Academic Probation, Dismissal, and Continuous Enrollment Policy

Reason for Policy

Standardizing the criteria for academic probation, dismissal, and continuous enrollment allows for greater understanding and consistency. Programs may create more specific probation and dismissal policies if desired, and students will be held to their specific program policy. When in place, the program specific policy applies rather than this general policy. Students need to have clearly articulated criteria for being placed on and removed from probation, suspension, or academic warning. This policy is in addition to other University policies that might interact with this policy. 

Policy Statement

The following criteria will guide the determination of placing a student on academic probation or for  dismissal in the School of Nursing:

Academic Probation

1. A student will be placed on academic probation if any of the following conditions occurs:

   1. If either the student’s term or cumulative GPA is below 3.0.

   2. If one unsatisfactory grade (grade lower than C-/N) is earned during the semester. 

   3. If two or more Incomplete and/or W grades are earned in one semester. 

2. A student on academic probation will have a hold placed on the student record and must obtain approval from the Assistant Director of OSCAS/Doctoral Programs Coordinator in order to register for classes or make changes to the existing registration.

3. An Academic Success plan will be developed in collaboration with the Assistant Dean, and Assistant Director of OSCAS/Doctoral Programs Coordinator specifying the probationary term and requirements that the student must meet in order to be removed from academic probation.  This contract must be in place before the student takes any classes while on academic probation.

Dismissal

1.  A student is subject to dismissal from the program if any of the following conditions exists:

   1. If the student earns two (2) or more unsatisfactory grades (lower than C-/N) in required courses in the student’s approved plan of study.

   2. If the student fails to fulfill the conditions of the probation contract. The dismissal is effective immediately upon violation of the contract.

   3. If both the student’s term and cumulative GPAs fall below 3.0 at any time during the probation term as defined within the probation contract.

   4. If at any time during the probation term (defined within the probation contract) the student earns an unsatisfactory grade (grade lower than C-/N)

   5. If a student is unable to comply with program expectations including but not limited to location attendance requirements, unresolved incomplete grades, unable to progress through established milestones etc). 

Continuous Enrollment: 

1. If a student's status is discontinued because they did not maintain continuous registration, they are eligible to request return to the program for up to one calendar year. The Assistant Dean determines eligibility for return to enrollment, and the process to be reactivated varies by degree program. OSCAS staff will provide students with guidance on the necessary steps. 

2. If more than one calendar year has passed following the deactivation of the student status for no enrollment, the student will be dismissed from the program, and the dismissal process outlined above will apply. 

Appeal: Students may appeal dismissal decisions in writing to the appropriate School of Nursing Admission & Progression Committee within 10 working days of receipt of the dismissal.

Definitions

Contract

A formal, written document that specifies both the corrective action and associated timeline, and expectations of student performance.

Academic Probation

A student is performing poorly academically and is “on notice” that further declining performance (or lack of improvement) will result in more severe consequences (dismissal).

Dismissal

Discontinued student status within the School of Nursing academic program.