College of Arts and Sciences
At the conclusion of each semester, the Graduate Academic Standing Committee reviews the records of graduate students failing to make satisfactory academic progress. The Committee may choose to take one of the following actions, or may take other actions specific to the noted deficiency in the student file. Written notification of all actions taken by the Committee is communicated to the student in a timely fashion.
Academic Warning:
- Two or more grades of I or W in a given semester, or
- Any grade below B, with a cumulative GPA above 3.0
Probation:
- A semester GPA below 3.0, or
- A cumulative GPA below 3.0 for the first time
Note: Students are placed on probation with specific conditions to be met in the subsequent semester.
Dismissal:
- A cumulative GPA below 3.0 for any two semesters, or
- Violation of professional or ethical standards, or
- Failure to make satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree, or
- Failure to meet the conditions of probation
A student dismissed from any dual degree program is dismissed from all programs that constitute the dual degree. Dismissals are recorded on the student transcript.
A student may appeal any decision in writing to the dean of the college within 30 days of receipt of the notice of action taken by the committee. The dean or designee will then make a final determination at the conclusion of a full investigation. (Please consult the published statements of individual graduate programs for any additional academic guidelines and policies regarding specific program requirements.)
Re-Admission to Suffolk University
Degree requirements for doctoral programs must be completed within eight consecutive years from the matriculation into the doctoral program. Degree requirements for all master's programs are normally completed within five years after the start of graduate work.
A student previously enrolled in a College of Arts & Sciences graduate degree program who has not been officially enrolled for two or more semesters (fall/spring) or who did not comply with the terms of an applied leave of absence must apply for readmission and meet the following criteria to be considered for re-entry:
A student seeking re-entry 5 or less years since their last enrollment:
- Submit a Re-Entry Form and resume to the Office of Graduate Admission.
- If the student is in good academic standing, with no outstanding payment issues, the Office of Graduate Admission will issue official Re-Entry Admission letter.
- Students will be subject to the academic requirements for the degree at the time of readmission and readmitted under the current catalog year.
- All review of prior coursework and academic performance will be handled on a case by case basis for relevance and currency following current waiver and transfer policies.
A student seeking re-entry with more than 5 years and less than 7 years since their last enrollment:
- Submit a Re-Entry Form and resume to the Office of Graduate Admission
- The graduate program director will make admit decision based on consideration of the earned Suffolk grades in the graduate program to date and a letter explaining why the student left the program and detailing professional activity that supports readmission.
- If readmitted, students will be subject to the academic requirements for the degree at the time of readmission and readmitted under the current catalog year.
- All review of prior coursework and academic performance will be handled on a case-by-case basis for relevance and currency following current waiver and transfer policies.
A student seeking re-entry with 7 or more years since their last enrollment:
- Must completely re-apply to the program including application for admission, new GRE (if required for standard admission to the program), and all other components of a standard first-time application to the program
- If admitted, students will be subject to the academic requirements for the degree at the time of readmission and admitted under the current catalog year
- All review of prior coursework and academic performance will be handled on a case-by-case basis for relevance and currency following current waiver and transfer policies.
Pass (“P”) / Fail (“F”) Option
Practica, internships, theses, and designated field experiences are typically taken on a pass/fail basis. Exceptions to this policy are only at the discretion of the respective program directors.
A Pass (“P”) grade may be applied toward fulfilling degree credits, but will not be applied toward the cumulative grade point average.