Academic Standing & Progress
Academic Standing
ACU evaluates academic standing at the end of each term. Good standing requires a cumulative ACU GPA of at least 2.00 for undergraduate students or 3.00 for graduate students, successful completion of at least 67% of attempted credits, and compliance with the maximum timeframe described below.
Academic Warning
An undergraduate student who first falls below the required GPA or completion rate receives an academic warning for the next enrolled term. The written notice identifies the deficiency and the standard required to return to good standing.
Academic Probation
An undergraduate student who remains below the required standard after the warning term is placed on academic probation. A graduate student who falls below the required GPA or completion rate is placed directly on academic probation.
Before continuing on probation, the student must establish a written academic improvement plan with the Chief Academic Officer. The plan specifies the permitted course load, required performance, and review date.
A student who meets the plan’s requirements but has not yet restored the required cumulative GPA or completion rate may continue under an updated plan. Failure to meet the plan’s requirements may result in suspension.
Notice and Reconsideration
The University provides written notice of probation or suspension, including the reasons, effective date, and conditions for continued enrollment or return. A student may request reconsideration by writing to the Chief Academic Officer within 10 business days after receiving the notice and explaining relevant circumstances and a feasible improvement plan.
If the Chief Academic Officer made the original decision, the President conducts the reconsideration. The reviewer provides a written decision within 15 business days.
Time-to-degree and maximum timeframe
To support timely completion, students are expected to complete their program within a reasonable period. The maximum timeframe guideline is completion within 150% of the published program length, measured in attempted credits, unless an approved academic plan allows an exception. ACU does not impose an additional calendar-year limit on program completion.
Attempted credits are all credits in which a student is enrolled after the add/drop period, including withdrawals and incompletes until resolved.
Program-timeframe exceptions
Students who reach the 150% timeframe limit and wish to continue enrollment or re-enroll should contact the Registrar’s Office to request an exception. Exception requests must be submitted in writing by email to registrar@anchoru.com.