Academic Standing (School of Business and Economics)
Students are in good academic standing when they earn a grade point average of at least 2.67 and have not received a non-credit bearing grade for the semester, and have maintained satisfactory progress toward their degree (see 3. below).
Probation is an official notation that a student is not in good academic standing. Students will be placed on probation under any one of the following circumstances:
- Their semester record contains one or more non-credit bearing grades. EA and EI grades do not result in probation.
- Their semester GPA falls below a 2.67.
- They are over 4 credits or more behind the natural progression toward the degree in the Accelerated MA program and 6 credits or more behind in all other academic programs.
- They earn less than 12 credits (full-time students).
- They drop a required first-semester core course. First semester courses are foundational to all graduate programs. Students who drop first-semester core courses are at risk of not completing their degree within the original expected time frame. In this circumstance, regardless of total number of credits earned, they are not making satisfactory progress toward their degree.
Full-time students placed on probation due to 1-2 will normally be returned to good academic standing following a semester of satisfactory grades, with the exception of the student who did not earn credit for a course that is a requirement for his/her degree. Students who must retake a degree requirement must continue on probation until the student has successfully completed this course. Part-time students on probation due to 1-2 will be expected to maintain satisfactory grades for 12 credits to be returned to good academic standing.
Advising Alert is a category within good academic standing, but serves as an indicator to the student that they are not performing at the academic level expected by the university. Students who earn the maximum 8 credits of C+ coursework, or have a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or below will also be placed on Advising Alert.
Degree eligibility normally requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.67.
The following chart defines academic standing:
| Semester Record | Cumulative GPA Less Than 2.67 | Cumulative GPA 2.67 or Greater |
|---|---|---|
| All grades B- or better | N/A | Good Standing, unless cum. GPA is below 2.8, in which case Advising Alert |
| 1 credit-bearing C+ | Probation | Good Standing, unless cum. GPA is below 2.8, in which case Advising Alert |
| Maximum 8 credits of C+s to count toward degree | Probation | Advising Alert |
| 1 or more grades that do not receive credit | Probation | Probation |
If a student receives more than one non-credit bearing grade in a single semester, earns a cumulative GPA of less than 2.3 in any one term or has had multiple semesters with unsatisfactory grades, the student may be required to withdraw from the business school because of a lack of academic progress. Satisfactory academic progress in a program also involves maintaining the professional and departmental standards expected in a particular discipline or program.
A student may be required to withdraw from the business school even if the student has not been on advising alert or probation in a prior semester. The business school may require a student to withdraw at any time, should the business school determine that the student's academic performance is so profoundly deficient as to suggest an inability to meet academic requirements. Brandeis University reserves the right to deny admission or permission to register or require the withdrawal of any student at any time for any reason it considers sufficient, including but not limited to character and personal conduct. Students are informed in writing of any change in academic status.
The academic standing of students who earn unsatisfactory grades will be reviewed at the end of each semester by the Academic Standing Committee according to the above stated definitions.
A student with an unsatisfactory record who either voluntarily withdraws from the business school or who is required to withdraw from the business school may petition to return to the university. The ASC will consider petitions for readmission. The student is expected to spend a minimum of one year away from the business school.
Primary considerations in making readmission decisions are evidence of sustained and productive activity during the period of absence from the campus, evidence of serious academic purpose and pertinent letters of recommendation attesting to the candidate's readiness to resume formal study.
Courses taken for academic credit while on voluntary or involuntary withdrawal from the business school are not eligible for transfer toward the Brandeis degree. Petitions for readmission for a fall semester must be received no later than May 1 and petitions for readmission for a spring semester must be received no later than Nov. 1.
Academic Standing Committee
The Academic Standing Committee (ASC) serves as the academic review board for students of the School of Business and Economics. The committee evaluates student records at the end of each semester to determine academic standing. Academic standing refers to whether a student has a satisfactory or unsatisfactory academic record (see the Academic Status section below for further details).
The committee also hears all cases of required withdrawal from the School of Business and Economics.
The committee consists of the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Student Experience, who serves as chair, and the Senior Associate Dean and the program directors. Also in attendance as nonvoting members are the program advisors.
A student deemed to have an unsatisfactory record may petition the committee through his/her program adviser, who will present the student's written petition to the committee. The ASC may ask the program adviser for clarification or additional information as necessary. The ASC determines by majority vote whether to approve or deny the petition. The ASC may, at its discretion, defer its decision and require additional information in support of the petition. The decision that the ASC reaches is communicated to the student by the program adviser.
A student may appeal a decision by the ASC under certain circumstances. In cases of required withdrawal from the university, the student may appeal the committee's decision to the dean of the School of Business and Economics. The decision of the dean is final and no further appeals are possible.
In all other cases, students may request reconsideration by petition to the ASC only under the following circumstances: where the student has new evidence, not previously available, which could have materially affected the decision of the ASC; or evidence of procedural error.