Undergraduate Earned Credit Semester Standing
The University of Connecticut charts a student’s educational progress by semester standing based on earned credits rather than the traditional designations of first-year student, sophomore, junior, and senior. However, semester standing may be related to these traditional terms. Standing is based on earned credits, not on numbers of semesters attended. Courses in progress are not counted. Standing is advanced after minimum credits indicated on the following chart have been earned.
| Traditional | Semester Standing | Earned Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year | 1 | 0-11 |
| 2 | 12-23 | |
| Sophomore | 3 | 24-39 |
| 4 | 40-53 | |
| Junior | 5 | 54-69 |
| 6 | 70-85 | |
| Senior | 7 | 86-99 |
| 8 | 100+ | |
| 9 | 117-133* | |
| 10 | 134+* | |
| * Pharmacy | ||
Scholastic Probation
Scholastic probation is an identification of students whose scholastic performance is below University standards. The student and the student’s counselor are informed that a marked academic improvement in future semesters is necessary to obtain the minimum scholastic standards.
Students are on scholastic probation for the next semester in which they are enrolled if their academic performance is such that they are included in any of the following conditions:
- Students who have earned 0-11 credits (considered to be first semester standing) and who have earned less than a 1.8 semester grade point average.
- Students who have earned 12-23 credits (considered to be second semester standing) and who have earned less than a 1.8 semester grade point average.
- Students who have earned 24 credits or more (considered to be third semester or higher) and who have earned less than a 2.0 semester grade point average or cumulative grade point average.
The end of the semester is defined as the day when semester grades must be submitted to the Registrar. This must occur no later than seventy-two hours after the final examination period ends.
Incomplete and Absent grades (“I,” “X” and “N”) do not represent earned credit. A student placed on probation with unresolved grades will be relieved of probation status if satisfactory completion of the work places his or her academic performance above the probation standards.
Any student placed on academic probation because of a cumulative grade point average less than 2.0 shall be removed from probation when the cumulative grade point average reaches 2.0 or above. Warning letters will be sent to students in good standing who have completed their first or second semester with less than a 2.0 semester grade point average.
Dismissal
A student who fails to meet these minimum scholastic standards for two consecutively registered semesters (Fall and Spring or Spring and Fall) is subject to dismissal. However, no student with at least a 2.3 semester grade point average after completing all courses for which he or she is registered at the end of a semester shall be subject to dismissal; the student will be continued on scholastic probation if such status is warranted.
Students who are subject to dismissal but who, for extraordinary reasons, are permitted to continue may be subjected by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs to other conditions for their continuance.
When a student is dismissed from the University for scholastic reasons only, any certificate or transcript issued must contain the statement “Dismissed for scholastic deficiency but otherwise entitled to honorable dismissal.”
Dismissal involves non- residence on the University campus and loss of status as a candidate for a degree effective immediately upon dismissal.
A student who has been dismissed from the University for academic reasons may not register for courses at the University as a non-degree student without the approval of a non-degree advisor.
Students who have been dismissed may, during a later semester, request an evaluation for readmission to the University by applying to the Dean of the school or college into which entry is sought. Readmission will be considered favorably only when the evaluation indicates a strong probability for academic success. In their first regular semester after readmission, dismissed students will be on scholastic probation and may be subjected by the Office for Undergraduate Education to other conditions for their continuance. Students who have left the University for a reason other than academic dismissal are readmitted under the same scholastic standing status as achieved at the time of separation from the University.
Students who are subject to dismissal or who have been dismissed can find more information about scholastic policies and procedures on the Scholastic Standing website.
Leave of Absence
A leave of absence is a special status assigned to students who have been granted permission by the Dean of Students Office or designee to interrupt their studies and resume them in a subsequent semester specified by mutual agreement. A leave of absence is granted in conjunction with a Voluntary Separation (usually a cancellation). Leaves are not granted for more than three full semesters or to students who wish to interrupt their studies for less than one full semester.
Requests for leaves are considered only after the student has personally consulted a representative of the Dean of Students Office or designee and frequently a representative of the student’s school or college. Leaves are granted only to students in good academic standing and who know the specific semester in which they plan to return. Students on academic probation or who have outstanding incomplete work are seldom granted a leave of absence.
Cancellation and Withdrawal
Students may voluntarily leave the University through one of two possible actions – cancellation of registration or withdrawal. Both actions are finalized in the Dean of Students Office. A personal interview with a staff member in the Dean of Students Office, would be appropriate for any student considering voluntary separation. The interview may help the student realize alternatives and/or options which would allow the student to continue at the University. If a personal interview is not desired, or not possible, written notice must be given to the Dean of Students Office. No student is considered officially separated and no refunds of fees or deposits can be made unless the student has contacted (interview or letter) the Dean of Students Office.
Cancellation
Students presently enrolled may cancel their registration for the subsequent semester, while planning to complete the current one. Students may also cancel their registration during the summer and midyear vacations if they do not intend to return for the following semester. Cancellations must take place prior to the first day of classes of a semester. The date of cancellation will not appear on the student’s official transcript.
Withdrawal
To withdraw officially means to voluntarily terminate enrollment during a semester which is in progress. Students may withdraw between the first day of classes and the last day before finals week begins. (See the University Calendar for dates.) Students who officially withdraw will not receive credits, grades, or “W’s” for courses taken during the semester. Only the date of withdrawal will be entered on the student’s official transcript. Students who merely leave the University or stop attending classes, without officially withdrawing, should expect to receive Fail “F” grades in all courses in which they are registered at the close of the semester other than those for which grades have previously been submitted.
No student who withdraws after the end of the sixth week of a semester will be permitted to register for a subsequent semester without the permission of the Dean of Students Office or designee. It is understood that when such permission is sought the Dean or designee will ascertain the standing of the student at the time when he or she withdrew. For purposes of application for readmission such students shall be treated as a dismissed student if his or her standing at the time of withdrawal is such that if it were continued to the end of the semester he or she would then be subject to dismissal.
All students withdrawing from the University for any reason must complete the proper forms through the Dean of Students Office or designee. If the withdrawing student lives on campus s/he must also complete the proper forms through the Residential Life Office.
University Suspension or Expulsion
University suspension or expulsion may be incurred as a result of unsatisfactory conduct. Students who are suspended or expelled are not entitled to any refund of University fees including room and board fees.
University Suspension
Separation from the University for a designated period of time after which the student shall be eligible to apply for readmission to the University. Readmission to the University is not guaranteed. Conditions for consideration of readmission may be specified. A student’s reacceptance into his/her school or college is at the discretion of the school or college. A student who is on suspension is prohibited from participating in any University activity or program. The individual may not be in or on any University owned or leased property without securing prior approval from the Director of Community Standards or designee. A notation of “Suspension” shall be placed on the student’s official transcript until graduation. However, the student may petition the Director of Community Standards for earlier removal of the notation upon completion of the suspension. The University of Connecticut will not accept credits earned at another institution during a period of suspension.
University Expulsion
Permanent separation from the University. A student who has been expelled is prohibited from participating in any University activity or program. The individual may not be in or on any University owned or leased property. A permanent notation of “Expulsion” shall be placed on the student’s transcript.
For complete rules, regulations and procedure consult Responsibilities of Community Life: The Student Code.
Readmission
All students seeking readmission to the University, including those seeking readmission to regional campuses must apply through the Dean of Students Office.
If a student is applying to be readmitted for a fall semester, it is strongly encouraged that the student submit a completed application between December 1st and January 15th. These applications will be given priority review in March. Applications that are received between January 15th and July 1st may not be reviewed until July.
If a student is applying to be readmitted for a spring semester, it is strongly encouraged that the student submit a completed application between August 1st and September 15th. These applications will be given priority review in October. Applications that are received between September 15th and December 1st may not be reviewed until December.
The attention of such students is called to the following University regulations:
- A student who wishes to apply toward a degree credits earned more than eight years before graduation must obtain permission from the dean of the school or college concerned and the Office for Undergraduate Education.
- All readmitted students (except those who are on an official leave of absence returning to their previous school or college) must satisfy the academic requirements of the school or college to which readmitted as stated in the catalog effective at the time of readmission, unless a subsequent catalog is elected.
- Undergraduate students who have been separated from the university for at least eight consecutive semesters may be eligible for academic renewal upon readmission. Questions about this should be directed to the Dean of Students Office.
A student in good standing who leaves the University at the end of a semester and is out of residence for one or more semesters may re-enter at the beginning of any later semester upon application to the Dean of Students Office or designee. The attention of such students is called to the fact that special permission is needed to count courses taken more than eight years before graduation.
Supplementary Scholastic Standards
In addition to the minimum scholastic standards described above and applicable to all University students, there may be additional requirements. Refer to specific information in the description of each College, School, and program.