ACADEMIC STANDING

Academic Probation and Suspension

In order to achieve and remain in academic good standing at Sam Houston State University, an undergraduate student must maintain an SHSU and an overall grade point average of at least 2.0. A 2.0 overall grade point average is the absolute minimum required for graduation. An undergraduate student who falls below a 2.0 SHSU or overall grade point average at the close of any semester or summer school during which one or more semester hours are attempted will be placed on probation. Summer school (two sessions) is considered to be a unit equivalent to a semester. Students who earn less than a C in any developmental course (031D/032D) will automatically be placed on probation. If an enrolled student on probation fails to achieve a minimum of a 2.0 SHSU and overall grade point average at the close of the next semester or summer school attended following the starting of the probation, the student will be suspended.

Undergraduate transfer students who are admitted with less than a 2.0 overall grade point average will be admitted on probation. An undergraduate transfer student must achieve a minimum overall grade point average (including all transfer work) of 2.0 at the close of the semester or summer school for which the student is admitted or the student will be suspended.

Students on probation must be advised and cleared to register.

The cumulative SHSU grade point average is based only on course work at Sam Houston State University for which the student earns the grade of A, B, C, D, or F. The marks of Q, WP, WF, NC, and X are not counted as hours attempted in figuring the cumulative grade point average.

Deficient grade points on transferred work must be made up in order to earn a degree at Sam Houston State University. Grades earned at other institutions may not be used to remove grade deficiencies earned at Sam Houston State University.

Any student who has accumulated a total of 30 or more deficient grade points at the end of any long semester or summer school will be automatically suspended. Deficient grade points which may have been transferred in from other institutions are added to those received at Sam Houston State University in order to determine total grade point deficiency.

Academic actions are based on the total Sam Houston State University record and are implemented at the close of the fall semester, spring semester, and summer school. Summer Transient Students are not subject to academic action while in that status.

Removal from Academic Probation

The student will be removed from academic probation at the close of the semester in which their cumulative grade point average meets the required standard.

Readmission after Academic Suspension

The period of academic suspension and the subsequent readmission of a student on academic probation are based on the entire Sam Houston State University academic record and at the discretion of the academic dean. The student is required to see his/her dean for specific requirements of the appropriate college and the University.

1. The first suspension is for a period of at least one semester.
2. If suspended a second time, the student may not enroll for a period of at least twelve months.
3. If suspended a third time, further enrollment should not be contemplated at Sam Houston State University.
4. Readmission from suspension may be approved by the academic dean of the college in which the student was enrolled at the time of his/her suspension. The petition for readmission must be made in writing and supported by a transcript of all college work completed at Sam Houston State University.
5. Students who are subject to suspension under the stated terms of the Academic Probation and Suspension Policies and who register for enrollment at the University do so at their own risk and monies paid for fees and tuition are subject to the refund regulations as stated in the Sam Houston State University catalog.
6. Any student who has accumulated a total of 30 or more deficient grade points at the end of any fall or spring semester or summer school will be automatically suspended. Deficiency grade points which may have been transferred in from other institutions are added to those received at Sam Houston State University in order to determine total deficiency grade points.

The appropriate academic dean may place on probation, retain on probation, or suspend any student deficient in grade points without regard to the regulations previously stated.

Resignations

To resign (officially withdraw) from the University, a student must notify the Registrar’s Office and process a Resignation Request. The Resignation Request must be in writing and becomes effective on the date received by the Registrar’s Office. The effective date of the Resignation Request, as received by the Registrar’s Office, is the date which is used for determining any refund as authorized in the State Refund Policy (see Tuition and Fees Refund Policy). The student is responsible for clearing all debts owed to the University. Students who fail to officially resign from the University prior to the stated deadline will receive the grade of F for each course in which they are enrolled.

Students who resign after the first nine weeks of a regular semester or after the first two weeks of a summer session receive a mark of WP (withdrew passing) or WF (withdrew failing) for each course for which they are enrolled. Students who resign from the University while enrolled in a course whose duration is less than a normal term will receive a mark of WP or WF if they resign after one-half of that course time has been completed. The mark of WP or WF is the responsibility of the student’s instructors.

ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS

Academic grievances include disputes over: academic standards, course grades, unauthorized class absences or tardiness, suspension from the University for academic deficiency, and/or alleged unprofessional conduct by a course instructor. A copy of Academic Policy Statement 900823, Academic Grievance Procedures for Students, can be obtained from the office of the student’s academic dean, department chair, or the Newton Gresham Library. This academic policy statement is available online.

TRANSCRIPTS

A currently enrolled student or a former student of the University may obtain a transcript of his/her completed work from the Office of the Registrar. All requests for transcripts must be in writing and must be accompanied by the individual’s signature. A fee which, according to state law must be paid in advance, will be charged for each copy. The current fee for each transcript is $5. Transcripts will not be released for students who have a financial indebtedness to the University. Checks should be made payable to Sam Houston State University.

CORRESPONDENCE COURSES

Correspondence courses are offered for those students who wish to add to their academic program by individual study. A student is permitted to complete eighteen semester hours toward a bachelor’s degree by correspondence course work. Correspondence courses may be completed in a minimum of sixty days or a maximum of one calendar year.

Semester credit hours earned in a correspondence course(s) are not considered “Resident Classroom Instruction” hours and are not used in determining academic honors: cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude, the Dean’s List, and the President’s Honor Roll. However, the semester credit hours and grade points earned for correspondence courses are included in the calculation of the overall SHSU grade point average. Students may not repeat by correspondence any course in which a previous grade of D or F has been earned.

Correspondence courses are not offered at the graduate level, nor can any correspondence course taken at any level or at any institution count towards a graduate degree at Sam Houston State University.

Students may enroll in correspondence courses at any time. Additional information, including a brochure listing courses offered and an enrollment application, may be obtained by inquiring in person in Room 116, Academic Classroom Building III, or by writing to Correspondence Course Division, Box 2536, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341-2536. Telephone: (936) 294-1003, 294-1005, 294-3824. Website