ACADEMIC PROGRESSION, SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP)
Full-time Physical Therapy students have a maximum time frame of 11 trimesters to complete their graduation requirements, part-time students have a maximum of 14 trimesters and Flex DPT students have a maximum of 18 trimesters. Full-time Occupational Therapy students have a maximum time frame of 8 trimesters and part-time 12 trimesters.
The role of the Academic Progression and Retention Committee (APRC), in conjunction with the Student Services office, is to monitor each student’s academic progress throughout the curriculum. Grades from each faculty member are submitted to the APRC at midterm for their review. At the end of each trimester, grades are submitted to the Registrar. The Registrar will notify students who are placed on probation or are dismissed from the respective academic program of their status. The student’s advisor and the respective Program Director are also notified.
Good Academic Standing Status
Prior to completion of 58 credits it is expected that a student will meet the following minimum criteria:
• Complete at least 75% of all credits attempted each trimester
° At the completion of the 1st trimester (or 17 credit hours) have a GPA of 2.0
° At the completion of the 2nd trimester (or 36 credit hours) have a GPA of 2.3
Failure to meet any of the above criteria will result in the following actions:
• Students will be issued an Academic Warning and will be required to meet with their faculty advisor to develop a plan to improve their academic study.
• If a student fails to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progression criteria for two consecutive trimesters, they will be placed on Academic Progress Probation and will be required to meet with Academic Progression and Retention Committee (APRC).
The University requires that all students enrolled in the professional education programs have a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) after the completion of 58 credits in the academic curriculum to continue in the respective program. If a student does not achieve this level they are dismissed from the program.
Academic Progression Warning
An emailed letter of academic concern will be issued to any student whose grade in any class at midterm is below a "C" level. The intent of the concern letter is to notify the student of less than satisfactory academic progress and the potential for course failure. A student receiving an academic concern letter at midterm must contact the instructor(s) by phone or email, or meet with the instructor(s) for the course(s) within one week of receipt of the concern letter. The student and course instructor(s) will discuss the student’s performance, and the student will develop a plan, approved by the instructor, to improve future performance. The student must then contact his/her advisor of the plan. If a student does not contact his/her course instructor, a note will be placed in the student’s academic file noting the failure to comply with this policy.
An Academic Warning will be given to any student who is not in good academic standing at the conclusion of any trimester. The intent of the academic warning is to notify the student of less than satisfactory academic progress. A student receiving an academic warning at the end of the trimester must contact his/her advisor during the first week of the subsequent trimester and develop a plan, approved by the student’s advisor, to improve future performance.
Academic Progression Probation
A student who makes a grade of "D" in any course will be placed on academic probation and must undergo remediation and repeat the course for credit. Such students will be made aware in writing that they are “at risk” for failure to complete the program.
• A student who is no longer in good academic standing must meet with the instructor and their faculty advisor to develop a plan for remediation and monitoring. The plan may allow them to take additional coursework with the approval of the Program Director.
• The student must receive a grade of "C" or better to progress academically.
• If the student receives a grade of "C" or better, the student will be taken off Academic Probation.
• If the student receives a grade below "C" when retaking a course, the student will be dismissed.
Any student who is on probation may not participate in any work study program unless approved by the Program Director. Students placed on probation are at risk of not graduating from the university and not passing the national licensing exams.
Any student who does not successfully complete the coursework necessary to exit probation may be at risk of being denied federal financial aid due to not maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Dismissal and Academic Progression Appeals
A student will be dismissed if:
• An “F” is received in any course.
• Two grades of “D” are received.
• After the completion of 58 credits, the student has a grade point average below 2.5.
A student receiving a failing grade during fieldwork/internship is also subject to this policy.
The Registrar notifies the APRC and the Program Director of any students who are being recommended for academic dismissal. The student will be notified of their dismissal by the Registrar.
A student may appeal the dismissal to the Academic Appeals Committee. If an appeal is successful, a re-admission agreement between the student and the Program Director (or Dean) is made that details any conditions for the student’s continuation at the University. Re-admissions agreement can only be appealed if there are mitigating circumstances and such appeals can only be made to the University President. Please note: a student who is readmitted upon appeal must reapply to the ADA Committee for any reasonable accommodations that may have been previously granted.
When a student is suspended for academic probation or for professional misconduct they will turn in their student ID badge to the Registrar and remain off campus. The dismissed student may visit campus by appointment with the Academic Advisor or Registrar and when on campus, restrict activities to that appointment.