Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Qualitative Assessments: Every matriculated student is required to maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA), which varies based on the number of credits the student has already attempted. Compliance with this qualitative requirement is measured every term. Failure to meet this standard after a probationary period, or failing to fulfill the requirements of a prescribed academic plan, may lead to dismissal from the College. Academic plans will be prescribed at the sole discretion of the College and only after a successful appeal by the student to the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Committee. Some programs have more restrictive requirements and may use different thresholds for passing grades. The details can be viewed, by program, in the Catalog. All course grades below the minimum passing standard for that course will be treated as failures in calculating the student’s GPA for qualitative assessment. Students will not be allowed to change programs without approval from the Academic Advisement Department.
Quantitative Assessments: Students are also required to pass a minimum percentage of the credits they attempt in order to remain eligible for enrollment. Quantitative progress assessments are subject to the same probation and academic plan procedures every term. Some programs have more restrictive requirements and may use different thresholds for passing grades. The details can be viewed, by program, in the Catalog. All course grades below the minimum passing standard for that course will be treated as credits attempted and not earned for purposes of quantitative assessment. Students will not be allowed to change programs without approval from the Academic Advisement Department.
QUALITATIVE STANDARDS
In order to remain in good academic standing, students must maintain the GPA specified below:
Table 1. Qualitative Standards Degree Programs
| Credits Attempted | Required GPA |
|---|---|
| 0-15 | 1.5 |
| 16-30 | 1.75 |
| 31 or more | 2 |
Table 2. Qualitative Standards (continued)
| Program | Required GPA |
|---|---|
| LPN to BSN Program | 2.75 |
| Practical Nurse Program | 2.5 |
| Certificate Programs | 2 |
For this purpose, credits attempted are all those completed that receive a letter grade (including an F, WP, and College Skills credits).
Students in the LPN to BSN program must maintain a 2.75 GPA while enrolled in the program. Students enrolled in the Practical Nurse program must maintain a 2.5 GPA while enrolled in the program. Students in all other Baccalaureate programs must have a GPA of at least 2.00 after completing 31 or more credits.
QUANTITATIVE STANDARDS
In addition to the qualitative standards set forth above, students must meet quantitative standards of progress in order to remain eligible for enrollment.
150 Percent Rule
In order to maintain the quantitative standards for satisfactory academic progress, students must be able to complete their programs by the time they have attempted 150 percent of the required credit hours necessary for graduation in their degree programs. The maximum timeframe for each program is listed below:
Table 3. Maximum Timeframe Standards
| Program | Credits Required for Graduation | Maximum Attempted Credits Allowed |
|---|---|---|
|
Associate's degree |
60 |
90 |
|
Bachelor's degree |
120 |
180 |
|
Patient Care Technician |
30 |
45 |
|
Practical Nurse Certificate |
50 |
75 |
|
Medical Assistant Certificate |
33 |
49 |
|
Medical Insurance, Billing, |
30 |
45 |
|
Sterile Processing Technician |
27 |
40 |
Application of the 150 Percent Rule
The College includes test credits as “credits attempted” in applying the 150 percent metric. For students who have changed programs, are returning under a new catalog, and/or have returned to complete additional degrees, only the attempted credits applicable to their current programs will be counted in the 150 percent calculation, however, their qualitative measurements will continue to apply. Students will not be allowed to change programs without approval from the Academic Advisement Department.
Students for whom it is no longer possible to comply with the 150 percent rule before program completion may be declared ineligible to participate in Title IV or TAG programs.
Progress Assessments
To help students avoid reaching the 150 percent point, the College reviews student progress every term, based on attempted vs. earned benchmarks. The following standards are applied:
Table 4. Progress Assessments for Degree Programs
| Credits Attempted | Percentage Needed |
|---|---|
|
0-30 |
50% |
|
31-45 |
65% |
|
46 or more |
67% |
Table 5. Progress assessments for Certificate Programs
| Credits Attempted | Percentage Needed |
|---|---|
|
0-15 |
50% |
|
16 or more |
67% |
For this purpose, attempted credits include test credits, and all credits accepted in transfer. In addition, all credits for which a letter grade was received, including F, WP, and WF (withdrawn after tuition assessment), are counted as attempted credits. Credits earned include all coursework that was successfully completed (student received a passing grade).
Please note that in some certificate programs the grade of C is treated as a failing grade. Consult the Berkeley College Undergraduate Catalog or Student Handbook Supplements applicable to certain health studies programs for program-specific details.
PROBATIONS AND APPEALS
Failure to Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Requirements
Students who, for the first time, fail to meet standards will automatically be placed on Probation status for the following term. Students on Probation status may continue to be enrolled and, if applicable, maintain their eligibility for financial aid. Students who meet the SAP standards during the Probation (subsequent) term will be restored to good standing.
Appeals for Academic Plan
Students who fail to meet standards during the Probation term will need to appeal to be placed on Academic Plan status for the subsequent term. Failure to submit an appeal will result in withdrawal from the College. Students on Academic Plans will be reviewed at the end of each term by Academic Advisement. Students who satisfy the terms and conditions of their Academic Plan may continue to be enrolled and, if applicable, maintain their eligibility for financial aid. Students who meet the SAP standards by the end of the term will be restored to good standing.
Appeals for M150
Students for whom it is no longer possible to comply with the 150 rule before program completion will need to submit an appeal to continue in their program. If the appeal is approved by both the SAP Committee and Financial Aid, the student will be placed on P150. If the appeal is approved by the SAP Committee but not Financial Aid, the student will be placed on M150. Students on either P150 or M150 cannot withdraw from or fail any courses. Students on P150 and M150 will be reviewed at the end of each semester by Academic Advisement. Students who withdraw or fail a course will be dismissed from the College.
Academic Advisement
The College will promptly notify students placed on Probation or Academic Plan status to seek additional academic support services.
Appeal Procedures
Students dismissed for failure to meet qualitative standards or prescribed quantitative benchmarks in semesterly progress assessments will have to sit out a full semester and appeal to return in the following semester. Dismissals for failure to satisfy the requirements of P150 or M150 are not appealable.
SAP Appeals will be reviewed by Academic Advisement and the SAP Committee, which is comprised of representatives appointed by the Provost’s Office. Financial Aid will review SAP Appeals for students who are M150. Decisions made by the SAP Committee will be based on several criteria, including any special circumstances that contributed to the failure to satisfy SAP requirements and material changes in such circumstances. Students who successfully appeal may be restored to good academic standing by meeting the SAP standards in the subsequent term or continue enrollment by following their prescribed Academic Plans. Students will receive an email and a 3C communication with a decision from the SAP Committee. Students approved to continue their program will receive a 3C communication outlining the terms of the approval. Approved appeals will be honored for one semester. Students who do not attend in the approved semester will need to submit a new appeal upon returning.
Denial of an Appeal
If a student’s appeal is denied, the student will be notified and academically dismissed from the College.
SAP and Transfer Credits
In measuring compliance with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, transfer credits will be considered as credits attempted and earned. Therefore, because transfer credits are ungraded but are still counted in calculating SAP requirements, transfer students may be required to earn at least a 2.00 GPA in their first term (and all subsequent terms) at Berkeley in order to remain in good standing.
SAP and Repeated Courses
When a course is successfully repeated, the original failure(s) is not included in calculating the cumulative GPA or the qualitative requirements. For the quantitative Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) measure, however, each failed attempt will be included in the “courses attempted” portion of the evaluation.
SAP and Incomplete Grades
Initial calculations of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will treat incomplete grades as F grades until such incompletes are replaced with passing letter grades. After the first week of the following term, all unresolved incomplete grades will convert to F grades and will be treated as such in all SAP evaluations. To accommodate grade changes, final SAP calculations are made after all grades have been recorded.
SAP and Course Withdrawal
Students who drop courses will receive letter grades of either WP (withdrawn-passing) or WF (withdrawn-failing). These grades will not be considered in the application of qualitative requirements, but will be counted as credits attempted for quantitative purposes.
SAP and College Skills Coursework
Even though they are not applied toward the number of credits required to complete a program of study, College Skills credits will be included in both qualitative and quantitative Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) measurements.
SAP and Non-Matriculated Students
Students enrolled as non-matriculated students will not be held to the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. However, if non-matriculated students matriculate begin to, then all coursework will be included in SAP calculations.