PhD Student Handbook

Grades and Academic Standing

The letter grade evaluation system of the Graduate Group in Social Welfare is consistent with the system used by the M.A. and Ph.D. programs at the University (see grades). That system consists of grades of A, B, C, D, and F with pluses and minuses possible for A, B, or C. The mark of S is used to indicate “satisfactory progress.” It may be used as a permanent grade for 999 courses only. It is a temporary grade for all other courses. The mark of I is used to designate “incomplete.”

Overall GPA
Grade Point Averages (GPAs) are tabulated at the end of each semester and on a cumulative basis. The minimum standard for satisfactory work for students in the graduate program in social welfare is a B average in each academic year. A student whose record falls below the B (3.0) average will be required to withdraw. Students will be given one opportunity to retake classes in which they received low grades before being required to withdraw.

Core Course Grades and GPA
A letter grade of less than B, including a B-, in a core course, will constitute a failure in that course. Students receiving less than a B in any core course will be placed on probationary status and required to repeat and pass the failed course. Students may repeat a failed core course once.  Need to specify that they must retake the specific course they failed in the School of Social Policy & Practice.

Elective Courses Grades
A letter grade of C or lower in an elective course will constitute a failure of that course. Students who fail an elective course will be permitted to retake that elective once or, with the prior approval of both the student's advisor and the Graduate Group Chair, substitute another suitable elective for the failed course. Failure of two or more courses (core or elective) will subject the student to dismissal from the program. (See Credit and Course Standing.)

In extreme and special cases, the Chair of the Graduate Group, in consultation with the Ph.D. Steering Committee, will make decisions of an individualized nature regarding student academic standing in light of circumstances that may affect student performance. Such circumstances may include: personal or family health matters, request for leaves of absence, changes in prescribed course requirements or timing, transfer of external credits, approval of study abroad programs, etc.