Guidelines for the Determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress, Academic Warning, Academic Probation and Academic Suspension
Satisfactory Academic Progress
In order to assist both the student, parents and the academic advisor in determining whether a student is making academic progress, WPI has adopted both the following guidelines, effective Term A, 2008.
At WPI, to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student must
- Complete at least 4/3rds units of work for the fall semester (A and B term); and
-
Complete at least 4/3rds units of work for the spring semester (C and D term) AND at least 8/3rds units work in past 4 terms (typically A-D terms).
Note: Term E (Summer School) will be included if the student is registered full time. (10/3rds over 5 terms0)
Thus for the entire year, to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student must complete at least 8/3rds units of work in 4 terms (A-D terms). Failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in any semester will cause the student to move down one level of academic standing (warning, probation, suspension). All grades of NR's for 2 successive terms will result in moving down two levels for upperclassmen, first year students who NR the A and B term (or their first two terms of attendance) will be suspended.
Academic Warning
Each student's academic record will be reviewed at the conclusion of terms B and D according to the guidelines above. If a student's performance falls short of either guidelines 1 or 2, the student, parent and academic advisor will be notified that the student is not making satisfactory progress. The notification will place the student on Academic Warning. At this time, the student is urged, with the help of the advisor, to identify the nature of the academic difficulty and to formulate a course of action for overcoming the difficulty. Students on Academic Warning are not eligible to apply to the Global Perspective Program.
Academic Probation
During the next review of academic progress, should the student fail, once again, to maintain satisfactory academic progress, the student, parent and academic advisor will be notified. This notification will place the student on Academic Probation for two terms. Academic Probation will prevent the student from receiving financial aid, will result in loss of eligibility for team sports, will prevent the student from obtaining undergraduate employment in the Co-op Program and will prevent participation in the Global Perspective Program.
Students who fail to obtain credit for two consecutive terms shall:
- Be placed on Academic Probation if currently they are classified as making satisfactory progress, or
- Be placed on Academic Suspension if currently they are on the list of students on Academic Warning or on Academic Probation.
Subsequent academic review shall follow the rules for all students. Student affected by this rule retain the right to petition the Committee on Academic Operations for a waiver for extenuating circumstances.
Academic Suspension
Should a student on Academic Probation fail to make satisfactory academic progress during the next review period, the student will be suspended from WPI. The notification will prevent the student from enrolling as a full-time student or a special student for at least the next two terms. Subsequent readmission is subject to approval (with possible conditions) of a petition through the Registrar to the Committee on Academic Operations (CAO). As a general rule, a student readmitted after suspension will be placed on an Academic Probation status.
New students (first year or transfer) who fail to obtain academic credit for the first two terms shall be placed on Academic Suspension and not allowed to enroll for the following terms. Readmission is subject to approval by the Committee on Academic Operations.
Improvement In Status
Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation have the opportunity to improve their status by progressing through the levels in reverse order. If a student on Academic Probation satisfactorily meets the guidelines at the end of the next review period, he or she will be moved to the list of students on Academic Warning. A student on Academic Warning would be moved back to Satisfactory Academic Progress status.
Term E Review Period
An exception to the guidelines stated above can occur when a student registers full time for Term E. At the conclusion of Term E, a review will be conducted at the students request which will include E-term and the previous four terms. If the student has completed 10/3 units acceptable work, the student's academic progress status will improve. Thus, a student on Warning status after the Term D review will start terms A and B on Satisfactory Academic Progress. A student placed on Academic Probation after the Term D review will be on Warning status for terms A and B.
Summer Bridge Program
Students who finish the academic year on Academic Warning or Academic Probation status, but who have passed at least 2 units of academic work during the previous four terms, are eligible to participate in the Summer Bridge Program. Students who participate in the program enroll in Term E for two courses and also take a four-week study skills program. Successful completion of the courses and the study skills program will result in the academic status rising one level (Academic Probation to Academic Warning, or Academic Warning to Satisfactory Academic Progress). The Office of Academic Advising coordinates the Summer Bridge Program.
Special Students
Students pursuing the bachelor's degree as special students will be subject to the same review schedule and standards as fulltime students except that, during any review period, the student's academic record from the four most recent terms will be checked to ensure the student has satisfactorily completed at least two-thirds of the academic activities for which he/she has registered.
Petitions
Students may petition through the Registrar's Office to the Committee on Academic Operations (CAO) for reconsideration of the status of any of the following:
Academic Warning
Academic Probation
Academic Suspension
Readmission after Suspension
Other unusual situations
Students who petition for reconsideration of status must accomplish the following:
- Go to the Registrar's Office and obtain a petition form.
- Complete form with advisor and obtain advisor's approval and signature.
- Submit form to the Registrar's Office within three weeks of the issuance of grades for B, D, or E term reviews except for readmission after suspension. For readmission after suspension, petitions must be submitted to the Registrar's Office at least three weeks prior to the start of classes.
Readmission After Suspension
Deadlines for petitions:
August 15 for Term A
January 1 for Term C
