2020-2021 Graduate Catalog

Academic Probation and Dismissal

After a graduate student attempts six total graduate credits as a matriculated student, a 3.0 cumulative GPA must be achieved. Failure to meet this minimum may result in the student being placed on Academic Probation. Additionally, conditions of the probation may be set at the discretion of the Dean of the Graduate College and/or the Academic Standards Committee. 

Upon completion of 12 attempted graduate credits, if a student fails to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0, the student may be academically dismissed from Kean University. If the student achieves a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, they will be removed from academic probation. However, if at any time during subsequent semesters the student falls below a cumulative 3.0 GPA, they will be academically dismissed from Kean University. All notices of academic probation and/or dismissal will occur at the completion of the fall and spring academic semesters.

If a student is academically dismissed from Kean University, the student is entitled to appeal the dismissal to the Academic Standards Committee of the Graduate College. This committee will be comprised of the Dean of the Graduate College, as well as administrators and faculty members appointed by the Dean. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Office of the Dean of the Nathan Weiss Graduate College within seven calendar days of the letter of dismissal. Failure to adhere to this time frame can result in the committee’s refusal to hear the appeal. No in-person appeals will be accepted. All appeals will be reviewed within a reasonable time frame and the committee’s decision will be communicated via an official letter from the University. A dismissed student does not have the opportunity to appeal the Committee’s final decision. 

If a student is academically dismissed from Kean University, they will have the opportunity to apply for reinstatement no earlier than two subsequent semesters. For example, if a student is dismissed after the spring semester, that student would not be eligible to apply for reinstatement until the following spring, with an anticipated start term of the following fall semester. An appeal for reinstatement must be submitted to the Office of the Dean of the Nathan Weiss Graduate College no later than the December 1 for a spring reinstatement or June 1 for a fall reinstatement. Included with the appeal should be any supporting documentation which can include, but is not limited to: proof of academic growth, in the form of taking non-matriculated courses at another college/university, letter(s) of recommendation, and a personal statement expressing the student’s growth, both academically and personally. The reinstatement appeal will be reviewed by the Office of the Dean of the Nathan Weiss Graduate College and a recommendation will be sent to the Academic Standards Committee as to grant or deny reinstatement. The Committee’s decision is final and there is no further provision for appeal beyond that review.

*The Academic Standards Committee reserves the right to make decisions regarding academic probation and dismissal based on a student’s academic performance at their discretion. Some graduate programs may have additional requirements and/or conditions. Please review your department’s requirements with your respective Program Coordinator, as well as all published handbooks.