Navigating your way through college is no easy task. It requires hard work and discipline. You've got to get to class every day. You've got to study. It helps to visit professors during office hours and join study groups.
It also helps to have a good grasp of the university system. If you don't know who to talk to at the University of Central Missouri when problems come up, you'll find yourself at a distinct disadvantage academically. If an instructor refuses to excuse you from an exam to attend a funeral, it'll cost you points. If you can't get along with an instructor, it could cost you a passing grade. And if you have ADD and don't realize it, it could cost you your shot at a degree.
When it comes to educational bureaucracy, the Lento Law Firm's Educational Law Team is always on your side. What can we do? We can contact faculty and administration on your behalf. We can help you negotiate fair treatment. We know lots of tips and tricks for using the UCM system to keep your GPA up.
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 the University of Central Missouri
Let's start with a simple question: How does the University of Central Missouri define academic progress? When you know your school's standards, you'll have a much easier time meeting them.
Like all colleges and universities, UCM maintains an academic standing policy that lets you know how you're doing on your way toward your degree. You're assigned a specific standing category based on your GPA. You can also face sanctions if your grades should fall.
- Good Standing: You want to keep your GPA as high as you possibly can. A higher GPA opens up more opportunities when it comes to graduate school and establishing your career. As a practical matter, though, you want to make sure your GPA doesn't fall below 2.0. As long as it's 2.0 or better, you're considered to be in good standing, and you don't have to worry about the possibility of sanctions.
- Academic Probation: If your GPA should fall below the 2.0 mark, UCM places you on academic probation. You are still allowed to register for classes, though you are limited to no more than 15 hours per semester. You can return to good standing once you've raised your GPA back above 2.0, and you can take as long as you need to do that so long as you keep your semester GPA above 2.0.
- Academic Suspension: As long as you continue to earn a minimum 2.0 semester GPA, you remain on probation until you return to good standing. However, should your semester GPA fall below this number, you face suspension. Suspension means separation from the university for a semester. At that point, you can petition for readmission. Keep in mind, however, that your return is not guaranteed and depends on the qualify of your petition.
- Academic Dismissal: If you manage to return from a suspension, you're placed once again on probation. Continue to struggle, and you face dismissal. Dismissal means separation from the university for a full year. Again, you can petition for a return, but that prospect is less likely.
Suspension and dismissal are recorded on your transcript, and that can hurt you when it comes time to apply for jobs. In fact, lots of students never manage to return from these sanctions in the first place. Once you've been away from school, it can be extremely difficult to get back into an academic routine. The goal should always be to avoid suspension and dismissal in the first place if you possibly can.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
Of course, if you've already reached the point of suspension or dismissal, the Lento Law Firm can help you file a strong readmission package. We know what committees look for in terms of evidence and can make sure you've crossed all your T's and dotted all your I's.
We also know several strategies for keeping your GPA out of the danger zone, though. If you contact us early enough, there's every possibility that we can suggest some way to utilize the UCM system to improve your grades. For example,
- Central Missouri's standing policy makes no mention of a formal appeals process, but extenuating circumstances can often give you more time to improve. If you've been dealing with a serious illness or you've had to cope with a family crisis, you can try appealing directly to the dean of your school or college.
- UCM is required to treat all students fairly and equally. If you believe an instructor is mistreating you in any way, you should report this to your instructor's department head. You may be entitled to some form of grade relief.
- A low GPA can be an indication of an undiagnosed learning disability. Disability Services can get you tested and work with instructors to make sure you have appropriate course accommodations. You can also ask the university to drop low grades from your GPA and allow you to retake courses.
- You can also receive low grades as a result of academic misconduct allegations, like cheating and plagiarism. However, you have the right to appeal your instructors' decisions up the chain of command—to their department head, the college dean, and ultimately, the university provost.
- Take advantage of all opportunities for makeup and extra credit work, even if your grade is already high. Changing a B to an A can have just as much impact on your GPA as changing an F to a D.
- Some instructors will negotiate grades if you have a compelling argument. If you scored particularly well on the final exam, for instance, it's always worth asking an instructor to use that grade as your course grade.
While there are a number of useful ways to address a flagging GPA, you don't want to try handling a situation like this on your own. Every situation is different and requires a different approach. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help you come up with the ideal solution, and they'll work with you to implement it as well.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your University of Central Missouri 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 Lento 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.
