1. Academic Advising Center | Building 32, Suite B-104 | (202) 274-6899 | aac@udc.edu
Academic Probation
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) -
Question: What is academic standing and how is it determined?
Answer: Academic standing is an indicator of your progress at the University, and is determined by your
cumulative GPA. During your first semester at the University, your cumulative GPA will be the same as
your term GPA—which is why those first semester grades are so important! Once grades are submitted
at the end of the term, the Office of the Registrar will review your GPA and determine your academic
standing. Students in good academic standing have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students below
a 2.0 are flagged for academic probation, and are sent a notice via My.UDC.edu.
Q: What does academic probation mean?
A: In order to help you return to good academic standing, the University will place you on academic
probation. While on academic probation you are restricted in the number of credits that you can enroll
in. Instead of the typical course load max of 18 credits, you will be restricted to either 9 or 12 credits
(please see next question). In addition, you will have to earn a term GPA of 2.1 or higher while you are
on academic probation. Failure to meet this requirement may lead to academic suspension.
Q: How many credits can I register for if I am on academic probation?
A: The University considers your class standing and cumulative GPA when determining how many credits
you can enroll in:
Student Classification Cumulative GPA Course Load Max
Freshmen (below 30 credits) 1.60 < GPA < 2.00 12
Freshmen (below 30 credits) < 1.60 9
Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors 1.80 < GPA < 2.00 12
Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors < 1.80 9
*Transfer students with less than 30 credits are treated as freshmen, as outlined above
In some cases, Deans may approve a 1-credit increase to your course load max. This is typically done to
accommodate a lab that must be taken concurrently with a lecture. To find out if you might be eligible
for a 1-credit course load increase, refer to your Dean before the start of instruction.
Q: What if I am already enrolled in courses for next semester and I find out that I have
been placed on academic probation?
A: If you completed your advising and self-registration before knowing your academic standing, you will
want to meet with an academic advisor as soon as possible to discuss necessary schedule changes. If
you do not do so on your own, the Office of the Registrar will make automatic reductions to your
schedule by the start of instruction.
Q: Does repeating a course remove the initial grade from my transcript?
A: No, the initial grade remains on your academic transcript; however your second grade “replaces” your
initial grade when calculating your cumulative GPA. This can make a significant impact, and often
helps probationary students return to good academic standing faster.