They don't just give diplomas away at Liberty University. If you want a degree, you'll have to earn it, one semester—one course—at a time. That means studying; it means going to class, it means doing your best on tests and papers.
You're up to the challenge, of course. After all, you got into Liberty. You can't ever tell, though, when life is going to get complicated. Keep in mind that college isn't like high school. As a fifteen-, sixteen-, or seventeen-year-old, you probably had someone to get you out of bed every morning, to make sure you studied every night, and to do your laundry for you. Now you're trying to be a student at the same time; you're learning to be an adult. That's never easy.
If you should find yourself struggling to keep up, know that you're not alone. Most college students struggle at one point or another in their academic careers. You should know as well that you don't have to struggle alone. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are on your side. Not sure how an attorney can help? That's OK. It'll become clear as you read further. The most important thing to know now is that Joseph D. Lento and his team are here to help, and they'll do whatever they can to make sure you're treated fairly and that you have every chance to succeed.
Academic Progression at Liberty University
Like most colleges and universities, Liberty University maintains what's known as an “academic standing” policy. This policy lets you know exactly what criteria you must meet to remain in “good” standing and continue moving forward academically.
Liberty's policy is based on a sliding scale. You must hold a minimum GPA based on how many hours you've completed.
- 0 - 23.99 hours: you must have at least a 1.5
- 24 - 47.99 hours: you must have at least a 1.65
- 48 – 71.99 hours: you must have at least a 1.85
- Above 72 hours: you must have at least a 2.0
Liberty evaluates standing at the end of each semester. Should you fail to reach these marks, you face a series of progressive sanctions.
- Academic Warning: The first consequence of a low GPA is a Warning. While on Warning status, you must take between 12 and 14 credit hours. In addition, you must take ASCS 101, Theory of Academic Success. Beyond these requirements, your goal while on Academic Warning should be to return to good status. Otherwise, you risk additional sanctions.
- Academic Probation: If, at the end of your Warning semester, you have not returned to good standing, you are then placed on Academic Probation (you can also be placed on probation for failing all your courses in a single term). As part of probation, you must complete and sign an academic plan designed to get you back into good standing. Again, you are limited to between 12 and 14 credit hours, and you must take ASCS 105, Accountability for Academic Success.
- Academic Suspension: Failure to improve while on probation means Academic Suspension. Readmission following suspension is not automatic. You must file a formal appeal petition that includes a plan for how you will address your deficiencies.
- Academic Dismissal: If your Suspension appeal is unsuccessful or you continue to struggle following your return from a suspension, you are then subject to permanent dismissal.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
You can appeal suspension at Liberty, but otherwise, the school offers no formal means of challenging a standing decision. Warning, Probation, and Suspension are issued the moment your GPA falls below the required threshold.
However, there are some informal approaches to dealing with matters of standing.
- Grades are sometimes the result of circumstances beyond your control. If you've had a long-term illness, for example, or had to deal with a family crisis, you can try appealing to the academic dean for more time to improve.
- If you suffer from a learning disability, you may be entitled to classroom accommodations like extra time to complete assignments. If you are denied these, you can appeal your course grade. In addition, if you should discover you have a disability, you may be able to drop low grades from your GPA and re-take those courses without penalty.
- An academic misconduct allegation can be another reason for low grades. If your instructor believes you've plagiarized or cheated, they have the right to lower your grades. However, you have the right to appeal these decisions in writing to the department chair.
- If you believe you have been mistreated in the classroom in any way, you should also report this to the department chair. Again, you may be entitled to some form of grade relief.
- Some faculty are willing to assign extra credit and makeup work. This can be an easy way to improve your grade, especially if it is already borderline.
- In addition, faculty are sometimes willing to negotiate grades. If you have a compelling argument—like a final exam grade that's higher than your other grades in the class—you might try making an appointment to talk with your professor.
Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team are familiar with all of these strategies as well as others. They can help you choose a plan that's tailored to your particular situation and work with you to implement it.
Should the worst happen, though, and you wind up suspended, they also have a great deal of experience helping students file readmission petitions.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor
Students ask all the time: How is an attorney supposed to help me make it through college? It's a fair question. After all, it's not like you're on trial for shoplifting. You need help with your grades. That's normally a matter of studying harder or finding a tutor.
The thing is, though, succeeding in college is often as much about navigating bureaucracy as it is about writing papers and taking exams. No one knows more about dealing with bureaucracy than attorneys, and no one knows more about dealing with educational bureaucracy than Joseph D. Lento and his Educational Law team. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
Joseph D. Lento and his team are on your side. They understand that no one is perfect, and they're committed to the idea that a few mistakes shouldn't keep you from earning your degree and going on to a successful career. They'll fight to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get all the rights you deserve. You've worked hard to get to this point. Don't let that hard work go to waste. To find out more about how you can fight dismissal, contact the Lento Law Firm today, at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
