Letters and Sciences

Advising Policy for Letters and Sciences Students on Academic Probation and Dismissal

Introduction

There are many factors (academic, personal, social, health, etc.) that impact a student’s academic performance and lead to academic difficulty.  Letters and Sciences is committed to assisting students on academic probation and dismissal improve their academic achievements.  This website has important information about the requirements for probation/dismissal students in Letters and Sciences.  Students should review the information below and contact their academic advisor if they have any additional questions.
 
Students on Academic Probation or Dismissal are still capable of achieving their goals; however, they may have to find an alternative route to reach those goals. The Letters and Sciences staff is here to support students and believes every student can be successful at the University! Students should call the Letters and Sciences office at (301) 314-8418, or stop by 1117 Hornbake Library, to schedule an appointment with their advisor.  They can also email their advisor if they have any questions or concerns. 

 

Information for Students on Academic Probation                 Information for Students on Academic Dismissal

 

FAQ Section:  Academic Probation

What does it mean to be on academic probation? See:
(http://www.umd.edu/catalog/index.cfm/show/content.section/c/27/ss/1584/s/1539)
Students will be placed on academic probation if their cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. Normally, a student is expected to attain a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of any probationary semester. Students who fail to achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of their probationary semester may be academically dismissed, depending on their credit level as detailed below.   
**IMPORTANT**

  1. Students who have earned 60 credits or more will be dismissed from the University in the event their cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 at the end of their probationary semester. Students who are on probation and attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of a winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal in the subsequent semester.
  2. Students who are on academic probation and have earned fewer than 60 credits will be permitted to continue on academic probation if a minimum semester GPA of 2.0 is achieved in each semester of probation.
    1. Full-time students must complete 9 or more credits in each semester. A completed credit is defined as credit for any course in which a student receives a grade of A, B, C, D, F, P, or S.
    2. Students who meet this requirement will be permitted to continue on probation until the close of the semester (excluding winter and summer terms) in which they attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
    3. Students who are on probation will be dismissed if they have not achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of the semester in which they complete 60 credits.
    4. Students who are on probation and attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of a winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal in the subsequent semester.

 

How does being on academic probation in Letters and Sciences affect registration?
Students on academic probation in Letters and Sciences cannot make adjustments to their course schedule without getting permission from their academic advisor.  This permission comes in the way of electronic “stamps” advisors give their students.  These stamps indicate which courses a student has permission to add and/or drop.  Additionally, students must complete the following requirements before they will be allowed to register for courses for the next semester:

  1. Complete an Academic Success Plan with their advisor https://elms.umd.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp.
  2. Complete 3 academic advising appointments with their assigned advisor.   
  3. Revise their four semester plan. http://www.ltsc.umd.edu/FourSemPlan.pdf
  4. Participate in at least two (2) blackboard community discussions.

How does one get off academic probation?
Students who improve their cumulative GPA to at least a 2.0 will no longer be on academic probation. Students should keep in mind that there are many aspects to being on probation that should be explored with their advisors in Letters and Sciences. Advisors are a terrific resource for beginning the process of identifying extra help that may be needed to raise a student’s GPA.
 

What are the next steps for Students on academic probation? 
Students on academic probation should do the following on their road to academic recovery:

  1. Re-read the letter from the Office of the Registrar.  Be sure to understand ALL aspects of this message. 
  2. Set up an advising appointment with their assigned advisor.  Students should call 301-314-8418 or stop by 1117 Hornbake Library to schedule an appointment.
  3. Identify and address the issues that led to their poor academic performance with the assistance of their advisor. 
  4. Consider a winter/summer course to improve their cumulative GPA.
  5. Re-evaluate major choices.
  6. Read the repeat policy http://www.umd.edu/catalog/index.cfm/show/content.section/c/27/ss/1584/s/1537 on Testudo.  There are instances in which a student may be permitted to repeat a course and have the higher of the two grades factored into their cumulative GPA.  This is not an option for each repeated course or for all students. 
  7. Review course schedule and make adjustments by deadline.  This will require approval from their academic advisor.

A student’s advisor can offer much insight as to helping a student decide which of the resources above might be most appropriate in their specific situation. Also, an advisor can help a student map out the most effective route (and timeline) for use of the resources UM has to offer.

What resources are available to help students improve their academic standing?
There are many UM resources that students on academic probation should become familiar with and use as needed, including the following:

  1. University Career Center http://www.careercenter.umd.edu/
  2. Counseling Center www.counseling.umd.edu/
  3. Math Tutoring Resources www.math.umd.edu/undergraduate/resources/
  4. FREE Tutoring Resources www.tutoring.umd.edu/
  5. Learning Assistance Services http://www.counseling.umd.edu/LAS/
  6. Resource Directory www.counseling.umd.edu/Infodata/resdirec.pdf
  7. Office of Student Financial Aid www.financialaid.umd.edu/
  8. Resident Life www.resnet.umd.edu/

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FAQ Section: Academic Dismissal

 

What does it mean to be dismissed? See:
http://www.umd.edu/catalog/index.cfm/show/content.section/c/27/ss/1584/s/1539
Students are placed on academic dismissal when their semester GPA falls below a 2.0 for two consecutive semesters. 
**IMPORTANT**

  1.  Students who have earned 60 or more credits will be dismissed if their cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters (excluding winter and summer terms) Students who attained a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in the preceding winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal.
  2. Students who have earned fewer than 60 credits will be dismissed following any probationary semester in which they fail to attain a minimum 2.0 semester GPA and complete the requisite credits detailed under 'Academic Probation.' Students who attained a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in the preceding winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal.
  3. Students who have been academically dismissed and who are reinstated will be academically dismissed again if a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is not achieved by the end of the first semester after reinstatement. Reinstated students will not be allowed to add or drop courses, or to register during any semester without the approval of an academic advisor in their college, unless a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is achieved.
  4. The Office of the Registrar will notify the appropriate University offices when students are academically dismissed and will note the dismissal on the students' academic record.
  5. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will notify students in writing when they are dismissed. The notices will include a statement that registration for the next semester (excluding winter or summer terms) will be canceled.

 

How does a student get to come back to Maryland (be reinstated)? 
Students that have been academically dismissed must apply for reinstatement through the Office of Admissions http://www.uga.umd.edu/admissions/ by the appropriate deadlines and cannot make adjustments to their course schedule until they have been reinstated.  If a student is not reinstated, any early registration for the next semester will be canceled.

 

What does it mean to be reinstated?
A Student whose application for reinstatement is approved is then placed on “academic dismissal.”  Each instance of reinstatement is different and students need to carefully read their reinstatement letter and meet all requirements established in that letter.   

 

How does being on academic dismissal affect a student’s registration?

Students on academic dismissal must have the permission of their advisor to make schedule adjustments for their current semester.  There are additional requirements students must meet to register for the next semester.   

 

How does a student get off academic dismissal? **IMPORTANT**
Students that have been reinstated must complete the conditions listed in their reinstatement letter which includes improving their cumulative GPA to at least a 2.0 by the end of their first semester following dismissal. 

 

What are the next steps for students who are reinstated?
Students that have been reinstated should do the following on their road to academic recovery.

  1. Re-read the letter from the Office of the Registrars Office.  Be sure to understand all aspects to this message. 
  2. Set up an advising appointment with their assigned advisor.  Students should call 301-314-8418 or stop by 1117 Hornbake Library to schedule an appointment.
  3. Consider a winter/summer course to improve cumulative GPA
  4. Re-evaluate major choices.
  5. Review course schedule and make adjustments by deadline.  This will require approval from an advisor.

 

What resources are available to help students improve their academic standing?
There are many UM resources that students on dismissal should become familiar with and use as needed, including:

  1. University Career Center http://www.careercenter.umd.edu/
  2. Counseling Center www.counseling.umd.edu/
  3. FREE Tutoring Resources www.tutoring.umd.edu/
  4. Learning Assistance Services http://www.counseling.umd.edu/LAS/
  5. Resource Directory www.counseling.umd.edu/Infodata/resdirec.pdf
  6. Office of Student Financial Aid www.financialaid.umd.edu/
  7. Resident Life www.resnet.umd.edu/

 

Remember that a student’s advisor can offer much insight as to helping a student decide which of the resources above might be most appropriate in their specific situation. Also, an advisor can help a student map out the most effective route (and timeline) for use of the resources UM has to offer.

 

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