Academic Standing: Undergraduate Students
Effective: September 1, 2011
Version History: Approved by EPC February 9, 2011; amended and approved by Campus Assembly April 12, 2011. Revised and approved by Curriculum Subcommittee; approved by EVCAA 8-25-21. Terminology changes applied November 27, 2024 (intervention/warning to notice; probation to warning). Revised by the Faculty Senate with shared governance and campus input spring 2026; UCC confirmation April 17, 2026; EVCP approval June 16, 2026.
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Policy Contacts: Jennifer Mencl (undergraduate education); Tracey Bolen (Registrar)
Good Academic Standing
Students who have both a Grade Point Average (GPA) for the most recently completed term and a cumulative University of Minnesota GPA of 2.000 or higher are in good academic standing in the University. The cumulative University of Minnesota GPA includes all coursework taken at University of Minnesota campuses and excludes transfer credits.
Students who are not in good academic standing will have one of the following holds placed on their academic records.
Academic Notice
Academic notice is used to identify students who have a term GPA below 2.000 for the most recent term or at the discretion of collegiate units to identify students who are not making satisfactory progress as specified by colleges or academic departments. During the semester when on academic notice, students must schedule a meeting with an academic advisor to discuss their status and be allowed to register for classes. They are encouraged to complete this meeting early in the semester. Collegiate units that use academic notice may change a student's academic program/plan to undeclared major or pre-major.
Academic Warning
Students whose cumulative University of Minnesota GPA falls below 2.000 are placed on academic warning. All collegiate units issue academic warnings, and they may use academic contracts to specify requirements for students to be removed from academic warning status other than meeting the minimum cumulative University of Minnesota GPA. During the semester when on academic warning status, students must schedule a meeting with an academic advisor to discuss their status and be allowed to register for classes. They are encouraged to complete this meeting early in the semester. Registration for classes does not guarantee continuation in the future semester. After each semester on academic warning, academic performance is evaluated to determine whether students are in good academic standing, will remain on academic warning, or will be placed on academic suspension.
Academic Suspension
Students on academic warning status will be suspended from the University if both their term GPA and their cumulative GPA are below 2.000, or if they do not fulfill the conditions of an academic contract. When suspended, a student cannot register for any University of Minnesota courses for at least two full academic terms (including fall, spring, and summer) and will be ineligible for financial aid at the University. All collegiate units and campuses at the University must recognize the suspension holds for degree- and non-degree-seeking students and will not allow students on academic suspension to register.
Readmission after Suspension
Re-admission after the required period of suspension is not automatic. Students suspended from the University may request to be admitted to a collegiate unit after at least two academic terms have lapsed (including fall, spring, and summer). Students who can demonstrate improved academic capability and/or show evidence of changes in circumstances that demonstrate likely success in an academic program may be readmitted to a collegiate unit and placed on academic warning (details are available at One Stop: Return to the U).
Exclusions
This policy does not apply to students enrolled through College in the Schools and Post Secondary Enrollment Option programs. These students receive information about academic standing in these programs from the respective program coordinators.
Definitions
Grade Point Average (GPA): GPA is the total number of grade points earned divided by the total number of credits attempted. For example, a student might earn 15 credits spread over five courses as follows:
Course 1, 3 credits: Grade of B = 3.000 x 3 credits = 9.000 grade points
Course 2, 3 credits: Grade of C+ = 2.333 x 3 credits = 6.999 grade points
Course 3, 3 credits: Grade of A = 4.000 x 3 credits = 12.000 grade points
Course 4, 3 credits: Grade of B- = 2.667 x 3 credits = 8.001 grade points
Course 5, 3 credits: Grade of D+ = 1.333 x 3 credits = 3.999 grade points
Total: 39.99 grade points/15 credits = 2.666 GPA
Additional information about GPA is provided in the UMD Grading & Transcripts Policy.
Academic Contract: A formal, written document that specifies both the corrective action and associated timeline, and expectations of student performance.
Evidence of Changes in Circumstances: A student’s demonstration that they are academically ready to resume work at the University of Minnesota.