University of Washington Policy Directory

Print This Page
*Formerly part of the University Handbook
Student Governance and Policies

Scholastic Regulations

Chapter 107



Academic Probation and Dismissal for Low Scholarship




[Additional regulations regarding Enrollment and Registration Procedures are located in Chapter 478-160 WAC. Among the topics included are admission categories, applications, residence classification, enrollment periods, enrollment procedures, enrollment service fees, credit categories, withdrawals, and information on special programs.]

1.  Cumulative Grade-Point Average

Cumulative grade-point average includes only credits granted for courses taken at the University of Washington. This specifically excludes transfer and extension credits, and credits earned by examination.

S-B 95, December 10, 1964; S-B 173, April 6, 2007; S-B 195, May 29, 2020: all with Presidential approval.

2.  Academic Probation

Except as noted below, any undergraduate student shall be placed on academic probation when his or her cumulative grade-point average falls below 2.00. Such action will be recorded on the student's official academic record. Any undergraduate student whose grade-point average for his or her first quarter at the University falls below 2.00 shall be warned that his or her scholarship is unsatisfactory, and that if he or she fails to achieve a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 by the end of the second quarter after being admitted as an undergraduate, degree-seeking student he or she will be placed on academic probation. The Registrar under delegated authority from the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled shall notify the student as soon as possible that either (a) his or her scholarship is unsatisfactory, or (b) he or she has been placed on scholastic probation. The student is reminded further that he or she should consult with his or her academic adviser immediately to discuss future academic plans.

S-B 95, December 10, 1964; S-B 167, November 26, 2001; S-B 189, March 12, 2019: all with Presidential approval.

3.  Effect of Academic Probation

Academic probation is essentially a warning to the student that he or she must show improvement if he or she is to remain at the University. University regulations regarding scholastic eligibility for participation in intercollegiate athletics and other student activities shall be recommended to the Senate by the Advisory Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics and the Faculty Council on Student Affairs respectively.

S-B 95, December 10, 1964 with Presidential approval.

4.  Removal from Academic Probation

An undergraduate student on academic probation will be removed from probation at the end of any quarter in which his or her cumulative grade-point average reaches 2.00 or better.

S-B 95, December 10, 1964 with Presidential approval.

5.  Dismissal for Low Scholarship

Any undergraduate student on academic probation will be dropped at the end of his or her probationary quarter unless he or she either (1) has attained at least a 2.00 cumulative average, or (2) has attained at least a 2.00 average during each quarter of his or her current probationary period. Any student dropped under this rule will be notified in writing of this action by the Registrar.

S-B 95, December 10, 1964; S-B 189, March 12, 2019: both with Presidential approval.

6.  Reinstatement

Only under exceptional circumstances will a student dropped under Section 5 above be readmitted to the University. Such a student will be readmitted only at the discretion of the dean of the school or college to which he or she seeks admission. A student readmitted after being dropped under these rules will enter on academic probation.

S-B 95, December 10, 1964; S-B 125, June 1975: both with Presidential approval.

7.  Seniors in Final Quarter

A senior who has completed the required number of credits for graduation but whose work in what would normally be his or her final quarter places him or her on probation will not receive a degree until he or she has been removed from probation as provided in Section 4 above. A senior who has completed the required number of credits for graduation but whose work in his or her last quarter results in his or her being dropped for low scholarship shall not receive a degree until he or she has been readmitted and removed from probation as provided in Section 6 above.

S-B 81, May 1960 with Presidential approval.

8.  Continuation or Termination of Students in the Graduate School

  A. Admission of a student to the Graduate School provides the opportunity for graduate study and research at the University only for the period during which the student maintains satisfactory performance and progress toward completion of the graduate degree program.

  B. Graduate program advisers and their faculty colleagues in the academic units offering graduate programs must on a regular basis review the status of their graduate students. If a graduate student's performance, or progress, or promise of completion of the graduate program is unsatisfactory, advice and recommendations concerning the student must be transmitted promptly to the Dean of the Graduate School who may send an appropriate notice to the graduate student relating to a change in the student's status.

  C. In carrying out a review of a graduate student's status, the student's whole situation should be considered. Grade reports are important, but in addition the student's performance in formal course work and in seminars, research progress and achievements, and performance and prospects in all other significant ways should be appraised. If a graduate student has been admitted into a doctoral program and is proceeding under the guidance of a supervisory committee, then this supervisory committee should be responsible for a quarterly review of the student's status.

GSM, March 1965; AI, February 6, 2015.