Adapted from the Graduate Catalog
Good academic standing for graduate students typically requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (a B average on a 4.0 scale) or higher.
Academic Probation
A student is automatically placed on academic probation if the GPA falls below 3.0.
- Matriculated full-time graduate students are given one semester.
- Matriculated part-time accepted students are given 9 credit hours.
- Students with fewer than 12 credit hours will be automatically placed on academic probation should their GPA fall below 3.0.
- After being placed on academic probation, non-degree graduate students have until the completion of the next semester in which they enrolled to bring their GPA to 3.0. Failure to do so renders the students ineligible for further registration.
Academic Dismissal
- Failure to achieve a cumulative average of 3.0 within a specified time will result in academic dismissal.
- Failure to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA for each semester of academic probation will result in academic dismissal.
- Pre-major (non-degree) graduate students must have a 3.0 GPA by completing 12 or more credit hours. Failure to achieve a 3.0 GPA by completing 12 or more credit hours of graduate-level coursework results in academic dismissal.
- Students who fail to achieve a 3.0 GPA by completing 12 credit hours will be academically dismissed.
- Failure to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA during each semester of academic probation results in academic dismissal.
- Graduate students also may be dismissed from Buffalo State for the determination of an academic misconduct offense.
Graduate students who have been academically dismissed must wait one full year from the time of dismissal before applying for readmission.
Academic Clemency
Academic Clemency provides eligible graduate students with an opportunity for a fresh start in higher education after a significant period away from it. This policy is designed for students whose early academic performance does not reflect their current ability, maturity, or readiness to succeed.
Under Academic Clemency, students may petition to have certain previously earned grades excluded from the calculation of their cumulative grade point average (GPA) while the full academic record remains visible on the transcript.
Graduate Dismissal Appeal Process
The Academic Standards Office will review and determine the academic standing of all graduate students.
The student appeals to the program within 10 working days of the dismissal recommendation. The student must complete the dismissal appeal form containing substantiating reasons for reversing the recommendation of dismissal.
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Step Two
The Success Plan should contain the following:
- Clear and concise background information describing the extenuating circumstances and how they have negatively impacted your academic performance.
- Attach any documentation of that extenuating circumstance from an official source.
- A doctor's note should contain dates during the semester (for a medical-related issue for you or your immediate family member)
- Counseling note (for mental health stressors)
- Death certificate or notice (for a member of your immediate family), etc.
- Students must use their Buffalo State network username and password to access this process.
- Students must submit the form to their chair or program coordinator to complete their section. The chair or program coordinator will then forward the document to Academic Standards by the deadline or submit an email to the Academic Standards office to provide additional information for the appeal.
- The appeal, with all documentation, must be submitted by the deadline.
Step Three
If the decision is to uphold the dismissal, the Academic Standards office will provide the student with a written statement of the reason for the decision within a week after the deadline.
The Step Three decision will be subject to reversal if the Director of Academic Standards finds that:
- New information/documentation is provided regarding extenuating circumstances or procedural errors during the dismissal process that warrant further consideration.
The Director of Academic Standards' decision in the Step Three appeal will be conveyed in writing to the student, program, and school.
Academic standing notices will be sent to your Buffalo State email address. Please make sure you are checking your email daily in anticipation of that notice; failing to check your email will not result in an extension of the academic standing review deadlines. A hard copy will also be mailed.
Academic Standards will place holds on all students who are dismissed from the university.
- Students with two or more semesters of probation will also have a hold, and they must complete a success plan with their program adviser before the hold can be lifted.
If a student is readmitted, they must contact Academic Standards to have the hold removed from their account.
Eligibility Criteria
In general, students must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a graduate student
- Have experienced a break from enrollment
- Be readmitted or reenrolled before applying for clemency
- Submit a petition
Academic clemency is generally granted only once and must be approved through the appropriate academic channels.
Important Limitations
Students should carefully review the following important considerations before applying:
- Academic Clemency does not erase academic history; it only adjusts GPA calculations
- Clemency does affect financial aid eligibility, including federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) determinations—please check with financial aid.
How to Apply
Students seeking academic clemency should follow these steps:
- Apply for readmission or reenrollment
- Meet with your program coordinator or chair to review eligibility and academic plans
- Submit a completed Academic Clemency Petition, including all required signatures
- Await approval from the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Submission deadlines typically occur during the first semester of return.