Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students are expected to remain in good standing at the College and be making satisfactory academic progress in their programs.

Generally, satisfactory academic progress is determined on the basis of:

  1. Registering for the minimum required course load each semester for enrollment;
  2. Satisfactorily completing at least 75 percent of the courses attempted each semester. All grades except “AUD,” including “I” and “W” grades, contribute towards this measure. For the purposes of this standard, repeating a course counts towards credits attempted.
  3. Achieving and maintaining the required grade point average. Undergraduate students: Each student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 at the end of freshman class standing, and for the remainder of the student’s undergraduate studies thereafter. This GPA is calculated from all of the student’s undergraduate-level credits attempted at the College. Graduate students: Each student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at the end of the student’s first semester of graduate studies, and for the remainder of the student’s graduate studies thereafter. This GPA is calculated from all of the student’s graduate-level credits attempted at the College and (if applicable) all of the student’s undergraduate-level credits attempted while enrolled in a graduate program at the College.
  4. Attempting at most 150% of the minimum number of credits that the student’s program requires. For example, a student enrolled in a program that requires a minimum of 130 credits may attempt at most 195 credits.
  5. Making satisfactory progress in the student’s program, in the determination of the department.

Failure to make satisfactory academic progress can result in sanctions including, but not limited to, the revocation of financial aid.

Good Standing

Students who are making satisfactory academic progress in their programs are deemed to be in good standing at the College if they additionally:

  • Have paid any and all College bills in a timely manner;
  • Are not on academic or disciplinary probation or academic suspension; and
  • Are abiding by the laws of the United States.

Academic Sanctions

Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress can result in a variety of academic sanctions for students, as detailed below:

Academic Warning: A student who is making only marginal academic progress in the determination of the instructor may receive an oral warning.

Academic Probation: A student demonstrating unsatisfactory academic progress may be placed on academic probation for the next semester. During the probationary period, financial aid will still be available. But if the student fails to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress the next semester, the financial aid will be revoked. Students on academic probation are subject to course load requirements and must earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.5 (for undergraduate students) or 3.0 (for graduate students) to be returned to good standing. Those who do not achieve good standing during the probationary period will move to academic suspension, dismissal, or a second semester on academic probation, to be determined by the College.

Academic Suspension: A student may face immediate academic suspension for a particularly severe case of unsatisfactory academic progress. During the suspension, the student shall be excluded from classes and other College privileges or activities, including access to the College campus and College-sponsored activities off campus. The duration and conditions of academic suspension are to be determined by the College on a case-by-case basis. A student may reestablish standing in the College by requesting reinstatement to probationary or good standing after completing the suspension period.

Academic Dismissal: A student may face academic dismissal from the College if (1) (s)he has spent at least one semester on academic probation and has not regained good standing; (2) (s)he has spent at least one semester on academic suspension and has not fulfilled the conditions of the suspension; or (3) the severity of the case otherwise warrants dismissal from the College. Decisions on academic dismissal are made by the College on a case-by-case basis. Academic dismissal generally results in a student’s permanent separation from the College.

Academic Policies  ›  Academic Progress