Academic Standing
Academic Standing relates to a student’s trajectory toward graduation, which includes continual registration for classes, successful completion of courses, and a passing Grade Point Average (GPA). In general, If 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 or stops making forward progress, 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 - On-Campus & Online
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 and may be required to enroll in IDS-109 LEARNING STRATEGIES or IDS-097 ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY. 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.
Graduate Students (non-Seminary) - On-Campus & Online
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 |
- 1
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.
Cornerstone Theological Seminary Students - On-Campus & Online
Any student who does not achieve the minimum required cumulative GPA of 2.5 after attempting nine credits will be placed on academic probation. Students placed on academic probation will be notified in writing immediately following the determination, usually at the close of an academic semester. Students on academic probation will not be allowed to enroll in more than six credits per semester and may be required to take remedial courses or work with an assigned academic tutor. Probation is not designed to punish students but serves as an indication to students that they are not progressing at a satisfactory rate toward graduation.
Students who, after one semester of academic probation, fail to achieve the minimum required cumulative GPA of 2.5 may be academically suspended. Students placed on suspension will be notified of such action in writing immediately following the determination. Academic suspension means that the student will not be permitted to enroll in courses on a credit or audit basis throughout the duration of the suspension. Students on suspension may be considered for readmission after one semester. Readmission of suspended students will require the approval of the CTS Admissions Committee. In addition, any student suspended for a second time will be dismissed from Cornerstone Theological Seminary with no option for future enrollment. Student appeals concerning academic probation, suspension and dismissal should be put in writing to the attention of the CTS Academic Appeals Committee within five business days of the date of notification of probation, suspension or dismissal. The judgment will be rendered within 10 business days of receipt of the appeal. The response to the appeal will be in writing, and all judgments of the CTS Academic Appeals Committee are final.