Academic Standing
Conservatory students who have matriculated in degree and diploma programs are required to maintain good academic standing. The Office of Academic Affairs reviews academic standing at the end of each semester.
Students who receive federal financial aid are also required to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as determined by the Financial Aid Office.
Note: The interim policies instituted during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 Academic Years are no longer in effect.
Academic Standing for Undergraduate Students
GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING
Undergraduate students are considered in good academic standing if they complete 12 credits each semester with a term and cumulative GPA of 2.0. Music students must earn a B- or better in major enrollments (lessons, juries, recitals, and Music for Media 1-4). Dance students must earn a B- or better in technique and performance classes.
ACADEMIC WARNING
Students will receive a letter of academic warning for the following reasons:
- Receiving an F in any class.
- Taking an IP in a major enrollment such as lessons, juries, and recitals for Music students or technique and performance classes for Dance students.
Students who receive a letter of academic warning are still in good academic standing. The Conservatory recognizes that injury and illness may make it necessary to take an IP in a major enrollment. In such cases, a letter of academic warning simply signals the need to plan for a number of outcomes in the following semester. Any student who receives academic warning letters in consecutive semesters will be placed on academic probation.
ACADEMIC PROBATION
Students will be placed on academic probation for the following reasons:
- Earning a term GPA below 2.0.
- Completing fewer than 12 credits.
- Earning a grade below B- in major area enrollments.
- Receiving academic warning letters in consecutive semesters.
- Falling short of the pace to complete the degree in the normative timeframe.
- Failing any course twice.
Student who are placed on academic probation will receive a letter stating the reason for why they are not in good academic standing and are required to complete a self-assessment and meet with Peabody Advising. They must remedy the situation in the subsequent semester of study.
Students on academic probation may not enroll in courses outside of their major area that do not apply to their requirements nor participate in Interdivisional Registration unless required for their major program.
CONTINUED ACADEMIC PROBATION
Students who have been on academic probation will be reclassified as continued academic probation if, after a semester of study, the student has remedied the problem that placed the student on probation but has fallen short of one of the other measures of academic standing. In rare cases, a student may have academic standing extended on the presentation of documentation of treatment from a licensed care provider and in consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the relevant faculty.
ACADEMIC SUSPENSION
Students who have been on probation and do not meet minimum requirements for returning to good academic standing will be evaluated for academic suspension. An academic suspension is a forced separation from enrollment in the next fall or spring semester. Students placed on academic suspension must adhere to the following rules:
- The student may not register for coursework at the Johns Hopkins University.
- The student will have no access to the Peabody Campus or facilities.
- The student may be required to present evidence of successful academic progress at another school with credits to transfer and articulate to the degree program at Peabody.
- The student must return in one year or be administratively withdrawn from the Conservatory.
Additionally, a student who is not on probation but does very poorly in a semester could be considered for suspension if:
- The student earns a term GPA below 1.5.
- The student earns an F in a major enrollment.
- The student earns less than six credits.
- The student fails any course three times.
When a student returns after academic suspension, they are placed on academic probation until they have met the requirements under “Return to Good Academic Standing.”
ACADEMIC DISMISSAL
Students who have been suspended for poor academic performance and then return to Peabody and fail to do well enough to return to good standing are dismissed, with no opportunity to return to complete the Peabody degree. Similarly, students may be dismissed without prior suspension if the GPA falls below 1.5 and/or the student earns an F in major enrollments.
RETURN TO GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING
Students are removed from academic action if they complete 12 credits and maintain a 2.0 term and cumulative GPA, and no unauthorized IPs or F grades.
If a student is not in good standing for multiple failures of the same course, there is an additional requirement of the successful completion of the course for a return to good standing.
Academic Standing for Graduate Students
GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING
Graduate students are considered in good academic standing if they complete each semester with a term and cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Master of Arts students must earn 9 credits each semester.
- Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts Students must complete 9 credits each semester and earn a B- or better in lessons, and recitals.
- Graduate Performance Diploma students must earn 4 credits each semester and a B- or better in lessons and recitals.
- Artist Diploma students must earn 4 credits each semester and complete at least one recital each academic year.
ACADEMIC WARNING
Graduate students will receive a letter of academic warning for the following reasons:
- Receiving an F in any class.
- Taking an IP in lessons or a recital
Students who receive a letter of academic warning are still in good academic standing. The Conservatory recognizes that injury and illness may make it necessary to take an IP in a major enrollment. In such cases, a letter of academic warning simply signals the need to plan for a number of outcomes in the following semester. Any student who receives academic warning letters in consecutive semesters will be placed on academic probation.
ACADEMIC PROBATION
Students will be placed on academic probation for the following reasons:
- Earning a term GPA below 3.0.
- Completing fewer than 9 credits.
- Earning a grade below B- in major area enrollments.
- Receiving academic warning letters in consecutive semesters.
- Falling short of the pace to complete the degree in the normative timeframe.
Student who are placed on academic probation will receive a letter stating the reason for why they are not in good academic standing and must remedy the situation in the next fall or spring semester.
CONTINUED ACADEMIC PROBATION
Students who have been on academic probation will be reclassified as continued academic probation if, after a semester of study, the student has remedied the problem that placed the student on probation but has fallen short of one of the other measures of academic standing. In rare cases, a student may have academic standing extended on the presentation of documentation of treatment from a licensed care provider and in consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the relevant faculty.
ACADEMIC SUSPENSION
Students who have been on probation and do not meet minimum requirements for returning to good academic standing will be evaluated for academic suspension. An academic suspension is a forced separation from enrollment in the next fall or spring semester. Students placed on academic suspension must adhere to the following rules:
- The student may not register for coursework at the Johns Hopkins University.
- The student will have no access to the Peabody Campus or facilities.
- The student may be required to present evidence of successful academic progress at another school with credits to transfer and articulate to the degree program at Peabody.
- The student must return in one year or be administratively withdrawn from the Conservatory.
Additionally, a student who is not on probation but does very poorly in a semester could be considered for suspension if:
- The student earns a term GPA below 1.5.
- The student earns an F in a major enrollment.
- The student earns less than six credits.
When a student returns after academic suspension, they are placed on academic probation until they have met the requirements under “Return to Good Academic Standing.”
ACADEMIC DISMISSAL
Students who have been suspended for poor academic performance and then return to Peabody and fail to do well enough to return to good standing are dismissed, with no opportunity to return to complete the Peabody degree. Similarly, students may be dismissed without prior suspension if the GPA falls below 1.5 and/or the student earns an F in major enrollments.
RETURN TO GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING
Students are removed from academic action if they complete 12 credits and maintain a 2.2 term and cumulative GPA, and no unauthorized IPs or F grades.