04.01.15 Standards of Academic Progress

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Original Approval: 04/01/2022
Last Updated:  04/08/2024
Last Reviewed: 04/08/2024

Policy/Purpose:

It is the policy of Coastal Alabama Community College to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations as well as Alabama Community College System (ACCS) policies related to Instructional Programs and regarding the level of credit awarded for courses taught at all colleges within the ACCS, regardless of the format or mode of delivery. The ACCS requires all institutions in the System to operate on a semester system.

It is the policy of Coastal Alabama Community College to develop and maintain standards of academic progress for all students, unless otherwise noted.

NOTE: This policy is subject to change at any time without notification. ACCS policies related to Academic Instruction supersede this policy.

The following ACCS policies are referenced in this policy:
Board Policy 705.01
ACCS Chancellor’s Procedures 705.01

Scope:

This policy applies to all Coastal Alabama Community College students and employees during any activity involving the College, including the workday. In addition, visitors, vendors, contractors, and all other non-employees are expected to recognize and comply with College policies.

Definitions:

Academic Probation: (1) The status of a student whose cumulative GPA falls below the level required by this policy for the total number of credit hours attempted. (2) The status of a student who was on Academic Probation the previous term and whose cumulative GPA for that term remained below the level required by this policy for the total number of credit hours attempted by whose GPA for the term was 2.0 or above.

Clear Academic Status: The status of a student whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) is at or above the level required by this policy for the number of credit hours attempted at the institution.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA): The grade point average based on all hours attempted at the institution based on a 4-point scale.

Distance Education: Distance education at Coastal Alabama Community College is defined as a formal educational process in which the majority of the instruction (interaction between students and instructors and among students) in a course occurs when students and instructors are not in the same physical location. Instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous. A distance education course at Coastal Alabama Community College is any course in which students may complete fifty percent (50%) or more of the requirements through the College’s learning management system. Distance education courses at Coastal Alabama Community College may be classified as Online, Hybrid Online, or HyFlex. Traditional courses are not classified as distance education courses. 

Grade Point Average (GPA): The grade point average based on all hours attempted during any one semester at the institution based on a 4-point scale.

Hybrid: These courses are delivered approximately fifty percent (50%) asynchronously online and approximately fifty percent (50%) face-to-face on campus.

Online: These courses are delivered one hundred percent (100%) asynchronously online using the College’s learning management system.

Hybrid Classroom: Courses require a combination of online and in-person activities, with 50% or less of the course content requiring online interaction. Some elements will have specified days, times, and locations when attendance is expected. Identity verification will be required using the college’s approved verification process.

Hybrid Online: Courses require a combination of online and in-person activities, with more than 50% of the course content requiring online interaction. Some elements will have specified days, times, and locations when attendance is expected. Identity verification will be required using the college's approved verification process. 

HyFlex: HyFlex courses feature highly flexible course delivery models that offer students multiple options for receiving instruction and participating in course activities. These may include a mix of face-to-face, online, virtual, and/or videoconference. Available options may vary by course and by instructor and are subject to local college policy. Students should inquire about expectations for participation/attendance before registering for a HyFlex course. Identity verification for students participating online may be required using the college's approved verification process. 
 
Online: Online courses are delivered asynchronously. There are no required face-to-face sessions within the course and no requirements for on-campus activity. Faculty interact with students through assignments, discussion posts, email, office hours and other electronic/virtual means. Identity verification will be required using the college's approved verification process.

One Semester Academic Suspension: The status of a student who was on Academic Probation the previous term, but who, since probation, has not achieved clear academic status and whose cumulative GPA that term was below the level required by this policy for the total number of credit hours attempted and whose GPA for the term was below 2.0.

One Year Academic Suspension: The status of a student who was on Academic Probation the previous term and who has been previously suspended without having achieved Clear Academic Status and whose cumulative GPA that term remained below the level required by this policy for the total number of credit hours attempted and whose GPA for that term was below 2.0.

Semester Hours: Semester hours of credit are based on the average number of hours of instruction weekly during a 15-week period, with an hour of instruction defined as not less than 50 minutes of instructor/student contact.

Semester System: A semester system is defined as a fall semester, spring semester, and a summer term.

Traditional: These courses are face-to-face on campus and web-enhanced with technology-based course resources that complement in-person class sessions without reducing the number of required class meetings.

Details:

  1. Application of Standards of Progress:

    1. When the Cumulative GPA is at or above the GPA required for the total number of credit hours attempted at the institution, the student’s status is CLEAR.

    2. When a student’s Cumulative GPA is below the GPA required for the number of credit hours attempted at the institution, the student is placed on ACADEMIC PROBATION.

    3. When the Cumulative GPA of a student who is on Academic Probation remains below the GPA required for the total number of credit hours attempted at the institution, but the Semester GPA is 2.0 or above, the student remains on Academic Probation. When the Cumulative GPA of a student who is on Academic Probation remains below the GPA required for the total number of credit hours attempted at the institution and the Semester GPA is below 2.0, the student is suspended for one semester. The transcript will read SUSPENDED—ONE SEMESTER. When the Cumulative GPA is at or above the GPA required for the total number of credit hours attempted at the institution, the student’s status is CLEAR.

    4. The student who is suspended for one semester may appeal. If, after appeal, the student is readmitted without serving one semester suspension, the transcript will read SUSPENDED ONE SEMESTER/READMITTED UPON APPEAL. The student who is readmitted upon appeal reenters the institution on Academic Probation. The student who serves a one semester suspension reenters the institution on Academic Probation.

    5. A student who is on Academic Probation after being suspended for one semester (whether the student has served the suspension or has been readmitted upon appeal) without having since achieved Clear Academic Status and whose Cumulative GPA falls below the level required for the total number of hours attempted at the institution but whose Semester GPA is 2.0 or above will remain on Academic Probation UNTIL THE STUDENT ACHIEVES THE REQUIRED GPA FOR TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS ATTEMPTED. A student who is on Academic Probation after being suspended for one semester (whether the student served the suspension or was readmitted upon appeal) without having since achieved Clear Academic Status and whose Cumulative GPA remains below the level required for the total number of hours attempted at the institution and whose Semester GPA is below 2.0 will be suspended for one calendar year. The transcript will read SUSPENDED—ONE YEAR.

    6. The student suspended for one calendar year may appeal. If, upon appeal, the student is readmitted, the transcript will read SUSPENDED ONE YEAR/READMITTED UPON APPEAL. The student who is readmitted upon appeal reenters the institution on Academic Probation. The student who serves the calendar year suspension reenters the institution on Academic Probation. All applicable academic designations except Clear will appear on the student’s transcript.

  2. GPA Requirements for Academic Progress: A student must maintain the following cumulative grade point average (GPA) dependent upon the number of hours attempted at the College in order to have clear academic status.

    Hours Attempted Minimum GPA
    12-21 1.50
    22-32 1.75
    33 or more 2.00

  3. Intervention for Student Success: When a student is placed on Academic Probation, One Semester Academic Suspension, or One Calendar Year Academic Suspension, interventions may be instituted.

  4. Exception to Standards of Academic Progress: Programs within the institution which are subject to external licensure, certification, and or/accreditation or that are fewer than four semesters in length may have higher standards of academic progress than the institutional standards of progress. Transfer students admitted on academic probation must transition to these standards of academic progress.

  5. Transfer Students: A transfer student who is admitted on Clear Academic Status is subject to the same standards of academic progress as a “native” student. Grades accrued at other regionally accredited postsecondary institutions are not included in GPA Calculation.

    A transfer student who is admitted on Academic Probation retains that status until the student has attempted at least 12 semester hours at Coastal Alabama Community College. If, at the conclusion of the semester in which the student has attempted a total of 12 or more semester credit hours at Coastal Alabama Community College, and the cumulative GPA at the College is below 1.5, the student is suspended for one semester. The transcript will read SUSPENDED–ONE SEMESTER.

    If, at the conclusion of the semester in which the transfer student admitted on Academic Probation has attempted a total of 12 or more semester credit hours at Coastal Alabama Community College, and the cumulative GPA at the College is 1.5 or above, the student’s status is clear.

    NOTE: Select programs may have specific progression policies and reinstatement processes.

Procedures(s):

  1. A student may submit an appeal for readmission using the Appeal to Student and Academic Affairs Committee Form located at https://www.coastalalabama.edu/admissions-aid/appeal-to-student-and-academic-affairs-committee/.

Additional Provisions/Information

Refer to Financial Aid Policy if receiving any type of financial aid regarding repetition of courses.

Instructional Affairs