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Academic Standing

Academic Standing


The following regulations apply to the determination of academic standing at Elmhurst University.

Good Standing

The University designates students as in good standing if they make satisfactory progress in their academic work with respect to grade-point average, number of credits and fulfillment of requirements.

Undergraduate Students

To be in good standing, all undergraduate students must:

  • Maintain combined and cumulative grade-point averages (GPA) of at least 2.00.

  • Cumulative GPA is based on the average of grades earned in all courses taken at Elmhurst University.

  • Combined GPA is based on the average of grades earned in all college-level coursework, including courses taken at Elmhurst as well as courses accepted as transfer credit from other institutions.

  • Term GPA is based on the average of grades earned in all courses taken for a single term at Elmhurst University. Spring and Fall Term GPA are used to determine if a student is subject to being placed in an academic standing review process of Probation or Dismissal.

Grade-point averages are determined by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of courses attempted for A-F letter grades. Courses in which pass grades (P) were earned are counted in earned totals, but are not included in the calculation of the GPA.

See previous pages for grade points assigned to letter grades.

To make satisfactory progress, degree-seeking students must regularly earn a minimum quantity of credits or they may be placed on Academic Probation or subject to Academic Dismissal. Full-time students are required to complete a minimum of six course credits in each 12-month period. Part-time students are required to complete a minimum of three-fourths of the courses for which they registered in each 12-month period. Full-time students normally earn sufficient credits to earn 32 credits in four years.

Degree-seeking students normally must make satisfactory progress in fulfilling Integrated Curriculum requirements, electives and requirements for their majors.

Failure to meet satisfactory academic progress may impact a student’s eligibility for financial aid. Students are required to have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00, complete 67% of their attempted courses, and earn no more than 150% of their required credits in order to maintain eligibility for their financial aid.

Second-degree and non-degree students must have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 for each term of work taken at Elmhurst University.

Individual departments and programs may also have minimum GPA requirements to remain in good standing in a program. Those requirements supersede the University requirements listed above.

Graduate Students

To be in good standing, graduate students must:

  • Complete all courses with a grade of C or better

  • Earn no more than one C or C+ grade

  • Complete additional requirements as outlined by the specific program

A second C or C+ grade, a C- grade, a D grade or an F grade will result in dismissal from the graduate program and the University. The program director will notify the student, in writing, of the dismissal decision.

The academic good standing policy for the Computer Information Technology program is significantly different. Students in this program should refer to the specific program sections of this catalog.

Note: each student must maintain academic good standing in their respective program as defined by the graduate program. In all cases, individual program policies concerning academic good standing take precedence. It is the student’s responsibility to know the policies of their program.

Dean's List

Those who qualify for the Dean’s List are Elmhurst University undergraduate students who, during Fall or Spring Term, have attained a current grade-point average of 3.75 or better. Students who have unresolved incompletes for the term are not eligible. Graduate students are not eligible.