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Graduate students at Fairmont State must meet the following academic standards:
- Maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher in order to qualify for graduation.
- All grades earned will remain on the official transcript and will be used in the calculation of the student’s overall grade point average.
- A graduate student who earns a grade of D or F in any graduate course must repeat the course. Under extenuating circumstances, and with approval from his or her graduate program director and academic dean, a student may be permitted to substitute another course for the course in which the D or F was earned.
- A student may earn only two grades of C in all graduate courses within their degree program, to remain eligible for graduation. A student who earns more than two Cs within their degree program must consult with his or her graduate program director and academic dean to determine an acceptable remedy.
- Failure to maintain an overall 3.0 GPA will result in academic probation or suspension depending upon the student’s academic performance and standing.
Academic Probation
Graduate students who do not maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (B average) on all courses in the program of study are on academic probation at the end of the semester during which their GPA falls below 3.0. For part-time students, “next enrollment period” may, if approved by the Graduate Program Director, be defined as the next 3-12 credit hours in the program of study.
Academic Suspension
A graduate student who has been placed on probation and who fails to raise his/her GPA cumulative to at least 3.0 during the next enrollment period will be placed on academic suspension. Suspended students must “sit out” one academic term prior to reenrolling. Suspended students will be limited to enrolling on a part-time basis until their GPA reaches a 3.0.
Academic Dismissal
All graduate students are expected to make satisfactory progress toward degree completion. Students may be dismissed from a graduate program for the following reasons:
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Failing to acquire a cumulative GPA of 3.0 after the completion of 24 credit hours in the Degree Plan, or, academic progress is such that a 3.0 GPA requirement cannot be obtained at any time during the program to earn a degree.
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Earning four grades below the level of C, or earning a grade below a C on a course repeat.
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Failing to complete the degree program within standards set forth by individual degree program requirements. Graduate programs may require their students meet additional standards with regard to probation, suspension and dismissal.
A student who is dismissed from a graduate program for any reason may not reapply to the program of study from which they have been dismissed. Appeals will be considered by the Director of Graduate Studies and take into consideration the recommendations of the Graduate Program Director, graduate faculty and mitigating circumstances. The Dean of Graduate Studies makes the final determination.
Appeals for Academic Dismissal
Students who are dismissed from a graduate program because of failure to resolve their GPA or make satisfactory progress toward degree completion may appeal the decision in writing to the Dean of Graduate Studies at gradstudies@fairmontstate.edu. Written appeals should (a) explain the extenuating circumstances that led to the dismissal, (b) address whether or not those issues have been resolved, and (c) describe a plan with specific benchmarks to continue successfully in the graduate program. Appeals based on physical and/or mental health circumstances must include medical documentation.
Students have 60 calendar days from the receipt of academic dismissal letter to submit an appeal to the Office of Graduate Studies. Student appeals for academic dismissal will be considered under the following two conditions:
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The student’s academic progress has improved in the most recent term(s), and they can improve their overall GPA to 3.0 or higher by the end of the next regular term.
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The student experienced a traumatic event that prevented them from reaching an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher for the academic semesters under review and provided supporting (third party) documentation with their appeal.
The Graduate Office will not consider dismissal appeals regarding program requirements or graduation requirements.
After review of all available information, the Dean of Graduate Studies will provide a written response to the student on the appeal outcome. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome, he/she may appeal to the Provost whose decision is final.
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