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Retention Standards

Probation

Students are placed on academic probation if their cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 at the end of a semester. Students who raise their cumulative GPA to at least 2.0 after one semester on probation are removed from academic probation.

Continued Probation

Students who earn a term GPA of 2.0 or higher but maintain a cumulative GPA below 2.0 will be continued on probation for another semester.  Students who earn at least a 2.25 term GPA but less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA in the subsequent semester will continue on probation for a third consecutive semester.

Suspension

Students who do not meet the stated minimum retention standards will be placed on academic suspension. Students academically suspended cannot enroll in courses at Montclair State University under any circumstance for an entire academic year or two semesters, not including summer and winter. Students who have been academically suspended and have been away from Montclair State University for the prescribed length of time are eligible to apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions. Readmitted students are not necessarily admitted back into their chosen major. Readmission is not automatic and will be based upon the review of documents submitted in support of the readmission application. Additionally, readmission is based on the probability of success in the chosen major and upon the space available at the time of readmission.

Dismissal

Students readmitted from academic suspension must earn at least a 2.0 semester GPA at the end of their first semester back at Montclair State University or they will be academically dismissed. Additionally, students readmitted from academic suspension must raise their cumulative GPA to 2.0 by the end of his/her second semester after readmission. Students who do not achieve these retention standards will be placed on academic dismissal. Students academically dismissed cannot enroll in courses at Montclair State University, and are not eligible for readmission under any circumstance.

Students academically dismissed cannot enroll in courses at Montclair State University, and are not eligible for readmission under any circumstance.

Appeals Process

All students who have been suspended may request that the University reconsider its decision by submitting appeals to the Scholastic Appeals Committee.  The Committee will review only those appeals that are complete and are received by the specified due date.

Decisions that may be reached by the Scholastic Appeals Committee include:

  • Approved
  • Denied
  • Provisional – Referral to Student Academic Services. Continuing students are reinstated only if they agree to change their major.  First-year students referred to their SAS advisors are reinstated only if they agree to enroll in ADVS 198 Pathways to Success.
  • Provisional – Referral to Dean of Students Office

Students who are readmitted by appeal must meet with their academic advisors to develop a statement of understanding delineating the parameters of reinstatement.  Reinstatement does not imply or constitute reinstatement to a particular major or academic program.

Students who are facing suspension for the first time may opt to enroll in ADVS 198 Pathways to Success to return to Montclair State the following semester rather than going through the University’s appeals process. Students choosing to enroll in this course must meet with the Academic Success Center by the specified due date and complete a statement of understanding delineating the terms of their re-enrollment.  Those who do not successfully complete ADVS 198 Pathways to Success and do not achieve the necessary retention standards will not be allowed to return to Montclair State University the following semester.