Scholastic Standards
Vernon College degree and certificate plans require that students have a GPA of 2.0 or higher for graduation. Academic standard criteria are designed to monitor students’ progress so that students and college staff can intervene and explore options to assist students who have difficulty meeting minimum requirements for successful course or program completion. A student is considered to be in good standing as long as they maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Scholastic Probation - A student who fails to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher will be placed on scholastic probation. A student on scholastic probation will be allowed to re-enroll if a 2.0 GPA or higher is earned in each subsequent semester. A student will remain on probation until his or her cumulative GPA reaches 2.0 or higher.
Scholastic Suspension – A student on scholastic probation who fails to maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher in any subsequent semester will be placed on scholastic suspension. A student on first scholastic suspension will not be allowed to attend VC the next long semester. A student on scholastic suspension for a second time will not be allowed to attend VC for a full academic year. Scholastic suspension may be appealed by written petition to the Admissions Committee if a student feels extenuating circumstances, beyond his/her control, were responsible for the suspension.
Scholastic Dismissal – A student placed on scholastic suspension for a third time will be scholastically dismissed. Students who are scholastically dismissed cannot enroll in Vernon College for a period of three years. Scholastic dismissal may also be appealed by written petition to the Admissions Committee if a student feels extenuating circumstances, beyond his/her control, were responsible for the dismissal.
Good Standing – Semester and cumulative GPA at 2.0 or above.
Academic Progress – Semester GPA of at least 2.0 or above but has a cumulative GPA below 2.0.
Academic Notice - Academic Notice occurs when the semester GPA has fallen below 2.0.
Academic Probation – Academic Probation occurs when the semester GPA has fallen below 2.0 for two subsequent semesters. A student on academic probation is required to meet with a Student Success Specialist prior to registration and will be enrolled in the Striving To End Probation Status Program (STEPS).
Academic Suspension – Academic Suspension occurs after academic probation when a student has a continuing history of low academic performance and their semester and cumulative GPA has fallen below 2.0. Students on suspension are denied enrollment and must sit out for one long semester* before re-enrolling. A student on suspension for a second time will not be allowed to attend VC for a full academic year. Academic suspension may be appealed by written petition to the Admissions Committee if a student feels extenuating circumstances, beyond his/her control, were responsible for the suspension.
* One long semester can either be the Fall 16 week, Spring 16 week or Summer 10 week semester.
Academic Dismissal – A student placed on academic suspension for a third time will be academically dismissed. Students who are academically dismissed cannot enroll in Vernon College for a period of three years. Academic dismissal may also be appealed by written petition to the Admissions Committee if a student feels extenuating circumstances, beyond his/her control, were responsible for the dismissal.
Semester Grade Point Average (GPA) – Includes all grades earned in all courses at Vernon College (includes developmental courses).
Cumulative Credit GPA – Includes grades earned in all college level classes at Vernon College (does not include developmental courses).
Students can confirm semester and cumulative GPA by visiting MyVC online, by obtaining a transcript from the Office of Admissions and Records, or by seeing a Student Success Specialist.
Due to the structure of some specific programs, scholastic standards may vary from the above guidelines. Students should review departmental handbooks for specific requirements.