To be eligible for a master’s degree or an advanced certificate, matriculated graduate students must be in academic good standing and be making good progress towards earning their degree. Academic standing is determined by a student’s grade point average (GPA) and satisfactory progress towards degree completion. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Students are classified as making Satisfactory Academic Progress towards earning their master’s degree or advanced certificate if: 

  • Their cumulative GPA is 3.00 or higher. 
  • They are applying no more than two marginal* grades towards their plan of study.  
  • They do not have more than two F/F* grades on their transcripts.  
  • Their academic history does not present a pattern of requesting consecutive semesters of course withdrawals. 

* The University considers grades below B- to be marginal for a graduate student. However, some programs require minimum grades of B to progress through the program.  

Academic Probation

A student is placed on probation if the cumulative GPA falls between a 2.51 and 2.99 after completing nine credits or when the academic record shows diminished progress towards earning the degree. Students placed on probation will be notified by the Office of Graduate, Professional & Interdisciplinary Studies (GPIS) and must: 

  • Schedule appointments to meet with their academic advisor and the Graduate Dean or their designee. 
  • Review and sign the remediation plan developed by the academic advisor and the Graduate Dean or their designee. 

Because students may only use the Replace Course Option for one course in their program, students with more than three marginal grades will in most cases be dismissed from the program. Also, students will face academic dismissal if they remain on academic probation for three consecutive semesters. 

Academic Dismissal

Academic Dismissal is incurred if the cumulative GPA falls to 2.50 or below after twelve credits of graduate coursework or when the academic record shows a failure to progress towards degree completion. Academic Dismissal may also be the consequence of an Academic Integrity violation (see Graduate Academic Integrity Policy) or it may be the course of action recommended as a result of a Professional Competence or Professional Disposition Review. Dismissals are noted on the transcript and result in the student being deregistered, removed from their academic program of study, and withdrawn from the college. 
Important note for F1 or J1 international students: The International Student Programs office will advise you regarding the impact on your visa status and options.

Appealing an Academic Dismissal

Students may appeal an academic dismissal within five business days from the initial email notification of the dismissal. While the appeal is under review, the student is deregistered pending final decision. If the appeal is granted, the Graduate Dean or their designee will provide the student with an Academic Standing Remediation plan. Students may initiate an appeal from the Graduate Studies website: https://www.newpaltz.edu/gradstudies/student-services/appeals/academic-dismissal-appeals/ 

Academic Standing Levels
GPA Academic Standing Comments
3.00 and above Good Standing Registration is not affected
2.51 - 2.99 Academic Probation Registration is prohibited and a probation indicator is noted on the student's transcript.
2.50 and below Academic Dismissal Registration is prohibited. Students are deregistered from courses and their graduate program.
Academic Good Progress
Good Progress Record without grades of Incomplete and a maximum of two marginal grades on the plan of study.
Diminished Progress Record with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above that includes three marginal grades, and/or Incomplete grades.
Failure to Progress Record with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 or a record that includes four or more marginal grades.