Satisfactory Academic Progress

To continue in a degree program, graduate students must maintain satisfactory academic progress, as defined below. In addition, graduate students must comply with Institute policies and codes of conduct to remain in good standing.

General Guidelines

Graduate students must continuously maintain a full-time program of study and research in each of the four terms during the year (including summer) until all degree requirements have been completed, unless a leave of absence is granted. Students who do not enroll continuously or do not enroll upon expiration of a leave of absence are separated from the Institute. Enrolled students are expected to be in person and approval by the Option and Dean of Graduate Studies is required for remote enrollment.

A full-time program of study consists of enrollment in 36 units per term, including research units. Many options require a minimum grade in particular courses or groups of courses. If this grade requirement is not met, a limited number of courses may be repeated and would count toward the 36-unit-per-term requirement. Approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies is required before dropping any course that brings a student below 36 units. The treatment of incomplete grades and withdrawals is specified in Grades and Grading. Satisfactory academic progress is monitored each academic term by the Graduate Studies Office.

The Master of Science degree requires at least three terms in person at the Institute and a minimum of 135 units of graduate work with a grade-point average of at least 1.9. The master's degree is limited to two years unless a petition is approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

The degree of Engineer consists of advanced studies and research and requires at least eight terms of enrollment with a grade-point average of at least 1.9. The engineer's degree is limited to 12 terms unless a petition is approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree consists of advanced studies and research, primarily in science or engineering, under the guidance of an adviser, and the preparation and defense of a doctoral thesis. At least 12 terms of enrollment are required with a grade-point average of at least 1.9. The typical Ph.D. can be completed in six years or less and is limited to 24 terms unless an extended registration petition is approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. A doctoral student who has not been admitted to candidacy within 12 terms must petition the Dean of Graduate Studies for extended registration. Petitions for extended registration for candidacy must include a plan and schedule for completion of candidacy within two terms, agreed upon and signed by the student, the student's thesis adviser, and the Option Representative. Students who fail to complete candidacy within the two terms may be placed on academic probation and will not be allowed to enroll without a scheduled candidacy date with their advisory committee.

Advising and Communication

All doctoral students must have a thesis adviser to remain in good academic standing. The timeline for securing a thesis adviser varies by the specific graduate option. A student's thesis adviser must be an active member of the Caltech professorial faculty and is responsible for general advising, approving and guiding a research topic, monitoring the student's progress until all degree requirements have been met, and in most cases, providing financial support for the duration of the degree program.

Students are expected to communicate and interact with their adviser on a regular and timely basis regarding academic progress. Students are also expected to respond in a timely manner to official communications from the Graduate Studies Office or their academic Option (i.e., the Dean, Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, Option Representatives, Option Managers, other graduate program administrators, committee members, and other faculty members). Failure to do so may result in referral to the Dean of Graduate Studies for possible corrective action.

Determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory academic progress is judged by the Options against the guidelines set in Special Regulations for Graduate Options in the Institute Catalog for the year of initial enrollment. These guidelines typically detail the following requirements, along with a timeline: completion of specific courses, oral and/or written examinations, advancement to candidacy, securing of a thesis adviser, and research requirements. For students failing to meet Option guidelines, revocation of permission to enroll may be recommended by the Option to the Dean of Graduate Studies. Further, even after advancement to candidacy, permission to enroll may be denied by formal action of an Option due to unsatisfactory research performance, failure to secure or maintain a thesis adviser, or other compelling reasons. However, the Option must petition through its Division Chair to the Dean of Graduate Studies before taking such action.

Failure to achieve the expectations above may result in academic probation or disciplinary action, including separation from the Institute. A decision to revoke permission to enroll may be appealed in writing within ten days to the Vice President and Faculty Dean of Students or designee.

Good Standing

A student is in good standing if they meet standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress and program and research requirements and are currently not on any probationary status.

Academic Probation

The graduate deans, in consultation with a student's academic adviser and/or division, can place a student on academic probation for failure to meet the written expectations for Satisfactory Academic Progress. A student will remain on academic probation until they meet expectations discussed with and outlined by the graduate deans.