Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): How It Works

How It Works

Every Master's or Doctorate student must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation. MUST University evaluates this at the end of each evaluation period, which corresponds to three consecutive terms (equivalent to one semester), using two standards at the same time: a qualitative one (cGPA) and a quantitative one (Completion Pace).

Qualitative standard: cGPA

The cGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is calculated on a 0 to 4.0 scale and includes all courses in which the student received a grade. If a course was repeated, only the highest grade counts toward the cGPA. The formula is: add up the quality points for each course (grade points multiplied by the course's credits) and divide by the total credits attempted.

Quantitative standard: Completion Pace

Completion Pace measures the percentage of credits the student actually completes relative to credits attempted. Only courses with a passing grade count as "completed credits." Courses with any grade, including W, WF, P, and NP, count as "attempted credits." Transfer credits and credits earned through a Challenge Exam, third-party test, or life experience count as both attempted and completed. The calculation considers the student's full enrollment history in that program.

Minimums required by evaluation level

To graduate, a Master's student needs a minimum cGPA of 3.0 and a minimum Completion Pace of 66.67%. The same applies to Doctorate students. However, the minimum required at each evaluation increases as the student advances through the program, as shown in the tables below.

Master's Programs

Doctorate Programs

Step by Step: What Happens If You Don't Meet SAP

1. At the end of each evaluation period, the Registrar's Office informs the Program Coordinator of the names of students who did not meet SAP.
2. The Program Coordinator presents the student with a written Academic Plan, outlining the steps needed to recover SAP by the next evaluation period. At this point, the student's status changes to SAP Warning (Academic Warning).
3. If the student does not meet SAP by the next evaluation period, they are dismissed from the program, unless they submit a written appeal to the SAP Appeals Committee within two weeks after the end of the warning period.
4. If the appeal is approved, the student receives one additional evaluation period under SAP Probation status, with a revised Academic Plan.
5. A student who does not meet the terms of the Academic Plan by the end of any evaluation period is dismissed from the program.

Deadlines and Rules

• The appeal against dismissal (SAP Appeal) must be submitted in writing to the SAP Appeals Committee within two weeks after the end of the warning or probation period, and must include documentation explaining what caused the SAP failure and what has changed in the student's situation.
• The SAP Appeals Committee has up to two weeks to review the appeal and respond to the student in writing. The decision is final and cannot be appealed again.
• Mitigating circumstances accepted in an appeal include situations such as illness, accident, death of a family member, or other extraordinary events.
• An approved appeal does not erase or disregard any grade or credit already counted in the SAP calculation; it only allows the student to remain enrolled while working to recover SAP.
• A denied appeal results in dismissal from the university. The dismissed student remains financially responsible for the course in which they were dismissed, and MUST University's refund policies apply normally.
• A student may receive more than one probation period during the program, but remains financially responsible for all courses they enroll in during those periods.
• The Academic Plan is prepared by the Program Coordinator (or their designee), may extend over more than one term, and requires the student to attend academic advising sessions while on warning or probation.
• The SAP Appeals Committee is made up of the Director of Academic Affairs, the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Dean of Student Experience, the Registrar's Office, and the Coordinator or Director of the respective program, chaired by the Director of Academic Affairs or their designee.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I repeat a course, do both grades count toward my cGPA?

No, only the highest grade among the attempts counts toward the cGPA.

Does a course with a W (withdrawal) count against my SAP?

Yes. It doesn't affect your cGPA, but it counts as an attempted credit in the Completion Pace calculation, which can lower your percentage of completed credits.

How many times can I appeal if I don't meet SAP?

You may receive more than one probation period during the program, but each new appeal must be approved by the SAP Appeals Committee, and you remain financially responsible for the courses you enroll in during those periods.

What do I need to do while I'm on Academic Warning or Probation?

Follow the Academic Plan set by the Program Coordinator, which includes attending the academic advising sessions specified in that plan.

Didn't Work? Do This

See Also

In the Knowledge Base

• MUST University Grading System
• Repeating Courses in MUST Programs