Normal Progress

Normal progress toward a degree is defined as earning 16 semester credits and achieving a 2.0 GPA, on the average, per semester, and satisfactorily meeting the other fixed requirements of the college. A student earning 16 semester credits for eight semesters will acquire slightly more than the 126 semester credits required for graduation in a four-year period.

The Committee on Student Academic Performance and Procedures monitors students’ academic progress toward graduation. Committee members include the following college staff: dean of the college (or designee), dean of students, registrar and associate director of Financial Aid. Following each semester, the committee meets to consider carefully the term, cumulative Concordia grade point average and the number of course credits completed by all students. The committee uses the following established guidelines for minimum acceptable progress to ensure graduation in a reasonable period of time.

Minimum Academic Progress

Minimum Academic Progress

Credit Hours Completed	Concordia Cumulative GPA	Completion Rate
0-17	1.7	50%
17.01-34	1.8	62.5%
34.01-51	1.9	68.75%
51.01 and beyond	2.0	68.75%

Credit hours listed above include all courses completed (including Concordia courses, transfer and other credits).

Concordia Cumulative GPA is the GPA calculated from just the courses attempted at Concordia (does not include transfer grades).

Completion Rate is the percentage of attempted hours successfully completed.

Note: The committee reserves the right to place a student on academic probation as a consequence of an extremely poor semester. Students may be suspended from Concordia at any time if the student’s academic performance in any given semester falls below a 1.0 GPA.

If you have any questions, contact the Office of Academic Affairs at 218.299.3001.

Academic Warning

Warning is assigned when a student meets the guidelines for minimum academic progress (see chart above), but one of the following situations occurs:

1. A semester is characterized either by earning Ds or Fs or by completing few, if any, course credits.
2. A steady deterioration in relation to expectations for academic progress is evident.

The purpose of the warning is twofold: to alert students to the situation and to offer assistance in improving academic standing in order to avoid academic probation.

If you are on warning, you are strongly encouraged to utilize the following available academic support resources:

• Consult with your instructors and faculty advisor about what you can do to achieve your academic goals.
• Visit the Center for Student Success for assistance with improving your study skills and strategies, and other factors affecting your academic performance and assistance with paper writing.

Based on each student’s situation, the committee reserves the right to assign requirements to be completed during the period of warning.

Academic Probation

Probation is assigned when a student fails to meet the guidelines for minimum academic progress (see chart above). Guidelines must be met for both completion rate and Concordia cumulative GPA.

If you are on probation, the committee holds you responsible for fulfilling the following requirements in the upcoming semester:

1. Review your course schedule with your faculty advisor to determine whether your current course selection is appropriate and realistic. It is your responsibility to make this contact with your faculty advisor.
2. Schedule an appointment at the Center for Student Success no later than the second week of the semester. You and an academic counselor will develop an academic success plan, which will outline the additional requirements of your probation. It is your responsibility to carry out this plan.¹
3. Meet or exceed a minimum term GPA of 2.0 and complete at least 12 credits to be eligible for enrollment in future semesters.¹ If warranted, your cocurricular involvement and/or employment may be restricted during the time of your academic probation.
4. Your compliance with these requirements will be noted by the committee as it determines academic standing at the close of the semester.

¹

Note: In some cases, students may not be allowed to preregister for their next semester until:

1. The committee has evidence that the student is complying with all probation requirements, i.e., participating in an Academic Success Plan (see No. 2 above) or
2. The student completes the current semester with a minimum 2.0 GPA and completes at least 12 credits.

Academic Suspension

Failure to meet minimum academic progress standards may result in academic suspension for one calendar year. In addition, students may be suspended from Concordia at any time if their academic performance in any given semester falls below a 1.0 GPA. Students may appeal suspension status if they have mitigating circumstances beyond their control such as illness or injury, death of a relative, or other circumstances that result in undue hardship. The Student Academic Performance and Procedures Committee will review appeals and its decision is final. After the suspension period has passed, a student is eligible to apply for readmission. The readmission decision will take into consideration the student’s history and actions or circumstances that would justify readmission; for example, successful completion of coursework at another institution. If readmitted, the student will be reinstated on a probationary and contractual basis and will be required to meet specific expectations for continued enrollment.

Note: Students receiving financial aid should consult the Financial Aid Office for the Financial Aid Academic Progress Policy.

Athletic Eligibility

Student athletes are expected to meet Concordia's standards as well as the NCAA and MIAC rules for eligibility to compete in athletics.  See Athletics for more information. Concordia Cumulative GPA, which is a factor in minimum academic progress, is the GPA calculated from just the courses attempted at Concordia; it does not include transfer courses. Student athletes not meeting minimum academic progress may find limitations placed on practice and/or competition. Student athletes may also be removed from the team roster.