Graduate Studies

Academic Probation/Disqualification

This section provides a comprehensive overview of the academic standing procedures specifically designed for students enrolled in a master's degree program. It outlines the requirements for maintaining good standing in the program, including the minimum grade point average (GPA) criteria. Additionally, it explains the implications of academic probation and the steps you need to take while on probation, such as seeking advising and carefully selecting your course load. The section also covers the potential outcomes based on your academic performance during probation, including reinstatement, continuation on probation, or academic disqualification. Finally, it offers guidance on the process of reinstatement and readmission, empowering you to regain clear standing in your master's program.


Academic Standing Procedures for Students in a Master's Degree Program

Academic Probation

As a student admitted to a master’s degree program, you must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in the following three categories to maintain good standing in the program: all coursework taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all coursework taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses taken in fulfillment of your approved program. Failure to maintain the required GPA in your CSU, Chico, and graduate cumulative grade point averages in all coursework taken subsequent to your admission to the program will result in academic probation in the master’s program.

As a student on probation, you are eligible to enroll for a subsequent semester, and you should seek advising from your graduate coordinator on the appropriate coursework and unit load to take. You should typically take no more than 9 units unless approved by your advisor to take more, and your record will be reviewed again after your next semester of coursework enrollment.

  • If your graduate GPAs have been raised to 3.0 or higher, you will be returned to clear standing.
  • If your graduate GPAs remain below 3.0, but you earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the coursework taken during your semester on probation, you will be allowed to continue on probation for a second semester of enrollment.
  • If your graduate GPAs remain below 3.0 and you earned a GPA less than 3.0 in the coursework taken during your semester on probation, you will be academically disqualified.

If you are allowed to continue on probation for a second semester, you should again seek advising from your graduate coordinator on the courses to take, and enroll in no more than 9 units. If you fail to raise your graduate GPAs to 3.0 or higher by the end of your second semester on probation will be academically disqualified.

If you receive grades of incomplete in coursework while enrolled for your initial semester on probation, your graduate coordinator will be consulted for a determination as to whether or not you have made sufficient progress to continue for a second probationary semester. However, if you fail to complete sufficient coursework to raise your graduate GPAs to 3.0 or higher by the end of the second semester, you will be academically disqualified.

For cohort programs that offer or require enrollment in an established summer session of graduate program coursework, the summer enrollment will count as the second semester on probation. However, for programs not requiring summer enrollment, summer sessions will not count as the second semester on probation and can allow an additional opportunity to correct the GPA deficiency.

Academic Disqualification

If you are academically disqualified from your master’s program you may take Special Session courses through Regional and Continuing Education or enroll in coursework through Open University to correct any deficiencies in your background preparation for graduate study and to raise your graduate GPAs. Any courses that you take should be approved by your graduate coordinator prior to enrollment, and approval signatures will be required by the instructor, department chair, and Office of Graduate Studies for each course taken through Open University.

As a disqualified student, you may not take any new graduate coursework that you intend to count toward an eventual program if reinstated and readmitted. However, with the approval of your graduate coordinator, you may repeat graduate courses in which you have earned a grade of B- or lower to raise your GPAs and establish your ability to succeed in graduate study. You may also use your option to repeat one course with forgiveness if you have not already done so. Otherwise, the general repeat policy for graduate students will apply, and the grades received in the repeated courses will be averaged with the original grade. Graduate program courses that may be taken more than once for credit may not be repeated as this would be considered new graduate coursework.

You may complete graduate courses in which you have been assigned a grade of Incomplete (I) or Report in Progress (RP) to raise your GPAs unless the courses are associated with the culminating activity for your intended program. You may not begin, continue, or complete a required culminating activity while disqualified from the program.

Reinstatement and Readmission

When you have significantly raised your graduate GPAs and established your ability to succeed in graduate study, you may petition for reinstatement and apply for readmission to your original graduate program or a different program. Both your petition for reinstatement and your application for readmission need to be submitted by the deadlines published in the University Academic Calendar for the semester that you are seeking to return. An academic status committee organized by the Office of Graduate Studies will review your record and make a decision concerning reinstatement. You must also be readmitted to the University and into the graduate program.

You can be reinstated in clear standing if your graduate GPAs have been raised to 3.0 or higher, or you may be reinstated on probation with an academic contract if you remain below the required 3.0. Failure to meet the conditions of an academic contract would once again result in academic disqualification.


Academic Standing Procedures for Postbaccalaureate Students

Academic Probation and Disqualification

You will be placed on academic probation for any semester of enrollment in which either your postbaccalaureate CSU, Chico grade point average (GPA) or cumulative grade point average (which includes all transferred work) falls below 2.0. While on academic probation, you will become subject to academic disqualification if either your postbaccalaureate Chico or cumulative GPAs remain below 2.0 at the end of a semester of coursework enrollment. If disqualified, you will not be allowed to continue in the University for at least a semester and must successfully petition for reinstatement and be readmitted to the University to return. As a disqualified student, you may take Special Session courses through Regional and Continuing Education or enroll in coursework through Open University with the permission of the instructor, department chair, and Office of Graduate Studies for each course taken.

You may also become subject to academic disqualification while not on academic probation if your cumulative GPA falls below 1.0 and the cumulative GPA is so low that, in view of your overall educational record, it seems unlikely that the deficiency will be removed within a reasonable period.

Reinstatement and Readmission

When you have significantly raised your postbaccalaureate GPAs and established your ability to academically succeed, you may petition for reinstatement and apply for readmission to your academic objective. Both your petition for reinstatement and your application for readmission need to be submitted by the deadlines published in the University Academic Calendar for the semester that you are seeking to return. An academic status committee organized by the Office of Graduate Studies will review your petition and record and make a decision concerning reinstatement. You must also be readmitted to the University.


How to Petition for Reinstatement after Academic Disqualification

Steps To Take And Strategies To Consider

Identify the problems which led to your disqualification and develop a plan for how you intend to overcome your prior difficulties. Understand the academic performance requirements for your academic objective, and be certain that you are ready to continue at CSU, Chico, before you petition. Though disqualified graduate and postbaccalaureate students may seek reinstatement and readmission as soon as one semester after disqualification, you should submit a request for reinstatement only when you have either corrected your grade point average deficiency or made substantial progress to do so.

Realistically assess your academic goals and consider if you have the ability and motivation to be successful in your chosen program. Consider if you have all of the background preparation necessary for your area of study, or if there are courses that you might take through Open University or at another school to make up any background deficiencies. Consult a faculty advisor in your area to identify courses that you might take to demonstrate your ability to succeed in the discipline. Complete any “I” (Incomplete) grades on your record that has not yet expired, and submit a Repeat with Forgiveness petition if appropriate.

If a compelling personal situation contributed to your disqualification, consider whether it is now resolved sufficiently to allow you to succeed, or determine what other steps need to be taken.

The Appeal Process

Once you have taken steps to establish your ability to succeed academically and to resolve any personal issues that contributed to your disqualification, you must petition for reinstatement to the University, which is required before you can return to complete your original academic goal or seek admission to a new program. To request reinstatement please complete the following steps.

  1. Submit your reinstatement packet to the Office of Graduate Studies by the reinstatement deadline noted in the Academic Calendar for the semester that you wish to return. 
  2. Prepare a one to two-page formal letter requesting reinstatement to the University.
  3. Complete and attach a Petition for Reinstatement (PDF). (If you need special accommodation to access this document, please contact the Office of Accessible Technology and Services.)
  4. Attach sealed copies of official transcripts from all schools attended other than CSU, Chico, since your disqualification. If you are enrolled in courses at the time that you submit your petition, also attach work-in-progress forms for those courses. Work-In-Progress forms should be submitted in sealed envelopes signed across the back flap by the instructor.
  5. Submit your reinstatement packet to:
    • Office of Graduate Studies
      Student Services Center 460
      California State University, Chico
      Chico, CA 95929-0875

Your reinstatement packet will be reviewed by an Academic Status Committee of the Office of Graduate Studies, and you will be notified in writing of their decision.

You must also apply for readmission to the University online at Cal State Apply(opens in new window) by the application deadline for the semester of your planned reenrollment. You cannot be readmitted until your petition for reinstatement has been granted. However, please note that reinstatement does not guarantee readmission to your intended academic program.

Information To Include In Your Letter Requesting Reinstatement

Your letter should be clear, concise, well-written, and carefully proofed for spelling and grammatical errors. The following points should be considered in the letter.

  1. Identify the problems and factors that led to your disqualification.
  2. Provide verification of illness or other circumstances that may have contributed to your academic difficulty.
  3. Describe the steps that you have taken to resolve these problems, and if applicable, identify any life experiences that have contributed to your maturity and academic stability.
  4. Identify your academic goals, and provide any additional information that you would like to be considered. If you have any questions about the petition process or the materials required for your reinstatement packet, please call or drop by the Office of Graduate Studies, SSC 460, (530) 898-6880.