It is expected that students — full time and part time — will make continuous progress toward a degree in a timely manner. The University — through the Undergraduate Academic Standards Committee — monitors academic progress and takes action when a student is no longer in good academic standing. A student can determine his or her academic standing by checking his or her grade point average.
A student is subject to academic action after 12 completed credits. Part-time students must meet the same academic standards as full-time students.
A student whose semester grade point average (GPA) is below 2.0 is placed on academic probation for the following semester. A student whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0 remains on probation until the cumulative GPA reaches 2.0 or higher.
During the first probationary semester, a student may enroll for a maximum of 15 credits in the fall or spring, or 8 credits in the summer semester. If a student remains on probation or returns to probation, that student may enroll for a maximum of 12 credits in the fall or spring, or 6 credits in the summer semester.
In addition, a cumulative GPA below 2.0 puts an undergraduate student at risk for academic dismissal when the cumulative GPA does not meet the following standards:
Credits completed* | Minimum Cumulative GPA: |
12-16 credits | 1.25 |
17-30 credits | 1.50 |
31-59 credits | 1.75 |
60+ credits or |
1.95 |
*Completed credits are all courses for which a grade A-F has been earned.
Some degree programs have specific expectations for academic achievement in the major. A student who does not meet these expectations will be dismissed from that program. A student dismissed from a program, but eligible to remain at the University according to the aforementioned cumulative GPA guidelines, may declare a new major after consultation with the Academic Success Center. The student must follow the procedure outlined under “Seeking Readmission to the University”.
Students slated for academic dismissal are notified by letter of their status at the end of a semester. This letter will state the reason for dismissal and the deadline by which the student can file an appeal with the Academic Success Center. The Registrar’s Office will cancel the next semester’s registration of a student being dismissed, and the student may not enroll at the University unless he/she successfully appeals dismissal before the start of the next semester. If, for any reason, the student fails to file an appeal, he/she waives the right to an appeal.
These directives are reviewed annually by the Undergraduate Academic Standards Committee and they may be suspended when, in the opinion of the Committee, the interests of the student and of the University will best be served by such suspension. Such action, however, may not be construed as a precedent by any petitioner.
If a student believes his or her performance has been negatively impacted by some type of unusual circumstance, that student has the right to appeal his or her dismissal as follows:
A student may appeal a dismissal only twice during his/her undergraduate program. A third dismissal will result in permanent separation from the University.
Students who have been academically dismissed or left the University while on academic probation may seek readmission to the University after waiting at least one full fall or spring semester after the last semester of enrollment.
In seeking readmission, the student must do the following:
Deadline: | For readmission to: |
July 15 | Fall semester |
November 15 | Spring semester |
March 15 | First summer session |
May 15 | Second summer session |
Students who have been readmitted to the University after three or more semesters since academic dismissal will return to the University under the procedures listed in the catalog in force at the time of their readmission and must meet the requirements of their degree program stated in that catalog.