Academic Standards Policies

  Academic Standards

The following standards for continuing at the Columbia and regional campuses of the University of South Carolina apply to all undergraduate students who first enroll at the Columbia and regional campuses of the University in the fall 2008 semester or thereafter, are admitted to the Columbia and regional campuses of the University in an undergraduate degree program in the fall 2008 or thereafter, or are enrolled in the fall 2010 semester or thereafter, regardless of when first enrolled at the University. Administration of these regulations is the responsibility of the academic deans, who are not empowered to waive any of the provisions.

Academic Review

The record of every undergraduate student will be reviewed at the end of each fall and spring semester. Many of the individual colleges of the University have higher academic requirements for students to continue in their degree programs. However, no student will be suspended academically from the University unless he/she fails to meet the standards specified here.

Academic Probation

When a student’s cumulative University of South Carolina GPA at the end of any semester is less than a 2.00, he or she is placed on academic probation.

First-year Freshmen Academic Recovery Program

First-year freshmen who have less than a 2.00 cumulative grade point average at the end of their first semester of collegiate enrollment are considered at risk. During the first six weeks of their second semester, these students must participate in an academic coaching session before being eligible to register for courses for the third semester. These sessions will provide students with assistance in developing academic skills and learning strategies and will identify other resources they need to meet their academic goals. This requirement is in addition to any made by the student’s college, school, or academic program.

Removal from Academic Probation

When a student’s cumulative GPA at the end of any semester is a 2.00 or above, he or she is not on academic probation.

Continuing on Academic Probation

Any student who is on probation at the beginning of a fall or spring semester must achieve a certain cumulative University of South Carolina grade point average at the end of that semester in order to avoid suspension. A student may also continue on probation and avoid suspension if the semester grade point average is 2.50 or greater. Standards for continuing on probation are based on the cumulative grade hours the student has attempted at USC. The chart below shows the grade point averages required in order to avoid suspension.

Probation Chart 

First Suspension

Students unable to meet the standards shown above are suspended from the University of South Carolina for one fall or spring semester and the contiguous summer (approximately eight months). Students have the right to appeal their suspension to the petitions committee of the college or school in which they were enrolled when suspended.

Returning After First Suspension

After the suspension has been served, a student will be considered for readmission by the college or school to which the student is seeking admission. A student readmitted following suspension continues on probation and is reviewed for suspension at the end of each fall and spring semester. A semester grade point average of 2.50 or higher must be achieved each semester until the cumulative University of South Carolina GPA reaches the level above which suspension would occur (see chart).

During the first six weeks after returning from a first suspension, students must participate in an academic coaching session before being eligible to register for courses for the following semester. These sessions will provide students with the resources they need to meet their academic goals.

Returning after Subsequent Suspension

The duration of the second suspension is indefinite, and the student can be considered for readmission only after being approved for reinstatement by action of the petitions committee of the college or school to which the student is seeking admission. A favorable decision by the committee is unlikely within two years of the suspension.

Earning Academic Credit While on Suspension

A student on suspension is given an opportunity to reorder priorities and reassess his or her situation before returning. While serving suspension, a student may not be admitted to, or continue in, any academic program of the University. Credit earned at any other institution while a student is on suspension from the University may not be applied toward a degree from USC, unless approved by the Standards and Petitions Committee of the college to which the student is readmitted. Prior approvals for transient study will be revoked for suspended students.

Retention in Degree Programs

Students are reminded that the above regulations are for all undergraduate students in the University. Many colleges and schools offer degree programs that have more stringent requirements for retention in those programs. Failure to meet the academic requirements of those degree programs may result in the student being asked to leave that program. Students should consult the colleges and schools section of the Academic Bulletin to review the specific degree retention requirements

Petition Procedures

In addition to previously specified provisions by which a student may petition to waive the application of this suspension policy, a student suspended by this policy has the right to petition to the appropriate college scholastic standards and petitions committee to waive the application of the suspension rule at any time. Students placed on first suspension who wish to petition for a waiver of the suspension rule may petition only the committee of the college in which they were enrolled at the time of suspension.