Enrollment Status

A full-time student is one who is enrolled in at least three full courses or their equivalent (twelve semester hours). Degree-seeking students are required to be enrolled on a full-time basis during the Advent and Easter semesters, even in cases where fewer than twelve semester hours are required to complete degree requirements.

A part-time student is one who is enrolled in fewer than three full courses or their equivalent (fewer than twelve semester hours). Degree-seeking students are not permitted to enroll on a part-time basis during the Advent and Easter semesters, even in cases where fewer than twelve semester hours are required to complete degree requirements.

Degree-seeking students are also required to engage in full-time residential study and spend the final two semesters in residence (that is, not on a study-away program); for more about the residency requirement and other degree requirements, please see the catalog.

 

Academic Progress for Degree-Seeking Students

All degree-seeking students are expected to enroll in four full courses or their equivalent (16 semester hours), and those eligible for and seeking to take advantage of the Sewanee Pledge must maintain such a course load to remain eligible. Degree-seeking students must maintain full-time status as defined above.

Academic progress standards are checked at the end of every academic term, including the summer term. A student who fails to meet these standards may be placed on warning, suspended, or dismissed from the University.

Decisions about academic status, including eligibility for academic warning, suspension, or dismissal, are based on objective evidence and may not be appealed.

Good standing:

Degree-seeking students who meet the following standards for satisfactory academic progress are in good standing and are eligible to re-enroll the subsequent academic term (whether the Advent or Easter semester or the summer term):

  • Students who have earned up to 35 semester hours in residence in college (that is, not counting examination credit1) must have a cumulative GPA of at least 1.85 and a semester GPA of at least 1.0;
  • Students who have earned more than 35 semester hours in residence in college (that is, not counting examination credit) must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 and a semester GPA of at least 1.5.
Academic warning:

Students who do not meet standards for satisfactory academic progress yet meet these conditions will be placed on academic warning:

  • Students who have earned up to 35 semester hours in residence in college (that is, not counting examination credit1) who meet either of these conditions:
    • Cumulative GPA at least 1.85 but semester GPA below 1.0 (but above 0.00; see below); or,
    • Cumulative GPA below 1.85 but semester GPA at least 1.0;
  • Students who have earned more than 35 semester hours in residence in college (that is, not counting examination credit1) who meet either of these conditions:
    • Cumulative GPA at least 2.0 but semester GPA between 1.0-1.49; or,
    • Cumulative GPA below 2.0 but semester GPA at least 1.5.

Students will be informed of their status by the Dean of the College. While not in good standing, they may re-enroll the following academic term, and upon their return in the next academic term (whether the Advent or Easter semester or the summer term), these students will be required to meet with both their advisor and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs to develop an academic plan that addresses the deficiencies and outlines specific steps for improvement.

Students will receive only one warning semester before being suspended. Any student on academic warning who does not achieve good standing by the end of the next immediate academic term of enrollment (whether the Advent or Easter semester or the summer term) will be placed on academic suspension immediately. As well, any student who is placed on warning, then performs well enough to return to good standing, but then in a later semester fails to meet progress standards will be suspended immediately.

Academic suspension and dismissal:

Students who meet these conditions will be placed on academic suspension or, if appropriate, dismissed from the University:

  • Any student earning a semester GPA of 0.00, regardless of hours earned or cumulative GPA;
  • Students who have earned up to 35 semester hours in residence in college (that is, not counting examination credit) who have both a cumulative GPA below 1.85 and a semester GPA below 1.0;
  • Students who have earned more than 35 semester hours in residence in college (that is, not counting examination credit) who meet either of these conditions:
    • Cumulative GPA below 2.0 and semester GPA below 1.5; or,
    • Semester GPA below 1.0, no matter the cumulative GPA.

Students who qualify for academic suspension are suspended for one semester on the first occasion. Such students may apply for reinstatement and, if reinstated, will be allowed to return on academic warning and will have one semester to meet stated standards.

Students who qualify for academic suspension a second time will be either suspended for two full semesters or, if the cumulative GPA is below 1.5, dismissed permanently. Students who qualify for academic suspension for a third occasion will be dismissed permanently.

 

Student Classification

A first-year student has earned fewer than 32 semester hours (eight full academic courses or their equivalent).

A second-year student, or sophomore, has earned at least 32 semester hours (eight full academic courses or their equivalent), but fewer than 64 semester hours (16 full academic courses or their equivalent).

A third-year student, or junior, has earned at least 64 semester hours (16 full academic courses or their equivalent), but fewer than 96 semester hours (24 full academic courses or their equivalent).

A fourth-year student, or senior, has earned at least 96 semester hours (24 full academic courses or their equivalent).