Enrollment, Progression, and Performance Policy

The BGSU Graduate College “Academic Progress, Probation, and Dismissal” policy describes criteria for academic progress, including graduation, in addition to policies for academic probation and dismissal.

• Students are reminded that grades of C and lower make graduate students subject to the provisions of the satisfactory progress policy.

• Students are reminded that the accumulation of grades of incomplete makes graduate students subject to the satisfactory progress policy.   

• University policy establishes the criteria for assessing whether master’s degree students are making satisfactory progress toward their degrees.  Master’s degree students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 / 4.0.  The pattern of grades earned by a student also is important.  The accumulation of three or more Cs, two or more grades of incomplete, one D, one F, one WF, or one U is a very serious matter and a clear indication that a student is not making acceptable progress toward the degree.  If a student is not in good standing at the end of an academic term, the MSFS program must recommend one of three actions to the Graduate College:

• Grant a probationary period in which the student is to remedy existing academic deficiencies, i.e., place the student on probation.  Failure to achieve a GPA of at least 3.0 by the end of the probationary semester (i.e., the second semester) is grounds for dismissal from the program. 
• Continue the student on probation for another academic term.  Graduate College policy indicates that full-time students should not remain on probation for more than two semesters.
• Dismiss the student from the program.  Earning a D, F, WF, or U is grounds for dismissal. 

• In accordance with the Graduate College Master’s Degree – General Requirements Policy, “If a student does not pass the final oral examination (thesis defense), they may take a second examination four months or more after the date of the first oral examination.  Dismissal from the master’s program will result if the second oral examination is failed.”   

• Academic honesty is extremely important in the MSFS program.  A student found guilty of any form of academic dishonesty may be dismissed from the program.  Even a grade penalty in a single course may result in dismissal if it triggers the application of the satisfactory progress policy described above. The lock-step nature of the MSFS program and requirements outlined by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) does not permit students to substitute courses from a second graduate program for required MSFS courses.