Print Options

Academic Standing - Undergraduate Student

ASK A QUESTION OR SUBMIT FEEDBACK ON THIS POLICY

Effective Date: Fall 2026
Last Reviewed: Fall 2025
Last Revised: Fall 2012
Next Review: Fall 2036

Policy Statement

Undergraduate students must earn a minimum 2.000 overall grade point average (GPA) to graduate from the university, and they must maintain that average throughout their undergraduate years.

The following academic standing designations apply to undergraduate students:

President’s List

The President's List recognizes students with an extremely high level of academic excellence. This notation is printed on students’ official transcripts for each semester of recognition.

To qualify for the President's List, students must have the following:

  • Earned a 4.000 term GPA for the semester
  • Completed 12 or more credit hours in letter-graded courses for the semester

Dean’s List

The Dean's List recognizes students who have achieved distinguished academic performance. It is compiled at the end of every fall and spring semester for full-time students and each spring semester for part-time students. This notation is printed on the students’ official transcript.

The qualifications for the Dean's List are outlined below:

Full-Time Students:

  • Earned a minimum 3.400 term GPA for the semester
  • Completed 12 or more credit hours in letter-graded courses for the semester

Part-Time Students:

  • Earned a minimum 3.400 overall GPA in 12 or more credit hours of letter-graded courses averaged over the previous summer, fall and spring terms
  • Completed 0-11 credit hours in letter-graded courses in any of the previous summer, fall and spring terms

Good Academic Standing

Students with a minimum 2.000 GPA are in good academic standing. Students with an overall GPA below 2.000 are placed on academic probation. Good academic standing is not the same as eligibility for financial aid or for participation in other activities of the university such as athletics, student organization leadership, extracurricular activities, etc. For information about eligibility standards, students should contact the appropriate office or organization.

Semester Warning

Students with a minimum 2.000 overall GPA who earn a 0.000 to 1.9999 term GPA in any fall or spring semester will be placed on semester warning.

Selected Academic Program Warning

If a student’s GPA does not meet the standards required for a selective-admission program, the college dean may place the student on selective academic program warning. The student would be allowed to remain enrolled in the selective program while attempting to improve academic performance.

Program Progression

Students not progressing academically in their selected academic program will be deemed not permitted to progress based on criteria established by their program area. Refer to the Program Progression Requirements policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Academic Probation

Students who fail to maintain a minimum 2.000 overall GPA will be placed on academic probation. The following stipulations apply:

  • Students on probation must reduce their course load to 15 credit hours or less.
  • Students are removed from probation only when they have achieved a minimum 2.000 overall GPA at the end of the next term of enrollment.
  • Failure to achieve a 2.000 overall GPA after being placed on academic probation can result in academic dismissal.
  • Students reinstated to the university after being academically dismissed will be placed on academic probation.

Academic Dismissal

Students whose academic performance indicates a limited chance of obtaining the minimum grades required for graduation will be subject to dismissal from the university. Refer to the Academic Dismissal policy in the University Catalog for more information.

Reason for Policy

An academic standing policy is essential for maintaining the integrity and quality of Kent State’s educational programs. The policy serves to:

  1. Ensure academic excellence. By setting clear standards, the policy encourages students to maintain a certain level of performance.
  2. Maintain institutional reputation. A consistent academic standing policy helps uphold the university's reputation by ensuring that all graduates have met a defined level of academic achievement.
  3. Promote fairness and accountability. The policy ensures that all students are held to the same academic standards, promoting fairness across the student body. It also encourages personal accountability, as students are aware of the consequences of not meeting academic expectations.
  4. Facilitate progress and graduation. By clearly defining what constitutes satisfactory academic progress, the policy helps students understand the pathway to graduation, ensuring they take the necessary steps to complete their degrees in a timely manner.

Procedures

There are no procedures associated with this policy.

Forms/Instructions

There are no forms associated with this policy.

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Where can I see my academic standing?
    Most academic standings are displayed on your academic transcript (viewable in FlashLine) and are applicable to a specific term.
  2. Will I be notified if I am on academic probation or academically dismissed?
    Yes. If you are placed on academic probation or are academically dismissed, you will receive an email via your Kent State email address on the day after final grades are posted for the semester (important dates at a glance). This notification includes any relevant information and next steps for you to take. If a grade change occurs after grades are posted which changes your status, it will only be noted on your transcript.
  3. How does taking summer courses affect my academic standing?
    Kent State does not review for academic dismissal in the summer. However, taking summer courses will affect your overall GPA and can affect future standings.

Additional FAQ: Academic Standing - Undergraduate Student

Definitions

Academic Advising: Advising helps students clarify their career goals, reach their maximum educational potential and achieve academic success. Academic advisors address student needs related to learning, personal development and career aspirations; recognize and respond to diverse individual needs and differences among students; and help students plan and implement academic programs of study in a manner that will ensure timely progress toward graduation.

Academic Dismissal: Students who fail to make adequate progress toward completion of a program of study or whose academic performance indicates little chance of obtaining the minimum grades required for graduation is no longer allowed to enroll at the university.

Academic Standing: Academic status at institutions of higher education. Students with a 2.00 overall GPA or above are in good academic standing.

Accreditation: An external review process by which experts authorize or give credentials indicating that standards and expectations have been met by academic programs or institutions.

Advisor: Professional advising staff member or a faculty member who provides students with information concerning courses, programs of study and other aspects of academic life.

Letter-Graded Courses: Academic classes in which students receive grades represented by letters A-F (and plus/minus counterparts, e.g., A-, B+), NF, SF and U to evaluate their performance. These grades correspond to a numeric value and contribute to a student's grade point average (GPA).

Program: Plan of academic study.

Requirement Course or condition that must be fulfilled as part of a particular program.

Related Information

Revision History

Amended Fall 2026: Revised policy removes Midterm Warning (not used in practice); renames Not Permitted to Continue to Program Progression; and modifies President's List eligibility, from 15 to 12 graded credit hours.

Amended Fall 2012: Revised policy requires students on academic probation to reduce their course load to 15 credit hours.

Amended Fall 2010: Revised policy adds standings Midterm Warning, Selective Academic Program Warning and Not Permitted to Continue; and clarifies that students on academic probation are returned to good standing only when they earn a 2.000 overall GPA or higher.