Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 William R. Kellett School of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies Academic Catalog 
    
2022-2023 William R. Kellett School of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Academic Standing (Undergraduate)


Academic standing categories are used to identify those students who are doing exceptional work, those who are performing satisfactorily, and those who are not meeting Lakeland’s minimum achievement expectations. While consistently exceptional performance over the full college career is required to earn graduation honors, exceptional performance for one term may earn a place on the Dean’s List. Lakeland’s academic standing categories are:

Graduation Honors

To be eligible for graduation honors, a student must complete a minimum of 48 semester hours through Lakeland University. Lakeland grade-point-average calculations use the quality points earned in Lakeland courses. A student is eligible for Lakeland graduation honors based on the following cumulative GPA criteria:

  • Summa Cum Laude = 3.80-4.00
  • Magna Cum Laude = 3.60-3.79
  • Cum Laude = 3.50-3.59

Associate Degree and Graduate Studies students are not eligible for honors.

Find more information in the Graduation Policy  section of this catalog.

The Dean’s List

A dean’s honor list is prepared at the close of each fall, spring, and summer term. The dean’s list recognizes students enrolled in a minimum of 12 graded semester hours (quality points earned) who have attained a grade-point-average of 3.5 or better for the term. Grades earned in courses transferred from another college are not included in the Lakeland grade-point-average.

Standards for Academic Good Standing

Kellett School students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) during each of their terms at Lakeland. These term GPA standards are as follows: freshmen-1.75; sophomores-2.00; juniors-2.00; seniors-2.00. In addition, students at junior status or higher must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Students who fail to meet these minimum term and/or cumulative GPA standards face academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from the University.

In addition, all students must successfully complete a minimum of three-semester hours of coursework during each three-semester period. Students who fail to pass the required number of semester hours also face academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from Lakeland University.

Standards for Academic Good Standing: Minimum Requirements by Class

Class Standing Required Minimum Term GPA Required Minimum Cumulative GPA KELLETT: Required Minimum Number of Credits Successfully Completed Each Three-Semester Period
First-time, first-semester freshman 1.75 1.75 3 credits
Freshman in second or subsequent term 2.0 2.0 3 credits
Sophomore 2.0 2.0 3 credits
Junior 2.0 2.0 3 credits
Senior 2.0 2.0 3 credits

The intent of these minimum performance standards is to encourage students to give their best efforts to their college coursework at all times, thereby enhancing their own future opportunities for employment and the timely completion of their degrees. Maintenance of good academic standing and minimum academic progress is also required in order to retain eligibility for future financial aid awards.

A review of each student’s term and cumulative GPA occurs at the end of regular semesters in collaboration with the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Registrar, Kellett School Personnel, and a Member of the Financial Aid and Educational Funding Office. Based on the findings of this review, the following academic actions occur.

Academic Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal

Probation: Students whose cumulative GPA falls below the minimum standard or who fail to pass the required number of semester hours are on academic probation for the following semester. In addition, juniors or seniors whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. Students placed on academic probation may take no more than 14 semester hours during the following term. The Vice President for Academic Affairs office staff will inform those students placed on academic probation of their status and the conditions under which they can return to academic good standing.

Suspension: Students may be suspended for one semester if they

  • fail to fulfill the terms of their academic probation;
  • are enrolled in at least nine (9) semester hours and fail all of their courses in a single term; or
  • earn a cumulative GPA of less than 0.5 while enrolled for a minimum of nine (9) semester hours of coursework during their first term at Lakeland.

After a suspended student has been away from Lakeland University for one semester, the student may apply for readmission through the appropriate center location. A student who has been readmitted to the university after a period of academic suspension will return on academic probation.

Students who wish to appeal do so, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs about any of these policies.

Dismissal: Readmitted students after an academic suspension and fail to meet the appropriate term GPA standard results in academic dismissal. Dismissed students may no longer enroll in Lakeland University coursework, are ineligible for readmission to Lakeland University, and may not appeal this determination.

Behavioral Suspension or Dismissal

Students’ who have violated established rules of the Lakeland University community, as published in the university’s Student Handbook, may be immediately suspended or dismissed from the university. Behavioral suspensions result in the award of failing grades in all enrolled classes.

Plagiarism and Cheating

Lakeland University expects academic honesty from all of its students. Cheating, plagiarism, or other kinds of academic dishonesty are violations of established university expectations and may result in penalties ranging from failure of an assignment to dismissal from the university, depending on the severity of the offense. Students who believe they have been unfairly accused or penalized may submit a written appeal, stating the specific details of their situation, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Where appropriate, the Vice President for Academic Affairs may take such appeals to the Academic Appeals Committee for a formal hearing and decision. In matters of plagiarism and cheating, the decision of the Academic Appeals Committee is final.