Academic Standing

Courses may be attempted no more than two times. Grades of F and W are considered attempts for courses in which D or better is the passing grade. For those courses in which the passing grade is higher (e.g., C–, C), grades below the passing grade and W are all considered attempts. Failure to complete any course within these limits will result in dismissal from the degree program or major.

When a curriculum change results in a course moving from one category to another (e.g., from preprofessional to professional), and a student repeats the course in the new category, the GPA will automatically be calculated in the new category. If the student wants the GPA to be calculated in the previous category, they must state the justification for that request via a petition for special academic request. The request is not automatically approved, and the repeated course will not be counted in both professional and preprofessional categories.

Grade Replacement

The Registrar will automatically replace the previous grade when a student repeats a course. Students are encouraged to review their current program evaluation with the Center for Academic Success and Enrichment to determine if there are existing grades that should be replaced. The timely replacement of grades is essential in determining the academic standing of students.

Recalculation of the Grade Point Average

Students who wish to remove courses from their grade point average that are not required for the new program should note their request on the Change of Program form. All grades will remain on the transcript (and program evaluation), with the notation that they are not included in the grade point average. These requests must be approved by the new academic dean.

Students who leave a program not in good academic standing and wish to move to another degree program or be readmitted to their former program must meet the grade point requirements of that YOG and program (see Good Academic Standing). Students who leave the PharmD program not in good standing must complete the new program and meet the grade point average requirement required by the School of Pharmacy–Boston before seeking readmission into the PharmD program.

An additional change of program may result in courses being added back to the GPA.

The academic standing of each student will be reviewed at the end of each academic semester at each campus, including summer sessions. All students will be reviewed by the school in which they are enrolled. Summer sessions are reviewed to evaluate student academic progress.

Each school has specific academic progress standards (e.g., minimum grade point average requirements, minimum grades for required courses) that must be met in order to progress within the degree program (see Good Academic Standing). Students who fail to meet the minimum standards required for academic progress will be notified of the decision by the school’s Academic Standing Committee (ASC).

Academic Warning

At multiple points during each semester, faculty members submit academic warnings via Self-Service, which are processed by the Center for Academic Success and Enrichment (CASE) on each campus.

Students who receive academic warnings will be notified by their academic departments/programs by email to their official MCPHS emails and provided additional instructions.

Boston: Each student placed on academic warning will be encouraged to attend academic skill-building workshops and to meet with their Academic Coach in the Center for Academic Success and Enrichment. These actions may be required of students who receive more than one academic warning (as stipulated in a letter from their school dean).

Worcester/Manchester: Each student placed on academic warning will be required (as stipulated in his or her notification letter) to meet with an Academic Counselor in the Center for Academic Success and Enrichment (Worcester/Manchester) and meet with a faculty advisor.

There is no appeal process associated with an academic warning.

Academic Probation

Each student’s academic status will be reviewed at the end of each academic semester by the Academic Standing Committee (ASC) for their school, and each student’s professional (if applicable) and cumulative grade point averages

(GPAs) will be determined. A student with a professional and/or cumulative GPA below the requirement for his or her major shall be placed on academic probation and receive a letter from their Academic Dean or Program Director. This written notice of probationary status also will include a notice that failure to reach the required GPA by the end of the designated academic semester may result in dismissal from the University.

Each student on probation is required to meet with a designated member of the Center for Academic Success and Enrichment (CASE) on their home campus by the end of the second week of the probationary semester to develop and agree to—in writing—an Academic Success Plan (ASP). The ASP may include mandatory study/advising sessions, mandatory class attendance, or other stipulations aimed at encouraging and supporting student success.

Probationary status may remain in effect for up to two consecutive academic terms, defined as two semesters or two clinical clerkships/rotations, depending upon the student’s year and/or campus of enrollment. It is expected that students on probation make progress toward good academic standing at the conclusion of each academic term. Failure to demonstrate improvement at the end of the first probationary period may result in dismissal. At the conclusion of the second consecutive academic term, the student must have achieved good academic standing; failure to do so may result in dismissal. Upon completion of each academic term, a student on academic probation will receive a notice of his or her current standing in writing from the school dean.

Individual programs may have specific grade point requirements that students must meet in order to enter the professional years and associated clerkships/rotations of their programs. These program-specific requirements preempt the probation process for the preprofessional years. For information about program-specific requirements for the professional years, students should contact the appropriate school dean and refer to the Good Academic Standing chart. There is no appeals process associated with academic probation.

Academic Dismissal

Each student’s academic status will be reviewed at the end of each academic semester by the appropriate Academic Standing Committee (ASC). Each student’s professional (if applicable) and cumulative GPAs will be determined. If a student’s GPA falls below the level of good academic standing, as defined by the program requirements, for two consecutive academic semesters, the ASC will submit a recommendation for dismissal from the program to the appropriate school dean.

Courses may be attempted no more than two times. Grades of F and W are considered attempts for courses in which D or better is the passing grade. For those courses in which the passing grade is higher (e.g., C–, C), grades below the passing grade and W are all considered attempts. Failure to complete any course within these limits will result in an ASC recommendation for dismissal from the degree program to the school dean.

Individual programs may have specific grade point requirements that students must meet in order to enter the professional years and associated clerkships/rotations of their programs. These program-specific requirements preempt the dismissal process for the preprofessional years, and students failing to meet them may be subject to dismissal. For information about program-specific requirements for the professional years, students should contact the appropriate school dean and refer to the Good Academic Standing chart.

A student recommended for dismissal may be continued by the school dean with or without conditions. If the school dean accepts the dismissal recommendation, the student will receive written notice of dismissal from the school dean. The notice will include procedures for appeal and will direct students to meet with an advisor to discuss a potential change of program. All change of programs must be finalized by the end of the add/drop period for the next enrolled semester. If students do not successfully appeal or meet the change of program deadline they will be administratively withdrawn from the university. Administrative withdrawal letters will include notice of loss of housing, financial aid, and registration. The following offices/individuals will be notified: Center for Academic Success and Enrichment, Dean of Students, Office of the Registrar, Residential Living and Learning, Information Services, Public Safety, Student Financial Services and Immigration Services/International Academic Services (if applicable). Students will be required to turn in their University ID and vacate University residence halls.

A student whose conduct is unsatisfactory may be dismissed from the University at any time. In such a case, tuition and fees paid for the current academic semester will not be refunded.

Reinstatement of Dismissed Students

To be considered for readmission following dismissal by a school dean, the student must petition the Provost’s Office, in writing, by the date designated in the Appeals Procedure guidelines that accompany the dismissal letter. The Provost’s Office may uphold the dismissal, readmit the student, or readmit the student with conditions. If readmitted, the student’s academic performance will be reviewed at the end of one academic semester. If the student has failed to meet the stipulated conditions or, in the absence of stipulated conditions, failed to meet the minimum GPA required for good