Academic Standards Policy and Procedure

Academic Standards Policy

Clark College is committed to the academic success of its students. The primary purpose of the Academic Standards Policy (ASP) is to quickly identify and alert students with low academic achievement and provide those students with resources and assistance to improve their academic performance.

This policy applies to all students. Some individual college programs/funding sources may have additional requirements. Students in these programs should contact the appropriate program advisor for information regarding these requirements or check with an academic advisor if they have questions.

Students must earn a quarter/term and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to remain in good academic standing. The following will be imposed progressively for students who do not remain in good academic standing.

Academic Standards Procedure

Academic Concern

A student whose quarterly/term grade point average (GPA) falls below 2.0 for the first time will be placed on Academic Concern.

The college will send an e-mail notification to the student's preferred email address listed in their ctcLink account. This email will offer information about the Academic Standards Policy and Procedure and a list of campus support services and resources.
The student will be encouraged to meet with a designated staff member, but at this stage it is not required.
If by the end of the student's term on Academic Concern status they earn a term and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, they will return to good academic standing. If they earn a term GPA of 2.0 or higher but their cumulative GPA is below a 2.0, they will remain on Academic Concern status for another term. If the student receives a term and cumulative GPA below 2.0, they will be placed on Academic Intervention status.

Academic Intervention

A student whose quarterly/term GPA falls below 2.0 for the second time will be placed on Academic Intervention.

The college will send an e-mail notification to the student's preferred email address listed in their ctcLink account. This email will offer information about the Academic Standards Policy and Procedure, required actions for students on Academic Intervention, and a list of campus support services and resources.
The student will be required to meet with a Student Success Coach to create an Academic Success Plan or to attend a Student Resource Workshop.
- During their meeting with a Student Success Coach, they will discuss tools and resources to help improve their academic performance and make an Academic Success Plan for the term.
  
  Schedule a Student Success Coach Appointment

- If a student is not able to complete an appointment with a Student Success Coach, they can instead attend a relevant Student Resource Workshop on an academic success topic such as procrastination, time management, test anxiety, or note taking skills. Email studentsuccess@clark.edu to receive the upcoming workshop schedule as well as to supply proof of attendance.
If by the end of the student's term on Academic Intervention status they earn a term and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, they will return to good academic standing. If they earn a term GPA of 2.0 or higher but their cumulative GPA is below a 2.0, they will remain on Academic Intervention status for another term. If the student receives a term and cumulative GPA below 2.0, they will be placed on One-Quarter Academic Dismissal.
If the student does not complete one of the required options during their term on Academic Intervention status, this will impact the approval of a dismissal appeal if the student is subsequently placed on One-Quarter Academic Dismissal. (Effective for students placed on Academic Intervention for Spring Term 2025).

One (1) Quarter Academic Dismissal

A student who has previously been placed on Academic Concern and Academic Intervention whose quarterly/term and cumulative GPAs fall below 2.0 will be dismissed from the college for one quarter/term.

The college will send an email notification to the student's preferred email address to notify the student of their dismissal and outline the appeal process.
The student will be blocked from registering for classes while on One-Quarter Academic Dismissal status.
A student placed on One-Quarter Academic Dismissal may appeal to the Academic Standards Committee for immediate reinstatement.
- The student must complete the One-Quarter Dismissal Appeal Form by the appeal deadline to file an appeal. Appeals are due by 12pm the Wednesday after term grades are available on transcripts/students are notified of their academic standing. Please be thorough and provide documentation when possible. Documentation and questions about the appeal process should be sent to studentsuccess@clark.edu.
  
  One-Quarter Academic Dismissal Appeal Form
- The Academic Standards Committee will notify the student of the outcome of their appeal by the day after Appeal Forms are due. A student whose appeal is successful may be approved with conditions that restrict enrollment to specific courses, modalities, and number of credits for that term. The student will have until the second day of the term at 11:59 p.m. to register for classes approved by the Academic Standards Committee. After that date/time, enrollment will be blocked for the duration of the term. If the student does not follow the conditions of their appeal, they will be dropped from any unapproved classes.
If a student does not appeal by the deadline, or if their appeal is denied, they will be administratively dropped from classes and paid tuition will be refunded. They will not be permitted to attend the college for one-quarter.
The student will receive an additional e-mail about how to return from One-Quarter Academic Dismissal. To return to the college, they must complete a Return to College Form and attend a Return to College Appointment no later than three weeks before the first day of classes for the term in which they plan to return.

Return to College Form

Schedule a Return to College Appointment

Upon returning from One-Quarter Academic Dismissal (or successfully appealing a One-Quarter Dismissal), if the student earns a term GPA of 2.0 or higher but their cumulative GPA remains below a 2.0, they will go back to Academic Intervention status for the following term. If the student earns a term and cumulative GPA below 2.0, they will be placed on Four-Quarter Academic Dismissal.

Four (4) Quarter Academic Dismissal

A student who has previously been placed on Academic Concern, Academic Intervention and One-Quarter Academic Dismissal whose quarterly/term and cumulative GPAs remain below 2.0 will be dismissed from the college for four quarters/terms.

The college will send an email notification to the student's preferred email address to notify the student of their dismissal.
There is no appeal process for Four-Quarter Academic Dismissal.
The student will be blocked from registering for classes while on Four-Quarter Academic Dismissal Status.
The student will be administratively dropped from registered classes and paid tuition will be refunded.

The student will receive an additional e-mail about how to return from Four-Quarter Academic Dismissal as the term they are eligible to return for approaches. They must complete a Return to College Form and attend a Return to College Appointment no later than three weeks before the first day of classes for the term in which they plan to return.

Return to College Form

Schedule a Return to College Appointment
Upon returning from Four-Quarter Academic Dismissal, if the student earns a term GPA of 2.0 or higher but their cumulative GPA remains below a 2.0, they will be placed on Academic Intervention status for the following term. If the student earns a term and cumulative GPA below 2.0, they will be placed on One-Quarter Academic Dismissal.

Academic Standards for Professional/Technical Programs

Students in certain professional/technical programs must receive grades of "C" or better in program core courses to advance in the program class sequences. Students should refer to the department description in Section C of the catalog for further information.