The following policy has been implemented. Please see the CSU Student Handbook for more information.
Institutional Academic Progress Policy
Students are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in undergraduate programs and a 3.0 in graduate programs. Academic standards of performance have been established to ensure satisfactory progress toward a degree. These performance standards form a basis for the following academic classifications:
• Good Standing
• Academic Probation
• Academic Suspension
Guidelines and procedures for placing students in the above classifications include:
Good Standing (Active)
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduates must be maintained to be in good standing.
Academic Probation
Upon the completion of a minimum of 12 semester hours*, a student will automatically be placed on academic probation at any time that his/her cumulative GPA drops below the required minimum.** A student will remain on academic probation for 12 semester hours (four courses). While on academic probation, a student will have to demonstrate sustained satisfactory progress and develop an action plan for academic improvement, approved by their academic advisor, which may include referral to the Student Success Center. Students may be limited to enrolling in one course at a time until a cumulative GPA of 2.0 undergraduate/3.0 graduate is achieved. In addition, a student may be delayed from enrolling in the next course pending evaluation of academic progress.
Satisfactory progress requires that a student either raise the cumulative GPA to an acceptable level, or that the student makes progress towards earning the acceptable GPA during the probationary period, as detailed below
The student will be removed from probation and placed in good standing if a cumulative GPA, 2.0 or higher undergraduate/3.0 or higher graduate, is achieved after completing the required 12 semester hours required during the probationary period. If the student does not raise the cumulative GPA to good standing, the student will be placed on suspension. Please refer to the Academic Suspension Policy for details.
If the GPA for the probationary period is 2.5 or higher for undergraduates or 3.5 or higher for graduates, but the student does not raise the cumulative GPA to the minimum 2.0 or higher for undergraduates or 3.0 or higher for graduates, a secondary probation period may begin.
*Note: This does not apply to students enrolled in doctoral programs. Doctoral requirements are noted below.
**Note: Students who show substandard academic progress in their first 12 semester hours may be academically dismissed without a probationary period. See the Academic Dismissal Policy for details.
Doctoral Programs
A doctoral student may be placed on academic probation due to violation of academic integrity or whenever his/her grade point average (GPA) falls below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The conditions of academic probation are specified to the student in writing by the Office of the Registrar. Once placed on academic probation, a doctoral student has six credit hours to raise his/her GPA to 3.0 or higher. If a doctoral student does not achieve a GPA of 3.0 or higher, he/she is subject to academic dismissal from the program. The conditions of academic probation are submitted to the Program Director of Doctoral Programs by the Office of the Registrar. The Program Director of Doctoral Programs, with appropriate consultation, will determine the enrollment status of the student.
Academic Suspension
Should the probationary student fail to demonstrate satisfactory progress, he/she will be academically suspended for a period no less than 10 weeks (per course) and 8 weeks (term). A student may request reinstatement after the suspension period has expired. If a second suspension occurs, the student will be suspended for a period of at least six months before they are eligible to request re-instatement. If a third suspension occurs, the student must wait a minimum of one calendar year before requesting reinstatement.
Requests for reinstatement must be made to the Registrar no later than one month prior to the desired enrollment period. Reinstatement following academic suspension will be determined by the Reinstatement Committee and is not automatic.
Students who enroll in other colleges or universities while on academic suspension from CSU will not be eligible for reinstatement to CSU until the cumulative grade point average from these other colleges and universities is 2.0 or higher for undergraduate or 3.0 or higher for graduate.
Once reinstated, the student will return on probation for a period of 12 semester hours. The student is expected to demonstrate academic progress while on probation.
Note: Academic Suspension Policy does not apply to students enrolled in doctoral programs.
Academic Dismissal
Columbia Southern University reserves the right to dismiss students whose academic progress is substandard. Factors considered will include, but are not limited to, the number of failing grades, past academic performance, the number of withdrawn courses, and the probability of achieving satisfactory academic standing within a reasonable time frame. Students are subject to academic dismissal (without a probationary period) from the program for a full calendar year if their GPA falls below 1.0 or if they withdraw from the majority of courses within the last 12 semester hours.
Appeal or reinstatement from academic dismissal shall be made to the Appeals Board through the Office of the Registrar.
