6.5.2lp2 Academic Standing


Adopted: January 2011
Reviewed: February 2019; July 2020, May 2023
Last Modified: May 2023
Scope: Students
Contact: Registrar
Owner: Vice President of Academic Affairs

Calculation of Grade Point Average (GPA)

For calculating GPA, each letter grade has a point value. Listed below are the values:

A = 4
B = 3
C = 2
D = 1
F = 0

The grade points are determined by multiplying the number of points a grade is worth times the credit hours a course carries. A grade of A (4 points) in a 3 credit hour course (4 x 3) equals 12 points. The same grade A in a 4-credit hour course (4 x 4) equals 16 points.

Example: A student's grades may appear as follows:

        Course     Credit Hours     Grade      Quality Points  
ENGL 1010 Fundamentals of English          3    B (3)    9
MATH 1012 Foundations of Mathematics              3    A (4)    12
CIST 1001 Computer Concepts    4    D (1)    4
Total Grade Points                  25

For this example, the GPA is calculated by dividing the Total Grade Points (25) by the total Credit hours (10) which yields a GPA of 2.5.

Good Standing

A student who maintains a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C) or better is considered to be in good academic standing.

Academic Probation

A student who fails to maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA will be placed on academic probation. The purpose of academic probation is to alert the student that his/her academic performance is not acceptable and to point out the possible consequences if improvements are not made during the next semester of enrollment. A student placed on academic probation (or admitted on probation) must attain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA by the end of the next semester in attendance to remove himself/herself from probationary status. A student who fails to do so is subject to academic dismissal.

Academic Dismissal

A student who fails to attain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA the next semester in attendance after being placed on probation is subject to academic dismissal. A student who is academically dismissed must stay out of college one full semester before contacting the Registrar's Office to request reinstatement. If a student waits longer than two full semesters, she/he must reapply for admission to the college. A second academic dismissal could constitute a final dismissal from the student's current program of study.

Academic Dismissal Waiver Request Procedure

Any student placed on academic dismissal may request a one-time waiver (of the one semester absence from the college) by petitioning the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The waiver request should be in writing and should include the reason for the decline in GPA and the plan to correct the problem or situation including steps taken to prevent future grade problems. The Vice President will consider prior academic history, work responsibilities, time constraints, etc. in determining whether to grant the waiver request.

If the Vice President decides to grant the one-time waiver request, he/she will notify the student, Program Director, and the Registrar's Office in writing or via email.