Probation and Dismissal
Academic Standing: Good Academic Standing, Academic Warning, Probation, and Dismissal
A student’s academic standing at the University is indicated by their cumulative grade point average (cGPA). There are currently four main categories of academic standing: good academic standing, academic warning, probation, and dismissal. A student remains in good academic standing as long as they maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 for all work taken at the University. Academic warning, probation, and dismissal are actions taken by the University when a student’s cGPA falls below an acceptable level.
Academic Warning If a student's cumulative GPA drops below 2.00 at the conclusion of the semester, they will be placed on Academic Warning and given one full-time semester to raise their cGPA back to 2.00, or face academic probation. Students on academic warning will work with their advisors to develop an Academic Progress Plan, which will outline the approach and resources available to raise the student’s GPA. Academic warning is not recorded on a student's official transcript.
Academic Probation Any student who was placed on academic warning following the previous semester will either (a) return to good academic standing if their cGPA reaches a 2.00 at the end of the current semester or (b) be placed on academic probation, if their cGPA remains below 2.00. The student will have the opportunity to work with their student success coordinator and advisor to develop an Academic Progress Plan, which will outline the approach and resources available to raise their cGPA during the next regular semester. Academic probation will be recorded on a student’s official transcript.
Dismissal Any student who was placed on academic probation, continued probation, or extended probation following the previous semester, whose cGPA remains below 2.00 at the end of the current semester, will be marked for dismissal and notified as such. The student will be allowed time to appeal their dismissal to the Special Assistant to the Provost via the Dismissal Appeal Form before their upcoming schedule and housing assignment is cancelled. If the Special Assistant to the Provost grants the student an additional probationary semester, they will be marked as extended probation and may continue taking courses at the university. If the student’s appeal for extended probation is denied or they choose not to appeal their dismissal, they will not be allowed to engage in classes at WCU for one calendar year, after which time they may reapply for acceptance to WCU.
Please feel free to reach out to the Associate Registrar for Student Support, Andrea Grinwis, anytime you have questions on academic standing.
Forms Related to Academic Standing
| Academic Progress Plan (APP) |
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Students: Click here for complete instructions on completing an Academic Progress Pre-Plan Survey: APP student instructions. This is the first step in completing an APP. Advisors: Click here for complete instructions on completing an Academic Progress Plan with your advisee: APP advisor instructions. This is the second and final step in completing an APP. |
| Dismissal Appeal |
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If you have been marked as "pending dismissal," a Student Success Advocate will reach out to you to set up a meeting. Please respond to the meeting request and connect with your Student Success Advocate. This meeting will be used to gather information on the challenges you faced, as well as your future goals. This meeting will serve as your dismissal appeal. Deadline for Dismissal Appeal submission: Friday, January 12 *Students enrolled in winter courses should appeal their dismissal immediately once fall grades have been posted. (Any student who has not appealed their dismissal or who has had a dismissal appeal denied will have their enrollment and housing for the upcoming spring 2024 semester cancelled: Tuesday, January 16.) |
Academic Probation
Academic Probation is defined as "a trial period during which a student, whose cumulative GPA has fallen below acceptable standards, must bring their average up or be dismissed from the University." Once on probation, you have one full-time semester to raise your cumulative GPA back to 2.00. For complete details on academic probation, please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog.
How will I be notified that I am on academic probation?
If you are placed on Academic Probation, a notification will be emailed to you to alert you to this change in your academic standing.
Once on academic probation, how many semesters do I have to bring my cumulative GPA back to a 2.00?
You have one full-time semester to raise your cumulative GPA to a 2.00. Failure to do this will result in an Academic Dismissal.
How many times am I allowed to be on academic probation?
You may be placed on probation twice. Placement on probation for the third time will trigger an automatic dismissal.
Will academic probation prevent me from scheduling classes?
No, academic probation refers to your academic standing; it is not the same as a hold. However, if you do not meet the deadline to have an Academic Progress Plan completed, you will receive a hold on your account. An APP hold will prevent you from scheduling. (APP details found at the top of this page.)
How does probation affect Financial Aid?
The rules about satisfactory academic progress for purposes of receiving financial aid and academic probation are very different. You must pass 67% of all attempted credits and have a 2.00 cumulative GPA after four semesters (including winter and summer sessions) in order to continue to receive federal financial aid. If you receive a state grant, you must pass 24 credits for every full-time academic year a state grant is received. If you think you will be placed on academic probation, it is a good idea to speak with the Financial Aid Office to determine how your aid will be affected.
If I'm on probation, do I have to be a full-time student?
No, if you wish to drop to part-time, you may do so. In fact, if you are a full-time student on probation and you fear that you will soon be dismissed, you may wish to drop to part-time status. Any full-time student on probation for the first time, who does not return to good academic standing, but instead drops to part-time status before the end of the semester, will automatically be placed on continued probation. Once you have been placed on continued probation, however, dropping to part-time will not protect you from dismissal. Once you are placed on continued probation, you must return to good academic standing or face dismissal from the university.
If I'm on probation, am I allowed to withdraw from a class?
Yes, your academic standing does not affect your ability to make changes to your schedule. Also, if you wish to withdraw from the University for a semester or two, you may do that, as well. As long as you are only out for one or two semesters, you will not need to reapply in order to return. Keep in mind: you will still be on probation once you return. If you are out for longer than two semesters, you will need to reapply.
Academic Progress Plans (APPs)
An Academic Progress Plan is required each semester you are placed on probation. It is a way to report out on challenges you have faced, so your advisor can help you plan for future semesters and connect you with resources for additional support. You initiate the Academic Progress Plan (APP) by completing the Academic Progress Pre-Plan Survey in MyWCU. Complete instructions are linked at the top of this page.
Academic Dismissal
If you have been placed on academic probation, and you are not able to raise your cumulative GPA to a 2.00 at the end of one full-time semester, you will be subject to Academic Dismissal from the University. For complete details on academic dismissal, please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog.
I was dismissed after my first semester, how is this possible?
Any full-time student, who earns all Fs and a 0.00 cumulative GPA after their first semester at WCU, will receive an automatic dismissal. (This policy does not apply to students scheduled for fewer than 12 credits.)
Is there any way to prevent being dismissed?
If you are a full-time student on probation, you may wish to drop to part-time status. Any full-time student on probation for the first time, who does not return to good academic standing, but instead drops to part-time status before the end of the semester, will automatically be placed on continued probation. Once you have been placed on continued probation, however, dropping to part-time will not protect you from dismissal. Once you are placed on continued probation, you must return to good academic standing or face dismissal from the university.
Can I appeal a dismissal?
Yes, a student who is subject to dismissal may appeal to the Special Assistant to the Provost.
The Special Assistant to the Provost may grant a semester on extended probation if:
- You have made progress towards good academic standing and
- It is both mathematically possible and probable that you will be able to reach a 2.00, by the end of the additional semester.
To appeal a dismissal, simply connect with your Student Success Advocate, when they reach out to set up a meeting. The meeting will serve as your dismissal appeal.
Is there ever a time when a dismissal appeal is not possible?
An additional semester on extended probation will not be granted if you were dismissed because you were placed on probation for the third time.
Can I still take winter/summer courses if I'm dismissed?
No, once you are dismissed, you are not eligible to take any further course work at the University for one calendar year, unless your appeal is approved.
I received a dismissal letter, but I still see classes on my schedule. Why?
Even though you have been dismissed, your schedule for the next semester will not be canceled until you have had time to appeal. Your classes will be canceled a couple weeks before classes begin for the next regular semester. Refer to the cancellation date listed at the top of this page.
I was dismissed, but I've already paid my tuition. Will I get that money back?
Yes, you will receive a full refund for any tuition paid for the upcoming semester.
How will I be notified that I have been dismissed from the university?
If you are subject to dismissal from WCU, an email will be sent to your WCU email address to alert you to this change in your academic standing.
I was dismissed from WCU, may I take classes elsewhere?
Yes, if you are dismissed from the University, you may go elsewhere for coursework. In fact, students who wish to eventually reapply to WCU are encouraged to take courses at another university, in order to show their ability to maintain good academic standing while doing college-level work. Keep in mind, however, if there are courses that you need to repeat for a higher grade, you must do so at WCU.
I was dismissed from WCU a year ago. How do I reapply?
You don't need to check in with the Academic Affairs Office before reapplying. Simply fill out the application for readmission. Once you've completed and submitted your application, the Admissions Office will forward all the necessary paperwork to the Academic Affairs Office for review.