College success isn't just about making it to class every day and studying hard. No question, those things matter. If you want to keep your GPA up, though, you also have to know how to navigate the system.
What do you do, for example, if you just can't seem to get along with a professor? What happens if the course homepage insists you didn't upload your final term paper when you know for certain that you did? Who do you talk to if you need to miss class to attend a funeral?
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have the answers to questions like these. Our Education Law Team can tell you exactly who to talk to when you have a problem, exactly what to say, and exactly how to say it. We also know more than a few tips and tricks for using the system to keep your grades up. We know the University of West Georgia's administrative policies, and we can help you navigate them.
It may never have occurred to you that an attorney could help you with academic progress issues. If you're struggling, though, you owe it to yourself to find out what the Lento Law Firm can do for you. Call 888-535-3686 to learn more, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at the University of West Georgia
Maybe it never occurred to you that there might be consequences for failing courses at UWG. After all, when you were in high school, the worst that could happen was having to retake a course. At West Georgia, on the other hand, low grades can lead to probation, suspension, and even outright dismissal.
Here's what the academic standing policy has to say.
- Good Standing: The goal is always to stay in good standing. Doing that is relatively straightforward, at least on paper. If you're working on your first 30 hours of coursework, you need to keep your cumulative grade point average at 1.8 or above. If you're between 31 and 60 hours, that number is 1.9. And if you've completed more than 60 hours of coursework, you need at least a 2.0.
- Academic Warning: What happens if your GPA falls below these marks? Initially, you're issued an academic warning. Your college or major may require you to meet with an advisor, reduce your course load, or attend an academic seminar in order to continue registering for courses. Your primary goal, though, should be to return to good standing. You can remain on academic warning status as long as it takes to do this, so long as you earn a minimum 2.0 term GPA.
- Academic Probation: Of course, the next question is what happens if your term GPA falls below 2.0 after you've been issued an academic warning. The answer is that you're placed on academic probation. Again, your college or major may put special conditions on your ability to register for additional coursework. Again, you can remain on probation indefinitely while you work toward good standing, provided you earn minimum term GPAs of 2.0 or better.
- Academic Suspension: Fail to keep your term GPA up while on probation, and WGU then suspends you. First suspensions last for a minimum of one semester, but your return is guaranteed. Second suspensions last a full year, and you must apply for readmission.
- Academic Dismissal: Finally, if you continue to struggle after returning from a second suspension, you face dismissal. You can return to WGU even after a dismissal. However, you must complete an associate's degree elsewhere in order to do that.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
If you've been suspended from WGU, the Lento Law Firm can help you file a readmission application. Usually, that means providing some evidence that you can perform up to WGU standards, that you know what you did wrong before, and that you have a plan to improve. We've helped hundreds of students with these kinds of appeals. We know what committees look for, what kind of evidence counts the most, and how to make you look your best on paper.
The Lento Law Firm attorney can also help you avoid suspension in the first place, though. How? We know a number of strategies for keeping your GPA out of the danger zone. For example,
- If you find yourself struggling in all or most of your courses, you should consider visiting with Disability Services. It could be you have an undiagnosed learning disability. If you do, you may need course accommodations to level the academic playing field. In addition, you can ask the university to set aside your low grades and allow you to retake those courses.
- If an instructor has lowered your grade as a result of a cheating or plagiarism allegation, you can challenge their decisions. Start by visiting with your instructor's department head, but you can also file a formal grade appeal if necessary.
- In fact, you can file a formal grade appeal any time you feel that your instructor hasn't given you the course grade you deserve. If you think you're being mistreated in any way, you should let your instructor's department head know as soon as possible. This will help create a paper trail for such an appeal.
- Some faculty will consider assigning makeup and extra credit work to students with borderline grades. You may need to ask for these opportunities, though.
- You might also try negotiating with instructors on other grounds. For instance, even if your individual scores don't add up to a passing grade, a significant improvement over the course of the semester might be grounds for asking for a passing grade.
Finally, UWG also offers a formal appeals process for students who have been suspended. You must be able to show that your deficiencies are the result of extenuating circumstances, such as a long-term illness or a family emergency. Here again, though, the Lento Law Firm attorney can help you determine if you qualify for an exception and can work with you to put your appeal together.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your University of West Georgia 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.
