Undergraduate Policies and Procedures
Disciplinary Actions Associated with Academic Standing
Academic Good Standing
Students at UT Dallas are expected to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.000 on a 4.000 scale, which equates to a C average. Additionally, students are expected to maintain a GPA of 2.000 in their major-related courses to remain in Academic Good Standing.
Disciplinary Status Overview
UT Dallas maintains academic disciplinary policies to encourage students to make the necessary academic and life changes to succeed. Students (including those who seek second baccalaureate degrees or post-baccalaureate non-degrees) who fail to meet the minimum expectations of Academic Good Standing must meet more stringent standards and regularly consult with academic advisors.
Disciplinary Policy for First-Degree Seeking Students
The disciplinary policy provides a student with several opportunities to make the necessary adjustments prior to a final dismissal from UT Dallas.
UT Dallas Disciplinary Status:
- Academic Watch
- Academic Warning
- First Academic Suspension (One Semester)
- Second Academic Suspension (One Year)
- Final Dismissal
Disciplinary Policy for Second Baccalaureate Degrees or Post-Baccalaureate Non-Degree Seeking Students
Students who earned an undergraduate degree at UT Dallas or another institution of higher education and are enrolled at UT Dallas are subject to the provisions of this policy, except that they may be placed only on the following disciplinary statuses:
- Academic Watch
- Academic Warning
- Final Dismissal
Each Disciplinary Status will be indicated on the student's academic record.
Academic Watch
If a student's cumulative GPA falls below a 2.000, the student will be placed on Academic Watch. Academic Watch will be indicated on the student's academic record.
Academic Watch is designed to help students make the required adjustments to achieve success and a degree at UT Dallas. These adjustments will vary based upon the individual circumstances of each student, but should be taken seriously.
If a student is placed on Academic Watch, the student will be required to follow certain protocols and meet higher academic standards. These protocols and standards are designed to bring the student back to Academic Good Standing and allow the student to meet graduation requirements.
A student on Academic Watch is required to meet the following Academic Watch Requirements for the semester:
Academic Watch Requirements:
- Earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.200.
- May not withdraw or request an incomplete from a class.
- Meet with your School academic advisor prior to registration. to discuss academic success plan and remove registration hold.
- Seek School academic advisor approval for all changes to your schedule.
- Retake all required major and University core courses failed the previous semester.1
- Register for a maximum of 15 semester credit hours in a long semester or 9 semester credit hours in a summer semester.2
- Maintain satisfactory progress towards graduation.
- Meet with a Student Outreach and Academic Retention (SOAR) office advisor.
If a student on Academic Watch meets the Academic Watch Requirements but fails to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.000, the student will remain on Academic Watch and must continue to comply with all Academic Watch Requirements.
If at any time, a student's cumulative GPA meets the minimum requirements of 2.000 overall the student will regain Academic Good Standing. A student's cumulative GPA is affected only by UT Dallas coursework. Coursework at another institution cannot be used to return a student to Academic Good Standing.
1. The Associate Dean of the student's school reserves the right to alter this requirement on a case-by-case basis.
2. The Associate Dean of the student's school reserves the right to alter this requirement on a case-by-case basis. If a student has registered for more than 15 semester credit hours prior to being placed on Academic Watch, the student's schedule must be reduced to a maximum of 15 semester credit hours. The student is required to meet with his or her School academic advisor to find an appropriate adjustment to the student's academic schedule.
Academic Warning
A student will be placed on Academic Warning for failure to meet the Academic Watch Requirements. A student on Academic Warning is also required to meet the Academic Warning Requirements as listed below:
Academic Warning Requirements:
- Earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.200.
- May not withdraw or request an incomplete from a class.
- Meet with your School academic advisor prior to registration to discuss academic success plan.
- Retake all required Major and University Core Courses failed the previous semester.3
- Register for a maximum of 12 semester credit hours in a long semester or 9 semester credit hours in a summer semester.4
- Maintain satisfactory progress towards graduation.
- Meet with a Student Outreach and Academic Retention (SOAR) advisor.
Academic Warning is an alert for students who have not been able to make the adjustments required of students on Academic Watch. If a student is placed on Academic Warning, the student should consider dramatic alterations in all of the circumstances that affect his or her academic progress. The student should increase the volume of work with the SOAR advisor and meet with their academic advisor, Program Head, and/or Associate Dean.
If the student meets the Academic Warning Requirements, but the student does not have a cumulative GPA of 2.000, the student will remain on "continued warning" status as shown on his or her transcript. If the student again fails to meet the Academic Warning Requirements, the student will be suspended.
When placed on suspension, it is the student's responsibility to submit required documents to meet the readmission requirements for re-entry. Readmission is not guaranteed.
If at any time, a student's cumulative GPA meets the minimum requirements of 2.000 overall the student will regain Academic Good Standing. A student's cumulative GPA is affected only by UT Dallas coursework. Coursework at another institution cannot be used to return a student to Academic Good Standing.
3. The Associate Dean of the student's school reserves the right to alter this requirement on a case-by-case basis.
4. The Associate Dean of the student's school reserves the right to alter the requirements for Academic Warning and Academic Watch on a case- by-case basis. If a student has registered for more than the allowed maximum semester credit hours prior to being placed on disciplinary status, the student's schedule must be reduced to the maximum semester credit hours. The student is required to meet with his or her School academic advisor to find an appropriate adjustment to the student's academic schedule.
Academic Departure
First-degree seeking students who leave the University on Academic Watch or Academic Warning may be readmitted with the same status, even if they have attended another institution in the interim. Performance at another institution will be a factor in the readmission decision.
Academic Suspension
First-degree seeking students are automatically placed on Academic Suspension for failure to meet the Academic Warning Requirements while on Academic Warning. Second baccalaureate degree-seeking or post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking students shall be subject to final dismissal for failure to meet the Academic Warning Requirements while on Academic Warning.
First-degree seeking students on Academic Suspension may not enroll in, audit, or visit a class unless readmitted as described below. Students who have already pre-registered for classes will automatically be dropped from all classes. Notice of Academic Suspension will show on the student's academic record.
Length of Academic Suspension
- A student's First Academic Suspension will be for a period of one long semester.
- A student's Second Academic Suspension will be for a period of one year (12 months).
- A student's third Academic Suspension is Final Dismissal from UT Dallas without a possible readmission.
Readmission
A student, who has been placed on suspension, must complete and submit for approval the Undergraduate Academic Suspension Readmission Petition Form for readmission. It is the student's responsibility to submit required documents to meet the readmission requirements for re-entry. Readmission is based on academic work elsewhere that indicates good prospects of success at UT Dallas (as determined by his or her Associate Dean). The student should meet with his/her UT Dallas academic advisor about appropriate coursework prior to enrolling in courses at another institution. Readmission is not guaranteed.
A student placed on One Long Semester Academic Suspension must petition to his or her Associate Dean for readmission. If the student has not declared a major or is a non-degree seeking student, the student must petition the Dean of Undergraduate Education.
A student placed on One Year Academic Suspension must petition to his or her Associate Dean for readmission. The Dean of Undergraduate Education must approve the readmission of all students placed on One Year Academic Suspension.
A student that is readmitted may be subject to additional probationary conditions placed upon them by the Associate Dean or Dean of Undergraduate Education. Such additional probationary conditions may be individual to the student and his or her academic circumstances, but will be designed to encourage the student to reach Academic Good Standing and be eligible for Graduation.
A student who reenters the University after Academic Suspension will reenter on Academic Warning. The student should follow the requirements as outlined in the Academic Warning section of the catalog.
Changing Majors
A student may find that his or her interests and skills are better suited to a different academic discipline. If a student has been placed on Academic Suspension and wishes to select a different academic discipline, the student must first complete the "Undergraduate Change of Major Form" prior to petitioning for readmission. If the Change of Major is approved, the student must petition to the new Associate Dean for readmission.