualification is available in the Policy on Disqualification and Appeal or on the Disqualification webpage.

The Graduate College at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Academic probation based on program recommendation.

Programs are responsible for monitoring the academic progress of their students, including through annual academic reviews. Factors that a program may use to assess academic progress include, but are not limited to, performance in course work, satisfactory and timely completion of all milestones as determined by the program, satisfactory progress in research, overall graduate and/or program GPA, and performance on qualifying, preliminary, and other examinations.

When students fail to meet these requirements, a program can recommend to the Graduate College that the student be placed on probation or dismissed (dropped) by the Graduate College. The Graduate College will review the recommendation. If it is determined that the student will be placed on probation, the Graduate College will communicate the length of the probationary period and requirements for returning to Good Standing.

See Chapter 3.2 of the Graduate College Handbook for the full policy . 

Graduate College probation is a significant indicator that a student is not making satisfactory academic progress. Students on academic probation have certain restrictions, including not being eligible for credit/no-credit classes and not being able to hold assistantship or fellowship appointments without approval.

Timelines for Academic Standing Review

Academic standing based on program recommendation will be reviewed and determined once per academic term according to the timelines listed below.

If a department intends to recommend that a student be placed on academic probation, it is recommended that the program discuss these plans with the student in advance of the Reading Day deadline.

To start this process, the program will submit a recommendation for academic probation to the Graduate College. This recommendation (using this form ) should include:

• A letter from the Executive Officer or Director of Graduate Study that describes the academic progress concerns and provides information about how these expectations have been communicated to the student
• Copy of the most recent annual academic review for the student
• Copies of departmental handbooks, letters/emails about expectations or other items that show how the department has communicated expectations to the student
• Implications on funding of probationary status,
• Recommended probation length, and
• Specific academic expectations that the student is expected to meet to return to good standing.

After this recommendation has been received by the Graduate College, the Graduate College will notify the student that their program has recommended academic probation and provide a copy of the entire recommendation package. The student will have five business days (excluding university holidays) to provide a written response to be considered as part of the Graduate College review.

The Graduate College will review the documentation provided by the program and the student before making a decision regarding the student’s academic standing for the upcoming term. The Graduate College may request additional information as part of the review. The Graduate College will communicate the decision to the student and the program including, if applicable, the length of the probationary period and requirements for returning to good standing.

Appeal Process

The student has five business days (excluding university holidays) to appeal the decision on the grounds that the process was not followed in a manner that resulted in significant disadvantage for the student or new information is available that was not available at the time of the initial review. The written appeal should identify the grounds for appeal and provide any additional information to be included in the review. An appeal committee in the Graduate College will review this material and the information included in the initial review before reaching a decision. The appeal committee may request additional information as part of the review. The decision of the appeal committee is final.

Assessing Progress for Students on Academic Probation

When a student is on academic probation based on program recommendation, the Graduate College will ask that the student and program develop an academic plan to provide guidance to the student in achieving the academic expectations. The Graduate College can provide support to the student and program in this process if requested.

During the final term of a student’s probationary period, the department will be asked to provide an update regarding the student’s academic progress by the deadline within that term and a recommendation that the student be returned to good standing, dismissed from the program, or continued on academic probation. This recommendation should include a letter from the Executive Officer or Director of Graduate Study that describes the student’s academic progress and discusses whether milestones have been met. The department may also include letters/emails about expectations or other items that show how the department has communicated expectations to the student. If the department wishes to recommend that the student remain on probation, the department must include specific academic expectations that the student is expected to meet to return to good standing. The Graduate College will send this recommendation to the student. The student will have five business days (excluding university holidays) to provide a written response to be considered as part of the Graduate College review.

The Graduate College will review the documentation provided by the program and student before making a decision regarding the student’s academic standing for the upcoming term. The Graduate College may request additional information as part of the review. The Graduate College will communicate the decision to the student and the program including, if applicable, the length of the probationary period and requirements for returning to good standing.

The student will have the ability to appeal the decision using the appeal process described above.

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Good Academic Standing

To be in good academic standing a graduate student must meet university and graduate program standards, including;

• maintain a GPA of 3.0 or the equivalent in upper-division, graduate, and professional course work, and must not have accumulated more than a total of eight units of "F" and/or "U" grades overall, unless the student’s graduate program specifies more stringent grade requirements
• complete a satisfactory annual spring evaluation (doctoral and MFA students)
• maintain satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements, as defined by the graduate program, the student’s faculty advisor, and/or the student’s committee (if applicable)
• satisfy examination and other program requirements, as defined by the student’s graduate program
• identify an eligible faculty member who agrees to guide the student’s research and to serve as chair of the dissertation/thesis committee, according to the time period specified by the student’s graduate program
• advance to candidacy (if applicable) and complete the degree, within the established time limits specified by the student’s graduate program
• comply with conditions set at the time of admission to the student’s graduate degree program

Some requirements may only be applicable to Doctoral, MFA, and Master’s Thesis students. Students should check with their graduate program to confirm all applicable policies to be in good academic standing.

Good Academic Standing is a requirement for:

• Holding academic appointments (e.g., GSR, IA) .
• Receiving fellowship, scholarship, or traineeship appointments.
• Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree.
• Participating in UC Intercampus Exchange or SDSU exchange programs or Education Abroad Program (EAP). 
• Going on a leave of absence.
• Obtaining a graduate degree from UC San Diego. 

Graduate students who are not in good standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or disqualification from further graduate study. Academic disqualification is determined by the Dean of the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs in consultation with the student’s graduate program, and normally relates to: unsatisfactory academic performance, e.g., failure to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better; failure to meet criteria of performance; failure to advance to candidacy or complete the degree within established time limits; accumulation of more than eight units of F or U grades; or failure to comply with conditions set at the time of admission to a graduate degree program.

Graduate programs are responsible for monitoring their students’ overall progress toward degree. Programs should inform students about the expectations for satisfactory progress through published program descriptions and by written evaluations.  

Probation Process (Due to Unsatisfactory Performance in Coursework)

Graduate students who do not meet the requirements for good academic standing due to having a GPA below 3.0 and/or earning more than a total of eight units of “F” and/or “U” grades are notified of their poor academic standing by a letter from the Dean of the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA). Letters are available to students via GEPA's  Student Portal  and to staff via the  Student Database .  

If it is a student's first instance of academic difficulty and the GPA is above 2.0, the letter serves as a warning and advises the student of their academic probation status,  its consequences, and the next steps. Following the initial probation warning, in subsequent quarters if the student:

• Raises the GPA above a 3.0, no further action is taken.
• Raises the GPA but not to a 3.0, student may have probation extended either by the GEPA Dean's decision or by request of the program faculty with a plan for improvement.
• Shows no change, then student may have probation extended either by the GEPA Dean's decision or by request of the program faculty with a plan for improvement; however, this is dependent on the overall GPA.  A hold may be placed on the student’s registration.
• Lowers the GPA further, a hold is placed on the student's registration.

Depending on the student's academic progress during the quarter following an academic probation notice, the GEPA Dean will advise the student of any further academic action and consequences via a letter posted to GEPA’s  Student Portal . Staff access is through the  Student Database .  A hold is typically placed on the student’s registration in subsequent quarters following a warning notification if the student is not showing improvement towards resolving the academic probation status. Any student with more than 8 units of "U" and/or "F" grades or a GPA less than a 2.0 will have a hold placed on his/her registration for the next available quarter.

When a student’s academic probation results in a registration hold, continuation in the graduate program requires support from the graduate program faculty with submission of an academic plan to the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs. Note : due to the processing of grades after the next quarter has begun, registration holds are usually placed on the 2nd quarter after the problem arises (i.e. Fall quarter problem, registration hold placed on Spring registration. During the Summer, however, registration holds may be placed on students for Fall quarter. Regardless of the severity of the problem, students are advised to maintain communication with the department. It is the department and student's responsibility to monitor the student's quarterly academic progress.

For details on the academic appeals and non-academic appeals process, please visit the Conflict Resolution and Student Appeals page detailing these processes, along with student resources. 

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Policy 3.7: Academic Performance and Progress

This section articulates policies for the academic performance and progress of graduate students, including guidance on appropriate process for cases where student academic performance does not meet program expectations.

3.7.1     Communicating Performance and Progress Requirements

A student admitted to the Graduate School may continue graduate study and research at the University of Washington as long as the student maintains satisfactory performance and progress toward completion of the student’s graduate degree. The definition of satisfactory academic and professional performance and progress may differ among graduate programs. Each graduate program is required to document and distribute performance and progress requirements to each of its graduate faculty and graduate students upon student enrollment. Documentation shall include the following information:

• General expectations for graduate student performance and progress within the program that includes, but is not limited to, required coursework, research, scholarship, professional behavior relevant to the program, fieldwork, practicum requirements, and length of time allowed for completion of various phases of the program.
• key academic and professional milestones, as defined by the program.
• expected timelines
• evaluation of progress and milestones by faculty
• Performance issues that would lead to warn, probationary, or drop status, as outlined below.
• Consequences of not meeting a milestone or expectations, including process and timing for managing repeated attempts at a milestone if graduate program policy permits.
• Procedures for appealing program decisions.

3.7.2     Reviewing Performance and Progress

Faculty should assess student progress using a variety of professional behavior and academic metrics to determine if a student has completed sufficient work at reasonable performance levels. It is acceptable to compare a student’s performance and progress relative to that of other students in the program or to individually negotiated schedules if consistently used. The following elements may be considered when evaluating a student’s performances and progress:

• Performance and progress in the fulfillment of degree program requirements as outlined in the graduate program’s documentation distributed to students upon enrollment.
• Maintenance of a minimum cumulative and quarterly 3.0 grade point average (GPA) while the student is enrolled in the UW Graduate School. A program may petition the Graduate School to consider exceptions to the 3.0 GPA minimum requirement for graduation if the student demonstrates steady and consistent progress.

Program faculty, the Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC), Graduate Program Advisor (GPA), or an advisory/supervisory committee designated by the graduate program, are responsible for regular reviews of student performance. At doctoral candidate level, the doctoral supervisory committee reviews student progress and does so, in consultation with the GPC as needed.

• The graduate program faculty should review a student’s performance and progress at least annually.
• The GPC and GPA should provide ongoing advising of students.
• For accelerated or shorter term graduate programs that are six quarters or fewer, student performance and progress should be reviewed quarterly. Unsatisfactory performance may require mid-quarter reviews and interventions.
• Students not meeting milestones, including those whose cumulative or quarterly grade point average (GPA) falls below a 3.0, should be reviewed quarterly.
• Students not meeting milestones should be provided with a written explanation of performance expectations, clear descriptions of performance benchmarks and outcomes that would demonstrate improvements, and a timetable for demonstrating progress or achievement of these benchmarks.
• For students in the research or fieldwork phase of a graduate program, program faculty should review student progress at least annually, with greater frequency as determined by program expectations and student performance.

3.7.3     Unsatisfactory Performance and Progress

The following three status levels are used to indicate unsatisfactory performance, to communicate clear expectations to the student, and consequences should those expectations not be met in the time indicated. The goal of each step is to establish clear expectations and outline a path to return to satisfactory progress.

• Warn: This is an early status for a student who has failed to meet expectations for performance or progress. Warnings are optional in the probation process and are managed internally by the program with a goal of resolving problems before escalating to probation. The program may issue multiple warning letters to the student and the Graduate School is not notified. The Graduate School recommends that programs use the warning status prior to a probation status.
• the reason for the probation
• steps the student must take to remove the probation
• the consequences the student will face if steps were not taken to remove the probation
• the reason for the final probation
• steps the student must take to remove the final probation
• the consequences the student will face if steps were not taken to remove the final probation

A graduate program may recommend a student be placed on probation status while the student is on leave. The program may not change a student’s probationary status while the student remains on leave. The student must apply for leave status each quarter which is then approved by the department (see Policy 3.5 ).

Additional considerations as described in the graduate program policy provided to students may result in an immediate recommendation to drop a student without progressing through Probation and Final Probation. The most common examples of this are unsatisfactory performance in the following:

• Qualifying or Preliminary Examinations: As defined in a graduate program policy.
• Doctoral General Exam or Final Exam performance: if graduate faculty determine the student did not pass the general or final exam, the graduate faculty may indicate on the committee signature form that the student is recommended to be dropped from the program. See Policy 1.1 for general exam and final exam requirements.
• Fieldwork or professional performance: As defined in a graduate program policy.

To request a change to student status, the GPC must send a letter to the Graduate School with supporting documentation. A status change is recorded in the student record but does not appear on the student transcript.

A student in a probation status who is not on an approved On-Leave status may submit a request for reinstatement. If reinstated, the department will determine if the student will be reinstated with the probation status in place when the student left the university based on the program’s internal academic performance and progress policy. See Policy 3.5 for leave policy to maintain graduate student status.

3.7.4     Drop

Drop is an official action that terminates a student’s enrollment from a graduate program because either the student has failed to resolve documented problems in the student’s final probation status, or the student has one of the performance issues as outlined above. Graduate programs should submit drop recommendations to the Graduate School prior to the start of the quarter but no later than the fifth business day of the drop quarter. The Graduate School approves the drop, and drop status will appear on the student’s official transcript. Drop letters are sent to the student from the department and from the Dean of the Graduate School. When dropped, a student is not eligible to complete the program or return later to complete the degree. A student dropped from one graduate program may apply to and enroll in a different graduate program if accepted.

3.7.5     Appeals

Appeals must follow the process outlined in Policy 3.8 for the Academic Grievance Procedure.

Policy 3.7 revised: October 2021

• PhD Student Handbook

Academic Probation and Dismissal

Academic probation.

The Graduate Division will place students on academic probation if their GPA falls below 3.00, and are subject to dismissal if their GPA at the end of the following semester remains below the minimum 3.0 requirement. The department may also recommend probation or dismissal for students who fail to make normal progress towards their degrees, based on a written evaluation of the student’s progress, including program-specific requirements. Only the Dean of the Graduate Division has the authority to place a student on probation, to remove probationary status, and, if necessary, to dismiss a student from graduate standing.

The probationary period is normally for one semester, during which the student is expected to remove academic deficiencies. Probation may be extended based on departmental recommendation. If at the end of the probationary period the student has failed to correct identified deficiencies, the Graduate Division will contact the Head Graduate Advisor to request a recommendation on whether an extension of the academic probationary period is warranted. If the probationary period is not extended, the Head Graduate Adviser will formally request that the Dean of the Graduate Division dismiss the student. For details please consult the Guide to Graduate Policy E1.7 Academic Probation.

Dismissal from the Doctoral Program

Placement of a student on formal probation is required before the student can be dismissed from the program. If the Head Graduate Adviser believes that it is unlikely that a student on probation can improve his or her record or that the student is unable to meet requirements for the degree, the Head Graduate Adviser may recommend dismissal to the Dean of the Graduate Division.

Dismissal for academic reasons is the purview of the Dean of the Graduate Division, under the auspices of the Graduate Council. Students may also be dismissed for disciplinary reasons due to violations of the Code of Student Conduct, under the jurisdiction of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the Office of Student Conduct. For more details on potential reasons for or consequences of dismissal, please consult the Guide to Graduate Policy E1.8 Dismissal.

What Academic Probation Is and How to Avoid it

Academic probation is intended as a corrective measure when a college student's GPA falls below school requirements.

What Is Academic Probation?

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Students continue to take classes dung the probationary period, but failing to show progress can result in an academic suspension.

With bad grades come consequences, and in college that may mean academic probation.

Academic probation “on most campuses means that a student has not met a minimum threshold to be in good academic standing, and that typically is a minimum grade point average,” says Kristi Wold-McCormick, assistant vice provost and registrar at the University of Colorado—Boulder .

Intended as a red flag to let students know they need to get back on track, academic probation is the result of failing grades. Experts say that typically means below a 2.0 GPA, though that number can vary by college and even by the specific program of study. A challenging major may require a higher standard than the one set by the institution, experts note.

Those working in higher education encourage students not to think of academic probation as a punishment, but rather as an opportunity to discover campus resources that can help them be successful.

"The common, and incorrect, assumptions about students on probation are that they aren’t adequately prepared for college or are too focused on the social side of college," Beth Tidball, director of academic advising at Marian University in Indiana, wrote in an email. But she says it may have more to do with students being unfamiliar with how to use campus supports.

"They simply aren’t used to working with peer tutors, attending office hours or supplemental instruction, or taking papers to a writing center. They were highly successful students in high school without those resources and don’t understand how key they can be to college success," she says.

At Marian, Tidball says academic success coaches meet with students weekly to identify the issues that led to probation and create a tailored plan to get them back on track.

Factors That Lead to Academic Probation

The reason students end up on academic probation varies, experts say. It's often a mixture of academic and nonacademic reasons, Allison Hoffman, assistant vice president of admissions and student success at Northwest Missouri State University , wrote in an email.

Experts cite students not going to class as a primary reason, while other factors include time management issues, mental health struggles , family matters or financial issues that place an additional strain on students and cause them to prioritize work over school .

"We recognize that students are adjusting to college workloads and expectations," Tidball says. "They are often faced with new freedoms, requirements, and demands on their time that occasionally result in a lower than expected GPA in the first semester or year."

Experts recommend that students meet with advisers and faculty members and seek out support services such as tutoring. They also should consider if their major is the right fit.

Strategies offered by experts to avoid probation are simple: go to class, follow the course syllabus and talk to the instructor. They also stress the need for students to seek help as soon as they begin to struggle.

"Catching things early on is really important," Wold-McCormick says.

What Are the Consequences of Academic Probation?

Generally, higher education professionals say, students will meet with an adviser or other university support staff when placed on academic probation. In many cases, students will have met with support staff even earlier, because most colleges monitor warning signs – like class attendance and grades – in order to catch and correct academic issues.

Students continue to take classes dung the probationary period, but failing to show progress can result in an academic suspension, where students are not allowed to take classes for a certain period but are eligible to return once that time has passed. Suspension lengths vary by school, experts say, noting it may be one semester or several.

Upon return, suspended students may face academic dismissal if they are unable to turn around their grades.

Probation may come with some restrictions. Wold-McCormick says it may bar students from participating in organizations or activities or competing for scholarships that require a certain GPA. Students may also face the loss of scholarships already in hand, athletic eligibility or federal and state financial aid , Tidball says.

Academic probation may also trigger university oversight of the registration process, with students required to work with academic advisers or tutors to develop their schedule, sometimes including a cap on the number of credit hours a student can take in a single semester, notes Sherri Stepp, associate dean of undergraduate studies and director of University College at Marshall University in West Virginia.

"We also don't allow (students) on academic probation to register online," Stepp says. "Therefore, we have holds on their registration to prevent them from changing their schedule. Once we've established the schedule for the semester, they would have to go through their adviser to make any schedule adjustments prior to the beginning of the term or when the term begins."

Experts also note that it may be difficult to transfer while on academic probation. Wold-McCormick says a probation typically doesn't appear on a student's transcript, though a college may be able to deduce a student's status because of the low GPA.

How Can I Get Off Academic Probation?

To get off probation and continue being enrolled at that school, students must show academic progress, which typically means improving their GPA to at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. That's easier to do when students have earned a small number of credit hours and a single class carries more weight on their cumulative GPA.

While schools allow students to remain enrolled as they try to improve their academic record, that period is often limited, sometimes to just one semester.

"Typically schools don't let students remain in that mode for perpetuity, because they're just digging a bigger academic hole that's going to be harder to get out of," Wold-McCormick says. "It's not responsible for institutions to do that."

Like at Marian, students on probation at Northwest Missouri State are put on an academic recovery track where they work weekly with a team comprised of their academic advisers, "success coach," a graduate assistant and a peer mentor.

"This has shown to be incredibly effective in helping students to move from academic probation back to academic good standing and ultimately persist toward graduation at our institution," Hoffman says.

Tidball says the first step for academically imperiled students is "to take a hard look at what led to the probationary status. Once the student has identified the problem, they can start charting a course toward good standing."

She also encourages students to use campus resources like counseling centers, disability services or campus ministry groups. Outside of the academic realm, she says getting involved in social groups can help, so long as it doesn't impede studies.

"It’s also important to build community," Tidball says. "Students will perform better if they are connected to the institution and other students, so getting involved in a student organization on campus might be a good step."

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Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Academic probation policy.

Academic probation is a period of time when a student must address and remediate academic deficiencies. 

A Bouvé graduate student may repeat a course only once to achieve a passing grade and may repeat only two courses during the entire program of study. A student may be on probation for only two semesters, or until the course is offered again, unless the advisor approves an action plan that specifies a longer (but definite) period. A student may only be placed on probation twice during enrollment in Bouvé and must correct all deficiencies, as specified, in each respective action plan during the applicable probationary period. Failure to remediate the deficiency within the agreed time may result in dismissal from the program. During the period of probation, the student must earn a GPA of 3.000 or better each semester, or the student is subject to dismissal from Bouvé. Note that individual graduate programs may have additional requirements that must be included in the probation action plan.

A student will be removed from academic probation after the student has attained a cumulative GPA of 3.000, earned a passing grade in a repeated course, and/or demonstrated satisfactory performance in a clinical course.

Academic Probation Procedure 

Academic standing is determined at the conclusion of every term and students on academic probation are notified via email. Students on probation are required to meet with their advisor before the end of week two of their probationary semester to complete an Academic Probation Contract . Once the contract is completed and signed, students are required to submit it to both their program and their Student Services designee, no later than the end of week three of the probationary term. Failure to submit an Academic Probation Contract in a timely manner may result in dismissal from the college. 

The program will review the student’s contract and provide any additional feedback or recommendations for the student and return a signed copy to the student. Advisors or a Student Services representative will meet with students on academic probation throughout the semester to benchmark progress and assess compliance with the contract during weeks four, 10, and 12.  

A review of the student’s progress will occur at the end of the term.  

• If a student returns to good standing, they will no longer be on academic probation.  
• If a student does not return to good academic standing, their compliance with their contract will be reviewed:  
• If a student was compliant with the contract, they will be required to submit a second Academic Probation Contract to the unit.  
• If a student did not comply with the contract, they may be dismissed from Bouvé with an option to appeal.

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Academic Probation

Degree-seeking students.

Students enrolled in a graduate degree program must maintain a cumulative graduate 3.000 grade-point-average (GPA) and meet their department's academic progress criteria toward degree completion. The minimum 3.000 GPA is based on all coursework taken for graduate credit, regardless of whether or not the courses are recommended or required for a specific graduate degree. Additionally, each program has its own criteria by which a student is evaluated on satisfactory academic progress. Falling below a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.000 or failure to meet other academic progress requirements will result in the student being placed on academic probation by the Dean of the Graduate College. Students on probation are required to meet with their Faculty Advisor, discuss the steps to be taken to remediate the problems that led to the probationary status, and develop a mentoring plan with specific actions to get back into satisfactory status. If, upon completion of a semester, the student's cumulative graduate GPA is below 3.0, or if the student failed to make satisfactory progress during that semester, the student will be allowed to register for one additional semester. An academic probation hold will prevent students from enrolling beyond that additional semester. Students who fail to make satisfactory process, and those whose cumulative graduate GPA is below 3.0, for two consecutive semesters will be disqualified from their program. Departments may petition for a one semester extension to academic probation for students who are making good progress towards satisfactory academic standing.

If a grade changes or completion of an Incomplete causes a prior semester's cumulative GPA to drop below 3.0, the student will retroactively be placed on probation and that semester will count as the student's first semester below 3.0.

Disqualified students may

• Apply as non-degree seeking and continue to take graduate courses in non-degree status, OR
• Apply for Academic Renewal if they wish to apply to a different major and the other major has agreed to accept them.  The graduate GPA will NOT be changed until the student has been admitted to the new program. 

Students can apply for readmission to a degree program as early as the semester after their disqualification if they achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 through additional graduate course work. A re-admission request must be supported by the head of the major department and approved by the Graduate College. There is no guarantee of re-admission.

Certificate Students

Students enrolled in a graduate certificate program must maintain a cumulative graduate 3.000 grade-point-average (GPA) and meet their department's academic progress criteria toward degree completion. The minimum 3.000 GPA is based on all coursework taken for graduate credit, regardless of whether or not the courses are recommended or required for a specific graduate certificate. Additionally, each program has its own criteria by which a student is evaluated on satisfactory academic progress. Falling below a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.000 or failure to meet other academic progress requirements will result in the student being placed on academic probation by the Dean of the Graduate College. Students on probation are required to meet with their Faculty Advisor, discuss the steps to be taken to remediate the problems that led to the probationary status, and develop a mentoring plan with specific actions to get back into satisfactory status. If, upon completion of a semester, the student's cumulative graduate GPA is below 3.0, or if the student failed to make satisfactory progress during that semester, the student will be allowed to register for one additional semester. An academic probation hold will prevent students from enrolling beyond that additional semester. Students who fail to make satisfactory process, and those whose cumulative graduate GPA is below 3.0, for two consecutive semesters will be disqualified from their program. Departments may petition for a one semester extension to academic probation for students who are making good progress towards satisfactory academic standing.

Student Manual

Good academic standing policy for phd programs.

October 2020

Expectations Regarding Progress Toward the Degree

Each PhD program should define expected progress toward the degree, including all requirements, expected and maximum timelines for completion of requirements, and ongoing performance expectations such as grade minimums. All programs must communicate academic progress requirements to students. Expectations at every stage of the program, appropriate timelines for meeting the expectations, and consequences for not meeting the expectations should be published online and discussed in a face-to-face meeting with all incoming students at the start of their programs.

Good Academic Standing

A student shall be deemed to be in good academic standing only if they are making appropriate progress towards the degree as described above and defined and communicated by the program. Good academic standing is determined at the sole discretion of the University through its faculty and deans.

PhD programs must regularly assess each student and, in a timely manner, communicate in writing (1) if a student is not in good academic standing, (2) what must be accomplished to achieve good academic standing, (3) in what timeframe it must be achieved, and (4) what the consequences are if the requirements to achieve good academic standing are not completed within the timeframe (e.g., academic probation, dismissal).

Students enrolled in joint or dual degree programs must maintain good academic standing in all programs.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

Based on stated expectations and degree milestones, a program may determine at any point in a student’s academic career that they are not in good academic standing. As determined by the program, the student may be placed on academic probation or dismissed from the program immediately depending on the unmet expectation and its defined consequences.

If placed on academic probation, students must be informed in writing what the expectations are for their return to good academic standing, including required accomplishments and the timeline for completion of those requirements. The student should be asked to confirm, in writing, receipt of the probationary document and that they have read and fully understand the terms of the probation. In cases where a student is unable to meet expectations as outlined in their probationary document, the student is subject to dismissal from the University. Students may not transfer to another University degree program or apply for a joint degree program while on academic probation.

Students are expected to adhere to this University policy; to all related divisional, school, department, and program specific policies and review procedures; and to related policies regarding federal aid recipients . Students may consult with their Dean of Students for more guidance.

Course Catalog | Liberty University

Academic information and policies.

​Jason Byrd , B.S., M.B.A. University Registrar

Lori Baker, B.S., M.A. Senior Associate Registrar for Student Services and Records Program Manager for Commencement

Jaime Velastegui, B.S., M.A. Assistant Registrar for Student Services and Records

Jason Suitt, B.S., M.Div. Assistant Registrar for Transfer Evaluations

Martin Granda, B.S., M.A. Assistant Registrar for Transfer Operations

Travis Hoegh Associate Registrar for Academic Operations

Amanda Collins, B.S. Assistant Registrar for Academic Curriculum

Clark Strawser, B.S., M.A.P.P. Assistant Registrar for Academic Operations

Tracy Godsey, B.S. Assistant Registrar for Academic Policy

​Ben Bailey , B.S., M.A.T.S. Assistant Registrar for Academic Support

Tom Calvert, B.S., M.A. Associate Registrar for Academic Success

Ashley Coleman, B.S., M.Ed. Assistant Registrar for Academic Success

Dina Johnston, B.S., M.A. Associate Registrar for Degree Conferral

Carrie Hodges , B.S., M.A.  Assistant Registrar for Graduate Degree Conferral

​Jess Clark , B.S., M.A. Assistant Registrar for Undergraduate Degree Conferral

​Allison Davis , B.A., M.A.  Associate Registrar, College of Osteopathic Medicine

​Brett Brenner , B.S., M.A.  Assistant Registrar, College of Osteopathic Medicine

​Carol Cordle   Associate Registrar, School of Law

Luke Gentala, B.S, M.A.R. University Ombudsman

Semester Credit System

The University operates on the semester system. The unit for counting credit is the semester hour. A semester hour of credit consists of the equivalent of one 50-minute period of class work for 15 weeks, with an assumption of two hours of outside preparation or two 50-minute periods of laboratory work for each semester hour. Online courses are equivalent to the number of classroom contact hours (750 minutes per credit hour) expected in a synchronous residential course.

Enrollment Verification

A student is enrolled when they are registered for a course and have attended the course and/or completed academic work for the course after its start date. For enrollment verification purposes, the University policy can be viewed in the  Policy Directory .

Semester Load and Overload

To ensure students are successful in their academic endeavors, the University has placed a limit on the maximum number of semester hours students are able to take.

Graduate, post-graduate, and doctoral students

• Master’s-level graduate students are considered to be full-time when enrolled in nine or more hours per semester. Post-graduate and doctoral students are considered full-time with a semester load of six or more semester hours.
• Graduate, post-graduate, and doctoral students have a maximum semester limit of 15 hours.
• Graduate, post-graduate, and doctoral students must have a Liberty University cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above to be eligible for overload up to 18 hours and above a 3.5 to be eligible for overload up to 21 hours.

Undergraduate students

• Undergraduate students are considered to be full-time with a semester load of 12 or more semester hours. 
• Undergraduate students have a maximum semester limit of 18 hours. 
• Undergraduate students must have a Liberty University cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above to be eligible for overload up to 21 credit hours, and a GPA of 3.5 or above to be eligible for overload up to 24 credit hours.

All students

Students must seek permission to take more than the maximum hours in a semester and will be required to pay additional tuition for each credit hour they take over the maximum semester limit.  Students may review potential overload charges by accessing this  chart  in the Academic Catalog or by contacting Student Financial Services to confirm the exact charges.

Certain degree programs may require a higher Liberty University cumulative GPA for approval. 

Due to financial aid regulations, if students use their semester overload to take courses outside their degree completion plan requirements, they should be advised that this could cause issues with their financial aid.  Students can check to see whether the course is required for their degree by reviewing the Degree Completion Plan Audit or by contacting their Academic Evaluator to confirm.

Students who want to request overload must secure permission from the Registrar’s Office and may seek this approval by submitting a request at  www.liberty.edu/overload .

Grades, Quality Points, and GPA

All work is graded by letters which are assigned quality points as indicated below:

A student’s cumulative GPA comprises all Liberty University coursework completed at the current academic level (Undergraduate, Graduate or Doctoral) regardless of prior degree conferral, broken enrollment or a program/major change. To determine the grade point average (GPA), the quality points earned are divided by GPA hours completed. GPA hours are hours that are used in the calculation of the GPA. The following grades are included in GPA hours: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F, and FN. Grades of AU, I, IP, NF, NP, P, PR, Q, R, and W are not included in GPA hours. A grade of B, for example, in a course bearing three semester hours of credit would be assigned nine quality points and a grade of C in that course, six quality points. Thus, if a student takes 16 semester hours of work and earns 40 quality points, his GPA is 2.50 (40 quality points divided by 16 semester hours). Only courses taken at Liberty are used in computing the GPA. Cumulative GPA is calculated to the hundredths place and is not rounded.

Grading Scales

Liberty University incorporates a standardized 1,000-point system across all undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. The undergraduate programs utilize a 100-point scale, and the graduate and doctoral programs utilize an 80-point scale to differentiate between letter grades. The grading scale will be posted within the syllabus for each course. Students are encouraged to review the syllabus for each course individually to verify the grade scale.

Student Classification

The classification of students at Liberty is based on their degree level and number of earned semester hours.

Advisors and Course Selection

Each resident student will be assigned a faculty advisor upon acceptance to the University. The advisors will guide students in course selection. All questions concerning academic issues should be directed to the advisors. Students are encouraged to contact their advisors for help with any school-related problems they may encounter during the academic year.

Liberty University Online will assist online students throughout their studies. Liberty University Online serves to guide students in their course selection as well as help answer questions regarding academic issues or school-related problems.

Course Planning

A course planning schedule is provided in order for students to plan their classes for upcoming semesters. The planning schedule presents every class offered and the terms where it is scheduled to be taught. This schedule is sorted alphabetically by class. The course planning schedule is available online at: https://www.liberty.edu/registrar/course-planning-schedule/ .

Transfer of Credits

Only courses and degrees from institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the Department of Education will be evaluated for transfer credit (e.g., SACSCOC, TRACS, ABHE, etc.). Applicants must request official transcripts to be sent directly from the Registrar(s) of the previous school(s) to the Offices of Graduate Admissions. These transcripts must be received before an admission decision will be made. Credits transferred from other institutions are awarded grades of P for Pass, and do not impact a student’s Liberty University GPA or academic standing.

In order to receive direct credit for a course, the description must overlap the Liberty University course content at least 80%. Courses that do not match a Liberty University course by at least 80% are eligible to transfer as elective credit where allowable. Elective credit is coded as 5XX to 9XX, depending on the level of the course.

Course work from a degree on the same academic level previously earned through Liberty University is considered transfer credit, and is subject to the same restrictions as course work completed through other institutions.

See additional information about the evaluation of graduate transfer in the Graduate Admissions Section.

Experiential Learning Credit

In order to demonstrate they have met the learning outcomes of a course, students who have already applied to Liberty University may submit an Experience Plus portfolio. Students are responsible for identifying the courses for which they intend to show equivalency, but they are encouraged to first make sure that their program does not involve any kind of licensure or other certifications that are received from state or other government entities or military branches as these circumstances prevent a student from going through this process. The portfolio review requires a nonrefundable $100 assessment fee. Students seeking credit for more than one course must submit a separate portfolio per course for which credit is requested. A maximum of 50% of experiential learning credits can be awarded and applied toward a graduate degree at Liberty University.

The Portfolio Guidelines are as follows:

• Students must be accepted into a program at Liberty University.
• Prepare a portfolio(s) using the guidelines established at  http://www.liberty.edu/online/credit-experience-by-portfolio .
• Portfolios will be evaluated by appropriately credentialed faculty to determine if credit can be awarded for life experiences. Students are not guaranteed credit for these experiences.
• Portfolios may not be submitted for internships, practica, dissertations, thesis courses, or other courses that are identified as non-transferrable.
• The hours awarded are counted as transfer hours and are not considered as hours earned at Liberty University. These credits will not be applied to a student’s GPA calculation.
• Credit earned through this process will not be counted toward the required minimum institutional credits that must be completed through Liberty University for a graduate degree.

Military Evaluations

Liberty University will evaluate students’ prior military experience and develop a degree plan for each student to follow. Evaluations will be based solely upon the recommendations of the American Council of Education (ACE) guidebook,  A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services . Military applicants should send in military transcripts or documentation from their particular branch of service. If those documents are unavailable, applicants should submit a copy of their DD214, 2-1, 2A, or DD295 for evaluation.

Outgoing Transfer Credit  

Transferability of credit earned through Liberty University is at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Priority Registration for Residential Military Students

All residential students who have verified their status as a current military service member or veteran will be assigned a unique PIN number before registration opens each semester. The PIN will be emailed to students and allow access to course registration on the early registration date associated with Special Groups. More information about the specific dates in the registration schedule will be posted on the Registrar's Course Registration web page each semester.

Online Course Registration, Activation, and Completion Dates

Online students may register for courses online via the Course Registration Tool at the following link: https://www.liberty.edu/registrar/course-registration/ . A student’s enrollment period (course activation) begins the first day of the sub-term, provided the student is in good academic standing and has paid the tuition or secured financial aid approval. Students are encouraged to allow sufficient time to review their course materials before the beginning of the sub-term. See the University calendar for sub-term dates.

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the  Policy Directory .

Online Course Materials

Online students must purchase all course materials from MBS Direct. Materials for some practicums and intensives may be purchased from the University Bookstore. Students should purchase materials after registration but prior to the sub-term begin date (course activation). Liberty does not guarantee that required course materials will be available after the sub-term activation date. Tuition does not cover the cost of course materials.

Class Attendance

Regular attendance in courses is expected throughout the length of the term. The U.S. Department of Education requires that every university monitor the attendance of their students.

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory online at https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Class+Attendance+Graduate .

Class Cancellation Policy

From time to time, it may be necessary to cancel a class because of insufficient enrollment or other extenuating circumstances. The decision for such a cancellation is ultimately that of the Provost of the University. The full policy and procedures are published in the  Policy Directory .

Late Assignment Policy for Residential Courses

Course assignment should be completed on time. If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor prior to the assignment due date.

The full policy and procedures are published in the  Policy Directory .

Late Assignment Policy for Online Courses

Course assignments, including discussion boards, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, he/she must contact the instructor immediately by email.

Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

• Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.
• Assignments submitted more than one week and less than two weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.
• Assignments submitted two weeks late or more or after the final date of the class will not be accepted outside of special circumstances (e.g., death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.
• Group projects, including group discussion board threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date outside of special circumstances (e.g., death in the family, significant personal health issues) will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Course Audits

Students who wish to audit an online course may do so for a fee (see Expenses and Financial Policy section). Audit fees are not covered in block-rate tuition, and audited courses will not be used to determine full- or part-time status. Auditors will not be expected to take quizzes or examinations. A grade of AU will be recorded on the auditor’s permanent record.

Audited courses will not count toward graduation requirements.

Resident Students

Course audits may not be added via the Course Registration Tool, but must be requested in person at the Registrar’s Office. Requests to audit a residential course will only be accepted during add/drop week (or the week before the start of a summer term for summer courses). Audit requests for residential courses will be processed and added on the last day of the add/drop period, pending seat availability. A student wishing to change from credit to audit status for a course may only do so until the last day of the add/drop period. Requests to change to or from audit status after the add/drop period will be denied. Lecture-only courses may be audited. Courses considered lecture/lab, labs, private instruction, etc. may not be audited.

Online Students

Course audits may not be added via the Course Registration Tool, but must be requested by emailing the Registrar’s Office at [email protected] . Requests to audit an online course will only be accepted during the registration timeframes before a term starts.  Audit requests for online courses will be processed and added, pending availability. A student wishing to change from credit to audit status for a course may only do so until the last day of the registration deadline. Requests to change to or from audit status after the registration deadline will be denied.  Courses considered lecture/lab, labs, private instruction, etc. may not be audited.

Academic Standing

Students must maintain satisfactory academic standing to remain at Liberty.

Academic standing is calculated at the end of each Fall and Spring term, or upon completion of all courses within a term, and is based on the student's cumulative GPA. At the discretion of the Registrar’s Office, a student may have his/her standing updated to good standing after completion of all courses in the Summer term. Please refer to the end of this sub-section for a chart listing the cumulative GPA’s required for good academic standing for all current degree programs.

A student’s cumulative GPA comprises all coursework completed at the current academic level (Undergraduate, Graduate or Doctoral) regardless of prior degree conferral, broken enrollment or a program/major change.

Academic Warning

Students failing to attain and maintain the cumulative GPA required for good academic standing in their degree program will be placed on Academic Warning . Students on Academic Warning will be required to take GRST 501 Graduate Success Strategies (0 c.h.) in their next semester of enrollment, unless they have already taken and passed the course.

Academic Probation

At the end of the term on Academic Warning, students who fail to raise their cumulative GPA to the required level will be placed on Academic Probation . Students on Academic Probation will be required to take GRST 501 Graduate Success Strategies (0 c.h.) in their next semester of enrollment, unless they have already taken and passed the course.

Additionally, students who are enrolled full-time and fail all courses will be placed on Academic Probation, unless they were previously on Academic Probation or Academic Suspension. Students who are enrolled full-time and fail all courses while on Academic Probation or Suspension will progress to the next academic standing level.

Academic Suspension

At the end of the term on Academic Probation, students who fail to raise their cumulative GPA to the required academic level will be placed on Academic Suspension .

All graduate and doctoral students, both residential and online, who desire to return to Liberty in the future must appeal to the Registrar’s Office in writing through the designated portal. Appeals will be considered by the academic department. If the student’s appeal is approved, an Academic Contract will be formulated. The student must agree in writing to abide by the terms of the Contract before being permitted to register for courses.

Academic Dismissal

Students who fail to raise their cumulative GPA to the required academic level (see above) by the end of the subsequent term and/or who fail to meet the terms of their Academic Contract will be Academically Dismissed and will not be allowed to appeal to return to Liberty unless a period of at least two academic years has passed.

When academic standing is updated, students on Academic Warning , Probation , Suspension , and Dismissal will be sent a notification by the Registrar’s Office.

Students on Academic Suspension or Academic Dismissal are not eligible for admission as Special (non-degree-seeking) Students.

Academic Standing GPA Chart

• Advanced Graduate Certificates - ALL (excluding Executive & Post-Graduate Certificates)
• Graduate Certificates - ALL (excluding the Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology)
• Master of Arts in Applied Ministry (MA)
• Master of Arts in Biblical Exposition (MA)
• Master of Arts in Biblical Languages - 36- & 45-hour (MA)
• Master of Arts in Chaplaincy (MA)
• Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM)
• Master of Arts in Church Planting (MA)
• Master of Arts in Educational Ministries (MA)
• Master of Arts in Humanitarian Action & Human Rights (MA)
• Master of Arts in Religion (MAR)
• Master of Arts in Sports Chaplaincy (MA)
• Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS)
• Master of Arts in Worship Studies (MA)
• Master of Divinity (MDiv)
• Master of Divinity-Chaplaincy – 72-hour (MDiv) 1
• Master of Divinity-Chaplaincy – 75-hour (MDiv) 1
• Master of Divinity-Chaplaincy – 93-hour (MDiv) 1
• Master of Divinity in Professional Chaplaincy (MDiv)
• Master of Religious Education (MRE)
• Master of Arts in Executive Leadership (MA)
• Master of Arts in Human Services (MA) 1
• Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling (MA)
• Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Research (MA)
• Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MA)
• Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MA)
• Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction (MEd)
• Master of Education in Teaching & Learning (MEd) 1
• Master of Education in Higher Education (MEd)
• Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Business Administration - project (DBA) - students admitted for Fall 2020 forward 1
• Doctor of Criminal Justice (DCJ)
• Doctor of Education in Administration & Supervision (EdD)
• Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD) - 54-hour
• Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD) - 60-hour 1
• Doctor of Education in Community Care & Counseling (EdD)
• Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Instruction - 54-hour (EdD)
• Doctor of Education in Curriculum & Instruction - 60-hour (EdD) 1
• Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - 54-hour (EdD)
• Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - 60-hour (EdD) 1
• Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration (EdD)
• Doctor of Education in Instructional Design & Technology (EdD)
• Doctor of Education in School Administration & Supervision (EdD) 1
• Doctor of Education in Special Education (EdD)
• Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc)
• Doctor of Law and Policy (DLP)
• Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
• Doctor of Music Education (DME)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Advanced Educational Studies (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Apologetics (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Anatomy & Cell Biology (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Bible Exposition (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Leadership (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Worship (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling (PhD) 1
• Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education & Supervision (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Research (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Organization & Management (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Strategic Media (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Theology & Apologetics (PhD)
• Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)
• Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)
• Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL)
• Doctor of Worship Studies (DWS)
• Education Specialist in Administration & Supervision (EdS)
• Education Specialist in Community Care & Counseling (EdS)
• Education Specialist in Curriculum & Instruction (EdS)
• Education Specialist in Educational Leadership (EdS)
• Education Specialist in Educational Research (EdS)
• Education Specialist in Higher Education Administration (EdS)
• Education Specialist in Instructional Design & Technology (EdS)
• Education Specialist in School Administration & Supervision (EdS) 1
• Education Specialist in Special Education (EdS)
• Executive Certificates - ALL
• Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology
• Juris Master (JM)
• Juris Master in American Legal Studies (JM)
• Juris Master in International Legal Studies (JM)
• Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling (MA)
• Master of Arts in Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology (MA) 1    
• Master of Arts in Applied Psychology (MA)
• Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MABS)
• Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics (MA)
• Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)
• Master of Arts in Communication (MA)
• Master of Arts in Composition (MA)
• Master of Arts in Digital Content (MA)
• Master of Arts in Educational Studies (MA)
• Master of Arts in English (MA)
• Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology (MA)
• Master of Arts in Geography (MA)
• Master of Arts in Global Studies (MAGS)
• Master of Arts in History (MA)
• Master of Arts in History - Comprehensive (MA) 1
• Master of Arts in Human-Centered Design (MA)
• Master of Arts in Linguistics (MA)
• Master of Arts in Literature (MA)
• Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Counseling (MA)
• Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy (MA)
• Master of Arts in Medical Sciences (MA)
• Master of Arts in Military Operations (MA)
• Master of Arts in Music & Worship (MA)
• Master of Arts in Music Education (MA)
• Master of Arts in Professional Communication (MA)
• Master of Arts in Professional Counseling - 60-hour (MA) 1
• Master of Arts in Professional Writing (MA)
• Master of Arts in Promotion & Video Content (MA) 1
• Master of Arts in Public History (MA)
• Master of Arts in Public Policy (MAPP)
• Master of Arts in Strategic Communication (MA)
• Master of Arts in Teaching - 36- & 45-hour options (MAT)
• Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education Curriculum (MAT) / Education Specialist in School Curriculum & Instructional Planning (EdS)  dual degree
• Master of Arts in Teaching in Middle Education Curriculum (MAT) / Education Specialist in School Curriculum & Instructional Planning (EdS)  dual degree
• Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education Curriculum (MAT) / Education Specialist in School Curriculum & Instructional Planning (EdS)  dual degree
• Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (MA)
• Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education - 36- & 45-hour options (MAT)
• Master of Arts in Visual Communication Design (MA)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Education (MEd)
• Master of Education in School Counseling (MEd)
• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)
• Master of Fine Arts in Digital Media Production (MFA)
• Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (MFA)
• Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art (MFA)
• Master of Laws in International Legal Studies (LLM)
• Master of Music in Performance (MM)
• Master of Nonprofit Management (MNM)
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Science in Accounting (MS)
• Master of Science in Aeronautics (MS)
• Master of Science in Athletic Training (MS)
• Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MS)
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MS)
• Master of Science in Cyber Security (MS)
• Master of Science in Engineering (MS)
• Master of Science in Engineering Management (MS)
• Master of Science in Exercise Science & Wellness (MS)
• Master of Science in Finance (MS)
• Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems (MS)
• Master of Science in Healthcare Administration - 42- & 48-hour options (MS)
• Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI)
• Master of Science in Homeland Security & Disaster Management (MS)
• Master of Science in Human Biology (MS)
• Master of Science in Human Performance (MS)
• Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MS)
• Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS)
• Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT)
• Master of Science in International Relations (MS)
• Master of Science in Marketing (MS)
• Master of Science in National Security (MS)
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)/Master of Business Administration (MBA) – dual degree
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)/Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MS) – dual degree
• Master of Science in Nutrition (MS)
• Master of Science in Political Science (MS)
• Master of Science in Project Management (MS)
• Master of Science in Psychology (MS)
• Master of Science in Public Safety (MS)
• Master of Science in Social Media Management (MS)
• Master of Science in Sport Management (MS)
• Master of Social Work - Advanced Generalist (MSW)
• Master of Theology (ThM)
• Post-Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Doctor of Business Administration - dissertation (DBA) 1
• Doctor of Business Administration - project (DBA) - students admitted prior to Fall 2020 1

Degree program is no longer offered for new and re-applying students

Academic Amnesty

Students Academically Suspended or Academically Dismissed from Liberty University may appeal for readmission under Academic Amnesty per the following protocols:

• The student must not have been enrolled at the University for a period of two (2) years. (Example:  If the student’s last enrollment was in the Fall 2023 term, he/she would not eligible to appeal for Academic Amnesty until after the Fall 2025 term.)
• the circumstances which contributed to the academic performance which resulted in the student’s Academic Suspension or Dismissal and
• why the student’s present circumstances are more conducive to improved academic performance if permitted to resume his/her studies.
• Corroboration may be requested of the student (e.g., transcripts from other institutions, certificates, awards).
• Students who were Academically Dismissed because of academic dishonesty are not eligible for Academic Amnesty.

The Registrar’s Office, upon reviewing the written appeal, must receive approval from Community Life and the academic department indicating the student is eligible for readmission.

If the student is approved by Community Life and the academic department, the Registrar’s Office will submit the appeal for Academic Amnesty for review by the Office of the Provost.

If the student’s appeal is approved, the grades will be revised as follows, and as determined by the Office of the Provost:

• Programs with a graduation GPA of 2.50, 3.00, or 3.25: Grades of C, D and F (including +/- grades) will be revised to Q and will no longer be included in the calculation of the student’s cumulative GPA. Grades of A and B (including +/- grades) will not be revised and will continue to be included in the calculation of the student’s cumulative GPA.
• Programs with a 2.00 graduation GPA: Grades of D and F (including +/- grades) will be revised to Q and will no longer be included in the calculation of the student’s cumulative GPA. Grades of A, B, and C (including +/- grades) will not be revised and will continue to be included in the calculation of the student’s cumulative GPA.
• Students who have been granted Academic Amnesty are not eligible for graduation honors.

If any prior certificate or degree has been awarded through Liberty University, grades earned during that time cannot be excluded when Academic Amnesty is applied. All grades earned toward a previously awarded certificate or conferred degree will remain on the student’s transcript.

Once the approved student’s grades have been revised, he/she is eligible to apply for readmission. If the student meets all other applicable admission requirements, he/she will be readmitted on Academic Caution.

If the student desires to pursue a degree program that is different than the one for which he/she was approved for Academic Amnesty, he/she must submit a new appeal to the Associate Registrar for Academic Success, who in turn will submit the appeal to the Associate Dean over the student’s desired program.

All previously assigned academic standings will not change and will remain part of the student’s academic records for the respective terms for which they were earned.

If, after the first term of enrollment following readmission, the student’s cumulative GPA falls below the minimum cumulative GPA required for good academic standing in the student’s degree program, the student will be Academically Dismissed, and will not be permitted to submit any further appeals for permission to continue his/her studies through Liberty University.

If the Office of the Provost denies the student’s appeal, that decision will be final. The student will not be permitted to resume the pursuit of any Graduate or Doctoral degree through Liberty University.

Course Substitutions

A Course Substitution request may be made when a student wishes to substitute one course for another required course when a clear relationship exists between the two. This request may also be used when an academic department approves a complete replacement for a Liberty course requirement. Students requesting these exceptions must submit a “Course Substitution Request” through the Transfer Suite portal for review. Approval of the course substitution is under the oversight of the Registrar’s Office and the academic department presiding over the required course. Please note that an approved substitution will apply toward the degree requirement(s), but will not change the course number on the student’s transcript. Changing programs or breaking enrollment may invalidate the request.

Multiple Degrees

Credit from a degree completed through Liberty University may be applied toward a second degree of the same academic level (e.g., master’s) earned through Liberty. The number of credits allowed to be applied toward the second degree may not exceed the maximum number of transfer credit for that degree as listed on the Transfer Credit Matrix .

In cases where the two degrees shared required courses in excess of the maximum amount of transfer credits allowed for the second degree, the student must take additional courses and use them as substitutions for the shared courses.

Any established exceptions to this policy will be noted either in the Transfer Credit Matrix and/or in the pertinent college/school section(s) elsewhere in this Catalog.

Dual Cognates or Concentrations

Students may not earn a degree with two or more cognates or concentrations (e.g., a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling with cognates in Business and Executive Leadership). Any exception to this policy for an individual degree program will be noted in the Catalog information pertaining to that program.

Students who have graduated with a degree may not apply for admission to pursue the same degree with a different cognate/concentration (example: a student who has earned a Master of Divinity [MDiv] degree with a cognate in Biblical Studies may not apply for admission to pursue a second MDiv with a cognate in Church History).

Change of Program

All requests to change degree programs, majors, cognates, and concentrations must be submitted through the online form by accessing  https://www.liberty.edu/registrar/change-of-major-or-minor/ for resident students and Liberty University Online Academic Advising for online students. The student will be placed on the Degree Completion Plan (DCP) or Certificate Completion Plan (CCP) in effect for the term for which the request is processed. All requests for a change of major will be processed by the Registrar’s Office upon receipt and will be effective the following full term of enrollment.

Any Master of Business Administration (MBA) student seeking multiple cognates is required to complete all requirements for all cognates before his/her degree will be conferred. Changes to the degree will not be permitted once the student is in final courses for the current semester and the Degree Completion Application is on file. The Registrar’s Office will process the conferral of a degree once all degree requirements have been met, including the minimum GPA requirement and Degree Completion Application.

A student must be admitted to a degree program before he/she may matriculate in that program.

Dropping/Adding Courses

Changes are discouraged after a student and advisor have arranged the student’s schedule for the semester.

Residential students desiring to take a Liberty University Online course must enroll in the course during the registration period. The course must be completed by the last day of the sub-term unless an extension is granted.

Remember: Any change in status (e.g., from full-time to part-time, etc.) may cause the reduction or cancellation of your financial aid award. In other words, your out-of-pocket expenses may increase.

Online students may drop a course for a full refund, any time prior to the sub-term start date.

The full policy statement for online students who are seeking to add or drop online courses are published in the  Policy Directory .

Course Repeat Policy

Students who want to repeat a course taken at Liberty and have the lower grade removed from the cumulative GPA must satisfy each of the following guidelines:

• All Master's-level programs will allow the repeat policy to be applied for a maximum of nine hours or three courses of repeated course work, with the exception of Master of Divinity programs, which will allow the repeat policy to be applied for a maximum of fifteen hours or five courses of repeated course work.
• All post-Master's and Doctoral programs will allow the repeat policy to be applied for a maximum of three hours or one course of repeated course work.
• All Graduate (including Advanced Graduate, Executive, and Post Graduate) Certificates will allow the repeat policy to be applied for a maximum of three hours or one course of repeated course work.
• For Special (aka non-degree-seeking) students, the repeat policy may be applied for a maximum of three hours or one course of repeated course work.
• Both the original course and the repeat of the course must be taken at Liberty University in order to activate the policy.
• The repeat policy may be applied for the following grades: A, B, C, D, F, FN, P, NP, or PR  (including+/- grades).
• The repeat policy may not be applied for the following grades: AU, I, NF, Q, or W.
• The higher grade, whether it is the original grade or the repeat grade, will apply toward the cumulative GPA.
• When a course is repeated, the lower grade will be followed on the student's transcript by the letter "A," which will indicate that the lower grade has been excluded from the earned hours, but is still included in the GPA hours, quality points, and the computation of the cumulative GPA. The lower grade will also remain on the student's transcript as attempted hours.
• The higher grade will be followed by the letter "I," which will indicate that the higher grade will be included in the earned hours, GPA hours, quality points, and the computation of the cumulative GPA.
• Once the repeat policy has been applied, the letter "A" following the lower grade is replaced by the letter "E," which indicates that the lower grade is excluded from the earned hours, GPA hours, quality points, and the computation of the cumulative GPA. However, the lower grade will remain on the student's transcript as attempted hours.
• This policy is retroactive to include any course taken at Liberty University.
• Use of the repeat policy for a prior semester will not affect the academic standing for that semester.
• Once a student has a conferred degree, the Graduate repeat policy may not be used on a course taken prior to degree conferral to improve the cumulative GPA which was recorded at the time of degree conferral.  The repeat of a course after degree conferral could, however, be used to improve the student's overall Graduate or Doctoral GPA at Liberty, provided the student has not already used the repeat policy for the maximum allowed number of hours/courses.
• If a student has earned a degree, and goes on to pursue a second degree, any use of the repeat policy in the pursuit of the first degree will not count toward the total number of uses of the repeat policy allowed under the second degree.
• If a student is pursuing a degree, and changes to another degree without completing the first degree, any use of the repeat policy in pursuit of the first degree will count toward the total number of uses of the repeat policy allowed under the second degree, even if the first degree, or course work completed in the pursuit of the first degree, are in a different discipline than the second degree.
• Any approved exception to this policy pertaining to a specific degree program will be stated in this Catalog in the Graduation Requirements information for that degree program.

Independent Study / Directed Research

A request for an independent study or directed research course will need to be initiated in the  Independent Study and Directed Research Form  prior to the semester or sub-term the student will be taking the course. Once the form is submitted it will be sent to the department chair, followed by the dean, and lastly the Office of the Provost for approval. If all three parties approve, the request will be sent to the Registrar’s office to create the approved course and proceed with registration, provided there are no holds or errors that prevent it. Once the course is registered, all standard registration policies will apply.

Students are responsible to verify their registrations are degree-required. If all degree requirements have been met, the student's degree will be conferred.

Students should contact the academic department that oversees their degree program to determine whether completing a course via an independent study or directed research would be the best option for them.

More information can be found at the following link:  https://www.liberty.edu/registrar/independent-study-directed-research-courses/ .

Incompletes

Students who are unable to complete coursework by the last day of class due to unavoidable circumstances such as personal illness/injury or family emergencies may appeal to their instructor for a temporary course grade of “I” (Incomplete). The authority for the decision to grant an incomplete completely lies with the instructor. Denial of the request for an incomplete may include, but is not limited to, the student’s inability to earn a passing grade with completion of the remaining requirements, as well as an insufficient reason for the request. Students must initiate the request for an incomplete directly to the instructor by the last day of class (before the final exam period for residential classes).

The instructor will establish a new deadline for the completion of the remaining coursework, based on the circumstances. The instructor may grant up to two weeks beyond the last day of the term (or sub-term for Liberty University Online courses) for non-medical circumstances and up to four weeks beyond the last day of the term (or sub-term for Liberty University Online courses) for personal medical circumstances.

For extreme personal medical circumstances, a maximum of eight weeks for Liberty University Online courses and 16 weeks for residential courses may be given as long as sufficient medical documentation (from a medical professional) is presented along with the request. However, while the decision to grant an extended incomplete remains with the instructor, the request and medical documentation needs to be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. The instructor will be responsible to communicate the remaining requirements, as well as the extended deadline, to the student.

The instructor will post a final grade within two weeks from the deadline established for the incomplete. If a final grade is not posted within two weeks of the deadline, a grade of “F” will be posted by the Registrar’s Office. A grade of “I” can be changed to a withdrawal as long as the withdrawal is requested by the student within official course dates.

The GPA is unaffected by the incomplete until a final grade is posted after the deadline. However, grades of “I” will count as hours attempted and not completed and will negatively affect a student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Note:  For undergraduate students in the School of Aeronautics, Incompletes for Online flight courses are subject to the Incomplete Policy outlined in the most current revision of the Flight Training Affiliate Student Handbook.

Military Incompletes

Military service members are eligible for a military incomplete, for coursework that they are unable to complete on time, due to deployments, extended cruises, unit operational tempo, or other duty-related extenuating circumstances. To obtain an incomplete, a military student must send either a current copy of official military orders (as proof of professional conflict during enrollment in the course) or a signed letter on official letterhead from the student’s commander or supervisor. Incomplete requests and supporting documents should be emailed to the professor. Please Note: Incompletes must be secured no later than 2 weeks prior to the course end date. 

Extensions may be requested from the professor and students may be granted up to 4 weeks in extreme circumstances but should typically remain in a 2-3 week time-frame to stay within compliance for grade reporting policies with the Department of Defense. Students can request a military withdrawal only up to the original end date of the course. Once the original end date of the course has passed, students will not be able to request a withdrawal for any reason. Professors should use discernment when reviewing military documentation to avoid awarding an incomplete to a student who will not feasibly be able to complete the course.  Military students should notify their military education office of a course incomplete if they are using Tuition Assistance. 

The Office of Military Affairs is available to help professors review military orders, as needed, phone: (434) 592-5990, fax: (434) 455-1287, email: [email protected] .

Grade Appeals

Liberty encourages students to have open and respectful communication with their instructors to resolve any concerns regarding individual course assignment grades and/or the final grade for the course.

Criteria for Appeal:

Students may appeal a final grade within 30 days of the end of the class. Only final posted grades may be appealed. Individual assignment grades may not be appealed under this Policy. Questions regarding individual assignment grades should be directed to the instructor.

Appeals are accepted for review only on one or more of the following three ground(s):

• When the final grade assigned does not comport with the published grading rubrics for the course assignments
• When the final grade assigned conflicts with written communication (e.g., email, announcements, etc.)
• When there is a calculation error on an assignment, leading to an incorrect final grade

Appeals, other than those asserted on one or more of the ground(s) above, will not be reviewed. The student must provide written documentation that supports his/her specified ground(s) for appeal. Documentation may be in the form of email correspondence, graded assignments, proof of timely submission, etc. After submitting the appeal, if additional information is needed to process the appeal, the student will be notified via the complaint/appeal portal.  If the student does not respond to the request for additional information, the appeal will be denied. 

Appeal Process:

A student dissatisfied with his/her final grade should first seek to resolve the situation with the instructor. However, if the student wishes to appeal the final grade under this Policy, the student must follow the process outlined below:

• Within 30 calendar days of the end of the class, the student may submit a written appeal that will be reviewed by the Program Director/Chair (or designated reviewer). The student should submit his/her appeal through the grade appeal form found on the Beacon complaint/appeal portal ( www.liberty.edu/beacon ). The student must include the information required above, including the ground(s) for the appeal and documentation supporting the claimed ground(s). The instructor will also be notified of the appeal and will be able to provide pertinent documentation, prior to the Program Director/Chair (or designated reviewer) rendering his/her decision. The Program Director/Chair (or designated reviewer) will have 7 days to review the appeal from the time of submission. When the review is complete, the student will be notified of the decision via his/her Liberty Webmail and the appeal portal.
• If the student is dissatisfied with the Program Director/Chair’s (or designated reviewer’s) decision and the student has additional support for his/her appeal, the student may re-appeal (second-level appeal) to the Associate Dean (or designated reviewer) through the appeal portal after receiving the decision of the Program Director/Chair (or designated reviewer). The student’s written re-appeal and additional supporting documentation must be submitted within 7 days of the Program Director/Chair’s (or designated reviewer’s) decision. The Associate Dean (or designated reviewer) will review the student's re-appeal, as well as any information provided by the instructor. The Associate Dean (or designated reviewer) will have 7 days to review the re-appeal from the time of submission. When the review is complete, the student will be notified of the re-appeal decision via his/her Liberty Webmail and the appeal portal.
• If the student is dissatisfied with second-level appeal decision and has additional support for his/her appeal, the student may re-appeal (third level appeal) to the Dean (or designated reviewer), through the appeal portal after receiving the decision of the Associate Dean (or designated reviewer). This written re-appeal and additional supporting documentation must be submitted within 7 days of the Associate Dean’s (or designated reviewer’s) decision. The Dean (or designated reviewer) will review the student's re-appeal, as well as any information provided by the instructor. The Dean (or designated reviewer) will have 7 days from the time of submission to review the re-appeal. When the review is complete, the student will be notified of the decision via his/her Liberty Webmail and the appeal portal. The Dean’s (or designated reviewer’s) decision on a third level appeal is final.

Grade appeals that are submitted using the student complaint form will be converted to the grade appeal form and reviewed according to this Policy.

Appealing an approved decision within the published timeframe may require use of the student complaint form.

The following are not able to be appealed through the grade appeal Policy/Process:

• Appeals of grades of FN, NF, W, I, IP, R, Q, P, or A. 
• Academic misconduct appeals.  For information about how to submit an academic misconduct appeal, see https://www.liberty.edu/students/community-life/academic-misconduct/
• Potential Scrivener’s Errors (e.g., typographical) identified outside of the 30-day appeal period. For information about reporting a potential Scrivener’s Error, see www.liberty.edu/ferpa/

Withdrawal from Liberty University

Remember : Any change in status (e.g., from full-time to part-time, etc.) may cause the reduction or cancellation of your financial aid award. In other words, your out-of-pocket expenses may increase.

Students withdrawing from the University during the semester must meet with a Professional Advisor in CASAS for exit counseling. In order to formally request the withdrawal, the student must request the withdrawal through their Liberty University e-mail address to the Advising office, or the student can go through the withdrawal process while meeting with an Advisor.  The student’s official withdrawal date is the date they begin the withdrawal process by notifying a representative from the Student Advocate Office of his/her intent to withdraw.

Students seeking removal from courses before the semester begins must contact a Professional Advisor in CASAS in order to initiate the enrollment termination process.

If a student withdraws from all classes in a term, the student has officially withdrawn from the University. Financial Aid Recipients are subject to the Title IV withdrawal calculation.

Students receiving all grades of FN will be considered to have unofficially withdrawn from Liberty. The withdrawal date will be determined by the Registrar’s Office and will be based upon the student’s last date of attendance in class. Students with Federal grants and/or Federal loans will be subject to the Title IV withdrawal calculation. The Title IV withdrawal calculation will result in the reduction and/or cancellation of all Financial Aid. Consideration will be given to students withdrawing due to circumstances beyond their control.

An expulsion resulting from violation of the disciplinary system will result in an administrative withdrawal. A grade of W will be recorded in all active courses for which the individual is officially registered.

A $50 fee will be charged for the processing of an official, unofficial, or administrative withdrawal. This fee will be deducted from any refund due on the student’s account or he/she will be responsible for payment of this fee.

Illinois Residents

Withdrawals for students with Illinois residency status suffering documented significant financial or physical hardship will be processed in accordance with the standard withdrawal refund schedule outlined in the academic catalog under the respective “Expenses & Financial Policy” sections. LU Student Accounts will waive the $50 withdrawal fee for all physical/financial withdrawal students with an Illinois address to the extent required by applicable law. Students dissatisfied with the result of the University’s decision regarding withdrawals may submit an appeal, accompanied by supporting physical or financial hardship documentation or information to the University Ombudsman (residential students) or the Liberty University Online Student Advocate Office (online students) via the student complaint form (Beacon).

Liberty University Online Withdrawal

Online students withdrawing from the University must contact the Liberty University Online Academic Advising Department via the student’s Liberty University email account or via the phone to start the process. 

Online Program Unofficial Withdrawals

In accordance with Title IV regulations which require that universities have a mechanism in place for determining whether or not a student who began a course and received or could have received a disbursement of Title IV funds unofficially withdrew, the University has established a procedure for students enrolled in online courses. This procedure is used to determine if students are progressing toward the completion of their courses.

Unofficial Withdrawal for Non-Attendance Appeal Process: Students who receive a grade of "FN" may appeal to their professor to have the grade removed to resume work in the course. All professors have the right to approve or deny FN appeals at their own discretion.

Institutional Challenge Examinations (ICE)

Institutional Challenge Examinations (ICE) are available to students in the Rawlings School of Divinity who possess a satisfactory justification of previous knowledge in a subject area based upon a non-college training program, job, or self-learning. Through ICE, students have the opportunity to earn credit toward their chosen degree program. For more information about ICE, including courses that may be challenged, and to complete the ICE Request Form, visit https://www.liberty.edu/registrar/credit-by-exam-or-test/ice/ .

The Liberty Way | Student Honor Code

Liberty University's student honor code, known as The Liberty Way, is a set of guidelines governing academic and personal conduct, reflecting the institution's commitment to Christian values. It encompasses expectations for academic performance and community standards aligned with biblical principles. The code outlines disciplinary actions for violations, ranging from warnings to expulsion. The university provides appeal processes, allowing students to seek reconsideration of disciplinary actions. For the latest and most detailed information, please refer to the official Liberty University website .

Theses and Dissertations

Some graduate degrees require a thesis, thesis project, or dissertation for graduation. Graduate thesis and dissertation requirements will not be considered complete until receipt of an acceptable copy of the approved thesis or dissertation is confirmed by the Jerry Falwell Library in accordance with current library deposit policies.

Certificate Completion Plan (CCP) Audit

The Certificate Completion Plan (CCP) Audit (found under Degree Completion Plan Audit via ASIST) provides real-time advice and counsel, making it possible for students to track progress towards certificate completion at their convenience. It also enables students to immediately view how their credits will apply towards a different program. PDF versions of all  CCPs are available online .

Degree Completion Plan (DCP) Audit

The Degree Completion Plan (DCP) Audit (found under Degree Completion Plan Audit via ASIST) provides real-time advice and counsel, making it possible for students to track progress towards degree completion at their convenience. It also enables students to immediately view how their credits will apply towards a different program.  Degree completion plans outlining the program of study and other requirements for each degree program are available online at http://www.liberty.edu/dcps . 

Dual Enrollment

Undergraduate students may enroll in master’s-level courses during the semester in which they have nine or fewer semester hours remaining to complete their bachelor’s degrees. Students must meet the cumulative GPA requirement for admission in good standing into a graduate program to be eligible to register under dual enrollment for that program.

Students may be dually enrolled for a maximum of two semesters and may enroll for a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate course work. 

Non-Liberty University undergraduate students must send in their Graduate admission application, official transcripts, and a letter from their current Registrar’s Office indicating their current Grade Point Average, the specific degree they are pursuing, the estimated date of graduation, and the number of remaining credit hours for degree completion. Once these documents have been received by the Office of Graduate Admissions, the student must contact the Liberty University Registrar's Office to request approval for dual enrollment.

Currently enrolled Liberty University undergraduate students do not need to send in an application; they must submit a request via the Dual Enrollment Request Form .

For information concerning how dual enrollment impacts tuition rates and financial aid eligibility, visit the following links: 

• Student Financial Services > Eligibility & Enrollment for Aid

Policy Directory > Enrollment Levels and Types

Dual enrollment is not available to the following students:

• Students already enrolled at the Graduate level and pursuing either a Graduate degree or a Graduate Certificate.
• Students who are pursuing an Associate degree.
• Students pursuing an undergraduate Certificate.
• Students who plan to pursue a Graduate Certificate rather than a Graduate degree.

Time Limits for Certificate Completion

Students pursuing a certificate must complete the certificate requirements within three (3) years of the date of matriculation.

Any student who does not complete coursework within the permissible time limit for any reason, including discontinued enrollment, must reapply for readmission and will be subject to the requirements of the Catalog and Certificate Completion Plan (CCP) in effect at the time of his/her readmission.

A break in enrollment occurs when the student fails to enroll in at least one course during an academic year. The academic year begins with the start of the fall semester and ends with the conclusion of the summer term. Students who break enrollment must apply for readmission and will be subject to the requirements of the Catalog and certificate requirements in effect at the time of their readmission.

Time Limits for Degree Completion

All 30-47 semester hour masters’ programs have a maximum time limit of five years from the date of matriculation. All 48-60 semester hour master’s programs, doctoral programs, or degrees offered outside the regular semester have a maximum time limit of seven years from the date of matriculation. All over-60 semester hour master’s programs and doctoral programs have a maximum time limit of ten years from the date of matriculation.

Any approved exceptions to the policies noted above, pertaining to a specific degree program, will be stated in this Catalog in the Graduation Requirements information for that degree program.

Any student who does not complete coursework within the permissible time limit for any reason – including discontinued enrollment – must reapply for admission. The respective program director will determine if any previous courses are sufficiently time sensitive and must be repeated. Beginning with the date of readmission, the time limit for degree completion is determined by the number of hours remaining: less than 48 hours – five years; 48-60 hours –seven years; more than 60 hours – ten years.

For resident students , a break in enrollment occurs when the student fails to enroll in either the Fall or Spring semesters. For online students , a break in enrollment occurs when the student fails to enroll in at least one course during an academic year. The academic year begins with the start of the fall semester and ends with the conclusion of the summer term. Students who break enrollment must apply for readmission and will be subject to the requirements of the Catalog and degree requirements in effect at the time of their readmission.

Grading Policies and Procedures

Liberty University Faculty members, both residential and online, must submit final grades for all students to the Registrar at the end of each term. Faculty teaching online courses should have grades submitted to the Registrar on or before the second Wednesday after the course ends. Faculty teaching residential courses should have grades submitted to the Registrar one week after the end of each semester. Liberty University Faculty members, both residential and online, are urged to promptly complete and submit final course grades. Confidentiality of student grades falls under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. Please see the FERPA section and policies for more information.

Recording of Grades

All grades will be recorded in the Registrar’s Office as reported by the instructors in charge of the various courses. Requests for grade changes may be submitted in writing only by the instructors.

Any extra-credit assignments that are a part of the instructor’s syllabus must be completed prior to the final exam for the course. A student may not submit an assignment for extra credit after the semester has ended and a final exam has been given.

Academic Transcripts

Official transcripts are made only at the request of the student. Official transcripts may be withheld until the student has met all his/her financial obligations to Liberty University. (Students who reside in the following states are excluded from this policy: California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, New York, and Washington.)

Official transcripts are not released directly to the student. Requests for transcripts are to be made directly to the Registrar’s Office. There is a $10.00 fee for one transcript. Additional transcript requests made at the same time are $1.00 each.  Transcript requests may be made at the following link:  Transcript Information | Registrar | Liberty University .

FERPA – Privacy of Student Records: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Students attending, or who have attended, Liberty University are given certain rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended (20 U.S.C. 1232g) and Rules of the Department of Education (34 C.F.R. Part 99) implementing this Act.

Additional information and University policies regarding the protection of student records are published online at http://www.liberty.edu/ferpa .

Graduation Requirements

The following general guidelines for graduation apply to each candidate for a graduate degree. Any additional requirements are specified in the section which describes a particular program.

• Post-baccalaureate, graduate, or professional programs must be at least 30 semester credit hours.
• The complete program of study for the degree, as outlined in the catalog in effect when the student is accepted as a degree candidate, must be successfully completed before graduation.
• The student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 unless otherwise stated.
• The cumulative GPA will be used (a) to determine eligibility for (1) conferral and (2) graduation honors and (b) as the “Degree Awarded GPA” that will be posted on the student’s transcript. The cumulative GPA comprises all Liberty University coursework completed at the academic level of the degree being awarded (Graduate or Doctoral) regardless of prior degree conferral or certificate completion, broken enrollment, or a program/major change.
• At least one-third of the course work for any program of study must be earned through Liberty University. The minimum number of hours which must be completed through Liberty for each degree program is noted in this Catalog in the Graduation Requirements section for that program.
• Students in post-graduate programs are permitted to use up to 15 hours of 500/600-level courses if permitted by their Degree Completion Plan.
• The student must submit a Degree Completion Application to the Registrar’s Office at the beginning of his/her final semester.
• Changes to the degree will not be permitted once the student is in final courses for the current semester and the Degree Completion Application is on file.
• Any student seeking multiple cognates is required to complete all requirements for all cognates before their degree will be conferred.
• The Registrar’s Office will process the conferral of a degree once all degree requirements have been met, including the minimum GPA requirement and Degree Completion Application. If a student wishes to take further non-applicable coursework, he/she must do so under a new application.*                                                                                                              *If previously completed courses (regardless of academic level) may complete requirements for a student’s current degree, they will be applied to the graduation requirements where applicable.

Certificate Completion Requirements

• The complete program of study for the certificate, as outlined in the catalog in effect when the student is accepted to the certificate, must be successfully completed.
• The student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00.  Students pursuing Executive certificates, Post-Graduate certificates, or the Graduate certificate in Epidemiology must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.
• The cumulative GPA will be used (a) to determine eligibility for conferral and (b) as the “Certificate GPA” that will be posted on the student’s transcript. The cumulative GPA comprises all Liberty University coursework completed at the Graduate academic level, regardless of prior degree conferral or certificate completion, broken enrollment, or a program/major change.
• No grade of D may be applied to the certificate (includes grades of D+/D-).  For students pursuing Executive certificates or Post-Graduate certificates, no grade below B- may be applied to the certificate.
• A maximum of 50% of the program hours may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level.
• The student must submit a Certificate Completion Application to the Registrar’s Office at the beginning of his/her final semester.
• Changes to the certificate will not be permitted once the student is in final courses for the current semester and the Certificate Completion Application is on file. 
• The Registrar's Office will process the conferral of a certificate once all certificate requirements have been met including the minimum GPA requirement and certificate completion application. If a student wishes to take further non-applicable coursework, he/she must do so under a new application.*                                                                                                              *If previously completed courses (regardless of academic level) may complete requirements for a student’s current certificate, they will be applied to the certificate completion requirements where applicable.

Graduation Approval

All candidates for graduation must be approved by the faculty and the Board of Trustees. Conditions such as transfer credit and incomplete grades should be removed by the beginning of the candidate’s last semester.

Graduation Honors

Graduation honors are available for all graduate, post-graduate, and doctoral programs. Certificate students do not receive graduation honors.

Honors for graduation will be determined by the cumulative GPA earned at Liberty. Note: The cumulative GPA comprises all Liberty University coursework completed at the academic level of the degree being awarded (Graduate or Doctoral) regardless of prior degree conferral, broken enrollment or a program/major change. Cumulative GPA is calculated to the hundredths place and is not rounded. Students must meet the following GPA standards to earn the corresponding academic distinction:

The specific honor calculated on April 1 of the student’s graduation year will be printed in the commencement program and the student will wear that particular honor regalia; however, the final cumulative grade point average will be recorded and that final cumulative GPA will determine the specific honor that will be printed on the diploma and transcript. Students in certificate programs are not eligible for graduation honors.

Graduation Ceremony

Degrees are granted throughout the academic school year. All candidates for degrees may participate in the annual graduation exercises which take place in May.

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Graduate student support.

There are many resources available to help you succeed while you complete your graduate degree. Use the information on this page to stay informed of UNT and departmental policies and learn about opportunities that are available to help you succeed.

Graduate programs and advising

Graduate advising is available to help you prepare your degree plan, select correct courses, and ensure you are on track to graduate.

It is important to connect with your academic advisor within or before your first semester and each semester after. In your first meeting, you will collaborate on your degree plan, and in your subsequent meetings, you can discuss any changes to your plan and receive support to help you successfully complete your program.

Your department’s graduate handbooks provide details that you will need while you are enrolled in your program, including expectations, policies, and other information that is vital for you to know.

Academic support

Each student should be aware of the UNT, College of Engineering, and departmental academic policies. Below, you will find information about academic integrity, probation, suspension, grade appeals, course duplications, and graduation.

Academic integrity is vital to ensure that degrees awarded by UNT are legitimately earned. There are several categories for academic dishonesty, and it is important that you are familiar with all of them as well as the consequences of academic dishonesty.

UNT Academic Integrity Policy

The graduate catalog contains entries that explain good academic standing, probation, and suspension along with many other academic issues that affect graduate students. You can view the full academic standards entry in the Graduate Catalog .

Academic expectations

The term Academic Status is used as an indication of a student’s academic standing with the university. Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.6 in their first semester of enrollment and a CGPA of 3.0 in all subsequent terms to remain in good academic standing.

The graduate student must maintain a B average on all courses that receive graduate credit, whether or not the courses are to be applied toward a graduate degree. Grades received in all courses numbered 5000 or higher are included in the computation of the graduate student’s grade point average.

The student whose graduate GPA earned at another institution is below B will be required to make up the deficiency either at the other institution or at UNT. This regulation applies not only to graduate work attempted elsewhere before the student was first admitted to the Toulouse Graduate School at UNT, but also to graduate work attempted elsewhere after the student’s admission at UNT.

Students must make satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements to remain in good standing within a specific degree program. Students whose progress is unsatisfactory may be removed from the program by the dean of the Toulouse Graduate School on recommendation of the major department or division. Courses in which the grade is D cannot be used toward completion of graduate degree requirements.

A grade of C or better must be earned in each undergraduate or graduate course assigned as a deficiency by the student’s major department. Departments that wish to do so may establish more stringent requirements.

Academic probation

A graduate student is placed on academic probation at the end of their first semester of enrollment if the CGPA drops below 2.6. A graduate student is placed on academic probation at the end of any subsequent term in which the CGPA falls below a 3.0.

A student who fails to achieve the required cumulative average of 3.0 GPA (B average) on all courses carrying graduate credit in a term/semester will be placed on academic probation for the subsequent term/semester. If the student achieves a 3.0 semester GPA in the subsequent term/semester, but the cumulative GPA is still below 3.0, the student will remain on academic probation. The student will be removed from probation when the 3.0 cumulative GPA is achieved. A student who is on probation cannot apply for graduation and cannot graduate.

Academic suspension

A student who is placed on academic probation who does not receive either a semester or a cumulative 3.0 GPA during the term/semester of probation will be subject to academic suspension for a period of up to one calendar year before becoming eligible to re-enroll for further graduate courses. Graduate work completed elsewhere during a period of graduate suspension at UNT may not be counted for graduate credit at UNT. After the one-year period of suspension, students must reapply for admission to graduate school (see “Readmission of Graduate Students” in the Admission section of this catalog); students may then enroll in graduate courses under probation with the same probation conditions as previously described. Students who are then suspended a second time without having returned to good academic standing by achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better will be dismissed from the university.

The student whose UNT GPA in graduate work falls below 3.0 must make up the deficit, either by repeating courses in which the grades are low, or by completing other UNT courses with grades high enough to bring the UNT GPA up to 3.0. Low grades made in graduate courses at UNT may not be duplicated at other institutions.

Course duplications

Beginning Fall 2018, students may duplicate only two graduate courses in which they received a grade of C or lower, for grade replacement. A single course may only be repeated once for grade replacement. If a student earns a master’s degree and then pursues a doctoral degree, the two-course limit is per degree level. Courses duplicated prior to Fall 2018 are not considered in the two-course limit. Post baccalaureate and non-degree courses duplicated apply to the master’s limit.

The responsibility for initiating the official recording of a grade duplication lies entirely with the student. However, the Registrar’s Office may post duplications at the request of the student’s advisor or to update academic status. In the absence of such a request, all grades received for a course will be included in the student’s cumulative hours attempted and grade points earned. Once a duplication request is submitted, only the last grade received is included in the student’s cumulative hours attempted and grade points earned.

Grade changes & removal of I

No grade except I may be removed from a student’s record once properly recorded. Changes are not permitted after grades have been filed except to correct clerical errors.

Requests for error correction must be initiated immediately after the close of the term/semester for which the grade was recorded. View the Grade Appeal Process below to learn how to appeal a grade.

A faculty member who believes an error has been made in calculating or recording a grade may submit a request for a grade change to the department chair and the graduate dean. The Registrar accepts requests for grade changes only from the academic deans.

A student may remove a grade of I within one year by completing the stipulated work. After the student completes the stipulated work, the instructor then records the final grade on the UNT Grade Change Form and obtains the department chair’s signature. For graduate students, the office of Dean of the Toulouse Graduate School completes processing with the Registrar’s Office, where the grade point average is adjusted accordingly. If the student does not complete the stipulated work within the time specified (not to exceed one year after taking the course), the grade will default to F unless the instructor has designated a different automatic grade. The GPA is adjusted accordingly.

Grade appeal process

The College of Engineering grade appeals process is online. Some departments have additional information about grade appeal policies. Links to these policies are below.

• Computer Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Applying to change your major

Students can apply to change their major by completing the application available on the Toulouse Graduate School website . Applying to change your major does not guarantee that you will be approved. Change of major students are reviewed as new applicants to the program to which they are applying, so students may be required to submit GRE test scores, a resume, letters of recommendation, or other documents. Visit the website of the program you want to apply to learn of admission requirements.

Pass-through masters

Students who are enrolled in a PhD program have the option to complete a master’s degree at the same time they complete the PhD, which is a pass-through master’s. This option allows students to earn a master’s degree while they complete their PhD and in many cases does not significantly increase the time or number of hours required to complete the PhD. Students have to complete both degrees at the same time for this option to count as a pass-through master’s degree.

To apply for a pass-through master’s, you will complete the online application form , which will be sent to your department for approval.

Time to completion

In general, students are expected to complete a master’s degree in X years and a PhD in X years. Students can apply to extend the time to complete the degree if extraneous circumstances prevent them from completing the degree in the allotted amount of time. Note that there is no guarantee that extra time will be granted.

To request an extension of time to complete your graduate degree, follow the instructions on the Request for Extension of Time page .

Leave of absence

Leave of absence applies to students admitted to the master’s or doctoral degree who wish to discontinue work toward the degree for a specified period of time due to exigent circumstances. If approved, the leave of absence may “stop the clock” on the time limit for the degree for a maximum of three terms (excluding summer).

A leave of absence form must be submitted to the Toulouse Graduate School and must have approval of the student’s department chair and the college or academic associate dean prior to submission to the Toulouse Graduate School. Once a student returns from an approved leave of absence of one year or longer, the student must apply through www.applytexas.org to reactivate the student record. After application, the student will automatically be readmitted to the prior programs and their time limit for completion of the degree will resume.

Leaves will only be granted under conditions that require suspension of all activities associated with pursuing the degree. For more details, see “Time Limitations” in the master’s and doctoral degree requirements sections of the graduate catalog .

Full-time enrollment for graduate students is 9 hours per long academic semester. Half-time enrollment is 6 to 8 hours per long academic semester. In cases where students need to reduce their course load due to exceptional circumstances, they can apply to do so on the Reduced Course Load Request webpage .

Final exams take place at the end of each academic term. The schedule is online on the Final Exam Schedule webpage .

In some cases, students may have final exams that overlap. In this situation, students need to talk with their instructors to come up with a solution that allows them to take all exams. Students cannot wait until finals week to make these arrangements. Look at the finals schedule early to determine if you have any scheduling conflicts.

It is the responsibility of the student to stay abreast of progress toward the degree and to file an application using the MyUNT student portal. Information about graduation requirements and application dates is online at gradschool.unt.edu/content/graduation . The applicant’s grade point average on all graduate work attempted must be at least 3.0 for the graduation application to be accepted. To apply for graduation, you need to have a degree plan on file with Toulouse Graduate School.

View Graduation Deadlines

To begin the thesis or dissertation process, you need to ensure that you have identified a major professor who will guide you through which courses to take and how to approach your research, writing, and thesis/dissertation process, including forming your committee.

Thesis students will begin their thesis process as soon as they identify a faculty member to work with on research; typically, this should happen by the second semester of the master’s program.

Dissertation students should identify their major professor within the first year of enrollment. Once a PhD student has passed the departmental qualifying exam process and has a degree plan on file, they will be eligible to enroll in dissertation hours.

Students must apply for graduation prior to the defense of the dissertation or thesis. Upon completion of the dissertation or thesis, a student meets with their advisory committee to defend the content of the dissertation or thesis. After a student has successfully defended the paper and made any revisions suggested by the advisory committee, the student is ready to submit the paper to the graduate school for final approval. Graduation information is available from the Toulouse Graduate School and at tgs.unt.edu. Deadlines for thesis/dissertation submission are in the above section.

For more detailed information about your department’s thesis/dissertation process, please visit the departmental website.

Registration

Students will register for classes during the registration period. You can view the schedule of classes through MyUNT.

UNT also has step-by-step instructions online about how to register for courses .

Each semester, the university establishes a registration calendar that includes important dates that students need to know, including the first and last dates to register, drop dates, withdrawal dates and more.

You can see all available registration calendars on the Academic Calendars webpage .

It is important to pay attention to the drop and withdrawal dates to ensure that you know when you need to take action to adjust your schedule.

Programs or departments may have limits on how many hours students can take during a semester. Pay attention to your department’s graduate handbook to understand how many hours you are eligible to take.

In general, students are more successful when they take a reasonable number of classes each term because they are able to focus more and also enjoy their graduate student experience more.

When courses are full, departments implement waitlists to allow a limited number of students to wait for an open seat in the course. Being on a waitlist is not a guarantee that you will be added to the class, and departments cannot move students up or down on a waitlist.

It is ideal to enroll in open classes and use waitlists as a last resort because it is uncommon for waitlisted students to be added to the course they are waitlisted for.

To help you plan your course schedule, each department has created a 3-year course rotation schedule. Click on your department’s link to see which courses are planned for upcoming semesters.

• Biomedical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering

Costs, funding & employment

Use the links below to learn more about the cost of attending UNT, including tuition, fees, estimated living expenses, and how to pay your bill.

• Tuition and fee estimator
• International student financial requirements
• Tuition rates
• Explanation of fees
• Paying your bill & deadlines
• Payment plans

There are many types of funding available to students at UNT. For information about your department’s funding opportunities, visit the links below.

Scholarships

Scholarships provide funding to students without the expectation of work. Scholarship amounts vary between each scholarship opportunity. The UNT general scholarship deadline is March 1 of each year. Other scholarships may have different application deadlines.

Students who receive UNT competitive scholarships worth $1,000 or more may qualify for in-state tuition rates. Not all scholarships are considered competitive; the award letter for each scholarship will outline the expectations for the scholarship and will specify the funding level and other details of the scholarship.

Financial aid & grants

Financial aid is a specific type of funding that is offered by the US government that provides loans or grants to qualifying students. To qualify, students need to meet certain residency requirements, and indicated on the FAFSA website. Learn more about the financial aid process on the UNT Financial Aid and Scholarships webpage.

Teaching assistantships & teaching fellows

Teaching assistantships are offered by departments and provide a monthly stipend to students. Teaching assistants perform under the instructor’s direct supervision and provide general assistance for instruction, such as grading, tutoring, teaching labs, and other needs of the course.

Teaching fellows are paid a monthly stipend and are the instructor of record for a course and have primary responsibility for teaching a course.

Teaching assistants and fellows are hired by departments. Visit your departmental funding webpage to learn how to apply for one of these roles. Stipend information is online.

UNT offers teaching resources to help students succeed in their teaching assistant or teaching fellow roles.

UNT offers a tuition benefit program (TBP) that provides tuition and fee support to some teaching assistants or teaching fellows. Departments determine which students receive TBP funds and how much each student receives. Students who are hired for an assistantship will receive an offer letter that specifies the stipend amount, any tuition and fee support, and the terms of the position.

Research assistantships

Research assistants are paid a monthly stipend and are hired by individual faculty to support research activities for a principal investigator or faculty working on research. For a successful research assistantship, students should work with a faculty member whose research aligns with their interests.

To acquire a research assistantship, students should research faculty in their department and reach out to them directly. Visit your departmental research and faculty webpages to learn about research opportunities.

Stipend information is online. Note that research assistant pay may vary between research labs.

Hourly employment

Departmental grader positions.

Graders are paid hourly and are responsible for gathering, grading, and returning classwork for an assigned class within a timely and efficient manner. Grader positions include grading, inputting grades, and writing notations on student assignments. Graders may handle other coursework tasks as needed.

Check your department’s funding page to learn more about grader opportunities.

Other on-campus employment

UNT has many opportunities for on-campus employment. In fact, UNT employs over 5,000 students each year. Learn how to apply for on-campus jobs below.

• UNT uses Handshake to manage employment opportunities both on and off campus. Visit the Career Center website for steps on how to apply.
• Each position will have different criteria, but almost all will have you complete an application and submit your resume. You can visit the Career Center at Discovery Park to get help with creating an effective resume.

Information for international students

To apply for an I20, admitted students will be given access to the iNorthTX portal . Through this portal, students upload all required documents for the I20 process. You will need to fill out the form completely and upload required information, like financial documentation. You can view the financial requirements to attend UNT.

Steps of what to do once you are admitted to UNT are on the new international students page .

If you will arrive late to your first semester at UNT, you need to request approval from your department and UNT International. Typically, the late arrival date for international graduate students is one week after the first day of classes for a long semester.  You can contact your department directly to request a late arrival. If the department approves you to arrive late, you will need to complete the Late Arrival E-Form that is in the iNorthTX portal .

Full instructions to apply for late arrival can be found on the new student late arrival request page .

Graduate students who hold F-1 or J-1 visas must enroll in 9 credit hours in each long semester. If students need to drop a class or take fewer than 9 credit hours for a qualifying reason, they need to complete a Graduate Full Time Equivalency Form in the iNorthTX portal .

You should never drop below 9 credit hours without consulting your academic advisor and UNT International.

You can read the full enrollment requirements for international graduate students .

Curricular Practical Training is an academic program that allows qualifying international students to participate in an internship or training as part of their degree program. To qualify, students must have been enrolled full-time for two semesters and maintained F-1 status. To be approved for CPT, students need to have a valid employment opportunity that is relevant to their degree program and must be approved in advance by UNT International and their degree program.

To apply, students need to verify that work experience is integral to their degree and then find a relevant job opportunity. Students will then need to ensure that the F-1 Academic Advisor form and F-1 CPT Employer form are approved by the deadline.

Visit the Curricular Proctical Training webpage to learn more about CPT and the application process.

Optional practical training allows qualifying students to gain temporary work experience that is directly related to their major area of study. Upon graduation, students in STEM programs can complete 12 months of full-time employment and may be eligible for a 24-month extension.

To apply, students need to be approved by UNT and by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and need to receive an updated I20. Learn more about OPT and the application process on the Optional Practical Training webpage .

Professionalism

Throughout your academic and professional career, you will need to communicate effectively to accomplish your goals and share information. Below are some tips to communicate professionally.

Whether you are communicating via email, phone, or in-person, it is important to remember to maintain professionalism.

Expectations

When you communicate with faculty or staff, you should expect that you will receive accurate information from those with whom you communicate.

UNT, College of Engineering, and departmental policies are in place for a reason and apply to all students equally. If you receive an answer from a UNT faculty or staff member, it is inefficient and inappropriate to continue to seek a different answer from others on campus.

Almost all policies will be included on the websites for the College of Engineering, department, or graduate catalog. If you request the link to the policy information, the person you are communicating with will gladly provide you with the information you seek.

When you communicate through email, it is important to remember a few things.

• Include your first name, last name, and ID number in each message. We cannot follow up with you if we do not know who you are.
• Ask your question or share the purpose of your email within the first sentence. It helps the reader know the context for your email.
• Allow at least 24 to 48 hours for a response. When students send multiple emails for the same issue, it ends up taking longer for staff or faculty to respond.
• Write in a clear, concise, and respectful manner. You are preparing for your future career, so start practicing your email writing skills now.

When you communicate by phone, follow the guidelines below.

• Leave a voicemail with detailed information. Include your name, student ID number, return phone number, program, and question on the voicemail. We cannot follow up with you if we do not know who you are.
• Do not call repeatedly. When you leave a detailed voicemail, the person you contacted will know who you are and what you need and will follow up when they are available.
• Consider sending an email. Often, it is easier for faculty or staff to follow up with you by email because we can send an email at any time. Also, it is sometimes easier to provide the specific information or links you need if you email us.
• Set appointments in advance when possible. When you stop by offices unexpectedly, there is not a guarantee that the person you need to see will be available.
• Have a goal in mind. If you are trying to solve a problem, be specific with your problem and tell us what you need.
• Communicate in appropriate locations. Avoid having conversations inside or outside of the bathroom, when someone is already in a conversation, or when someone is having lunch.

Conducting effective web searches

In most situations, the information you need can be found online through an effective web search. Before you call or email, try finding the information yourself by using a search engine and keywords.

Consider what information you need and identify keywords. For example, if you need to learn about the graduation application deadline, you might enter “UNT master’s graduation deadline” into the search bar. Be as specific as you can, and the information you need will usually pop up in the first few search results.

Tips for success in your internship or CPT opportunity

When you start your internship or CPT opportunity, you should be proud of yourself. Finding a job you love in your field is the ultimate goal of your graduate education. Below are some guidelines to help you succeed in your internship.

• Make sure you understand the process you need to complete to enroll in internship hours or be approved for your CPT opportunity. Your department will have information available to help you manage the process. International students should communicate with UNT International and check out workshops and online resources about CPT or OPT.
• Communicate with your employer early to learn about expectations. You need to know what to wear, where to go on your first day, what the work hours are, what the job role entails, and how they determine success in the position.
• Show up on time every day and be ready to work. This is a first step to get a great job after you graduate, so you need to make a good impression and be responsible and reliable.
• If you need to miss work or will be late for any reason, you need to communicate with your employer. Ask who you need to contact and let them know that you will not be able to attend work or will be late to avoid negative consequences.
• Ask questions and make sure you understand what you are doing and why.

Professional and personal development opportunities

Professional and personal development help you to succeed academically and prepare you for your job search and career.

• College of Engineering events
• Toulouse Graduate School workshops
• Career Center events
• Volunteer opportunities
• Research opportunities

Joining a student organization may be the most important thing you do outside of the classroom. You can connect with your peers while gaining leadership opportunities and meeting new people.

The College of Engineering has many student organizations that provide professional development, networking, and social opportunities for our students. Graduate students are welcome in each organization and are encouraged to join.

UNT has many non-major organizations that help you connect with other students. In addition to interest-based or social groups, you can also sharpen your leaderships skills by running for the Graduate Student Council or running for office in any organization you join.

You can find information about scholarships, travel grants, and assistantships on the College of Engineering scholarship page .

UNT has many resources available to support our students. Before you seek help outside of the university, be sure to explore the resources we have on campus because they are focused on helping students. You also pay for them with your tuition and fees, so it is smart to use the resources you have invested in.

You can also find additional student resource information .

This section details the general School-wide degree requirements that apply to all NYU Tandon School of Engineering graduate degrees. Academic departments may place additional requirements on individual degrees. Such additional requirements are explained in the programs section of this catalog. In no case may a department specify requirements less stringent than those indicated here.

Outcomes Assessment

NYU Tandon School of Engineering conducts outcomes assessment activities to monitor student academic achievement, effective teaching methods and continuous improvement of the School, as well as to comply with accreditation standards. To obtain periodic measurements of student perceptions and intellectual growth, graduate students are strongly encouraged to participate in surveys, focus groups, interviews or related activities. While individual input is collected, data resulting from these assessments is published only in aggregate form.

Definition of Credits

Graduate studies are expressed in terms of credits. One 50-minute period of graduate class work for a 15-week, single semester carries 1 graduate credit. A standard graduate course meeting for two-and-a-half hours per week in a single semester of 15 weeks is equivalent to 3 credits. This format is the most common for graduate courses. Graduate laboratories meet three times per graduate credit (i.e., two-and-a-half-hours per week in a single semester of 15 weeks is equivalent to 1 credit). Courses meeting more or less than two-and-a-half hours each week are assigned credits in the correct proportion. The final examination period is an integral part of the 15-week semester.

Graduate Degrees and Advanced Certificates

Graduate advanced certificate programs.

NYU Tandon School of Engineering offers several graduate advanced certificate programs in specialized subject areas for students who do not wish to enroll in a full-degree program. Detailed descriptions of the certificate programs are available from the responsible departments.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for certificate programs are the same as those for related MS programs. Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, and GREs are required from those applying for full-time study. Applicants must be admitted formally to a certificate program before beginning graduate course work.

Graduation Requirements

Depending on the program, 12 to 15 credits must be taken at NYU School of Engineering to earn a certificate, and no transfer credits for certificates are permitted. Courses taken for a certificate may be applied toward the future pursuit of an MS, ME, or PhD graduate degree, but not to another certificate program. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all graduate courses taken at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering to receive a certificate.

Students in such a program who subsequently decide to pursue a graduate degree must file a separate application for admission to the respective graduate program. 

Master of Science

Admission to Master of Science programs requires a bachelor’s degree and at least four years of college-level courses in a preparatory discipline from an institution acceptable to the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better is required for admission. GRE scores are recommended for all applicants, and are required for anyone applying for full-time study or seeking merit-based scholarships. Applicants seeking admission to the MS in Integrated Digital Media are exempt from the GRE requirement, and those seeking admission to technology management-related degrees are encouraged to submit GMAT scores instead of the GRE. Letters of Recommendation, a Statement of Purpose, and a professional resume are also required from all applicants seeking admission to any graduate program.

Candidates for the degree of Master of Science must complete no fewer than 30 credits of graduate courses and research beyond the bachelor’s degree in the program selected. Academic departments may require additional credits for individual degrees. Individual programs may specify required courses, minimum GPAs in specific courses or course groups, or require a comprehensive examination, presentation of a seminar, or completion of a project or thesis. Specific course requirements for each MS program are detailed in the programs section of this catalog. To obtain the MS degree, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (equivalent to a B letter grade) or better in all graduate work undertaken at the NYU School of Engineering and any other school of NYU, including courses not used to fulfill specific program requirements. The average of B or better includes all guided studies, readings, projects, theses and dissertations. Students may use no more than a total of 3 credits of internship towards fulfillment of MS degree requirements. Students may offer no more than a combined total of 9 credits of project, guided studies, readings, or thesis toward fulfillment of the MS degree requirements. Students taking project or thesis must register for at least 3 credits of project or thesis every semester until the work is completed and a grade recorded (also refer to the section Maintenance of Studies ).

MS students may elect to complete an MS project or MS thesis and may be required to do so in certain programs. Consult the programs section in this catalog for details. A project usually entails 3 to 6 credits, while an MS thesis is generally a more extended piece of research, usually entailing 6 to 9 credits.  At this level, research should exhibit a thorough understanding of advanced scientific thought and an ability to apply advanced principles constructively to engineering planning and design.

Manuscript Presentation 

Degree candidates must present their research to the appointed guidance committee in final manuscript form for official acceptance no later than two weeks before the end of the semester. The accepted format for the bound research document is detailed in the “Regulations on Format, Duplication and Publication of Project Reports, Theses and Dissertations.” Detailed information is available on the NYU Tandon School of Engineering website.

Graduate students registered for MS thesis credits must submit four final bound copies to their department for necessary signatures, and then present them to the Office of Graduate Academics one week before the end of the semester.

Master of Engineering

All regulations and requirements for the Master of Engineering degree, including those governing admissions, graduation, and residency, are identical to those for the Master of Science degree.

Candidates for the degree Master of Engineering must complete no fewer than 30 credits of graduate courses (including a maximum of 9 credits of research) beyond the bachelor’s degree in the program. The Master of Engineering is for students seeking in-depth knowledge in fields requiring courses from multiple disciplines, especially those taught by several different academic departments. Students create their study program, including at least one graduate certificate, with the approval of a graduate adviser. A capstone experience is required for graduation.

Doctor of Philosophy

Students may apply to a doctoral program either directly after a bachelor’s degree or after completing a master’s degree. In either case, a GPA of 3.0 or better is required in all previous degree programs and a GPA of 3.5 or better is typically expected. GRE scores are required for all full-time PhD applicants. The admissions process for the doctoral program follows the same path as that of the Master of Science and Master of Engineering applications. Highly qualified candidates whose interests are incompatible with the faculty’s research interests may not be admitted. Additionally, most departments admit only the number of students that they can financially support, and qualified candidates may not be admitted due to limited availability of funding.

Graduation Requirements

All doctoral candidates must complete a minimum of 75 credits of graduate work beyond the bachelor’s degree, including a minimum of 21 credits of dissertation research (or more, depending on major). Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy are qualitative and quantitative. Students will find that the formal requirements of residence, course credits, and dissertation provide a framework within which they are free to construct individual programs for creative learning at an advanced level. Students must satisfy the detailed requirements of the selected degree program.

Each PhD student must complete a PhD dissertation. Research at this level must demonstrate critical and constructive thought, as well as the ability to use the techniques necessary to explore and develop new knowledge in mathematics, science, or engineering. A successful dissertation must demonstrably advance the subject area of research. School requirements for dissertations set a minimum of 21 credits of registration. All research should be characterized by accuracy of observation and measurement, and by clarity and completeness in presentation. The conclusions presented must be supported by adequate studies and investigations, and supplemented by a complete bibliography.

Graduate students in a PhD program should confer with an adviser in the department of major interest regarding: 1) selection of courses; 2) major and minor fields of study; 3) formulation of a guidance committee; 4) qualifying and language examinations; 5) degree candidacy.

Students in a PhD program must take and pass doctoral qualifying examination(s) administered by their major department. These examinations are generally scheduled once or twice yearly, and students should consult their academic department for further information. Students are highly encouraged to take the examination(s) in their first year of the program, and they may not register for dissertation research until they have passed the examination(s).  If students have not passed by the end of their second year, they may be disqualified from the PhD program. Within six months of passing the examination(s), students and their dissertation adviser must form a dissertation-guidance committee that will oversee course selection, provide research guidance, and ensure that satisfactory progress is being made toward completion of the dissertation in a timely manner. Course selection must ensure that requirements of major and minors set forth by the respective programs are met. The committee, at its discretion or bound by departmental regulations, may require students to present a dissertation research proposal. The committee is expected to meet at least once per semester to assess student progress, and doctoral students must defend their dissertation in front of this committee.  Doctoral students must obtain a checklist of the milestones and requirements for the PhD program from the Office of Graduate Academics.

All doctoral students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better at all times and a B or better for the dissertation, and some departments have further specific course or grade requirements that must be fulfilled. Once students begin their dissertation research, they must register for at least 3 credits of dissertation every semester until the dissertation is completed and successfully defended (also refer to the section on Maintenance of Studies ).

Manuscript Presentation

Graduate students registered for PhD dissertation credits must submit four final bound copies to their department for necessary signatures and then present them to the Office of Graduate Academics one week before the end of the semester.

Publication

Doctoral dissertations are published by UMI Dissertation Publishing (ProQuest). The cost of this service is charged to the student. Publishing with UMI ensures that the dissertation thesis gains the widest possible audience. Any interested person can purchase copies of a dissertation through the company’s website.

The faculty regards publication of the major content of a doctoral dissertation in a recognized scientific journal as a necessary final step if the work performed is to achieve maximum usefulness. The publication must indicate, by footnote or otherwise, its basis as a New York University School of Engineering dissertation.

Graduate Credits and Requirements

To satisfy residency requirements for a graduate degree at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, students must complete the following minimum number of credits at the School:

• Graduate Certificate: All credits (12-15, depending on certificate)
• Master of Science: Total number of credits required, less 9 (at least 21 credits of residency)
• Master of Engineering: Total number of credits required, less 9 (at least 21 credits of residency)
• Doctor of Philosophy: 27 credits (including all dissertation credits)

Transfer Credits

Applications for transfer credits must be submitted for consideration before the end of the first semester of matriculation. Courses with grades below B are not eligible for transfer. Transfer credits for courses taken after matriculation at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering are rarely accepted and must be approved by the student’s academic department and by the Office of Graduate Academics before the course is taken. Grades for transferred credits or courses are not recorded and are not included in GPA calculations.

Certificates

No transfer credit is permitted for graduate certificates.

Master of Science and Master of Engineering

A maximum of 9 credits may be accepted as transfer credits towards an MS or ME degree. Transfer credits must be approved by the student’s department, the Associate Dean for Graduate Academics, and the Office of the Registrar. Courses that have been counted towards an awarded undergraduate or graduate degree, whether taken at NYU or another institution, may not be transferred toward a master’s degree at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Credits submitted for consideration must be: 1) from accredited institutions; 2) consistent with NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s residency requirements; 3) completed with grades B or better; 4) consistent with the curriculum in which the student is registered; 5) taken after receipt of a bachelor’s degree, with the exception of NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s undergraduate students (See section: Transfer Policy Exceptions: NYU Tandon Undergraduate Students). Theses, projects and guided studies or readings courses cannot be transferred.

Doctoral students may transfer a blanket 30-credits from a prior MS degree. For the blanket 30-credit transfer, the prior MS need not be a 30-credit MS, so long as an MS degree (or equivalent) was granted, and a copy of the degree and detailed transcripts are presented. Additional courses taken after receipt of a bachelor’s degree, but not counted towards an awarded degree may be eligible for transfer, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Additional courses individually transferred cannot include project, thesis, dissertation, guided studies or readings, or special topics credits. The total number of transferred credits for the PhD degree may not exceed 48. Some programs have additional restrictions; students should also consult the program specific portion of the bulletin for further information.

Transfer Policy Exceptions

Nyu tandon school of engineering undergraduate students.

While transfer policies normally preclude the transfer of graduate credit taken prior to the receipt of a bachelor’s degree, an exception is made for NYU students who take graduate courses while pursuing an undergraduate degree at any school of NYU. Such graduate courses may be applied subsequently to a graduate degree at NYU Tandon provided that students earned a B grade or better, that the individual courses were not used to fulfill requirements for the undergraduate degree, and that the courses are acceptable based on the particular graduate degree curriculum requirement.

The sum of transfer credits from other institutions and internal transfer credits from other NYU schools (including graduate courses taken while matriculated as NYU undergraduates) cannot exceed the total number of transfer credits permitted for Advanced Certificates, MS and PhD degrees as specified above in the section on “Transfer Credits.”

These exceptions to the Transfer Policy are effective for any student admitted for the Spring 2017 semester forward.

NYU Tandon School of Engineering BS/MS Students

NYU Tandon School of Engineering students enrolled in a joint BS/MS program with a study plan pre-approved by an academic adviser may take graduate level courses prior to receiving their bachelor’s degree, and may apply these courses towards the requirements of their MS program without credit restriction. Graduate courses used to satisfy undergraduate degree requirements, however, cannot be used to satisfy graduate degree requirements. BS/MS students must maintain a minimum 3.0 CGPA in all graduate level courses, or they risk being disqualified from the BS/MS program.

Period of Validity

Graduate courses reflect the current state of the art in their respective fields. Thus, all courses that are more than 10 years old at the beginning of graduate study at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, whether taken previously at the School or at another institution, are ineligible for transfer and will not count towards the satisfaction of degree requirements. The blanket 30-credit transfer of an MS degree taken at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering or elsewhere towards a PhD program is exempt from this period of validity and does not expire.

Graduate Validation Credits

When it is unclear whether a course taken outside the NYU Tandon School of Engineering is suitable for transfer credit, students may qualify for transfer credit for that course by passing a validation examination. Permission to take the examination must be recorded in advance on the student’s transfer-evaluation form. The examination format is at the discretion of the department giving the course. Scheduling of the examination is by mutual agreement, but in no event can it be scheduled more than one calendar year after the student begins study at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. A grade of B or better is required for graduate students. An examination may not be taken more than once. A student who registers for or attends the course at NYU Tandon School of Engineering forfeits the right to take a validation examination.

The sum of validation credits and transfer credits is limited to 9 credits for the MS and ME degrees.

One exception to the paragraphs above regarding transfer credit and graduate validation credit: Mathematics graduate students (MS and PhD) will be permitted, with adviser approval, to exceed the 9-credit limit on transfer credits and validation units by taking specified, adviser-approved courses at the Courant Institute of NYU. In the case of MS students, such approval may not raise the number of such courses above four.

Maximum Time for Completion

Certificate Students

Graduate certificate programs must be completed within 3 years from the time of admission to graduate studies at NYU Tandon.

MS and ME Students

MS and ME degree programs must be completed within 5 years from the beginning of graduate studies at NYU Tandon.

PhD Students Admitted Prior to Spring 2019

PhD programs must be completed within 6 years for full-time students and 12 years for part-time students, counting from the time of admission to graduate studies at NYU Tandon (not from the beginning of PhD studies).

PhD Students Admitted as of Spring 2019

Full-time PhD students transferring in 24 or more credits are granted 6 years to complete their PhD studies, counting from the time of admission into the PhD program at NYU Tandon. Full-time students transferring fewer than 24 credits have 7 years to complete the PhD program, counting from the time of admission into the PhD program. Part-time PhD students must complete all requirements for the PhD within 9 years, counting from the time of admission into the PhD program.

Extensions of these time periods are rarely granted and require prior approval from the Associate Dean of Graduate Academics. Students must request an extension at least 60 days prior to the deadline for completion. If an extension is granted, not all courses taken previously may count towards the degree. The Associate Dean, consulting with the department, will prepare a plan for the student to follow to obtain the degree.

Graduate Registration Policies

All graduate students must be registered for a minimum of 1.5 credits each fall and spring semester until they graduate. However, if students begin an MS project or thesis, or a PhD dissertation, they must register for at least 3 credits of project, thesis, or dissertation every fall and spring semester until it has been completed and accepted. Thus, while students who have not previously enrolled in research credits may satisfy registration requirements and maintain their student status by registering for 1.5 credits, students who have begun a project, thesis, or dissertation in a previous semester and who have not yet completed must register for a minimum of 3 credits (of research) each fall and spring until complete. (Also refer to the section on Maintenance of Studies.)

Graduate Registration Status

Graduate students pay tuition at the per-credit rate. Full-time status is defined by the following:

• Full-time MS students must be registered for 9 credits or more each semester. Students who are normally full-time may register for fewer credits during their last semester by registering for only the number of credits necessary for graduation. During this last semester they are part-time, but can be treated as full-time-equivalent for immigration purposes only (not for the purpose of financial aid eligibility) by requesting full-time-equivalency status from the Office of Global Services.
• Full-time MS students in the lock-step, cohort-based, executive-format MS programs are registered for all courses specified by the program as published in the catalog each semester. These programs require distinct courses and/or projects, each bearing credits approved for the program.
• Prior to passing the qualifying exam, full-time PhD students must register for a minimum of 9 credits per term.  Upon passing the qualifying exam, students may maintain full-time status by registering for a minimum of 3 credits of dissertation per semester.  Students who are not officially enrolled in a PhD program, irrespective of whether or not they have passed the qualifying exam, must continue to take a minimum of 9 credits per semester until they are formally admitted to a PhD program.

A status of non-matriculated or visiting student allows students to take up to three graduate courses at NYU Tandon School of Engineering (maximum of 2 courses or 6 credits per semester) without formally applying for admission to a graduate program. If these students desire to continue at NYU Tandon School of Engineering as matriculated students in a graduate degree or certificate program, they must follow the formal application process, and admission is not guaranteed.

Maintenance of Studies

M.S. Students: Upon completing the number of MS thesis/MS project credits required by their department, students may enroll in Maintenance of Studies (MOS) for one semester in lieu of enrolling in more thesis/project credits. If the remaining work is not completed after one semester of MOS, students must resume enrollment in thesis/project credits in the following term and all subsequent terms until the thesis/project is complete. Once students elect to enroll in MS thesis/MS project, they must continue to enroll in research credits or MOS every semester until completion, even if they are taking other courses that will maintain their student status in the same semester. However, summer enrollment in thesis/project or MOS is only required if students plan to graduate in the summer term.

Ph.D. Students: Upon completing 75 credits towards the Ph.D. and all required dissertation credits, Ph.D. students may continuously enroll in MOS every semester until all remaining work for their dissertation is complete. Summer enrollment in dissertation credits or MOS is only required if students plan to graduate in the summer term.

Modifications to Curricula

Curricula and courses change from time to time in order to keep students abreast of the latest knowledge and methods within subject areas. Students are required to satisfy the curriculum and degree requirements in effect at the time of their matriculation and must obtain current degree requirements from their program adviser.

In order to accommodate curriculum and course revisions, it is sometimes necessary to substitute a course for one specified in the curriculum. Students may also request course substitutions to tailor their studies to their interests. Both the program adviser and the Office of Graduate Academics must approve all course substitutions. 

Graduate International Students

Full-time status, program and degree changes.

To maintain non-immigrant student status, international students must maintain full-time status every fall and spring semester for the entire semester (i.e., withdrawing from a course during the semester may jeopardize full-time status). Students are not required to enroll during the summer semester and may enroll for credits at their discretion. International students may register for online courses, but must be registered for a minimum of 6 credits of on-ground course work per term. All questions concerning this regulation should be addressed with the Office of Global Services (OGS). Students may take less than a full course of study if fewer credits are needed during the last semester prior to graduation, but they must notify OGS prior to the beginning of the semester and obtain full-time equivalency status. Students may qualify for a reduced course load (RCL) for valid academic and medical reasons. All exceptions must be approved by OGS before the last day of registration (the add/drop deadline) each semester so that courses can be added to the student’s schedule if necessary. Only one semester of reduced course load (RCL) for academic reasons is permitted per degree level.

Students in F-1 and J-1 status must obtain written permission from OGS for any Leave of Absence request, or to withdraw from classes if the withdrawal results in less than a full course load. They also must obtain written permission and the pertinent I-20/DS-2019 form before enrolling in a new degree program. The process of withdrawing from a course, changing programs, changing degree level, or taking a Leave of Absence through the Office of the Registrar keeps a non-immigrant student in good standing only with the School, but not with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), unless proper approval is obtained from OGS. Students planning on employment as part of their course work must obtain prior approval from OGS for any such employment.

Failure to comply with the immigration requirements for full-time status, course withdrawals, program changes, degree level changes, or Leave of Absence violates the non-immigrant student’s status and renders a student ineligible for any benefit of that status. According to USCIS, lack of compliance may also result in deportation.

Policies on Grading and Grades

Computing the grade-point average for graduate students.

For the purposes of computing GPAs for graduate students and graduate courses, the following schedule is used.

Grades S and U reflect progress on research efforts. Once the thesis or dissertation is completed, the letter grade is entered on the transcript for all research registrations. Noncredit seminar courses are graded P or F. Other than research credits, no credit-bearing courses can be assigned S or U grades. A student cannot graduate if a grade of U is on the transcript for any credit-bearing course or for research efforts at the time of graduation. A grade of I cannot be assigned to a course that is graded S or U. Grades S, U, I, W and AUD are not included in computing the GPA.

Graduate Bridge and Preparatory Courses

Many programs offer graduate bridge or preparatory courses to accommodate the needs of students who lack certain undergraduate preparation. Generally, bridge or preparatory courses cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements, particularly for degrees within the department that offers the course. However, these courses are included in the calculation of a student’s graduate GPA. Some graduate students may be required to take certain undergraduate courses as preparation for advanced graduate study. Undergraduate courses are not included in the student’s GPA calculation.

Repeating Courses

The first time a graduate student repeats a course, the lower grade is not counted towards the GPA. All subsequent grades in a course repeated more than once are included in the GPA, although degree credit is earned only once.

Course Withdrawal: The W Grade

Students may withdraw from a course or courses without academic penalty until the published withdrawal deadline of the normal fall or spring semester. Students should process their own withdrawals online via Albert Student Center during the first two weeks of the semester. After the first two weeks, students must complete a paper add/drop form and submit the form to the Office of Graduate Academics. In all cases, students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisers, as withdrawing from certain courses may delay their planned graduation date, and international students should make sure that they do not drop below full-time status (9 credits). Students who have been placed on final academic probation are not permitted to withdraw from courses without prior approval from the Office of Graduate Academics.

When the course duration varies from the norm, such as in six-, nine- or 12-week courses, please consult with the NYU Tandon SOE Records and Registration Office for deadline information. Withdrawn courses remain on the student’s transcript with a grade of W and are not calculated into the GPA. Once entered on the student’s record, a W cannot be changed to any other grade. An F grade is recorded for any student who ceases to attend a course without formally withdrawing by the required deadline.

International students who wish to withdraw from a course, or courses, must have prior approval from OGS if withdrawing will leave them with fewer than nine credits of registration.

Auditing Courses

Graduate students may audit courses instead of receiving credits and grades for them. Regular tuition is charged and courses are treated as part of a full-time load. An AUD notation is made on the student’s permanent record.

Interested graduate students should see their advisers and must notify the NYU Tandon SOE Office of Records and Registration within the first two weeks of the semester if they select courses for audit status. Under no circumstances may an audit status be changed to credit status once elected. Audited courses do not count toward satisfying graduation requirements.

Incomplete Grades 

If a student cannot complete the course work at the usual time because of valid reasons, such as illness or other critical emergency, the instructor may give a grade of Incomplete/I. In such cases, the instructor and the student must develop a detailed plan for completion that includes a specific completion date. Ordinarily this date should not extend beyond the intersession, in fairness to students who finish course requirements on time and to ensure that students complete prerequisites for advanced courses. An Incomplete grade converts to an F if the student fails to complete the work within the specified completion timeline, or at most by 180 days after the end of the semester in which the student was enrolled in the course. All Incomplete grades must be converted before graduation.

The grade of Incomplete/I is used sparingly and only in cases with valid reasons, not merely because students have planned poorly or overloaded themselves. An Incomplete grade should not be issued if a student is unable to complete the course requirements without attending or participating in the course a second time. If the student reregisters for a course in which an Incomplete grade was given, the Incomplete grade lapses to an F. If successful resolution of an Incomplete grade would require the repetition of any course or portion of a course, the instructor should not assign an Incomplete, and should instead counsel the student to withdraw from the course.

Change of Grade

Grades on file with the Registrar, with the exception of Incomplete/I grades and temporary grades (S or U), are considered final unless an error in calculating or recording the grade is discovered. No correctly reported final grade may be changed based upon re-taking an examination or completion of additional work. Incomplete/I grades are handled according to the policies described under Incomplete Grades. Temporary grades (S or U), used for continuing projects, thesis or dissertation, will be converted to standard letter grades upon completion of the project, thesis or dissertation. Once recorded with the Registrar, these grades are treated as all other final grades. If an error in calculating or reporting a grade is discovered, the instructor will submit the change of grade request to the Department Chair. If approved by the Department Chair, the request will be submitted to the Associate Dean for Graduate Academics for consideration. Any incorrectly assigned grade must be corrected within one semester.

GPA Restart

If a student who has completed a master’s degree at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering wishes to pursue another master’s degree(s), the student’s GPA is re-started. In this way, the academic performance for each degree is accurately represented.  A GPA cannot be restarted at the beginning of or during the PhD degree program.  Any GPA restart is noted on the student’s transcript.

Academic Standing and Probation

Graduate students are expected to progress in their studies and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at all times. Failure to do so results in the student being placed on academic probation. Graduate students are permitted a maximum of 2 semesters of probation, and these semesters need not be sequential in order to count towards the maximum limit.

Student academic progress is evaluated at the end of the spring and fall semesters (and at the end of the summer for summer admits only), irrespective of Incomplete or temporary (S/U) grades, and irrespective of whether students have dropped or withdrawn from any course(s). Any student whose GPA drops below 3.0 will be placed on probation and notified by the Office of Graduate Academics.

Students on probation must submit a signed Graduate Acknowledgement of Academic Probation and Potential Disqualification form to the Office of Graduate Academics before the start of the next semester. Students who are not yet registered for the following term will not be permitted to do so until the form is submitted to the Office of Graduate Academics. Students already registered will be de-registered from their courses if they do not submit the form. Further, any student who is on a second (final) semester of probation must obtain permission from the Office of Graduate Academics if they wish to make registration changes. The registration hold and the probation form serve to remind students on probation that they are not meeting required academic standards. No indication of academic probation appears on a student’s transcript, but a record is kept on file. Academic disqualification, however, is noted on the student’s transcript.

Students on final probation must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above at the end of that semester, or the student will be disqualified from the School. Disqualified students will not be considered for readmission. If a student is disqualified, any grade of Incomplete, S, or U at the time of disqualification will remain as such on the student’s transcript.

In addition to the academic probation process described above, a major department may request that a graduate student be placed on academic probation at any time. The request and its justification are signed by the Department Chair and sent to the Office of Graduate Academics for approval.

The probationary policies outlined above may differ from the policies governing conditionally admitted students; please refer to the Graduate Admission section on Conditional Admit status for more information, or address specific questions to the Office of Graduate Academics.

Leaves of Absence and Readmission

Leave of absence.

A student who wishes to temporarily suspend graduate studies may request a Leave of Absence. If a Leave of Absence is being requested for medical reasons, please consult with the Office of Student Affairs.  A request for a Leave of Absence for any reason other than medical must be approved by the Office of Graduate Academics.  If the leave is approved, the student’s matriculated status is maintained, and the student may resume his or her studies after the Leave of Absence. The Registrar will record a Leave of Absence on the student’s transcript.

Leaves of Absence, if approved, are granted for a maximum of one year except in extreme cases, such as compulsory national service (if such service is for more than one year). International students must also receive approval for the leave from OGS, as an approved Leave of Absence is an academic decision and does not override OGS concerns. For students admitted prior to Spring 2019, the Leave of Absence does not extend the time limit for earning a degree. For students admitted as of Spring 2019, any approved Leave of Absence does not count against the maximum time to completion, and the time limit will be extended by the number of semesters granted for Leave of Absence. (See section on Maximum Time for Program Completion.) The approval of a Leave of Absence does not preclude subsequent academic disqualification.

In most circumstances, non-medical Leaves of Absence are only approved for students in good academic standing with NYU Tandon SOE.

Readmission

Students who do not maintain continuous registration and who are not on an approved Leave of Absence must apply to NYU for readmission if they wish to continue their graduate studies. Re-admitted students must pay accrued fees for the lapsed semester(s). If readmitted, their subsequent program attendance will be guided by the terms and conditions of the readmission and by the Bulletin and rules in effect at the time of readmission. Lapsed semesters do not extend the maximum time permitted to complete the degree. If students who re-apply cannot complete their studies within the allotted time permitted from the date of their initial admission to NYU Tandon School of Engineering, they can be re-admitted as a new student, but prior courses will be treated as part of the total transfer credits permitted (see section on Transfer Credits).

Leave of Absence and Readmission for Veterans

Students in graduate programs taking a Leave of Absence to perform military services are reinstated into the same degree program with the same academic status that they had when last in attendance at the institution. The length of absence from the institution cannot exceed five academic years unless the student requests and receives an exception from the Office of Graduate Academics. Such requests when approved by the Office of Graduate Academics constitute assurance of reinstatement to the degree program from which the leave was taken. If the period of absence exceeds the approved leave, students must apply for readmission.

Withdrawal from the University

Voluntary withdrawal.

Graduate students who wish to withdraw completely from NYU Tandon SOE (as opposed to a term withdrawal) must first withdraw from all courses in which they are currently registered, and then they must complete the online total withdrawal form. To receive W grades for the semester, the withdrawal must be completed by the withdrawal deadline indicated in the academic calendar. The mere absence from courses does not constitute official withdrawal, but results in F grades recorded for courses not completed. No complete withdrawal is official unless and until this form is completed and submitted to the NYU Tandon SOE Office of Records and Registration and approved by all required signatories.  Students who submit an online total withdrawal request which is approved must reapply to NYU Tandon SOE should they wish to resume their studies in the future, and readmission is not guaranteed.

Involuntary Withdrawal

NYU Tandon School of Engineering is concerned about the health, safety and well-being of its students. Students judged to be a threat to themselves or to others may be withdrawn involuntarily from the School. The School seeks, whenever possible, for such students to be allowed to continue as active students if they agree to undergo professional care. Full details concerning this policy are available from the Office of Student Affairs.

Application Process for the Award of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees

Graduate students must file a formal application via Albert Student Center for the award of any NYU Tandon School of Engineering degree or certificate. Filing dates for each semester are published by the University Registrar . Students who do not file by the published deadline dates become candidates for the next conferral period.

Degrees are conferred and diplomas issued three times per year, typically in January, May, and September. All work for the degree must be completed and submitted before the graduation date.

NYU policy prohibits the awarding of a degree to members of the School teaching staff who hold a rank above the grade of Instructor.

Please note that a degree is not awarded unless the student applies for graduation, even if all requirements have been met. The date of the degree follows the application date for its award, not when all requirements are completed. If the application is filed more than two years after completion of degree requirements, the approval process is not automatic, and additional administrative actions may be required on a case-by-case basis.

Diplomas are mailed to the student about eight weeks after the degree conferral date. Diplomas are issued only once, subject to rare exceptions made on a case-by-case basis. Replacement diploma procedures and fees are published on the University Registrar’s website . Replacement diplomas for the NYU Tandon School of Engineering will be printed with the school name at the time of the student’s graduation.

Continuation of Studies Beyond the Initial Certificate or Master of Science

Students planning to pursue additional studies immediately following the award of an advanced degree by NYU Tandon School of Engineering should complete a new application for admission and submit it to the Graduate Admissions Office for review and approval by the department in which the new degree will be pursued. Examples are: 1) progressing from a certificate program to an MS program; 2) progressing from an MS program to a PhD program; 3) seeking a second MS degree from NYU School of Engineering. For rules governing the application of prior NYU School of Engineering credits towards a new degree program, please refer to the section on Transfer Credits and Transfer Policy Exceptions.

Internship Policies and Guidelines

Graduate internship courses are designated by CP-GY. 

These courses provide an opportunity for full-time students to pursue internship and work experiences in their fields of study that enhance and augment classroom learning, while also enhancing the overall educational experience by obtaining practical experience.

Eligibility and Requirements: Students

F-1 international students are required to complete at least two semesters of full-time study in the United States (U.S.) to be eligible for internship authorization. This may include time spent studying at another U.S. institution, including completion of a bachelor’s degree immediately prior to studying at NYU.  Please contact the Office of Global Services for details on  F-1 internship eligibility .

All graduate students must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0, as reflected on their academic transcript. Students cannot enroll in CP courses if they have an incomplete grade (I) in any course from a prior semester. Students cannot enroll in a subsequent CP course if they have an incomplete or a fail grade (F) from a previous CP course. Students cannot enroll in a CP course if they have received Maintenance of Study (MOS) and/or a Time Extension for their current degree program. As stated above in the Graduation Requirements section for Master of Science, MS students may use no more than 3 credits of internship toward fulfillment of MS degree requirements.

Eligibility and Requirements: Work Experiences

During the academic year, work experiences must be at least 12 weeks long. During the summer, they must be at least 8 weeks long. Additionally, the work experience must be a minimum of 240 hours. Start and end dates need not coincide with the first and last day of the semester, but must fit within the semester in order to ensure that final reports may be submitted and grades may be submitted in a timely manner.

During the academic year, students cannot work more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session. Students who are in their final semester of study and who require, and are registered for, no more than 3 non-internship credits plus 0.5 to 3 internship credits – for a total of 3.5 to 6 credits for the term – may be approved to work 40 hours per week. During the summer, students are permitted to work full-time, provided that they are not also taking more than 3 credits. Work hours must be consistent with the organization’s regular work schedule.

Work experiences must comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (www.dol.gov/whd/flsa). As such, students must be paid at least minimum wage unless specific exceptions apply. The Department of Labor outlines a six-point test (www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.htm) regarding unpaid internships. Employers should consult their legal counsel for more information.

Students must be hired as employees of the participating organization and must be paid directly by the organization using a W-2 form. Employers cannot pay students as independent contractors using an IRS 1099 form.

Employers must agree to assign a responsible, ranking employee as the student’s supervisor. This individual will provide appropriate supervision and mentoring, including establishing clear goals and expectations regarding tasks and projects. Employers must be willing to submit written midterm and final evaluations of the student’s work. Experiences will not be approved for companies that are not permitted to submit written evaluations. Employer supervisors must review the student’s final report so that proprietary and/or confidential information can be removed.

Students must obtain an offer letter on organization letterhead from the prospective employer. This letter must identify the company, its address, contact information, the student’s job title, and start and end dates of the internship.

Students must update their placement information through their NYU CareerNet account Profile, per instructions provided by the Wasserman Center for Career Development.

Prospective employers must complete the Employer Registration Form, which includes a detailed job description.

Students will submit their offer letter, Employer Registration Form, and printed NYU CareerNet Profile to their departmental adviser who will identify a suitable faculty adviser. The faculty adviser will be responsible for all academic matters related to the work experience. The faculty adviser will evaluate the relevancy of the work experience and, if approved, will direct the student to register for the appropriate CP course.

For approved International Students, the faculty adviser will provide the Office of Global Scholars (OGS) with all relevant information in order to process work authorization. International Students cannot begin working until they have received work authorization.

The company supervisor must provide a mid-term evaluation and a final evaluation to the faculty supervisor. The student will submit a project report at the end of the term. Some departments or programs may also require a presentation. The report (and presentation, if required) will be included as a part of the assessment for the student’s grade. Faculty advisers will provide guidelines for the reports. All CP courses will be graded as Pass (P) or Fail (F).

With the faculty adviser’s approval, consecutive work experiences may be completed with the same employer. Students must complete the same registration process and follow all procedures for re-applying and enrolling in another CP course. International Students must obtain prior permission from OGS for every period of employment. Students are not authorized to work during the interim period between the end of their prior CPT and the beginning of their next even if they will have an internship with the same company; this jeopardizes their visa status.

Anti-Reneging Policy

NYU Tandon does not permit graduate students to renege on internship offers, as it is unfair to companies, harms the school’s reputation, and discourages companies from continuing to hire current and future students. Even when at-will laws apply, students may not renege on an internship offer once accepted. Students may turn down an offer if it is not to their satisfaction. However, once an offer has been accepted, students are expected to and required to honor their agreement with that company, even if they should later receive a better offer from a different company. Once an internship has been approved by a student’s department for academic credit, no other internship will be approved for the same student in the same semester. Students must complete their internships; leaving an internship before the end date is prohibited.

Penalties for violating the anti-reneging policy include, but are not limited to: receiving an  F  for the internship course and not being permitted to do another internship. For international students, this means no further CPT will be approved.

Viterbi Academic Progress and Success Support

Although Academic Probation is a serious matter, we in Viterbi envision the Academic Probation process to be one primarily of holistic support for our students. We strongly believe that Academic Probation provides an opportunity for our students to exemplify growth. Our goal is to support our students as much as possible during this academic journey. - VASE GSA Team

I. Academic Probation Overview

Ii. academic probation: next steps , iii. student resources, iv. student testimonials .

"I overcame so many difficulties, so now I have the confidence that I will be able to face anything in my academic journey and professional career."

Academic Probation Overview

What is Academic Probation?

Academic Probation presents a warning to our students that they must take immediate action to address any personal or academic obstacles that may be preventing academic success. A student is placed on Academic Probation if they have attempted at least 6 units, and their cumulative GPA falls below the minimum 3.0 required to obtain a degree. If a student’s GPA does not improve enough to be on track to a 3.0, they may be subject to dismissal from the University and their program.

All USC Students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress in their pursuit of an advanced degree. The Viterbi School of Engineering has established the following policy and procedures for those students who fail to meet the GPA requirements of their program of study:

• If after attempting 6 or more units and if a cumulative GPA is less than 3.0 the student is on academic probation and will receive a warning letter. 
• GPA falls below 2.5
• GPA has not improved with courses counting towards their degree enough to be on track to graduate with a 3.0 or more at the end of their program.
• For more information regarding USC’s Academic Warning and Dismissal of Graduate Students can be found in the USC Catalogue .
• For more information on USC Viterbi Academic Policies, please visit our Academic Policies webpage .

Viterbi Academic Probation Requirements

Here in Viterbi, students will be evaluated at the end of the following semester based on their completion of the following 4 Academic Probation requirements:

1: Attend Academic Advancement Workshop

2: complete vase self-assessment, 3: meet with department academic advisor, 4: be on track to a 3.0 gpa.

• Please note that our initial workshop dates have passed, but we went ahead and recorded the workshop for students who were unable to attend, or would like to re-watch it for review. Please find the link here: https://usc.zoom.us/rec/share/XG7snBJ2fsE62JAvTVjyWWcQi6cVpAfpf4DgAhjKCCjVj1ryi1Akdr95lJ3FqH3r.dzpTALw9ehIlYuZI?startTime=1686852175000

https://usc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8AqHsOhT9fYEqPA

• This will be your opportunity to discuss the more nuanced aspects of your situation, and your advisor will be able to provide more guided assistance for your semester on Academic Probation.
• Learn more about what a realistic path to a 3.0 is during our Academic Advancement workshops.

Academic Probation: Next Steps

During a semester on academic probation, it is critical that you take the necessary steps to ensure academic success. here you will find key points that you should keep in mind as you work to achieve good standing., seek resources, maintain wellness, satisfy academic probation requirements, project gpa, note important deadlines, student resources, your vase community of support.

• Department Academic Advisors
• VASE Advisors
• Viterbi Wellness
• Course Resources

Academic advisors within your academic department will be your primary resource for academic support. With an academic advisor, you can discuss the academic struggles you faced in the previous semester, and they can assist you with making specific course recommendations, GPA projections, overall academic planning, and other forms of academic support. See this link for information on how to contact an academic advisor within your department. Please also keep in mind that you have your TAs and faculty to support you as well.

https://viterbigrad.usc.edu/academic-advisement/

For general questions related to Academic Probation, you also have the VASE office’s support. We have virtual drop-in hours Monday-Thursday 10 am to 12 pm, as well as 1:1 online and in-person appointments. We can assist you with answering questions regarding Academic Probation, assist you with GPA projections, and answer any other general questions you may have regarding Viterbi policies and procedures.

Please see below a list of VASE Advisors who are here to answer your questions.

Andy Chen, Director of Doctoral Programs (Left) 

Isabel Solano, Associate Director Graduate Student Affairs (Right)

Andrea Mora, Associate Director Graduate Student Affairs (Left)

William Wences, Assistant Director Graduate Student Affairs (Middle ) 

Ruby Rodriguez, Assistant Director Graduate Student Affairs  (Right)

Here at Viterbi, we believe that being a holistically successful student also means maintaining your mental and physical wellness, which means seeking support when you feel you need it.  Our Director of Student Wellness, Lorena Duran , Ed.D., LCSW will be your primary resource for wellness support. She is a private resource to Viterbi students to help manage their well-being and academic coursework.  See this link for information on how to contact her.

Meet Lorena Duran!

Director, Student Wellness

One of the most pivotal resources you will have during your semester on Academic Probation (and on) will be your course instructors and TAs. It is of utmost importance that you visit office hours as much as possible both to receive assistance with the material itself, and also to get a proper understanding of what the expectations are for a student to get a successful grade in the course.

Course teachers assistant (ta).

A TA's number one job is to assist you with your understanding of the material. We strive to make sure our TAs are empathetic and understanding of every student's unique scenario. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your TA for any assistance you may need for your courses.

Class Instructor

Instructors design your courses from the ground up and are best equipped to help you understand the material as well as the expectations for the course. Try your best to visit your instructor's office hours as much as possible. The more an instructor gets to know you, the better!

Build your community! We recommend forming study groups with your fellow classmates, or even reaching out to a particular individual you feel has a firm grasp on the material. Your classmates are often willing to help, and the teaching experience can even help with their own mastery of the material!

Additional Resources

• Korstchack Workshops
• On-campus Study Rooms

The mission of the Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity (KCLC) is to apply and engage in research and training to serve individuals with diverse learning needs and to empower students to reach their full academic and creative potential. KCLC is a fantastic resource, and you can find immediate (and short!) workshops on time management, organization, prioritization/productivity, self-care/stress management, study strategies, managing test anxiety, and much more!

https://kortschakcenter.usc.edu/

Korstchack also offers short video workshops designed to help students succeed. These workshops cover topics such as time management, organization, prioritization/productivity, self-care/stress management, ADHD/SLD management, classroom success, study strategies, reading, note-taking, writing, test preparation/test anxiety, learning theory, academic success, and online/remote learning. See the link below for the workshops.

https://kortschakcenter.usc.edu/on-demand-workshops/

USC offers study rooms on campus for students to use at their convenience. Please see the link below for a full list of available spaces on campus to reserve.

https://libraries.usc.edu/spaces-overview

USC's EEO-TIX office manages the University’s response to reports of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation involving community members at all of its locations, including  Keck Medicine of USC departments, institutes, and satellite operations. If you feel this resource would be of use to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to them via the link below. Please also feel free to set up an appointment with a VASE advisor , who can assist you with this process.

https://eeotix.usc.edu/

Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) is the unit at USC responsible for ensuring equal access for students with disabilities in compliance with state and federal law. OSAS serves undergraduate, graduate, and professional students; on-ground and online students; and students in all credit-granting courses and programs of study. The OSAS team is committed to serving the USC community by ensuring equal access, removing disability-related obstacles, supporting civil rights, and increasing education and awareness on behalf of students with disabilities. If you feel this resource would be of use to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to them via the link below. Please also feel free to set up an appointment with a VASE advisor , who can assist you with this process.

https://osas.usc.edu/

Student Spotlight: Zhuofan's Success Story

Zhuofan is a rising second-year Master's student in the Computer Science Game Development program. Zhuofan was on Academic Probation for multiple semesters and was facing a potential disqualification at the end of the Spring 2023 semester. In spite of all the odds, Zhuofan was able to achieve a 4.0 GPA across 10 units for the Spring 2023 semester!

We interviewed Zhuofan about what he considers to be the, “toughest semester of [his] life.” Zhuofan discusses the grit, dedication, and will it took for him to defy the odds and prove that there was more to his story than what his GPA told.

 Academic Probation does not define any student, just as Zhuofan did not let it define him. Read more about his story below!

What type of challenges did you face during the semester that led to Academic Probation? 

What personal, academic, or overall lifestyle changes did you make to overcome these challenges , how did vase assist you in not only getting back to good standing but doing so with a 4.0 gpa for the spring 2023 semester , what has this experience meant for you, and how does it impact your outlook for the future, what advice would you give to current students on academic probation.

"I am happy to be able to tell my story and help any current students that are on academic probation to find their way back and fight on!"

- Zhuofen Xie, '23

Academic Probation FAQ

As Financial Aid is contingent on satisfying Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, Academic Probation may have an impact on our Financial Aid. See the website for full details:

https://ask.usc.edu/app/answers/detail/a_id/19/~/what-is-satisfactory-academic-progress%3F. 

HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

We are here to help please email: [email protected] or to meet with an advisor, click below..

Published on April 27th, 2023

Last updated on March 19th, 2024

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Debunking Academic Probation: Who is Affected and How Do We Help?

Lindsey Frechette, SOS Peer Mentor Association for the Coaching & Tutoring Profession (ACTP); Charlotte, NC; March 2024

Abstract: Students on academic probation automatically get bias attached to them by their family, their friends, their peers, and even themselves. Understanding the different reasons behind how students end up on academic probation and destigmatizing academic probation is one of the first steps to helping students regain their confidence around academics and ultimately, getting them back in good academic standing. SOS Peer Mentoring both helps students understand what being on academic probation means and supports them through the semester with the hopes of getting them back on track. [ Link to Presentation ]

Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

Academic Probation: What Is It And What Should You Do?

If you find yourself on academic probation, you’re not alone. In fact, about 20% of college students who attend a four-year institution will be on academic probation at some point. And if you’re attending online college , you’re not exempt from this possibility. Although it may feel scary to find yourself in this circumstance, you can improve your academic performance with a few steps.

Let’s get into how you may find yourself on academic probation and what you should do while you’re on it. Plus, we’ll divulge some tips for ways to remain on the right academic path to prevent any downfalls.

Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

What is academic probation.

All colleges have a set of guidelines by which students must abide by in order to stay enrolled as a student. If a student fails to meet the set of criteria, they may be put on academic probation, which serves as a warning.

Some consequences of being put on academic probation include:

• Not being able to pursue your major of choice (if you’ve failed too many course requirements)
• A loss or reduction in financial aid
• You could possibly be dismissed from the institution (if improvements aren’t made)

10 Things That Lead To Academic Probation

There are many reasons why students may be put on academic probation. Some of the most common causes are:

1. Skipping Classes

While not all schools or professors will keep track of attendance, some do. It’s on the student to know the policy, and it could even be that if you miss too many classes, you will automatically fail the class.

2. Too Many Classes

It seems counterintuitive to be punished for taking too many classes, but it’s possible when a student is overly ambitious and takes on too many units at once. If the workload becomes too overwhelming, grades may slip.

3. Poor Study Habits

A poor GPA often leads back to poor study habits. With continued poor results, students may be placed on academic probation if they don’t maintain the minimum required GPA.

4. Too Many Pass / Fail

In some institutions, students may choose to receive a “pass/fail” grade instead of a letter grade for a class. However, the amount of classes you can take for “pass/fail” tends to have a limit.

5. Unbalanced Schedule

Regardless of how many units you choose to take each quarter or semester, you’ll want to balance the type of classes you have. For example, if you take too many writing classes at a time or too many science classes, it may be hard to get the work done and perform well. In this anxious state, your grades may start to decline.

6. Unexpected Personal Events

College is just a part of life, and life may throw you a curveball. You may not be able to keep your grades in good standing if you’re also trying to deal with a family or life circumstance that is out of your control.

7. Stress Or Anxiety

Stress, anxiety, and depression are serious mental health issues that can affect your academic performance. If you feel any of these, try to get help from someone you trust, an academic advisor or professional. You can also practice stress-relieving tips designed for college students.

8. Too Few Credits

Some schools require that students are enrolled in a minimum amount of classes per quarter or semester. If you drop a class in the middle of the quarter or semester, you may fall under the threshold and be placed on academic probation.

9. Disinterested

It’s really important to choose a major and college classes that you feel genuinely interested in. If you are totally disinterested in class, then you will likely be disengaged and it will be hard to stay motivated. However, there are times when classes are required and it’s beyond your control as to whether or not you must take them. In these instances, it’s helpful to stay focused on your ultimate goal and power through!

10. Too Much Partying

For many, a huge part of the college experience is socializing and going to parties. However, to remain in good academic standing, it’s vital to balance wearing both your academic and party hats.

6 Things To Do While On Academic Probation?

If you are put on academic probation, you have many ways to get out. It’s necessary to first realize how you got into this position and try to rectify it from the cause. Overall, you can also consider these steps to make your way back to safe ground.

1. Consider Course Load

Reassess the amounts of classes you’re taking, as well as the balance of their expectations. Try to diversify your course load between major-specific classes, writing-intensive classes, and electives to level out your schedule.

2. Consider Your Resources

Does your campus offer workshops or tutoring assistance? Take some time to evaluate what resources are available to you for extra help.

3. Check-Ins

Schedule regular check-ins with your professors, teacher assistants, and/or academic counselors to review your standing.

4. Get A Tutor

If you have the extra funds, reaching out to a tutor could help improve your performance. You can even find tutoring assistance online via tutorials, videos, or virtual tutors.

5. Consider Pass / Fail

If a pass/fail class isn’t what got you on academic probation in the first place, you may want to explore this option. But you can only take pass/fail courses for non-required or major-related classes.

6. Recognize Successes

Success happens when small steps on the right path are repeated. In this way, it’s good practice to recognize every time you do something well. This could be acing a quiz or spending extra time in office hours to better understand a lesson.

Tips To Staying Off Probation

Finding yourself on academic probation doesn’t mean you’re alone. But it does mean that there is room for improvement. Here are some tips and tricks to set yourself up to do well in college!

• Get A Planner: To better manage your time, you can buy a planner or use an online calendar like Google Calendar. This tool can help you to break up your time and schedule blocks of time to study, socialize, and relax.
• Schedule Advising Appointments: Hold yourself accountable by taking the big step to schedule advising appointments. Your academic advisor is there to help you do well in college!
• Ask For Help: Whether you need to rely on a peer for assistance, a tutor, a mentor , a counselor or professor, you should always be open to asking for help when you need it. There’s no shame in reaching out. In fact, it shows that you are taking responsibility and control over your destiny!

Photo by Jonathan Daniels on Unsplash

Your future isn’t over.

Academic probation isn’t the end of your academic career. Academic probation is not intended to be a punishment, but rather it is meant to serve as a wake-up call to help get you back on the right track.

Related Articles

Academic Probation in College: What It Is and How to Get Back on Track

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Updated August 15, 2023

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Why it Happens & How to Get Back on Track

If you've been struggling academically and find yourself on academic probation, you're not alone —  around 20 percent  of college freshman at four-year colleges end up in a similar situation. Receiving a notice of academic probation can be a huge blow to your confidence, but it can also have serious academic and financial consequences. Fortunately, it doesn't have to signal the end of your college career. Many factors can lead to academic probation, and there are a variety of ways students can improve their academic performance and successfully earn their degrees.

What is Academic Probation?

Colleges have specific criteria for student enrollment, like minimum GPA and credit load requirements. If students don't meet those criteria, they may be put on academic probation. Academic probation is a period of time in which students must improve their academic standing by meeting or making evident progress toward their school's eligibility criteria.

Students on academic probation typically have to:

• Pass a specified number of credits
• Earn a good GPA (determined by the school)
• Meet with academic advisors during their probationary period

The school will check in periodically to evaluate the student's progress and, at the end of the period, determine whether the student can:

Academic probation isn't meant to be a punishment, but a warning or wake-up call. However, it can have serious consequences, especially for those who don't get back in good academic standing. Students on academic probation may:

• Lose the ability to pursue their major of choice if they don't meet the program's GPA minimum or have failed too many of the major's course requirements
• Receive reduced financial aid or lose it entirely (see more about this possibility below)
• Be dismissed from the college if their academic performance doesn't improve during the probationary period

Popular Online Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

How it Can Impact Your Financial Aid

Many forms of financial aid require students to be in good academic standing. Since academic probation is a warning that students aren't in good standing, they risk losing some or all of their financial aid. For example, the  Pell Grant  is initially distributed based on a student's financial need, but students cannot renew the grant unless they are making  satisfactory academic progress.

Losing financial aid can make it difficult or impossible for some students to finish their degrees. However, students can become re-eligible for financial aid with some effort.

In order to remain eligible or  become re-eligible  for financial aid, students must show they are working toward good standing. What schools consider “satisfactory” in terms of academic progress can vary, but students usually must:

• Meet and maintain a minimum GPA, such as 2.0
• Show they are making steady progress toward graduation by completing a specified number of credits per term or year
• Avoid getting incompletes and withdrawals

Students who lose their financial aid may have to appeal to their school to become eligible and start receiving financial aid again. Students can talk to their academic advisors or financial aid office to get details about the appeals process and to find out how often their school will evaluate their progress.

Why Students End Up on Academic Probation

The ways students can end up on academic probation are varied and numerous. Recognizing common causes of academic probation can help students avoid future slip-ups and work toward improving their academic habits.

• Collapse All

Not being academically prepared

College workloads and expectations can be quite different from what students experience in high school, and those who aren't prepared can struggle. A 2007 study from Pine Technical College showed that students who entered college with pre-college scores in reading and writing were at higher risk of academic probation than students with college-level skills. Similarly, researchers at UC Berkeley found that freshman students who took multiple AP courses in high school were around three to five percent less likely to get put on academic probation.

Skipping too many classes

Signing up for too many classes, having an unbalanced schedule, opting for a pass/fail grade too many times, poor study habits.

According to a 2010 study conducted at UC Berkeley, around 83 percent of students acknowledged that poor study habits regularly hampered their success at school.

Stress, anxiety or depression

Unexpected personal events, too few credits, too much socializing or partying, disinterest in classes, how to get off academic probation.

Getting off academic probation can be daunting, but it's very possible for students willing to commit to their educations. The process for getting off academic probation varies between schools and can even vary from student to student, so it's important to carefully follow your school's policy. Here are some common requirements:

Maintain a Specific Grade Point Average

Minimum GPA requirements usually must be met to get off academic probation. Schools often have two GPA policies for students on academic probation:

OVERALL GPA POLICY

The most common overall GPA requirement is a 2.0. This means that a student's cumulative GPA from all terms, excluding grades received from other institutions, must be at least 2.0 at the end of each semester or quarter.

For many students on academic probation, raising their GPA to their school's specified minimum requirement is not possible in a single term (or the designated time frame), which can be intimidating. This is where noting the school's term, semester or quarter GPA policy can be helpful.

TERM GPA POLICY

Along with making progress toward meeting the overall GPA requirements, students often must also meet term GPA requirements. Term GPA is the cumulative grade received at the end of a given academic term.

If a student is on academic probation because of a low overall GPA, maintaining a good term GPA can extend their probationary period, even if it won't raise their overall GPA enough to reach the minimum requirement. While extending the probationary period might not sound like a good thing, it's really a way a school acknowledges that the student is making an effort to improve their academic standing, and it keeps the student from being dismissed from the school entirely.

It's important for students to note that GPA requirements can vary between academic programs within a single college. For instance, both the overall and term GPA minimums at Arizona State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is 2.0. The university's W.P. Carey School of Business, however, notes that students must have a 2.5 term GPA to get an additional semester of academic probation. If students don't reach the overall GPA minimum of 2.0 after the extension period, they may be disqualified from the business school.

Time Frames

Students can expect their schools' academic probation guidelines to include a specific time frame in which to improve their standing. These timelines vary. For instance,  Texas State University  gives students two semesters to get their coursework in order, while  Arizona State University  and  UC Berkeley's College of Letters and Sciences  give their students one semester.

Knowing how much time they have to improve their academic standing can help students plan a schedule that is both manageable and able to get them off probation. Students can find time frame details in their notice of academic probation, on their school's website or from an academic advisor.>

Other Requirements

Students may also be required to meet with their academic advisors, take an academic probation course, create a success plan or get teachers to sign off on their academic performance. It's crucial that students are aware of all the steps they need to take and if there are specific deadlines by which the steps need to be completed, or they risk their position at school.

Tips for Improving Your Academic Performance

Getting off academic probation requires students to change the way they handle their education. While adjustment isn't always easy, these tips can help smooth the process.

Academic advisors can help students make sure they stay on track for their overall academic experience, and teachers can provide guidance and assistance in individual classes. Students may be apprehensive to talk to professors and advisors, but they are there to help, and they want students to succeed.

This seems obvious, but many students are tempted to just read their textbooks and show up to class only when they need to turn in assignments or take tests. Many teachers factor attendance into their grades, and they often teach much more than is in the book. Going to class can earn students easy grade points and give them information they need for tests and assignments.

Going to class is a good start, but actually engaging with the class and participating in discussions is better. Participating in class is another easy way to earn points and gain a better understanding of the course materials.

Group studying doesn't work for everyone, especially when the study group is made up of good friends prone to off-subject conversation. It can be helpful, though, for students who need extra accountability or a designated time and place to study. Finding excuses to avoid homework is harder when other people are involved.

Colleges have many resources to help students succeed. Writing, math and general tutoring centers can help students grasp concepts and improve their grades.

Blocking out designated study time and sticking to it ensures that students don't let the day slip away without having done homework or test prep. Similarly, students can block out chunks of time dedicated to fun activities.

Students may have the ability to retake courses to improve their grades, which can help raise GPA and regain lost credits in the case of failed classes. Since schools limit the number of courses students can retake, and retaking classes can push out graduation, students should discuss this option with their academic advisor.

Sometimes students will receive an I, which stands for incomplete. In general, incomplete grades are only given to students who have done well in the class but certain circumstances prevented them from completing all coursework or exams.

Schools give students a predetermined length of time to complete the course and receive a final grade. If students don't do anything, they are usually given a failing grade. Putting in the time to work with professors and turn in any coursework for incompletes is a smart choice.

How to Stay Off Probation

Academic probation can be a good indicator that students need to step up their effort or change the way they approach their educations. It can also serve as a good opportunity for students to develop new habits that can help keep them from another probationary period. Students can try out these steps to help keep themselves in good academic standing.

Using a planner – either a physical one or on an app—can help students block out study time, stay on top of homework and important due dates, and keep track of projects and exams that may need extra attention.

Asking for assistance before things get out of hand is important. Students often feel uncomfortable asking for help, especially when so many see college as a time to prove themselves as fully-competent, independent adults. However, everyone struggles and needs help now and then, and getting comfortable with reaching out to tutors, classmates, parents, teachers and other resources can be a huge asset in staying in good academic standing.

Professors don't always update grades right away, so it can be easy for students to assume they're doing well in class. Visiting teachers during their office hours gives students an opportunity to see where their grades stand and get any extra guidance on assignments and course materials. Quick questions can often be resolve via email, too.

Meeting regularly with advisors, like at the beginning and middle of each term, can help students create manageable schedules and work through any issues before they get out of hand. Advising appointments can fill up quickly, especially at busy times in the term, so it's a good idea to schedule appointments well in advance.

Students will likely have to make some personal and academic changes to stay off probation. A good self-assessment can help students identify their strengths, study habits and common pitfalls. Once identified, students can make positive adjustments.

How to Talk About It

While academic probation isn't a punishment, it is a very serious issue, and getting that notification from school can be stressful and disheartening. Students and parents alike may be worried or disappointed but being open and honest can help reduce any feelings of shame and help students get back on track.

What is the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)?

FERPA  is a federal law that determines who has access to students' academic records. Until a student turns 18 or enters a postsecondary institution, FERPA grants their parents access to their educational records. After that point, the FERPA rights transfer to the student, restricting the information that is available to parents.

The records protected under FERPA include anything related to a student's academic performance, like grades, transcripts, course schedules, financial information and discipline files. Notice of academic probation falls under FERPA's protection, so unless students waive their FERPA rights, their parents will not be automatically notified.

How to Talk to Your Parents

Telling your parents you're on academic probation can be stressful, but being honest and asking for help can make getting back on track academically easier. Here are a few tips to make the process easier.

Student coach and counselor, Joel Ingersoll, says that while it's common for students to wait until the end of the semester to tell their parents about academic probation, it's better for them to get the information out right away. This way students and parents can tackle the problem together.

Although it can be daunting to break the news to parents, Ingersoll invites students to change their perspective on the situation to make the discussion a little easier. “This situation is not the end of the world. Remember that college is an investment in personal development, so developing skills and strengths during challenging experiences is a critical aspect to career readiness.” Parents can be valuable tools in developing these skills and providing support along the way.

Ingersoll points out that advisors can coach students and discuss ways to approach parents with the news. Putting together your talking points ahead of time can help keep the discussion productive and calm.

Sometimes talking to parents isn't an option, but students can still reach out to experienced adults who can help them make plans, deal with stress and talk it through. School counselors, academic advisors or trusted adults can be great assets to students who aren't comfortable or able to talk to their parents.

How to Talk to Your Child

Parents who learn their child is on academic probation may feel angry, disappointed or frustrated and not know how to talk to their child. Here are some tips to help get the conversation going with help from expert Joel Ingersoll.

Parents should try to keep in mind that their child is probably nervous about telling them and that they've already done a lot of thinking about the situation. Ingersoll notes the importance of speaking in a gentle, approachable manner and advises parents to stay away from "you should, would, could" statements. Take a breath, voice your concerns and ask how you can help.

Parents who worry their emotions may get the better of them should tell their student that they need a moment to process the information before discussing it further. Students typically gauge their parents' reactions to initial information before deciding what else to reveal and being shut down right away will likely kill a productive discussion.

Discuss times when you've failed and developed resilience from the experience. Remember, your student has just received a reality check, and they may be feeling like they've failed you and themselves.

Helping your child through academic probation can also give you the opportunity to help your child develop important life skills. “It's important for parents to coach their child to become problem solvers,” says Ingersoll. “‘Tell me about the solutions you're thinking of to move forward from this'" provides an opportunity for their child to develop this critical skill.”

Parents can also use this time to gauge their students' understanding of academic requirements, resources and options and help them develop a plan. Helping them be proactive about finding help can keep the conversation positive and productive.

Parents should keep in mind that learning to respond to this experience will help their child increase their self-confidence and self-efficacy, both critical to coping with adversity in the future. However, parents must remember that in the end, it's up to the student to get off academic probation. You can't do the work for your child.

Expert Joel Ingersoll answers some of the most commonly asked academic probation questions. Students should note, however, that every school has different policies for academic probation, so they should confirm any details with their academic advisor.

What GPA will get me into academic probation, and what GPA do I need to get out?

How will i be told i'm on academic probation, does a w affect academic probation, what happens if my gpa doesn't improve when i'm on academic probation, what is a second academic probation, does being on academic probation affect my ability to transfer schools, what happens if my academic probation disqualifies me from my major, can i take summer classes to improve my academic standing, popular resources.

Whether you’re looking to earn your online degree or you’re a parent looking for answers, you can find all of your questions covered here. Explore these resources to help you make informed decisions and prepare for whatever is thrown your way.

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• 12 March 2024

Bring PhD assessment into the twenty-first century

You have full access to this article via your institution.

Innovation in PhD education has not reached how doctoral degrees are assessed. Credit: Dan Dunkley/Science Photo Library

Research and teaching in today’s universities are unrecognizable compared with what they were in the early nineteenth century, when Germany and later France gave the world the modern research doctorate. And yet significant aspects of the process of acquiring and assessing a doctorate have remained remarkably constant. A minimum of three years of independent study mentored by a single individual culminates in the production of the doctoral thesis — often a magisterial, book-length piece of work that is assessed in an oral examination by a few senior academic researchers. In an age in which there is much research-informed innovation in teaching and learning, the assessment of the doctoral thesis represents a curious throwback that is seemingly impervious to meaningful reform.

But reform is needed. Some doctoral candidates perceive the current assessment system to lack transparency, and examiners report concerns of falling standards ( G. Houston A Study of the PhD Examination: Process, Attributes and Outcomes . PhD thesis, Oxford Univ.; 2018 ). Making the qualification more structured would help — and, equally importantly, would bring the assessment of PhD education in line with education across the board. PhD candidates with experience of modern assessment methods will become better researchers, wherever they work. Indeed, most will not be working in universities: the majority of PhD holders find employment outside academia.

Collection: Career resources for PhD students

It’s not that PhD training is completely stuck in the nineteenth century. Today’s doctoral candidates can choose from a range of pathways. Professional doctorates, often used in engineering, are jointly supervised by an employer and an academic, and are aimed at solving industry-based problems. Another innovation is PhD by publication, in which, instead of a final thesis on one or more research questions, the criterion for an award is a minimum number of papers published or accepted for publication. In some countries, doctoral students are increasingly being trained in cohorts, with the aim of providing a less isolating experience than that offered by the conventional supervisor–student relationship. PhD candidates are also encouraged to acquire transferable skills — for example, in data analysis, public engagement, project management or business, economics and finance. The value of such training would be even greater if these skills were to be formally assessed alongside a dissertation rather than seen as optional.

And yet, most PhDs are still assessed after the production of a final dissertation, according to a format that, at its core, has not changed for at least half a century, as speakers and delegates noted at an event in London last month on PhD assessment, organized by the Society for Research in Higher Educatio n. Innovations in assessment that are common at other levels of education are struggling to find their way into the conventional doctoral programme.

Take the concept of learning objectives. Intended to aid consistency, fairness and transparency, learning objectives are a summary of what a student is expected to know and how they will be assessed, and are given at the start of a course of study. Part of the ambition is also to help tutors to keep track of their students’ learning and take remedial action before it is too late.

PhD training is no longer fit for purpose — it needs reform now

Formative assessment is another practice that has yet to find its way into PhD assessment consistently. Here, a tutor evaluates a student’s progress at the mid-point of a course and gives feedback or guidance on what students need to do to improve ahead of their final, or summative, assessment. It is not that these methods are absent from modern PhDs; a conscientious supervisor will not leave candidates to sink or swim until the last day. But at many institutions, such approaches are not required of PhD supervisors.

Part of the difficulty is that PhD training is carried out in research departments by people who do not need to have teaching qualifications or awareness of innovations based on education research. Supervisors shouldn’t just be experts in their field, they should also know how best to convey that subject knowledge — along with knowledge of research methods — to their students.

It is probably not possible for universities to require all doctoral supervisors to have teaching qualifications. But there are smaller changes that can be made. At a minimum, doctoral supervisors should take the time to engage with the research that exists in the field of PhD education, and how it can apply to their interactions with students.

There can be no one-size-fits-all solution to improving how a PhD is assessed, because different subjects often have bespoke needs and practices ( P. Denicolo Qual. Assur. Educ. 11 , 84–91; 2003 ). But supervisors and representatives of individual subject communities must continue to discuss what is most appropriate for their disciplines.

All things considered, there is benefit to adopting a more structured approach to PhD assessment. It is high time that PhD education caught up with changes that are now mainstream at most other levels of education. That must start with a closer partnership between education researchers, PhD supervisors and organizers of doctoral-training programmes in universities. This partnership will benefit everyone — PhD supervisors and doctoral students coming into the research workforce, whether in universities or elsewhere.

Education and training in research has entered many secondary schools, along with undergraduate teaching, which is a good thing. In the spirit of mutual learning, research doctoral supervisors, too, will benefit by going back to school.

Nature 627 , 244 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00718-0

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College of Communication Policy

Undergraduate policy.

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 credits in a semester. Students are reviewed after one semester on Academic Probation. Those who earn a GPI and GPA of 2.00 or above and complete 12 credits during the probationary semester will return to Good Academic Standing. Students also may not receive any grades of MG or I while on Probation. Those students who do not achieve Good Academic Standing (as defined above) during the probationary semester will move to Academic Suspension, Dismissal, or a second semester of Academic Probation, as determined by school officials. Students can be on Academic Probation for no more than two consecutive semesters. Academic Probation does not prohibit students from participating in extracurricular activities or intercollegiate athletics.

Additionally, all students on Academic Probation must complete the Academic Probation Contract in order to satisfy the terms of their probation. This will be sent to them shortly after probation is determined.

Students with financial aid may need to fulfill an appeal for Satisfactory Academic Progress, which they would do by working with one of the advisors at COM Undergraduate Affairs.

Graduate Policy

Master’s students.

Graduate students’ academic progress is reviewed at the end of each semester. Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress and be in good academic standing (defined as a semester GPI [grade point index] of 3.0 and a cumulative GPA [grade point average] of 3.0) can result in Academic Probation, Suspension, or Dismissal.

A student is normally put on academic probation when the student earns a GPI and/or GPA below 3.0. At the discretion of the college, a student whose GPI/GPA is below a 3.0 may also be considered for suspension or dismissal. Students on probation may have their financial aid discontinued. Students are reviewed after one semester on Academic Probation. Those who earn a GPI and GPA of at least a 3.0 will return to good academic standing. Students who do not achieve good academic standing after the probationary semester will be subject to Academic Suspension, Dismissal, or an additional semester of Academic Probation as determined by the college on a case-by-case basis. Normally, a student can be on Academic Probation for no more than two consecutive semesters; however, the probation period is at the discretion of the department/division, in consultation with the college.

Please see the academic suspension or dismissal page .

Doctoral Students

A 3.0 (B) grade point average is required to qualify for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. If a student’s grade point index (GPI) is less than a 3.0 in any semester, the student’s record is reviewed by the department of enrollment to determine whether the student should be permitted to continue as a candidate for the degree, or should be placed on academic probation. A grade of C or D will not receive graduate credit. Please contact [email protected] to see the Emerging Media Studies PhD Handbook.

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Your academic standing is evaluated based on your program and the required minimum cumulative GPA for your academic level. Below you will find information regarding the academic standing policy for students enrolled in Liberty University’s online programs, including GPA requirements, the academic standing appeal process, and an explanation of each level of academic standing (e.g., Warning, Probation, Automatic Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal).

Please note: If you have been placed on Academic Warning or Academic Probation, you are not required to appeal to register for your next semester. However, if you have been placed on Academic Suspension or Academic Dismissal, you will need to submit an appeal before your next semester of enrollment.

If you are currently on Academic Suspension or Academic Dismissal, please contact an Academic Standing Consultant at [email protected] for assistance regarding current Academic Standing status or submit the Academic Standing Appeal Form .

Undergraduate Minimum GPA for Each Level and  Academic Standing Policies

Academic warning.

Students who fail to meet the required minimum cumulative GPA for his/her academic level at the end of any given semester will be placed on Academic Warning for the next semester of enrollment.

Under this status, it is recommended that you repeat any previously failed courses in an attempt to increase your cumulative GPA. While on Academic Warning, you will be able to register for classes online.

Academic Probation

Students who are on Academic Warning and fail to have the cumulative GPA that meets the required minimum cumulative GPA for his/her program of study at the end of that semester in which he/she enrolls and completes courses will be placed on Academic Probation.

Under this status, it is recommended that you repeat any previously failed courses in an attempt to increase your cumulative GPA. While on Academic Probation, you will be able to register for classes online.

It is strongly recommended that you take no more than 2 classes per sub-term.

If you register full-time in an undergraduate program (12+ credit hours) and receive all grades of F/FN for all courses, you will be automatically placed on Academic Probation.

Academic Suspension

Students who fail to raise their GPA to the minimum required GPA for his/her academic level after completing one semester of classes while on Academic Probation will be placed on Academic Suspension.

Students will have an Academic Suspension hold placed on his/her account and will not be able to register for classes online. An  Academic Standing Appeal Form   must be submitted as an appeal to continue taking classes.

Academic Dismissal Policy

Students who are placed on Academic Suspension and receive an approved academic contract, but fail to meet the terms of their contract, will progress to Academic Dismissal. Students who also continue in courses without an approved contract and fail to earn the minimum cumulative GPA will also progress to Academic Dismissal.

University policy states that undergraduate students placed on Academic Dismissal should wait 2 years and then appeal. Students have the option to appeal to return on an academic contract or under Academic Amnesty. When Academic Amnesty is approved, all grades of “D” and “F” are replaced with a “Q” on their Liberty University transcript. Grades of Q are not figured into the GPA. This immediately raises the GPA to at least 2.0, but you will have to retake those classes in which you earned grades of “D” or “F” that are required for the completion of your degree.

In some instances, an undergraduate student on Academic Dismissal might be permitted to return sooner than 2 years on an Academic Contract. This option can only be considered if it is reasonable to expect the student will be able to earn the grades needed to raise the GPA to 2.0 without amnesty. 

Graduate students placed on Graduate Academic Dismissal should wait 2 years and then appeal for Academic Amnesty. When Academic Amnesty is approved, all grades of “D” and “F” are replaced with a “Q” on the Liberty University transcripts. Grades of “Q” are not figured into the GPA, which immediately raises the GPA to the program minimum.

Liberty University Academic Standing Appeal Process

Students on Academic Suspension or Dismissal who desire to return to Liberty University must submit an appeal via the online Academic Standing Appeal Form  and must include the following:

• A brief explanation regarding the circumstances that led to earning grades of “D” and “F” and an explanation of how your circumstances have improved or what steps you have taken to earn grades of “C” or higher in all future classes.
• What specific times during the week will you set aside for working on course assignments?  Please include specific hours per day and days per week that you plan to set aside for your studies.

Once an Academic Standing Appeal Form is submitted, the appeal will be reviewed by an Academic Standing Consultant. If the appeal is approved, a personalized Academic Contract will be written and sent to the student. This process may take up to 2 weeks; therefore, the student should allow ample time before registration deadlines when sending in an appeal. Please keep in mind that if an appeal is submitted within two weeks of a registration deadline, the student may be required to resume courses at the start of the next semester.

Please note: Academic and financial aid GPA requirements are different.

Graduate and Postgraduate Minimum GPA for Each Level and Academic Standing Policies

The required gpa for good standing will vary per program. please reference your degree completion plan for more information..

Students who fail to meet the required minimum cumulative GPA for his/her academic level at the end of any given semester will be placed on Academic Warning for the next semester of enrollment. 

It is recommended that you repeat any previously failed courses. You will also be required to take GRST 501 (if it has not been passed before). Under this status, you will be able to register online.

Students who fail to raise their GPA to the minimum required GPA for his/her academic level after completing one semester of classes while on Academic Warning will be placed on Academic Probation for the next semester of enrollment. When this happens, you will be placed on Academic Probation for the next semester of enrollment. It is recommended that you repeat any previously failed courses. You will also be required to take GRST 501 (if it has not been passed before). Students placed on Academic Probation will be able to register for classes online.

Please note: Students who are enrolled full-time and fail all courses will be placed on Academic Probation, unless they were previously on Academic Probation or Academic Suspension. Students who are enrolled full-time and fail all courses while on Academic Probation or Suspension will progress to the next academic standing level.

Students will have an Academic Suspension hold placed on his/her account and will not be able to register for classes online. An Academic Standing Appeal Form must be submitted to appeal to continue taking classes.

Academic Dismissal

Students placed on Academic Dismissal should wait 2 years and then appeal for Academic Amnesty . 

Appeal Process for Academic Amnesty

Students may appeal for Academic Amnesty and will need to include the following information (you may be eligible for Academic Amnesty if you were placed on Academic Dismissal at least 2 years ago):

• Please specify in your appeal that your intention is to appeal for Academic Amnesty.
• Since last attending Liberty University, please list any accomplishments you have achieved since your last enrollment. This is not limited to educational goals, but can include personal goals, professional achievements, etc. If you have any supporting documentation to submit along with your accomplishments (transcripts, a letter from a supervisor, etc.), please include that as well.

Please keep in mind that all received appeals will be viewed by the Undergraduate Associate Registrar and if approved, will be sent to the Vice Provost for review. All submitted appeals will need to be well-written as a formal appeal and must include the detailed information mentioned above.

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You have to have a lot of self-motivation and self-discipline when you are going to school online, but the amazing thing is at Liberty you do not need to do it by yourself. You really do have resources like someone who is going to school on campus.

– Janae Fleming ’15, B.S. in Education

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Academic Probation Support

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Understanding Academic Probation

In order to maintain good academic standing and graduate from the University of Denver, undergraduate students must meet the minimum  Academic Standards  of a 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Student & Academic Advisor Responsibilities

Student responsibilities.

• Discuss personal values, goals, interests, and competencies that inform the academic decisions being made.
• Prepare for advising sessions by bringing appropriate questions, course plans, and degree audit.
• Schedule regular quarterly meetings to ensure academic progress.
• Know DU dates and deadlines.
• Check DU email daily.
• Accept responsibility for decisions and actions that affect educational progress and goals.
• Understand grade and GPA requirements for graduation and good academic standing.

Academic Advisor Responsibilities

• Empower students to take responsibility for their academic experience.
• Assist the student in pursuing a program of study that aligns with the student’s interests, goals, and competencies.
• Assist the student in periodic evaluation of their academic progress and demonstrate understanding of the curriculum and graduation requirements.
• Set clear boundaries for when they are available for advising appointments.
• Refer students to relevant campus resources.
• Maintain student privacy by not discussing issues with parents and non-University persons without a student’s permission.

Academic Standards and Grading

Understanding your responsibilities.

You can learn everything you need to know about the official University of Denver Academic Standards and Grading on the University Bulletin . A student with a cumulative GPA between 2.2 and 2.0 is placed on academic warning while remaining in academic good standing with the University. A student with a cumulative GPA below 2.0 is no longer in academic good standing and is placed on academic probation, last quarter probation, or may be suspended or dismissed from the University.

University Bulletin

Academic Probation & Last Quarter Probation

Getting back on track.

Academic Probation or Last Quarter Probation is not intended as a punishment. This is an opportunity for you to meet with an Academic Advisor or Student Success Coach on developing additional skills to help you be successful in college and improve your GPA. You and your advisor will work together on developing the following: 

• Setting SMART Academic Goals 
• Time Management 
• Study Skills & Learning Strategies 
• Growth Mindset & Resiliency 
• Using Resources on Campus

Additional requirements and considerations:

• You must meet with an academic Advisor in the Office of Academic Advising.
• You must earn a minimum 2.0 term GPA.
• You should consult with an academic advisor in the Office of Academic Advising prior to registering less than full-time, dropping a class, or requesting an Incomplete grade .

Meeting Graduation Requirements

Returning to good standing.

To graduate from the university, students must have:

• Cumulative 2.0 GPA
• Major(s) 2.0 GPA
• Minor(s) 2.0 GPA
• Some programs may have higher requirements for admissions and graduation. Please consult the Bulletin and your academic advisor for details. 

A student with a cumulative GPA between 2.2 and 2.0 is placed on academic warning while remaining in academic good standing with the University.

To be back in good academic standing with the university, undergraduate students must have a cumulative 2.2 GPA, and maintain full-time status at DU. 

Academic Suspension Implications

Know where you stand, health insurance.

The University provides health insurance to enrolled students. Students who are enrolled for fewer than 30 days in the enrollment period will be withdrawn from the health plan and their premiums will not be charged. If you are currently covered by the United Healthcare Student Resources Health insurance, you will need to find alternative health insurance coverage given your change in student status. Contact the  Health & Counseling Center (303-871-2205 or [email protected]) for more information.

Scholarships & Loans

The policies that can lead to your academic suspension are different than the policies that can lead to the loss of your financial aid eligibility due to the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements in financial aid. Please pay close attention to the Office of Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements . Contact the Office of Financial Aid (3030-871-4020 or [email protected]) for more information.

Students who are academically suspended are required to leave the residence hall. The director of the residence hall will notify you of your expected departure date. Contact Housing & Residential Education (303-871-2246 or [email protected]) for more information.

DU Transcript

If you are suspended or dismissed for academic reasons, this will be reflected on the official transcript. Contact the Office of the Registrar (303-871-4095 or [email protected]) for more information.

Planning Your Return from Academic Suspension

Begin six weeks prior, request re-entry.

When you are ready to request re-entry from suspension, please submit the Re-Entry from Academic Suspension  form.   You may apply for early re-entry after at least one quarter away. This form must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the quarter you wish to return. It is recommended that you meet with your assigned academic advisor in the Office of Academic Advising prior to requesting re-entry. Email [email protected] for assistance connecting with your advisor.

You will be asked to provide the following information when you submit your re-entry form: a description of your activities during your time away, reasons you are now ready to resume study at DU, and a description of resources you have in place to support your transition. For information on available campus resources, please visit DUhelp .

Scholarships and Loans

The policies that can lead to your academic suspension are different than the policies that can lead to the loss of your financial aid eligibility due to the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements in financial aid. Please pay close attention to the Office of Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. Contact the Office of Financial Aid (3030-871-4020 or [email protected]) for more information.

Return to Campus Housing

If you would like to return to on-campus housing please contact the  Housing and Residential Education Office at 303.871.2246 or [email protected] to start the application process.

Requirements When Returning from Academic Suspension

Your success begins now.

You will re-enter the University as re-entry probation status and must meet the requirements for Last Quarter Probation. To meet the requirements of Last Quarter Probation, you must meet with your assigned academic advisor in the Office of Academic Advising and earn a minimum 2.0 term GPA. In addition, you should consult with an academic advisor in the Office of Academic Advising prior to registering less than full-time, dropping a class, or requesting an Incomplete grade. Failure to meet these requirements will result in dismissal.

Please remember that there are many people at the University who are available to support you. We deeply care about your development and growth and look forward to your return to academic study at DU. For information on available campus resources, please visit DUhelp .

Student Support Offices and Resources

Get the support you deserve.

DU offers many academic and non-academic resources, each aimed to support the academic success and wellbeing of students.

Discover Support Offices and Resources

Student Success Coaching

Expand your study skills.

At DU, you also have a Student Success Coach in your corner, who will work with you on essentials like study skills and time management. Coaches will support you, challenge you, and hold you accountable through individualized sessions to fit your needs. Now is the time to get back on track.

Meet With a Student Success Coach

• Meet an Advisor
• Advisor Resources
• About Advising

Academic Advising

Student Support Offices & Resources

Policies & Procedures

Tips for Grads: Cultivating leadership skills in graduate school

By Foram Gathia, PhD student

Building leadership skills in graduate school is an essential endeavor that not only enhances personal development but also prepares individuals for success in their future careers. Graduate school provides fertile ground for honing leadership abilities through various academic and extracurricular activities.

• Start with a self-assessment: Begin by identifying your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values. Understand what kind of leader you aspire to be and what skills you need to develop to achieve that goal.
• Set clear goals: Define specific leadership goals you want to accomplish during your time in graduate school. These goals could include holding a leadership position in a student organization, leading a research project, or developing a workshop on leadership skills.
• Seek mentorship: Identify mentors within your academic department, professional networks, or alumni community who can provide guidance and support in your leadership journey. Learn from their experiences and seek advice on how to develop your leadership skills effectively.
• Take initiative: Look for opportunities to initiate new projects, propose innovative ideas, or lead discussions in your academic and professional circles. Demonstrating initiative and proactivity is key to building credibility and gaining recognition as a leader.
• Lead by example: Finally, lead by demonstrating integrity, accountability, empathy, and resilience in your interactions and decisions. Your actions and behavior will inspire others and create a positive impact within your academic community and beyond.

Building leadership skills in graduate school is a multifaceted journey encompassing self-assessment, active involvement, mentorship, and continuous learning. By embracing opportunities and demonstrating initiative, you can develop the capabilities necessary to lead effectively in your academic pursuits and future professional endeavors.

These tips are based on the Beyond Graduate School webinar “ Building Leadership Skills in Graduate School. ”

Tips for Grads is a professional and academic advice column written by graduate students for graduate students at UW­–Madison. It is published in the student newsletter, GradConnections Weekly.

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Academic Probation

Probationary status is a warning where improved academic performance or progress is required.

If the probation GPA level assigned is not met in the following semester, the student is subject to drop rules. The minimum academic goal of any student should be to keep his or her GPA for any semester above 2.00.

A detailed description of the campus probation regulations appears in part 1, article 3-110 of the Student Code .

The rules are outlined here for convenience:

In addition, students may be placed on probation if they do not meet Technical GPA Requirements.

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Harvard Graduate Council Elects New Leadership for 2024-25 Academic Year

The Harvard Graduate Council elected a new president and vice president for the upcoming academic year in a meeting Monday evening. Dalton Fogarty, a Harvard Business School student and current HGC Chair of Finance, won the uncontested race for the presidential position.

Each of the 12 Harvard graduate schools were given a single vote cast as secret ballots. Prior to elections, candidates discussed their background, qualifications, and goals for the position in three minute speeches.

Students had between Feb. 27 and March 14 to express interest in running for an elected position. Voters were encouraged to select candidates based on factors such as personal character and past productivity on the HGC.

Unable to make the virtual meeting, Fogarty delivered his speech via a pre-recorded video.

“I’ve been with the Harvard Graduate Council now for about a year — I was chair of finance for those that don’t know me,” Fogarty said. “I've kept the trains on time, which is what I promised to do in the beginning, and so my vision for the president role within the graduate council would be to continue this work.”

“I think the graduate council has a lot to offer every graduate student in the Harvard ecosystem, One Harvard. And I think that my background will allow for that to happen,” he added.

Following Fogarty’s speech, school representatives were given a few minutes to consult and cast their votes through a Google form.

Brad Canales, a graduate student at Harvard Extension School, ran unopposed for the vice presidential position. Canales highlighted his efforts in organizing socials and his hopes to continue uniting the 12 graduate schools as vice president.

I've been actively planning a bunch of the social events for the programming board,” Canales said. “The idea is to hit the ground running with that. I’m already looking at venues for next year’s masquerade ball, and all that.”

“It’s my goal to continue to support Dalton in his endeavors to get more activities and funding so that we can host things for all of the Harvard schools,” he added.

Canales also mentioned his unique position as a student at multiple Harvard graduate schools.

“I personally represent a diversity of programs. Here I am from the Extension School, as you might know, but I am also wrapping up my master's next year here as a special student at GSAS and SEAS,” he said.

The meeting concluded with the official announcement that Fogarty would serve as president and Canales as vice president during the coming academic year.

Idongesit Sampson, a second year student at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and current vice president of HGC, congratulated the winning candidates.

“Congratulations again to the team who have just won,” she said. “Looking forward to working with Brett and the rest of the exec council to hand over all of the relevant documents and onboard you guys as you step into your new role.”

—Staff writer Adina R. Lippman can be reached at [email protected] .

—Staff writer Angelina J. Parker can be reached at [email protected] . Follow her on X @ angelinajparker .

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FINLAND: 100 PhD positions are available in the field of Artificial Intelligence

The Finnish Doctoral Program Network in Artificial Intelligence is looking for 100 new PhD students to work in fundamental AI and machine learning research and in five application areas. Come do a PhD tackling challenging research questions in a network that fosters industry and multidisciplinary collaboration! T

About the program

The Finnish Doctoral Program Network in Artificial Intelligence launched in 2024 to build a world-class PhD program with quality supervision, mobility, and multi-disciplinarity as integral parts. The program is a joint effort of ten Finnish universities and will educate 100 new PhDs in artificial intelligence research. Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture  has granted 25.5 million EUR to support the program.

The PhD students joining the program will benefit from:

Ability to do fully-funded, curiosity-driven research with high-quality supervision from experienced researchers

Multidisciplinary environment with experts both in fundamental machine learning research as well as several application areas

Built-in collaboration opportunities with industry

Support for international mobility periods and links to top international partners, through e.g., ELLIS AI network of excellence

Possibility to attend summer schools, research seminars, workshops and networking events

Access to high-end infrastructure, career training and support services

Research areas

We are looking for prospective PhD students to work in the following research areas:

Fundamental AI

Fundamental AI methods are the core of the FCAI research activities and the cornerstone in all application areas. Fundamental AI encompasses probabilistic AI for verifiable and uncertainty-aware model building, simulation-based inference for efficient and interpretable reasoning capabilities, data-efficient deep learning, privacy-preserving and secure AI, interactive AI for collaborative AI tools, autonomous AI, statistics, and decision-making. Widely applicable goals of the fundamental AI are AI-assisted decision-making, design and modeling.

Keywords : Artificial Intelligence, Causal Inference, Collaborative AI and human modeling, Machine Learning, Statistics

AI in Communications and Signal Processing

The area covers a wide range of advanced methods in communications and distributed intelligence technologies, statistical methods in signal processing, and analysis of images, video, speech, audio and array signals. 

The methodologies can be applied in various layers of communications systems from applications to the radio connectivity with distributed intelligence that is an integral part of next generation communication and computing systems targeting to solve issues related to ultra densification of infrastructure, devices and people, and to guarantee secure, low latency and reliable use of ICT resources using advanced AI methods.

This research area also includes acquiring, processing, analyzing and understanding digital images, video sequences, views from multiple cameras, multi-dimensional data from a 3D scanner, 3D point clouds from LiDaR sensors, or medical scanning devices, and extraction of high-dimensional data from the real world in order to produce numerical or symbolic information, e.g. in the forms of decisions, using models constructed with the aid of geometry, physics, statistics, and learning theory.

Keywords : Array signal processing, Computer vision, Edge intelligence, Perception, Sensors, Wireless communications

AI in Health

The health and wellbeing field holds high potential to profit from advances in AI. Applications range from personalized care and precision medicine to preventive care and to process optimization. Increasing availability of large amounts of multi-source data combined with novel AI paradigms give huge opportunities. Challenges are how to extract valid actionable knowledge from all that data, how to develop AI-based solutions that are trustworthy, fit into healthcare processes, and that have an actual impact.

Keywords : Biomedical Image and Signal analysis; Multi-modal Health Data Analysis; Predictive, Preventive, Personalized, Participatory Healthcare, Trustworthy AI, Healthcare Processes.

AI in Engineering

Industries are currently employing AI methods in numerous research and development tasks. Examples include product design, predictive maintenance, and combining physical models with data-based methods. There is a great potential also in replacing laboratory development and experiments with virtual laboratory-type approaches. Research topics include:

AI methods in industrial research and development, including:

AI for product design and optimization, combining physic-based and data-driven models. 

AI for improving industrial operations: cyber security, anomaly detection in industrial time series and predictive maintenance. 

Methods supporting AI in industrial deployments, including on-device learning and federated learning on edge devices.

Virtual laboratories for experimentation and cost-effective product design and validation.

AI methods for autonomous functions in land, sea, air and space vehicles and machines. These range from pilot assistance, collision avoidance and navigation systems to full-mission autopilots. 

Keywords : Autonomous systems, Energy systems, Machine automation, Manufacturing, Materials, Mechanical engineering, Robotics

AI in Language and Speech Technology

The area covers all aspects of natural language processing (NLP), a field of research dealing with computational analysis and generation of human language. NLP is a broad field which spans from highly technical research on machine learning techniques for written and spoken language data, through the myriad of individual tasks such as machine translation and information retrieval, to digital linguistics. The field is reliant on very large datasets and high performance computing, offering exciting software engineering and algorithmic challenges. Finland has a long tradition of top-notch NLP research, especially in the multilingual setting and, recently, large language model development.

Keywords : Foundation models, Human language technology, Natural Language Processing, NLP, Large language models, Speech recognition, Speech generation, Machine translation, Crosslingual model.

AI in Society and Business

The area examines the societal, ethical, and economic dimensions of AI, including trustworthy and societally acceptable AI as well as the consequences of the uses of AI. It brings together AI research with social sciences and humanities to gain in-depth understanding of AI’s role in organizations, society, business, and the economy. It includes uses of AI in education and education about AI. The area fosters interdisciplinarity to reinforce cross-cutting themes such as sustainability, ethics, equity, trust, and social responsibility.

Keywords : AI in business operations, AI in society, AI and Education, AI Ethics

What we offer

Research environment.

The doctoral program is hosted by the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence FCAI , an international research hub and one of the Research Council of Finland’s Flagships, hubs of top-level research and impact. FCAI’s research spearheads are ranked in the top-3 in Europe and in the top-30 globally and it’s built on a long track record of pioneering machine learning research in Finland. FCAI is also tightly-knit part of ELLIS , the pan-European AI network of excellence, hosting the local ELLIS Unit and coordinating ELISE , a European Network of Artificial Intelligence Excellence Centres.

Recruiting universities

The doctoral program has a broad range of possibilities to work with companies and academic partners. Jointly designed PhD topics and joint supervision (e.g., between research areas, universities, and together with industry) will provide PhD students with a large pool of expertise and guidance. Industrial collaboration is possible in all the research areas. Potential topics for industry collaboration include 1) AI for radio systems (e.g., 6G), network optimization, and cloud technologies, 2) AI for pharmaceutical development, imaging, and personalized medicine, 3) AI for smart systems, software development, cybersecurity, sensing, energy management, production processes, manufacturing, and predictive maintenance, 4) generative AI, LLMs, and speech technologies, and 5) trustworthy AI in public services, fintech and business operations. All students are offered entrepreneurship training, a connection to the local startup ecosystem, and access to a company fair to bridge post-PhD career options. Our international academic collaborations provide top-quality mobility possibilities, e.g., 6-month research exchanges and access to summer schools and workshops.

Potential collaborators include

The PhD students will have access to excellent computing facilities through our local and national computational services. CSC – IT Center for Science has partnered with the doctoral program, further facilitating our researchers’ access to high-end computing infrastructure, including Europe’s fastest supercomputer LUMI .

The doctoral program offers a flying start to the PhD studies by integrating the PhD topics into ongoing research and providing peer support and help in getting the first scientific paper out quickly. The program organizes summer schools and research seminars that further support learning from peers and building networks. We also offer help for international students to settle in Finland, e.g., with language courses and support with accessing practical information.

We are strongly committed to offering everyone an inclusive and non-discriminating working environment and warmly welcome qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply and particularly encourage applications from women and other groups underrepresented in the field. 

Job details

The positions are based at one of the ten universities that are part of the Finnish Doctoral Program Network in Artificial Intelligence. The recruiting university will be the same as that of the primary supervisor. The matching of the candidates with supervisors will be done during the review process and the candidates will have a chance to prioritise the supervising professor they want to work with (see details in FAQ ).

All positions are fully-funded. PhD student contracts will be made for three years. The terms of employment and the salaries are based on the General Collective Agreement for Universities . The contract includes occupational healthcare. 

We are looking for 100 new PhD students in two calls (in spring and fall 2024). The accepted candidates of the spring call are expected to start in August 2024, and the applicants from the fall call in January 2025.

What we look for

Successful candidates should have previous experience in machine learning, statistics, artificial intelligence, in another relevant field, demonstrated by success in related studies and ideally also by some publication record. For the candidates applying for positions in applied research areas, relevant experience and expertise in the application area are valued in the evaluation. Other merits demonstrating suitability for a researcher position can also be considered. Candidates should hold (or shortly receive) a Master’s degree in computer science, statistics, electrical engineering, mathematics, relevant application area or in another relevant field. The degree should preferably be completed before the start of the employment.

The positions require the ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment. The primary working language in the joint program activities is English, so good written and oral command of English is required (see details in FAQ ).

Formal requirements

Candidates accepted in the doctoral program will need to apply for the study right for doctoral studies at the university where they will be based. Depending on the partner university where the position is based, the candidate will either need to have the study right prior to recruitment, or get the study right within the probation period of the first 6 months. The requirements for the study right can differ slightly between the universities, but the general prerequisites are:

Master’s degree in a relevant field (completed by the time of applying for the study right)

Proficiency in English, Finnish, or Swedish (typically demonstrated with an official certificate, e.g., IELTS/TOEFL)

Please see FAQ (question 7) for university-specific requirements.

How to apply

We are looking for 100 new PhD students to join the Finnish Doctoral Program Network in Artificial Intelligence in two calls: the first one is open March 11–April 2, 2024 and the second will open in fall 2024.

Candidates will apply to all universities and application areas with the same joint application. In the application form, you are able to indicate which specific research areas and supervisors you are interested in. Note: Candidates who apply to supervisors based at the University of Helsinki, will have to submit a parallel application to the university’s own recruitment system. Please note that the application needs to be submitted to both of the recruitment systems to ensure a proper review. See further details .

The deadline for applications in the ongoing call is April 2, 2024 . Please submit your application in our online recruitment system with the required attachments (detailed below).

Required attachments:

Motivation letter (1–2 pages). Please specify the research area(s) and preferably the supervisors with whom you want to work. 

List of publications (if relevant; please do not attach full copies of publications)

A transcript of master’s/bachelor’s studies and the degree certificate of your latest degree. If you don’t have a Master's degree, a plan of completion must be submitted.

In the application form, you are also asked to provide contact details of two senior academics who can provide references.

All materials should be submitted in English in a PDF format. Note: You can upload max. five files to the recruitment system, each max. 5MB.

DEADLINE: April 2, 2024

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