Academic Progress
Students are expected to maintain adequate academic progress towards their degree. On occasion, students may experience difficulties that result in the enactment of academic policies. These academic difficulty and recovery policies are meant to help students be aware of their academic standing and potential repercussions.
Academic recovery is possible.
It is important to know that academic recovery is possible, and there are resources available to assist students in these situations. Academic advisers can play an important role in helping you to get back on track.
Contact Academic Advising Center as a first step in this important process.Penn State Scranton Advising Center located in The Hawk Student Success Center, |
Academic Action Plan Questions
- What is an Academic Warning?
- What are the consequences of being on Academic Warning?
- What is an Academic Warning Hold?
- How do I remove the registration hold while on Academic Warning?
- How do I remove myself from Academic Warning?
- What is the cumulative grade-point average and how is it calculated?
- Why must I meet with an adviser or department chair to prevent/remove the registration hold?
- What is academic suspension?
- Can I return to the University after a suspension?
- What does it mean to be academically dismissed?
What is an Academic Warning?
Maintaining adequate progress for a degree is defined by meeting a 2.00 cumulative GPA (CGPA). Students who do not maintain a 2.00 CGPA move into a status of academic warning. While on academic warning, you will have a hold placed on the registration of subsequent semesters and must meet with an academic adviser to remove this academic warning hold. All notifications concerning the hold will be sent to your Penn State email address. Policy 54-20.
What are the consequences of being on Academic Warning?
At the time that final grades post, if on Academic Warning, a registration hold will be placed on a student’s account that prevents enrollment for subsequent semesters. The hold will allow students to adjust their current schedule, but prevent enrollment for subsequent terms.
Also, while on Academic Warning, students must maintain a minimum semester grade-point average of 2.00. If a student does not meet the minimum semester grade-point average while on Academic Warning, they will be put on Academic Suspension (unable to enroll at any Penn State campus for two consecutive semesters).
What is an Academic Warning Hold?
While on academic warning, you will have a hold placed on the registration of subsequent semesters and must meet with an academic adviser to remove this academic warning hold. All notifications concerning the hold will be sent to your Penn State email address.
How do I remove the registration hold while on Academic Warning?
Students in academic warning are required to meet with their assigned academic adviser, program coordinator, or a professional adviser in the Advising Center. Following these meetings, the academic advise, program coordinator, or professional adviser can request the removal of the registration hold.
How do I remove myself from Academic Warning?
By reaching a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00, students are no longer on Academic Warning.
What is the cumulative grade-point average and how is it calculated?
The cumulative grade-point average is the weighted mean value of all grade points earned through enrollment in Penn State courses including online courses and any Penn State campus. A semester grade-point average is calculated using only Penn State courses completed for one specific semester. Please visit the University Registrar’s Grade-Point Average site for more information.
You can find both cumulative grade-point average and averages for each semester by viewing your unofficial transcript in LionPATH.
Why must I meet with an adviser or department chair to prevent/remove the registration hold?
Academic warning is not a punishment or the end of your academic career. The hold is a notification to seek help in taking an active approach to improving your academics. Read Policy 54-20.
During the required discussion with your adviser, you may be asked to:
- Reflect on challenges
- Discuss campus resources
- Plan a balanced schedule
- Understand GPA, grades, policies
- Develop a plan for success
- Schedule follow-up meeting(s)
Academic Suspension and Dismissal
What is academic suspension?
- Students who earn less than a 2.00 semester GPA while in Academic Warning will be suspended from the University. Academic suspension prevents enrollment at Penn State for two semesters. See Policy 54-40
Can I return to the University after a suspension?
- A student who returns to the University must complete re-enrollment and return in academic warning status with his/her previous GPA and a hold on registration.
- Suspended students must meet with an academic adviser in Academic Advising Services prior to re-enrollment. The deadline to re-enroll during an eligible semester is two weeks prior to the semester start.
- Policy 58-00 covers Re-enrollment as a Degree Candidate.
What does it mean to be academically dismissed?
Students placed on academic suspension and fail to achieve at least a 2.00 semester GPA, will be academically dismissed. After a period of four calendar years, academically dismissed students may seek re-enrollment to the University by requesting academic renewal.
Making the Most of Campus Resources
Please complete this form and discuss it with your adviser. As you list goals, please make them as specific and achievable as possible. The resources listed below may be helpful as you begin to define your goals:
| Campus Resource | Location | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Advising | Study Learning Center, Hawk Student Success Center |
Academic recovery assistance, academic planning, exploring majors. |
| Career Services | Study Learning Center, 101G | Career direction/assessment, resume/cover letter prep, interviewing/networking tips |
| Counseling and Psychological Services | Study Learning Center, 101H | Emotional, psychological, educational, social and cultural development of students |
| Disability Services | Study Learning Center, Hawk Student Success Center |
Disability related documents, establishes academic accommodation plans. |
| Financial Aid | Dawson Building, 5 |
Financial Aid eligibility, work-study positions, scholarship/loan information, Veteran’s benefits. |
| Health Services | Study Learning Center, 10 | Submit PSU Immunization Requirements, seek accommodations for physical disabilities and temporary physical injuries, locate student health insurance information |
| Learning Center | Study Learning Center, Hawk Student Success Center |
Academic coaching, tutoring, writing assistance |
| Library Services | Library Building | Subject Librarians are available for all subjects. See a complete list of University Librarian Subject Guides |
| Student Leadership and Involvement | Study Learning Center, 101 |
Involvement in Student Organizations, |