Academic Standing & Exclusion, Suspension or Dismissal

Good Standing

Students who earn a semester and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher are in good standing.

First Semester Students

First-semester freshman who have attempted at least 12 semester hours and have a semester GPA between 1.0 and 1.49 will be subject to exclusion. First-semester freshman and transfer students who have attempted at least 12 semester hours and have a semester GPA below 1.0 will be subject to suspension.

Academic Exclusion

Exclusion is a temporary action and will be changed to Degree Status Discontinued, suspension or dismissal not later than mid-semester following the exclusion action unless the student resolves the situation. If exclusion is not promptly resolved, then the student’s registration and University housing will be canceled.

Academic Suspension

Students whose GPA falls below the minimum required GPA relative to their attempted semester hours and/or who have demonstrated insufficient progress toward their degrees may be suspended. Students suspended from the University for academic reasons will not be permitted to return until one regular UNH academic semester (fall or spring) has elapsed from the time of suspension. Therefore, students will not be eligible to take any UNH courses in the regular session, whether offered in Durham, Manchester, the College of Professional Studies online, or through Continuing Education. Students suspended for any reason will not earn transfer credit for courses taken during the period of required separation.

Academic Dismissal

Students who have been suspended once and whose cumulative GPA remains below the minimum must be dismissed. Only under extraordinary circumstances will a student be readmitted after having been dismissed. Students who are dismissed may take courses through Continuing Education after one regular UNH semester has elapsed.

Return after Academic Suspension

Students that wish to return from suspension must complete a Reactivation from Academic Suspension or Leave of Absence Form. The request will be reviewed by the Dean’s Office of the student’s home college (or the UNH Manchester Director of Academic Advising for UNH Manchester students). Students must provide a statement explaining why they believe they can successfully complete a UNH degree program and specific steps they will take to ensure future academic success. 

If approved, the student will be reinstated into the major they left and will receive confirmation from the Office of the Registrar. If the student no longer qualifies for the major they left, their request for return will be reviewed by the College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Office for reactivation into the Undeclared major. 

The Reactivation from Academic Suspension or Leave of Absence form must be submitted no later than 2 weeks before the semester of return begins.

Return after Academic Dismissal

Only under extraordinary circumstances will a student be readmitted after an academic dismissal. Students must consult their former home college prior to applying for readmission through the Office of Admissions. 

Appeals

Students seeking to appeal an academic suspension or dismissal must submit a Petition for Variance in Academic Policy form to their home college Dean’s Office. The Academic Standards and Advising Committee will review these appeals. Cancellation of academic actions will only be granted for documented, compelling, non-academic reasons.   

College of Professional Studies-Online Students

Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year, all College of Professional Studies-Online students are subject to the policies above.