Returning To The University After An Absence

If you’ve attended the University of Arizona in the past and have missed at least one semester without taking a formal leave of absence or complete withdrawal, you may need to reapply for admission in order to continue taking coursework at the UA. Our Back2UA Program allows undergraduate students, who exited the UA in good standing and who have missed no more than two consecutive terms, to return without applying for readmission. Those who missed at least three years may apply for our Second Start Readmission Program.

Under most circumstances, if you left in good standing with a GPA of 2.0 or higher, you will be readmitted. If you left in poor standing with a GPA below 2.0, were disqualified, or completed transfer coursework with a cumulative GPA below 2.0, you will be admitted or denied based on the recommendation from the college you wish to be readmitted into.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences evaluates each readmission request on an individual basis. The requirements for readmission to CALS are listed below. If you plan to apply for readmission into one of our UA Colleges, other than CALS, please contact that college to find out their readmission policies and processes.

Back2UA Program

If you’re an undergraduate student who has missed no more than two consecutive terms, you may return without applying for readmission. You must be in good academic standing, having exited the UA with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. If you’re an international student, non-degree seeking student, or were on probation or disqualified when you left you may still need to reapply.

If you believe you qualify, contact an academic advisor, who will help you assess your previous coursework and develop a plan to resume your studies.

Apply For Readmission

If you left the University of Arizona in poor standing or were disqualified from attending and would like to apply for readmission, please submit your application by the deadlines listed below.

Readmission application deadlines

• Summer Session: April 1

• Fall Semester: June 1

• Spring Semester: October 1

Apply for readmission.

Requirements For Readmission

The most common requirement for readmission is to complete 24 transferable academic units at another academic institution, such as a community college, and earn a minimum GPA of a 3.0 with no grade lower than a C. The courses completed must be applicable to the major you wish to be readmitted into. For example, if you want to be readmitted into a science-intensive major, you should take primarily science and math-based courses to show that you can be successful in the coursework required for that major.

Every student is evaluated for readmission individually, so we encourage you to consult with one of our Career and Academic Services advisors to discuss your specific situation.

Second Start Program

If you’re an undergraduate seeking readmission to the UA after an absence of at least three years, you may apply for the Second Start Readmission Program. If you apply for the program, your application and prior academic record will be reviewed by the college you wish to be readmitted into. If you’ve already competed requirements for a bachelor’s degree, you are not eligible.

Once accepted into Second Start, you must complete 12 or more graded units within 12 months with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Once you’ve completed the requirement, grades from all coursework completed prior to your readmission will be designated as not contributing to your GPA; courses in which a C or better was earned may count toward degree requirements. You should speak with an academic advisor before applying for the program to make sure it’s the best option for you.

Contact an advisor.

Academic Eligibility 

The Undergraduate Academic Eligibility Policy is designed to help undergraduates stay on track for degree completion at the University of Arizona and is calculated for all undergraduate students at the end of each fall and spring semester. 

The five academic statuses determine eligibility to enroll in courses at the University; however, they do not determine eligibility to enroll in specific programs, schools, or colleges. Students who are not in Eligible status who earn grades in winter or summer term or have revisions to their academic record that updates their cumulative GPA to 2.00 or higher will return to Eligible status.

Eligible: 

  • All new undergraduate students begin with a status of Eligible (i.e., good academic standing)
  • Students must earn and maintain a 2.00 or higher cumulative GPA to continue in Eligible status
  • Students with a status of Eligible may enroll in courses

Academic Review:

  • Review status occurs when a student earns a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above (i.e., good academic standing), but has a semester GPA of less than a 2.00
  • Students with a status of Academic Review will be contacted by their college or school to determine if they need assistance to improve their GPA

Academic Warning: 

  • Warning status occurs when an undergraduate who was previously Eligible does not earn a 2.00 or higher cumulative GPA
  • Students with a status of Academic Warning may enroll in courses, however, they will be contacted by their college or school and required to complete an intervention
  • Students who begin a semester/term with a status of Academic Warning and earn a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above at the end of the semester/term will return to Eligible status

Academic Probation: 

  • Probation status occurs when a student who begins a semester/term on Academic Warning does not earn a 2.00 or higher cumulative GPA at the end of the semester/term
  • Students with a status of Academic Probation may enroll in courses, however, they will be required to participate in an intervention developed in partnership with each college or school and the University’s Student Success & Retention Innovation program
  • Students who begin a semester/term with a status of Academic Probation and earn a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above at the end of the semester/term will return to Eligible status
  • Students who are assigned probation and who do not enroll in the next regular term (fall/spring) will be discontinued as they are not eligible for Back2UA.  Students who do not enroll in the next regular term (fall/spring) will need to reapply to the university

Ineligible:

  • Ineligible status occurs when an undergraduate student who begins a semester/term on Academic Probation does not earn a 2.00 or higher cumulative GPA at the end of the semester/term
  • Students with a status of Ineligible may not enroll in courses; however, they may submit an appeal (usually for extenuating circumstances) requesting an additional semester/term of Academic Probation status

 

Contact an advisor