Students enrolled in the Graduate College are required to maintain a "B" average (3.0). Failure to do so can result in dismissal from the Program. Students who have a cumulative grade-point average of less than 3.00 will be placed on academic probation. Students on probation are required to meet with their Major Advisor, discuss the steps to be taken to correct the problems that led to the probationary status, and devise a written plan of action to be submitted to the Graduate College. Students who are on probation for two consecutive semesters will be converted automatically to Non-Degree status by the Graduate College. Such students may continue to take graduate courses in Non-Degree status. They can apply for readmission to a degree program as early as the semester after their conversion to Non-Degree status if they achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 through additional graduate course work. Such a request must be supported by the Head of the Department and approved by the Dean of the Graduate College. Students who do not maintain a 3.0 GPA are not eligible for assistantships of any kind, cannot be recommended for scholarships and cannot be recommended for the award of an advanced degree. The Graduate College expects the Department to monitor any remedial/corrective measures to ensure that the student’s problems are addressed. The GPOC relies on the recommendation of the student's Provisional Advisory Committee or Advisory Committee for suggestions with respect to the student's status. Normally a student will be given every opportunity to correct the problem within one year, providing all other indications (e.g., research progress) are positive.

Graduate students may request a temporary Graduate Student Leave of Absence from the Graduate Program. A Graduate Student Leave of Absence should be used only in the most serious instances. Leave of absences are granted on a case-by-case basis for compelling reasons including birth or adoption of a child, personal or family reasons, medical reasons, military duty, or financial hardship. A Graduate Student Leave of Absence may be approved for one semester or one year on the written recommendation of the student’s Major Advisor and Department Head. Graduate students who do not return at the end of the approved leave or students who do not enroll for a semester without being granted official leave of absence are required to apply for readmission and are subject to all rules and regulations of the admissions process. Use of all University facilities (e.g., libraries, computer services, faculty time, etc.) is suspended while on leave, only academic services or facilities available to the general public can be used during the leave. Student insurance is not available while on Graduate Student Leave of Absence. A Graduate Student Leave of Absence does not exempt students from obligations to lending institutions. Students will be readmitted without reapplying to the Department and the Graduate College. Only when the leave is approved prior to the beginning of the semester for which it is being sought will students be exempted from fees for that semester. Failure to obtain a Graduate Student Leave of Absence or to remain in continuous enrollment will result in penalties, as described in the Continuous Enrollment policy requirements. The enrollment status of a student on a Graduate Student Leave of Absence will be reported to lenders and loan servicing entities as "not attending." No student will be allowed more than a total of two semesters of leave. Graduate Student Leave of Absence may affect the status of a graduate student’s financial aid. Students are responsible for determining the requirements of their funding agency, Department , or Major Advisor prior to applying for a leave of absence.

Academic leaves that are taken for course work elsewhere, research, field work, internships, or professional development, are handled on a case-by-case basis by the Department and the Graduate College.

Students may resign from the Graduate Program at any time. To do so, they should write a letter to the Graduate Program Coordinator stating their intent. It is advised that students contemplating such a move should first consult with their Major Advisor or the Graduate Program Coordinator before beginning this process. To re enter the Program, the student must petition the GPOC; acceptance will depend on issues such as past performance, funding availability, and whether there is an advisor willing to accept the student in his/her laboratory.