On-Campus Graduate Academic Suspension

Academic Probation and Suspension

Any student who does not maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA will be placed on academic probation. If during the next enrollment, the student fails to attain a 3.0, they will be suspended. Students will be held accountable to this policy as a minimum but must also adhere to their departmental requirements.

Suspension Duration

In the case of suspension, a student may apply for readmission to the program, after sitting out at least one semester or the length of time designated by the dean and program director. A student who wishes to apply for readmission must develop a readmission plan in conjunction with their program advisor. The program advisor and the college dean will review this plan. However, this re-admission plan does not guarantee admission. The college dean, consulting with the program director, will decide whether the student should be readmitted, and if so, whether special conditions should be required for readmission. When students are readmitted after suspension, they are placed on probation for one semester and must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to continue to receive financial aid. If they do not make satisfactory progress that semester, they will be suspended from the university.

This policy should be considered as the minimum; residential program departments, with the approval of the Graduate Council, may have more restrictive rules and regulations. Students should refer to the program section of the Catalog for more information regarding this policy.

Appealing Academic Suspension

If you believe that extenuating circumstances contributed to your academic suspension, you may wish to appeal your suspension and in order to do so your appeal must be received by the deadline below:

Suspension after this Term: Deadline for Suspension Appeal:
Spring 2020 Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.
Fall 2020 Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 8:00 a.m.
Spring 2021 Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 8:00 a.m.

In order to appeal your academic suspension, you must follow the process below:

  1. All appeals must be in writing and must be received in the Office of the Registrar by 8:00 a.m., on the deadline date listed above. If your appeal is not received by that deadline, your classes will be dropped and you will not be eligible to enroll in the upcoming semester.
  2. Appeals must include a statement regarding the (a) circumstances contributing to your academic situation and any documentation of those circumstances, (b) steps you have already taken to address these issues, and (c) a suggested plan of action for raising your GPA.
  3. Send appeals by email to registrar@acu.edu, by fax to 325-674-2238, or by mail to Registrar, ACU Box 29141, Abilene, TX 79699. Again, appeals will not be accepted after 8:00 a.m., on the deadline date listed above.
  4. The relevant Program Director and College Dean will review all appeals submitted by the deadline and you will be notified of the decision no later than two weeks after the deadline date listed above via your ACU email address. The decision is final and may not be appealed.


If your appeal is denied or you do not wish to appeal, classes for which you are registered will be dropped.