Scholastic Standards (Graduate School) – LR 509.15

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University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Policy Name: Scholastic Standards
Policy Number: LR 509.15
Effective Date: August 15, 2011
Revised Dates:
Most Recent Review Date:

Policy Statement

In order to make progress towards graduation, maintain their assistantship, and remain in good standing with respect to the federal financial aid criteria, it is important for students to remain in good academic standing. This policy defines what it means to be in good academic standing and the implications associated with failure to maintain good academic standing.

Good Academic Standing

To be in good academic standing in the Graduate School at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, a graduate student must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (the academic unit or the Graduate School may impose a higher minimum GPA requirement on any graduate student at their discretion) in class work, perform satisfactorily in the other components of his/her academic program, and make progress toward the completion of his/her graduate program. A satisfactory rate of progress is defined as making progress at a rate compatible with the expectations communicated to the graduate student after consultation with his/her advisor or graduate advisory committee.

At least once per year, the graduate student’s advisor or graduate advisory committee will determine if satisfactory progress is being made toward degree completion, taking into account all aspects of academic performance and promise, not necessarily course work alone. A positive judgment rendered by the graduate student’s advisor or graduate advisory committee is required to remain in good academic standing. When the student has a graduate advisory committee, satisfactory performance is achieved when a majority (>50%) of the committee believes that to be the case.

Consequences of Failure to Maintain Good Academic Standing

Failure to maintain good academic standing results in the student, at a minimum, being placed on academic probation. Graduate students on probation may take a full course load and continue to make progress in other components of their graduate program. However, graduate students on academic probation may not maintain their graduate assistantships. The probationary period extends for 12 credit hours beyond the semester in which probationary status is acquired and during which the student registers for courses that affect his/her GPA (i.e., traditionally graded courses) and/or (s)he can demonstrate continued progress toward program completion. Students on probation are subject to dismissal by the academic unit or the dean of the Graduate School at the end of the probationary period unless good academic standing has been regained. Regaining good academic standing may involve improvement in cumulative GPA to a 3.0 and/or satisfactory progress in other aspects of the academic program as determined by the student’s graduate advisor or advisory committee. It is important to note that under no circumstances will a graduate student be awarded a master’s or doctoral degree or graduate certificate when not in good academic standing.

If, in the opinion of the student’s advisor or graduate advisory committee, a student’s performance is sufficiently poor as to render the possibility of achieving good standing unlikely or impossible, it is within their prerogative to recommend immediate dismissal from the Graduate School. Such a recommendation, originated by the graduate student’s advisor, or graduate advisory committee chair, prior to being sent to the dean/associate dean of the Graduate School, must be documented in writing with substantive justification for termination instead of probation. The dean/associate dean of the Graduate School will make the final decision in this matter.

Process for Termination Due to Failure to Maintain Good Academic Standing

When a student is being terminated from the Graduate School for any academic reason, the Graduate School will notify the student’s graduate coordinator of the intention to terminate. If the graduate student’s advisor or graduate advisory committee feels that documentable extenuating circumstances exist that warrant a reconsideration of the decision to terminate, a recommendation must come to the dean of the Graduate School via letter or memorandum from the graduate student’s advisor or graduate advisory committee chair. This request must have the approval of the appropriate graduate coordinator and department chair and be received in the Graduate School within seven (7) business days of the notification. The recommendation for continuance should contain a rationale against termination with supporting documentation, if necessary, and stipulate requirements by which the graduate student could regain good academic standing. The Graduate School may accept or reject the recommendation or request that the graduate student’s advisor or graduate advisory committee chair modify it. The final decision to accept/reject the recommendation for continuance in the graduate program will be made by the dean of the Graduate School. Once a decision is made, the Graduate School will notify the graduate student by letter (copy to the graduate student’s advisor or graduate advisory committee chair) that termination is to occur or that the student may continue in the program. If there are any conditions associated with the student’s continuation in the program, they must be made explicit in the letter.  If the student is to be terminated, it will be effective immediately.

If the recommendation for continuance is rejected by the dean of the Graduate School, the student’s advisor or graduate advisory committee chair may appeal to the Provost’s Office for reconsideration. The Provost’s decision and any conditions associated with continuation in the program will be conveyed to the dean of the Graduate School for implementation. If continuation in the graduate program is the decision, the graduate student will be readmitted and notified to that effect by the dean of the Graduate School. If at the end of the probationary period the graduate student has not gained good academic standing, (s)he will be terminated from the Graduate School and no further appeal will be considered.


Source:
Status: Active
Approved by: Graduate Council, February 16, 2011
Originator:
Custodian: Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School