Graduate Academic Standing
(Consolidation of GP 1.11, GP 2.9, and GP 3.6)
| Applies to: | Original Policy Date: | Date of Last Review: | Approved by: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Students | May 2025 | Dr. John Z. Kiss, Provost and Senior VP for Academic Affairs |
Policy Owner: Office of Graduate Programs
Policy Purpose
This policy establishes comprehensive standards for graduate student academic performance and provides a framework for addressing academic deficiencies.
Policy Scope
This policy applies to all students enrolled in graduate programs at the Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech), including Graduate Certificate, Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Science in Aviation (M.S.A.), Education Specialist (Ed.S.), Doctor of Aviation (Av.D.), Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) programs. The policy encompasses both full-time and part-time enrollment status, as well as all locations and modes of instruction.
Policy Statement
Florida Tech maintains high academic standards essential to the integrity of graduate education and the value of graduate degrees. Graduate students must maintain consistent academic performance and demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completing their degree requirements. This policy describes good academic standing in graduate programs and outlines the processes for academic warning, probation, and dismissal, while ensuring fair and consistent procedures for academic appeals.
Definitions
Academic Progress: Maintaining required grade point averages and completing degree requirements within established timeframes.
Cumulative Graduate GPA: Grade point average based on all graduate-numbered courses taken at Florida Tech while enrolled as a graduate student.
Program GPA: Grade point average based on all graduate and non-deficiency undergraduate coursework approved to be included in the program of study.
Term GPA: Grade point average of all courses taken in a specific academic term.
Academic Improvement Plan: A formal document outlining specific actions and timeline for addressing academic shortcomings.
Procedures/Guidelines
A. Academic Standing Requirements for Graduate Programs
- Good Academic Standing
Students enrolled in a graduate program at Florida Tech must maintain a cumulative graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher to remain in good academic standing. Students who are not in good academic standing will be returned to good standing when they attain a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0. - Academic Warning
The university will place a graduate student on academic warning when he/she began a term in academic good standing but did not maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of the term. This status serves as an early intervention mechanism. Students on academic warning are expected to:- meet with their academic advisor within the first two weeks of the next term to develop an academic improvement plan, and
- utilize appropriate academic support services as recommended by their advisor.
- Academic Probation
A graduate student enters academic probation status when he/she begins a term in academic warning and fail to achieve either the minimum 3.0 term GPA or the minimum 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA required. During the probationary period, students are expected to:- meet with their academic advisor within the first two weeks of the next term to develop an academic improvement plan,
- complete any remedial coursework specified by the program, and
- utilize appropriate academic support services as recommended by their advisor.
- Academic Dismissal
For graduate students, academic dismissal occurs under any of the following circumstances:- Progressive Academic Deficiency: For a student who began the term on academic probation, failure to achieve the minimum 3.0 term GPA required.
- Immediate Dismissal Conditions:
- A cumulative graduate GPA less than 2.0 at any time.
- Two or more failing grades (D, F, or U) in any courses taken as a graduate student.
- Program Specific Requirements:
- Failure to meet program-specific academic requirements, including, but not limited to, unsatisfactory performance on the final attempt of a final program examination, master’s thesis defense, doctoral comprehensive examination, doctoral proposal defense, dissertation defense, or other required milestones.
- Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Program Only: Unsatisfactory grade for one semester for 9-credit hours of internship.
- Professional Conduct:
- Failure to maintain satisfactory progress in coursework and/or research, as determined by a majority vote of the graduate faculty in the student's academic unit (requires concurrence of both the respective College Dean and the Office of Graduate Programs).
- Academic Misconduct:
- Breaches of professional codes of ethics and/or conduct established by the field, or violation of academic integrity standards as described in Policy on Graduate Program Dismissal for Misconduct.
B. Transcript Annotations
- Transcript Annotations for Academic Standing
To ensure graduate students are making satisfactory progress toward their degree objectives, the Office of Graduate Programs conducts comprehensive academic standing reviews at the following intervals:- End of each academic term,
- Following comprehensive examinations or other significant program milestones,
- At the request of the respective academic unit.
At the conclusion of each term, students' transcripts will be updated to reflect their current academic standing.
Graduate students who are placed on academic warning or academic probation, or who are dismissed will receive written notice of their academic standing, and their academic unit and the Registrar will be informed of these actions by the Office of Graduate Programs.
- Transcript Annotation for Dismissed Doctoral Students
Transcripts of academically dismissed doctoral students are annotated as follows:- The statement “Not admitted to candidacy for academic reasons” is used on the transcripts of pre-candidacy (pre-proposal) dismissals.
- The statement “Removed from candidacy for academic reasons” is used for dismissed doctoral candidates.
C. Appeal Process for Academic Dismissal
An academic dismissal may be appealed at any time for educationally sound reasons. Appellants will not be permitted to register for or attend classes until after a favorable decision about the appeal has been made. Students may appeal academic dismissals through the following process.
- Appeal Submission Requirements
The graduate student submits an appeal to the Office of Graduate Programs, which must include:- a formal letter explaining circumstances leading to academic difficulties,
- documentation supporting extenuating circumstances,
- a detailed plan for academic improvement, and
- a request for statute of limitations, if applicable.
- Review Process
First Level Review: The graduate student’s academic unit head- reviews the student’s appeal packet, academic record, and potential for success in collaboration with the graduate program chair and the student’s academic/major advisor, and
- makes a recommendation to the college dean.
- reviews the student’s appeal packet and the academic unit head’s recommendation,
- considers program-specific factors, and
- makes a recommendation to the Office of Graduate Programs.
- reviews all materials,
- makes a final decision, and
- communicates its decision to the student, the respective academic unit, and the Office of the Registrar.
- Reinstatement Conditions
Graduate students whose appeals are approved must- meet with their academic/major advisor and graduate program chair or academic unit head to review conditions of reinstatement, if any,
- complete any required remedial coursework,
- follow any conditions or restrictions on registration as specified in the reinstatement letter, and
- maintain a term GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Appeals from Reinstatement Denials
A denial of the request for reinstatement will usually be considered final. However, if new information not available at the time of the original appeal is discovered, the student may reappeal for reinstatement with the approval from their academic/major advisor and academic unit head. Students will not be permitted to register for or attend classes until a final decision for the reappeal has been made. All decisions on the reappeal are final. - Appeals From Second and Subsequent Dismissals
Reinstatement appeals following a second or subsequent dismissal may only be submitted with the approval of the student's academic advisor(s) and academic unit head. If the request to submit an appeal is not approved, the student may submit an appeal for reinstatement after one calendar year from the end of the last full semester attended.
Responsibilities
The Office of Graduate Programs implements the policy based on the standards established by recommendation from the Graduate Council and approved by the Provost.
The Office of Graduate Programs monitors this policy for effectiveness and compliance, reviews this policy at least annually, and recommends updates or revisions as needed. The Office of Graduate Programs is responsible for communication, compliance, and enforcement of this policy.
The Office of Graduate Programs is responsible for establishing and maintaining academic standards in conjunction with the academic units and the Graduate Council, conducting regular academic standing reviews.
In collaboration with the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Graduate processes formal notifications of academic standing, coordinating the appeals process, and maintaining official records.
Graduate Students are responsible for maintaining awareness of academic requirements, seeking assistance when experiencing difficulties, complying with intervention requirements, and submitting appeal materials as needed.
Academic/Major Advisors and Academic Units are responsible for monitoring student academic progress, providing academic advising and support, recommending appropriate interventions, reviewing appeal materials, and making recommendations for reinstatement as needed.
Academic Deans are responsible for reviewing appeal materials and academic units’ recommendations for reinstatement or misconduct dismissals.
The Office of the Registrar is responsible for ensuring that students’ academic standings are accurately annotated on their transcripts at the end of each academic term.
Compliance Reference
SACSCOC Standards
- Standard 9.7: Program Requirements
- Standard 10.1: Academic Policies