Academic Warning, Probation, and Dismissal

As an adult learner, you know that it’s important to complete all assignments, contribute to classroom discussions and forums, and study for exams in order to achieve academic success. But did you know that the university requires you to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) or risk dismissal?

GPA Minimums and Consequences

Undergraduate Students: Minimum cumulative GPA = 2.0
Graduate Students: Minimum cumulative GPA = 3.0

If your GPA falls below the university's required minimums, you will be subject to the academic consequences of warning, probation, or dismissal as follows:

1. Academic Warning

You will receive a notice of academic warning if you fall below the required minimum GPA after attempting 12 credit hours at the undergraduate level or 6 credit hours at the graduate level.
Warnings are meant to alert you that you may need to acquire skills and/or resources to raise your GPA to minimum levels.
There is no distinction between full- or part-time students for academic warning, so a part-time student taking just one course and receiving a C- or lower could be given an academic warning.

2. Academic Probation

You will be placed on academic probation if you fall below the required minimum GPA after attempting 18 credit hours at the undergraduate level or 9 credit hours at the graduate level.
Probation will not block you from registering for courses, but you will be restricted to part-time registration until your GPA is above the probationary level.
You will not be permitted to graduate while on academic probation.

3. Academic Dismissal

You are subject to dismissal if your GPA earned during your probationary period does not meet the minimum requirement of 2.0 for undergraduate students or 3.0 for graduate students. This will be based on your 12 undergraduate credit hours or 9 graduate credit hours completed while on academic probation.

Viewing Your GPA

You can view your GPA at the bottom of your academic plan, which is located under the Academic Plan & Forms/My Program menu in the ecampus. You can also use our GPA calculator to estimate your current GPA if all of your credits are not yet factored into your GPA in your records.

Getting Help

Raising your GPA during the next semester is the only way to get off probation and avoid dismissal. You can find help at the Student Advising and Resource Center (STAR Center). An academic advisor can also help you with course planning, scheduling, and time management. You may also want to discuss a change in degree program if you are having difficulty with courses in your chosen major.

It is advisable to take fewer credit hours while on academic probation in order to improve your cumulative GPA. In some cases, you may want to focus on just one class per session. Read our Course Load Guidelines article for guidance.

Notifying Your Instructors

Course instructors are not notified of your academic warning or probation status unless you disclose the information directly to them. We recommend you discuss your status with your professors and seek additional assistance within the classroom.

Financial Aid and Probation

You are still eligible to receive financial aid while on academic probation. However, if you are not making satisfactory academic progress (SAP), your FSA eligibility may be affected. For more information on SAP and FSA eligibility, read the university’s SAP policy, or contact the university’s finance office at [email protected] or 877-755-2787 (Mon – Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET).

Taking Classes Elsewhere While on Probation

You may take courses at another institution while on probation status, but those grades will not improve your cumulative GPA at our university. You may transfer those credits to our university, but not the grades. For CLEP or DSST exams, you will only receive the credit hours as transfer credit.

For more information on academic warning, probation, and dismissal, view the complete policy in the Student Handbook.