An evaluation of progress toward completion of the degree is conducted each semester. For project-option students, this is the responsibility of the academic advisor. For thesis-option students, the supervisory committee conducts the review.

A graduate student whose academic performance is deemed unsatisfactory will be denied further registration in the program. Unsatisfactory academic performance is defined as failure to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in all graduate courses attempted by the end of the second term of enrollment (regardless of the number of credits attempted) and all subsequent terms. No graduate credit may be earned for courses completed with C-, D+, D, D-, F or U even if grades in other courses bring the grade point average up to a 3.0.

Thesis-option students are also reviewed for satisfactory progress on their theses. If at any time the progress toward the student's thesis is found to be unsatisfactory, the supervisory committee reports the concern to the graduate studies coordinator, informs the student in writing as to the nature of the deficiencies, and records the committee's concern in the student's file. The student will be given ample opportunity to improve performance and defend the student's position at a meeting with the graduate studies coordinator and academic advisor approximately 60 days after the initial report of concern to the graduate studies coordinator. If no improvement has been demonstrated, the student's future program, including the continuation of any financial assistance from the department, will be reevaluated and the student may be denied further registration in the program.

Project-option students are also reviewed for satisfactory progress on their projects. If at any time the progress toward the student's project is found to be unsatisfactory, the academic advisor reports the concern to the graduate studies coordinator, informs the student in writing as to the nature of the deficiencies, and records the academic advisor's concern in the student's file. The student will be given ample opportunity to improve performance and defend the student's position at a meeting with the graduate studies coordinator and academic advisor approximately 60 days after the initial report of concern to the graduate studies coordinator. If no improvement has been demonstrated, the student's future program, including the continuation of any financial assistance from the department, will be reevaluated and the student may be denied further registration in the program.