Satisfactory Academic Progress
To remain in good standing, a graduate learner must keep their cumulative GPA at 3.0 or higher. Learners are not allowed to obtain a course final grade of less than 2.3 on more than two (2) courses. Learners who fall short of minimal requirements for Grade Point Average, class completion, or coursework may be placed on academic probation (as denied hereinafter).
Cumulative GPA for Graduation
There are minimum grade and GPA requirements for all programs according to the Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements Policy. The minimum grade requirement for graduate programs is a cumulative grade point average (CPGA) of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 quality points.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Florida Coastal University assesses academic advancement based on qualitative and quantitative standards. In the academic realm, these requirements are grade point average (CGPA), maximum program length and successful course completion rate:
CGPA: To graduate from a master’s level program, learners must obtain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.00.
Completion Rate: To remain in Good Academic Standings, learners must maintain a cumulative completion rate of at least 67% of all credits attempted to remain on Good Academic Standing. The completion rate is calculated by dividing the number of credits earned by the number of attempted credits.
Maximum Program Length: Learners must finish their whole master’s degree within the maximum time for finishing an academic program which is equal to finishing 1.5 times the number of credits attempted that are necessary for finishing, and it varies based on the learner’s particular degree of study.
Academic Honors
To promote excellence and outstanding academic performance, the Academic Dean will recognize the following categories of academic honors for learners.
Graduation honors are awarded for academic work performed by the learner:
Summa Cum Laude: GPA 3.90 or above
Magna Cum Laude: GPA 3.75 to 3.89
Cum Laude: GPA 3.60 to 3.74
In order to receive the master’s degree with distinction, a learner must maintain a 3.88 or higher GPA. The notation “With Distinction” is posted with the degree on the transcript, and also appears on the diploma.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Academic Probation indicates that the learner’s performance is below the minimum standard set by Florida Coastal University. Learner who have attempted at least 3 full credit equivalents and have a cumulative GPA of less than 2.5 are placed on academic probation.
Academic probation is a warning signal. When a learner is placed on Academic Probation the learner may continue taking courses, according to their academic success plan, and undergo evaluation at the conclusion of their initial monitoring period. Learner who improve their cumulative GPAs and completion rates to the required levels or higher will be removed from probation and placed to regular status.
Probation Continued
A learner who is on probation for an additional semester will be required to meet with the Academic Dean three times during the term to discuss if they are making an adequate progress. The learner will be dismissed from the university if they do not achieve the required grade point average, satisfy the minimal completion rates during each successive semester of probation, or follow the guidelines of the Academic Success Plan.
The probationary classification (“Warning” or “Probation”) will be carried over to the following term if a learner in one of these categories (“Warning” or “Probation”) achieves the minimum semester or evaluation grade point standard but is unable to raise the cumulative grade point average to the required level.
Academic Suspension
An academic suspension applies after a learner on academic probation or academic probation continued status does not achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the most recent term. Learners in the suspension term are not eligible to take courses. The duration of Academic Suspension is detailed as follows:
1st suspension: 4 months
2nd suspension: 12 months
3rd suspension: Refused further registration.
The learner will be dismissed from the program if the minimum requirements are not met after one semester of being on probation but may later re-enroll after a period. In addition, the learner will be dismissed from Florida Coastal University if it is ultimately determined that it is mathematically impossible for them to fulfill the minimal requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress to graduate. Florida Coastal University retains the ability to add or remove a learner from academic monitoring based on their academic performance.
Time Limits for Degree Completion
To graduate, learner must have completed the program within 3 years of the date of enrollment for the master’s degree. Learners who exceed the allowed time limit must apply for readmission and will be subject to the conditions in effect at the time of their re-entry.
Re-Entry Policy
Florida Coastal University learners must develop all coursework on schedule in order to finish their program in a reasonable time frame. To be considered a regular learner, learners must enroll in at least one (1) course per term. After two consecutive terms without registering for any course, the learner must pay the corresponding re-entry fee (see Learner Fees & Financial Resources) and take at least one (1) course in the following term. Otherwise, the learner will be considered inactive and notified of it. After three consecutive semesters without enrolling in any course, the learner will be considered withdrawn.
In case of previous withdrawal by the learner or the university, learner who wish to re-enter must request re-entry in writing to the Academic Dean. Based on previous attendance, academic, and financial records, the petition will be examined and either accepted or denied. For re-entry the learner must pay the corresponding fee and meet all the admission requirements.
Learners re-entering the University will also receive an Enrollment Agreement detailing the current tuition and fee schedule at the time of re-entry.
Mitigating Circumstances
The learner is required to detail and provide proof of all the factors that affected the academic achievement in a letter. The Academic Dean must be contacted in order to request a waiver of the acceptable progress requirements. No waivers will be issued for graduation requirements. In cases of health or family issues, or extreme events outside the learner’s control, the Academic Dean may grant or extend a leave of absence for up to three academic terms.
