University of Washington Policy Directory

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*Formerly part of the University Handbook
Student Governance and Policies

Scholastic Regulations

Chapter 116



Satisfactory Progress


Students admitted to the University to pursue baccalaureate degrees are expected to make satisfactory progress toward the attainment of that degree, and are expected to enter a major and graduate after a reasonable number of credits and academic satisfactory progress quarters have been completed.

1. The term academic satisfactory progress quarter is defined as a quarter that occurs during the academic year, specifically Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters. A student admitted using the freshman application is considered to have completed zero academic satisfactory progress quarters. A student admitted using a transfer application who has completed less than a year of college coursework is considered to have completed zero academic satisfactory progress quarters. A student admitted using a transfer application who has completed one year of college coursework is considered to have completed three academic satisfactory progress quarters. A student admitted using a transfer application who has completed two or more years of college coursework is considered to have completed six academic satisfactory progress quarters.

2. By the time undergraduate students have completed 105 credits, they either must be accepted in their major or have a hold placed against their registration or have their pre-major status extended temporarily by an adviser.

3. By the time undergraduate students have completed 165 credits and 11 academic satisfactory progress quarters, they either must file an application for Baccalaureate Degree or a hold will be placed against their registration, unless a graduation plan extension has been approved by their degree granting unit. Completing a minor, completing requirements for graduate or professional programs, or enrolling in an additional major or degree program is not grounds for an exception.

4. Students shall graduate with their first baccalaureate by the time they have completed 30 credits beyond the credits required for the first degree or concurrent degrees and 12 academic satisfactory progress quarters. Students who exceed this limit will have their registration blocked for all future quarters except summer unless the degree granting unit has approved an extension.

5. Postbaccalaureate students are expected to be preparing for admission into a degree program, seeking an additional bachelor's degree, or working toward a certificate. Students admitted as "postbaccalaureate-undeclared" must declare a major by the time they have earned 30 credits beyond their last degree, and once a degree objective has been declared, must make progress toward that degree as evidenced by the courses they have completed satisfactorily. Degree granting units may grant extensions beyond the 30-credit limit.

S-B 147, January 20, 1987; S-B 204, June 7, 2021: both with Presidential approval.