Academic Minimums for Continued Enrollment, Promotion and Graduation
Professional Programs
For new students, successful completion of all pre-matriculation and matriculation requirements for the professional degree programs are mandatory. All continuing students are required to achieve a passing grade in all required courses.
College of Medicine students should begin M3 clerkships after taking and passing Step 1. M4 courses may begin after they have successfully completed all course requirements of the M3 year. Students must pass the USMLE Step 2 CK examination prior to graduation as specified in the COM Academic Progression, Promotion and Graduation Requirements Policy.
Graduate Programs
Each semester the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies (COGS) will review the academic standing of all students in the college in consultation with the program directors, and the assistant director of assessment.
The minimum academic standards for students enrolled in the COGS graduate programs are as follows:
1. Grading - Grades used by the COGS include A, B, C, F, Pass, and Fail
a. A graduate student who receives two course grades of a C or lower is subject to referral to the COGS Committee on Academic and Professional Progress (COGS-CAPP).
2. Good Standing
a. To be considered in good standing within the COGS, a student must maintain a graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better in all graduate credit courses and must maintain reasonable progress (defined below) toward meeting graduate program progression requirements.
3. Reasonable Progress
Students are required to make reasonable progress toward their degree or certificate as set by the parameters for graduation by each program. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure reasonable progress is made toward the completion of individual programs of study. Examples of reasonable progress include:
a. Maintaining status as a degree-seeking student by enrolling in coursework required by the program.
b. Maintaining enrollment standards as outlined in the Student Enrollment policy
c. Taking an approved leave of absence.
d. Maintaining a GPA at or above 3.00.
A student who does not maintain reasonable progress toward a degree or who does not fulfill other graduate program requirements, including those regarding professional standards and misconduct, may be denied further registration in that program by the COGS. The Dean of the COGS will make recommendations to the COGS-CAPP if necessary and will direct the Office of the Registrar to place a hold on registration.
4. Academic Probation
a. Review of a student’s performance and progress may result in a recommendation for academic probation. Academic Probation is a predetermined period in which students must correct their academic performance. If academic performance is not corrected, dismissal from the COGS may follow. Academic Probation may be recommended for a student who has failed to meet program expectations. Recommendations for academic probation must be transmitted to the COGS-CAPP from the Dean of the COGS, along with a written explanation of the recommendation. Recommendations must include expectations for future performance and a timetable for the correction of deficiencies (not to exceed 3 semesters, inclusive of summer). The final decision to place a student on academic probation rests with the COGS-CAPP. The Chair of the COGS-CAPP will provide the student with written communication regarding the decision and expectations for future performance. If the COGS-CAPP determines that academic probation is appropriate, the Office of the Registrar will be notified by the Dean of the COGS, and the student will be placed immediately on academic probation.
5. Removal from Academic Probation
Students on academic probation will be reviewed by the program director and Dean of the COGS at least once each semester. That review will be transmitted to COGS-CAPP and may result in a recommendation of:
a. return the student to good academic standing,
b. continued academic probation, or
c. dismissal from the program.
To return to good academic standing, the student must have corrected the deficiency that caused the academic probation decision, as well as continued to meet other program and university requirements. Coursework used in raising the student’s GPA must be a part of normal degree requirements.
6. Dismissal from COGS
A student who is on academic probation and does not raise the graduate GPA to 3.00 or better by the end of their probationary period may be dismissed from the COGS. At the end of two consecutive semesters or terms on academic probation, the student is automatically dismissed from the University unless good standing is achieved. If there are extenuating circumstances, the COGS-CAPP will recommend a course of action.
7. Dismissal Appeal
A student who is dismissed has the right to appeal the decision. Appeals must follow the process outlined in the University's administrative policies and procedures for COGS-CAPP appeals.
