Academic Standing

Class position is determined by the number of credits a student has earned in the following manner:

Freshman	0-29 credits		Junior	60-89 credits
Sophomore	30-59 credits		Senior	90 + credits

The academic records of each student are reviewed at the end of each semester by the Academic Standards Committee. The following scale is used to determine whether a student is in good academic standing, on probation, or subject to dismissal ( for transfer students, the attempted Alvernia credits are added to the accepted transfer credits; for students with Incompletes, the Academic Standards Committee will reach a decision based on their best evidence):

After 12 credits attempted
Cumulative average 1.75 and above: student in good standing. Cumulative average between 1.00-1.75: student placed on Academic Probation. Cumulative average below 1.0: student subject to dismissal. (Students below 1.75 must limit their academic course load to 13 credits and may be required to take the Freshman Seminar course).

After 24 credits attempted:
Cumulative average 1.80 and above: student in good standing. Cumulative average between 1.60-1.8: student placed on or continued on Academic Probation. Cumulative average below 1.6: student subject to dismissal.

After 48 credits attempted:
Cumulative average 1.90 and above: student in good standing. Cumulative average between 1.70-1.90: student placed on or continued on Academic Probation. Cumulative average below 1.70: student subject to dismissal.

After 60 credits attempted:
Cumulative average 2.00 and above: student in good standing. Cumulative average between 1.80-2.00: student placed on or continued on Academic Probation. Cumulative average below 1.80: student subject to dismissal.

After 72 credits attempted:
Cumulative average below 2.00: student subject to dismissal.

Academic Probation
Students placed on academic probation may not take more than 14 credits the following semester. It is recommended that these students meet with their advisor and use the repeat/delete or internal transfer options to raise their GPA. Students placed on probation at the end of the spring semester are encouraged to take courses at Alvernia College during the Summer Sessions to improve their GPA. The Academic Standards Committee will then review the students’ cases in August.

Academic Dismissal
Students who are academically dismissed lose the right to complete their degree requirements under the catalog that was in effect when they first enrolled at Alvernia College; they lose their right to live in campus housing; and they also lose their eligibility for financial aid. Academically dismissed students may petition the Academic Standards Committee in writing for reinstatement to degree candidacy after a one-year academic absence. Students may be reinstated after earning at least 24 credits of approved quality work (“C” or better) at Alvernia College or at another accredited institution. After one academic year’s absence students must reapply to the college and may be reinstated by documenting their academic commitment.

Academically dismissed students may take course work during the summer sessions at Alvernia College and petition the Academic Standards Committee for reinstatement prior to the beginning of the fall semester if they meet the criteria for good standing based on the scale above. Students who have been academically dismissed may also petition the Academic Standards Committee in writing for immediate reinstatement to degree candidacy. A written petition should be accompanied by letters of support from the student’s academic advisor and at least one faculty member who has taught the student in the most recent semester.

Honors Distinction

Academic Honors

Students who have a semester grade point average of 3.50 or better (for a minimum of 12 credits taken for a letter grade) are placed on the Dean's List. Courses receiving a grade of "Pass" are not included.

At Commencement, students can receive their Bachelor's degree with Honors. With Honors is defined as a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or above with a minimum of 40 Alvernia credits. As noted above, courses receiving a grade of "pass" are not included. The award of honors shall be as follows:

cum laude: In recognition of a grade point average of at least 3.50
magna cum laude: In recognition of a grade point average of at least 3.70
summa cum laude: In recognition of a grade point average of at least 3.90

At Commencement, students can receive their Associate degree with Honors. With Honors is defined as a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or above with a minimum of 40 credits. As noted above, courses receiving a grade of "pass" are not included. The award of honors shall be as follows:

with distinction: In recognition of a grade point average of at least 3.50
with high distinction: In recognition of a grade point average of at least 3.70
with highest distinction: In recognition of a grade point average of at least 3.90

Graduation from the Honors Program

Students who have completed all of the following requirements will graduate from the Alvernia College Honors Program and the distinction will be noted on the student's transcript:

• Thirteen credits in coursework, including:
  • First Year Honors Seminar (3 credits)
  • Three courses (10 credits) of Interdisciplinary Honors Colloquia, one of which must include the fourth credit community service option
  • Six Credits in Honors Thesis. Identify a scholarly problem or develop a creative work under supervision of advisor.
  • Co-curricular portfolio documenting service, leadership, and other activities
  • Reach a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or higher in both the major and in general course work.

Updated: March 29, 2005

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