Academic Separation
Academic standing is evaluated at the end of fall and spring terms. Your academic standing is determined by your semester and/or cumulative GPA.
Academic separation occurs if you are already on academic notice and your semester and cumulative GPAs are below a 2.0 the following fall or spring term. A stop-out period is required — time to take a break from the university — after separation.
Review the information below to gain a greater understanding of the academic separation process and criteria to consider if you are interested in applying for readmission.
Make sure all of your assigned grades are accurate. If a grade is changed because of a reporting error, your GPA will be recalculated, which may affect your academic separation decision.
Appeals
There is no appeal process for academic separation. Make sure all of your assigned grades are accurate. If a grade is changed because of a reporting error, your GPA will be recalculated, which may affect your academic separation decision.
Exceptions to the Required Stop-Out Period
- Seniors who can complete degree requirements in one semester with 15 or fewer credit hours may be exempt if they have the support of their school/department.
- The school/department may petition on behalf of a student with more than 15 credit hours remaining to reach degree completion.
- Students who satisfy an incomplete grade within 15 days of the end of the term may be exempt.
If you are already on academic notice, you will be separated at the end of any fall or spring term in which your semester and cumulative GPA are less than a 2.0.
- If you have separated for the first time, you may not reapply to Purdue until you have been away at least one full term (fall or spring) and completed at least 12 credit hours at another regionally accredited institution. The 12 credit hours must be taken during a single fall or spring academic term. Credit taken during a summer term can be submitted to Purdue for transfer credit evaluation, but a summer term does not count as a full term away from Purdue.
- You cannot enroll at Purdue University West Lafayette, Purdue University in Indianapolis, Purdue University Northwest, Purdue University Fort Wayne or a Purdue Polytechnic Institute statewide location until you have successfully completed the readmission process.
If you have been separated for the second time, you may not reapply to Purdue until you have been away for at least one full academic year (fall and spring terms). You must also complete 12 or more credit hours during one of those terms.
You cannot enroll at Purdue University West Lafayette, Purdue University in Indianapolis, Purdue University Northwest, Purdue University Fort Wayne or a Purdue Polytechnic Institute statewide location until you have successfully completed the readmission process.
- The coursework at another institution cannot be remedial or developmental. Before scheduling classes at another school, review Purdue’s transfer credit course equivalency guide along with the plan of study for your desired major. This will help you select courses based on how they might transfer back to Purdue and apply to your Purdue degree requirements.
- For specific questions regarding transfer credit, you may email admissions@purdue.edu. For questions about how credit will be used in your plan of study, contact your Purdue advisor.
- If you’re readmitted, upon receipt of your final transcript, your transfer credit will be applied to your Purdue record.
Consider Readmission Criteria
Seeking readmission? Most of the programs at Purdue require the following:
- 12 credit hours earned at a regionally accredited institution (not remedial or developmental; must be taken in a single fall or spring term).
- No individual grades less than C-.
- Overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Some programs may deny qualified applicants because of space constraints.
As with all transfer credit, grades will not transfer but are required to establish that you are ready for success at Purdue. Consult your academic advisor if you have questions about course selection. Check the transfer credit course equivalency guide for course equivalencies.
Program-Specific Criteria or Exceptions
Use the table below for specific readmission criteria by college and program of study. If noted in the science/math required column, your coursework at another institution must include science or math.
College or Program of Study Readmission Requirements
| College / Program | Science / Math Required | Special Requirements / Exceptions / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| College of Agriculture | Yes | Credits must include courses that demonstrate your proficiency in Purdue’s core curriculum subjects and include courses eligible for the degree plan in the department of readmittance. Course recommendations vary by department. Please consult with your academic advisor before registering for classes at another institution. |
| College of Education | No | |
| College of Engineering | Yes | |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering (College of Engineering) | Yes | Readmission to electrical and computer engineering (ECE) is not guaranteed. The school encourages students to take time and ensure that they are ready to return before applying for readmission. ECE does not expect or encourage students to take classes at another institution while you are academically separated. Instead, use the time to reflect upon the circumstances that led to academic separation and what changes will need to be implemented to ensure future success. |
| First-Year Engineering (College of Engineering) | Yes | No individual grades may be lower than a C. You must submit a letter of recommendation from a current professor, employment supervisor or military supervisor. Students who have spent four semesters in First-Year Engineering are not eligible for readmission to the program. |
| Mechanical Engineering (College of Engineering) | Yes, when appropriate | No individual grades may be lower than a B. |
| College of Health and Human Sciences | Yes, when appropriate | |
| College of Liberal Arts | No | A minimum 2.5 GPA is required with no individual grades lower than a C. Students previously academically separated from a major outside of Liberal Arts who are interested in pursuing a Liberal Arts degree will be reviewed. |
| College of Pharmacy | Yes | A minimum 3.0 GPA is required. |
| College of Science | Yes | A minimum of six credits of the required 12 credits should be math and/or science courses. No individual grades may be lower than a B. Neither work nor military experience are approved to meet readmission requirements. Computer science, data science, artificial intelligence and biology readmission policy: Students may not be readmitted to these programs unless one of the following criteria are met: 1) The student is within 15 credits of completing all degree requirements, or 2) the student has completed 75% of major coursework and has completed all readmission requirements. Space availability will determine if a readmission approval is granted. Students are strongly encouraged to contact scienceadvising@purdue.edu to determine eligibility for readmission to the College of Science. The director of academic advising assists students through the readmission process. |
| Daniels School of Business | No | Students previously academically separated from the Daniels School of Business will only be considered if degree progress/completion is possible. |
| Exploratory Studies | No | Students who want to apply to exploratory studies for readmission must have fewer than 83 total earned credits to be considered. This includes the credit they took while they were academically separated. |
| Purdue Polytechnic Institute | Yes | Individual schools and programs with specific requirements are listed separately. |
| Computer and Information Technology (Purdue Polytechnic Institute) | Yes | A minimum 3.0 GPA is required with no individual grades lower than a B. You must have Calculus I and at least one coding or IT course with a grade no lower than a B from either previous coursework at Purdue or from another institution. |
| Construction Management (Purdue Polytechnic Institute) | Yes | A minimum 3.0 GPA is required. The school will consider students academically separated from another program. |
| School of Engineering Technology (Purdue Polytechnic Institute) | Yes | The school will consider students academically separated from another program. Must have completed Precalculus or higher on transcript from Purdue or another institution for consideration of readmission. We strongly encourage completion of General Physics I on transcript from Purdue or other institution. Students do not need to meet Change of Degree Objective (change major) GPA requirements. |
| Polytechnic Institute Statewide Programs | Yes | |
| College of Veterinary Medicine | No | |
| Veterinary Nursing (College of Veterinary Medicine) | No | Students academically separated from the Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning program will not be considered for readmission to the on-campus Veterinary Nursing program. |