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Academic Affairs
NYU Stern

Program Progress

Stern M.B.A. students must complete the following:

  • At least one course in the semester for which they are admitted; those who do not, must reapply for admission in a subsequent semester.
  • At least 6 credits each academic year.
    • This requirement of at least 6 credits each academic year (and only this requirement) may be suspended in cases of multiple Leaves of Absence.
  • At least 24 credits within the first three years.
  • All requirements for the degree within the maximum of six years from initial enrollment in the program.

Students who are unable to maintain this pace are not permitted to continue in their degree program. Note that, although students are required to meet only these minimums to remain in the program, it is not possible to complete the M.B.A. degree requirements within the six-year limit at the minimum rates of progress.

Scholastic Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum grade point average while matriculated in degree programs. (For information on computing the grade point average, see the Grading Policies section.)

Students who began the program prior to January 1, 2006

The following minimums must be met to avoid dismissal or Academic Probation*:

  • 1-14 credits attempted: if GPA is less than 2.1, student is placed on academic probation.
  • 15-29 credits attempted: if GPA is less than 2.1, student is dismissed from the program.
  • 30 or more credits attempted: if GPA is less than 2.3, student is dismissed from the program.
  • 60 credits completed: if GPA is less than 2.5, student is not eligible to graduate and is dismissed from the program.

Students who began the program after January 1, 2006

The following minimums must be met to avoid dismissal from Stern*:

  • 6-29 credits attempted: if GPA is less than 2.1, student is dismissed from the program
  • 30 or more credits attempted: if GPA is less than 2.3, student is dismissed from the program
  • 60 credits completed: if GPA is less than 2.5, student is not eligible to graduate and is dismissed from the program

The following minimums must be met to avoid being placed on Academic Probation:

  • 6-29 credits attempted:
    • GPA is less than 2.3
    • Student fails one or more courses
    • Student accumulates more than one incomplete grade
  • 30 or more credits attempted:
    • GPA is less than 2.5
    • Student fails one or more courses
    • Student accumulates more than one incomplete grade

*Academic Probation is a period of time given to a student to redeem poor or unsatisfactory academic performance as prescribed by the requirements for minimum program progress.

While on Academic Probation, students will not be considered in “good academic standing” and the MBA Academic Policy Board will have the discretion to limit eligibility and services based on this condition. Program restrictions may include all or any part of the following, but are not limited to: credit limits, eligibility for course registration, GPA requirement, student activities (clubs, treks, conferences, etc.), Study Abroad.

When grades are available after each semester, students who do not meet the minimum requirements are notified by their program’s advising office, on behalf of the MBA Academic Policy Board, that they are on Academic Probation or that they may not continue in the program. Students placed on probation must make an appointment with an academic advisor to discuss their situation and plans for improvement. Students who are dismissed from the program and who have registered prior to receiving these letters are withdrawn from their courses and given a full tuition refund. (Students who have low averages are urged not to register for the next term if there is any chance their grade point average will fall below these minimums when all the current semester’s grades are reported and recorded.)

Graduation - Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)

A 2.5 grade point average is required of all MBA program students to meet eligibility requirements for graduation. Grade point averages include all coursework that appears on the Graduate Stern transcript, whether or not it actually fulfills program requirements.

Minimum Residency Requirement

Students must complete 75% of their academic program (45 credits) at Stern. All Core Courses must be completed at Stern. Students may take a maximum of 15 elective credits outside of Stern on IMP courses (Study Abroad), courses at other NYU divisions, or at other AACSB accredited schools.

Full-Time Student Employment Policy

Full-time students who have completed fewer than 15 credits are strongly discouraged from taking on any type of employment that interferes with their full participation in the MBA program. Any outside employment commitment that negatively impacts the students academic, community or career experience at Stern could be subject to committee review. Students who have completed more than 15 credits and have a GPA of at least a 3.0 are pre-approved to work part time or intern for a maximum of 20 hours per week.