A Course Notification, also called an Early Alert, lets you know when faculty have concerns about your progress in a course while there is still time to respond.
The goal is to connect you with clear feedback, your program adviser and resources that can support your success. A Course Notification is supportive, not punitive. It is not an academic status and does not appear on your transcript.
Why it matters
A Course Notification gives you an opportunity to understand the concern, clarify expectations and connect with support before the end of the quarter.
Act early
Faculty may issue a Course Notification at any point in the quarter when they identify a concern. There is no fixed checkpoint week.
More time to respond
Course Notifications may be issued when course performance indicates a risk of falling below 2.0 in an undergraduate course or 2.7 in a graduate course. Identifying concerns early gives you more time to address them.
Know what to focus on
Your faculty identify the concern and expectations for success. Your program adviser can help you identify strategies, resources and support.
I received one. What happens next?
If you receive a Course Notification, review it promptly and follow up with your faculty and program adviser. Here’s what to expect.
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The Course Notification arrives by email
Sent to your UW email, with your program adviser copied. It describes what your faculty have observed and the expectations for success in the course.
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You meet with faculty to review the Course Notification
In person or by Zoom. You may bring a support person.
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Your adviser contacts you to schedule a meeting
This meeting is separate from your faculty meeting so you can talk with your adviser about what would help you succeed.
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You co-develop a Development Plan
You and your adviser build the plan together and identify strategies, resources and support.
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Progress is reviewed, then the record closes
You and your faculty review your progress through the quarter. Your adviser closes the record in your advising file.
Questions?
Your rights
How Course Notifications differ from other academic processes
A Course Notification is not an academic status under Policy 1.1 and does not require a course repeat under Policy 1.6. An academic status or course repeat may apply later, depending on your final grade.
| Process | What it is | Who issues it | Your record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Notification (Early Alert) | Course-level document describing faculty observations and expectations for success in the course. | Course faculty | Not a status. Not on transcript. Removed at graduation. |
| Development Plan | Plan you co-develop with your adviser. | Adviser and student | Removed at graduation. Not shared with faculty by default. |
| Academic Alert / Warning / Drop (Undergraduate) | University academic standing based on GPA. | University Registrar | Formal standing. Drop is on the transcript. |
| Academic Notification / Alert / Final Alert / Drop (Graduate) | Graduate progress status under Policy 1.1 and Graduate School Policy 3.7. | UW School of Nursing and UW Graduate School | Formal status with required steps. Drop is on the transcript. |
| Essentials Notification / Alert | Concern about Essential Qualifications or Behaviors, under Policy 4.1. | Program Coordinating Committee | Internal to SoN. Not on transcript. |
Support resources
You do not need to receive a Course Notification to use these resources. Reach out whenever you need support.
Program advising
Academic planning and progression questions.
Office of Student and Academic Affairs
Advising, financial aid, compliance and counseling.
Writing support
Scholarly writing, APA and feedback on drafts.
Counseling and wellness
Confidential mental health support.
Disability Resources for Students
Accommodations for coursework and clinicals.
Financial aid and basic needs
Emergency funding and short-term assistance.
Study design & data support
Methods and analysis consultation.
Technology resources
Software, hardware and platform help.
Read the policy
Policy 1.4 outlines the full process, roles and recordkeeping requirements.
Questions students ask
No. A Course Notification is held in your advising file and removed when you graduate.
No. Course Notifications are supportive, not punitive. Faculty use them to identify concerns early, while there is still time to respond.
No. Academic Alert is a formal University or Graduate School status based on GPA and progress. A Course Notification is a course-level tool under Policy 1.4. See how Course Notifications differ from other academic processes.
No. A Course Notification does not require you to repeat the course. Any repeat requirement would depend on your final grade and Policy 1.6.
Yes. Submit a written response and your adviser will file it with the Course Notification.
You decide what to share. Your Development Plan is not automatically shared with course faculty.
Yes. A support person may assist you but does not participate in the discussion.
Yes. The threshold is 2.7 rather than 2.0. It remains distinct from Graduate School status actions.
Yes. You do not need a Course Notification to ask for support. Email asknursing@uw.edu or contact your adviser.
The Course Notification itself does not affect your financial aid. Final grades and satisfactory academic progress may. Contact the Office of Student and Academic Affairs if you have questions about your situation.
Contact
Office of Student and Academic Affairs
- asknursing@uw.edu
- Phone
- 206.543.8736
- Location
- Magnuson Health Sciences Building, Room T-301
- Hours
- 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday
Program advisers
- BSN
- bsnadvising@uw.edu
- ABSN
- absnadvising@uw.edu
- DNP
- dnpadv@uw.edu
- PhD
- phdadv@uw.edu