Satisfactory Academic Progress
Fisher College students must be making satisfactory academic progress in order to maintain good academic standing. Satisfactory progress is evaluated by the College's Academic Review Committee; twice annually for Day School students, once at the end of each academic semester and for Continuing Education students three times annually, once after the completion of the September/November terms, once after the January/March terms, and once after the May/July terms. Academic progress is evaluated using both qualitative and quantitative standards.
A student's qualitative progress will be measured by his or her cumulative grade-point average according to the following table. In addition to maintaining satisfactory progress qualitatively as measured by cumulative grade-point averages, the student is evaluated quantitatively, and he or she is required to successfully complete at least 67% of the credits attempted by the end of one day school semester or two DCE terms.
Standard for Baccalaureate Candidates
| Qualitative | Quantitative | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Attempted Credits |
Minimum Term/Semester GPA* | Percentage Completed** |
| 1-26 | 1.8 | 67% |
| 27-59 | 1.9 | 67% |
| 60+ | 2.0 | 67% |
Standard for Associate Degree Candidates
| Qualitative | Quantitative | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Attempted Credits |
Minimum Term/Semester GPA* | Percentage Completed** |
| 1-15 | 1.8 | 67% |
| 16-29 | 1.9 | 67% |
| 30+ | 2.0 | 67% |
* A student who earns less than a 1.0 grade-point average after the first semester is subject to academic dismissal or suspension without a probationary period.
** Percentage of completed credits compared to attempted credits.
Note: A Continuing Education student will not be evaluated until he or she has attempted at least 12 credits at Fisher College.
- INC, W, WX, P and F grades will be included in the determination of completion rate. Courses in which a grade of P is received will be counted as successfully completed. Courses in which grades of INC, W, WX, or F are received will be counted as not successfully completed. When a student is given a final grade for a course that was previously considered incomplete, GPA and rate of completion will be recalculated. An incomplete grade, upon conversion to a letter grade in accordance with the College's policy for Incomplete Grades will be credited toward the semester or term in which it originated.
- For the purpose of establishing Satisfactory Academic Progress, transferred credits from another institution will be calculated as both credits attempted and credits earned.
- Audited courses are not considered in determining a student's academic progress.
- Repeated courses, subject to Fisher College policy, will be counted as attempted but not earned credits.
The Academic Day and DCE Review Committees regularly review each student's progress. Day School students not meeting the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements may be placed on probation for a period of one semester. Continuing Education students not meeting the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements may be placed on probation for a period not to exceed two terms. At the completion of each probationary semester/terms, the student's progress will be reviewed. If the student is still not meeting the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements by the end of the maximum allowed probationary period, he or she will be subject to academic dismissal.
In addition, students may receive a notice of concern or a show-cause letter. A notice of concern indicates that although the student is making satisfactory academic progress, the Academic Review Committee is concerned about his or her performance thus far. A show-cause letter invites the student to "show-cause" or demonstrate why he or she should not be dismissed or suspended.
A student on academic probation will be expected to adhere to specific terms and conditions outlined in an individual probation contract or Academic Success Plan. Terms may include, but are not limited to, a 12-credit hour load (Day School), a 3-credit hour load (DCE), weekly monitoring meetings, attendance in the Academic Center for Enrichment, limited ability to take online or continuing education courses, and strict monitoring of attendance. A student on academic probation may be dismissed at any time during the semester/term should he or she not meet the terms of the probation agreement.
In unusual cases, exceptions to the satisfactory academic progress standards may be waived if mitigating circumstances prevented the student from meeting the standards. Examples of such circumstances would include illness of the student, death or illness of a family member, or other special circumstances. Day students may submit requests for exceptions to the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, in writing, to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Continuing Education students may submit requests for exceptions to the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, in writing, to either their Site Coordinator and/or Vice President of Continuing Education. The request must outline the specific reason for the appeal and should include any supporting documentation. Determination of whether the appeal will be approved will be made by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Appeals, when granted, are good for a single semester/term only. Dismissed and probationary students should refer to the Financial Aid section for the policy on financial aid eligibility.
Grade-Point Average
The grade-point average is calculated by dividing the total number of points earned at Fisher College by the total number of credits completed at Fisher.