Academic Standing & Progress

Northampton Community College is committed to the academic success of every student. Students’ Grade Point Average (GPA) will be monitored and communication will be issued when a student is not in good academic standing.

Academic standing is determined by the standards for academic progress listed below. Eligibility to graduate with a certificate, diploma, or degree requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all course work applicable towards graduation. A student is in Good Standing when the GPA is 2.0 and higher.

Academic Progress Table

Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress as defined by the Academic Progress Table will be placed on Academic Notice, Academic Warning or Academic Suspension.

Academic Notice

Students placed on Academic Notice will receive notification from the Academic Progress Coordinator informing them of their academic standing. The student will have an advising hold placed on their registration and must meet with their assigned Academic Advisor to remove the hold and select classes.

Academic Warning

Students placed on Academic Warning receive notification from the Academic Progress Coordinator or Dean of Students informing them of their academic standing. The student will have an advising hold placed on their registration and must meet with their assigned Academic Advisor or an Academic Progress Counselor to select courses and remove the hold. Based on the meeting and the review of the academic record, the Academic Advisor/Academic Progress Counselor and the student will create an academic success plan that will include any recommendations and restrictions. Recommendations or restrictions may include limiting the number of credits that may be attempted in a semester (no more than 13 credits), limiting the types of courses they take, and requiring the student to take specific courses.

Academic Suspension

Students who fail to make satisfactory progress as defined by the Academic Progress Table will be placed on Academic Suspension. Additionally, students who remain on Academic Warning for more than four consecutive semesters will be placed on Academic Suspension. Students on Academic Suspension will receive notification from the Academic Progress Coordinator or Dean of Students informing them of their academic standing.

Students may continue enrollment if the student initiates the Alternative to Academic Suspension process. To initiate this process, students must meet with their Academic Advisor or an Academic Progress Counselor to establish an academic contract no later than 4 weeks prior to the start of the fall semester and one week prior to the spring semester. The contract may include part-time status, repeating failed courses, enrolling in a study skills course and other requirements deemed necessary for success. The contract will require the student to successfully complete all credits attempted and achieve a semester grade point average of at least a 2.0 to continue enrollment at the College. The contract remains in place until the student’s total GPA rises above the Academic Suspension level.

Students who are not successful in the Alternative to Academic Suspension program or do not initiate the Alternative to Academic Suspension process by the deadline will be administratively removed from any registered courses and suspended for one academic year (fall and spring semesters).