Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Effective for terms beginning June 1, 2024 and after:
In order to maintain good academic standing, learners must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress toward completing their degree. This progress is measured by the qualitative and quantitative standards below. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be measured and evaluated at the end of each evaluation period, which is every second semester (see Semester and Term Length).
Qualitative Standard:
Learners are expected to remain actively engaged in their academic work and maintain minimum cumulative grade point averages. A cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is a calculation of the average of all earned grade points (see Grading System) divided by the possible number of grade points. Learners must meet minimum CGPA requirements at specific instances throughout the program as outlined in the SAP Tables below. Only credits required in the learner’s certificate or degree program are used in the CGPA calculation. Applied transfer/proficiency credits have no effect on the qualitative standard for SAP.
Quantitative Standard:
Learners must maintain a minimum rate of progress (ROP) toward completion of the academic program. The ROP percentage is calculated by dividing the credits earned by the credits attempted. Applied transfer/proficiency credits and courses with a grade of W assigned are included in this calculation. Non-passing grades, incompletes, and withdrawals will be counted as attempted credits. Learners must successfully complete minimum percentages of all attempted credits at specific instances throughout the program as outlined in the SAP Tables below.
SAP Tables
Qualitative Standard (Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)) and Quantitative Standard (Rate of Progress (ROP))
|
Credits Attempted
|
Qualitative (CGPA)
|
Quantitative (ROP)
|
|
0-12
|
1.5
|
50%
|
|
13+
|
2.0
|
66.67%
|
|
Undergraduate Degree Programs:
|
|
Credits Attempted
|
Qualitative (CGPA)
|
Quantitative (ROP)
|
|
0-12
|
1.5
|
50%
|
|
13+
|
2.0
|
66.67%
|
|
Graduate Certificates:
|
|
Credits Attempted
|
Qualitative (CGPA)
|
Quantitative (ROP)
|
|
0-12
|
2.65
|
50%
|
|
13+
|
3.0
|
66.67%
|
|
Graduate Degree Programs:
|
|
Credits Attempted
|
Qualitative (CGPA)
|
Quantitative (ROP)
|
|
0-12
|
2.65
|
50%
|
|
13+
|
3.0
|
66.67%
|
Program Changes and SAP
When learners switch programs within the same degree level, all attempted and earned credits and grades will be transferred to the new program as applicable, including transfer/proficiency credit, and will be factored into the SAP calculation for the new program. This includes successfully and unsuccessfully completed courses as well as courses from which the learner has withdrawn.
Effective for terms beginning May 1, 2024 and prior:
A learner’s academic progress is reviewed at the end of each semester or at the end of an approved scheduled leave of absence to ensure the learner is meeting the satisfactory academic standards as indicated below. To maintain satisfactory academic progress, a learner must maintain both of the following academic standards:
- Successful completion of a minimum of one course every 6 months; and
- Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) as designated in the following chart:
|
Undergraduate Degree & Certificate Programs
|
Graduate Degrees & Certificate Programs
|
|
2.0 on a 4.0 Scale
|
3.0 on a 4.0 Scale
|
Failure to maintain the satisfactory academic progress in one or both will result in the learner being placed on academic probation. Once placed on academic probation, the learner has two consecutive semesters to show progress towards meeting the academic standards. If the learner does not make progress in meeting these standards, they will be subject to dismissal from the University based on academic disqualification.
Academic Probation
Effective for terms beginning June 1, 2024 and after:
SAP Probation
Learners who do not meet either the Qualitative and Quantitative standards outlined at the evaluation period will be placed on SAP Probation and will be notified via email by the Office of Registrar. A copy of the notice will become part of the learner’s permanent file. The notice will identify the requirements to be met by the learner in order to be removed from SAP Probation. Once on SAP Probation, learners have until the end of the next evaluation period (two consecutive semesters) to meet both the qualitative and quantitative standards.
If the qualitative and quantitative standards are not met within the next evaluation period, the learner will be Dismissed from the University.
Effective for terms beginning May 1, 2024 and prior:
A learner will be placed on Academic Probation for failure to make satisfactory academic progress, which includes one or both of the following circumstances:
- Failure to successfully complete a minimum of one course every six months; and
- Failure to maintain a grade point average meeting the requirement for graduation.
Specific conditions of the Academic Probation will be issued to the learner and maintained in the learner’s official file. The probation period is specified in the official notification received by the learner. The learner will need to show progress in meeting the conditions that apply to them to be removed from probation, or face dismissal. Learners who fail to make satisfactory progress within two consecutive semesters will be dismissed from the University.
Maximum Time Frame and Rate of Progress
Effective for learners starting on or after June 1, 2024.
A learner is not allowed to attempt more than 1.5 times, or 150%, of the number of credits in their program of study. Learners must maintain a rate of progress of 66.67%. The requirements for rate of progress are to assure that learners are progressing at a rate at which they will complete their programs within the maximum timeframe. A learner who exceeds the Maximum Time Frame will be subject to Dismissal from the University.
The table below is non-exhaustive of CalSouthern’s degree programs and is for illustrative purposes only.
|
Number of credits in degree program
|
|
150% of degree program
|
|
Maximum allowable credits
|
|
18 Credits
|
X
|
1.5 (150%)
|
=
|
27 Credits
|
|
27 Credits
|
X
|
1.5 (150%)
|
=
|
40.5 Credits
|
|
30 Credits
|
X
|
1.5 (150%)
|
=
|
45 Credits
|
|
36 Credits
|
X
|
1.5 (150%)
|
=
|
54 Credits
|
|
42 Credits
|
X
|
1.5 (150%)
|
=
|
63 Credits
|
|
60 Credits
|
X
|
1.5 (150%)
|
=
|
90 Credits
|
|
66 Credits
|
X
|
1.5 (150%)
|
=
|
99 Credits
|
|
120 Credits
|
X
|
1.5 (150%)
|
=
|
180 Credits
|
Appeal of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Dismissal
Effective for terms beginning June 1, 2024 and after:
Learners that have been Dismissed due to not meeting SAP may appeal the determination. In order to appeal, learners must submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal of Dismissal form. Within this form, learners must:
- Explain what type of circumstances contributed to their unsatisfactory performance.
- Include a timeline of events along with supporting documentation that corroborates the incidence of mitigating circumstances.
- Indicate what has changed that will allow them to be academically successful moving forward.
- Include an Academic Success Plan that will be implemented to ensure they meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements in the future.
Learners have 15 days from the date of dismissal to submit their appeal for program reinstatement. After 15 days, the learner must appeal through the re-entry admission process. Once the appeal is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Committee. The Committee consists of representation from various academic and administrative departments. Approval to return from dismissal may be based on factors including (but not limited to) the number of failed grades, the learner’s overall academic engagement and performance, the level of academic deficiency, learner accountability, and the learner’s probability of achieving satisfactory academic standing within a reasonable time. The decisions rendered by the committee are final and may not be further appealed.
If the appeal is approved, learners will return with a status of SAP Probation, and an Academic Success Plan will be documented in their file. Learners will be required to continue to meet the terms of this plan until they have met Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements and/or successfully completed their program. The Office of the Registrar will monitor the conditions of the plan each semester while the learner is on an Academic Success Plan and in SAP Probation status. Learners meeting the conditions of their plans will be permitted to continue with a status of Probation.
Learners who have not met SAP or the on-going conditions of their academic plans at the end of a semester will be Dismissed from the University and may repeat the appeal process. A learner may only appeal a Dismissal due to SAP twice within their program; after which the learner will be academically disqualified and may not appeal academic disqualification.
Appeal after Dismissal from Probation may be considered if mitigating circumstances occurred and impacted the learner’s ability to meet the requirements of the Academic Success Plan. A full appeal with documentation of the mitigating circumstances will be required.
Effective for terms beginning May 1, 2024 and prior:
Learners that have been dismissed due to not meeting SAP may appeal the determination. In order to appeal, learners must submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal of Dismissal form. Within this form, learners must:
- Explain what type of circumstances contributed to their unsatisfactory performance.
- Include a timeline of events along with supporting documentation that corroborates the incidence of mitigating circumstances.
- Indicate what has changed that will allow them to be academically successful moving forward.
- Include an Academic Success Plan that will be implemented to ensure they meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements in the future.
Learners have 15 days from the date of dismissal to submit their appeal for program reinstatement. After 15 days, the learner must appeal through the re-entry admission process. Once the appeal is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Committee. The Committee consists of representation from the Academic Affairs department. Approval to return from dismissal may be based on factors including (but not limited to) the number of failed grades, the learner’s overall academic engagement and performance, the level of academic deficiency, learner accountability, and the learner’s probability of achieving satisfactory academic standing within a reasonable time. The decisions rendered by the committee are final and may not be further appealed.
If the appeal is approved, learners will return with a status of SAP Probation and will have their SAP reviewed again at the end of the first returning term.
Non-Continuous Enrollment Probation
Effective for terms beginning May 1, 2024 and prior.
While the Continuous Enrollment Policy remains applicable, learners will not be placed on Non-Continuous Enrollment Probation after the June 2024 term and will instead be subject to administrative withdrawal per the Continuous Enrollment Policy.
A learner will be placed on probation for failure to maintain continuous enrollment. Specific conditions of the Non-Continuous Enrollment Probation will be issued to the learner and be maintained in the learner’s official file. The probation period is specified in the official notification received by the learner. The learner will need to enroll in a course within 30 days of being placed on probation and successfully start the course without cancelling or changing start dates. Learners who fail to rectify their violation of the continuous enrollment policy within specified parameters of their probation will be subject to administrative withdrawal from the university.