Graduate Probation and Suspension
Students enrolled in a master’s degree program are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in all courses taken for graduate credit. Good academic standing indicates that the graduate student has earned a GPA of 3.00 or above and is meeting the minimum academic standards of the institution. No candidate may receive a master's degree with a graduate course grade of "F" that has not been successfully repeated as indicated in the Cumberland University Graduate Catalog. Each student must successfully complete the required semester hours of graduate coursework for the master's degree within seven calendar years from the date of entry as a degree-seeking student.
Academic probation is an emphatic warning that the quality of the student’s work during the probationary semester must improve in order for the student to continue at the University. Unless admitted on probation, a student is given one semester in which to bring the cumulative GPA to the required level for good standing. Failure to meet the required minimum level of good standing will result in academic suspension for a minimum of the next semester.
A student who is not in good academic standing will be designated as being either 1) on academic probation or 2) on academic suspension. A graduate student who is on probation or on suspension shall not receive a degree from the institution until such time as the student is returned to good academic standing.
A student is NOT in good standing if any of the following situations occur:
GPA
A student will be placed on academic probation if his/her cumulative GPA of course work taken in the graduate programs at Cumberland University is below a 3.00 GPA, the criteria listed as “Good Standing.” Good Standing is used as an indication of a student’s academic standing with the University. Only course work taken at Cumberland University is used to calculate good standing.
"C's"
No more than two grades of "C" in graduate course work are acceptable for degree completion. Upon earning a third grade of "C" a student will be placed on Academic Probation, regardless of cumulative GPA.
The student must repeat one of the three courses in which they earned a grade of "C" in its entirety at its next immediate offering. Once one of the three courses with an earned "C" is repeated and the student earns a grade of "B" or better, they will be returned to good academic standing. If the student earns a "C" or below in the repeated course, they will be placed on Academic Suspension.
"F's"
A grade of "F" in any course automatically places the student on Academic Probation, regardless of cumulative GPA. The student must repeat the failed course in its entirety at its next immediate offering.
"FC"
A graduate student who earns a grade of "FC", failure due to cheating, will be automatically placed on suspension, and may be dismissed from the University.
0.0 Grade Point Average
Any full-time graduate student earning a 0.0 GPA for an academic semester will be place on Academic Suspension. This is automatic and without consideration for any previous semester’s work or the student’s cumulative GPA. Suspension may be appealed in writing through Graduate Council.
Appeal to the Graduate Council
Students have the right to appeal their suspension to the Graduate Council. The student is required to submit a letter to the Registrar's Office by the deadline included in the suspension letter. The Graduate Council will meet to consider the students appeal. The student will be notified via email/U.S. Mail of the outcome.
Students who wish to appeal a decision of the Graduate Council are required to submit a letter to the Office of Academic Affairs within five (5) business days of receiving notification of a decision made by the Graduate Council. The appeal will be reviewed on the basis of the letter provided by the student, the student transcript, and the response from the Graduate Council. If the student fails to submit an appeal by the deadline, the decision of the Graduate Council will go into effect immediately. The decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs is final.
0.0 Grade Point Average
Any full-time graduate student earning a 0.0 GPA for an academic semester will be place on Academic Suspension. This is automatic and without consideration for any previous semester’s work or the student’s cumulative GPA. Suspension may be appealed in writing through Graduate Council.