Good Academic Standing

University students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average at or above the Good Academic Standing requirements set forth in this Catalog (collectively referred to as “Good Academic Standing”).  

Academic Levels Cumulative GPA Required for Good Academic Standing
0.0-27.5 semester hours 1.75
28.0-59.5 semester hours 1.90
60.0 semester hours and above 2.00

Notice of a student’s failure to remain in Good Academic Standing shall be sent to the student’s University email account and may subject the student to any of the following academic actions as set forth herein: academic warning, academic probation, academic condition, academic suspension, or academic dismissal (collectively, “Academic Action”). 

Determination of Academic Action is made by the Office of the Provost or designee in fall and spring semester/term only. Academic Action is noted on the student’s transcript.

The University reserves the right to require an Academic Improvement Plan on behalf of a student whose semester/term grade point average results in any Academic Action.  The Academic Improvement Plan may include, but is not limited to, requiring students to repeat failed courses, take a reduced course load, or to seek academic support.

Academic Warning

Any student whose semester/term grade point average falls between 1.01 and 1.75 will receive an Academic Warning.The student's cumulative grade point average must meet good standing. Notification is sent to the student’s University email account. Students may receive multiple Academic Warnings. Academic Warning serves as notice to a student that if the student’s academic performance and grade point average do not improve, the student may be subjected to a different form of Academic Action.

Academic Probation

A student who fails to maintain the following required minimum cumulative grade point average shall be placed on Academic Probation:

  • Students who have earned fewer than 27.5 credit hours and have failed to achieve a cumulative grade point of 1.75, but are above a 1.01.
  • Students who have earned 28.0-59.5 credit hours and have failed to achieve a cumulative grade point average of 1.90, but are above a 1.01.
  • Students who have earned 60 credit hours and have failed to achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, but are above a 1.01. 

Students on Academic Probation cannot carry an academic course overload and should decide, with the help of counseling and advising, how to concentrate their efforts on their studies so that they can improve their academic performance and cumulative grade point average.  Students who fail to meet these minimum cumulative grade point requirements for two (2) consecutive semesters/terms shall be subject to a different form of Academic Action, including but not limited to academic condition, suspension, or dismissal from the University.

Academic Condition

When a student’s semester/term grade point average is 1.0 or less OR their cumulative grade point average may otherwise lead to academic suspension from the University, the University has the option of placing the student on Academic Condition. This action can occur after the University reviews the student’s academic record and believes the student has a reasonable prospect for academic success. A student can earn Academic Condition for only one semester.

Students on Academic Condition shall consult with their academic advisor and complete a written Academic Improvement Plan for improving the quality of their work and submit it to the student’s major department chairperson and the Office of the Provost prior to beginning coursework in a subsequent semester/term. In order to be removed from Academic Condition and avoid academic suspension or dismissal from the University, a student on Academic Condition must complete the Academic Improvement Plan and complete the semester/term with no grades below a "D" and a semester/term grade point average of 1.75 or higher.

Academic Suspension

A student may be subject to Academic Suspension if the student:
  • Fails to achieve the required minimum cumulative grade point average after two consecutive semesters/terms.
  • Fails to complete an Academic Improvement Plan prior to beginning course work in a subsequent semester/term.
  • Fails to raise his/her grade point average to the minimum standard after one semester and/or failed to fulfill the terms of any required Academic Improvement Plan
  • Earns a semester/term grade point average of 1.00 or less for a semester/term.

A student who is placed in Academic Suspension is not permitted to take courses or participate in any University activities or programs, including but not limited to living in the University’s Residence Hall, and may be prohibited from the University’s facilities and other on- and off-campus University activities. A student shall remain on Academic Suspension for at least one semester and meet certain conditions established by the Office of the Provost before the student may be evaluated for possible return to the University. Students may timely appeal Academic Suspension through the "Suspension Appeal for Reinstatement" set forth in this Catalog.

Suspension Appeal for Reinstatement

Appeals of Academic Suspension requesting immediate reinstatement must be submitted within two weeks of the date of notice of Academic Suspension. Alternatively, appeals for reinstatement following Academic Suspension shall be submitted at least 30 days before the desired date of re-entry at the University. Appeals must be in writing, addressed to the Office of the Provost. The individual seeking reinstatement has the sole responsibility of submitting the following required Appeal Documentation for an appeal to be considered:

  • A self-assessment of factors that contributed to poor academic performance;
  • A narrative description of what will be or has been done differently to improve the poor academic performance;
  • Recommendations from a professional or faculty advisor, and at least one faculty member from the student’s department if a major has been declared. (Faculty member recommendation is waived if appeal is filed two years after earning Suspension)
  • Evidence of accomplishment, if seeking reinstatement after the required one term/semester suspension period. This could include an official transcript of academic work completed since the suspension, proof of satisfactory military service, and letters reporting gainful employment with supervisor(s) attesting to the student’s performance, initiative and acceptance of responsibility, or any other documentation that would support the petition.

In addition to Appeal Documentation, the Office of the Provost or designee shall consider the student’s academic and personal/disciplinary record at the University in determining, in the sole discretion of the Office of the Provost or designee, whether to grant reinstatement. A successful appeal reinstates the student but also immediately places the student on Academic Condition for one semester as set forth in this Catalog under the Academic Condition heading above.

Academic Dismissal

A student may be academically dismissed from the University with no right to appeal for two years for any of the following:

  • Failure to meet the terms of a student’s letter of Academic Reinstatement following Academic Suspension.
  • Failure to meet the terms of Fresh Start.
  • Earning a grade of “F” in any course after Reinstatement from Academic Suspension.

See below Academic Dismissal Appeal for Reinstatement for more information. A student who is subject to Academic Dismissal is not permitted to take courses or participate in any University activities or programs, including but not limited to living in the University’s Residence Hall, and may be prohibited from the University’s facilities and other on- and off-campus University activities.

Appeal for Reinstatement after Academic Dismissal

An appeal for Reinstatement after Academic Dismissal may be filed two years after the date of earning Academic Dismissal and must be received by the Provost or designee at least 30 days before the desired semester start date at the University. An applicant who has been subject to academic dismissal from the University must simultaneously reapply for admission through the University’s Office of Admission.

The applicant must meet with the Provost or designee for a final decision on Reinstatement after Academic Dismissal and is required to submit the following to the Provost or designee as part of the appeal for reinstatement after academic dismissal:

  1. Documented and verifiable evidence of growth in maturity and responsibility indicative of the capacity to perform university-level work. Assertions of good intentions are insufficient. If the applicant has attended another institution after dismissal, the applicant must submit an official transcript to be considered for readmission.
  2. A personal statement showing personal growth AND a detailed plan for academic success.

The appeal will be considered for reinstatement only after the applicant completes the above requirements. The decision of the Provost or designee is final. If the decision is to not offer reinstatement, the applicant must wait another three years before appealing again. If the decision is to grant reinstatement, the applicant will be reinstated on Academic Condition, and must follow the guidelines for Academic Condition (see above).

Reinstated students must matriculate within one semester of readmission to the University; otherwise, the reinstatement is considered void and applicants must reinitiate the reinstatement after academic dismissal process. If a student reinstated under this section is subsequently dismissed for academic reasons, the academic dismissal is final with no further appeal at any time.