Minimum GPA Requirements, Probation and Dismissal
During the academic review process at the end of each semester, the Academic and Student Affairs office monitors the academic performance of all students and makes available a support system for those in need of assistance.
Students whose GPAs fall below the minimum requirements are subject to probation or dismissal.
Updated Policy for Classes of 2025 and beyond:
Minimum GPA Requirements
All students are required to hold a GPA of 5.5 to graduate; maintaining a GPA of 5.5 each and above each semester is essential to your success as a CBS student. During the academic review process at the end of each semester, the Executive MBA office monitors the academic performance of all students and makes available a support system for those in need of assistance.
Students whose cumulative GPAs fall below the minimum requirements are subject to probation or dismissal.
Minimum cumulative GPA requirements for Good Academic Standing, Academic Probation, and Academic Dismissal are below:
|
Good Academic Standing |
GPA equal to or greater than 5.5000 |
|
Academic Probation |
GPA less than 5.5000 and greater than 3.7000 |
|
Academic Dismissal |
GPA less than 3.7000 |
You can use this GPA calculator if trying to calculate a possible GPA.
Students receiving federal financial aid should see the Office of Financial Aid's information regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Academic Probation
Students on Academic Probation should prioritize their academic performance as part of the EMBA experience. To assist in this process, students on Academic Probation must comply with the following:
- Students on Academic Probation may take no more than 15 credits per semester until Good Academic Standing is achieved.
- Students on Academic Probation may not hold leadership positions at Columbia Business School. This includes leadership roles in student clubs and organizations.
These standards are designed to provide the support and focus required to achieve Good Academic Standing.
Academic Dismissal
A student can appeal their dismissal to the Academic Standards Committee by written petition no later than 5 business days after receiving notice of their dismissal.
The written petition should contain:
- A statement addressing any circumstances that contributed to the students' academic performance.
- A proposed schedule with rationale for class choices for all remaining semesters at CBS, and concrete steps the student will take to earn the necessary grades in each class.
- A completed cumulative GPA calculation with projected grades that are needed to return to Good Academic Standing by the end of the subsequent semester.
If a student is granted permission to continue in the EMBA program, they are required to meet with their academic advisor once a month until Good Academic Standing is achieved. A student who was dismissed and whose appeal was not successful may re-apply, via regular admissions processes, to the program with a supplemental essay explaining the circumstances and how they have grown during the elapsed time.
Policy Applicable to Students in the Classes of 2023 and 2024:
During the academic review process at the end of each semester, the Academic and Student Affairs office monitors the academic performance of all students and makes available a support system for those in need of assistance.
Students whose GPAs fall below the minimum requirements are subject to probation or dismissal.
Minimum GPA requirements by term and for graduation are as follows:
EMBA-NY Friday/Saturday & EMBA-Global Students:
| Timing | GPA Requirement | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| At the end of Term 1: At the end of Term 2: |
GPA equal to or less than 5.900 | Warning |
| GPA equal to or less than 4.800 | Probation | |
| GPA equal to or less than 4.400 | Dismissal | |
| At the end of each subsequent Term: |
GPA equal to or less than 5.900 | Warning |
| GPA equal to or less than 5.200 | Probation | |
| GPA equal to or less than 4.800 | Dismissal | |
| Graduation | GPA greater than or equal to 5.500 |
EMBA-NY Saturday Students:
| Timing | GPA Requirement | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| At the end of Term 1: |
GPA equal to or less than 5.400 | Warning |
| GPA equal to or less than 4.300 | Probation | |
| GPA equal to or less than 3.900 | Dismissal | |
|
At the end of Term 2: At the end of Term 3: |
GPA equal to or less than 5.900 | Warning |
| GPA equal to or less than 4.800 | Probation | |
| GPA equal to or less than 4.400 | Dismissal | |
| At the end of each subsequent Term: |
GPA equal to or less than 5.900 | Warning |
| GPA equal to or less than 5.200 | Probation | |
| GPA equal to or less than 4.800 | Dismissal | |
| Graduation | GPA greater than or equal to 5.500 |
Please note:
- A student can be on probation for one semester, at most. A second probation implies dismissal.
- A student can appeal his/her dismissal to the Academic Standards Committee that could allow the student to stay in the program under certain conditions.
- A student who was dismissed from the School might apply, via regular admissions procedure, to the program. If admitted he/she might have the option of using credit for certain past courses taken at the School.
Students must complete at least 67% of credit hours attempted each semester to remain compliant with Satisfactory Academic Progress policy (SAP). Credit hour progression is based on a cumulative total of attempted credits to earned credits. For example, a student who attempts 12 credits in a semester must successfully complete at least 9 credits to meet the 67% requirement since completing only 6 credits would put them at 50% which is below the requirement.