Minimum Progression Standards

Policy 1.14
Approved by:	President
Responsible Officer:	Provost and Senior Vice President for academic affairs
Responsible Office:	Academic Affairs
Originally Issued:	05/19/1997
Last Revision:	05/21/2023
Category:	Academics
Related Policy
SD BOR Policy 2:10 Grades and Use of Grade Point Averages

I. REASON FOR THIS POLICY

This policy and its procedures implement SDBOR Policy 2:10(C.4) and Minimum Progression Standards.

II. DEFINITIONS

1. Academic Probation. A student’s grade point falls below acceptable standards but is still enrolled in classes.
2. Academic Suspension. A student fails to maintain minimum academic standards, deleted from all future coursework, and not allowed to re-enroll until approved to do so.
3. Cumulative GPA. A student’s average academic performance over time based on all credits earned (transfer credit plus system credit).
4. Good Academic Standing. Students with cumulative GPA of 1.8 or 2.0 or greater are in good academic standing.
5. GPA. Grade point average.

III. STATEMENT OF POLICY

1. Minimum Progression Standards Undergraduate Students
   1. Minimum progression standards and related actions are based on the student’s cumulative grade point average and system term grade point average.
   2. Good Academic Standing: A student, who meets or exceeds the cumulative grade point average requirements as listed, is considered to be in good academic standing. The Academic Standing process is completed at the end of the Spring Term. The required GPAs are based on credit hour completion. Students who have taken more credit hours are expected to meet a higher GPA standard. Credit Hour Range GPA Standard 0-44.99 1.8 45-90+ 2.0.
   3. Academic Probation: If a student’s cumulative grade point average falls below the GPA standard for his/her designated class rank as listed in SDBOR Policy 2:10 Section 4.1.1 at the end of the Spring academic term, the student is placed on academic probation for the following term.
   4. While on academic probation the student must earn a system grade point average that meets or exceeds the GPA standard required. During this period, the student’s academic success team (as determined by the institution) is expected to monitor and meet with the student to best position him or her for success.
   5. When a student on academic probation achieves a cumulative grade point average that meets or exceeds the GPA standard, the student is returned to good academic standing.
   6. Academic Suspension: A student on academic probation who fails to maintain a term and/or cumulative grade point average that meets or exceeds the GPA standard required by the next Academic Standing process as described in SDBOR Policy 2:10 Section 4.1.1 is placed on academic suspension for a minimum of two academic terms.
   7. A student on academic suspension will not be allowed to enroll for any coursework at any Regental university except when an appeal has been approved by the Regental university from which the student is pursuing a degree. An approved appeal granted by one Regental university will be honored by all Regental universities. (Also refer to BOR Policy 2:3 Section C.9.7. Students on Probation/Suspension.)
   8. Only Academic Suspension will be entered on the student’s transcript. Academic probation will be noted in the internal academic record only.
   9. Students enrolling in the Regental system for the first time with prior credit, including internal and external transfer students and dual credit students, shall not be placed on probation by their designated home institution until they have been enrolled at a Regental university for one (1) academic term.
2. Minimum Progression Standards Graduate Level Students
   1. Students admitted to a graduate program must make satisfactory progress each academic term toward completion of the graduate degree being sought and must remain in good academic standing.
      1. Satisfactory Progress. Graduate students shall have satisfactory completion of courses as required for the chosen degree program. (See BOR Policy 02:10-10.)
      2. Good Academic Standing. Graduate students shall have good academic standing:
         1. A 3.0 grade point average in graduate courses.
         2. No more than 6 credit hours with “C” grades.
         3. No grades lower than a “C”.
   2. Graduate students shall complete all degree requirements within a period of five (5) years for master’s degree programs and seven (7) years for doctoral programs.
   3. The graduate program coordinator and academic advisors shall review a report of probation, suspension, and incomplete grades each semester.

Exclusions

Any exclusion/exception not mentioned above must be approved by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs or their designee.

Exceptions

None 

IV. PROCEDURES (MAJOR)

Calculating GPA.

1. Cumulative GPA shall be based on all college level courses at the 100 level or above transferred or attempted whether at DSU or another accredited post-secondary institution.
2. Grades of A, B, C, D, F, or WFL shall be used for purposes of calculating GPA.
3. Each grade is worth a specific number of honor points: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1 and F or WFL=0.
4. The number of honor points earned for each class shall be computed by multiplying the points given for the letter grade by the hours of credit in the course.
5. The total number of honor points earned shall be divided by the total number of credit hours attempted (includes only those classes in which grades of A, B, C, D, or F were earned).
6. The result shall be the cumulative grade point average.

V. RELATED DOCUMENTS, FORMS AND TOOLS

None

VI. POLICY HISTORY

Adopted: 05/19/1997

Revised: 02/08/1999

Revised: 02/18/2020

Revised: 05/21/2023