Academic Standing Policy

Please note that the following policies are specific to UC's College-Conservatory of Music. The University of Cincinnati may also evoke academic sanctions that are separate from those enacted by the College.

A complete explanation of UC’s Undergraduate Academic Standing Policy can be found here. Graduate students should consult the Graduate Student Handbook section on Maintaining Graduate Student Status for minimum academic performance and registration requirements.

The records of all undergraduate students will be reviewed at the end of each semester by staff in the CCM College Office. Those found to have grade point averages below 2.0 for the term will be sent for review to the college’s Undergraduate Academic Performance Evaluation Committee.

Undergraduate students in CCM shall be placed on academic probation when their grade point average for any single semester (term GPA) falls below 2.0, or when the cumulative grade point average, at the end of any given semester, falls below 2.0. Students’ nonacademic activities may be restricted and their course load reduced as a result of this action. Formal notice of this action will be given to the student and appropriate persons.

Students shall be placed on Program Probation when a majority of the faculty in the major area, at a scheduled board examination or progress review, determine that the student’s performance or progress towards the degree does not meet the minimum standards for which they are being examined.

The following conditions may render students subject to suspension or dismissal:

1. Failure to achieve a 2.0 term GPA for any two semesters of undergraduate work.
2. Failure to raise the cumulative GPA to 2.0.
3. The determination by the faculty that the students’ grade point averages in any given semester are so low that their continuation would be detrimental to their best interests and/or the university.
4. The determination by the faculty that students should be on program probation at two successive board examinations/progress reviews.
5. Failure to achieve benchmarks for improvement set by the faculty (when applicable).

The records of all graduate students will be reviewed at the end of each semester by the advising staff in the CCM College Office. Those found to have GPA’s below 3.0 for the term will be sent for review by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of Graduate Studies.

Graduate students in CCM may be placed on academic probation under the following conditions:

1. Their grade point average for any semester falls below 3.0; or
2. Their degree applicable GPA falls below 3.0; or
3. Failure to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.0.

Note: Students who have received a Graduate Scholarship or a University Graduate Assistantship (UGA) must ensure that they maintain at least a 3.0 University GPA overall and do not allow their term GPA to drop below 3.0. Failure to maintain at least a cumulative GPA of 3.0 may result in the cancellation of scholarships and/or assistantships, regardless of the term GPA.

Students shall be placed on Program Probation when a majority of the faculty in the major area, at a scheduled board examination or progress review, determine that the students’ performance or progress does not meet the minimum standards for which they are being examined.

The following conditions may render students subject to suspension or dismissal:

1. Failure to achieve a 3.0 GPA for any two semesters of graduate work.
2. Failure to raise cumulative GPA to 3.0.
3. The determination by the faculty that the students’ grade point averages in any given semester are so low that their continuation would be detrimental to their best interests and/or the university.
4. The determination by the faculty that students should be on program probation at two successive board examinations/progress reviews.
5. Failure to achieve benchmarks for improvement set by the faculty (when applicable).