Pathways Graduate Academic Policies Archive 2020-2021

CAS Graduate Pathway Programs for International Students

The College of Arts and Sciences offers pathway programs for selected degrees for qualified international graduate students. The pathway is a one semester program which requires one Academic English course and three required CAS graduate courses. The pathway program is only offered in the fall or spring semester.

CAS graduate course credits, earned in the CAS pathway, will apply to the corresponding graduate degree program once progression requirements are met. CAS graduate pathway students must follow all academic policies and complete all requirements to remain within their CAS graduate pathway and subsequent CAS graduate program. 

Academic Standing for Graduate Pathway Students

Students in a CAS graduate pathway must maintain a 3.0 GPA to continue in their programs. A student who receives less than the 3.0 GPA are subject to Suffolk University’s academic standing policies as set forth in the graduate catalog (https://www.suffolk.edu/academics/academic-catalogs/graduate-academic-policies/academic-standing) and outlined here:

CAS Academic Standards for Graduate Pathway Students

At the conclusion of each semester, the CAS Academic Standing Committee reviews the records of graduate students failing to make satisfactory progress. The Committee may choose to take one of the following actions, or may take other actions specific to the noted deficiency in the student file. Written notification of all actions taken by the Committee is communicated to the student in a timely fashion. Actions include Academic Warning, Probation, or Dismissal as outlined here: https://www.suffolk.edu/academics/academic-catalogs/graduate-academic-policies/academic-standing

Decisions regarding progression will be made by the CAS Graduate Academic Standing Committee. Before making a decision, the Academic Standing Committee will consult with the INTO-Suffolk Academic Director. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 at the end of the pathway to progress. Any students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation will work closely with an INTO Suffolk advisor to devise a plan by which to return to good standing.

At the conclusion of each semester, the SBS Graduate Academic Standing Committee reviews the records of graduate students failing to make satisfactory progress. Graduate students in the Sawyer Business School are expected to earn at least a B (3.0) in all courses attempted. Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 at the completion of each semester as well as to graduate. Failure to maintain this average can lead to academic dismissal. Consequent actions include probation, and dismissal.

Decisions regarding progression will be made by the SBS Graduate Academic Standing Committee. Before making a decision, the Academic Standing Committee will consult with the INTO-Suffolk Academic Director. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 at the end of the pathway to progress. Any students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation will work closely with an INTO Suffolk advisor to devise a plan by which to return to good standing. In some cases, a pathway student may be eligible for a pathway extension. A pathway extension is defined as the additional semester beyond the original student study plan of a 1 or 2 semester Graduate Pathway Program. Formal guidelines for academic performance and consequent actions are as follows:

• While in the Accelerated or Standard Pathway program (1 or 2 semester), students are required to achieve a grade of “B” or better in each course to progress, no “I” or “W” grades. If a student receives a grade less than a “B”, they will be reviewed under the SBS Graduate Programs academic standing policy.
• If a student receives a grade less than a “B” (SBS and/or AE), they will be required to retake that course(s) in the next semester.
• Any retaken course(s) must receive a grade of “B” or better or the student is dismissed.
• If a student receives an “F” grade in a course, they will be required to retake that course in the next semester.
• If a student receives more than one “F” grade, they will be dismissed.
• Students falling below a cumulative GPA of 3.0 will be reviewed following SBS Graduate Programs academic standing policies.
• Students must attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better to graduate.

A student is allowed only one extension semester. A student may not have more than two courses with grade of <B to be considered for an extension semester. In the extension semester, a student will be required to take 9-12 credits. The student must agree to the extension in writing by completing the appropriate forms. There may be additional cost to the student, in addition to a delay of progression into degree program, when adding an extension semester.