Academic Standards

Academic Standards

The requirements for the degrees and certificates offered through the School of Education are subject to change. The School does not guarantee continuation of any particular curriculum or program of study. 

The University does not guarantee the award of a degree or certificate to students enrolled in any academic program. The award of degrees and certificates is conditional based on satisfaction of degree/certificate and instructional requirements at the time the student is admitted to the degree/certificate program, compliance with the University and School regulations, as well as performance meeting the expectations of faculty. Any breach of academic standards may result in disciplinary actions against the student(s) involved; please see the Academic and Student Conduct Policies section for an overview of grievance and due process procedures.

The School of Education reserves the right to dismiss at any time a student whose academic standing or general conduct is considered unsatisfactory. 

Graduate Students

Good Academic Standing

To remain in good academic standing, School of Education graduate students (master’s, certificate, and non-degree) must maintain at least a B average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) throughout their enrollment. In addition, graduate students (master’s and certificate) must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) to receive approval for graduation.

Unsatisfactory Academic Standing

A graduate (master’s or certificate) student’s academic standing is considered unsatisfactory if any of the following outcomes occur:

• The student earns a grade of F for a credit-bearing course. No grade of F in a credit-bearing course may be counted toward a degree or certificate program. [Note: In the Urban Teachers collaboration program a student who earns an F grade will be automatically dismissed from the program. Please refer to the program handbook for more information.]
• The student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale).
• The student fails to meet other academic expectations as defined by individual programs— for example, performing unsatisfactorily during an internship placement.
  Note: No more than one credit-bearing course in which the grade of C+, C, or C- is earned may be counted toward the degree or certificate.

ACADEMIC PROBATION

In the event that any of the above outcomes occur, the following actions are taken:

• The student is placed on academic probation for a period of not less than one semester. While a student can appeal the award of a grade (see Grade Appeals policy), a student cannot appeal the decision to place them on academic probation.
• As part of the terms of academic probation, the student will be placed on a Candidate Improvement Plan that outlines the specific requirements/goals that the student must meet within a designated timeframe in order to be reinstated to good academic standing (e.g. regaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0).
• Any courses taken during the probationary period must be approved by the student’s faculty advisor. If the student originally received an F grade in a required course, the student must repeat the course in which the unsatisfactory grade was earned. (See policies on Failure - F Grades and Repeated Courses.) If the F grade was earned in a course that is not required, the student may take another course that meets with faculty advisor approval. However, unlike with repeating the same course, both grades (the grade of F in the original course and the new grade from the other course) will be calculated in the grade point average.

A student will be released from probation once they have met the following conditions (where applicable): the student has 1) met the all requirements/goals laid out in the Candidate Improvement Plan, 2) completed any required repeated or substitute (for elective) course(s) with a satisfactory grade, 3) regained a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale), as required for good academic standing, and 4) met all other conditions of probation set by their faculty advisor or the program.

ACADEMIC DISMISSAL

Students will be automatically dismissed from their academic program in the event that any of the following occur:

• The student fails to meet the requirements/goals laid out in the Candidate Improvement Plan within the designated timeframe and any other conditions set for reinstatement to good academic standing while on academic probation.
• The student earns two or more F grades cumulatively over the course of their entire program of study.

Dismissal decisions based on academic performance are final and cannot be appealed. While a student cannot appeal the School’s decision to dismiss them, a student may appeal the award of the original grade(s) that led to the dismissal (see Grade Appeals policy). Students who have been dismissed for any reason are permanently barred from matriculating in another credit-bearing or non-credit course or program in the School of Education.

Doctoral Students (EdD and PhD)

Good Academic Standing

To remain in good academic standing, School of Education doctoral students must maintain a 3.25 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) throughout their enrollment. In addition, doctoral students must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) to receive approval for graduation.

Unsatisfactory Academic Standing

A doctoral student’s academic standing is considered unsatisfactory if any of the following outcomes occur:

• The student earns a grade of F for a course. No grade of F may be counted towards a doctoral degree program, and a student may be dismissed from the program.
• The student earns a grade of C+ or lower in any course. No grade of C+ or lower may be counted toward a doctoral degree program. Students receiving a C+ or lower will be required to retake the course (if it is a required course) or take an alternate course (if it was an elective course).
• The student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.25 (on a 4.0 point scale).
• The student fails to make adequate progress towards the doctoral dissertation. The doctoral committee will consider progress based on expectations set by the program, discussions with the advisor, and input from the student.
• The student fails to meet other academic expectations as defined by individual programs.

While a student cannot appeal the School’s decision to dismiss them, a student may appeal the award of the original grade(s) (see Grade Appeals policy). Students who have been dismissed for any reason are permanently barred from matriculating in another credit-bearing or non-credit course or program in the School of Education.