Satisfactory Academic Progress (PDF)

It is the responsibility of the School of Leadership and Professional Advancement (SLPA) to establish and support minimum academic standards within the School of Leadership and to develop and communicate a policy that clearly specifies these standards. A careful review of these standards will enable both faculty and students to understand what is minimally required for students to remain in good academic standing and to smoothly progress towards successful degree completion. It is further hoped that this policy will enable clear understanding and promote clear communication regarding satisfactory academic progress.

The Satisfactory Academic Standards for both undergraduate and graduate students are detailed below. Students in the School of Leadership must meet these minimal standards.

Undergraduate Satisfactory Academic Progress Standard

At the undergraduate level, students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative QPA and must maintain a minimum completion pace of 67%.

Undergraduate students who are unable to maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standard may receive one of the following notifications:

Academic Warning (when any one of the following exists)

•"D" grade in any term but overall QPA is > 2.0

•"F" grade in any term but overall QPA is > 2.0

•Overall QPA is < 2.1

•Pattern of "W" or "I" grades over several terms

Academic Probation (when any one of the following exists)

•Overall QPA < 2.0 (one term)

•More than one "D" or "F" grade in a single term

•Completion pace below 67% for two consecutive terms

Academic Dismissal (when one or both of these conditions exist)

•Overall QPA < 2.0 (for two consecutive terms)

•Completion pace below 67% for 4 consecutive terms

Graduate Satisfactory Academic Progress Standard

At the graduate level, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative QPA and must maintain a minimum completion pace of 67%.

Graduate students who are unable to maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress may receive one of the following notifications:

Academic Warning (when any one of the following exists)

•"C" grade

•"F" grade but overall QPA is > 3.0 (course must be repeated ASAP)

•More than two "I" grades

•Two "W" grades

Academic Probation (when any one of the following exists)

•Overall QPA < 3.0 (one semester)

•More than one "C"

•Completion pace below 67% for two consecutive terms

Academic Dismissal (when any one of the following exists)

•Two semesters with overall QPA < 3.0

•Two "F" grades in a single term

•"F" grade received in a repeated course

•Completion pace below 67% for four consecutive terms

Definition of Terms

Progress toward a degree is measured in two ways: by the cumulative Quality Point Average (QPA*) and the Completion Pace.

The QPA is calculated by first multiplying the Quality Point Grade Value by the number of Credit Hours (= Quality Points) and then dividing this value by the number of earned credits For example, suppose a student received an "A" in a 3 credit class (= 12 quality points) and a "B" in a 3 credit class (= 9 quality points). The total number of quality points is 21 and the total number of credit hours is 6. The QPA is therefore 21 ÷ 6 = 3.5.

*The term QPA is equivalent to the term GPA.

Quality Points Grade Values

A = 4.0

A- = 3.7

B+ = 3.3

B = 3.0

B- = 2.7

C+ = 2.3

C = 2.0

C-** = 1.7

D** = 1.0

F = 0.0

** C- and D grades are not given at the graduate level.

The Completion Pace is meant to ensure that students complete their degree in a timely and efficient manner. The completion pace is calculated by dividing the number of cumulative credit hours earned by the number of cumulative credits attempted. For example, a student who has attempted 8 classes (24 credits attempted, assuming each course is 3 credits) and has successfully passed 3 of the classes (9 credits earned) has a completion pace of 37.5%.

To remain in good academic standing, all students must maintain a minimum completion pace of 67%.

At the end of each undergraduate term or graduate semester each student is evaluated to ensure they are making satisfactory academic progress. Students failing to make satisfactory academic progress, or who are at risk for failing to make satisfactory progress will be notified in writing of their academic status. Students may receive an Academic Warning, may be placed on Academic Probation, or may be dismissed from the School of Leadership.

Academic Warning is an unofficial status indicating that the student is at risk of failing to meet satisfactory academic progress standards because of their earned grades, their overall QPA, or their completion pace. Students receiving an Academic Warning are STRONGLY encouraged to immediately contact their academic advisor to discover what is jeopardizing academic progress and, more importantly, to develop and implement a plan to ensure academic success.

Academic Probation is an official status indicating that the student has failed to meet the minimal requirements for satisfactory academic progress because of their earned grades, their overall QPA, or their completion pace. Students placed on Academic Probation are required to contact their academic advisor immediately to discover what is jeopardizing academic progress and, to develop and implement a plan to ensure academic success. Importantly, the Academic Probation notification letter will stipulate the criteria for returning to good academic standing. Failure to adhere to these criteria may result in dismissal from the School of Leadership.

Academic Dismissal results when a student has failed to meet the conditions of Academic Probation and therefore has not returned to good academic standing. Dismissal from the School of Leadership and Professional Advancement is equivalent to dismissal from Duquesne University. All current and pending course registrations will be cancelled.

Appeals: Students may not appeal a letter or status of Academic Warning or Academic Probation. Students may appeal a decision of Academic Dismissal. To do so, the student must notify in writing the Office of the Dean of the School of Leadership and Professional Advancement. The Letter of Appeal should clearly state their wish to appeal their Academic Dismissal and provide sufficient grounds, evidence, and documentation to support their Appeal. Students are not entitled to a hearing. The final decision regarding the Appeal rests with the Dean of the School of Leadership.