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Other Important Policies

See the Graduate Student Handbook and the Program Handbook for full details (and many other relevant academic policies).

Enrollment status and time to degree​

  • Full-time status is 9+ graduate credits during regular semesters.
  • Graduate assistants need only enroll in 6 graduate credits to count as full-time.
  • Time to degree is typically 1-2 years; the maximum allowable time to degree is 4 years.
caveats apply to international students

See the Graduate Student Handbook and GA Handbook for caveats regarding federal financial aid and online classes for international students.

GPA and grades​

  • To be in good academic standing, graduate students must have a 3.0 or higher program GPA.
  • Earn satisfactory grades:
    • No course completed with a grade lower than a C can be applied toward the degree.
    • Only up to 6 credits earned from courses with a grade below a B− can be applied toward the degree.
    • A course in which the student earns a grade lower than C may never be used to fulfill graduate degree.
program GPA vs overall GPA

The minimum 3.0 GPA requirement is for the program GPA which is computed only over the courses that count towards the degree.

Pass/fail grades​

A maximum of 3 satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) graduate credits can be applied toward a master's degree. For graduate courses, a grade of S indicates achievement equivalent to a B or better. GPA values are not assigned for S/U grades.

Continuous enrollment​

Students must register for and complete a minimum total of 6 graduate credits over the current and two previous semesters (summer enrollment counts toward this minimum).

Students who have not registered for academic work within the three rolling semesters will be separated from their program and must reapply for admission should they wish to continue.

Leave of absence​

If a graduate student is unable to meet the continuous-enrollment policy, the student may request approval for a leave of absence.

Probation​

Students who are in any way struggling, failing to progress or otherwise at risk will be placed on academic probation. Probation neither goes on a student's permanent record or transcript, nor does it necessarily result in the loss of a GAship.

Unsuccessful degree-program progression includes, but is not limited to, a failure to:

  • Maintain a minimum degree/program GPA of 3.0.
  • Earn satisfactory grades, including no more than two incompletes and no repeated withdrawals from required courses.
  • Maintain continuous enrollment.
  • Take the course load appropriate for maintaining full- or part-time enrollment status, as applicable.
  • Pre-approve enrollment in courses outside the degree program.
  • Pass the culminating experience in an appropriate time frame.
  • Check the UNLV email regularly for important correspondence, and consult with the Graduate Coordinator within a reasonable amount of time when requested.

If a student on probation fails to meet all the requirements established in their probation letter from the Graduate College within the time provided, the department may submit a request to separate/dismiss the student.