Online Undergraduate
Academic Standing

In addition to academic expectations regarding Academic Standing, recipients of all forms of financial assistance are expected to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress.

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The Office of the Registrar reviews each student’s academic progress at the end of every term. At the end of every 12 credit hours attempted, however, students with low (2.0-2.1 CGPA) or unsatisfactory (below 2.0 CGPA) academic progress will receive an academic sanction. Those sanctions include: warning, probation, suspension, and dismissal.

Academic Warning
Students with a CGPA between 2.0 and 2.1 at the end of a 12-credit hour reporting cycle will be placed on academic warning. Students on academic warning may still register for 2 courses per term. This notification, which is copied to the Academic Advisor, serves simply to alert the student that they are close to entering a probationary status.

Academic Probation
Students with a CGPA between 1.0 and 2.0 at the end of a 12-credit hour reporting cycle will be placed on academic probation. A student on academic probation is allowed to register for no more than one course per term. Students stay on academic probation until the CGPA rises to 2.0 or higher, but may spend no more than two evaluation periods on probation before being suspended from the university. 

A copy of the notification placing the student on academic probation will be sent to the student’s advisor, to the applicable Dean’s office, and to the Student Success Center (SSC). Students placed on academic probation must discuss strategies for raising the CGPA with the advisor, who may recommend the student discuss learning strategies with the Dean (or designee) and/or a representative of the Student Success Center.

Academic Suspension
A student is placed on academic suspension if:

•  The CGPA is below 1.0 at the end of the first 12-credit hour reporting cycle; or
• The CGPA is below 1.5 at the end of the second 12-credit hour reporting cycle; or
• The CGPA is below 2.0 at the end of any subsequent 12-credit hour reporting cycle; or
• The student has spent two terms on academic probation without raising the CGPA to 2.0 or higher.

Appeals
Students wishing to appeal a sanction may do so in writing by following the process and deadline outlined in their Notice of Suspension. The Academic Standards Committee 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.

Students wishing to apply for reinstatement must:

• Submit a Learning Contract to 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;
• Work with the Academic Advisor to develop an education plan of study for the next three terms;
• Submit that plan to the Academic Advisor; and
• Meet with the Academic Advisor to discuss the possibility of reinstatement.

Once the student takes these steps, the Academic Advisor will make a recommendation to the Dean about reinstating the student. The Dean or designee may act on that recommendation or have a follow-up conversation with the student before making a determination. 

In either case, the Dean or designee’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 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 2.00 will result in the placement of the student on Academic Probation.

Academic Dismissal
Academic Dismissal is permanent separation from the University. The student may not apply for reinstatement or readmission. An online undergraduate student is subject to academic dismissal when that student has been academically suspended from Franklin Pierce University on three or more separate occasions.

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.