You got into UMUC. That speaks volumes about your dedication to your education. You're obviously bright and hard-working.
Here's the thing: brains and discipline got you into college, but they're not always enough to get you to graduation. See, life has this funny way of intervening when you least expect it. You spend a few days in the hospital after a car accident, or you have to go home for a week to deal with a family emergency, you wind up missing some class, and just like that your GPA begins to slip. It happens to the best of us.
What you don't want is to allow a little slip to develop into a major academic crisis. That's why, at the first sign of trouble, you should contact Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team. They know exactly how UMUC operates, including who to talk to you when you run into trouble and what to say. More importantly, they are committed to the proposition that you deserve an education, even if you've made a mistake or two along the way. If you're struggling to meet the UMUC standing requirements, you owe it to yourself to find out how Joseph D. Lento and his team can help you.
Academic Progression at the University of Maryland, University College
Colleges and universities define academic progress using something known as an “academic standing policy.” This policy lets you know the minimum requirements to continue moving forward in your educational program, and it defines a set of sanctions for when you fail to meet those requirements.
UMUC's policy is relatively straightforward. In simple terms, you must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Do that, and you remain in “good” standing. Should you fail to reach that standard, you can quickly find yourself in trouble.
- Academic Warning: Initially, you're placed on Academic Warning any time your cumulative GPA falls. Fortunately, Warning doesn't involve any restrictions. There are no limitations on the number of hours you can take, and there are no requirements that you complete any special courses or seminars. Your primary goal while on Warning status is to earn at least a 2.0 for the term. Do that, and you can remain on Warning status until you return to “good” standing.
- Academic Probation: Should your term GPA drop below 2.0, you're then placed on Academic Probation. While on Probation, you are limited to 7 hours per term or 4 hours per session. Should you earn a 2.0 term GPA while on Probation, you return to Warning status. However, if your term GPA remains low, you are then subject to Dismissal.
- Academic Dismissal: Dismissal means separation from the university. You can apply for reinstatement to the school's Reinstatement Committee. However, your return is not guaranteed. Further, if your petition is granted to return to the school on Warning status, and additional academic deficiencies can result in permanent Dismissal.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
Unfortunately, the University of Maryland, University College doesn't offer any formal processes for appealing an academic standing decision. There is no way of appealing a warning, probation, or even dismissal.
Luckily, there are a number of informal approaches to these sanctions. You just have to know the system. For example,
- If your academic deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, you can try appealing to the dean of your school or college. You may be able to get more time to improve.
- Should you experience any sort of mistreatment in the classroom, you should bring this to the attention of your instructor's department head. You may be entitled to some form of grade relief.
- If you have a learning disability, you may qualify for classroom modifications. If your instructor doesn't provide these, you should file a claim with Disability Services.
- Low grades are sometimes the result of academic misconduct allegations. If your instructor has accused you of cheating or plagiarism and lowered your grade as a result, you have the right to challenge these decisions under the school's HYPERLINK "https://www.umgc.edu/administration/policies-and-reporting/policies/academic-affairs/academic-integrity"Academic Integrity Policy.
- Some faculty are open to the possibility of makeup or extra credit assignments. If your grade is borderline, this may be the quickest way to bring your GPA up.
- Some instructors are also willing to negotiate grades. Maybe your final exam score was especially high and you think that merits some additional course points.
Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team know all the many options available to you. They'll sit down and listen to you and work with you to develop a solid plan. Then, they'll offer suggestions on how you might put that plan into action. They can work with you to draft documents, help you collect evidence, and even give you practice in negotiation tactics.
Finally, though, should you wind up dismissed, Joseph D. Lento and his team also know how to file reinstatement petitions. They've been doing this long enough to know exactly what committees look for in these documents and how to make you look your very best.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento
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.
