The intention of the Academic Standing Policy, #2050 and Academic Standing Procedure, #205 is to encourage students encountering academic difficulty to take the necessary steps to succeed in their courses and complete their degree. To be in Good Academic Standing, your cumulative Metropolitan State University GPA must be 2.0 or higher, and your cumulative Metropolitan State completion rate, including credits transferred, is 67 percent or higher. For more information, review Academic Standing Policy, #2050
Academic warning
If your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 and/or cumulative completion rate falls below 67 percent, you will be placed on Academic Warning status.
Academic suspension
If you do not return to Good Academic Standing within the timeframe, you will be suspended for academic reasons. You will need to complete the Academic Suspension Readmission Appeal process to request reinstatement to the university.
Academic probation
Students requesting reinstatement after not registering for nine semesters or more must request readmission to the university. Students who successfully appeal their academic suspension or are reinstated after academic suspension are placed on Academic Probation.
About academic standing
One or more of the reasons listed below can impact any student's academic progress and success:
- Personal issues: family and relationship issues, depression or other health concerns.
- Commitment to college: uncertainty about your major or being in the wrong major can impact your motivation and ability to do well in courses.
- Academic preparation: prerequisite courses may be needed or you might need to strengthen your foundational skills and knowledge before moving to advanced courses.
- Transition and adjustment issues: returning to college after a long absence or being new to a 4 year university takes time to adjust and learn to balance your responsibilities.
- Social activities: too many social or community commitments, too much Facebook.
- Employment: working full-time or part-time and attempting too many college credits.
- Time management: difficulty planning your time, sticking to a schedule, or procrastinating.
- Study strategies: not understanding different study strategies or your own learning style can slow you down and make studying frustrating.
- Financial concerns: sudden changes in jobs or household expenses, divorce, car or house repairs, taking unnecessary courses, losing financial aid or inability to stay on a budget can stress your finances.
What is the Academic Standing policy?
Academic Standing means how well you are progressing in your education. Academic Standing measures both your GPA and your completion rate. The intention of the Academic Standing Policy (#2050) and Academic Standing Procedure (#205) is to encourage students encountering academic difficulty to take the necessary steps to succeed in their courses and complete their degree.
Metropolitan State Academic Standing Policy defines the academic standards and requirements of the university and is consistent with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities policy and Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements. The policy outlines intervention steps to help students in academic difficulty make better decisions and be more successful in their courses.
How do I stay in good academic standing?
To be in good academic standing, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher at Metropolitan State and a cumulative completion rate of 67 percent or higher.
Cumulative GPA definition
The Metropolitan State GPA is calculated based on courses taught by Metropolitan State and also includes Consortium Agreement courses from other Minnesota State schools posted to the Metropolitan State transcript. The GPA is calculated for courses with grades of A-F. Grades of S, NC, W, AU, IP and missing grades ("Z") are not included in the GPA calculation.
Cumulative completion definition
This rate is computed by dividing the number of credits successfully completed by the number of credits attempted. Credits accepted in transfer are included in the calculation as both attempted and completed.
If you do not meet both the GPA and Completion Rate cumulative standards, you will be placed on Academic Warning.
What is an academic warning?
During the semester you are on Academic Warning, you must improve your GPA and/or Completion Rate and return to Good Academic Standing at the end of the semester (cumulative GPA must be 2.0 or above and cumulative completion rate must be 67% or above).
Students are notified when placed on Academic Warning and given detailed information on next steps, which include:
• Signing up for and completing an Academic Success Workshop
• Scheduling a meeting with your academic advisor to receive approval for registration
If you are on Academic Warning you have only one semester to come back into good standing. Students who do not meet both the GPA and Completion Rate cumulative standards while on Academic Warning, are placed on Academic Suspension.
What is academic suspension?
Academic Suspension requires you to sit out of the university for 3 semesters (1 year) to assess your situation and make changes. Students who are suspended are notified of their suspension and sent information on the procedure to appeal the suspension. All students have the option to appeal the suspension. If you decide not to appeal or if your appeal is denied, you then have the option to apply for reinstatement after three semesters.
Suspended students who are currently attending classes for a following term and who do not successfully appeal will be dropped from their classes and any tuition and fees paid for the upcoming term(s) will be refunded.
Students who successfully appeal their academic suspension or are reinstated after academic suspension are placed on Academic Probation.
What is academic probation?
Academic Probation has different progress requirements from Academic Warning. During the semester you are on Academic Probation, you must either meet the cumulative GPA of 2.0 and cumulative Completion Rate of 67 percent to be placed back good academic standing, or you must earn at least a semester GPA of 2.25 and a semester completion rate of 75 percent to continue on probation and avoid Academic Suspension again (semesters include summer).
If you do not meet the good academic standing requirements or the semester GPA and Completion Rate requirements while on Academic Probation, you will again be placed on Academic Suspension. As long as you meet the Academic Probation semester requirements (semester GPA of 2.25 and a semester completion rate of 75 percent), you will continue enrollment and remain on Academic Probation.You are fully removed from Academic Probation when you are again in Good Academic Standing (cumulative GPA must be 2.0 or above and cumulative completion rate must be 67 percent or above).
Financial Aid requirements for progress
Financial Aid Progress is a separate process from academic progress. Although the GPA and completion rate requirements for Good Academic Standing and to be eligible to receive financial aid are the same, these are different policies and procedures and financial aid has additional criteria. The processes for appealing academic Suspension and for appealing Financial Aid Suspension are completely separate. If you have a financial aid hold, please contact Gateway Student Services at 651-793-1300 or gateway@metrostate.edu.
Where do I check if I have an academic hold on my registration?
The first page of your DARS report will show if you have any academic holds for the following: Academic Warning 0093, Academic Probation 0001, or Academic Suspension 0002. In Student E-Services, look under “Courses & Registration”, then review “Registration Holds”.
How do I determine my cumulative Metropolitan State GPA?
The Metro State GPA includes grades of A-F for credits taken at the university, including Consortium Agreement Credits attempted at another institution and recorded on your university transcript. Grades of S, NC, I, W, Z, and missing grades are not included in the GPA calculation. For more information, see Metro State’s GPA Calculator.
How do I determine my cumulative completion rate?
Locate your transcript in Student E-Services, look under “Grades and Transcripts”, then review your “Academic Record”. On your transcript you will find Cum Attempted credits and Earned credits. Divide the Earned credits by the cumulative attempted credits.
Summary of the Academic Standing Policy
To stay in good academic standing, students must maintain a cumulative Metropolitan State University GPA of 2.0 or better AND successfully complete (grades of A through D or S) at least 67% of the credits accepted in transfer and taken through Metropolitan State University. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better is required for graduation. See university policy 2050 and procedure 205 for details. These standards may change without notice if required by changes in Financial Aid Academic Progress policy.
The Academic Appeals Procedure, University Procedure #202 provides an orderly process of appeals for decisions related to grades, and program and graduation requirements.