Academic Eligibility

Academic Classification

All students working for any undergraduate degree conferred by this university are ranked in classes, by semester hours completed, as follows:

Freshman 0-29 semester hours of credit
Sophomore 30-59 semester hours of credit
Junior 60-89 semester hours of credit
Senior 90 or more semester hours of credit

For purposes of satisfying course prerequisites, the term "senior standing" may be defined by reference to the specified curricula of a given school or college, if it provides detailed programs leading to the attainment of a degree. A student who has completed a four-year degree and who continues undergraduate enrollment is classified as post-baccalaureate.

Academic Standing and Dismissal

Academic standing is based upon the total earned credit hours completed, including accepted transfer hours. Therefore, all new undergraduates begin with an enrollment status of eligible and earn an academic standing after their first semester with earned credits. Four categories of academic standing are established: Good, Warning, Probation, and Suspension. These categories are intended to signify a student’s progress toward graduation or to provide an opportunity for making improvements and achieving academic success. They also determine eligibility to enroll in courses at the university; however, they do not determine eligibility to enroll in specific programs, schools or colleges at the institution. In addition, an undergraduate student's standing and eligibility to enroll in courses does not ensure satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for financial aid purposes.  Students who receive financial aid should review the Financial Aid and Scholarship section of the catalog for the SAP policy.

Good Standing:

  • Students in Good Standing have earned the required cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher.
  • Students' enrollment status is marked eligible and they may continue to enroll in courses.

Warning:

  • Students on Academic Warning have earned a cumulative grade point average below 2.00. This indicates that grade standards consistent with graduation requirements are not being met.
  • Students must receive advisor approval of course load prior to continuing enrollment.  Once approved, enrollment status is marked eligible and they may continue to enroll in courses and University activities.
  • Students who are employed on campus are required to establish an action plan for academic success and have a letter of support from a supervisor as per the existing student employment policy.
  • Students who begin a semester on Academic Warning and earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher at the end of the semester will return to Good Standing.
  • Students who begin a semester on Academic Warning and continue to earn a cumulative grade point average below 2.00 at the end of the semester will move to the next standing status (Probation).

Probation:

  • Students on Academic Probation have continued to earn a cumulative grade point average below 2.00. This continues to indicate that grade standards consistent with graduation requirements are not being met.
  • Students must receive advisor approval of course load prior to continuing enrollment.  Once approved, enrollment status is marked eligible and they may continue to enroll in courses.
  • Students who begin a semester on Academic Probation and earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher at the end of the semester will return to Good Standing.
  • Students who begin a semester on Academic Probation and had earned a cumulative grade point average below 2.0 but have made substantial improvement by earning a term grade point average of 2.00 or higher will be continued on Academic Probation even though the student's cumulative grade point average does not reach the required minimum.
  • Students who begin a semester on Academic Probation, had earned a cumulative grade point average below 2.0 and have not made substantial improvement at the end of the probation term will move to the next standing status (suspension).

Suspension:

  • Students on Academic Suspension have continued to earn a cumulative grade point average below 2.00 and are now required to be dismissed from the university for a period of time. The period of time is at the college dean's discretion; students should contact the dean's office of their major for time clarification.
  • Students on Academic Suspension who have registered for a future semester will be administratively withdrawn from all classes by the Office of the Registrar and will receive notification of their academic standing via email and U.S. postal mail.

Can a student return after an Academic Suspension?

A student may return to the university after Academic Suspension if granted reinstatement status. A reinstatement after suspension is determined by the dean (or designee) of the college from which the student was suspended, or, if the student wishes to change majors/colleges, by the dean of the new college. Exceptions to the reinstatement policy may be granted by a dean.

When a student is granted reinstatement, their academic standing is reset to Academic Probation.  All academic probation standards listed above apply for the term the student is reinstated. Therefore, a second suspension will have a duration of at least one full calendar year before reinstatement can be granted again. Students should not expect to be reinstated after two suspensions unless the dean agrees that extraordinary conditions or circumstances have occurred. Additional suspensions will have a duration of at least two years.

Can a student be dismissed/suspended for other reasons?

A student may be dismissed from the university for a period of time or permanently for reasons other than those listed above for Academic Suspension. 

  • Students admitted to the university as a Conditional Admit or Strong Start student can be dismissed from the university for not meeting the requirements of those admission statuses.  Students admitted in those categories should reach out to the Resch Academic Success Center for information on dismissal and reinstatement processes.
  • Students who fail to meet their financial obligations to the university can be financially suspended from the university until all financial responsibilities are met. Students who have been financially suspended should reach out to the Office of the University Bursar for information on debt consequences, obligations, and reinstatement processes.
  • Students who have been found to violate the Student Code of Conduct may be suspended or expelled from the university.  Students who are responsible for a violation should reach out to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct for information on their status.

CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS/CONCERNS

Office:  Penguin Service Center and Record's Office
Location:  Meshel Hall
Website:  https://ysu.edu/penguin-service-center and https://ysu.edu/registrars-office