Undergraduate Academic Standing Requirements
After being admitted with a 3.0 or higher grade-point average (GPA), you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be considered in good academic standing. If your GPA falls below 2.0, you are in poor academic standing. If you remain in poor academic standing for the following two terms, you are required to withdraw from the degree program.
Your transcript will reflect this new status: required to withdraw (RW).
In addition, you must complete at least two-thirds of your attempted Harvard credits to make satisfactory progress toward your degree. If you do not complete two-thirds of your attempted credits, you continually earn E or WD grades, or you enroll in courses that do not fulfill degree requirements, you are not making satisfactory progress.
Returning from RW Status. If you decide to continue your undergraduate studies at Harvard Extension School after being required to withdraw, you are granted three years to raise your cumulative GPA to the minimum 2.0. If you are successful, you petition the Office of ALB Advising and Program Administration for reinstatement. However, after three years, you need to reapply to the undergraduate program and meet all current admission requirements, including the required 3.0 or higher admission GPA.
Undergraduate Grade-Point Average Calculation
All Harvard grades are included in grade-point average calculation. The first five grades of withdrawal (WD) are not included in the calculation of the cumulative grade-point average, but the sixth and subsequent non-completion grades, including retired grades of INC and ABS, count as zeroes.
For the calculation of the academic term and academic year grade-point averages, all non-completion grades count as zeroes. Interim grades of extension of time (EXT) or work in progress (INP) are not counted in the calculation.
Grades of pass or satisfactory (PA or SAT) are not included in the calculation, but grades of fail (FL) or unsatisfactory (UNSAT) count as zeroes in the calculation.
See Grades for the values used in the calculation.
If you complete a minimum of eight credits a term (fall and spring only) and earn a GPA of 3.5 for the year, you attain Dean’s List standing. Remember that all WD grades count as zero in the calculation of the year GPA.
Graduate Programs Academic Standing Requirements
After being admitted with a 3.0 or higher GPA, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of B (3.0) to be considered in good academic standing.
In addition to maintaining a GPA of 3.0 to be in good standing, you must also be making satisfactory academic progress, successfully completing at least two-thirds of the classes for which you enroll.
If your GPA falls below 3.0, you are in poor academic standing.
While in poor standing, you cannot (depending on your specific degree requirements) register in a thesis proposal tutorial; precapstone course or tutorial; final thesis or capstone; or internship. You cannot change concentrations or tracks, transfer to another program, or graduate.
If you remain in poor academic standing for the following two terms, you’ll be required to withdraw from the degree program.
Once you are required to withdraw, you are no longer considered an admitted degree at the Harvard Extension School, and you’ll lose all degree-candidate privileges.
Your transcript will reflect this new status: RW (required to withdraw).
If you decide at some future date to return, you’ll need to officially re-apply to the program adhering to all current admission and degree requirements. Please note that without exception courses over five years old are considered expired and will no longer fulfill degree requirements.
Graduate Programs Grades and Grade-Point Average Calculation
You need to earn B or higher grades in certain required courses, such as admissions courses. If you were admitted via an alternative pathway, you still need to complete these required courses with a grade of B or higher after admission.
You need to earn grades of B- or higher in all other courses, including courses that fulfill the on-campus and Harvard instructor requirements.
Your GPA is calculated using all grades in courses that could count toward the program. Any course in which you receive a grade lower than B− is not accepted for credit toward the degree but is included in your overall average. Proseminar grades are included in the GPA even if the courses have timed out due to the two-year policy.
The first two grades of withdrawal (WD) are not included in the GPA. The third and subsequent noncompletion grades, including retired grades of INC and ABS, count as zeroes (the equivalent of a failing grade) in the GPA. For MITX MicroMasters and HKS PLC admission pathway degrees, you can only earn one withdrawal grade with the second and subsequent WD grades counting as zero in the GPA.
Interim grades of extension of time (EXT) or work in progress (INP) are not counted in the calculation. See Grades for the values used in GPA calculation.
Grades of pass or satisfactory (PA or SAT) are not included in the calculation, but grades of fail (FL) or unsatisfactory (UNSAT) count as zeroes in the calculation.
Financial Aid: Undergraduate or Graduate
If you are in poor academic standing or not making satisfactory progress, you are ineligible for Financial Aid. If you are receiving financial aid, be sure to speak with a financial aid advisor before withdrawing from any course. Even one WD grade can affect your eligibility to receive aid.
Standards of Conduct: Undergraduate or Graduate
Harvard Extension School (HES) degree candidacy offers many benefits, including and most important, the privilege of seeking and earning a Harvard University degree. With these benefits comes increased responsibilities.
Upon admission, you join a community that insists upon academic honesty, respect for the dignity of others, and openness to constructive change. Thus, you agree to abide by the codes of conduct and expectations found on our website. For example, academic dishonesty, sexual and racial harassment, or the use of physical violence are violations of fundamental principles at Harvard Extension School and therefore may result in disciplinary action.
Mature and responsible behavior on or off campus. It is the expectation that degree candidates, whether they are on campus or currently enrolled in courses or not, will behave in a mature and responsible manner.
Examples of mature and responsible behavior within our academic setting includes respectful interaction with faculty, staff, fellow students–indeed all members of the Harvard community. You need to be cautious to avoid behavior that could be considered harassment, including sending repeated inquires on an issue after an answer has been provided. You must accept academic feedback with a productive openness to constructive criticism and contribute to an atmosphere of civility in and outside the classroom.
Professional code of conduct. Degree candidates are expected to refrain from actions that raise credible doubts about their professional integrity and character. For example, they must follow professional guidelines for conduct within their chosen fields of study, allowing them to meet without issue the obligations and industry codes of ethics of their careers. Any illegal, unethical, or inappropriate behavior that is brought to our attention will be considered and addressed under our own Standards of Conduct for Degree Candidates.
Application materials and prior personal conduct. If an admitted degree candidate is found to have submitted false material in connection with their application; to have made misleading, incomplete, or inaccurate statements; or to have engaged in academic or personal conduct that is inconsistent with the conduct and expectations contained within the preceding paragraphs and their linked, related policies, HES will take appropriate action, which could include rescinding admission or revoking an earned degree.
In sum, as an admitted degree candidate you are expected to show good judgment and always use common sense; therefore, not all types of misconduct or behavioral standards are codified here.
Infractions related to the Standards of Conduct are adjudicated by the Administrative Board. A candidate will be notified that they may have violated the student conduct policy and will have the opportunity to provide a written statement for the Board to review.
The Harvard Extension School endeavors to ensure the fair and judicious due process of each case brought before the Administrative Board.
