Honors Academic Standing

The Honors College is pledged to helping you succeed both academically and personally here at UMaine, and to providing guidance to ensure that you are staying on track as you progress through the Honors curriculum.  To that end, at the end of each semester we review the GPA and Honors progress of all students in the college. 

Note: In order to graduate from the Honors College, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 and have earned grades of C or above in all Honors classes.

Academic Standing Policy (students who joined Honors prior to Fall 2025)

Graduation from the Honors College requires completion of all curricular requirements, a cumulative GPA of 3.30, and a grade of C or better in all Honors courses.  These courses may be repeated once for credit.

Students who fall below a 3.30 GPA are subject to academic action caution based upon a set of GPA thresholds for each cohort (determined by date of admission to UMaine).

  • At the end of their first year in Honors, students whose cumulative GPAs are below 2.7 are subject to dismissal from the Honors College, and students whose GPAs range from 2.7-2.99 will remain in Honors, but will be placed on caution status.
  • At the end of the second year in Honors, students whose cumulative GPAs are below 3.00 are subject to dismissal from the Honors College, and students whose GPAs range from 3.00-3.14 will remain in Honors, but will be placed on caution status.
  • At the end of the third year in Honors, students whose cumulative GPAs are below 3.15 are subject to dismissal from the Honors College, and students whose GPAs range from 3.15-3.29 will remain in Honors, but will be placed on caution status.

Academic Standing Policy (students who joined Honors Fall 2025 or after)

Graduation from the Honors College requires completion of all curricular and portfolio requirements, a cumulative GPA of 3.30, and a grade of C or better in all Honors courses.  

The Honors College monitors students’ progress in their coursework each semester, including GPAs and Honors grades, and in the program overall. Stated deadlines and other expectations are designed to ensure that students stay on track, fulfill requirements in a timely fashion, and complete high-quality work. For students who struggle academically, the probation and dismissal policies outlined below are designed to help get them back on track and ensure that the path to graduation with Honors remains feasible and open whenever possible.


Good standing:

Students who maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher, who earn grades of C or better in all Honors courses, and who are making progress toward completion of all  Honors requirements (including the portfolio) are in good standing in Honors.  


Probation: 

The following conditions are grounds for Honors College probation:

  • Cumulative GPA below 3.3.  
  • Not making satisfactory progress in the Honors curriculum, e.g. 
    not completing Honors courses, the portfolio, or other requirements;
  • not responding in a timely fashion to outreach from the Honors College (instructors, thesis/project advisors, or dean’s office). 


Probationary process: A student who is placed on probation will be required to meet with the Honors College advising team to establish an Academic Improvement Plan; this plan will include the conditions by which the student will maintain their place in Honors and the support structures needed to reach stipulated goals. Students who meet these conditions will maintain their place in the Honors College; students who do not meet them will be dismissed from Honors. Typically, only two semesters of probation (whether consecutive or total) are allowed during a student’s tenure in Honors.   

Note: the Honors College probation process is an internal one and does not have an impact on your academic standing in your degree program or at UMaine more generally.  


Dismissal: 

The following conditions are grounds for Honors College dismissal: 

  • Cumulative GPA below 3.0.
  • Grade below C in any Honors course.
  • Not fulfilling the terms or conditions of academic probation.
  • Not being registered for an Honors class for two or more semesters without prior arrangement with the Honors College.
  • Not making satisfactory progress in the Honors curriculum, e.g. not being registered for an Honors class for two semesters without prior arrangement with the Honors College;
  • not completing Honors course, portfolio, or thesis/project requirements;
  • not responding in a timely fashion to outreach from the Honors College (instructors, thesis/project advisors, or dean’s office).

Dismissal process:  Students will be given an opportunity to appeal their dismissal; if reinstated, they will move into the probationary process, as outlined above.  Students who are reinstated but who do not meet the terms of their probation will be permanently dismissed from the college; no further appeals will be allowed.  


Honors College Withdrawal: 

Students seeking to withdraw from the Honors College should send an email to honors@maine.edu for information about the withdrawal process.

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