Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
All degree-seeking students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to remain enrolled at the school. Additionally, satisfactory academic progress must be maintained in order to maintain eligibility to receive financial assistance (e.g., federal and state aid). Satisfactory academic progress is determined by measuring the student’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and the student’s rate of progress toward completion of the academic program at the end of each grading period. Both the CGPA and ROP standards must be met in order to be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress. These are outlined below.
CGPA Requirements
Students must meet minimum CGPA requirements at specific points throughout the program in order to be considered making satisfactory academic progress. These requirements are noted in the tables below. These will be reviewed at the end of each grading period after grades have been posted to determine if the student’s CGPA is in compliance. Once the student reaches a review point, the minimum CGPA for that level must be maintained until the next level of review.
Rate of Progress Toward Completion Requirements
In addition to the CGPA requirements, a student must maintain the minimum rate of progress percentage requirement in order to be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress. The rate of progress percentage is calculated by dividing the credits earned by the credits attempted. Credits attempted are defined as those credits required in the students program of study including credits that were transferred from other approved institutions and proficiency credits earned. As with the determination of CGPA, the completion requirements will be reviewed at the end of each grading period after grades have been posted to determine if the student is progressing satisfactorily.
|
Associates
|
Bachelors
|
Masters
|
Doctoral |
|
Credits
|
ROP
|
CGPA
|
Credits
|
ROP
|
CGPA
|
Credits
|
ROP
|
CGPA
|
Credits |
ROP |
CGPA |
|
0-15
|
50%
|
1.6
|
0-30
|
50%
|
1.6
|
0-7
|
50%
|
3.0
|
0-96 |
66.67% |
3.3 |
|
16-30
|
55%
|
1.75
|
31-60
|
55%
|
1.75
|
8-15
|
55%
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
|
31-45
|
60%
|
1.9
|
61-90
|
60%
|
1.9
|
16-22
|
60%
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
|
46+
|
66.67%
|
2.0
|
91+
|
66.67%
|
2.0
|
23+
|
66.67%
|
3.0
|
|
|
|
Maximum Time in Which to Complete
A student is not allowed to attempt more than 1.5 times, or 150%, of the number of credits in their program of study. The requirements for rate of progress are to assure that students are progressing at a rate at which they will complete their programs within the maximum timeframe.
Maximum Timeframe for Doctoral Programs
Students in a Doctoral program must complete their degree within seven (7) years of beginning the program. The Time to Degree begins with the first class in the doctoral program (not including students taking doctoral classes as part of the Doctoral Advantage program) and ends seven years from that date, regardless of time when the student is not active in the program. Students who elect to change their concentration within their program will have no change to their Time to Degree timeframe. Students who elect to change to a different doctoral program (Computer Science to Management or vice‐versa) will have their Time to Degree begin from their first class in the new program. A student who does not complete their degree within the seven year timeframe will be dismissed. (Ex. A student who begins the program on 1/5/14 will have until 1/4/21 to graduate from the program before they are dismissed.) Students dismissed for exceeding Time to Degree who would like to return to the University to finish
their degree will need to appeal in order to be considered. Appeals must be approved by the University Dean or Provost.
How Transfer Credits/Change of Program Affect SAP
Credit that has been transferred into the institution by the student is included in the Rate of Progress calculation; however has no effect on the grade point average requirement for SAP. Transfer credit is also considered when computing the maximum timeframe allowed for a program of study. For example, a student transfers from institution A to institution B. The student is able to transfer 30 credits earned at institution A into a program at institution B. The program requires 180 credits to graduate. Thus, the maximum timeframe for this student’s new program at institution B will be one‐and‐a‐half times (150%) x 180 = 270 credits. The 30 transfer hours will be added to the attempted and earned hours when the maximum timeframe and rate of progress is being calculated.
When a student elects to change a program at Colorado Technical University the student’s attempted and earned credits and grades will be transferred into the new program as applicable, including transfer credit. Credits earned at the school in the original program of study that apply to the new program of study will be used when computing grade point average, rate of progress and maximum timeframe. Transfer credits from another institution that are applicable to the new program of study will not be calculated in the grade point average but will be considered as credits attempted and earned in the maximum timeframe and rate of progress calculations.
For example, a student transfers from program A to program B. The student is able to transfer 30 external credits and 10 credits earned in program A into program B. Program B requires 180 credits to graduate. Thus, the maximum time frame for this student’s new program will be one and half times (150%) x 180 = 270 credits. The 30 external transfer hours will be added to the attempted and earned hours when the maximum timeframe and rate of progress are being calculated. The 10 credits earned in program A will be included in the grade point average calculation as well as the maximum timeframe and rate of progress calculation.
Warning and Probationary Periods
At the end of each term after grades have been posted, each student’s CGPA and rate of progress is reviewed to determine whether the student is meeting the above requirements.
- A student will be placed on FA Warning immediately after the first term in which the CGPA or the rate of progress falls below the values specified in the tables above. At the end of the next term, the student will be removed from FA Warning and returned to SAP Met Status if the minimum standards are met or exceeded.
- A student who continues to fall below the specified values will be required to successfully appeal in order to maintain eligibility for financial assistance under a FA Probation status.
- A student who successfully appeals and is on FA Probation will be evaluated at the end of the next term.
- A student who meets or exceeds the minimum standards will be removed from FA Probation and returned to a SAP Met status. If the minimum CGPA and rate of progress requirements are not met at the time of evaluation; the student will be placed of FA Dismissal Status and will be dismissed from school unless terms of the academic plan are met.
If at any point it can be determined that it is mathematically impossible for a student to meet the minimum requirements, the student will be dismissed from the school.
Notification of academic dismissal will be in writing. The Code of Conduct Policy section of this catalog describes other circumstances that could lead to student dismissal for non‐academic reasons. A tuition refund may be due in accordance with the institution’s stated refund policy.
During the period of FA Warning, which lasts for one payment period only the student may continue to receive financial aid. During a period of FA Probation, if an appeal is accepted by the institution, the student may also continue to receive financial aid.
A student on FA Warning and FA Probation must participate in academic advising as deemed necessary by the institution as a condition of academic monitoring. A student who fails to comply with these requirements may be subject to dismissal even though their CGPA or rate of progress may be above the dismissal levels.
Appeal
A student who has been placed on FA Probation may appeal the determination if special or mitigating circumstances exist. If you are an active student, any appeal must be in writing and must be submitted to the Appeals Board within six (6) days of receiving notification of his/her dismissal. The student must explain what type of circumstances contributed to the academic problem and what action is being implemented to overcome the mitigating circumstance in the future. The decision of Appeals Board is final and may not be further appealed. For the appeal of non‐academic dismissals, please refer to the grievance policy within this catalog.
Reinstatement
A student who was previously academically dismissed may apply for reinstatement of their status to the University by submitting a written appeal. The Appeals Board will consider the student's appeal to determine if reinstatement to the University is warranted. The appeal should be in the form of a letter explaining the reasons why the student should be reinstated. The decision regarding reinstatement will be based upon factors such as grades, attendance, student account balance, conduct, and the student's commitment to complete the program. If the appeal is successfully approved, the University will allow a student a maximum of four approved reinstatements within a specific degree level (i.e., undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate). Dismissed students who are readmitted will sign a new Enrollment Agreement and will be charged tuition consistent with the existing published tuition rate. Financial aid may be available to those readmitted who qualify.
A student who fails to return to good standing and exceeds the number of allowable reinstatements is no longer eligible to appeal. In an extreme circumstance, permission from the Provost or his/her designee is required for additional appeal consideration.