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Policy 1.1: Academic Performance and Progress

Applies to: A/BSN, CIPCT, DNP, Certs, PhD

I. Policy Statement

The School of Nursing is committed to helping students succeed academically and professionally. All students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic performance and make timely progress toward degree completion. This includes meeting GPA and course grade expectations, demonstrating professionalism, and completing program-specific milestones.

The School of Nursing takes a proactive, student-centered approach to monitoring academic progress and provides support when students experience challenges. This policy outlines how academic performance and progress are monitored and supported in alignment with:

II. Academic Performance

Academic performance includes GPA, course grades, and professional behavior, which includes Essential Qualifications and Behaviors. When concerns arise, the School of Nursing focuses on early identification and collaborative planning to support student success.

A. Undergraduate (A/BSN) Students

Expectations:

  • Maintain a quarterly and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • Earn a minimum grade of 2.0 in all required nursing courses
  • Demonstrate professionalism and meet Essential Qualifications and Behaviors

B. Graduate (DNP, PhD) Students

Expectations:

  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Earn a minimum of 2.7 in all required courses
  • Demonstrate professionalism and meet Essential Qualifications and Behaviors

III. Academic Progress

A. Undergraduate (A/BSN) Students

Expected Timelines:

  • BSN: 2 academic years (6 full-time quarters)
  • ABSN: 4 full-time quarters
  • Altered progression requires BSNCC review and approval

B. Graduate (CIPCT, DNP, PhD) Students

Expected Timelines:

  • CIPCT: 6 years
  • DNP: 4 years (unless DNPCC approved altered progression)
  • PhD: 10 years

See UW Graduate School Policy 1.2: Time to Degree and Reinstatement for additional detail regarding Graduate School limits and reinstatement.

IV. Monitoring and Review Process

A. Undergraduate (A/BSN) Students

Academic Performance

The University uses academic standing to monitor student academic performance. Students are considered in good academic standing unless notified otherwise by the University Registrar, who automatically assigns academic standing based on quarterly and cumulative GPA:

  • Academic Warning: Assigned after one quarter below 2.0 GPA
  • Academic Alert: Assigned if cumulative GPA remains below 2.0
  • Drop: May occur after continued academic difficulty

These actions are issued by the University, not the School of Nursing.

Academic Progress

Readmission After Academic Drop

  • A student dropped under University academic rules may be readmitted only at the discretion of the dean of the school or college to which readmission is sought.
  • Students readmitted after academic drop re-enter on Academic Warning.
  • The GPA upon return is the same as at the time of the drop; grades from other colleges/universities cannot be used to raise the UW GPA.
  • Readmitted students are dropped again if they fail to attain either:
    • a quarterly GPA of 2.0 or higher in the next quarter, or
    • a cumulative UW GPA of 2.0 at the end of that quarter.
  • A student is removed from Academic Warning when their cumulative GPA reaches 2.0 or higher.
  • Seniors in their final quarter who complete the credit requirement for graduation but are placed on Academic Warning will not receive their degree until they are removed from Academic Warning. If dropped in the final quarter, the student must be readmitted and subsequently removed from Academic Warning before the degree is conferred.

B. Graduate (CIPCT, DNP, PhD) Students

Academic performance and progress are reviewed annually by the program-specific Coordinating Committee (DNPCC or M/PhDCC). The School of Nursing follows UW Graduate School Policy 3.7: Academic Performance and Progress.

  • OSAA facilitates annual reviews and documentation in collaboration with the program Coordinating Committee.
  • Students are evaluated based on cumulative GPA, course performance, professional behavior, and progression timelines.

Communicating Performance and Progress

  • Students meeting performance and progress expectations receive an emailed letter from OSAA confirming satisfactory progress.
  • Students who are not meeting one or more performance or progress expectations receive an emailed letter from OSAA detailing the unsatisfactory progress status and next steps.

Process for Issuing Unsatisfactory Performance and Progress Status

  • The Coordinating Committee votes to recommend an unsatisfactory status.
  • OSAA drafts a formal letter to the student that includes:
    • The assigned progress status (see table below) and rationale
    • Required steps to resolve the status
    • Consequences if steps are not completed
    • A timeline for resolution
    • Any required Development Plan or follow-up expectations (see Section V: Student Support).
  • When a student receives an unsatisfactory progress status, a Development Plan may also be assigned. See Section V: Student Support for a description of Development Plans. Development Plans are distinct from Graduate School academic statuses (Academic Notification, Academic Alert, Final Academic Alert, and Drop).
  • OSAA sends the letter to the student.
    • A copy is sent to the Graduate School for Academic Alert, and recommendations for Final Academic Alert and Drop statuses.
    • For Final Academic Alert, the Graduate School sends an additional letter to the student confirming the Final Academic Alert Status.
    • For Academic Drop, the Graduate School issues the notification directly following a recommendation from the School of Nursing.
  • OSAA and the Coordinating Committee monitor follow-up. If the issue is not resolved by the stated deadline, the status may be extended, escalated, or resolved, as appropriate.

Timing

  • Academic Alert and Final Academic Alert recommendations must be submitted to the Graduate School no later than the 10th business day of the quarter.
  • Academic drop recommendations must be submitted by the 5th business day of the drop quarter.

Duration

  • A status may be assigned for up to three consecutive quarters (excluding summer).
  • An updated recommendation and letter must be submitted if the student remains in status beyond the initial timeframe.
  • If no update is received, the Graduate School will consider the status resolved.

Unsatisfactory Performance and Progress Statuses

Status Definition Issued By Recorded on Transcript?
Academic Notification An early status for students not meeting expectations, but for whom the program believes improvement is likely without formal Graduate School intervention School of Nursing (internal only) No
Academic Alert Indicates significant concern regarding a student’s ability to meet degree requirements or lack of resolution following a prior Academic Notification School of Nursing with copy to Graduate School No
Final Academic Alert Issued when a student fails to demonstrate improvement following an Academic Alert or is unlikely to complete the program successfully School of Nursing & Graduate School No
Drop The Graduate School removes the student from the program due to continued unsatisfactory progress Graduate School Yes

V. Student Support

The School of Nursing takes a proactive and supportive approach when students experience academic or professional challenges. Support options are tailored to individual needs and may include:

  • Academic planning meetings with OSAA or faculty
  • Development plans (see description below)
  • Professionalism coaching, reflective assignments, or behavioral expectations
  • Altered progression plans, reviewed and approved by the appropriate Coordinating Committee
  • Referrals to campus resources, such as:
    • Disability Resources for Students (DRS)
    • Counseling resources or Hall Health
    • Student Life or Financial Aid
    • Registrar for Religious Accommodations

Development Plans

Development Plans are supportive tools used to help students address identified concerns in academic performance, professionalism, or progression. Development Plans are co-created by the student and OSAA Program Advisor and may involve consultation with faculty or the Coordinating Committee. Each Development Plan documents:

  • The identified concern
  • Specific expectations for improvement
  • Available resources and supports
  • A timeline for resolution and follow-up

Development Plans are not punitive. They are distinct from Graduate School academic statuses (Academic Notification, Academic Alert, Final Academic Alert, and Drop). Course-level Development Plans, initiated through the Course Notification process, are described in UW School of Nursing Policy 1.4. Program-level Development Plans, as described here, may follow an unsatisfactory progress status or professionalism concern.

These supports are intended to promote student well-being, uphold academic and professional standards, and assist students in progressing toward degree completion. Additional student support needs are often shared through our Early Student Alert process, a student success initiative designed as a proactive intervention for students who are having academic difficulty at any point during the academic journey.

VI. Appeals

VII. Roles and Responsibilities Summary

Appendix: RACI – Roles and Responsibilities Summary

Program Coordinating Committees include: BSNCC, DNPCC, M/PhDCC

Process OSAA Program Coordinating Committee UW Registrar UW Graduate School
Monitor GPA, grades, and progression R C I (UG only) I (Grad only)
Monitor professionalism and essential behaviors R A – –
Determine academic status (UG) – – A/R –
Recommend progress/performance status (Grad) C A/R – –
Conduct annual progress reviews (Grad only) R A/R – I
Submit Graduate School status recommendations (Alert, Final Alert, Drop) A/R I – –
Communicate academic status letters to students (UG) R – – I
Communicate performance/progress letters to students (Grad) R – – I (Alert, Final Alert); A (Drop)
Monitor status duration and follow-up (Grad) R A – I
Develop and Monitor Development Plans R (with Student) I – –
Recommend support/remediation plans R C – –

RACI Key:

  • R = Responsible: Performs the work
  • A = Accountable: Has decision authority
  • C = Consulted: Provides input
  • I = Informed: Notified of outcomes

Related Policies & References

Last updated: September 2025