Academic Standing

Since the University requires that students have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and an average of 2.00 in the major and the minor in order to earn a bachelor’s degree, the grade point average is an important indicator of the ability to achieve a bachelor’s degree. Thus, the following policies are in effect for students whose performance indicates that they are in danger of failing to meet the conditions necessary to earn a degree.

Academic Warning

A student whose semester grade point average falls below a 2.00 (but is a 1.00 or above) will receive an Academic Warning from the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. This action will not subject the student to any further penalty but is intended to remind the student of the University’s policies as well as to inform the student of the resources available to ensure good progress in achieving an undergraduate degree.

Academic Probation

1.  A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below a 2.00 will be placed on Academic Probation for the following semester. A student placed on academic probation will be notified by the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, and will be advised of the resources available to assist students in improving their academic standing.
2. Students on Academic Probation will be expected to improve their academic performance immediately. They must raise the cumulative GPA to at least 2.00 to be removed from academic probation. Students who fail to meet this condition will be placed on Terminal Probation in the following semester.

Terminal Probation

1. A student will be placed on Terminal Probation for the following semester if either of the following occurs:

the student’s semester GPA is below 1.00, or

the student has a cumulative GPA below 2.00 for a second semester

2. Students on Terminal Probation for a semester are in danger of academic dismissal at the end of that semester. Therefore, as a condition of continuing their enrollment at Albany, they must have an “Academic Improvement Plan” meeting with their academic advisor. 

3. If the student achieves a semester GPA and cumulative GPA of at least 2.00, the student will be removed from Terminal Probation.

4. If the student’s semester GPA is at least a 2.00 but the cumulative GPA remains below 2.00, the student will remain on Terminal Probation and must continue to meet the conditions described in section 2) above. The student must raise the cumulative GPA to at least 2.00 to be removed from Terminal Probation.

5. If the student earns a semester GPA below a 2.00 while on Terminal Probation, the student will be dismissed.

Academic Standing of Students with No Completed Courses

Prior academic standing will be applied to the current semester for a student who receives indicators of W, Z, I, S or U for all or a combination of all coursework for the semester. 

Academic Dismissal

Academic dismissal will occur if a student has been on Terminal Probation and fails to earn a semester GPA of at least 2.00 or if readmission conditions or reinstatement conditions have not been met. The student’s record will have the notation “Academic Dismissal.” Students who have been academically dismissed may petition for reinstatement to the University during an appeal period specified in the notice of dismissal by submitting a petition to the Committee on Academic Standing through the online form. 

Academic Dismissal Policy for Educational Opportunities Program Students:
Students enrolled at the University through the Educational Opportunities Program will be granted an additional semester on Academic Probation before they are subject to Terminal Probation, even if their cumulative GPA is below a 2.00.

Good Academic Standing

The term “in good academic standing” (satisfactory academic standing) means that a student is making satisfactory progress toward a degree and is eligible or has been allowed to register and take academic course work at this campus for the current term. Students placed on “Academic Probation” or “Terminal Academic Probation” are considered to be in good academic standing since they are making satisfactory progress toward a degree and are still authorized to continue studying toward their degrees. Academic Probation only serves as an academic warning that a student is in danger of not meeting minimum academic retention standards and being terminated from the University. Only those students who are officially terminated from the University are considered not to be in good academic standing.

(The above definition should not be confused with the academic standing criteria for eligibility for New York State financial awards as detailed in the Financial Aid section of this publication.)

Note: Academic Standing for a semester is calculated on the basis of semester grades only. Summer and Winter Sessions classes do not change the academic status as assigned at the end of a preceding semester.