Academic Review and Probation

The Committee on Admissions (COA) regularly reviews the academic performance of all students in Columbia University School of Nursing according to the required academic standards (see Grading and Required Standards). Students are evaluated at the end of each sub-term or end of each term. 

The COA has the authority to dismiss a student from Columbia Nursing, mandate a LOA for one or more semesters, or place the student on academic probation. A student on academic probation must meet the required academic standards the following semester or will be dismissed from the school. Students who do not meet expected academic standards for a second term, regardless of the timeframe (e.g. consecutive or non-consecutive terms; after return from LOA) may be dismissed from the school.

The COA will inform the student and the Program Director in writing via email of any academic review and decision. Students that do not meet the required academic standards may lose financial aid eligibility (see also Satisfactory Academic Progress). Students on probation are not considered to be in good academic standing, may not be granted a Leave of Absence (LOA), and may not be eligible for graduation. Academic probation does not impact eligibility for leaves based on disability, medical/mental health conditions, pregnancy or other Title IX accommodations.

ACADEMIC PROGRESSION POLICIES (ALL PROGRAMS) 

  • The following conditions result in academic probation:
    • Failure to maintain a cumulative B average (3.0 GPA)
    • Low Pass in Clinical course
    • An F in a non-clinical, non-specialty course, regardless of term GPA or cumulative GPA (see NOTE 1 below)

Once a student has been placed on academic probation, the COA will continue to monitor academic progress for adherence to expected academic standards. Failure to maintain academic standards may result in dismissal from the school.

  • The following conditions result in dismissal from the school:
    • Two or more semesters, regardless of timeframe, of failing to maintain a cumulative B average (3.0 GPA)
    • Failure to maintain a Cumulative GPA above a 2.5
    • Two or more Low Pass grades in clinical courses, regardless of the time frame (e.g. same term: consecutive or non-consecutive terms, after return from LOA)
    • Two or more breaches of academic standard, (e.g. Low Pass in clinical in one term; cumulative GPA below 3.0 in a different term), regardless of the time frame (e.g. same term: consecutive or non-consecutive terms, after return from LOA)
    • Two or more failures (F) in a non-clinical, non-specialty course, regardless of the time frame (e.g. same term: consecutive or non-consecutive terms, after return from LOA)
    • An F in a clinical, simulation, laboratory, or DNP specialty course
    • Two or more unofficial withdrawals (UW), regardless of the time frame (e.g. same term: consecutive or non-consecutive terms, after return from LOA)
    • Two or more Incomplete (INC) grades regardless of time frame (e.g. same term, consecutive or non-consecutive terms, after return from LOA). (Exception: In cases of significant extenuating circumstances affecting multiple courses in a single term, students may be granted an INC across all course work and will develop a timeline for completion in collaboration with the course faculty and program director.)
  • A student who has been placed on academic probation is no longer eligible to transition seamlessly into the Doctor of Nursing (DNP) program. Progression into doctoral degree programs at Columbia University School of Nursing (CUSON) requires that students maintain CUSON’s academic and professional integrity and disciplinary standards. Any breach in these standards will forfeit a student’s eligibility to progress seamlessly into a doctoral degree program.
  • A student who has been placed on academic probation will require approval from their program director (PD) to take outside graduate course electives.

Special Circumstances: Cumulative GPA 2.95-2.99

Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.95-2.99 will receive an additional review by a designated committee to ensure a fair and holistic evaluation of their academic performance to determine dismissal or continuation. This review is automatic and considers factors such as GPA trends, performance in key coursework, faculty input, and any extenuating circumstances. Based on this review, the committee may approve the student to proceed, grant conditional approval with academic requirements, or uphold dismissal. The committee’s decision will be communicated in writing via email and is final.

NOTE 1:

  • Students who receive an F in a course must repeat the course the next time it is offered, according to the program progression plan. This may necessitate a leave of absence (LOA) and may have financial/scholarship implications.
  • Students may be required to complete refresher coursework (including clinical/simulation/laboratory components) at the discretion of the program director/associate dean.

MASTERS DIRECT ENTRY (MDE) SPECIFIC ACADEMIC PROGRESSION POLICIES 

  • Students who have earned two or more C’s or one F grade during the first summer semester are not eligible to continue in the full-time program and will be advised on their progression plan. 

MDE 7 MASTERS DIRECT ENTRY (MDE 7) POLICIES 

  • During the initial Fall, Spring and Summer semesters, students must achieve a term GPA of 3.0 
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be achieved to progress into the full-time portion (5x5’s) (end of second summer term)
  • Once students have progressed into the full-time portion (5x5’s), they must meet the academic standards outlined above for All Programs.

PhD PROGRAM 

Regardless of Cumulative GPA, PhD students with a C in any course will be reviewed by COA.

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