Monitoring Your Progress

Earning your degree requires careful planning and consistent progress. This section equips you with the resources to monitor your coursework, meet program milestones, and maintain the grades you need to succeed.

Access tools to stay organized, meet deadlines, and address any setbacks along the way. Whether you’re mapping out your next steps or overcoming challenges, this is your go-to resource for staying on track.

Start here to stay focused and finish strong.

Graduate Plan of Study

Your Graduate Plan of Study (GPS) is your guide to completing your degree. Regularly reviewing your GPS ensures you’re aware of the courses, requirements, and milestones needed to graduate. Your degree is awarded once your GPS reflects all requirements have been met or “Satisfied.” This is how to check your GPS.

GPS screenshot for "All Requirements Met"

When you see “Not Satisfied” requirements, focus on the listed courses or information to identify what is still needed. The GPS is your starting point for tracking your progress and staying on top of your academic journey.

Check your GPS often and stay on the path to success.

The GPS should be used with your Program of Study (POS). Reference your POS to make sure you’re completing your program milestones in the order that you planned for and that they match the milestones listed in your GPS. If there are discrepancies, meet with your Graduate Program Director.

Annual Reviews

Annual reviews are required for doctoral students, but many master’s programs also require them. They help students reflect on where they are in their progress towards earning their degree. Most programs conduct their annual reviews in the spring semester, but there are a few that do them in fall. Please look for emails from the College of Graduate Studies reminding you when yours is due.

The Annual Review is a self-assessment to look at what activities you are completing in terms of

Courses
Teaching
Research
Professional Involvement/Service
Program Milestones

Faculty advisors and other program representatives will provide feedback to you on your self-assessment.

How to Complete an Annual Review Form Tutorial

Completion Plans

A completion plan is required if you are still active in your program upon 5 years of enrollment (15 semesters).

All UCF graduate students have 7 years to complete their degrees (master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees). The “clock” begins on your admit term. Students who start their 15^th semester and don’t have an intent to graduate on file will be required to submit a completion plan to ensure that they are on track to earn their degree by the 21^st semester.

Not sure when you started? Check your admit term in your GPS and plan ahead to meet your graduation goals.

Sample GPS displaying student information

If you think it will take you more than 21 semesters/7 years to complete your degree, you’ll need to file a 7-Year Rule petition to request extra time. The petition is completed using the 7-Year Rule Completion Form, also found on the CGS Forms and References webpage. Follow the 7-Year Rule Petition How-To Guide for assistance.

How to Complete the 7-Year Rule Completion Form for Graduation Tutorial

Program GPA and Probation Plans

To stay in good standing, keep your Program GPA at 3.0 or higher. If your GPA drops below 3.0, you’ll need to submit a probation plan by the midpoint of the next semester. Use your GPS to track progress, meet with your advisor, and set SMART goals to get back on track.

Program GPA

Your Program GPA is key to staying on track for graduation. Use your GPS to regularly check your GPA and ensure you’re meeting program requirements. If your GPA drops below 3.0, it’s important to meet with your Graduate Program Director for guidance.

Program GPA Calculation

A Program GPA will be calculated based on the courses taken in the graduate Program of Study since admission into each degree or certificate program.

Features of the Program GPA

Graduate school does not offer grade forgiveness. If you repeat a course to improve an unsatisfactory grade (C, C+, C-, D, D+, D- F, or U), both grades will be calculated into your Program GPA.
If you take a course outside of your program curriculum (e.g., a chemistry student takes a psychology course), the grade in that course will not be averaged as part of your Program GPA.

Probationary or Dismissal End of Semester Actions

Status	Why	Probation Hours	Actions Needed
Probation – Placed	Any semester when the Graduate Program GPA is below a 3.0.	A maximum of 18 (A-F) graded hours (or the remaining courses needed to complete the degree, if fewer). If it’s not mathematically possible to raise the GPA in the number of remaining hours, you will be dismissed.	Meet with your advisor and submit a Probation Plan by the midpoint of the following semester.
Probation – Continued	Subsequent semester that a Program GPA is still below a 3.0.	The remaining A-F graded credits allowed to raise your GPA to a 3.0.	Review your GPS and meet with your advisor and review your submitted probation plan.
Probation – Removed	Your Program GPA is a 3.0 or higher.	N/A	Meet with your advisor and follow a plan for success.
Dismissal	Not mathematically possible to raise your Program GPA within the Probation Hours allotted.	To be eligible for readmission, you must be able to raise your Program GPA to a 3.0 within 9 graded credit hours. If it’s not mathematically possible, then you can’t apply for readmission and will need to consider another program.	Sit out for 3 semesters (minimum). You will be automatically dropped from future enrolled courses. Plan if you want to apply for readmission at the end of your dismissal period or apply to a new program.

Probation Plans

Step 1: Schedule a meeting with your advisor as soon as possible to discuss your situation.

Step 2: When filling out your probation plan, reflect on your situation and experience. How did you get here? What does success look like for you? Did you experience any barriers to that success?

Step 3: Create and list SMART goals that align with your situation and priorities. What is the goal? Why is it important?

Step 4: Try to identify specific action items that you can take to reach your goals or improve your academic performance.

Step 5: Assess your skills and strengths to help you be more successful (academics, physical, emotional, social, financial). What are you naturally good at? What areas are harder for you? How can what you’re good at help you in other ways?

Step 6: Complete and submit your probation plan by the midpoint of the next semester to avoid any holds.