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Honors College Scholastic Standing Policy

The academic performance of all Honors College students is reviewed at the end of each fall and spring semester (we do not review or change standing as a result of courses attempted in winter or summer terms). 

All decisions regarding your status in the Honors College are based on the fall or spring grade point average (GPA) and/or your school based requirements. Please refer to our Curriculum page for detailed requirements based on your selected curricular pathway.

NOTE: due to the fact that we are operationally running five different curricular strands, some of this information is very specific and applies only to certain groups. Please be sure to read thoroughly and make sure you are aligned with your curricular pathway (assigned or chosen, depending upon your class year and options). 

Course Grade Requirement

  • If you enrolled prior to fall 2025, and you are enrolled in EMSOP, MGSA, or SOE, you are required to achieve a grade of B or higher in all Honors classes; if you are in SAS, SEBS, or RBS, you need a C or higher in all Honors classes.
  • If you enrolled starting with the fall 2025 semester (or any semester after, to the present), you are required to achieve a grade of B in all Honors classes, irrespective of School.

Honors College Probation

  • If your semester grade point average is below the required school-based grade point average (varies by school for students enrolled pre-fall 2025) or a 3.25 (students from fall 2025 to present) in any semester, you will be placed on Honors College Probation.
  • If you entered for the first time in fall 2025 (and to the present) you must also maintain a 3.25 cumulative grade point average, or you will be placed on Honors College Probation.
  • If your semester average is below a 2.0 for any semester, you will be placed directly on Honors College Continued Probation and will only have one semester to achieve the required grade point average. Please see the second bullet in the section below for how your process will proceed. 
  • Once placed on Honors College Probation you will be informed of your academic status by email. It is your responsibility to then set up a meeting, ASAP, with your assigned School-based Honors College advisor to discuss your current GPA and to create a mandatory plan of action to address your academic challenges and to raise your grade point average.

Honors College Continued Probation

  • If your semester grade point average is below the required grade point average for a second consecutive semester, you will be placed on Honors College Continued Probation.
  • Once placed on Honors College Continued Probation you will be informed of your academic status by email. It is your responsibility to then set up a meeting, ASAP, with your assigned School-based Honors College advisor to discuss your current GPA and to create a revised and more detailed mandatory plan of action to address your academic challenges and to raise your grade point average. 

Dismissal Status

  • If your grade point average continues to be below the required minimum after a third consecutive semester, you will be permanently dismissed from the Honors College.
  • Once it has been determined that you are dismissed from the Honors College you will be informed in writing by your Advisor and the Dean of the Honors College (or designee).
  • If you have been dismissed from the Honors College you will not be allowed to enroll in (or remain enrolled in) any Interdisciplinary Honors Seminars or Honors College Courses and you will no longer be eligible for Honors housing in subsequent housing application cycles.
  • All dismissals may be appealed to the Dean of the Honors College by using this HC Dismissal Appeal Form. The Honors Council holds the final authority on upholding dismissals; there is no appeal beyond the Honors Council's decision, which is final.

Important Notes about Probation, Continued Probation and Dismissal Status

  • When academic performance is reviewed, temporary (“T”) grade(s) are counted in the semester GPA; TZ, TF, and NG grades are calculated as “F.” It is the responsibility of the student to inform their Advisor of any grade changes.
  • Retroactive grade changes beyond the end of the term cannot be considered and will not change your assigned status.
  • Repeating a course does not retroactively affect Honors College Probation, Continued Probation, or Dismissal status. We do not go back and change your status.
  • You are held to the same standards as all students are for academic integrity and student conduct. Any issues that are reported through those two University-wide processes will be reported to the Honors College and may have an impact on your standing as well.

 

DOWNLOAD THE HONORS COLLEGE SCHOLASTIC STANDING PDF (coming soon)

 

Appeal for Reinstatement

  • A student who has been dismissed may, in subsequent semesters, ask for consideration to be reinstated into the Honors College.
  • To be eligible for reinstatement the student must demonstrate at least two semesters (following their dismissal) of a "return to good standing" which includes meeting both the term and cumulative gpa requirements of a 3.25.
  • Student must present a written plan, made in consultation with an advisor, of completion of the Honors curriculum requirements (including Service Hours).
  • Reinstated students may only enter into the curriculum established in 2025; they may opt to enroll with the intent to complete a Capstone or opt to enroll as an Honors College Scholar (no Capstone).
  • There are three appeal-for-reinstatement periods; no requests will be considered outside of these windows:
    • Second week of January (week prior to MLK, Jr. Day)
    • Third week of May (week immediately following RU graduation)
    • Third week of August (week prior to fall move-in/Welcome Week)
  • All requests should be be directed to your Honors College advisor or Advising Dean, who will then direct it to the Honors Council.
  • Once a request for reinstatement has been acted upon, there are no further opportunities to re-enroll should the request be denied.

QUESTIONS

If you have any questions about your personal status or situation, please email your advisor, directly. If you have any policy or procedural matters to address, please email honorscollege@rutgers.edu.  

APPEALS

All appeals for a change in status or dismissals should be directed to Dean J.D. Bowers.