Academic standing at Northeastern University is determined by a student’s cumulative grade-point average. 

Academic probation is a period of time when a student must address and remediate academic deficiencies.

Full-time Students

Full-time graduate students are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher each term to remain in good academic standing and to progress toward graduation.

Students falling below a cumulative GPA of 3.000 are placed on academic probation for each academic term in which the cumulative GPA is below 3.000 after the completion of at least 8 semester hours. Full-time students must raise the cumulative GPA to 3.000 or higher after completion of at least 8 additional semester hours to regain good academic standing status.

Academic Probation Progression

Academic Probation 1

  • Students with a cumulative GPA below 3.000 after 8 semester hours are placed on Academic Probation 1. 
  • The unofficial transcript shows "Academic Probation." 
  • Reevaluation of academic standing occurs after completing 8 more semester hours. 

Academic Probation 2 

  • Failure to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.000 after completing 8 semester hours on Academic Probation 1 term leads to potential dismissal. 
  • Students may submit an academic dismissal appeal for one additional probation term (Academic Probation 2). 
  • The appeal requires approval from the department and Graduate Student Services. 
  • If approved, the unofficial transcript shows "Academic Dismissal Override" and the GPA is reevaluated after 8 more semester hours. 
  • If denied, students may appeal to the Graduate Appeals Committee, whose decision is final. If the decision to dismiss is upheld, the unofficial transcript will show "Academic Dismissal."  

Academic Probation 3 

  • Failure to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.000 after Academic Probation 2 term leads to potential dismissal. 
  • Students may appeal for a final probation term (Academic Probation 3) to the Graduate Appeals Committee. 
  • If the appeal is denied, the dismissal is final with no further appeals and the unofficial transcript will show "Academic Dismissal." 
  • If the appeal is approved, this third consecutive term is the final opportunity to raise the GPA above 3.000 and the unofficial transcript will show "Academic Dismissal Override." 
  • Failure to achieve a 3.000 GPA after Academic Probation 3 results in automatic dismissal with no appeal options. 

Dismissal Consequences 

  • No fourth semester of probation is possible. 
  • Students failing to meet program requirements will be dismissed. 
  • Dismissed students will receive written notification from the Graduate School of Engineering. 
  • Dismissed students cannot reenter the same degree program but may apply to other Northeastern programs or transfer elsewhere. 
  • There is no guarantee of credit transfer to new programs.

Part-time Students

Graduate students in official part-time status with the university are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher each term to remain in good academic standing and to progress toward graduation.

Students falling below a cumulative GPA of 3.000 after at least 8 semester hours are completed are placed on academic probation. Part-time students must raise the cumulative GPA to 3.000 or higher after completion of at least 8 additional semester hours to regain good academic standing status.

Summer Term

The summer semester consists of Summer Session A, Summer Session B, and Full-Semester.

Academic standing for the summer terms will be reviewed and evaluated for all students at the end of Summer Session B. If students complete fewer than 8 semester hours during any of the summer semesters combined, their academic standing is evaluated after the completion of at least 8 semester hours.