[Date changed–posted 10/11/22 (last revised 8/27/21)]
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Operating Policy and Procedure

OP 64.04: Academic Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal of Graduate Students

DATE: October 11, 2022

PURPOSE: This Operating Policy/Procedure (OP) is intended to define the academic requirements for continuation of graduate study.

REVIEW: This OP will be reviewed in September of even-numbered years by the Dean of the Graduate School with substantive revisions forwarded to the Graduate Council and the Provost and Senior Vice President.

POLICY/PROCEDURE

1.  Every student enrolled in the Graduate School, whether working toward a graduate degree or not, is required to maintain a high level of performance and to comply fully with policies of the institution. The Graduate School reserves the right to place on probation as well as to suspend or dismiss any post-baccalaureate or graduate student who does not maintain satisfactory academic standing or who fails to conform to the regulations of the university.

a.    Probation

A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 is placed on academic probation. The student must raise their cumulative GPA to at least 3.0 within two consecutive semesters* to avoid suspension. If semester GPA drops below 3.0 during this two-semester period, the student is subject to suspension. If the cumulative GPA remains less than 3.0 and their term GPA is greater than 3.0, then the student is placed on continued probation. If the student's cumulative GPA remains below 3.0 in the following term, then the student is placed on academic suspension.

b.    Suspension

A student placed on suspension must remain out of Graduate School for one semester.* During this time, they may not take courses or engage in research/creative activity or serve as a student graduate part-time instructor (GPTI), teaching assistant (TA), or research or graduate assistant (GA). If a student is suspended twice, they will not be allowed to return to Graduate School.

c.    Dismissal

Continued unsatisfactory academic progress may be the cause for dismissal from Graduate School by the Dean of the Graduate School. Conditions for dismissal include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1)    Students admitted to Graduate School with academic conditions are automatically placed on academic notice. Students who fail to meet the stipulated conditions of admission will be dismissed from the program.

(2)    A student who is suspended twice will not be allowed to return to Graduate School.

2.  Individual academic programs may have higher standards than the minimum university requirements. Students who fail to meet the higher program standards may be placed on probation or suspension or dismissed from the program based upon recommendation by the department/program to the Dean of the Graduate School for formal action. Such standards must be approved by the Graduate School. Examples of such disciplinary actions include, but are not limited to, the following:

a.    Failure to meet the program's stipulated conditions of admission will result in dismissal from the program by the Dean of the Graduate School.

b.    Students not making satisfactory progress, including progress in research/creative activity, may be placed on probation and given conditions to meet in order to remain in the program.

c.    Continued unsatisfactory progress in any area of graduate work will be cause for dismissal from the program by the Dean of the Graduate School.

d.    Failure to pass the qualifying exam within the specified timeframe will result in dismissal from the program by the Dean of the Graduate School.

3.  A student who is dismissed from a program yet maintains minimum academic performance standards may apply for admission to another graduate degree program at Texas Tech University.

4.  Any student who desires to be reinstated after suspension or dismissal may appeal these decisions to the Graduate School according to the procedure stipulated in OP 64.07, Graduate Student Appeals.

5.  Students may be suspended or dismissed for unprofessional conduct such as cheating or plagiarism. Any appeal of such action is subject to the provisions of the Code of Student Conduct. See the Student Handbook for further information.

 

* A long summer session or two consecutive short summer sessions count as one semester.

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