Purpose of the Policy

Satisfactory Academic Progress ("SAP") ensures students are able to complete their academic program in a timely manner while achieving and maintaining compliance with minimum academic standards.

Qualitative/Quantitative Measures

Passing Grade: Students are required to earn a minimum grade of C or higher in their course. This ensures that they have demonstrated satisfactory understanding and mastery of the course material.

Completion Rate: All students are required to successfully complete at least 67 percent of the coursework attempted. Successful completion means a grade of A, B, C, or D is received for the course.

Maximum Time Frame: A student must successfully complete the program of study within its time frame. Federal regulations specify that the time frame may not exceed 150% of the published length of the program.

The maximum time frame for graduate students varies with each program but cannot exceed 150% of the program. All courses attempted, will be counted toward attempted hours. An attempted course is any for which a grade of A, B, C, D, F, P, I, or W is received.

Students who have chosen to take additional coursework to obtain a minor in conjunction with their certificate program, or who take additional coursework for personal reasons, will not receive maximum time frame extensions for those purposes.

Maintaining SAP Standards

Monitoring SAP: Students will be monitored for satisfactory academic progress after grades are posted at the end of each week. Students will be assigned one of the following SAP statuses: Satisfactory, Warning, Suspension, Probation, or Continued Probation.

Academic Probation and Disqualification

If a student fails to meet the satisfactory standards of SAP and is unable to maintain good standing, their academic standing will be placed on probation. During this probationary period, an academic review is conducted to assess the student's performance and determine the appropriateness of probation or dismissal.

If the Committee finds that a probationary period is warranted, the Committee will work closely with the student to develop a personalized plan aimed at improving their academic performance. This plan may include additional support, resources, or academic interventions to assist the student in overcoming any challenges they may be facing.

However, if despite these efforts, the student's academic performance does not show improvement, the university may proceed with dismissing the student from the learning program. The dismissal decision is made after careful consideration and is intended to maintain the academic standards and integrity of the institution.

In the event of a dismissal, students have the right to appeal the decision through the established appeal process. The appeal provides an opportunity for the student to present any relevant information or circumstances that may warrant a reconsideration of the dismissal decision.

Academic Dismissal

If a student fails to meet the terms and conditions of probation, they may be dismissed from the University. Students who are dismissed from the School for poor academic performance will be informed in writing by registered mail. The School will also notify the Office of the University Registrar, the Office of Admissions and the student’s adviser.

Appeal

A student may appeal the School’s decision of academic dismissal if the student believes their dismissal was the result of an administrative error or if the student can offer compelling reasons for their academic standing. The student must request an appeal within 15 days from the date of the dismissal decision. This request must include a personal statement explaining the student’s poor academic performance and showing the compelling reasons why the student should not be dismissed. The student may be asked to meet in person with School officials. The decision reached by the School in response to an appeal is binding.