Academic Standing Policies

Academic Standing

The minimum graduation requirements for students enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at Shenandoah University are the completion of 120 credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Assuming that a student wishes to complete a degree in the standard four years, they would need to complete 15 credit hours per semester with a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. As some programs require a student to complete more than 120 credit hours, and some students choose to pursue their education on a less than a full-time basis, students should plan accordingly for this extended period of time.

Academic standing is calculated for all students at the end of Spring and Fall Terms.  Academic standing will be calculated for January Term and Summer Term for only those students who are eligible for promotion to good academic standing.

Students who have difficulties in the initial hours of enrollment at Shenandoah frequently make sufficient improvement in subsequent coursework to overcome their deficit in grades or credit hours or both. For this reason, Shenandoah has set a rising scale of minimum requirements for the successive completed credit hours, shown in the chart below, for determining the conditions under which a student may continue his/her education.

*Credit Hours Graded includes transfer credit hours transferred in to student’s program of study.

Academic Probation

Students are placed on academic probation when their cumulative grade point average (GPA) does not meet the minimum standards defined under the previous section Academic Standing. As students are placed on probation, they are referred to the Turning Point Program, which is administered by the Director of Student Support Services.

Turning Point is a program designed to assist students who are on probation with skills and support systems not only to get off probation but also to make consistent and steady progress toward continuing academic success. In Turning Point, customized interventions are developed to meet students’ specific needs for assistance. Elements of the program include assessment of students’ individual challenges, assignment into STSK 103 (Study Skills course for students on probation), individual academic counseling, specific skills workshops and assignment of a designated mentor/coach who will work with the student to develop a plan for improvement, work with tutors and study groups or other customized learning interventions.

Students remaining on probation for two consecutive terms may be subject to academic suspension.

Academic Suspension and Dismissal

1. After two semesters on probation, students may be academically suspended from the university.
2. Students suspended from the university shall remain out of school for a period of at least one academic semester and no longer than one year. Students not attending class at Shenandoah for three consecutive semesters will need to re-apply for admission.
3. After that semester, a student can petition for reinstatement through the dean or director of the school or division and provost.
4. If reinstated, the student must achieve at least a 2.0 GPA in the returning semester and must be a full-time student. Failure to meet this condition shall result in academic dismissal.

Condition of Dismissal

Only under justifiable conditions shall a petition for reinstatement be considered, and then only after a period of one calendar year from the date of dismissal.

Social Suspension or Dismissal

Students suspended or dismissed for social reasons will receive a grade of “W.”

Academic Honors

Dean’s List

Students enrolled full-time in baccalaureate degree programs who have attained a term grade point average of at least 3. 50 will be placed on the Dean’s List of honor students. The Dean’s List is calculated for fall and spring semesters only.

President’s List

Students enrolled full-time in baccalaureate degree programs who have attained a term grade point average of at least 3.90 will also be placed on the President’s List of honor students. The President’s List is calculated for fall and spring semesters only.

Graduation Honors

All candidates for baccalaureate degrees are eligible for honors based on the cumulative grade point average for any credits earned after initial registration at Shenandoah University. The grade point averages required for undergraduate academic honors are:

3.900 — Summa Cum Laude, with highest praise
3.700 — Magna Cum Laude, with great praise
3.500 — Cum Laude, with praise

Gold cords are worn by students graduating with honors. These gold honor cords are distributed during graduate line-up. Honors for the graduation ceremony are calculated at the end of the fall semester prior to graduation and are listed in the program. Final honors are calculated with the spring semester grades and appear on the transcript and diploma.