Official Statement of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The following guidelines regarding satisfactory academic progress meet the standards set by the Faculty of Bryn Mawr College and those mandated by the Department of Education.

1. Qualitative Measures for Satisfactory Progress toward the Degree: Academic Standard of Work

At the close of every semester, the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) reviews the records of all students who have failed to meet the college’s academic standard of work. The record of any student who has received a grade below 2.0 in a course might be reviewed (see below). Upon review, students must meet the requirements set by CAS.

The Merit Rule requires that a student attain grades of 2.0 or higher in at least one half of the total number of courses taken while at Bryn Mawr. Courses from which the student has withdrawn are not considered. Covered grades for courses which the student elects to take Credit / No Credit are considered. The student may be excluded from the College at the close of any semester in which the student has failed to meet this requirement and is automatically excluded if more than one-half of the student’s work falls below 2.0 at the close of the student’s junior year. A student who is excluded from the College is not eligible for readmission.

The Standard of Work in the Major requires that every student working for an A.B. degree maintain grades of 2.0 or higher in all courses in the major subject. No student may choose as the major subject one in which the student has received a grade below 1.0 or one in which the student’s average is below 2.0. A student receiving a grade below 2.0 in any course in the major subject (including a course taken at another institution) is reported to the Committee on Academic Standing. After consulting with the student’s major department, the Committee may require the student to change the major. At the end of the junior year, a student having a major subject average below 2.0 must change the major. If the student has no alternative major, the student is excluded from the College and is not eligible for readmission.

Repeated Failure:
A student who has incurred a grade of 0.0 or NC following a previous 0.0 or NC will be reported to the Committee on Academic Standing. 

Deterioration of Work:
A student whose work meets these specific standards but whose record has deteriorated (for example, who has earned two or more grades below merit) will be reported to the Committee on Academic Standing.

2. Quantitative Measures for Satisfactory Progress toward the Degree

Students may request exceptions to these quantitative measures by petitioning their deans or the Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing. Only the records of those students who fail to meet these standards or to secure an exception will be reviewed at the close of the semester by the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS). Upon review, students must meet the requirements set by CAS.

Units:
Thirty-two units are required to complete the A.B. degree. Students normally carry a complete program of four courses (four units) each semester and are expected to complete the full-time course of study in eight enrolled semesters. A student may register for 3.0, 3.5, 4.5 or 5.0 units per semester with the approval of the student’s dean. To enroll in 5.5 units, the student must also secure the permission of the Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing.

Pace:
Full-time students must earn a minimum of fifteen units before the start of the junior year. These units may include transfer credits. At the end of the second, third or fourth semester, students who are unable to present to their dean a viable plan to meet this expectation must petition the Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing for an exception. Students who are not granted an exception will be brought to the attention of the Committee on Academic Standing.

All students must be on pace to complete the A.B. degree within 150% of the standard thirty-two units. To meet these guidelines, students must complete at least 67% of all courses attempted in any single semester and at least 67% cumulatively. Courses in which a student has earned the following grades for any reason, including non-attendance, will count as units attempted but not completed: W (withdrawal), 0.0 (failure), NC (a failure earned in a course taken credit / no credit), or NGR (no grade). Officially dropped and unofficially audited courses count as neither units attempted nor completed. Courses in which a student has earned a grade of UI (unauthorized incomplete) or I (incomplete) will not be counted as a unit attempted until the final grade has been assigned. These standards apply to students enrolled in dual degree programs. The maximum timeframe for a transfer student may not exceed 150% of the thirty-two units minus the number of units accepted for transfer at the point of matriculation. Students who are unable to meet this expectation may petition their dean for an exception.

Acceptance into a Major Program:
By the end of the sophomore year, every student must have declared a major. At the end of the fourth semester, any student who has failed to meet this expectation must petition the Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing for an exception. Students who are not granted an exception will be brought to the attention of the Committee on Academic Standing.

Completion of requirements:
Before the start of the sophomore year, all students must have completed the Emily Balch Seminar Requirement. At the end of the second semester, any student who has failed to meet this expectation must petition the Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing for an exception. Students who are not granted an exception will be brought to the attention of the Committee on Academic Standing.

Before the start of the junior year, all students who matriculated in August 2011 or later must have completed the physical education requirement. At the end of the fourth semester, any student who has failed to meet this expectation must petition the Department of Athletics for an exception. Students who are not granted an exception will be brought to the attention of the Committee on Academic Standing.

Before the start of the senior year, all students must have completed all remaining requirements, including the distribution, foreign language and quantitative requirements, and for students who matriculated prior to August 2011, the physical education requirement. At the end of the sixth semester, any student who is unable to present to her dean a viable plan to meet this expectation must petition the Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing for an exception. Students who are not granted an exception will be brought to the attention of the Committee on Academic Standing.

3. Procedure: The Committee on Academic Standing (CAS)

At the end of every semester, the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) reviews the records of all students who have failed to meet the academic standards of the College or to make satisfactory progress towards the degree. A student whose record is reviewed by CAS must meet the requirements set by CAS.

Each student whose record is reviewed will receive an official letter from the Dean of Studies on behalf of the Committee which lays out an academic plan and specifies the standards the student must meet by the end of the following semester or before returning to the College. In addition, the Committee may place restrictions upon a student’s course load or course selection. The student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) will be notified that the student’s record has been reviewed by the Committee and informed of any resulting change in student status.

Any student whose record has been reviewed will be put on academic warning or major subject warning the following semester, or the semester of the student’s return if the student has been required to withdraw. If the student receives financial aid, the student will also receive a financial aid warning. While on academic or major subject warning, the student will be required to meet regularly with the student’s dean and the student’s instructors will be asked to submit mid-semester reports regarding the student’s work. If the student meets the standards specified by the committee, the warning is lifted. If a student on warning or probation does not meet these expectations and requirements, the Committee on Academic Standing will place them on Academic Leave from the College and provide guidance about ways to prepare to return. Alternatively, students may ask the Committee for permission to continue for an additional semester on academic probation (and, if appropriate, for a semester of financial aid probation) by submitting this appeal form. The student’s appeal should specify the reasons the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress (such as health issues, family crises, or other special circumstance) and the changes that have taken place that ensure that the student can make satisfactory progress in the upcoming semester. The student may supply documentation to support the appeal.

Any student whose record is reviewed by CAS or who appeals to CAS to return on academic probation or major subject probation may be required to withdraw from the College and present evidence that she can do satisfactory work before being readmitted on probation. A withdrawn student may not register for classes at the College until she has been readmitted. The CAS may also recommend to the president that the student be excluded from the College. An excluded student is not eligible for readmission to the College.

4. Readmission process for students who have been required to withdraw

Students who have been required by the CAS to withdraw may apply to return on probation when they have met the expectations set by the CAS and can demonstrate they are ready to do satisfactory work at the college. Students who hope to return in September must submit a re-enrollment application and all supporting materials by May 1. Those who hope to return in January must submit their application and materials by November 1. Re-enrollment applications are reviewed by CAS in June and in December.