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Probation / Suspension

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A student's academic standing indicates progress towards a degree. A minimum over-all average grade is required to continue from one semester to another. There are three categories of academic standing. These are described as follows:

Definition of Good Standing:

  • A QPA of 1.50 after attempting one to nineteen credit hours.
  • A QPA of 1.75 after attempting twenty to thirty-six credit hours.
  • A QPA of 1.90 after attempting thirty-seven to fifty-four credit hours.
  • A QPA of 2.00 after attempting fifty-five or more credit hours.

Probation:
Probation is a warning that a student must show academic improvement in order to maintain enrollment within a program. students on probation receive a written warning from the Vice President of Academic Affairs at the beginning of the semester in which their QPA falls in the probationary range. this letter states that students on probation must consult with an advisor from Academic Advising and plan a course of studies to improve grades. Upon attaining grades of good standing, probationary status is removed.

Probation status is assigned as follows:

  • A QPA below 1.50 after attempting one to nineteen credit hours.
  • A QPA below 1.75 after attempting twenty to thirty-six credit hours.
  • A QPA below 1.90 after attempting thirty-seven to fifty-four credit hours.
  • A QPA below 2.00 after attempting fifty-five or more credit hours.

Suspension:
Students are put on suspension as a result of unsatisfactory academic progress. Suspension automatically drops students from their academic programs and denies students eligibility to return in the following semester. Students are informed in writing by the Vice President of Academic Affairs that they are suspended. The letter includes information regarding academic advising available to assist students in improving their academic progress. It also explains the actions students must take if they desire to continue enrollment at NECC as a "special conditions student" or be reinstated into their academic program at the college at a later date.

Suspension is assigned as follows:

  • A QPA below 1.00 after attempting one to nineteen credit hours.
  • A QPA below 1.50 after attempting twenty to thirty-six credit hours.
  • A QPA below 1.75 after attempting thirty-seven to fifty-four credit hours.
  • A QPA below 1.90 after attempting fifty-five or more credit hours.
  • A QPA below 2.00 after attempting nine credits hours beyond the total required in the student's curriculum.

Petition to Return as a "Special Conditions Student"

Students who are suspended may petition the Vice President of Academic Affairs, through Academic Advising, to continue enrollment at NECC as a "Special Conditions Student." After consultation with an academic advisor, students may be allowed to take a limited number of classes at Northern Essex while suspended (usually no more than two).

Student's who desire to do so, must fill out a Petition to Return as a Special Conditions Student Form. The petition can be obtained at Academic Advising. an approval signature is given only after the student meets with an advisor to discuss course selection: provide reasons for unsatisfactory progress, and develops a plan for improving grades.

Petition to Return to Academic program

Students who show improvement in their academic progress by successfully completing necessary courses and raising their cumulative QPA above suspended status may petition the Vice President of Academic Affairs, through Academic Advising, to be removed from academic suspension and return to their academic program. Students who desire to do so must fill our a Petition to Return to Academic Program Form, which can be obtained at Academic Advising.

Students must meet with an academic advisor to review their academic progress and develop plans for continued improvement. The current cumulative QPA, along with the student's academic progress date is used to determine the future academic status of the student. At this time a recommendation is made as to whether or not the improvement has been sufficient to warrant reinstatement into an academic program.