UMGC Policy III-6.02 UMGC Policy on Academic Standing Status for Graduate Students

1. Purpose

   This policy defines the levels of academic standing for graduate students and outlines the guidance and resources available to support continued enrollment and academic progress when a student’s GPA falls below the standard for good academic standing.

2. Scope and Applicability

   This policy applies to all UMGC graduate students, effective Fall 2025.

3. Introduction

   1. Academic Standing is a measure of a student’s academic progress and is determined based on grades earned in UMGC courses. Academic Standing is evaluated at the end of each term as part of the academic standing process.
   2. Students receiving financial aid must also meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards outlined in UMGC Policy on Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Standard – Graduate Students.
      1. Academic Standing and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) are closely aligned but not identical. As a result, students who are not in Good Academic Standing may experience enrollment limitations, even if they remain eligible for financial aid. It is also possible for a student to meet UMGC’s standards for Good Academic Standing and still not meet Financial Aid SAP requirements, which could affect their financial aid eligibility.
   3. Graduate students are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Refer to UMGC Policy on Calculation of Grade-Point Average for Inclusion on Transcripts and Transcript Requests for more information on GPA calculation. 
   4. Not all graduate courses or programs permit the grade of “C.” Beginning Fall 2016, course syllabi and program descriptions indicate whether a “C” grade is acceptable. Even where a “C” is allowed, it may impact academic standing and could require the student to repeat the course. 
4. Policy
   1. Levels of Academic Standing for Graduate Students
      1. There are three levels of academic standing: 
         1. Good Academic Standing
            1. Students are in Good Academic Standing when their cumulative GPA is 3.0 or higher. 
            2. Regardless of GPA, grades of "F" or "FN" cannot be used to fulfill degree requirements. See UMGC Policy on Degree Completion Requirements for Graduate Students for more information. 
         2. Academic Probation
            1. A student is placed on Academic Probation if their cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 at the end of any term or if they receive a grade of “F” or “FN” in any course. 
            2. Support and Expectations
               1. i.  Students on Academic Probation are encouraged to meet with their Success Network Partner to discuss next steps.
               2. ii.  Students are required to retake the course that caused their cumulative GPA to fall below 3.0 during the first term of enrollment after being placed on Academic Probation.
                  1. 1.  If a course required for improvement is no longer offered, a substitution may be approved.
               3. iii.  Students have up to two enrolled terms, beginning with the first term of enrollment following placement on Academic Probation, to restore their cumulative GPA to 3.0 and be in Good Academic Standing.
                  1. 1.  To return to Good Academic Standing, the student must raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0 or higher and have no grades of “F” or “FN.”
                  2. 2.  If a student achieves a term GPA of 3.0 or higher in their first probationary term, and their cumulative GPA is now 3.0 or above, the student will be in Good Academic Standing.
                  3. 3.  If a student achieves a term GPA of 3.0 or higher in their first probationary term, but their cumulative GPA remains below a 3.0, the student will continue for a second term on Academic Probation.
                  4. 4.  A term GPA of 3.0 or higher must be achieved in each probationary term. 
         3. Academic Dismissal
            1. Failure to achieve a term GPA of 3.0 or higher during a probationary term will result in Academic Dismissal
            2. Failure to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.0 or higher by the end of the second probationary term will result in Academic Dismissal. 
            3. Academic Dismissal is recorded on the student’s transcript, and students will be notified of their status. 
   2. Pathways for Returning to UMGC After Dismissal
      1. Reinstatement
         1. Students who are academically dismissed may request a one-time reinstatement by submitting a Reinstatement Request Form and a statement outlining the steps they have taken to improve their academic readiness. 
            1. Submit the request to reinstatements@umgc.edu. 
            2. Students will be notified of the decision of the Reinstatement Review Committee. The decision of the committee is final and cannot be appealed.
            3. Reinstated students reenter on Academic Probation and must return to Good Academic Standing in the first term they enroll following reinstatement. 
            4. Students must prioritize retaking course(s) that contributed to the GPA deficiency before enrolling in other coursework. 
            5. Students approved to reenter in a different graduate program may not apply prior coursework toward the new program. 
            6. If a student does not return to Good Academic Standing in the first term they enroll following reinstatement, they will be Academically Dismissed with no further reinstatement eligibility. 
            7. All other conditions for program completion will apply to reinstated students, including completion time limits. Additional conditions may also be placed on students at reinstatement, such as enrollment in appropriate coursework, coaching, or tutoring.
      2. Restart
         1. Students who have not enrolled in graduate coursework for five consecutive years may request a one-time restart to begin a graduate program from the beginning. 
            1. All previous grades and credits will be excluded from the new program. 
            2. Students should consult with a Success Network Partner before requesting this option. 
            3. Program availability and degree requirements may change over time. Restarted students are only eligible to pursue programs offered at the time they restart.
   3. Academic Standing for Doctoral Students
      1. There are three levels of academic standing: 
         1. Good Academic Standing 
            1. Doctoral students are in Good Academic Standing if they: 
               1. a.  Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and 
               2. b.  Earn no grades below “B” in their coursework. 
            2. Regardless of GPA, grades of “C,” “U,” “F,” and “FN” cannot be applied toward degree requirements. 
         2. Academic Probation 
            1. Students who receive a grade below “B” in any doctoral course will be placed on Academic Probation. 
            2. The student must repeat the course and earn a “B” or higher before enrolling in any additional coursework. 
            3. Only one course may be repeated during the doctoral program. A second grade below “B” results in dismissal. 
            4. In dissertation courses: 
               1. a.  A grade of “U” results in a student being placed on Academic Probation.
               2. b.  The student must repeat the course and earn a grade of “S” before enrolling in additional coursework.
               3. c.  A second “U” in a dissertation course results in dismissal. 
         3. Academic Dismissal 
            1. Doctoral students will be dismissed if they: 
               1. a.  Earn a second grade below “B” in non-dissertation courses, or 
               2. b.  Receive a second “U” in dissertation coursework. 
               3. c.  Academic Dismissal is recorded on a student’s transcript, and students will be notified of their status.
               4. d.  Dismissed doctoral students are not eligible for reinstatement to the doctoral program. However, they may apply for admission to a master’s program and are subject to the admissions requirements in the Graduate Admissions Policy.

*formerly Policy 158.01 Academic Standing Status for Graduate Students