Academic Progress

Academic progress is a measure of the completion of courses with a D- or better, or Pass. Colleges monitor academic progress to ensure you are progressing toward your degree, which must be earned within 15 quarters of enrollment (five years). For full-time students that usually means completing the 180 credits needed for graduation in four years.

Your college will regularly check to ensure that you are making (at least) minimum progress toward completing your degree and, at the end of each term, will determine whether you are in good academic standing. You are required to make minimum progress toward your degree by maintaining total earned credits equal to or greater than the cumulative total of (a) 35 credits for the first academic year of full time enrollment, (b) 72 credits for the first two academic years of full-time enrollment (c ) 36 credits for each additional year of full-time enrollment, and (d) four-fifths of the credits attempted in part-time enrollment. Credit transferred from other institutions upon enrollment at the UC Santa Cruz, is not included in minimum progress calculations.

If you do not pass enough credits with a grade of C or better (or P), you may be placed on academic notice. If your academic standing or progress falls below minimally acceptable levels, your college may require you to take higher course loads, complete Summer Session courses, or make other adjustments to your study plan. You may be disqualified from further enrollment in the university.

Part-time students are held to the same minimum progress standards as full-time students by treating each 15 credits attempted as the equivalent of one full-time term. Consult with your college academic adviser for assistance in this calculation if you have questions about the calculation of your academic progress.

Note: The Academic Standing and Minimum Progress Standards monitored by your college is not the same as the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.