Support Services  |  Academic Progress  |  Academic Strategies  |  GPA Calculators

Healthy / Satisfactory Academic Progress

Healthy academic progress means you are moving toward your degree and that your overall and major GPAs are not at risk of falling below a 2.0 which are graduation requirements (2.5 for Social Work/Nursing).  Note that the Satisfactory Academic Progress Chart does not calculate major GPA.

4 year plan (Healthy / Satisfactory Academic Progress)

• At least five courses (3+ credits each) or more per semester (some majors/minors may require additional courses or lab credits)
• At least a 2.0 cumulative average (Social Work & Nursing requires a 2.5)

4 year Plan (Healthy)	First Year		Sophomore		Junior		Senior
	Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring
Courses/Semester	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5
Running Total Credits	15	30	45	60	75	90	105	120

* approximate values based on standard curriculum, majors with labs or extra

courses may vary slightly in the way these courses are taken.

5 year plan - Minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress (See Chart)

• At least four courses (3+ credits each) per semester
• At least a 2.0 cumulative average

5 year Plan (Minimum)	First Year		Sophomore		Junior		Senior		Extra
	Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring
Courses/Semester	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Running Total Credits	12	24	36	48	60	72	84	96	108	120

* approximate values based on standard curriculum, majors with labs or extra

courses may vary slightly in the way these courses are taken.

Planning Ahead

• GET HELP - Getting help when necessary, planning ahead, and working hard can help you do better academically and avoid being placed on the academic progress chart.
• GPA FOR GRADUATE PROGRAMS - Many graduate schools require a 2.5, 3.0, or higher GPA.  Plan ahead if you are considering graduate school as a future option.
• STRIVE FOR THE A - Be sure to strive for the A or B grades if you can get them, as they may help balance out some of the harder courses you may need to take later on.

Warning Signs

Be careful to watch for some of these warning signs, as they could indicate trouble.  If you are concerned with any of these issues, speak with your advisor or schedule an appointment in the Dean's Office to discuss your options.   The earlier you seek out help the more options are available that may assist you.

• Poor attendance - missing classes can greatly affect your final grade.  Be sure to check your syllabi for class attendance policies.
• Struggling with coursework - suggest talking with your professor or academic support
• Midterm grade reports - Check your progress on My NU every semester.
• Low major GPA - Struggling in your major for too long makes it difficult to bring up your GPA.
• Low overall GPA - If it is close to or below a 2.0, you need to be very careful not to let it drop further.
• Completing less than 4 or 5 classes a semester while attempting to go full time.
  • 4 classes a semester is a 5 year plan which coincides with the requirements for making satisfactory academic progress 
  • 5 classes a semester is a 4 year plan
• External factors - Outside influences can affect your GPA. 
  • Counseling Services or other support services can help.

(Un)Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)

• Details on this policy can be found at the following locations:
  • Niagara University Catalog
  • Academic Support
  • PDF Handout
• Academic standing is reviewed at the end of the fall and spring semesters.
• Any student falling below the minimum requirements is not making satisfactory academic progress and will be placed on warning, probation, or dismissal.
• Unsatisfactory academic progress can affect your financial aid package.
• Students who fall below the following requirements will receive a letter from the Dean's offices at the end of the fall or spring semesters explaining their status.

For each full-time (or equivalent) semester you must achieve

• a minimum number of credit hours (12 per semester)
• and a minimum 2.0 quality point average (QPA - also called GPA)

 

Satisfactory Academic Progress Levels:  

Warning

This is a red flag to tell you that you are at risk academically, but are within reach of satisfactory academic progress if you are careful and utilize some of the strategies and support services available to you. Utilize the F to R policy if applicable to improve your GPA and consider whether your major is a good fit.  Just trying harder, may not be enough to get you back on track.

Probation  / Appealed to Probation

Probation means you are at high risk academically.  You definitely need use the strategies or support services available to you, otherwise you may be at risk for dismissal from the University.   Utilize the F to R policy if applicable to improve your GPA and consider whether your major is a good fit.  Just trying harder, may not be enough to get you back on track.

Dismissal

This means that you are making very poor academic progress and won't be able to return to NU next semester to continue your degree.

Appeal Process For Students on Dismissal

Dismissed students will be mailed an Academic Appeal Form with their status letter.  Note the deadlines for appealling your status. Academic Appeal Form Appeals can be faxed to (716) 286-8063 For information contact (716) 286-8072 or eam@niagara.edu

Click here for strategies and steps to take to get back on track