Scholastic Standards

Under the P/NC (pass or no credit) system, a graduate student may choose to register for a course with the understanding that credit will be received, indicated by the letter "P," only if the equivalent of a "B" grade or better is earned. If a “B-“ or below is earned, no credit will be granted, and a "NC" will appear in place of the traditional grade on the record. Whether the grade is "P" or "NC," the hours taken will not enter into the computation of grade point average.

Graduate students may take any course for which they qualify as general education or elective on a Pass/No Credit basis. (Departments may, with approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies, prohibit P/N students from graduate courses open only to their majors. These courses will be designated in the Class Schedule.)

Departments may use Pass/No Credit grades for theses, individual study courses, practicums, workshops, tours, seminars, and internships in the major field. They may not use Pass/No Credit grades for other courses in the student's major without the specific approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Students should check with respective departments for specific information. Students shall have the option of choosing the regular grading system or the P/NC system in all courses open to P/NC. All grading method changes must be processed through the Office of the Registrar by the posted deadlines.

GRADE-POINT AVERAGE (GPA):

The total number of quality points acquired by the student divided by the total number of credit hours attempted on a regular grade basis, is called the grade-point average (GPA). Grades of 'NC' and 'P' have no effect upon the calculation of a grade-point average.

A student who fails to meet the academic standards may be required by the Dean of Graduate Studies to withdraw from the university.

Individual academic programs may have published retention and dismissal policies that differ from those noted below. In these cases, the departmental policy will supersede the general university policy.

1. Academic Warning letters are sent to graduate students who receive:
   • A grade less than 3.0
   • An In-Progress (IP) or Incomplete (I) in any graduate course of 2 credits or more
   • A cumulative grade point average of less than 3.0
2. Probation letters are sent to students who received an academic warning letter the previous term and who have subsequently failed to demonstrate significant improvement in their academic record. While under Academic Warning status, students who receive a grade of less than 3.0, a grade point average for the term of less than 3.0, a cumulative grade point average of less than 3.0, or an In-Progress or Incomplete in excess of four graduate courses of 2 credits or more will be placed on probation.
3. Dismissal letters are sent to all students who were placed on probation the previous term and who failed to demonstrate a significant improvement in their academic record and received a grade point average for the term less than 3.0, or a grade of less than 3.0, IP, or I in excess of four graduate courses of 2 credits or more.

More information regarding registration holds can be found here.

Determined by the professional judgment of the department and the Dean of Graduate Studies, "cause" is the conclusion that the student does not meet the academic or professional requirements of the program or university.

The accumulation of grades below 3.0 in more than two courses of three or more credits each or I/IP grades in more than three courses of two or more credits, or a combination of the above in four courses (excluding thesis/APP credits) may remove the student from degree status.

Students who wish to submit an appeal, complaint, or grievance should follow the steps located here.