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.
- Bachelor of Science students in Dietetics & Applied Nutrition need to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 and must earn a grade of C+ or higher in each of the 16 core Science and Nutrition courses.
- 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 and semester GPA of 3.00 by the end of each 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 |
Note: Bachelor of Science students in Dietetics & Applied Nutrition need to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 and must earn a grade of C+ or higher in each of the 16 core Science and Nutrition courses.
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.
Students enrolled in a dissertation course (RSCH 9011) must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress each term. Performance in this course is evaluated using grades of S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory). The following academic standing actions will be applied based on the number of cumulative unsuccessful attempts (grade of U) in RSCH 9011:
• First Unsuccessful Attempt: The student will be placed on Academic Probation for the following term. The student may continue in RSCH 9011 but must meet all conditions outlined in their probation letter.
• Second Unsuccessful Attempt: The student will be placed on Academic Warning. The student must work closely with their dissertation chair and committee to develop a remediation and completion plan.
• Third Unsuccessful Attempt: The student will be academically dismissed from the program. Dismissal notifications will be issued in writing and will outline steps for appeal, if applicable.
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.
Students enrolled in a dissertation course (RSCH 9011) must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress each term. Performance in this course is evaluated using grades of S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory). The following academic standing actions will be applied based on the number of cumulative unsuccessful attempts (grade of U) in RSCH 9011:
• First Unsuccessful Attempt: The student will be placed on Academic Probation for the following term. The student may continue in RSCH 9011 but must meet all conditions outlined in their probation letter.
• Second Unsuccessful Attempt: The student will be placed on Academic Warning. The student must work closely with their dissertation chair and committee to develop a remediation and completion plan.
• Third Unsuccessful Attempt: The student will be academically dismissed from the program. Dismissal notifications will be issued in writing and will outline steps for appeal, if applicable.
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 | 0-2.99 | 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: Students need to complete all required DPT Program courses with a grade of "C" or better.
*All students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 by the end of the each 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 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, Appeal Process, and Requests for Return*
Academically dismissed undergraduate and graduate students may no longer matriculate at the university for at least one full semester following their dismissal. The summer is an optional semester for most programs and is not counted as a semester for those programs. To return to the university, undergraduate and graduate students must submit a request for return containing the information required below to the director of academic advising. The director of academic advising may, in the director’s sole discretion, decide the request or choose to convene the Academic Appeals Committee (Committee) to decide the request. The decision of the director or the Committee, as applicable, is final. Notwithstanding anything herein, doctoral students may not return to the university following academic dismissal, except subject to a successful appeal, as described below.
* Students in programs with a specialized policy will be subject to the policy as outlined in the applicable program’s handbook.
Undergraduate Student Requests for Return
- 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 grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 and no more than one grade of C (70) in one class. No grades at or below a C are otherwise permitted.
- Discuss this process and specific deadlines with the student’s assigned academic advisor.
- Submit the student’s official transcript from the other college or university to Johnson & Wales University.
- Submit a written statement describing the circumstances leading to the dismissal, including any mitigating circumstances the student would like the director of academic advising or the Committee to consider, if any, and describing the student’s plan for academic success if approved to return to Johnson & Wales University.
Graduate Student Requests for Return
- Take at least one semester off from Johnson & Wales University.
- Discuss this process and specific deadlines with the student’s assigned academic advisor.
- Submit a written statement describing the circumstances leading to the dismissal, including any mitigating circumstances the student would like considered and describing the student’s plan for academic success if approved to return to Johnson & Wales University.
- Provide documentation of academic improvement.
Appeals of Academic Dismissal for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Undergraduate or graduate students who have been notified in writing of academic dismissal may appeal the decision.
Students who wish to appeal must submit their appeals in writing to Student Academic Services, no later than thirty (30) days from the date the student receives written notification of dismissal, unless a specific program provides for a shorter or longer appeals period. The appeal must include:
- The basis for the appeal;
- Appeals will be considered only on the following grounds:
- Procedural error: A deviation from established policy or process that materially impacted the dismissal decision;
- Factual error: Incorrect calculation of GPA or misapplication of academic standards or other similar factual error that materially impacted the dismissal decision;
- New evidence: Information not known or reasonably knowable by the decision-maker at the time of dismissal that could materially impact the dismissal decision, but only if the student did not have a reasonable opportunity to present such information to the decision-maker before the decision was made.
- Note: Disagreement with academic judgment alone is not a valid basis for appeal.
- Appeals will be considered only on the following grounds:
- A summary of any discussions with program representatives and any supporting documentation;
- The specific outcome or remedy sought;
- Any new or additional information relevant to the dismissal.
The appeal should be limited to no more than 750 words, not including relevant attachments that are directly germane to the appeal. If the student requires greater than 750 words for the student’s appeal, the student may request an increase in the word limit in writing from the program director, to be granted or denied in the program director’s discretion. Otherwise, any words above 750 in the submission and any irrelevant attachments will be disregarded.
The director of academic advising may choose to either hear and determine the appeal themselves or may choose to convene or notify the Academic Appeals Committee (Committee) and request the Committee to hear and determine the appeal.
The director or Committee may request additional information or consult with any other university personnel about the appeal and the underlying decision as they deem appropriate in their sole discretion.
The appeal shall be decided within a reasonable period of time as determined in the sole discretion of the director or Committee, as applicable.
The director or Committee, as applicable, will notify the student and the provost in writing of the final decision.
The decision of the director or Committee, as applicable shall be final and not subject to further appeal.
For avoidance of doubt, the director may act through designees at any point in this process.
Appeals of Academic Dismissal for Doctoral Students
Students who have been notified in writing of academic dismissal may appeal the decision.
Students who wish to appeal must submit their appeals in writing to the applicable college dean or such college dean’s equivalent or an applicable designee of either (collectively, dean), no later than three (3) calendar days from the date the student receives written notification of dismissal, unless a specific program provides for a shorter or longer appeals period. The appeal must include:
- The basis for the appeal;
- Appeals will be considered only on the following grounds:
- Procedural error: A deviation from established policy or process that materially impacted the dismissal decision;
- Factual error: Incorrect calculation of GPA or misapplication of academic standards or other similar factual error that materially impacted the dismissal decision;
- New evidence: Information not known or reasonably knowable by the decision-maker at the time of dismissal that could materially impact the dismissal decision, but only if the student did not have a reasonable opportunity to present such information to the decision-maker before the decision was made.
- Note: Disagreement with academic judgment alone is not a valid basis for appeal.
- Appeals will be considered only on the following grounds:
- A summary of any discussions with program representatives and any supporting documentation;
- The specific outcome or remedy sought;
- Any new or additional information relevant to the dismissal.
The appeal should be limited to no more than 750 words, not including relevant attachments that are directly germane to the appeal. If the student requires greater than 750 words for the student’s appeal, the student may request an increase in the word limit in writing from the program director, to be granted or denied in the program director’s discretion. Otherwise, any words above 750 in the submission and any irrelevant attachments will be disregarded.
The applicable dean will convene or notify an existing program appeals committee, constituted in the discretion of the dean, and request the committee to make a recommendation to the dean within three days if reasonably feasible or some longer period of time as reasonable. Following this recommendation, the dean will either uphold or not uphold the committee recommendation in the sole discretion of the dean. The dean will forward the appeal, committee recommendation, and dean’s decision to the provost for informational purposes.
The dean or committee may request additional information or consult with any other university personnel about the appeal and the underlying decision as they deem appropriate in their sole discretion.
The appeal shall be decided within a reasonable period of time as determined in the sole discretion of the dean.
The dean will notify the student and the provost in writing of the final decision.
The decision of the dean shall be final and not subject to further appeal.
For avoidance of doubt, the dean may act through designees at any point in this process. If there is no applicable dean, the position equivalent or closest to the dean shall have the responsibilities described herein.
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.