We know your first question: how exactly is a law firm supposed to help you with academic progress issues? It's not like you've been accused of shoplifting. You're trying to pass calculus.
Let's be clear. The LLF Law Firm can't take your calculus exams for you. It turns out, though, that learning to navigate a university system can give you a significant leg up when it comes to earning good grades. No one handles bureaucracy better than attorneys, and no attorneys handle educational bureaucracy more effectively than the LLF Law Firm's Education Law Team.
We know everything there is to know about Indiana University of Pennsylvania's administrative policies, from what constitutes an excused absence to how to get in touch with Disability Services. We're always on your side and prepared to help you succeed, whatever it takes.
We'll get into all the details below. For now, know that any time you're struggling academically, you owe it to yourself to find out how we can help. Call 888-535-3686 today to find out more, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
There are all sorts of ways to define academic success. Some people talk about career preparation. Some talk about socialization. There actually is a concrete definition of academic progress at IUP, though. You'll find it in the university's Academic Standards Policy.
- Good Standing: First up, you need to know what qualifies as "good standing." Good standing means you're making steady progress toward your degree, and you don't have to worry about any academic sanctions. IUP defines good standing as a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.
- Academic Probation: A GPA below 2.0 means academic probation. When assigned probation, you must meet with an academic advisor and complete an academic recovery plan.
- Continued Probation: Assuming you make reasonable progress towards good standing while on probation, and assuming you are mathematically capable of returning to good standing in a semester, the university will normally grant you a second term on probation.
- Academic Dismissal: If you cannot return to good standing after two semesters on probation, you then face academic dismissal. This means complete separation from the university for at least one year. Once this year has passed, you can apply for reinstatement to the university. However, your return is not guaranteed and depends entirely on the quality of your application.
In addition, you should know that even if you're allowed to return to IUP following a dismissal, a second dismissal is permanent.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
If you have already reached the point of dismissal, the LLF Law Firm can help you recover. We've helped hundreds of students to file readmission petitions. We know exactly what readmission committees look for in these petitions and how to make sure you impress committee members with your academic credentials.
The better option, however, is to address any academic struggles the moment they begin. Your LLF Law Firm attorney can show you how to use the system to your advantage, and that can make keeping your GPA up a lot easier. For instance,
- While IUP's academic standing policy makes no mention of a formal appeals process, extenuating circumstances, like a family emergency or a serious bout of depression, can sometimes convince a college dean to give you an additional term of probation.
- Any time you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should bring this to the attention of the instructor's department head. The head may be able to solve the problem immediately. At a minimum, though, your report will lay a foundation that you can use to instigate a grade appeal once the semester is over.
- If you consistently struggle to pass your courses, you may be dealing with an undiagnosed learning disability. Disability Services can get you tested. If you do have such a disability, you are likely entitled to course accommodations in at least some of your classes. You may also petition the university to drop low grades from your GPA and let you retake those courses.
- Instructors have the power to accuse students of academic misconduct—cheating and plagiarism—and to unilaterally decide their fate. They can lower grades on assignments and lower course grades up to an F. However, you can challenge their decisions as high as the university's Academic Integrity Board.
- Some faculty will assign extra credit and make-up work, especially to students with borderline grades. It could be that an extra lab assignment or a paper rewrite is enough to raise your course grade and, thus, your GPA.
- You can also try negotiating with faculty on other grounds. If you scored well on a cumulative final exam, you might argue that this warrants a higher course grade.
There is usually a solution to every academic progress situation. You may need a professional to help you identify it, though. The attorneys at the LLF Law Firm have been at this for many years. We work every day with faculty and administrators, and we know schools like IUP inside and out.
Once we've helped you come up with a plan, we'll also help you to implement it, whether that means filing an appeal on your behalf, accompanying you to meetings with faculty, or getting you in touch with disability services. We'll use every resource at our disposal to help safeguard your future.
What Can the LLF Law Firm Do For You?
Your Indiana University of Pennsylvania diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat for any reason, you can't afford to try and handle the problem by yourself. University processes and procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and often, you will find the system is stacked against you. You need the very best help you can get, someone who is in your corner and ready to fight on your behalf.
The LLF Law Firm's Education Law Team has helped hundreds of students, just like you, respond to academic progress issues and make it to graduation. What can we do for you? To find out, call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
