In order to maintain good standing in the program, a student must be making steady progress towards completing the degree and must maintain a 3.0 or better in the average of all the courses approved by the faculty adviser to count for graduation.  Please note that a course may not be re-taken to improve the grade. 

A student must also maintain 3.0 or better cumulative GPA.  Per the GSAS website, “The cumulative GPA is derived from all courses in which a student has registered and received a grade, except in cases in which the student re-took a course after receiving an ‘F’. In such cases, the ‘F’ received for the original iteration does not count toward the GPA.” 

Note:  The “F” grade will not be counted toward graduation if replaced by another course, but will remain on the transcript and be included in the GPA that appears on the transcript.  Once a student receives an “F” grade, it will not go away from the transcript. 

A student who does not maintain the required 3.0 GPA must meet with his or her Faculty Adviser.  At the meeting, the Faculty Adviser will explain what requirements must be fulfilled in the next semester in order to regain good standing.  The student must agree to those conditions towards improvement.  A record of this conversation having taken place will be kept by the Program Coordinator with one copy retained by the student and another copy in the Program Office.  A student who does not satisfy the requirements in the next semester may not be allowed to continue in the program.

A student with academic difficulty should contact the Faculty Adviser as soon as possible.  A student may opt for a Leave of Absence from the program if there are mitigating circumstances preventing effective engagement in academic work.