Good Standing and Academic Probation

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  1. A student is in good standing if he or she retains a cumulative GPA of 2.000 or better.
  2. As used in this section, the term “Probationary Semester” is defined as the fall or spring semester following a student’s placement on academic probation. A student successfully completes a Probationary Semester if the student’s cumulative GPA upon completion of the Probationary Semester qualifies the student for good standing.
  3. Students placed on academic probation may also be placed on financial aid probation as determined by the University’s Office of Student Financial Services.
  4. A student who has satisfied all other graduation requirements but has not retained a cumulative GPA of 2.000 shall not graduate. A student who has acquired ninety (90) credit hours or more but fails to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.000 shall be dismissed from the School of Law without a probationary semester.
  5. Upon completion of the first semester of study, a student will be placed on academic probation if the student has attempted to earn at least fifteen (15) credits at the School of Law and has a cumulative GPA below 2.000 but not below a 1.667. Credits are deemed attempted for all courses in which a student is enrolled after the add/drop deadline. In addition, students who are placed on academic probation upon completion of the first semester of study are subject to the following standards:
    1. A student whose Probationary Semester occurs during the second semester of study will successfully complete the Probationary Semester if the student’s cumulative GPA upon completion of that semester qualifies the student for good standing.
    2. A student whose Probationary Semester occurs during the second semester of study may be considered for a Second Probationary Semester if the student’s cumulative GPA at the end of the Probationary Semester is at least .200 higher than the student’s cumulative GPA at the beginning of the semester. A student may petition the Academic Standards Committee for continued enrollment by completing a Petition for Second Probationary Semester.
    3. In the Petition, the student shall explain the reasons the student has been unable to obtain good academic standing, the measures taken by the student to improve his or her academic performance during the initial Probationary Semester, and the student’s plan for achieving good standing if provided a Second Probationary Semester.
    4. Based upon the content of the Petition for Second Probationary Semester and the student’s academic record, the Academic Standards Committee should approve the Petition if the student provides documentation of an extenuating circumstance affecting the student’s academic performance, meets admissions standards as to character and fitness, and appears capable of satisfactorily completing the program of legal education and being admitted to the bar. The Academic Standards Committee, in coordination with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, may place conditions upon the student’s continued enrollment. Upon approval by the Academic Standards Committee, the Dean may endorse the approval or may deny the student continued enrollment. Any decision of the Academic Standards Committee to deny a Petition for Second Probationary Semester is final.
    5. Approval of a Petition for Second Probationary Semester does not guarantee that a student will be eligible for financial aid during the student’s Second Probationary Semester or any future semester.
    6. To successfully complete the Second Probationary Semester, the student’s cumulative GPA upon completion of that semester must qualify the student for good standing. Grades in any elective courses shall be excluded from the calculation of the student’s cumulative GPA for purposes of determining the successful completion of a Second Probationary Semester.
  6. Upon completion of any semester other than the first semester of study, a student will be placed on academic probation if the student has attempted to earn at least fifteen (15) credits at the School of Law and has a cumulative GPA below 2.000 but not below a 1.800. A student whose Probationary Semester occurs at any time after the second semester of study will successfully complete the Probationary Semester only if the student’s cumulative GPA upon completion of that semester qualifies the student for good standing.
  7. A student placed on academic probation at any time during his or her School of Law career must comply with the following obligations to be allowed to continue his or her legal education at the School of Law:
    1. The student must meet with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Associate Dean for Student Learning or Director of Academic Success for counseling. The counseling session will focus on strategies for improving the student’s academic performance, and the primary goal will be to develop an education plan designed to maximize the student’s chance of avoiding academic dismissal. As part of the plan, the student may be required to complete specified assignments or tasks, such as reviewing rubrics and feedback on prior exams and assignments.
    2. If required by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the student shall complete an Academic Success Probation Contract.
    3. The student shall comply with all requirements of the Academic Success Probation Program, including meeting attendance requirements with respect to meetings with program personnel, completing any tasks assigned as part of the student’s educational plan, and meeting all requirements in any academic success course the student must take because of their academic status.
    4.  A student who fails to meet any of the foregoing obligations may be dismissed from the School of Law at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.