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File: Academic Policies > Academic Standards Policies

Academic Standings - Post Baccalaureate

Policy Summary

A post- baccalaureate student’s academic standing is a measurement of the quality of a student’s academic performance that is used to determine eligibility for continued enrollment.

Policy Owner

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Approval Date

February 21, 2018

Effective Date

February 21, 2018

Search Terms

pvpaa, a

Scheduled for Review

Spring 2023

I. Policy Statement

  1. Academic standing is a measurement of the quality of a post-baccalaureate student's academic performance at a given point in time. All credential seeking post-baccalaureate students are subject to this policy. Academic standings are assigned at the conclusion of every semester (fall, spring, summer). Every credential seeking post-baccalaureate student enrolled in at least one course after Census Date of a fall, spring, or summer semester will have one of the following academic standards assigned at the end of ever semester. With exception of "Reinstated from Disqualification," which is assigned only by the Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Academic Standards Committee, academic standing is solely a function of a semester and cumulative GPA. Every student will have exactly one of the following academic standings:
    1. Good Standing:  A student is on Good Standing if the most recent semester GPA is at or above 2.00 and the cumulative GPA is at or above 2.00 OR the student is in the initial semester of enrollment after academic renewal.
    2. Academic Warning: A student is on Academic Warning if and only if (a) the most recent semester GPA is below a 2.00 and (b) the cumulative GPA is at or above 2.00.
    3. First Semester on Probation: A student is on First Semester on Probation if and only if (a) the most recent semester GPA is below a 2.00, (b) the cumulative GPA is below a 2.00, and (c) the student was not on probation in the previous semester.
    4. Second Semester on Probation:  A student is on Second Semester on Probation if and only if (a) the most recent semester GPA is at or above 2.00, (b) the cumulative GPA is below a 2.00, and (c) the student was on First Semester on Probation in the previous semester.
    5. Third Semester on Probation: A student is on Third Semester on Probation if and only if (a) the most recent semester GPA is at or above 2.00, (b) the cumulative GPA is below a 2.00, and (c) the student was on Second Semester on Probation in the previous semester.
    6. Academic Disqualification: A student is on Academic Disqualification if and only if either (a) the semester GPA is below a 2.00 while on probation or (b) the cumulative GPA is below a 2.00 at the conclusion of a semester in which a student is on Third Semester on Probation.
    7. Reinstated from Disqualification: A student is on Reinstated from Disqualification if and only if the Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Academic Standards Committee assigns the student this standing.
  2. The only academic standing that is appealable is Academic Disqualification.  A student who is Academically Disqualified can appeal this status to the Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Academic Standards Committee.  The decision of the Academic Standards Committee may be appealed to the Provost or designee.

II. Cumulative Grade Point Average Standard

  1. A student whose cumulative GPA is less than 2.00 is no longer in good standing. Students have up to three semesters to raise the cumulative GPA, so long as they continue to achieve 2.00 or higher semester GPAs. The purpose of this system is to allow students three semesters to incrementally repair low cumulative GPAs by achieving higher semester GPAs. Students not in good standing must achieve a semester GPA of 2.00 or higher or they will be academically disqualified. Students who have not raised the cumulative GPA to 2.00 by the end of the third semester are academically disqualified.

    Cumulative GPASemester GPAAcademic Standing

     2.00 or higher

     2.00 or higher

    Good Standing

     2.00 or higher

     Below 2.00

    Academic Warning

     Below 2.00

     Below 2.00

    First Semester on Probation

     Below 2.00

     2.00 or higher

    Second Semester on Probation if previously on First Semester on Probation

     Below 2.00

     2.00 or higher

    Third Semester on Probation if previously on Second Semester on Probation

     Below 2.00

     2.00 or higher

    Academic Disqualification if previously on Third Semester on Probation

     Below 2.00

     Below 2.00

    Academic Disqualification if previously on any level of probation

III. Consequences of Non-Compliance

  1. Below are the sanctions for each level of academic standing
    1. Good Standing:  A student on Good Standing incurs no sanction.
    2. Academic Warning: A student on Academic Warning receives a written warning via email that continued performance at the most recent term level may bring her cumulative GPA below the threshold required for graduation.
    3. First Semester on Probation: A student on First Semester on Probation receives a written warning via email that (a) her cumulative GPA is below the threshold for graduation and (b) if her next semester GPA is below a 2.00, she will be academically disqualified, and (c) she has only two more semesters to raise her cumulative GPA to a 2.00 or higher.
    4. Second Semester on Probation: A student on Second Semester on Probation receives a written warning via email that (a) her cumulative GPA remains below the threshold for graduation and (b) if her next semester GPA is below a 2.00, she will be academically disqualified, and (c) she has only one more semester to raise her cumulative GPA to a 2.00 or higher.
    5. Third Semester on Probation: A student on Third Semester on Probation receives a written warning via email that (a) her cumulative GPA remains below the threshold for graduation and (b) if her cumulative GPA is below a 2.00 after the next semester in which she takes classes, she will be academically disqualified.
    6. Academic Disqualification: A student on Academic Disqualification receives a written notice via email and is dropped from any scheduled courses and prohibited from registering for classes as a degree-seeking student.  A student who is academically disqualified has only two possible ways to return as a degree-seeking student: (a) successfully appeal the disqualification or (b) forgo taking college-level courses at any institution for at least two (2) years and apply for Academic Renewal.
    7. Reinstated from Disqualification: A student on Reinstated from Disqualification receives a written notice via email that (a) she is no longer academically disqualified but that (b) her cumulative GPA remains below the threshold for graduation and (c) if her cumulative GPA is below a 2.00 after the next semester in which she takes classes, she will be academically disqualified.

IV. Notification of Academic Standing

At the conclusion of fall, spring, and summer semesters, an email will be sent to every credential seeking post-baccalaureate student's Fort Lewis College account explaining how they may check their academic standing for cumulative grade point average.
Students with an academic standing of academic disqualification will be provided instructions in their notification email about how to appeal.

V. Academic Standing Consequences of Withdrawing Entirely From a Semester

When a student has Withdrawal grades (AW, CW, or SW) in all courses in a fall, spring, or summer semester, this has no effect on academic standing.

VI. Consideration of Appeals and Petitions

  1. The Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Academic Standards Committee reviews student appeals and departmental three times per year in January, May, and August.
  2. Deadlines for student appeals and departmental petitions are published on the Committee's website.
  3. Students may appeal academic disqualification based on cumulative grade point average if:
  4. There are documented special circumstances why the standards were not met, and
  5. There is high probability that the student's cumulative GPA can be raised to 2.00 or higher in no more than one additional fall, spring, or summer semester of coursework
  6. Students will be notified of the Committee's decision by email to their Fort Lewis College account.
  7. If an appeal or petition is granted, the Committee, in consultation with faculty in the student's department, will establish specific requirements the student must meet and the consequences of not meeting those requirements.
  8. If an appeal is denied, the student may appeal to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Provost's decision is final.

VII. Responsibilities

For following the policy: All credential seeking post-baccalaureate students

For enforcement of the policy: Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Academic Standards Committee 

For oversight of the policy: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

For notification of policy: Policy Librarian

For procedures implementing the policy: Registrar

VIII. Definitions

Post-Baccalaureate Student:  A post-baccalaureate student has an earned bachelor's degree from Fort Lewis College or another regionally accredited institution.