Satisfactory Academic Progress, Probation, and Eligibility

Satisfactory academic progress toward a degree as a full-time student is defined as completion of 24 or more credits per academic year and maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 1.80 while earning the first 23 credits, 1.90 for 24–56 credits, and 2.00 for 57 credits or more.

Academic Update. When a student’s progress in a course is at risk (e.g., low test scores; missing assignments; lack of attendance), the faculty member is encouraged to initiate an “Academic Update.” This communication is distributed to the student, the student's academic advisor, and appropriate Residence Life staff. This alert is intended to motivate a student to seek the appropriate assistance and to notify those members of the campus community who may be in regular contact with the student.

Academic Warning. When a student’s semester GPA is less than 2.00 regardless of the cumulative GPA, the student receives  an academic warning and their advisor notified. If the student has a signed records release on file, the parent/guardian also receives a copy.  The warning is intended to alert the student so that appropriate measures necessary for academic success can be taken.

Academic Probation. The purpose of placing a student on academic probation is to help the student reorder his/her priorities and time commitments in the direction of greater emphasis on academic studies, in order to help that student attain the University’s minimum standards for satisfactory academic progress as soon as possible. Any student registered for 12 or more graded credits who fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress (defined as completion of 24 or more credits per academic year and maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 1.80 while earning the first 23 credits, 1.90 for 24–56 credits, and 2.0 for 57 credits or more) will be placed on academic probation.

A student on academic probation will be advised to take a maximum of 14 credits per semester while on probation. A student who does not maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average for two consecutive semesters will be placed on academic suspension for two semesters. Any student taking six or more credits in a semester who receives less than a 1.00 (D) semester grade point average will be placed on academic suspension.

After two semesters of suspension, the student may apply for re-enrollment by providing evidence of probable success. Upon return, if a student fails to achieve the minimum cumulative grade point average in two semesters, the student will be dismissed from the University. A student who is dismissed for academic reasons may apply for readmission after two years. Such a student must present an official transcript of 24 credits successfully completed at a regionally accredited institution of higher education (earning satisfactory grades of C or higher) after dismissal from Messiah.

Cocurricular and Athletic Eligibility. A student who has been placed on academic probation shall be ineligible for participation in the following cocurricular activities:

  • Intercollegiate athletics and club sports
  • Theatre productions
  • Music ensembles
  • SGA officers
  • Officers in any SGA-chartered organization, including team managers of Outreach Teams
  • Music ministry teams
  • Resident Life staff
  • Staff members of The Pulse Media Hub

The only exceptions will be those cases where such participation earns academic credit in a University course and that course meets a graduation require­ment for the student’s major.

The Registrar is responsible for notifying students of their being placed on or removed from academic probation upon completion of the grading process for the period of study leading to such status.

  • Students placed on academic probation as a result of fall semester grades shall become ineligible for cocurricular participation on the first class day of the spring semester.
  • Students placed on academic probation as a result of spring semester or summer session grades shall become ineligible for partici­pation on the first class day of the fall semester.
  • Students who are removed from academic probation as a result of fall, spring, or summer grades shall become eligible for cocurricu­lar participation as soon as grades are officially recorded for that period of study.

A student who is placed on academic probation may appeal for an exception to this policy. The appeal must be sent, in writing, to the Registrar by the end of the first week of the next semester (fall or spring), and must be accompanied by letters of recommendation from the student’s academic advisor, the person in charge of the respective cocurricular activity, and the student’s Residence Director (if applicable). The Academic Appeals Subcommittee shall act on the appeal, and the decision of that committee shall be final.

Academic Suspension, and Dismissal. A student who does not maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average for two consecutive semesters will be placed on academic suspension for two semesters. Any student taking six or more credits in a semester who receives less than a 1.0 (D) semester grade point average will be placed on academic suspension.

After two semesters of suspension, the student may apply for reinstatement by providing evidence of probable success. Upon return, if a student fails to achieve the minimum cumulative grade point average in two semesters, the student will be dismissed from the University. A student who is dismissed for academic reasons may apply for readmission after two years. Such a student must present an official transcript of 24 credits successfully completed at a regionally accredited institution of higher education (earning satisfactory grades of C or higher) after dismissal from Messiah.

Academic Appeals of Suspension or Dismissal.

Appeals of academic suspension must be submitted in writing to the Academic Appeals Subcommittee and must include an explanation of why minimum academic requirements were not met and why an exception is warranted. Appeals must be received within the time limit stated in the suspension notification.