SBS Graduate Academic Standards

Graduate students in the Sawyer Business School are expected to earn at least a B (3.0) in all courses attempted. Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 to graduate. Failure to maintain this average can lead to academic dismissal. It is the student's responsibility to monitor his/her academic progress. Formal guidelines for academic performance and consequent actions are as follows:

Warning

Issued when a semester’s GPA falls below 3.0 for the first time

Issued when a student receives a 2nd “C” grade (C or C+) with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0

Issued when a student receives a 2nd Incomplete grade (I)

Probation

Issued when a student's cumulative GPA falls below 3.0

Issued when a student receives an “F” grade with a cumulative GPA above 3.0

Extended Probation

Given for serious extenuating circumstances on a case by case basis

Steps for granting Extended Probation 
1. Student must meet with Program Director and provide documentation outlining extenuating circumstances 
2. 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

Dismissal

May be issued when a student receives a 2nd “F” grade

May be issued when a student does not meet the conditions of his/her probation in the semester following the probationary term

Appeal for Readmission

Student must petition the Program Director in writing, requesting readmission within 14 days of receiving the dismissal letter

Student must meet with the Program Director and provide documentation outlining extenuating circumstances

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

The student will be notified of the decision in writing by the SBS Dean of Graduate Programs 

 If readmission is granted, the student’s progress will be closely monitored by the 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 

If readmission is denied, the student is dismissed without any opportunity for readmission to the Program

Incomplete

“I” (Incomplete) indicates a student has done passing work in a course but has not yet submitted all the outstanding work required for a formal evaluation. The “I” is awarded at the instructor’s discretion, only if the student has completed at least half of the course requirements satisfactorily at the end of the semester, and there is a reasonable expectation that all course requirements can be completed in one academic year. An “I” must be formally re-evaluated by the instructor within one academic year, resulting in an evaluation grade or an extension of the “I,” or it automatically converts to an “F.”

Retaking a Course

A student may retake only one graduate course in his/her graduate program where an “F” grade has been received. The new grade will be included in his/her GPA. The original “F” will remain on the transcript but will not be included in the GPA. The repeated course must be completed within one academic year.

If a second “F” is received, the grade will remain on the transcript and be included in the GPA.

A passing grade must be earned in all required courses.

Students can appeal to the SBS Dean of Graduate Programs for readmission.