Academic Standing

In the KU School of Engineering, we are committed to supporting students as they work towards their degree. One piece of that support is making sure that our students are making satisfactory academic progress. Each fall and spring semester when grades post, the School of Engineering reviews each student's academic progress including reviewing attempted hours, semester and cumulative GPA, and progress toward an engineering degree.

School of Engineering Rules & Regulations, Section 3r

Information about Academic Standing

We know that for students to be successful in their journey towards an engineering degree, students need to earn at least a 2.0 GPA each semester. Students also need to earn grades of C or better in all their math, science, and engineering coursework to prepare for their future coursework and to stay on track for graduation in a timely manner. This means typically completing at least 12 credit hours each semester. Students may be placed on probation if one of these criteria are not met.

Probation is not a disciplinary action. We work closely with your academic advisor and engineering department to help identify what obstacles might prohibit you form achieving your best, along with implementing strategies for how to improve. An engineering degree is academically rigorous; it is not uncommon for a student to struggle at some point in their academic career. Most of those students will make the changes needed and be back on track in the next semester.

 

Students may be placed on probation, continue on probation after the initial probation semester, and also return to good standing. Returning to good standing means a student satisfied all probation requirements and is making satisfactory academic progress toward their engineering degree.

Students are given criteria for their probationary period; they are expected to earn at least a 2.0 semester GPA  as they work to bring up their overall GPA, make satisfactory progress toward their engineering degree, and also earn a grade of C or better in all mathematics, science, and engineering courses for the semester.

Most students are able to return to good standing quickly. Students who are unable to improve or recover are at risk of dismissal. Students who are dismissed from the School of Engineering will be unable to progress in an engineering degree until they are eligible to be readmitted.

Placed on Probation

A student is placed on academic probation when any cumulative, semester, or engineering GPA is less than 2.0

Continued on Probation

A student will be continued on probation if their semester GPA is above 2.0, but their overall university or engineering GPA is less than 2.0.

Return to Good Standing

A student on probation may be returned to good standing if their semester, university overall, and engineering GPAs are 2.0 or above while the student made satisfactory progress toward their engineering degree and earned a grade of "C" or better in all mathematics, science, and engineering courses.

Dismissal

A student on probation may be dismissed for failure to enroll in at least 12 credit hours that count toward their degree and earn a GPA lower than 2.0 in the next semester, or for failure to have a university overall and engineering overall GPA of 2.0 or greater for two consecutive semesters.

 

After a student is dismissed from the School of Engineering, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) may consider them for admission after review of their record. Students with less than a 2.00 university cumulative GPA may not be admitted.

In general, students need to meet School of Engineering admission standards for current KU students. If an engineering department is willing to work with a dismissed student on a path toward readmission, they will need to contact their engineering department to discuss this. Students will typically be given criteria to meet by their engineering department for readmission, which could include course retakes or expected grades in courses.

If a student is not admitted to CLAS, they will not be able to attend KU until they are readmitted to the university.

Your Success in Engineering

Areas of needed improvement are different for each student. We recommend working with your advisor and engineering department to find ways to improve. Successful engineering students have shared strategies that helped them get back on track. Below are potential areas for you to incorporate for your academic success.

Plan.

Set realistic expectations for course load. Some students can succeed carrying 18 credits a semester; others may carry 12 credits to get the grades they need. How many credit hours can you successfully complete with your other obligations? Your education isn’t a race. Talk with your advisor to figure this out.

Support.

Get help early and often. There are many resources at KU and in Engineering to help you succeed, with academics and your general well-being at Academic Resources. Advisors and instructors aren’t just there to help you in your classes, they are there to also help you in life.

Communicate.

Talk with your professors and graduate teaching assistants. They are there to help you succeed. Talk to them before you need help, and certainly when you don’t understand something in class. Visit your professor or GTA's office hours and attend review sessions if offered for the course.

Collaborate.

If you are not doing this already, make new friends in your classes—form study groups and support one another. Also, get involved in a club at KU. Other students can be a wealth of experience to help you through those tough classes.

Persevere.

An engineering degree is hard to earn, as are many things in life worth having. Don’t give up. You can do it with the right tools, support, and attitude, but it is going to take effort.

Important KU Policies

Read the university policy on academic forgiveness. If eligible, please contact Alex Pang in the School of Engineering to obtain the appropriate endorsements.

Request for Academic Forgiveness Form