You are reading the 2025/26 Academic Calendar. The 2024/25 version remains in effect until August 31, 2025 and is available here.

Academic Progress

Doctoral Students

The progress of all students working toward the Ph.D., D.M.A., and Ed.D. will be reviewed regularly and at least once each year in June by the home graduate program and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. A student may be required to withdraw if progress has not been satisfactory as shown by coursework, the comprehensive examination, advancing to candidacy, progress on research or the doctoral dissertation, or other requirements of the graduate program or the Faculty.

Definition of Satisfactory Progress

Coursework

The minimum passing grade in any course taken by a student enrolled in a doctoral program is 68% (B-). Where a failing grade is obtained in a course that is required by the program, and on the recommendation of the graduate program and the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the student must repeat the course for higher standing or take an alternate course. If an alternate course is taken, it is expected to have the same or similar learning objectives as the failed course. 

When repeating a failed required course, a minimum mark of 74% must be obtained. Individual graduate programs may require higher grades. If a course is repeated, both marks will appear on the transcript.

If the graduate program advisor does not recommend a remedy for the failed course, or if the recommendation is not approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the student will normally be required to withdraw for unsatisfactory academic progress. 

Further, if the student obtains a failing grade in more than one course during their program of study, the graduate program may recommend that the student be withdrawn for unsatisfactory academic progress.

Candidacy

It is required that all full-time doctoral students be admitted to candidacy within 36 months from the date of initial registration. Doctoral students formally classified as "Part-Time" or as "Full-time with Reduced Workload" are required to be admitted to candidacy within 48 months from the date of initial registration. A student who is not admitted to candidacy within the allowed time period will be required to withdraw from the program. Extensions may be granted under exceptional circumstances and with the permission of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Research

Progress in research is evaluated by each student’s supervisory committee. Programs are expected to have an internal process to track this evaluation. In cases of unsatisfactory progress, the program is expected to facilitate a discussion between the student and the supervisory committee that creates a documented plan that determines what is required for the student to return to satisfactory progress, and provides a timeline for this to occur. If the student is unable to meet the expectations of the plan within the agreed upon timeline, the graduate program may recommend that the student be withdrawn for unsatisfactory academic progress.

Master's Students

The progress of all students working toward the master's degree will be reviewed regularly and at least once each year in June by the home graduate program and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. A student may be required to withdraw if progress has not been satisfactory as shown by coursework, progress on the thesis, or other requirements of the graduate program or the Faculty.

Definition of Satisfactory Progress

Coursework

The minimum passing grade in any course taken by a student enrolled in a master's program is 60% (C). However, only 6 credits of courses with grades in the C to C+ range (60-67%) may be counted towards a master's program. For all other courses, a minimum of 68% must be obtained.

Where a failing grade is obtained in a course that is required by the program, and on the recommendation of the graduate program and the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the student must repeat the course for higher standing or take an alternate course. If an alternate course is taken, it is expected to have the same or similar learning objectives as the failed course. 

When repeating a failed required course, a minimum mark of 74% must be obtained. Individual graduate programs may require higher minimum grades. If a course is repeated, both marks will appear on the transcript.

If the graduate program advisor does not recommend a remedy for the failed course, or if the recommendation is not approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the student will normally be required to withdraw for unsatisfactory academic progress.

Further, if a student obtains a grade of less than 68% in more than 6 credits during their program of study, the graduate program may recommend that the student be withdrawn for unsatisfactory academic progress.

Research

Progress in research in thesis-based programs is evaluated by each student’s supervisory committee. Programs are expected to have an internal process to track this evaluation. In cases of unsatisfactory progress, the program is expected to facilitate a discussion between the student and the supervisory committee that creates a documented plan that determines what is required for the student to return to satisfactory progress, and provides a timeline for this to occur. If the student is unable to meet the expectations of the plan within the agreed upon timeline, the graduate program may recommend that the student be withdrawn for unsatisfactory academic progress.

Graduate Diploma Students

The progress of all students working toward a graduate diploma will be reviewed regularly. A student may be required to withdraw if progress has not been satisfactory as shown by coursework, or other requirements of the graduate program or the faculty.

Definition of Satisfactory Progress

Students must exhibit satisfactory academic progress across all courses taken. While the minimum passing grade in any single course taken by a student enrolled in a master’s program is 60%, a maximum of 3 credits or 20% of the total required credits (whichever is greater) of courses with grades in the C to C+ range (60-67%) may be counted towards the requirements of a diploma program. Some graduate programs may require a higher passing grade for specific courses. 

A student who obtains a grade of less than 68% in more than 3 or 20% of required credits (whichever is more), will normally be required to withdraw for inadequate academic progress. The student will be informed of unsatisfactory academic progress in writing before any action regarding withdrawal is taken.

Any course with a grade lower than 60% is failed. Where a failing grade is obtained in a course, and on the recommendation of the graduate program and the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the student may repeat a course for higher standing or take an alternate course. If the graduate program does not make such a recommendation, or if the recommendation is not approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the student will be required to withdraw. 

When repeating a failed course, a minimum mark of 74% must be obtained. Individual graduate programs may require higher minimum grades.

If a course is repeated, both marks will appear on the transcript. The higher mark will be used to determine promotion in a program and in any decision to admit or withdraw a student from a program. For all other purposes, averages will be calculated using both marks.

Graduate Certificate Students

The progress of all students working toward a graduate certificate will be reviewed regularly. A student may be required to withdraw if progress has not been satisfactory as shown by coursework, or other requirements of the graduate program or the faculty.

Definition of Satisfactory Progress

Students must exhibit satisfactory academic progress across all courses taken. While the minimum passing grade in any single course taken by a student enrolled in a master’s program is 60%, a maximum of 3 credits or 20% of the total required credits (whichever is greater) of courses with grades in the C to C+ range (60-67%) may be counted towards the requirements of a certificate program. Some graduate programs may require a higher passing grade for specific courses. 

A student who obtains a grade of less than 68% in more than 3 or 20% of required credits (whichever is more), will normally be required to withdraw for inadequate academic progress. The student will be informed of unsatisfactory academic progress in writing before any action regarding withdrawal is taken.

Any course with a grade lower than 60% is failed. Where a failing grade is obtained in a course, and on the recommendation of the graduate program and the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the student may repeat a course for higher standing or take an alternate course. If the graduate program does not make such a recommendation, or if the recommendation is not approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the student will be required to withdraw.

When repeating a failed course, a minimum mark of 74% must be obtained. Individual graduate programs may require higher minimum grades. 

If a course is repeated, both marks will appear on the transcript. The higher mark will be used to determine promotion in a program and in any decision to admit or withdraw a student from a program. For all other purposes, averages will be calculated using both marks.


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