UNC Charlotte Academic Policy: Academic Standing (Graduate)

I. Executive Summary

This policy provides the definitions associated with continued enrollment and details the differences between academic suspension and termination.

II. Policy Statement

Requirements for Continued Enrollment 

All graduate students whether degree seeking or non-degree seeking (post baccalaureate) must maintain satisfactory grades. In addition, students enrolled in any graduate program must maintain satisfactory progress toward the degree. Students are expected to achieve a commendable or satisfactory grade (A or B) in all coursework attempted for graduate credit. Students who fail to maintain satisfactory progress toward their degree or who do not achieve commendable or satisfactory grades in all their graduate coursework are subject to suspension and/or termination from their program of study and/or the Graduate School.

International students on F-1 or J-1 visa status must carry a full course load each academic semester (Some exceptions apply. See International Student/Scholar Office for further information.) Students who are suspended or terminated from their program of study are advised to consult the International Student/Scholar Office for information on maintaining valid F-1 or J-1 status, or reinstatement to valid F-1 or J-1 status. 

Academic Probation 

Academic Probation serves as a warning and precursor to a penalty for poor academic performance. A graduate student will be placed on academic probation if at least one of the following conditions is met: 

  • They receive an accumulation of two (2) grades of C. 
  • They receive one (1) singular Unsatisfactory (U) grade in their first semester as a UNC Charlotte graduate student, including post-baccalaureate (non-degree seeking) enrollment. A student receiving a U grade in any other semester, including after readmission or enrollment in a subsequent program, will be suspended. 

A student’s academic status will be reviewed every semester after the initial probation. If the student receives a subsequent C or U grade after probation is in effect, they will be subject to academic suspension. This will apply to any new programs started after the initial probation as academic standing is applied to all graduate work. 

Academic Suspension 

All graduate students (degree/certificate seeking and post baccalaureate) may be academically suspended from their classes and program if any of the following occur: 

  • A student on academic probation receives a subsequent C or U grade. 
  • A student accumulates three (3) grades of C. 
  • A student receives one (1) Unsatisfactory (U) grade in any term beyond their initial admit term to a UNC Charlotte Graduate program. 
  • A student in their first semester as a UNC Charlotte graduate student receives two (2) or more grades of U. 

Note: Some departments and/or programs have stricter regulations on suspension than those of the Graduate School. See the academic regulations presented in the program specific sections of this Catalog. 

A student cannot enroll in classes during the time they are on academic suspension. The academic suspension remains in effect unless 1) the student is reinstated through an approved appeal, or 2) the

student reapplies for admission to the program or the Graduate School after a 12-month waiting period following the suspension notification date. 

Appeal Procedure 

Graduate students may appeal a suspension or termination using the procedures described in the following paragraphs. Other grievances relating to academic status are to be addressed to the Graduate School. For additional information on grievances, see University Policy 411, Student Grievance Procedure. 

Appeal of Academic Suspension for the Purpose of Reinstatement 

A student who has been suspended from the Graduate School and/or a program of study may appeal their suspension and must be reinstated in order to continue their studies. After notification of suspension is received, the student initiates the appeal procedure by submitting a Suspension Appeal Form, available through the online Graduate Academic Petition, to the Graduate Program Director of their academic program. Pending approval, the Graduate Program Director will provide a recommendation regarding reinstatement to the Graduate School. The Graduate School makes the decision on the suspension appeal and notifies the student of the decision in writing. 

A student readmitted to a graduate program through reinstatement will be expected to complete the degree program with satisfactory or commendable performance (A or B grades). Should a student receive a grade of C or U in a graduate course after being reinstated to the program, the student will be academically dismissed from the Graduate School and their program.. 

A student who is denied readmission through the suspension appeal process is considered to be dismissed from the Graduate School and/or the graduate program(s). Students may appeal their dismissal as identified in the section entitled “Appeal of Academic Dismissal for the Purpose of Reinstatement.” 

Academic Dismissal

A student may be academically dismissed from the Graduate School (and their program) for any of the following reasons:. 

  • Their appeal for reinstatement from academic suspension is denied. 
  • They receive a subsequent C or U grade after reinstatement from academic suspension.
  • They receive a second Unsatisfactory Progress (UP) grade in research, and their program requests a dismissal on that basis. 
  • They fail the same milestone exam (e.g., comprehensive exam, proposal defense) a second time. 

When a program determines that a student is making unsatisfactory progress, the program notifies the student in writing of the program’s concern about the student’s performance. Such a warning specifies the source of the concern, the applicable program and/or Graduate School rules, and the proposed action. Warnings specify when and on what basis a recommendation for academic dismissal will be considered by the program. A probationary period of one academic semester is normal. 

Following the probationary period, a student who fails to meet the provisions of the warning is subject to dismissal from the program. If the program believes that dismissal is warranted, the graduate program director or coordinator communicates to the Associate Dean of the Graduate School in writing the specific reasons involved, all warnings communicated to the student, the program and/or advisory committee procedures and actions leading to the recommendation, and the mailing address of the student. After considering all of the information, the Associate Dean will make a decision. If the decision is to dismiss, the Associate Dean will notify the student of their dismissal from the Graduate School. 

A student who has been academically dismissed may reapply to their program and the Graduate School after a period of two years from the date of dismissal. 

Readmission of Dismissed Graduate Students 

Students who have been academically dismissed from the Graduate School and/or a UNC Charlotte graduate program are not eligible for readmission as either a degree seeking or non-degree seeking graduate student. However, if after two years the student can demonstrate the potential for academic success and/or personal and professional development since leaving the University, the student may initiate a request for readmission to the Graduate School. The student may initiate the request for readmission to the program from which they were dismissed, to a different graduate program, or as a post-baccalaureate student. Students seeking readmission must submit a new application package which includes the full set of materials identified in the section entitled General Application Requirements for Admission. In addition, the student must include within their essay (Statement of Purpose) a section explaining the circumstances that led to their dismissal from the UNC Charlotte Graduate School and a discussion of the academic and/or personal and professional development since last attending the University that has prepared them for a successful return to graduate studies. 

Appeal of Academic Dismissal for the Purpose of Reinstatement 

While an action of dismissal is considered final, a student who is dismissed may appeal that dismissal for reinstatement to the Graduate School and their program if at least one of the following conditions is met:. 

● The student can show that the program was unaware of or did not account for extenuating or mitigating factors outside the control of the student, which significantly impacted the student’s academic performance. 

● The program failed to follow its own policies or procedures when requesting that the Graduate School issue a dismissal. 

To initiate an Appeal of Academic Dismissal, the student must send a written letter to the Graduate School requesting consideration of their case by the UNC Charlotte Graduate School Appeals Committee. In the written request, the student must make their case for reinstatement. The student must include two letters from UNC Charlotte faculty or academic administrative personnel who are knowledgeable of the student’s academic capabilities and are supportive of the student’s reinstatement to

the Graduate School. A dismissal appeal request and the supporting documentation must be received by the Graduate School within 60 days of the date on the letter of dismissal. 

Once the Graduate School receives the Appeal of Dismissal, it will be forwarded to the Chair of the Graduate School Appeals Committee. This Committee will review all relevant materials and make a recommendation to the Dean of the Graduate School. The Dean of the Graduate School makes the decision on the Appeal of Dismissal case and their decision is final. 

Graduate School Appeals Committee 

The Graduate School Appeals Committee is authorized to review appeals for reinstatement from graduate students who have been academically terminated. The Committee does not hear grade appeals, for which a separate procedure exists. The Appeals Committee is comprised of four members. The Associate Dean 

of the Graduate School serves as the ex officio, non-voting chair of the committee. The three voting members of the Appeals Committee are graduate faculty members named by the Dean of the Graduate School.

III. Definitions

  • Appeal – A formal, written narrative to request reinstatement following suspension or termination.
  • Post-baccalaureate – A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree and takes educational courses; sometimes referred to as a “post-bacc” or Non Degree seeking student.
  • Reinstatement – Re-establishment of a student’s active status following a successful suspension/termination appeal or an approved leave of absence.
  • Suspension – Administrative cancellation of enrollment due to unsatisfactory academic performance.
  • Termination (Academic) – Administrative cancellation of enrollment for failure to make satisfactory academic progress following an initial program probation or suspension. Students who are suspended from a graduate program and are denied re-admittance through the suspension appeal process are considered terminated.

IV. Policy Contact(s)

V. History

  • Established: TBD
  • Revised: April 24, 2024 [Established a protocol that clarifies the appeal process relevant to academic termination decisions and extended the appeal period from 30 to 60 days]
  • Revised: February 19, 2026 [Adds a probationary status, replaces termination with academic dismissal, and simplifies academic dismissal]

VI. Related Policies, Procedures and Resources

VII. Related Policies, Procedures and Resources

VIII. Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where is this policy referenced?
    The policy is published on the Academic Policies & Procedures webpage of the Provost website and in the Degree Requirements & Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog.
  • When can I apply for readmission after academic suspension?
    Students who left the university under academic suspension and chose not to appeal may apply for readmission after 2 years.
  • What are my next steps if my suspension appeal is denied?
    A student who is denied readmission through the suspension appeal process is considered to be terminated from the Graduate School and/or the graduate program.
  • When can I apply for readmission after termination?
    If you can demonstrate the potential for academic success and/or personal and professional development since leaving the University, you may initiate a request for readmission to the Graduate School.