Academic Standing
A student's academic standing is based on grade point average (GPA) in conjunction with total attempted credits (including transfer credits) and is evaluated after the completion of each semester of enrollment. Academic standing standards differ by program of study. Refer to the academic standing charts below for specific requirements.
Students who meet the following criteria are considered to be in good academic standing:
- Undergraduate students need a minimum GPA of 2.0.
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing students need a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must earn grades of B/80 or higher in each course. In addition, students are only allowed to repeat one class during their time in the program. A single course failure in the first semester will not result in dismissal. However, if a student fails to meet the minimum grading standard require in any two courses, whether it is in a single semester or different semesters, they will be dismissed.
- Graduate students need a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Doctor of Business Administration and Occupational Therapy Doctorate students need a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, students must earn grades of B- or higher in each course. No classes may be repeated.
- Doctor of Physical Therapy students must earn grades of C or higher in all required Doctor of Physical Therapy Program courses. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.70 by the end of the second semester, cumulative GPA of 2.90 by the end of the third semester, and cumulative GPA of 3.0 by the end of the fourth semester as outlined in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Handbook.
- Doctor of Education students need a minimum GPA of 3.25 and students must earn grades of B- or higher in each course. No classes may be repeated.
- Combined bachelor/graduate program students need a minimum GPA of 3.0 in graduate-level coursework.
- M.A.T. students must keep a cumulative program GPA of 3.0 and cannot fail any class. There is only one semester of academic probation allowed within the program, and a minimum program GPA of 3.0 must be attained/maintained in order to enroll in student teaching coursework in the second year of the program.
According to the following standards, students who do not satisfy good academic standing requirements will be placed on academic probation or dismissed.
Academic Standing Standards: Undergraduate Day and Online Programs (including English as a Second Language)
First-Semester Students
| Status at Start of Semester | Total Credit Hours Attempted | Cumulative GPA | Status after Semester Completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 2.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 0–1.99 | Probation 1st Semester |
Returning Students
| Status at Start of Semester | Total Credit Hours Attempted | Cumulative GPA | Status after Semester Completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 2.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Good Standing | 0–18 | 1.0–1.99 | Probation 1st Semester |
| Good Standing | 0–18 | 0–.99 | Academic Dismissal |
| Good Standing | 18.1–36 | 1.26–1.99 | Probation 1st Semester |
| Good Standing | 18.1–36 | 0–1.25 | Academic Dismissal |
| Good Standing | 36.1–higher | 1.5–1.99 | Probation 1st Semester |
| Good Standing | 36.1–higher | 0–1.49 | Academic Dismissal |
| Probation 1st Semester | 0–higher | 2.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Probation 1st Semester | 0–18 | 1.0–1.99 | Probation 2nd Semester |
| Probation 1st Semester | 0–18 | 0–.99 | Academic Dismissal |
| Probation 1st Semester | 18.1–36 | 1.26–1.99 | Probation 2nd Semester |
| Probation 1st Semester | 18.1–36 | 0–1.25 | Academic Dismissal |
| Probation 1st Semester | 36.1–higher | 1.5–1.99 | Probation 2nd Semester |
| Probation 1st Semester | 36.1–higher | 0–1.49 | Academic Dismissal |
| Probation 2nd Semester | 0–higher | 2.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Probation 2nd Semester | 0–higher | 1.0–1.99 | Academic Dismissal |
| Academic Warning | 0–higher | 2.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Academic Warning | 0–36 | 1.25–1.99 | Probation 1st Semester |
| Academic Warning | 0–36 | 0–1.24 | Academic Dismissal |
| Academic Warning | 36.1–54 | 1.5–1.99 | Probation 1st Semester |
| Academic Warning | 36.1–54 | 0–1.49 | Academic Dismissal |
| Academic Warning | 54.1–72 | 1.75–1.99 | Probation 1st Semester |
| Academic Warning | 54.1–72 | 0–1.74 | Academic Dismissal |
| Academic Warning | 72.1–higher | 0–1.99 | Academic Dismissal |
Academic Standing Standards: Physician Assistant Studies
| Status at Start of Semester | Total Credit Hours Attempted | Cumulative or Term GPA | Status after Semester Completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 3.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 2.0–2.99 | Probation |
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 0–1.99 | Academic Dismissal |
| Probation | 0–higher | 3.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Probation | 0–higher | 0–2.99 | Academic Dismissal |
| Academic Warning | 0–higher | 3.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Academic Warning | 0–higher | 0–2.99 | Academic Dismissal |
Note: For course grades below C, students may be dismissed, decelerated to the next cohort, and/or delayed in graduation.
Academic Standing Standards: Graduate Programs
Combined bachelor/graduate program students must meet these standards for the graduate-level coursework for which they are enrolled.
| Status at Start of Semester | Total Credit Hours Attempted | Cumulative GPA | Status after Semester Completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 3.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 2.0–2.99 | Probation 1st Semester |
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 0–1.99 | Academic Dismissal |
| Probation 1st Semester | 0–higher | 3.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Probation 1st Semester | 0–higher | 2.0–2.99 | Probation 2nd Semester |
| Probation 1st Semester | 0–higher | 0–1.99 | Academic Dismissal |
| Probation 2nd Semester | 0–higher | 3.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Probation 2nd Semester | 0–higher | 0–2.99 | Academic Dismissal |
| Academic Warning | 0–higher | 3.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Academic Warning | 0–higher | 0–2.99 | Academic Dismissal |
Academic Standing Standards:
Doctor of Business Administration
Occupational Therapy Doctorate
| Status at Start of Semester | Total Credit Hours Attempted | Cumulative GPA | Status after Semester Completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 3.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 0–2.99 | Academic Dismissal |
Note: Students will be dismissed if their GPA is less than 3.0, or when they earn a grade lower than B- in any course. No classes may be repeated.
Academic Standing Standards:
Doctor of Education
| Status at Start of Semester | Total Credit Hours Attempted | Cumulative GPA | Status after Semester Completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 3.25–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 0–3.24 | Academic Dismissal |
Note: Students will be dismissed if their GPA is less than 3.25, or when they earn less than a B- in any course. No classes may be repeated.
Academic Standing Standards:
Doctor of Physical Therapy
| Status at Start of Semester | Total Credit Hours Attempted | Cumulative or Term GPA | Status after Semester Completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 3.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 2.70–2.99 | Academic Probation* |
| Good Standing | 0–higher | 0-2.69 | Academic Dismissal* |
| Probation | 0–higher | 3.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Probation | 0–higher | 0–2.99 | Academic Dismissal * |
| Academic Warning | 0–higher | 3.0–4.0 | Good Standing |
| Academic Warning | 0–higher | 0–2.99 | Academic Dismissal* |
Note: Students need to complete all required DPT Program courses with a grade of "C" or better.
*All students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.70 by the end of the second semester, cumulative GPA of 2.90 by the end of the third semester, and cumulative GPA of 3.0 by the end of the fourth semester as outlined in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Handbook.
Academic Recovery
Academic Recovery is a collaborative process between the student and their assigned advisor/academic advisor to explore and address the circumstances that may have led to their probation status. Students not in good academic standing will not be able to register until they have met with their assigned academic advisor. At this meeting, the academic recovery plan will be reviewed. An academic agreement outlining the grades needed to return to good academic standing will also be developed and the schedule hold will be removed. Students are urged to make an appointment with their assigned academic advisor at the beginning of their probation semester.
Academic probation may affect a student’s ability to graduate. Graduate program students and Accelerated Master's Program students are allowed a maximum of two semesters on academic probation, with the exception of M.A.T. students, which may have only one semester of academic probation.
First-semester undergraduate students earning a cumulative GPA less than 1.0 are strongly encouraged to work with an academic success coach and attend tutoring in identified content areas.
Academic Dismissal and Appeal Process
Academically dismissed undergraduate and graduate students may no longer matriculate at the university for at least one semester and are expected to work on academic deficiencies. The summer is an optional semester for most programs and is not counted as a semester off for those programs. To return to the university, undergraduate and graduate students must petition the Academic Appeals Committee, providing a letter of intent and documentation of academic improvement. The committee will also consider appeals that document mitigating circumstances. Students may only appeal dismissal once and the decision of the committee is final. Doctoral students follow the requirements and process outlined below.
Undergraduate Student Requirements*
-
Take at least one semester off from Johnson & Wales University.
-
Take a minimum of two non-remedial classes at another accredited college or university within the same semester. Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.50 and at a minimum, only one grade of C (70) in one class is permitted.
-
Discuss this process and specific deadlines with their assigned academic advisor.
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Submit their official transcript from the other college or university.
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Submit a written statement about the circumstances of the dismissal and their plan for academic success if approved to return to Johnson & Wales University.
* Students in programs with specialized policy will be subject to the appeals process as outlined in the program's handbook.
Graduate Student Requirements
- Take at least one semester off from Johnson & Wales University.
- Provide a letter of intent and documentation of academic improvement.
- Discuss this process and specific deadlines with their assigned academic advisor.
- The Academic Appeals Committee meets once per semester to review all graduate-level appeals.
Doctoral Student Requirements
- A written appeal of academic dismissal must be submitted to the doctoral program director in writing no later than 30 days after the date of the notice of dismissal. The letter of appeal should include a) the basis for the appeal; b) a summary of discussions, if any, between the student and representatives of the student's program, such as the student's major advisor and/or the student's doctoral program director; and c) outcome or remedy proposed by the student. The letter may include additional or new relevant information. The doctoral program director will communicate with the dean of the appropriate college by transmitting the student's letter of appeal.
- Grounds: The following are grounds for appeal: 1) incorrect calculation of grade point average; 2) misapplication of standards for academic performance and satisfactory progress by the appropriate college; 3) circumstances which had not been known which might be relevant to the dismissal.
- Disposition: The dean of the appropriate college may 1) act on the appeal, 2) appoint a designee to collect additional information for the dean, or 3) constitute a three-person ad hoc review committee from the college. The purpose of the ad hoc committee is to provide an opinion and recommendation to the dean regarding the appeal. The ad hoc committee will review all materials and communications related to the case. Additional information may be requested.
- The dean will inform the student and the doctoral program director in writing of the disposition of the appeal. If a dean's designee is appointed, the student and the doctoral program director will be informed of the name and contact information for the dean's designee.
- The dean’s decision with respect to a student's appeal shall be final. The student and the doctoral program director will be informed in writing of the dean's decision.
Academic Warning
Students who are reinstated into the university are placed on Academic Warning. These students risk permanent dismissal from the university if they are unable to meet academic standing guidelines. The warning designation is sometimes used to override academic standing decisions at the end of the semester due to mitigating circumstances.
These undergraduate students will be allowed to register for a maximum of 15 credits. In addition, these students may be required to attend academic success coaching and tutoring in identified content areas. Failure to complete these requirements may result in immediate dismissal.