Academic Standing

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is used to determine financial aid eligibility and academic standing. The main goal of the SAP system is to make sure that all degree seeking students are making timely progress toward earning a degree.  

Timely Progress

To graduate from DePauw with a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Musical Arts degree requires 31 course credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA, cumulative and in the major. The Bachelor of Music Education Degree requires 36 course credits with a 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Musical Arts, and Bachelor of Music Education degrees are expected to complete their degrees in eight semesters; students in the dual degree Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Arts program have ten semesters to complete the degrees.*

Satisfactory Academic Progress Status

There are four  SAP statuses:

• Satisfactory
• Warning
• Suspension
• Probation

Two primary measures are used to determine SAP status: academic performance as measured by grade point average and progress toward degree as measured by earned college credits applicable to the degree. GPA is referred to as a qualitative measure; credits earned as a quantitative measure. The quantitative measures include both credits earned and percentage of credits attempted that are earned. The qualitative measures include both cumulative and major GPAs.

DePauw uses a graduated scale of minimum standards students must achieve to be in satisfactory standing.

Minimum GPA and Credit Earned

Full-time students must earn at least 2.0 course credits and at least a 1.0 GPA each primary term (Fall and Spring). Students who fall below these  primary term minimums are suspended.

Review Process

At the end of each  primary term, student performance is reviewed by members of the Financial Aid and Registrar’s offices. Students who are meeting the above minimum standards are judged to be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree.

Students who have been doing satisfactorily and then fall below any of the above standards are given a warning to improve performance. If they fail to meet the benchmark for the next semester or perform below the minimums for the primary terms, they are suspended. They may appeal the suspension (see Appeals Process below) or apply for readmission after spending some time away from DePauw.

Students who successfully appeal suspension are placed on probation. In most cases, they will have one probationary semester to bring their performance into line with the satisfactory academic progress standards. If they fail to do so they are again suspended. However, some students who come close to reaching the target may be continued on probation.

SAP progress is evaluated at the end of the Fall and Spring primary terms in order to give students who are suspended a chance to submit an appeal before the beginning of the next semester. Status determinations are provisional until the extended term is completed.

Appeals of Suspensions

Students who are suspended for failing to meet SAP guidelines may appeal their suspension in writing to the Academic Standing Committee, which includes representatives from the faculty, Academic Affairs, Student Life and Financial Aid. Usually, appeals are heard approximately two weeks after grades for the primary terms have been posted (approximately January 15 and June 10). In the appeal the student presents his/her case for continuing. If the student is behind in credit earned, the appeal should include a plan for catching up, which may include taking courses elsewhere over the summer. If the student has fallen below the minimum GPA standards, the appeal should include a plan for improving performance. Note that course work done elsewhere or online does count toward the quantitative, but not the qualitative measures, because course work done elsewhere does not count into DePauw GPAs.

Students who successfully appeal a suspension may continue on probation in the following semester. Those whose appeals are denied may apply for readmission after being away for a minimum of one semester.

* DePauw’s academic calendar consists of two semesters each of which has a primary term and an extended term. Semester I includes Fall and Winter terms; Semester II Spring and May terms.

(Approved by DePauw Faculty, Sept. 8, 2014)