Good Academic Standing Policy
Good Academic Standing
A student shall be deemed to be in good academic standing only if they are making appropriate progress towards the degree as defined and communicated by the Department. In order to be in Good Standing, students are expected to complete required courses, maintain GPA minimums, adhere to deadlines, and fulfill requirements as set out by each individual program or department. If a student has any questions about relevant degree milestones for completion of requirements for a PhD or Master’s program, they are encouraged to contact the Director of the Graduate Program or the Dean of Students office at any time.
Students are expected to maintain Good Standing and make academic progress toward the degree throughout their graduate career. If a student is deemed not to be in Good Standing, the student may be placed on Academic Probation upon the recommendation of the faculty in their program and approval of the department or program chair.
The Department will regularly assess each student and communicate in writing (1) if a student is not in good academic standing, (2) what must be accomplished to achieve good academic standing, (3) in what timeframe it must be achieved, and (4) what the consequences are if the requirements to achieve good academic standing are not completed within the timeframe (e.g., academic probation, dismissal).
Leave of Absence
A student may take a leave of absence for up to four quarters.
Academic Probation
If the Department determines at any point in a student’s academic career that they are not in good academic standing, the student may be placed on academic probation or dismissed from the program immediately depending on the unmet expectation and its defined consequences.
Students on Academic Probation will be informed in writing about the expectations for how they may return to Good Standing and given a timeline for completion of those requirements, generally one quarter. Students who are unable to meet the expectations outlined in the Academic Probation letter may not be permitted to continue in the program.
Student Dismissal Policy
In the event that a graduate student is not making progress to the degree, the research advisor should put in writing to the student, with a cc to the Departmental Chair and the Director of Academic Programs, clearly articulating the following points:
- The student’s current standing in the research group
- Any earlier attempts to set expectations including a discussion of the last Academic Progress Report
- The advisor’s current expectations for returning to satisfactory standing delineated in detail
- The date for meeting those expectations, which should be at least one quarter (twelve weeks) from sending the notice.
If the student does not meet expectations in the required timeline and is asked to leave the current group, the advisor will inform the student in writing and provide one quarter notice before financial support is terminated so as to allow the student the time to make the necessary switch or devise alternative plans. The Director of Academic Programs will reach out to the student to discuss next steps and provide support resources.
At any point in these processes, the student or faculty member should available themselves to all resources including: PSD Dean of Students, Dr. Bahareh Lampert; Chemistry Director of Academic Programs, Dr. Vera Dragisich; Chemistry Chair, Prof. Andrei Tokmakoff; Chemistry Ombudspersons.