Academic Standing

To be in good standing academically at Miami University, you need to have at least a 2.0 cumulative (overall) GPA or higher. In order to graduate, you also need a minimum GPA of at least 2.0 or more in your major classes, but this varies by academic department and major.

If your cumulative GPA is less than a 2.0 and you have earned less than 16 credits at Miami, you will be placed on Academic Warning.

If you have earned 16 or more credits and have less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA, you are placed on Academic Probation. As an international student, being on academic probation could eventually affect your legal status in the U.S. if you are suspended, so it’s important to know all of your options.

• A student on academic probation must earn a 2.0 semester GPA or higher in order to continue at Miami. If you continue to earn at least a 2.0 GPA each semester, you will eventually raise your cumulative GPA above a 2.0.

• If a student on academic probation does not earn a 2.0 semester GPA or higher, the student is placed on academic suspension.

What is academic suspension?

If you are academically suspended, it means that you are not permitted to take classes at Miami University for two terms. In this case, fall, spring, and summer terms can be counted as periods of suspension. The winter term is not applicable for purposes of suspension. Please see Academic Suspension for more details on your options regarding suspension.

What resources are there to improve my academic performance?

The first resource that ISSS always recommends is your professor. It’s important to communicate with your professor to ask how you can improve your grade and let the professor know that you are motivated to put in the time and effort needed to succeed. Additionally, we recommend these Academic Resources for further support.

What if the end of the semester is near and I'm still not earning sufficient grades to reach a 2.0 semester GPA? Will I be suspended?

ISSS recommends that you schedule an appointment with an ISSS advisor to talk about your options.

If a student on academic probation does not achieve the necessary 2.0 semester GPA to continue at Miami, the student will be placed on Academic Suspension. If you are academically suspended, it means that you are not permitted to take classes at Miami University for two terms (fall, spring, and summer are all terms at Miami).

If I am suspended, what are my options?

If you are suspended, you will have three options:

• Depart the U.S. for two terms (spring, summer, fall are the three terms at Miami).
• Apply, gain admission, and transfer to another university in the U.S.
• Appeal the suspension through your academic department.

***Note that during a period of suspension, you are not permitted to take courses at Miami University. If you take courses at another university during a period of suspension, you are permitted to transfer those courses back to Miami.

If I am suspended, do I have a grace period? When do I need to leave the U.S.?

If you choose to leave the U.S. for your suspension period, you will have 21 days to depart the U.S. from the day that your suspension takes effect.

If you decide to transfer to another university in the U.S. for your suspension period, your SEVIS record will need to be transferred within 21 days from the day that your suspension takes effect.

If you decide to appeal the suspension, your situation is likely different, so we recommend talking with ISSS for more information on departure dates.

If I am suspended, what will happen to my F-1 legal record?

If you choose to depart the U.S., your F-1 legal record will be terminated, but you are able to return to Miami University on a new legal record and SEVIS number. Please see the process for Returning to Miami after an Absence.

If you choose to transfer to another university in the U.S., you will request to have your legal record transferred to that university and then transferred back to Miami if you return. In this case, you will keep the same legal record and SEVIS number. Please see the ISSS webpage for Transferring Out of Miami.

If I am suspended, am I eligible to return to Miami University after my suspension is finished?

Yes, you are eligible to return to Miami University after your suspension is finished. Please review Returning to Miami after an Absence for more information.

Academic Dismissal from Miami University means that you are not permitted to return to study at Miami University for at least two years. Generally, academic dismissal is permanent.

If I am dismissed, can I transfer to another U.S. university?

Yes, you could transfer to another university in the U.S., provided that you gain admission. If you decide to transfer, it’s possible that your legal record could be transferred as well. Please see Transferring out of Miami for more information.

If I am dismissed, what happens to my legal record?

If you decide not to transfer to another university, your legal record will be terminated and you are expected to depart the U.S.