In This Section
Academic Warning/Probation Policy
Students are expected to maintain the required GPA for their degree program. Students who receive failing grades or who fail to maintain the required GPA for their respective degree programs will receive formal notice of an academic warning via email from the Office of the Registrar. The notice will also identify the requirements that the student must meet to have their academic warning status removed. The requirements may include repeating failed courses and/or raising the cumulative GPA above the minimum program requirement. A copy of the notice will become part of the student’s permanent file.
The performance of students on academic warning will be reviewed every term. When the academic performance requirements have been met, the student will be removed from academic warning. A formal notice will be sent to the student via email from the Office of the Registrar. A copy of this notice will become part of the student’s permanent file.
Students with multiple failed grades will be subject to academic disqualification. Approval of academic disqualification will be based on factors including, but not limited to, the number of failed grades, the student’s overall past academic performance, the level of academic deficiency, and the student’s probability of achieving satisfactory academic standing within a reasonable time frame consistent with the university policy regarding the maximum time frame for degree completion. Notice of academic disqualification will be sent to students by the Office of the Registrar and will become part of the student’s permanent record. Students who have been academically disqualified may appeal to the program director to continue enrollment.
Administrative Drop Policy
Students are expected to attend all classes for which he/she has registered. Students who fail to attend class and/or fail to make contact with the course faculty (via email or Integrated Campus) during the first two weeks of instruction will be Administratively Dropped — forfeit their place in the class and have their names removed from the class roster. Students will be responsible for 50% of pro-rated tuition and fees for the course(s), including zero (0) credit courses, continuation courses, and dissertation continuation courses. Additionally, an administrative drop fee of $100/course will be charged. It is the students’ responsibility to drop the class from the student portal according to the drop policy in order to avoid the $100 administrative drop fee.
Administrative drops may affect minimum course load requirements, student financial aid status or other areas. It is the responsibility of the student to meet financial aid requirements, initiate any refund processes and follow university guidelines concerning other obligations that may be affected by the drop.
Drop/Withdrawal Policy
The University expects students to register for classes with the understanding that they will remain in the course for the entire term. However, a student has the right to drop course(s) and/or withdraw from the University at any time. If a student drop from the course of instruction, the University will remit a refund (if applicable) less any non-refundable fees within 30 days following the drop in accordance with the University’s refund schedule.
Grade of Incomplete Policy
An Incomplete (I) is a temporary grade assigned by the faculty, following request of the student. An incomplete grade is appropriate when circumstances beyond the student’s control, such as illness or necessary absence, have prevented the student from completing the course requirements by the end of the academic term. Only students who have attended the course through more than 60 percent of the term are eligible to receive a temporary incomplete grade. The incomplete grade will be assigned for a maximum of 21 calendar days after the official end date of the term. If the student does not submit the work within the incomplete allowed time, a grade will be assigned for the amount of work the student completed. (60% of completion of the session is: five weeks of Threaded Discussions plus the Case Assignment must be completed). If the faculty decides to allow the student an Incomplete without the 60% completion they have to send an explanation prior to the incomplete assignment to the Provost for approval.
Leave of Absence (LOA) Policy
*Effective Summer 2, 2026 session
The literature on higher education studies suggests that students who pursue an uninterrupted course of study have the highest probability for successfully completing their degree programs. These students are also the best performers in their degree program and receive the maximum benefits from their learning experience. Students who have experienced stop-out episodes are clearly performing below the level of their counterparts who engage in continuous learning in their degree program. Furthermore, their probability for completing their degree program is much lower. In order to maximize the quality of learning experience for our students and maintain the quality and integrity of our academic programs, TUW has adopted the LOA policy below.
This policy is designed to ensure compliance with federal financial aid regulations governing leaves of absence, enrollment status, and payment periods, while supporting student persistence. In order to maximize the quality of learning experience for our students and maintain the quality and integrity of our academic programs, TUW has adopted the LOA policy below.
Notwithstanding the academic considerations described above, this policy is also intended to ensure compliance with applicable federal financial aid regulations governing leaves of absence, enrollment status, scheduled academic breaks, and payment periods. The classification of any period of non-enrollment, including summer sessions where applicable, will be determined in accordance with these requirements and may affect a student’s eligibility for Title IV financial aid.
Enrollment in summer sessions may be treated as either required or optional depending on the student’s program structure, pace of progression, and financial aid packaging. A student’s eligibility for an approved Leave of Absence (LOA), as well as the impact of any non-enrollment during a summer session, will be determined in accordance with applicable federal financial aid regulations governing enrollment status, scheduled academic breaks, and payment periods.
For programs in which summer enrollment is required for standard progression, failure to enroll may not be treated as an LOA and may instead be processed as a withdrawal for federal financial aid purposes.
Students may request a leave of absence for periods that constitute a break in enrollment outside of any institutionally scheduled breaks, as defined under applicable federal financial aid regulations. Leaves of Absence are limited to a cumulative maximum of two 8-week terms within any rolling 12-month period, whether taken consecutively or non-consecutively. Students who do not return to the university at the conclusion of an approved Leave of Absence will be administratively withdrawn. For federal financial aid purposes, failure to return from an approved LOA or failure to begin attendance in a subsequent payment period may result in the student being treated as withdrawn as of the last date of attendance, consistent with Return of Title IV (R2T4) regulations. These students may be required to reapply for admission and will be subject to the catalog in effect at the time of readmission.
Military students may take LOA up to 180 days in a 12-month period due to military necessity (i.e., TDY, TDA, Emergency Leave, Short Notice Movement, etc.). He/she must provide a letter from his/her commanding officer or Education Service Officer (ESO) on service letterhead verifying the military necessity. Military students who are unable to return within the approved Leave of Absence period due to military service obligations may be eligible for continued catalog rights and readmission protections as provided under applicable federal law and Department of Defense regulations.
Students who are on leave of absence for no more than two 8-week terms within any rolling 12-month period (Military students may take no more than 180 days of LOA with above mentioned supporting documentation), will retain their current Catalog rights and will not be required to reapply for admission. Students who take LOA beyond two 8-week terms within any rolling 12-month period will lose their Catalog rights and be required to re-apply to the University (exception to military students). Each student granted an LOA must have a defined return point that aligns with the student’s program structure and applicable federal financial aid requirements regarding payment periods and enrollment status.
Please note: Students taking Leave of Absence (LOA) are not considered active enrolled students at TUW. Students receiving federal financial aid must complete a financial aid impact review prior to the approval of any LOA. The University will assess and document the effect of the LOA on the student’s eligibility, including but not limited to enrollment status, payment period progression, and Return of Title IV (R2T4) implications.
Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) Policy
Students are expected to maintain minimum grade point averages (GPAs) in all programs.
Students in the undergraduate (bachelor’s) program must complete each required undergraduate course with a C (2.0) grade or better and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or better for all coursework applicable toward the degree.
Students in the graduate (master’s) program must complete each required course with a minimum B- grade (2.67) and maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better for all coursework applicable toward the degree.
Students in the doctoral program must complete each required course with a minimum B grade (3.0) and maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or better for all coursework applicable toward the degree.
Refund Policy
Before term starts – 100 percent tuition refund
During Week 1 – 75 percent tuition refund
During Week 2 – 50 percent tuition refund
After Week 2 – No refund
Unofficial Withdrawal Policy
A student who ceases participation in a course for a period of 14 days without submitting written notification and documentation of Medical or other extenuating circumstances (such as family emergency, military deployment, etc.) will be considered to have unofficially withdrawn from the course. Grade of “WU” (unauthorized withdrawal) will be assigned and the student will be still responsible for full tuition. The grade of WU is considered an F for GPA calculation and may negatively impact the financial aid package including eligibility for university scholarships. A student who ceases participation in all courses within a term without submitting proper notification will be considered to have unofficially withdrawn from the University. A student who has not requested a formal Leave of Absence (LOA) or is not registered for courses in future terms will be unofficially withdrawn from the University. Students under these circumstances will be required to complete reapplication and are subject to follow the Catalog in effect at the time of their readmission.
Note: If a student encounters an extenuating circumstance preventing participation (such as family emergency, military deployment, etc.), written notification and supporting documentation must be submitted prior to the unofficial withdraw. Each notification of extenuating circumstances will be reviewed by the Provost’s Office. The final decision will be communicated to the student via email within 48 hours.
Stop Campus Hazing
Touro University maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward hazing across all campuses and programs. Touro defines hazing as any act or situation that endangers a person’s mental, emotional, or physical well-being in connection with joining or maintaining membership in a group. This includes actions that cause embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule, as well as coerced consumption of substances or participation in degrading or harmful activities. Hazing, in any form, compromises a student’s safety and wellbeing and is against Touro’s mission and values.
The Hazing Policy sets forth the framework and procedures for compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act (the “SCHA”), enacted on December 23, 2024, which amends the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (the “Clery Act”), to prioritize the prevention of and transparency about hazing incidents at colleges and universities.
Touro will resolve any complaints of hazing in a timely and effective manner. Adherence to this policy is essential to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.