To assist students who have found themselves in academic probation, the Advising, Coaching & Transfer team have provided the Back on Track program. Students are required to complete the Back on Track Module, Back on Track Survey, and meet with their assigned advisor.
MassBay is committed to student success and assisting students in being accountable for engaging in the educational process. Academic standing is determined upon the completion of the academic terms (fall, spring) and is based on both current and prior academic performance. Academic standing can be an important indicator of progress and is used to assist with determining appropriate steps to help a student achieve educational goals.
Being in good academic standing is determined by having a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above. The cumulative GPA accounts for all credits attempted and earned at MassBay.
Academic standing is determined at the end of each semester. If a student fails to maintain the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, they will be placed on probation and will receive a Probation Advising hold on their account. A notification letter from the Registrar’s Office will be sent, and you will be required to meet with the probation advisor and begin the recovery process.
At the end of the student’s next semester at MassBay, the Registrar’s Office will review the student’s record and take one of the following actions:
Students are required to complete the Back On Track Module, Survey and meet with their assigned advisor in order to have their Probation Advising hold removed from their account. Students will receive an email with instructions on how to complete this process. There is no deadline for completing the these tasks, however, students will be unable to register for future semesters until it is completed. We encourage all students to complete this process as early as possible.
The Back on Track Module is an online overview / info session that orients you to the academic recovery process. The module takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Visit and be sure to complete this step before meeting with your assigned advisor.
The Back on Track Survey is a self-assessment that helps you and your academic advisor understand your situation and identify strategies for improvement. Please provide honest answers, your responses will help guide you in the recovery process and further inform your advisor. Complete the survey .
You may continue to attend classes and attend many events/services that MassBay has to offer while on probation — including work-study. However, while on probation, you may not participate in extra-curricular activities, including athletics. In addition, you must immediately resign any position of responsibility, including the Student Government Association (SGA), Student Trustee, etc.
Financial aid eligibility is based on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). See the MassBay Satisfactory Academic Progress policy for more information.
Academic Probation is strictly limited to your grade point average and has no effect on financial aid. However, because the academic standing criteria are similar for both Academic Probation and Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress, it is possible that you are in bad standing with both. If you are placed on Academic Probation, you should contact a Financial Aid specialist to discuss your aid situation.
There are many MassBay resources that students on academic probation should become familiar with and use as needed, including the following:
Your GPA is a metric that measures your academic performance. In college, your GPA is often a major consideration for scholarships, financial aid eligibility, and program admission. When it comes to defining a good college GPA, the answer depends on your program and academic goals.
You must earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA to maintain good academic standing and stay on track to graduate. In addition, many undergraduate programs require you to hold a minimum GPA to gain admission. For many Massachusetts universities, you must maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher for transfer. This is also the case for selective admissions programs at MassBay, such as nursing.
Click here to learn more about how your GPA is calculated.
Once you've completed the Back on Track Module and Survey you must connect with an advisor. Students assigned to faculty advisor or the Advising Center can connect with us during virtual and in-person drop in hours. Visit our website for current hours.
Student assigned to Professional Advisors can schedule a "Back On Track" appointment in . Be sure to select "Back on Track" as your appointment type.
If you have questions, you are encouraged to email your advisor directly or email the advising center at advisingcenter@massbay.edu.
The Advising team is here to help you through the academic probation process. Being on academic probation may seem like a setback, but it can also be an opportunity to grow as a student and connect to resources and campus support. If you have questions or concerns about academic probation, please contact your advisor or the advising center at advisingcenter@massbay.edu.