Academic Standards: Warning, Probation, Dismissal, and Reinstatement
Academic Standing
Northeastern Illinois University is committed to helping students achieve their educational goals. At Northeastern, there are five distinct classifications of academic standing, and a student's academic standing is determined each semester. All of the academic standing classifications are reflected on a student’s permanent academic record or transcript except Academic Warning.
- Good Standing
- Academic Warning
- Academic Probation
- Continued on Academic Probation
- Dismissed
Many factors (academic, personal, social, financial, etc.) can impact students’ academic performance. These classifications are designed to identify whether students are succeeding academically and whether they would benefit from support services to maintain or regain Good Standing.
In addition to this Academic Standing Policy, students who receive financial aid are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (See Minimum Standards of Academic Progress for Financial Aid Purpose section).
Undergraduate Students
Good Standing
A student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale to be classified in Good Standing. The cumulative GPA is computed on the basis of credits earned at Northeastern Illinois University only. Courses at the 100-level and higher count towards a student’s cumulative GPA. Courses that begin with “0” are developmental courses and do not count towards the cumulative GPA. The classification of Good Standing will appear on a student’s transcript.
Students must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA to graduate, although some academic programs require a cumulative GPA higher than a 2.0 to graduate.
Academic Warning
Academic Warning is designed to alert a student when the student’s current term GPA is below 2.00, and the student’s cumulative GPA is 2.00 or above. Students on Academic Warning are expected to see their academic advisor frequently and to seek support from other University resources. The classification of Academic Warning will not appear on a student’s transcript.
Academic Probation
Academic Probation occurs when a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. The student will return to Good Standing when the cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher. The classification of Academic Probation will appear on a student’s transcript.
Each student placed on academic probation will be expected to take the following actions:
- Meet with his/her academic advisor by the end of the Change of Registration period the next semester in which the student enrolls.
- Meet at least three times per semester with the academic advisor.
- Utilize appropriate University and community support services.
Continued on Academic Probation
The classification of Continued on Academic Probation occurs when a student has been placed on Academic Probation during a semester, and during the next semester the student 1) does not have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00, and 2) earns at least a 2.0 average for the semester. The classification of Continued on Academic Probation will appear on a student’s transcript.
In this situation, the student will be permitted to continue on academic probation. The student is expected to continue to take the following actions:
- Meet at least three times per semester with his/her academic advisor.
- Utilize appropriate University and community support services.
Dismissed
A student is dismissed from the University when she/he is on Academic Probation (or Continued on Academic Probation from the previous semester) and has a cumulative GPA below 2.00, and fails to earn at least a 2.00 semester GPA in the current semester. The classification of Dismissed will appear on a student’s transcript.
Student Success Programs
Exceptions to the Academic Standards policy will be made for students who have been admitted into a Student Success Program. Student Success programs include Project Success, Proyecto Pa’Lante, El Centro Scholars, and CCICS All Stars.
A student in one of the Student Success Programs who is successfully complying with the requirements of the Achievement Agreement will be subject to the above academic standards after three consecutive semesters for which the student is enrolled in his/her program (including summer). Academic standing status is reviewed at the end of the third consecutive semester after enrollment in the program.
A student in one of the Student Success Programs who is not successfully complying with the requirements of the Achievement Agreement will be removed from his/her Student Success Program and be subject to the same academic standards as a student who is not in a Student Success Program.
University Without Walls (UWW) Program
Students enrolled in the University Without Walls program shall be exempt from being placed on academic probation or being dismissed during the first 12 credit hours of formal coursework taken at Northeastern. If a UWW student takes more than 12 hours of formal credit, the normal University academic regulations will apply. The above policy has no bearing on transfer credits, or on any formal course work not completed at Northeastern.
Undergraduate Students-at-Large
Undergraduate students-at-large will be dismissed if, upon completion of four courses, they have less than a 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative GPA, and have not maintained a term GPA of 2.0 or better.
Reinstatement
An undergraduate student who has been dismissed must sit out for one semester and must petition to the Academic Standards Committee by the established deadlines to be considered for reinstatement. Reinstatement is not automatic. An undergraduate student’s chances of reinstatement will be enhanced by the student enrolling in and successfully completing courses at a regionally accredited community college or four-year school. If the petition is granted, the undergraduate student will be reinstated on academic probation and will be subject to the standards for a student on Continued on Academic Probation (see above).
A petition (written letter, university admissions application, and nonrefundable application fee) addressed to the Academic Standards Committee must be submitted to the Registrar's Office no later than July 15 for the Fall semester, November 15 for the Spring semester, or March 15 for the Summer semester in order to be considered for reinstatement.
The Academic Standards Committee is responsible for all policies governing the academic probation, dismissal and reinstatement of undergraduate students, and will recommend action to the Provost. Decisions of the Provost shall be final in all cases.
Graduate Students
To remain in good academic standing, a student in a graduate program (degree-seeking, licensure, endorsement, or certificate) must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. In addition, a graduate student in a degree or certificate program must make satisfactory progress toward his/her degree or certificate. A student must be in good academic standing to graduate.
Academic Probation
A student in a graduate program (degree-seeking, licensure, endorsement, or certificate) whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. If in subsequent terms, the student earns grades that restore his/her cumulative GPA to 3.0 or above, he/she will be returned to good academic standing. If a student needs to be placed on academic probation for a third time after he/she returned to good academic standing in two previous probation instances, he/she will be dismissed. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be dismissed without academic probation.
A student who is on academic probation and who does not restore his/her cumulative GPA to 3.0 in subsequent terms will be permitted to remain on academic probation as long as he/she earns at least a 3.0 GPA for the term. If in any subsequent term, the student on academic probation fails to earn a 3.0 GPA for the term, he/she will be dismissed.
Dismissal for Academic Reasons
A student in a graduate program (degree-seeking, licensure, endorsement, or certificate) may be dismissed from his/her program for the following academic reasons: sub-standard GPA (see Academic Probation policy); failure to make satisfactory progress toward completion of his/her program; or receiving more than six credit hours of unsatisfactory grades (e.g., C, D, or F). A student may also be dismissed as a consequence of acts of academic misconduct (see the University Code of Conduct).
To avoid dismissal, a student who has experienced extenuating circumstances may meet with his/her program advisor to request development of a plan outlining the course of action the student must follow to return to good academic standing. This plan must be approved by both the program and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Research or the Dean’s designee. Failure to meet the terms of this plan may not be appealed and will result in dismissal.
Graduate Student-at-Large: Dismissal and Reinstatement/Readmission
A graduate student-at-large will be dismissed if, upon the completion of four courses, they have earned a cumulative grade point average that is less than 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale; equivalent to a “C” average). A graduate student-at-large who has been dismissed may apply to be reinstated/readmitted no earlier than the second semester following the dismissal. The reinstatement/readmission application must include an appeal letter addressed to the Academic Standards Committee explaining the new circumstances that will allow the applicant to improve their academic performance. Deadlines for reinstatement/readmission following dismissal are July 15 for the Fall semester, November 15 for the Spring semester, and March 15 for the Summer semester. If reinstatement/readmission is granted, the student will be reinstated/readmitted on academic probation (see Graduate Academic Probation section).