Academic Standing
What is Academic Standing?
All COC students are held to academic standing guidelines as set forth by the Santa Clarita Community College District in Board Policy 4250. Academic standing is determined exclusively by grade point average and progress completed at College of the Canyons and is calculated at the end of the fall and spring semesters after grades are posted. Academic standing consists of two types of standing: ACADEMIC STANDING and PROGRESS STANDING.
Academic standing refers to the cumulative grade point average (GPA) earned at COC across multiple terms. Once you have completed at least 12 graded units of COC coursework, your cumulative GPA is checked for academic standing.
Progress standing refers to how much progress you are making in completing your classes with letter A, B, C, D, or F/FW grades. Once students have attempted at least 12 units of COC coursework, your cumulative progress is checked for progress standing.
Good Standing
Students are in good academic standing when their cumulative COC GPA is a 2.0 or higher.
Students are in good progress standing when 51% or more of their cumulative COC coursework consist of letter (A, B, C, D or F) grades and not Withdrawals (W), Incompletes (I), or No Pass (NP) notations.
NOTE: A Withdrawal (W) notation is not calculated toward GPA, however, it is calculated toward progress standing. Also, while D and F grades may not affect progress standing, they will affect the student’s academic standing.
Academic Standing Difficulty
There are three levels of academic and progress difficulty:
- PROBATION
- SUBJECT TO DISMISSAL
- DISMISSAL
Students move from probation to dismissal status when they have experienced academic and/or progress difficulty for three consecutive semesters. Consecutive semesters refer to enrollment in two full semesters (fall and spring) or enrollment in one full semester, followed by a break, then enrollment in another full semester. Summer and winter intersessions are not considered when determining consecutive semesters or academic standing.
Click on the following links for further explanation of these categories of academic standing difficulty:
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Academic Probation (A1)
Academic probation level 1 (A1) occurs when at least 12 graded units at College of the Canyons have been completed and the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below a 2.0 in the first fall or spring semester.
As a result, the student is placed on Academic Probation (A1) and there is a hold on the student’s record, preventing the student from registering for courses.Progress Probation (P1)
Progress has to do with completion of coursework. Progress probation level 1 (P1) occurs in the first fall or spring semester, after enrolling in at least 12 units, in which 50% or more of all the units attempted at College of the Canyons consists of incompletes (I), withdrawals (W), and/or No Pass (NP) notations.
As a result, the student is placed on Progress Probation (P1) and there is a hold on the student’s record, preventing the student from registering for courses.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A Withdrawal (W) notation is not calculated toward GPA but is calculated toward progress standing.
What is the next step for A1/P1 students?
Students on A1 or P1 must register for the Non-credit course NC.COUNS-015: Upgrade to Good Academic Standing. Counselors will work with students to analyze past academic performance and strengthen individual commitment, motivation, and skills set.
After completing the course, the student’s registration hold will be released by the end of the next business day. It is important that students sign up for this course well before their upcoming registration date. The courses are primarily offered during winter and summer intersessions, with only limited offerings during the spring and fall semester.
Planning to Take a Break from COC?
Students who need to take a break from College of the Canyons should complete the workshop first to have their hold released in preparation of their future return. Otherwise, the hold will still be in place upon their return, regardless of the time spent away from COC.
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Academic Subject to Dismissal (A2)
Academic subject to dismissal (level 2 of being on academic difficulty) refers to the second consecutive fall or spring semester in which the student’s College of the Canyons cumulative grade point average (GPA) remains below a 2.0.
As a result, the student is placed on Academic Probation (A2) and there is a hold in the student’s record, preventing the student from registering for courses.
Progress Subject to Dismissal (P2)
Progress subject to dismissal (level 2 of being on progress difficulty) refers to the second consecutive fall or spring semester in 50% or more of all the units attempted at College of the Canyons are Incompletes (I), Withdrawals (W), and/or No Pass (NP) notations.
As a result, the student is placed on Progress Probation (P2) and there is a hold in the student’s record, preventing the student from registering for courses.
Loss of Enrollment Priority and Eligibility for the California College Promise Grant
When subject to dismissal, students also lose their enrollment priority and eligibility for the California College Promise Grant.
However, students may keep their enrollment priority and eligibility for the California College Promise Grant when these conditions are met:
For students who are on academic subject to dismissal:
If students earn a 2.0 or higher semester/term GPA in the last (fall/spring) semester at College of the Canyons, they keep their enrollment priority and eligibility for the California College Promise Grant even though their cumulative COC GPA has not yet reached a 2.0.For students who are on progress subject to dismissal:
If students complete 75% of their attempted units last (fall/spring) semester with A, B, C, D, or F/FW letter grades at College of the Canyons, they keep their enrollment priority and eligibility for the California College Promise Grant even though 50% or more of all the units attempted at COC are Incompletes (I), Withdrawals (W), and/or No Pass (NP) notations.Student who did not meet the conditions above may appeal the loss of enrollment priority and/or the loss of the California College Promise Grant. Appeals must be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office at College of the Canyons for review.
For more information about the required academic and progress standards at College of the Canyons or the loss of the California College Promise Grant, please visit the Financial Aid website.
What is the Next Step for A2/P2 Students?
Students on A2 or P2 must participate in the Academic Recovery Workshop where counselors work with them on honing their self-regulated learning and decision-making skills.
After attending the Academic Recovery Workshop, the student’s registration hold will be released by the end of the next business day. It is important that students sign up for this workshop well before their upcoming registration date. The workshops are primarily offered during winter and summer intersessions, with only limited offerings during the spring and fall semester.
Planning to Take a Break from COC?
Students who need to take a break from College of the Canyons should complete the workshop first to have their hold released in preparation of their future return. Otherwise, the hold will still be in place upon their return, regardless of the time spent away from COC.
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Academic Dismissal (AD)
Academic dismissal (level 3 of being on academic difficulty) refers to the third consecutive fall or spring semester in which the student’s College of the Canyons cumulative grade point average (GPA) remains below a 2.0.
As a result, the student is placed on Academic Dismissal (AD) and there is a hold in the student’s record, preventing the student from registering for courses. Students with AD status will need to sit out the next spring or fall semester.Progress Dismissal (PD)
Progress dismissal (level 3 of being on progress difficulty) refers to the third consecutive fall or spring semester in which 50% or more of all the units attempted at College of the Canyons are Incompletes (I), Withdrawals (W), and/or No Pass (NP) notations.
As a result, the student is placed on Progress Dismissal (PD) and there is a hold in the student’s record, preventing the student from registering for courses. Students with PD status will need to sit out the next spring or fall semester.Continuing without Sitting out a Semester
When on dismissal, the student must sit out the following semester. However, the student may continue for another semester at COC without sitting out when these conditions are met:
For students who are on academic dismissal:
If students earn a 2.0 or higher semester/term GPA in the last (fall/spring) semester at College of the Canyons, they may continue to enroll at COC for another semester without interruption even though their cumulative COC GPA has not yet reached a 2.0. Students also keep their enrollment priority and eligibility for the California College Promise Grant.For students who are on progress dismissal:
If students complete 75% of their attempted units last (fall/spring) semester with A, B, C, D, or F/FW letter grades at College of the Canyons, they may continue to enroll at COC for another semester without interruption even though 50% or more of all the units attempted at COC are Incompletes (I), Withdrawals (W), and/or No Pass (NP) notations. Students also keep their enrollment priority and eligibility for the California College Promise Grant.After Sitting Out a Semester
After sitting out for one full spring or fall semester (summer and winter do not count), students can be readmitted to College of the Canyons by making an appointment with a counselor to sign a Contract for Probationary Reinstatement. To schedule a counseling appointment, visit the Counseling website.
Appealing the Dismissal
Students who had extenuating circumstances during the (fall/spring) semester in which they were dismissed have the option to file an appeal. All appeals must be submitted by the deadline on the appeal form. If the appeal is approved, the student’s registration hold is removed and he/she will be allowed to continue enrolling at COC without interruption. The appeal form and instructions can be found on the Counseling website. Appeals should be filed as early as possible to ensure timely registration for the next term.
Students may also appeal the loss of enrollment priority and/or the loss of the California College Promise Grant. Appeals must be submitted to Admissions and Records at College of the Canyons for review. For more information about the required academic and progress standards at College of the Canyons or the loss of the California College Promise Grant, please visit the Financial Aid website.