We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Academic Probation?

Michael Pollick
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,146
Share

No one ever claimed getting an education was going to be easy. Every so often a student may encounter an especially difficult course which leads to a significant drop in his or her overall grade point average (GPA). If that grade point average falls below a minimal standard established by the school, the result could be a condition called academic probation. This may sound like a punishment, but most colleges view academic probation as a safety net between rehabilitation and expulsion.

Almost all incoming students receive an academic break during their first sessions, since actual GPAs have not yet been established. Once the student has entered his or her second session, however, there are minimal standards of academic progress which must be met to remain in good standing with the school. A GPA of 1.00 may be required for freshmen students, which essentially means a D+ average. This requirement may be ramped up to a 1.5 or 2.0 GPA as the student becomes an upperclassman. Any drop below those minimal academic requirements will most likely trigger academic probation.

In reality, academic probation is handled as a wake-up call for both instructors and students. The student's faculty adviser may suggest retaking difficult courses in order to boost a sagging GPA. Additional services provided by the college may include intensive tutoring and personal counseling. The student may have to reconsider his or her major if the coursework continues to prove too difficult. Academic probation does not restrict a student from enrolling in the next session, but it might affect which courses are available.

The alternative to academic probation is often academic expulsion, which no one wants. While under academic probation, a student is still under the protective umbrella of the institution and can still take steps to rehabilitate himself. Once academic expulsion has taken place, a student's options may be limited to attending a different school, taking a temporary sabbatical or pursuing a different career path without a diploma or degree. This is why many colleges put such an effort behind rehabilitating students under academic probation. The institution accepted the student for qualities beyond academics, so losing him or her forever because of a temporary academic setback would be distressing.

Academic probation is usually self-limiting. The student has a specified amount of time to bring his or her grades up to a specified grade point average or other measurement of academic progress. If the student manages this feat, then full rights are restored and the student is free to pursue his or her program of choice. If the student continues to perform poorly, then the school may ask the student to transfer to another college or pursue other fields of endeavor.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Michael Pollick
By Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to WiseGeek, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide range of topics. His curiosity drives him to study subjects in-depth, resulting in informative and engaging articles. Prior to becoming a professional writer, Michael honed his skills as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By pollick — On Apr 26, 2011

Policies vary from institution to institution, but in general a student who is officially put on academic probation can learn more about the conditions by contacting their academic adviser or a school counselor. You may have to take certain courses over again in order to stay on track for a degree program, and you'll need to bring your overall grade point average(GPA)to a certain minimal level after the next term.

Sometimes you can appeal the decision through a form of student/faculty court, but not every school has such a process in place. You may also be able to meet with an instructor to appeal for a grade change, which might raise your GPA out of academic probation range if approved.

If the grade is found to be fair and the academic probation still stands, however, your best bet is to work on your study and test-taking skills during the next term and demonstrate a marked improvement in your overall GPA. Academic probation should not be taken lightly, but consider it more of a wake-up call than a warning shot.

By anon153891 — On Feb 18, 2011

what do you do when you find out that you are on academic probation?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to WiseGeek, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide range...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-academic-probation.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.