Scholastic regulations embody the academic standards of a University. The application of the following regulations is directed toward upholding the standards of NDMU - specifically, to impose the requirement of satisfactory academic progress.
The academic regulations set forth the conditions for Academic Good Standing, Academic Probation, and Academic Dismissal. These regulations are intended to be consistent with the following objectives:
- To indicate to the student, at an early date and with regularity, that achievement below the standards required for graduation is regarded as unsatisfactory;
- To allow the first-time freshman the opportunity to remain a student until he/she has attempted two semesters;
- To give the student who performs poorly a warning which may prompt him or her to seek timely help from instructors, counselors, or other appropriate sources;
- To provide the student whose record shows that ultimate success in the University is in doubt with a trial period to prove that he/she is able to make reasonable academic progress;
- To prevent the student who lacks the required motivation or maturity from building a deficiency of quality points so great that it cannot later be overcome; and
- To state the standards and the consequent results of inadequate scholastic performance clearly enough that students, parents, faculty, and administrators can know the academic action (if any) which would follow from a particular academic record.
A student's Cumulative Grade Point Average determines their Academic Standing at the end of each semester.
Academic Good Standing
It is expected that all undergraduate students should maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at NDMU. The University will, regardless of term GPA, certify a student to be in Academic Good Standing as long as that student has a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or higher.
Academic Probation
A student who does not meet University standards for Academic Good Standing will be placed on Academic Probation. Students records will be reviewed for Academic Probation for every FAll and Spring semester in which they are registered. The purpose of Academic Probation is to provide students who are experiencing academic difficulties with intentional support and supervision to achieve success and gain Academic Good Standing.
A student will be placed on Academic Probation when their Cumulative Grade Point Average falls below a 2.0. Students placed on Academic Probation are required to meet with their Assistant Dean to develop an Academic Contract for Success, which will include referrals to academic support resources and participation in academic support programs.
Students placed on Academic Probation are required to:
- Meet with the Assistant Dean on a regular scheduled basis, including at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the semester;
- Create and submit an Academic Contract for Success outlining the student's goals for the upcoming semester; including a semester Term Grade Point Average goal of at least 2.0, as well as a goal for Cumulative Grade Point Average, determined in consultation with the Assistant Dean; and
- Attend academic support services as agreed to in the Academic Contract for Success.
A student on Academic Probation who does not comply with these requirements will be Academically Dismissed.
Academic Probation students who meet the terms of their contract and achieve minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average standards as agreed to in the Academic Contract for Success regain Academic Good Standing. Academic Probation students who make progress according to the terms of their Academic Contract, but who still fall below the Cumulative Grade Point Average requirements for Academic Good Standing are placed on Continuing Academic Probation for one additional semester. Normally, students are placed on Continuing Academic Probation for only one semester. Students who fail to regain Academic Good Standing after a semester on Continuing Academic Probation, or who do not meet the terms of their Academic Contract, will face dismissal.
Students receiving financial aid are required to achieve a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0. Please refer to the financial aid section of this Catalog for detailed information about the satisfactory progress requirements for financial aid recipients.
Notification of Academic Probation will appear on the student's transcript.
Academic Dismissal
Failure to meet the expectations of in individualized contract made with the Assistant Dean will result in academic dismissal from the institution.
Notification of Academic Dismissal will appear on the student's transcript.
Dean's List
The Dean's List is published at the end of the fall and spring terms and lists those students who have a 3.5 grade point average for the term, a minimum of 12 graded credits with no incompletes or “F”s in Pass/Fail courses and a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher.
The Dean's List published at the end of the summer term lists those part-time students who have a 3.5 grade point average and a minimum of 18 graded credits for the academic year, with no incompletes and a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher.
At Honors Convocation, the University recognizes full-time students named to the Dean's List for both Fall and Spring semesters in the previous year and part-time students on the Dean's List at the end of the summer term. Student transcripts show each semester in which this honor is achieved.