Resources for Students in Credit Bearing Classes

Degree seeking students can find additional resources specific to credit-bearing programs below.  Please reach out to grahamdos@uchicago.edu with any questions not addressed on this page. 

Master of Liberal Arts Program Academic Policy and Information

• MLA students have five years to complete their degree.   
• Program staff regularly evaluate student academic progress using the criteria outlined below and their own judgment. In doing so, staff balance a program’s academic or professional expectations with the need to provide appropriate support to students. Students are encouraged to talk to their program staff directly should they experience (or anticipate) situations that may impede their progress.   
• All students in degree programs make satisfactory academic progress if they: 
  • Receive passing grades in all courses, as outlined by academic program policy. 
  • Have one or no incomplete courses. 
  • Make measurable progress through coursework and any other program requirements such as writing a thesis or completing a capstone project.  
  • Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
• Program staff may determine that a student is making unsatisfactory academic progress if the student: 
  • Receives a failing grade in any course. (Note: Students who receive a failing grade may be involuntarily withdrawn from their program of study. Additionally, the course will not count toward a program’s course requirements.)  
  • Has incomplete courses. Registration for additional courses is restricted for students with more than one incomplete course.  
  • Has more than one late course withdrawal which has resulted in a mark of “W” on their official transcript.  
  • Does not make measurable progress, especially after a year. Measurable progress is often determined within the context of how long the student still has to complete the program.  
  • Does not meet degree program grade expectations.
• Students who do not make satisfactory progress may be:  
  • Placed on academic probation. The terms will be defined by the program staff and provided to the student in writing.  
  • Asked to develop an academic progress plan that will be considered for approval by program staff. Once a plan is approved, the student is responsible for meeting the specified conditions. Failure to do so may result in being involuntarily withdrawn from the program.  
  • Involuntarily withdrawn from their program of study.  
  • Unofficially withdrawn for Title IV federal aid at which time Financial Aid must cancel and return 50% of the Title IV federal loans and/or TEACH grant funds received.