What is ACADEMIC PROBATION?

Undergraduate Students
An undergraduate student attempting 6 credits or more at SPU will be placed on first-quarter academic probation when his or her cumulative grade point average first falls below a 2.0. Once on probation, any student who earns a quarterly GPA of 2.4 or higher, yet fails to raise the cumulative GPA to 2.0 or above, will be put on probation hold. Once placed on probation hold, the student retains the same probation status as held the previous quarter, but does not move toward dismissal. The second consecutive quarter the cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 and the quarterly GPA is below 2.4, the student will be placed on second-quarter academic probation; the third consecutive quarter the cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 and the quarterly GPA is below 2.4, the student will be dismissed from the University. The academic dismissal will be noted on the student's academic record.

Students on first-quarter probation are required to meet with their counselor in Student Academic Services to develop a contract that outlines goals and appropriate means to meet those goals toward achieving academic success. This meeting must occur before the fifth day of the quarter. Students on second-quarter probation may not enroll in more than 13 credits and must meet with their counselor before the fifth day of the quarter to make appropriate changes in their class schedule. Such changes may include enrolling in study-skills classes.

A student dismissed from the University may appeal to the Academic Probation Committee for reinstatement through the University registrar. If an appeal is denied, a student may appeal again after the lapse of one year and completion of terms outlined in the dismissal letter. Once reinstated, the student's GPA is the same as when dismissed; the student may not use grades from other colleges and universities to raise the SPU GPA. A reinstated student may not enroll for more than 13 credits in the quarter in which the student is reinstated. A reinstated student will be dismissed if he or she fails to attain either a quarterly GPA of 2.4 or higher or a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above by the end of the first quarter that person returns.

If a student on academic probation leaves the University, that person resumes the same probation status upon returning as when leaving. The student is removed from probation at the end of the quarter in which a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better is achieved. A senior will not receive a degree until he or she is removed from academic probation.

Graduate Students
Any graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 shall be placed on academic probation. Students on probation may take up to 9 additional credits in the graduate program in which they have been admitted. Failure to bring the cumulative GPA to 3.0 or higher by the completion of the additional 9 credits will result in dismissal from the program and from Seattle Pacific University . In addition, a graduate student cannot graduate with a cumulative GPA below 3.0.

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