Academic Improvement Plan

Academic Warning

Maintaining adequate progress for a degree is defined by meeting a 2.00 cumulative GPA (CGPA). Students who do not maintain a 2.00 CGPA move into a status of academic warning. While on academic warning, you will have a hold placed on the registration of subsequent semesters and must meet with an academic recovery specialist and student success coach to remove this academic warning hold. All notifications concerning the hold will be sent to your Penn State email address.

Information regarding Penn State University's Academic Progress can be found at Faculty Senate Policy 54-00 Academic Progress
 

Meeting with the Academic Recovery Specialist and Student Success Coach to Release Your Academic Warning Hold

Academic warning is not a punishment or the end of your academic career. The hold is a notification to seek help in taking an active approach to improving your academics. During the required discussion with the Academic Recovery Specialist and/or Student Success Coach, you may be asked to:

  • Reflect on challenges 
  • Discuss campus resources 
  • Plan a balanced schedule 
  • Understand GPA, grades, policies 
  • Develop a plan for success 
  • Schedule follow-up meeting(s) 
  • Schedule meeting(s) with a Student Success Coach

Required Steps

  1. Complete the Academic Improvement Plan before you meet with the Academic Recovery Specialist. 
  2. Schedule an Academic Recovery appointment. You should schedule this meeting by the end of the third week of the semester. You will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule a meeting.

Academic Suspension and Dismissal

Suspension

You will be academically suspended from the University if you earn less than a 2.00 semester GPA while in academic warning. Academic suspension prevents enrollment at Penn State for two consecutive semesters. A student who returns to the University must complete re-enrollment and return in academic warning status with their previous GPA and a hold on registration. Faculty Senate Policy 58-00

Recovery Points

Number of credits needed at a “B” or better to achieve a CGPA of at least a 2.00. Recovery points = credits attempted x [2 – cumulative GPA] For example, a student needing 15 recovery points must earn a “B” or better in at least 15 graded credits for a 2.00 CGPA. Students with 15 or fewer Recovery Points may petition for a reduction in or stay of the Academic Suspension.

Dismissal

If you have been placed on academic suspension and fail to achieve at least a 2.00 semester GPA in your first semester back, you will be academically dismissed. After a period of four calendar years, academically dismissed students may seek re-enrollment to the University by requesting academic renewal. Students with 18 or fewer Recovery Points may petition to not be dismissed and instead be placed on Academic Suspension. Faculty Senate Policy 51-70

Making the Most of Campus Resources

Please complete the Academic Improvement Plan and discuss it with the Academic Recovery Specialist. As you list goals, please make them as specific and achievable as possible. The resources listed below may be helpful as you begin to define your goals:

Campus Resources

Student Success Center 

Tammy Spevak 
Associate Director of Academic Services and Retention
203E Butler Teaching and Learning Resource Center
570-450-3017 

Services: 

Academic Advising 

204 Butler Teaching and Learning Resource Center
570-450- 3194

Health Services

Laura Gerth-Makarczyk
Campus Nurse
704 West Halls
570-450-3112

Counseling Services

Dana Sukeena
Campus Counselor
105 Health and Wellness Suite
Physical Education Building
570-450-3027

Financial Aid

Alyssa Russell
Student Aid Coordinator
212 Schiavo Hall
570-450-3074

Student Services and Engagement

Kellina Yarrish
Associate Director of Student Services and Engagement
105C Butler Teaching and Learning Resource Center
570-450-3067

Career Services

Karen Beruck
Career Services Coordinator
204E Butler Teaching and Learning Resource Center
570-450-3011

Mary M. and Bertil E. Lofstrom Library 

570-450-3170