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  • List of Academic Faculty Areas

Academic Warning/Probation

Did you know that fewer than 5% of Kwantlen students are on the President's Honour Roll, while almost 12% are on Academic Warning or Probation? If you are one of those 12%, you may feel disillusioned and be wondering if post-secondary studies are for you. Don't give up! Many students successfully restore their academic standing by determining what went wrong and creating a plan to address the root causes of their problems.

If you would like to confidentially discuss your academic performance and develop a plan to get off academic probation, please book an appointment with a Counsellor at the Counselling and Advising Centre on your campus or attend an Academic Warning/Probation seminar at Surrey Campus.

In the mean time, here is some information you may find helpful.

Academic Warning/Probation Seminar

Being on Academic Warning or Academic Probation is not the end of the world! Of course, students should try to restore their good academic standing as quickly as possible. This brief, free seminar will show you how to do just that.

The following topics are covered in the seminar:

  • Understanding Kwantlen's grading system and your Grade Point Average (GPA): what is it, and how to calculate it.
  • The hard, cold facts about being on Academic Probation and how it can escalate, with nasty results!
  • Common causes of academic difficulty.
  • Solutions, suggestions and resources to assist you.
  • How to create an action plan for yourself.
  • Question and answer time.

Kwantlen's Grading System

The following grading system applies to courses in which a letter grade is assigned.

Grade

Grade Points

Percentage Equivalent

Definition

A+

4.33

90-100

Exceptional achievement.

A

4.00

85-89

Outstanding achievement.

A-

3.67

80-84

Excellent achievement.

B+

3.33

76-79

Very good achievement.

B

3.00

72-75

Good achievement.

B-

2.67

68-71

Good achievement.

C+

2.33

64-67

Satisfactory achievement.

C

2.00

60-63

Satisfactory achievement.

C-

1.67

56-59

Minimal achievement. This grade does not permit student to pursue another course for which the graded course was a prerequisite.

D

1.00

50-55

Minimal achievement. This grade does not permit student to pursue another course for which the graded course was a prerequisite.

F

0.00

0-49

Unsatisfactory achievement. Student did not meet minimum course requirements.

W

n/a

n/a

Approved withdrawal from course or program.

 
PDF of "Kwantlen's Grading System"

Calculating GPA

Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by:

  • Multiplying the grade points associated with the letter grade received in a course by the number of credits assigned to that course;
  • Adding those values for all courses taken to find the total grade points;
  • Adding the number of credits taken; and
  • Dividing the total grade points by the total number of credits taken.

Withdrawals are not included in the calculations. For repeated courses, only the highest grade achieved is used in the calculation.

Term Grade Point Average (TGPA) is the GPA calculated for all courses taken in a specific term.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is the GPA calculated over all the terms in which the student has been enrolled.

Confused? The sample calculation below will help.

Sample GPA Calculation

Term 1 Term 2
Course Letter Grade Grade Points Credits Total Grade Points Course Letter Grade Grade Points Credits Total Grade Points
ANTH 1100 B+ 3.33 3 9.99 ANTH 1125 B 3.00 3 9.00
CHEM 1110 B 3.00 5 15.00 CHEM 1210 C+ 2.33 5 11.65
UNIV 1100 B- 2.67 3 8.01 ENGL 1204 A- 3.67 3 11.01
ENGL 1100 A 4.00 3 12.00 SOCI 1125 B+ 3.33 3 9.99
Totals     14 45.00 Totals     14 41.65
TGPA = 45 / 14 = 3.21 TGPA = 41.65 / 14 = 2.98
CGPA for Terms 1 and 2 = (45 + 41.65) / (14 + 14) = 86.65 / 28 = 3.09


PDF of "Calculating GPA"

Levels of Academic Standing

Note: For more detailed information on Academic Standing, see Kwantlen's policy L7: Minimum Academic Standards.

What Does It Mean If You Are:

In Good Academic Standing?

You have achieved a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.00 or higher. There are no restrictions on your registration priority.

Placed on Academic Warning?

You have now completed at least 9 credits and have achieved a CGPA of less than 2.00. As long as your TGPA remains above 2.00, you will stay on Academic Warning and not progress to the next stage (Academic Probation). You cannot repeat any course for which a grade of C or better has been assigned. You register very late, after returning students in good academic standing and new students.

Placed on Academic Probation?

You have previously been on Academic Warning, have now completed at least 18 credits and have achieved both a TGPA and CGPA of less than 2.00. As long as your TGPA remains above 2.00, you will stay on Academic Probation and not progress to the next stage (Required to Withdraw). You cannot repeat any course for which a grade of C or better has been assigned. You register very late, after returning students in good academic standing and new students.

Required to Withdraw?

You have previously been placed on Academic Probation, have now completed at least 27 credits and have achieved both a TGPA and CGPA of less than 2.00. Normally, you will be required to withdraw for at least six months, or, effectively, two semesters. You can, where applicable, register in Qualifying Studies (upgrading) courses during that time. You must submit an Educational Plan in order to be considered for re-admission. If or when you are re-admitted, you register very late, after returning students in good academic standing and new students.

Placed on Academic Suspension?

You have previously been Required to Withdraw, have been re-admitted on Academic Probation, have now completed at least 36 credits and have achieved both a TGPA and CGPA of less than 2.00. Normally, you will be suspended for at least one year. You must submit an Educational Plan in order to be considered for re-admission. If or when you are re-admitted, you register very late, after returning students in good academic standing and new students.

Don't Let it Get This Far!

PDF of "Levels of Academic Standing"

Suggestions for Students on Academic Warning/Probation

  1. Attend an Academic Warning/Probation seminar at Surrey Campus.
  2. If your long-term career goal is unclear, either attend our non-credit Career Explorations seminar.
  3. If your study skills are lacking, either attend our non-credit Academic Success Skills seminars.
  4. Know the Deadline to Withdraw, which always falls approximately half-way through the semester. Seriously consider withdrawing from any course in which you are unlikely to obtain at least a "C" grade. If you withdraw, you will receive a "W", which is not included in GPA calculations.
  5. Both withdrawals and failing grades can affect your eligibility for student loans; check with the Financial Awards office on your campus for more information.
  6. Consider re-taking courses in which you have received a grade lower than "C". On the one hand, this is the fastest way to improve your GPA, because only the higher of the two grades for the course will be included in the calculations. On the other hand, if you found the course un-interesting or overwhelming, it may not be the best idea to take it again.
  7. If you work, reduce your hours so they don't interfere with your studies.
  8. Take fewer courses. While you are on Academic Probation, it is strongly recommended that you limit your registration to 9 credits per semester.
  9. Expect to spend about two hours of study time for every hour in class.
  10. If your math or English skills are holding you back, take some upgrading classes. (Note: only post-secondary level courses – those numbered 1100 or higher – are included in GPA calculations for Academic Standing purposes.)
  11. Make a point of connecting with your instructors during their office hours.
  12. Form a study group with other students.
  13. Start using the peer and faculty tutors at the Learning Centre early in the semester.
  14. Finally, if personal or family problems contributed to your low grades, make an appointment with a Counsellor to confidentially discuss them.

PDF of "Suggestions for Students on Academic Warning/Probation"