When a student fails to make adequate progress towards maintaining a 2.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA), students are placed in academic warning and academic suspension. More information about this policy is available through the Faculty Senate. A student with a 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher is in good standing.
Academic Warning
Academic warning is the official notice for a student who has failed to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Academic Warning is a time to seek help in taking an active approach to improve academics. A student in academic warning will have a hold placed on registration and will be required to meet with an academic adviser in the Ryan Family Student Center in person or by phone (14 Deike Building or 814-863-2751).
A student in academic warning must earn a 2.0 semester GPA to continue; a 2.0 cumulative GPA is required to return to good standing.
Academic Suspension
When a student on academic warning earns a semester GPA of less than 2.00, the student is then placed on academic suspension (Senate Policy 54-40). A student who has been academically suspended may not schedule courses at the University for two consecutive semesters (Note: Summer session is equal to one semester and includes all courses offered after spring semester and before fall semester).
Example: A student on academic warning, who earns a spring 2020 semester GPA below 2.00, is placed on academic suspension and may not return to Penn State until spring 2021.
A student seeking to return from academic suspension must apply for re-enrollment (as defined in Senate Policy 58-80) and returns to the University in warning status, with their former cumulative GPA, and with a registration hold placed on their record.
Returning to the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences from Academic Suspension
We strongly encourage all students to meet with an adviser BEFORE leaving campus to discuss past difficulty and plans for return. To return to the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, students must meet with an adviser in the Ryan Family Student Center in person or by phone (14 Deike Building or 814-863-2751) as soon as possible following the suspension so a plan for return can be developed. To request to return to the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, students must submit a letter to the Ryan Family Student Center by email to studentcenter@ems.psu.edu with your letter as an attached PDF; or, by fax to 814-863-3349.
Your letter must include:
- Your name, PSU ID number, PSU User ID (ex: abc1234), phone number, and email address.
Your letter must also address the following topics:
- Reflection on past goals and performance. Why did you have difficulty when you last attended Penn State? What are you going to do in the future to avoid these problems?
- What has been accomplished while away for two consecutive semesters? What have you been doing/plan to do during your suspension that will assist your return?
- What is your current academic goal/plan?
- What campus services will support you upon your return and how will you use these resources
To be considered for return from suspension, students must submit their letter by the following deadlines:
- To return for spring semester: November 15
- To return for summer semester: April 1
- To return for fall semester: July 15
Students are encouraged to submit their letter as soon as they know they plan to return to Penn State after suspension. When the letter is received, an adviser from the Ryan family student center will guide you on the additional steps required for return from suspension.
Letters and requests submitted after the posted deadline will not be considered under any circumstances.