Standards of Progress
The term “standards of progress” defines a minimum standard of progress that the University expects graduate students to achieve as they work toward their educational goals. To be eligible for continued enrollment in good standing, a student must maintain the standards noted below:
- Grade Point Average (GPA)
Maintain a cumulative “B” (3.0) average in their graduate program. A satisfactory level of academic achievement is determined on the basis of the student’s cumulative grade point average calculated on the basis of all graduate work attempted. A student is in academic good standing only if his or her cumulative grade point average is 3.0 or higher.
Students granted provisional admission due to GPA issues must successfully complete 12 semester credit hours of OU coursework with no course grade below a “B” in order to be granted full admission. Students granted provisional admission based on any of the other criteria (see acceptance letter) must meet all requirements outlined in their provisional acceptance by the completion of 12 semester credit hours in order to be granted full admission.
A student may receive no more than two grades of C”. A graduate course in which a grade of “C” was received may be repeated, but a student must repeat any graduate course taken for which a grade of “D” or “F” was received. If a student withdraws from a “repeated” course, it may be taken again. In situations where the course needed to be repeated is no longer available or offered, a similar course may be substituted with the approval of the Program Director, however, the student’s ability to retake a course may be limited by curriculum changes or academic policy changes. Regardless of the GPA, a student will not be allowed to graduate with a final grade of “D” or “F” in any course.
Students must complete no less than six hours of applicable credit within each year after enrolling in the program to be considered an active student.
Inactive students wishing to re-enter the program must consult with the program director for approval and will be subject to any curriculum changes that have occurred since their last enrollment.
A student who does not attempt any coursework in an academic year will be required to participate in an abbreviated reapplication process as outlined by the division.
The maximum time frame to complete a graduate program is seven years.
Students who fall below the minimum standards of progress are subject to the following actions: academic probation, dismissal from the degree program, or be required to reapply to the degree program. Please see below for additional details regarding these actions. Students are advised to contact their financial aid advisor for information as to how these situations may potentially impact their financial aid.
The following situations may be grounds for academic probation:
- A student who fails to maintain a cumulative “B” (3.0)average.
- A student who earns a “D”.
- A student who earns a “F”.
A student may be placed on academic probation for no less than one semester or term. The student will remain on academic probation until he or she obtains a cumulative average of 3.0 or higher. A student may be placed on academic probation only once. The probationary status permits the student to continue in the program while working with his or her academic advisor to address deficiencies and take corrective action for improvement. A student placed on academic probation is considered active in his/her degree program; however, the student may not register for more than six semester credits per term while on probation. The student may be restricted to registration in less credits at the program director’s discretion.
The following situations are grounds for dismissal from the degree program:
- If the student fails to attain a 3.0 in any course while on probation.
- If the student earns a grade below “B” in any course while on probation.
The program director will issue a letter of dismissal to the student. Once dismissed, a student is prohibited from enrolling in any courses at the University unless readmitted per the policy stated below.
The University recognizes that extenuating circumstances may occur which are beyond the student’s control and which contribute to the student’s poor academic performance. A student may appeal an academic dismissal by filing a formal written appeal to the program director. The program director will appoint a committee chair to form a review committee consisting of at least two additional committee members for review of the appeal. The following outlines this procedure:
- Within 10 working days after receipt of the written appeal and the formation of the committee, the committee will make a decision and communicate it, in writing, to the involved parties.
- The chair will be responsible to maintain a log of all activities of the appeal review committee.
- This log will include minutes of meetings and all actions taken.
- Either party may submit a written petition to the campus executive officer or his/her designee appealing the committee decision. This should be done as soon as possible after the committee decision is communicated to the involved parties.
- The campus executive officer or his/her designee will review the committee decision and gather any additional information found to be necessary for the review.
- Within 10 working days after completing the review process, the campus executive officer or his/her designee will make a decision and communicate it, in writing, to the involved parties.
- The decision of the campus executive officer or his/her designee may be appealed to the chief academic officer or his/her designee.
- The decision of the chief academic officer or his/her designee may be appealed to the president.
- The decision of the president is final.