Students encounter academic difficulties for a variety of reasons and, occasionally, students find themselves on academic probation.

Should you find yourself in this position, we encourage you to make an appointment with the Registrar’s Office for academic advising. Career and personal counseling is available along with additional resources such as tutoring services, writing workshops and exam preparation workshops.

Probation and Dismissal

Academic Probation for Arts Students

Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.00 (C), but greater than or equal to 1.70 (C-), who have completed at least four full credits will be placed on academic probation.

Students on probation may continue to register for classes as long as their term GPA is at least 2.00. 

A student on probation who does not achieve a term GPA of at least 2.00 will be academically dismissed.

A student on probation must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.00 to return to "good standing."

Academic Dismissal for Arts Students

Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 1.70 (C-) who have completed at least four full credits will be academically dismissed for a 12-month period.

Students who are academically dismissed for the first time may apply for readmission after an absence of 12 months. They will be permitted to register on probation.

Students who are academically dismissed for the second time will not normally be able to reapply for three years.

Academic Probation for Science Students

Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.00 (C+), but greater than or equal to 1.70 (C), who have completed at least four full credits will be placed on academic probation.

Students on probation may continue to register for classes as long as their term GPA is at least 2.00. 

A student on probation who does not achieve a term GPA of at least 2.00 will be academically dismissed.

A student on probation must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.00 to return to "good standing."

Academic Dismissal for Science Students

Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 1.70 (C+) who have completed at least four full credits will be academically dismissed for a 12-month period.

Students who are academically dismissed for the first time may apply for readmission after an absence of 12 months. They will be permitted to register on probation.

Students who are academically dismissed for the second time will not normally be able to reapply for three years.

Academic Probation for Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) Students

Students with a cumulative GPA of less than 2.70 (B-), but greater than or equal to 2.30 (C+), who have completed at least four full credits will be placed on academic probation.

Students on probation may continue to register for classes as long as their term GPA is at least 2.50. 

A student on probation who does not achieve a term GPA of at least 2.50 will be academically dismissed.

A student on probation must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.70 to return to "good standing."

Academic Dismissal for Journalism Students

Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.30 who have completed at least four full credits will be academically dismissed for a 12-month period.

Students who are academically dismissed for the first time may apply for readmission after an absence of 12 months. They will be permitted to register on probation.

Students who are academically dismissed for the second time will not normally be able to reapply for three years.

Academic Coaching at Dal

Students at King’s have access to the Studying for Success program at Dalhousie University. 

Students can meet with a Study Skills Coach by appointment or during scheduled drop-in times. The coaches are Masters and PhD students who bring expertise in a wide range of subject areas. Coaching is free, confidential, and will be tailored to individual student needs. It can also include help in understanding course material and assistance in enhancing skills, study habits and time management.

For more information, please visit the Personal Coaching section of the Studying for Success website.

Workshops Available

Foundation Year Programme students can take advantage of free writing workshops that are offered by the FYP Office. Watch the FYP bulletin board and website for announcements about when workshops will be held in each term.

Student Services at Dalhousie offers a wide-range of free workshops to help students develop problem solving, exam writing, critical reading and a variety of other skills. Visit the Student Services website for information about upcoming workshops.

Understanding Plagiarism

Plagiarism, defined as “the submission or presentation of the work of another as if it were one's own," is a serious academic offence that can result in a failing grade, suspension or expulsion from the university.

Please visit Dalhousie’s page on academic integrity to learn more about plagiarism, paraphrasing, citing, discipline, penalties and services available to students, to help them avoid accidentally plagiarizing someone else’s work.

Athletic Eligibility

According to the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association's policies and procedures, to participate in varsity sport at the College, a first-year student must be enrolled full-time (nine credit hours per semester, i.e. three classes), and upper-year students must have completed nine credit hours per semester in the previous year (18 credit hours per academic year), along with be enrolled as full-time students in the current year. For more details on athletic eligibility, please review the CCAA's policies and procedures, specifically Article 5 Eligibility (PDF).