2024-2025 Catalog > Academic Policies > Graduate Academic Policies > Academic Standing and Re-Entry Policies > Sawyer Business School

Sawyer Business School

Graduate students (degree or certificate) in the Sawyer Business School are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of "B" (3.0) in order to graduate. Failure to maintain this average can lead to academic dismissal. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the completion of each term/semester or they may be placed on academic standing.  "A," "A –," "B+," and "B" represent satisfactory work. "B-", "C+", and "C", represent passing but unsatisfactory work. There is no grade below a “C” that is a passing grade in graduate school. It is the student's responsibility to monitor their academic progress. Formal guidelines for academic performance and consequent actions are as follows:

Warning

1. Issued when a student's term/semester GPA falls below 3.0 for the second consecutive term/semester with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
2. Issued when a student receives an “F” grade in an elective course with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
3. Issued when a student receives a 2nd Incomplete grade (I)

Probation

1. Issued when a student's cumulative GPA falls below 3.0
2. Issued when a student receives an “F” grade in a required course with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
3. Issued when a student receives a second “F” grade in an elective course with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
4. Issued when a student has three (3) or more “I” grades; the student will be blocked from registration for future terms/semesters until they achieve two or less “I” grades within the timeframe of the agreed upon “I” grade deadline; the grade must be passing a grade in each course in order to progress in the program

Extended Probation

Issued on a case-by-case basis for serious extenuating circumstances for a student who demonstrates strong progress toward regaining good academic standing.

Steps for Granting Extended Probation

1. Student must meet with their respective Program Director and provide documentation outlining extenuating circumstances.
2. The Program Director must forward the student’s documentation and provide a letter of support as well as an agreed upon plan of action to the Dean of Graduate Programs or designated SBS representative.

Dismissal

• May be issued when a student receives a 2nd “F” grade in a required course
• May be issued when a student receives a second “F” grade in an elective course with a cumulative GPA below 3.0
• May be issued when a student does not meet the conditions of their probation in the term/semester following the probationary term/semester

Once a student is dismissed from Suffolk University, they are no longer considered a Suffolk University student. 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 seeking re-admission to a single Sawyer Business School program must complete a new application for admission and provide supporting documentation required for admission consideration. Students will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Students who are dismissed for academic dishonesty will not be allowed to apply for readmission.

Appeal for Readmission

A student may appeal to the SBS Dean of Graduate Programs or designated SBS representative for readmission to the program from which they were dismissed by taking the following steps:

1. Student must petition their respective Program Director, in writing, requesting readmission within 14 days of receiving the dismissal letter. The petition letter should include personal contact information, including the former Suffolk University ID. The letter should address any difficulties or extenuating circumstances they experienced while enrolled in their degree program that resulted in the academic performance leading to their dismissal.
2. Student must meet with their respective Program Director and provide documentation outlining any such extenuating circumstances, e.g., transcripts from other institutions, letters from a current faculty member, etc.
3. Program Director must forward the student’s documentation and provide a letter of support as well as an agreed upon action plan to the SBS Dean of Graduate Programs or designated SBS representative:          

   Sawyer Business School Graduate Programs

   120 Tremont Street

   Boston, MA 02108-2770

The student will be notified of the decision in writing by the SBS Dean of Graduate Programs or designated SBS representative.

• If readmission is denied, the student is dismissed without any opportunity to appeal for readmission to the Program.
• If readmission is granted, the student's progress will be closely monitored by their Program Director. If satisfactory progress is not achieved as defined in the agreed-upon action plan, the student will be dismissed with no opportunity for readmission to the Program.

For more information, please call the Sawyer Business School Graduate Programs Office at 617-573-8088 or email businessgrad@suffolk.edu.

Attention International Students: If your appeal is successful and you are readmitted, bring a copy of your readmission letter to the International Student Services Office located on the 9th Floor of 73 Tremont Street, 617-573-8034, if you are on a visa or I-20. This re-admittance is academic and does not ensure that the university will be able to reinstate you through immigration.

Policy for students seeking re-entry since their last enrollment

A student previously enrolled in a Sawyer Business School 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:

1. A student seeking re-entry 5 or less years since their last enrollment:
   1. Submit a Re-Entry Form and resume to the Office of Graduate Admission.
   2. 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.
   3. If a student is not in good academic standing, the graduate program director, in consultation with the SBS Dean of Graduate Programs or designated SBS representative, will make an admit decision. If a student is readmitted, the Office of Graduate Admission will issue an official Re-Entry admission letter.
   4. 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.
   5. All review of prior coursework and academic performance will be handled on a case-by-case basis for relevance and current following current waiver and transfer policies.
2. A student seeking re-entry with more than 5 years and less than 7 years since their last enrollment:
   1. Submit a Re-Entry Form and resume to the Office of Graduate Admission.
   2. The graduate program director will make admit decision based on the following:
      1. Why the student left the program
      2. Earned Suffolk grades in the graduate program to date
      3. Resume – what student has done since leaving the program
      4. GMAT or GRE score taken when admitted to the program (if testing was required)
   3. If readmitted, student will be subject to the academic requirements for the degree at the time of readmission and readmitted under the current catalog year.
   4. 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. Any exceptions being requested must be reviewed and approved by the SBS Dean of Graduate Programs or designated SBS representative.
3. A student seeking re-entry with 7 or more years since their last enrollment:
   1. Must completely re-apply to the program including application for admission, new GMAT or GRE (if required for standard admission to the program), and all other components of a standard first-time application to the program.
   2. 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.
   3. 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.

Re-entry due to Military Service

Suffolk University will make the necessary accommodations to work with service members or reservists due to service requirements. Students are encouraged to view the University's information regarding military service for more information.