This section applies to CCAS Satisfactory Academic Progress and not the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy that applies to students receiving federal loans.
All graduate students are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress so they are able to complete their degree requirements within the appropriate time frame, and must maintain a minimum cumulative degree GPA of 3.0 (some programs set a higher minimum).
The Student Services Team runs reports at the end of every semester to identify student who are not making satisfactory academic progress. The implications for the student will depend on their individual situation, but can be placed into 3 categories, Academic Warning, Academic Probation, or Academic Dismissal.
Academic Warning
Academic warning was introduced for the first time in Fall 2020. Students on academic warning will have met the minimum degree GPA requirements but have received minimal passing grades or who have an incomplete at the start of their program or 2 or more Incompletes at any given time. The following students will receive an academic warning notice:
- Students who have received an Incomplete grade in their first 9 credits of their degree.
- Students who have received a grade of C, C-, or F.
- Students who have two grades of Incomplete at any given time throughout their degree.
There are no registration restrictions, or changes to a students academic standing under an academic warning. However we strongly encourage DGS's and advisors to meet with the student at the start of the semester to check in.
Academic Probation
Students are placed on probation when they drop below the minimum degree GPA for their degree program. Students placed on probation are required to increase their GPA to 3.0 or above by the end of that semester. Failure to reach a GPA of 3.0 will likely result in academic dismissal. Depending on the student's circumstances and your recommendation, a second probationary semester may be approved.
Students are not permitted to take more than 9 credits during their probationary semester, nor to receive grades of I, Z, F, or W. Under no circumstances can CCAS award a degree to a student with a degree GPA below 3.0. Taking additional coursework to increase the GPA is not permitted.
Students who are on probation will have their standing on their transcript changed to Probation.
Academic Dismissal (previously known as Termination)
Students who demonstrate an inability to reach or maintain a degree GPA of 3.0, or are otherwise determined to not be making satisfactory progress in the program, will have their degree candidacy terminated. This includes students who are unlikely to complete their degree within the normal time frame and required credit hours.
Students who are academically dismissed from their program will have their standing on their transcript changed to Academic Dismissal.
