Graduate Academic Standing
In addition to academic expectations regarding Academic Standing, recipients of all forms of financial assistance are expected to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress. Although Franklin Pierce University expects every graduate student to strive for academic excellence, at a minimum, all graduate students must achieve a term grade point average (TGPA) and a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 (B) or higher to remain in good academic standing. Graduate students may have no more than two grades below a B- factored into the calculation of the CGPA at the time of graduation. Only grades of C+ or lower may be repeated.
Grades or credits earned or submitted after the assignment of sanction will not change the academic sanction for that semester but will be included in the review of academic progress at the conclusion of the following semester. Students not meeting this minimum standards policy will be required to establish and sign a Learning Contract with their academic advisor. In cases where programmatic promotion policies are more stringent than these standards, the student will be bound by the programmatic policies.
A graduate student’s academic record must give evidence that they have reasonable prospects of completing the degree requirements. At the close of each term, academic records will be reviewed by the Academic Director in conjunction with the Dean and if necessary, appropriate sanctions will be applied.
Warning
Warning letters are issued to students who receive course passing grades (C or greater) but:
- Earn a single grade below (B-) during the term or
- Earn a term GPA below 3.00, when taking a single course.
Probation
If a student fails to achieve a 3.00 term GPA and/or CGPA then that student is deemed to be not in good academic standing. Students on academic probation must improve their academic standing during the next term.
Students may be placed on Academic Probation if they earn a:
- Term GPA below 3.00, when taking more than one course that term or
- Second grade below B- or
- CGPA below 3.00 or
- Single grade of F in a term (grades of C-, D+, D and D- do not apply to the graduate programs)
Deferred Suspension
Students may be placed on Deferred Suspension if:
- Their CGPA is below 2.00, or
- Earn a third grade below B-, or
- Have previously been placed on Academic Probation without demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, and follow-through on their Learning Contract.
Academic Suspension
A temporary separation from the University is required when a student’s academic record
does not give evidence of satisfactory progress toward meeting degree requirements.
Students may apply for readmission after a suspension by complying with reinstatement
criteria (outlined as follows).
Students may be placed on Academic Suspension if:
- Their CGPA is below 2.00, or
- Earn a third grade below B-, or
- Have previously been placed on Deferred Suspension without demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, and follow-through on their Learning Contract.
Academic Dismissal
Academic dismissal is permanent separation from the University. The student may not apply for reinstatement or readmission to any Franklin Pierce University program. A student may be academically dismissed when that student has been academically suspended from Franklin Pierce University on two or more separate occasions.
Appeals
Students wishing to appeal an academic suspension or dismissal may do so in writing within the term following the action. The student discusses the suspension or dismissal first with the Program Director. If agreement is not reached at that level the student may appeal to the appropriate Dean to appeal the sanction or for reinstatement into the program.
The Dean will forward the appeal to the Graduate Academic Standards Committee. The GASC will consider such appeals and make recommendations to the applicable Dean, who will render final decisions.
A student remains on suspension for at least one term and until the student applies for reinstatement. The timing of the suspension may be longer based on the program requirements.
Students wishing to apply for appeal of an academic sanction or reinstatement following
suspension or dismissal, prepare an appeal. The following must be prepared for this
appeal:
- Graduate Student Appeal Form
- A Learning Contract prepared with the Academic Advisor that addresses the reason(s) the student desires to return to Franklin Pierce University, a reflection on why the student did not do well in the past, and the strategies the student plans to employ to bolster future academic success; develop an educational plan of study for the terms of the suspension/dismissal
- Submit the Learning Contract to the Program Director
- Meet with the Program Director to discuss the Learning Contract and the possibility of reinstatement. If there is not agreement reached at this level the student appeals to the Dean.
The Dean forwards this appeal to the Chair of the GASC who will request a letter from the Program Director regarding the situation that has led to this suspension/dismissal. The GASC makes a recommendation to the appropriate Dean.
The Dean may act on that recommendation or have a follow-up conversation with the student before making a determination. In either case, the Dean's decision is final, and the student will be notified in writing by the Dean's office. The Dean's office will also alert the following: the Academic Advisor, the Program Director, the Registrar, and Student Financial Services.
If students have an outstanding financial obligation to the University, that account will need to be brought current before the student may return to classes. Reinstatement to the University with a cumulative grade point average less than 3.00 will result in the placement of the student on Academic Probation.
Disciplinary Suspension or Dismissal
Students who are suspended or dismissed for disciplinary reasons will receive AW grades, reflecting an Administrative Withdrawal, effective on the date of suspension or dismissal. Dismissal is a permanent action. Details are noted in the Student Code of Conduct.
Contact Our Admissions Team
Undergraduate Admissions
(800) 437-0048
admissions@franklinpierce.edu
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Graduate/Online Admissions
(800) 325-1090
FPUonline@franklinpierce.edu
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.