Academic Probation
Non-consecutive probationary semesters
Resources for Avoiding Academic Probation/Assistance While on Probation
What is Academic Probation?
Every graduate student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in his/her degree program to maintain good academic standing, and must have a cumulative 3.00 GPA or higher to be permitted to graduate. If a student's cumulative GPA drops below 3.0, even if he/she has received credit for all courses attempted, he/she will be placed on Academic Probation.
Academic Probation is a status that indicates that the School of International Service and American University are concerned that a student is experiencing difficulties in completing his/her program. As such, the School actively intervenes to work with students in probationary status to develop action plans and strategies to boost their GPAs and succeed in the program.
Impacts of Academic Probation
Probationary status impacts a student in several ways:
- The student is required to meet with at his/her academic advisor at least once during the probationary semester to discuss the status and develop strategies and discuss resources to improve his/her academic performance. A student on probationary status will not be allowed to register for subsequent semesters unless he/she has met with his/her advisor. Assuming he/she has met with his/her academic advisor, the student may conditionally pre-register for the next semester, with the understanding that the student’s registration will be cancelled if he/she fails to attain the necessary GPA or have his/her appeal for an extension of probationary status approved.
- At the end of the semester of probation, the advisor will review the student’s GPA to assess whether he/she can be taken off probation (i.e. has a GPA 3.0 or higher). If the student’s GPA remains below 3.0, he/she will be notified in writing and via e-mail (with a copy to the student’s academic advisor) of this and given the opportunity to appeal for a one-time-only one-semester extension of probationary status.
Probationary status is not recorded on a student's transcript or elsewhere in the student's permanent academic record. It remains within the student's academic advising file.
Appeals and the Appeal Process
If a student on academic probation fails to get his/her GPA above the required 3.0 threshold during the probationary semester, he/she will be notified in writing and within two weeks of notification, he/she must submit an appeal for a second semester of probation or face academic dismissal. The proposal should be directed to his/her academic advisor, whom will forward the appeal and his/her recommendation to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
If an appeal is approved, the student will be given one additional semester of probation, subject to any conditions the Associate Dean may choose to impose and will be subject to a review at the end of that semester. A student who still has a GPA below 3.0 after the second probationary semester is not permitted to appeal for additional semesters and will be academically dismissed unless significant extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control exist.
A student is not required to appeal, and he/she has the option of completing a Voluntary Withdrawal Request if he/she would prefer not to continue in the program. If an appeal is denied, or if a student fails to appeal, he/she will be subject to an Academic Dismissal.
Academic Dismissal
Academic Dismissal indicates that a student has had his/her association with the American University terminated. In all cases, a permanent notation of academic dismissal is noted on a student's transcript. This penalty is most frequently employed at the graduate level because of failure to make satisfactory academic progress (as the end of the academic probation process), or a violation of the Academic Integrity Code. The reason for the dismissal is not noted on the transcript.
Unless otherwise specified at the time of dismissal, a student who has been dismissed may apply for readmission after one calendar year. The calendar year begins on the final day of the session during which the dismissal was implemented. Readmission applications are evaluated based on the total record of the student and consistent with the admission practices in effect at the time of application. A readmitted student is governed by the academic requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
Non-consecutive Probationary Semesters
A student on academic probation who attains the necessary 3.0 GPA and has his/her probationary status removed is subject to being placed back on academic probation in a future semester should his/her GPA drop back below 3.0. Further conditions may be placed on a repeat probationer at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Resources for Avoiding Academic Probation/Assistance While on Probation
The University has several resources and offices to assist students achieve academic success, and the Graduate Advising Office encourages students to be proactive in seeking assistance and support before facing the prospect of academic probation. We encourage all students to take advantage of these resources.
Last Updated 21 December 2009
