Academic Standing
Academic Standing
Academic Standing relates to a student’s trajectory toward graduation, which includes successful completion of courses, and a passing Grade Point Average (GPA). In general, a student is making good progress toward earning their degree by maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA as an undergraduate or a 3.0 GPA as a graduate student, then that student is in “good academic standing” with the University. While there may be higher school or program GPA requirements, the general rule is that good academic standing equates to making forward progress by successfully taking the classes required to earn a degree. When a student falls below the GPA thresholds noted above then he or she may be placed on probation, suspended, or expelled from the University. Specific requirements by student type are noted below.
Undergraduate Students
Any student who does not earn for his or her work at Cornerstone University a cumulative GPA in his or her classification of 1.85 or better for freshmen and sophomores (0-57 credits) and 2.0 or better for juniors and seniors (58+ credits) will be placed on academic probation.
A student on academic probation should not enroll in more than 14 credit hours. The purpose of probation is not designed to punish, but rather to serve as an indication to students that they are not progressing at a satisfactory rate toward graduation. Thus, co-curricular activities should be limited in order to devote more time to academic concerns.
Students who, after one semester of academic probation, do not reach the cumulative GPA outlined for their class standing may be academically suspended. Students on suspension may appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee.
Note: There are standards of satisfactory progress related to financial aid and Veterans’ benefits.
Students must declare a major and have degree-seeking status prior to earning 25 credit hours or at the end of their second semester if taking courses on a full-time basis. Non-degree seeking, visiting students may take up to 30 credit hours.
Academic Progress - SOAR™
Academic Progress is based on successful and timely completion of courses per term and/or year.
Successful and timely completion of courses criteria is unique to the SOAR program. Students must complete an average of 2 courses per term to remain in good standing during an academic year, SOAR platform Graduate students may complete up to 12 credits as part of the SOAR block.
SOAR Platform undergraduate students may complete up to 24 credit hours in a term as part of the SOAR block. Students seeking to complete more than the maximum allowed for their degree level per term must request permission in writing to the Vice President for Academics.
Students may be placed on probation after any term in which they do not complete 2 courses and/or meet standard GPA requirements.
Students may be suspended from the SOAR platform if they do not resolve issues that led to their probation in the previous, immediate term or if they do not meet the progress policy standards overall after multiple probationary terms.
SOAR students who cannot regularly complete 2 courses per term and are suspended from the SOAR program or placed on probation, but who are in good standing otherwise, may transfer to CU Online or Main Campus programs if they meet all other requirements.
Graduate Students
At the end of each semester, the student’s academic standing is reviewed by the registrar’s office and deficiencies are reported to the dean's office and the Vice President for Academics. Any student who does not earn the minimum cumulative GPA for his/her classification will be placed on academic probation. Classifications and minimum GPA requirements are as follows:
| Classification | GPA |
|---|---|
| Graduate | 3.0 |
| Doctoral1 | 3.0 |
| Seminary | 2.5 |
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For students in the Ed.D. program, any course with a final grade below a C must be retaken and all repeated courses must be taken at Cornerstone University. To successfully complete the program, students must earn a minimum 3.0 GPA overall.