Academic Policies
Monitoring Student Progress
The academic progress of all students is monitored so they and their advisors can be alerted at an early stage if some academic problem has arisen. Students who are placed on “Instructional Probation” or “DC Alert,” as described below, work with their advisor, department faculty, or the DC Office until they have reached a satisfactory level.
Academic Probation
If any of the events listed below occur in one semester, students are placed on Academic Probation for the following semester. Academic Probation is listed permanently on the student’s transcript for the semester in which they receive the alert status. The probationary period is for the next semester the student is enrolled. If they receive no more “NC” grades during this period and the instructional grade point average (GPA) is at an acceptable level by the end of the next semester, they will no longer be on probation.
Undergraduate students are placed on Probation when, in one semester, they receive:
- six or more units of “NC” grades, or
- a semester or cumulative GPA of less than 2.0.
Master’s students are placed on Probation when, in one semester, they receive:
- one or more unit of “NC” grades, or
- a semester or cumulative GPA of less than 3.0.
Doctoral students are placed on Probation when, in one semester, they receive:
- any course grade below a “B.”
Development of Consciousness (DC) Course Alert
Students are placed on DC Alert when they do not receive a passing grade in their Development of Consciousness course for any semester or have a very low group program attendance in the first half of a semester.
DC Alert is not listed on the student’s transcript but does require the student to meet with faculty from the Department of Development of Consciousness before registering for the next semester. At this meeting, a strategy is developed with the student to help them correct the situation. As part of this strategy, the student is required to pass their next semester’s DC course.
Students have until the registration for the next academic year to bring any NP grades in DC courses up to passing. If they have not, students will be required to wait to register for classes until this has been completed.
Suspension
Students are eligible for suspension from the University if they receive a grade of “NC” while on Probation, do not fulfill the terms of DC Alert, or their GPA remains below acceptable levels for an additional semester. A suspension meeting will be held which will include members of the Department of Student Life. The student’s Departmental Advisor may also attend and the student may invite one student, faculty, or administrator as a representative. The members of the Department of Student Life will determine the decision on suspension.
A suspension may be one or two semesters in length. A suspended student must apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions before returning to the University.
NOTE: The decision of the committee is final, though the student may seek a review by the Academic Council through the Dean of Faculty within 72 hours.
Additional Points for Graduate Students
Master’s Programs —Some departments will not permit students to remain in a program if there is an accumulation of more than a specified number of graduate credits with lower than a “B” grade even though the overall Grade Point Average is 3.0. Students who fail to meet the standards set by the department may be required to withdraw at the end of any block.
Doctoral Programs —These programs require a grade of “B” or higher in all courses. Doctoral students who are unable to meet the standard of doctoral quality work, as determined by the advisory committee, may be asked to withdraw at the end of any block. At the end of each semester, the advisory committee interviews all doctoral students to evaluate and discuss their progress in the program.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students receiving University scholarships or financial aid from the U.S. federal government are required to meet additional academic requirements in order to continue receiving these funds. A brochure entitled “How to Maintain Your Financial Aid Eligibility” explains these additional requirements and is available from your Financial Aid Office located in the Enrollment Center.
The content of this page was reviewed in January 2011.
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