Academic Policies

Please refer to your graduate program’s specific academic policies where appropriate.


The Hough Graduate School of Business follows the Graduate School’s attendance policy.

The Hough Graduate School of Business does not allow auditing of graduate business courses. In addition to the fact that our graduate electives are in high demand, we want all students registered in our sections to have the same level of commitment and responsibility regarding class participation and course content assimilation.

Admission to a combination bachelor’s option does not constitute admission to the Graduate School. Combination students are not official graduate students until they earn the bachelor’s degree and are admitted to the Graduate School. To continue with the master’s program after earning the bachelor’s degree, combination students must meet the Graduate School’s admission requirements. To be eligible for graduate admission, students must:

  • Earn a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or above.
  • Complete the online graduate admission application and pay the application fee by posted deadline during the last semester of bachelor’s degree.
  • Have no conduct flags that disqualify them from graduate admission.
  • Earn at least a “B” or better in any graduate course for it to count toward the master’s degree (Note: In general, graduate courses require a grade of “C” or better to count toward the degree, but graduate courses taken as an undergraduate and transferred in to the master’s degree require a grade of “B” or better.)

Combination degrees with other graduate programs are offered according to the Graduate School policies. Students must be accepted into both programs of study independently.

The Hough Graduate School of Business follows the Graduate School’s conditional admission policy.

Students may be dismissed if their GPA is below a 3.0 and they are not making academic progress. See GPA and Academic Progress and Probation.

Drop/add dates and deadlines are available on the Hough Graduate Academic Calendar.

During Drop/Add

Courses can be dropped or added during the drop/add period without penalty. Classes that meet for the first time after drop/add closes can be dropped without penalty or fee liability if the request is submitted by the end of the next business day after the first class meeting.

After drop/add but prior to the drop deadline

After drop/add, students may drop a course with the approval of their advisor until the drop deadline listed in the Hough Graduate Academic Calendar. A grade of W will appear on the transcript, and students are liable for course fees.

After the drop deadline

After the drop deadline and before the last day of classes, students may contact their advisor regarding dropping a class. Typically, they will need to demonstrate an extenuating circumstance justifying approval of a drop after the deadline.

No student is required to take more than three final exams in one day. If two exams are scheduled at the same time, the course with the higher number will take priority. Instructors giving make-up exams will make the necessary adjustments.

Students are required maintain a 3.0 UF GPA and a 3.0 program GPA. If a student does not meet the GPA requirements but has earned a C or higher in degree requirements, the program will evaluate if the student is eligible to continue with a plan of action to redeem their current status. See Probation and Dismissal.

The Hough Graduate School of Business follows the Warrington College of Business policy on grade appeals.

Hough Graduate School of Business students are expected to follow the UF Honor Code.

The Hough Graduate School of Business follows the Graduate School’s grade regulations.

Students may request a leave of absence and, generally, if student is in good academic standing, leaves are granted. Students with academic issues must resolve those issues prior to consideration for return. Extended absence requires readmission to Graduate School.

Students can request a medical withdrawal via the Dean of Students Office. If student is in good academic standing, student may return once medical concern resolves. Students with academic issues must resolve those issues prior to consideration for return. Extended absence requires readmission to the Graduate School per their policy.

Students not enrolled in a graduate business program are eligible to register for elective courses:

  • During graduate business drop/add for the given term (the first three days of classes),
  • On a space available basis, and
  • If they meet pre-requisites as published in the Graduate Catalog.

Not all courses/sections are open to non-business students. Refer to the Graduate Elective Course Schedule for available options. Hough courses are delivered in a modular format and do not conform to the UF semester calendar. Visit the Hough Graduate Academic Calendar for module dates.

When drop/add begins for the term, submit the Non-Business Student Registration Request form. Requests submitted prior to drop/add will not be processed.

The Hough Graduate School of Business does not permit non-degree registration. In addition to the fact that our graduate electives are in high demand, we want all students registered in our sections to have the same level of commitment and responsibility regarding class participation and course content assimilation.

Students may petition their academic program to request exceptions to program policies. Contact your academic advisor regarding the specific process for your program.

Students may also petition the college directly requesting exceptions to program decision or college policy. Petitions may be directed via email to the Senior Associate Dean’s Office. The appropriate faculty committee will review the request and provide a recommendation to the Senior Associate Dean, who will make the final decision.

Further concerns may be directed to the University Ombuds.

Students with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 are placed on academic probation and advised in writing regarding their academic standing. When necessary, conversations with academic advisors are scheduled to discuss academic plans. See GPA and Academic Progress and Dismissal.

Students who do not enroll at the university for three or more consecutive terms, including any summer term, must apply for readmission to the same program and degree level in which they previously attended. Students who skip a single term will be scheduled automatically for a registration appointment for two additional terms.

Readmission is not guaranteed. Contact the program you will be applying to for questions regarding readmission application deadline, availability, and eligibility requirements.

Withdrawal deadlines are available on the Hough Graduate Academic Calendar. Contact your academic advisor to withdraw from the full term.