ADMISSIONS

Academic Progress Policy

Academic Good Standing

Undergraduate or graduate students are expected to maintain a grade point average (“GPA”) of at least 2.0 or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to

remain in Academic Good Standing.

Academic Disciplinary Status Overview

GCU maintains academic disciplinary policies to encourage students to make the necessary academic and life changes to succeed.

Students who fail to meet the minimum expectations of Academic Good Standing must meet more stringent standards and regularly

consult with academic advisors.

Disciplinary Policy for Undergraduate/Graduate Students

The disciplinary policy provides a student with several opportunities to make the necessary adjustments prior to a final dismissal from GCU.

Disciplinary Status:

Academic Warning
Academic Probation
Academic Suspension (One regular term and any summer term)
Academic Dismissal

Each Disciplinary Status, except for Academic Warning, will be indicated on the student’s academic record.

1. Academic Warning

If an undergraduate/graduate student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 (undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate), the student will be

placed on Academic Warning.

Academic Warning is designed to help students make the required adjustments to achieve success and a degree at GCU. These

adjustments will vary based upon the individual circumstances of each student but should be taken seriously.

If a student is placed on Academic Warning, the student will be required to follow certain protocols and meet higher academic

standards. These protocols and standards are designed to bring the student back to Academic Good Standing and allow the student to

meet graduation requirements.

A student on Academic Warning is required to meet the following Satisfactory Progress Policy requirements for the term:

Satisfactory Progress Policy:

Earn a minimum term GPA of 2.2 for undergraduate students or 3.2 for graduate students.
May not withdraw or request an incomplete from a class. 1
Meet with the academic advisor prior to registration.
Retake all required Major and University Core Courses failed the previous term. 2
Register for a maximum of 12 credit hours for undergraduate students and 8 credit hours for graduate students. 3
Maintain satisfactory progress towards graduation.

If a student on Academic Warning meets the Satisfactory Progress Policy requirements but fails to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0(undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate), the student will remain on Academic Warning and must continue to comply with all Satisfactory Progress Policy requirements.

If at any time, a student’s cumulative GPA meets the minimum requirements of 2.0 (undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate) overall the

student will regain Academic Good Standing. A student’s cumulative GPA is only affected by GCU coursework. Coursework at

another institution cannot be used to return a student to Academic Good Standing.

Only F-1 students are required to comply with this rule.
The College Dean reserves the right to alter this requirement on a case-by-case basis.

If a student has registered for more than 12 credit hours (undergraduate) or 8 credit hours (graduate) prior to his or her placement on Academic Warning, the student’s schedule must be reduced to a maximum of 12 credit hours (undergraduate) or 8 credit hours(graduate). The student is required to meet with his or her academic advisor to find an appropriate adjustment to the student’s academic schedule.

2. Academic Probation

A student will be placed on Academic Probation for failure to meet the Satisfactory Progress Policy requirements while on

Academic Warning. A student on Academic Probation is also required to meet the Satisfactory Progress Policy requirements as

listed above.

Students who leave the University on Academic Warning or Academic Probation may be readmitted with the same status, even if

they have attended another institution in the interim. Performance at another institution will be a factor in the readmission decision.

3. Academic Suspension

Students are automatically placed on Academic Suspension for failure to meet the Satisfactory Progress Policy requirements while

on Academic Probation.

Students on Academic Suspension may not enroll in, audit, or visit a class unless readmitted as described below. Students who have

already pre-registered for classes will automatically be dropped from all classes.

When the student is academically suspended the student’s official transcript states “Academic Suspension” for the affected term.

Length of Academic Suspension

A student’s First Academic Suspension will be for a period of one regular term and any summer term.
A student’s Second Academic Suspension is Final Dismissal from OU without possible readmission.

4. Readmission

A student placed on First Academic Suspension must petition to his or her College Dean for readmission.

A student that is readmitted may be subject to additional probationary conditions placed upon them by the College Dean. Such

additional probationary conditions may be individual to the student and his or her academic circumstances but will be designed to encourage the student to reach Academic Good Standing and be eligible for Graduation.

A student who reenters the University after First Academic Suspension will re-enter on Academic Probation.

A student placed on Second Academic Suspension shall be permanently dismissed from the University without possible readmission.

Programs have the prerogative of recommending the termination of a student’s admission at any time.

The Registrar shall inform, in writing, any student who is not making satisfactory academic progress as soon as practicable after

term grades have been reviewed and the appropriate action has been taken.

A student placed on Academic Suspension or Academic Dismissal status may appeal such action by filing a written appeal with the

College Dean or designee no later than 10 working days after the date of the written notice.

The appeal shall include a brief outline of the reasons why the appeal should be granted. The decision of the College Dean or

designee on the appeal shall be final.

Academic Progress of Students

Midterm Monitoring

At midterm each quarter, all faculty members will receive a request to comment on the academic performance of their students.

Individual faculty members are often the first to notice that a student’s academic performance in a particular class is unsatisfactory

and may be indicative of overall academic difficulty and/or other problems. Indicators of difficulty may include unsatisfactory

grades; poor or inconsistent work; poor or erratic attendance; inattentiveness, agitation; change in behavior, attitude, or appearance; inappropriate and/or inconsistent behavior, etc.

The evaluations from faculty not only help academic advisers in their monitoring of a student’s academic performance and progress,

but also assist them in their efforts to provide the appropriate support and resources to the student.

Academic Review

At the end of each quarter, each program Division Committee, composed of faculty and academic staff, will review and may take

action on the record of every student whose term or cumulative grade-point average is below 2.0 for undergraduate students and 3.0

for graduate students. The Committee will determine student standing, including academic warning, academic probation,

suspension, and dismissal. All such students are notified via email. However, all students are responsible for monitoring their own

academic record and performance, and failure to receive the notification does not nullify the academic standing action. In addition,

students are encouraged to seek out assistance from the appropriate university resources.

Exercising the repeated course option does not negate prior academic standing action.

Statement of Academic Rigor

Academic rigor helps to promote lifelong learning and is an integral aspect of Great Commission University’s mission. Academic

rigor means sustaining a learning environment that challenges students to attain high levels of intellectual skills in an ethical manner.

Academic Review

Rigorous teaching permits faculty members to create learning environments that challenge students academically and encourage them to grow. Rigorous teaching requires a professional commitment to academic discipline and to inspiring students to develop their knowledge and understanding by developing their learning skills. Students should be able to expect faculty members to:

Strive to clearly communicate the course expectations and have them summarized on the syllabus, and to follow the curriculum;
Strive to come to class prepared, and to give students useful feedback on their assignments in as timely manner as the situation permits;
Strive to be available to students outside of the classroom;
Strive to make assignments relevant, meaningful and challenging;
Strive to create opportunities for learning in ways geared to students’ diverse talents and abilities;
Strive to reduce, if not eliminate, the students’ perceived need to plagiarize and to challenge plagiarism should it occur; and
Strive to evaluate our courses and ourselves.

Academic Rigor for Students

To make the most of the college experience, students should approach college in terms of a rigor complementary to the faculty’s. Rigorous learning requires fortitude, persistence, preparation, hard work, and zeal. Since college shifts students from the teachercentered style of high school learning to a student-centered style of learning, it places a higher level of responsibility for performance onto the students. Such high performance at a demanding institution can lead to a successful and satisfying career. Therefore, rigorous students should expect themselves to:

Set high expectations along with a strong sense of collegiate purpose;
Come to class prepared to work, and to submit assignments by the deadlines;
Make the most of their time with faculty members in and out of class;
Treat fellow students and the classroom with respect, and to participate in the academic process;
Manage their time so they can treat college as real work with real value;
Participate with complete honesty and integrity;

Undergraduate

Graduate

Financial Information

Subscribe & Follow us

Subscribe & Get More Information

Stay up to speed knowing the most current state and direction

Great Commission University serves the global church by educating mission leaders to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.

Great Commission University Mission Statement