Undergraduate Academic Standing Policy

Undergraduate students must pay special attention to their cumulative University grade point average (UGPA) as it relates to academic standing and academic progress to degree. Maintaining good academic standing is crucial to demonstrating progress to degree and fulfilling the degree or certificate requirements of your program. Recognizing its importance to our students, University Rule 3361:50-1-06 articulates the acceptable standards necessary to be in "Good Academic Standing" and the consequences faced when those standards are not met by the students.

Unlike sanctions imposed by a student's specific college or program which may require a higher UGPA, the University standards are applied systematically based solely on the number of credit hours attempted, the UGPA earned at the end of a term, and the previous standing held by the student. Progressive actions are recorded over multiple terms in hopes that the student may be able to take corrective action to regain an acceptable UGPA which would place them back in good academic standing.

Following final grading each semester, the University will systematically review all undergraduate students—regardless of college, class, major, or matriculation status—to determine the level of academic standing applicable to each student.

Molly S. McDermott-Fallon, MBA
molly.mcdermott@uc.edu

Good standing indicates that the student is meeting the minimum academic standard for retention by the University. A student is in academic good standing as long as the student's UGPA is 2.0 or greater. Once a student has attempted thirty (30) or more semester hours, all University academic rules apply.* To meet graduation requirements, the student must have a minimum UGPA of 2.0.

Note: Several UC Colleges also have additional academic requirements to remain in good standing within that college and to remain eligible to pursue programs within that college. Students are advised to contact their college for those requirements.

An Academic Alert email is sent to any student whose cumulative grade point average is less than 2.0, but who has not yet attempted at least thirty (30*) University of Cincinnati semester credit hours. An email is sent to serve as a reminder that continued below-average academic performance may result in Academic Probation, and possibly Academic Suspension in later terms. An Academic Alert is not the same as being placed on Academic Probation; it is simply a means to direct the student toward academic improvement.

Academic Probation is intended to inform students making unsatisfactory progress of their need to alter study habits and seek additional academic advising. Early recognition will indicate to the student the possible jeopardy to academic goals and will allow an opportunity to demonstrate acceptable performance.

For a student to be placed on Academic Probation two things must occur. First, the student must have attempted at least 30 UC semester hours. Second, the student's UGPA has dropped below 2.0.* While on Academic Probation, the student must earn a term GPA of 2.0 or greater. Academic Probation will continue until the UGPA reaches 2.0 or greater. Once that condition is satisfied, the student will be returned to Academic Good Standing.

Academic Probation is not posted to the student's official UC transcript but it will be noted on the student's term grade report. A student may not graduate from the University of Cincinnati while on Academic Probation.

A student's class enrollments for the subsequent term are not affected by being placed on Academic Probation. Given this fact, Academic Probation is not an appealable academic standing. Faculty grade changes will affect Academic Probation.

Academic Suspension is posted to a student's official record if a student currently on Academic Probation fails to earn a term GPA of at least 2.0. This is reviewed at the end of each term.

The length of the Academic Suspension is three full semesters (i.e., one academic year).

A student serving Academic Suspension may not enroll in classes offered by any other academic unit at the University of Cincinnati during the suspension period. If a student has already registered for classes for the subsequent term prior to being placed on Academic Suspension, those classes will be administratively dropped (i.e., enrollment is cancelled).

Readmission after the mandatory suspension period is not automatic. Suspended students must petition for readmission after serving the suspension period. The suspended student must submit an application for readmission supported by a letter documenting the reasons for the previous academic difficulties, and a college-approved plan for achieving a UGPA of 2.0 or greater.

At the college's discretion, college approval may require the student to satisfy certain specified conditions. A student may not graduate from the University of Cincinnati while on Academic Suspension.

A student who is approved to return to UC after the mandatory suspension period will be placed on Academic Probation. The student will remain on probation until the UGPA has increased to 2.0 or greater. Once that condition is satisfied, the student will be returned to Academic Good Standing.

A student who is readmitted to the University following Academic Suspension will be reinstated on Academic Probation. While on Academic Probation, the student must earn a minimum term GPA of 2.0 to continue enrollment. A student on Academic Probation following Academic Suspension who fails to earn a minimum 2.0 term GPA will be academically dismissed from the University.

Should the student's UGPA ever drop below 2.0 after returning to Academic Good Standing, the student is subject to Academic Dismissal at the end of any academic term in which the UGPA drops below 2.0.

Academic Dismissal permanently denies all future registration privileges at the University. Dismissal is the most serious academic standing classification denoting a repeated failure to meet minimum university academic standards. Therefore, as a matter of general policy, students are not eligible for readmission to the University of Cincinnati following Academic Dismissal.

Academic Dismissal is recorded on a student's academic transcript. A student may not graduate from the University of Cincinnati upon being academically dismissed.