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Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal regulations require that Life Chiropractic College West establish, publish and apply reasonable standards for measuring student’s satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in their educational program. The qualitative and quantitative standards used to monitor academic progress are cumulative and must include all periods of the student’s enrollment.

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

There are two components used to determine whether or not a student is making SAP. Failure to meet any one of these components may result in the consequences listed below.

  1. Qualitative component – GPA: Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. In addition, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 by the end of their second academic year.
  2. Quantitative component– Completion Rate (pace) – students must complete 67% of all attempted credits (cumulative attempted credits vs cumulative earned credits). The pace rate is based on a maximum time frame for degree completion that is 150% of the program requirements (measured in credit hours attempted).

Earned/Attempted Credits: An earned course grade of I, F, NP, W/WP, and WD/WF will be counted as attempted credits for the quantitative SAP component (pace rate). The qualitative measure (GPA) is not affected by W/WP or NP grades. Treatment of transfer credits and competency examinations: All credits accepted for transfer and/ or competency exams are counted as both attempted and earned for the quantitative satisfactory academic progress (SAP) component. The qualitative measure is not affected by transfer and/or exam credits.

Completion Rate

Completion rate is the pace at which a student should progress in order to complete the program within a maximum timeframe. There are two components to our pace policy: credit hours attempted and a maximum time frame based on completion of the program in 150% of the program length.

The pace (completion rate) is calculated by dividing the cumulative number of credits earned by the cumulative number of attempted hours. The required pace percentage for LCCW is 67%. To be in good academic standing, students must complete 67% of all attempted coursework and credits (cumulative attempted credits vs cumulative earned credits).

Consequences of not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress

LCCW students are expected to perform at the highest academic levels. Those students who do not meet the standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress are subject to the following consequences:

Academic Concern: A student who fails any course is identified for academic concern by the Office of Academic Affairs and a letter outlining the college’s academic support services is provided to the student. The student is removed from academic concern immediately following the successful completion of courses with no failed classes during the quarter.

A student on academic concern is in good academic standing, and retains all rights, privileges, and financial aid eligibility of a regular student. A student may also be placed on academic concern whenever an academic event occurs which, if not corrected, may lead a student to fall below the minimum standards of SAP, such as:

  • Withdrawal from one or more courses in any quarter.

Students whose academic performance reflects the above activity should be aware that their future course scheduling and date of graduation may be impacted. A student is removed from academic concern status immediately following the quarter in which they have passed all courses.

Academic Warning: Academic warning is assigned by the Academic Affairs Office to a student the first time he/she fails to make satisfactory academic progress in a term (term gpa falls below 2.0 or term pace falls below 67%). In this instance, the student is required to meet with the Academic Advisor in the Academic Success Center before week six or a hold will be placed on the student’s registration. A student can be under academic warning for no more than four consecutive quarters. A student is removed from academic warning status immediately following the quarter satisfactory academic progress has been met.

Academic Probation: A student who fails to make satisfactory academic progress cumulatively (overall cumulative 2.0 gpa or cumulative 67% pace) or who fails to make satisfactory academic progress within four consecutive quarters of academic warning will be placed on academic probation. During academic probation, the student can only carry a maximum course load of 12-14 units per quarter until the cumulative satisfactory academic progress is met. In this circumstance, the student’s expected time for completion can be impacted. A student can remain in academic probation status for no more than four consecutive quarters. A student is removed from academic probation immediately following the quarter cumulative satisfactory academic progress has been met. If the student was placed on academic probation following four terms of academic warning the student will be removed from academic probation immediately following the quarter in which the term satisfactory academic progress has been met.

During academic probation, a student will be placed on a quarterly academic plan, which if followed, should improve a student’s ability to meet LCCW’s satisfactory academic progress standards by a specific point in time.

Academic Suspension: Academic suspension for one or more quarters is assigned to a student who fails to meet satisfactory academic progress within one year of being placed on academic probation. The duration of suspension is based on a tiered cumulative gpa and pace evaluation. During this time, the student is restricted from registering for and taking any classes. The Office of Academic Affairs can extend the suspension for up to one year total. In order for the student to return back to the college, the student must submit the appeal form to the Academic Standards Committee via the Office of Academic Affairs. The appeal form can be found in the student portal. A student can be suspended for up to two times with a maximum of one year (four quarters total).

Eligibility for federal financial aid may be impacted.

Suspension Chart

1.99-1.75; 66%-60% One Quarter
1.74-1.5; 59%-55% two quarters
1.49-1.25; 54%-50% three quarters
1.24 or below; 49% or below four quarters

Academic Dismissal: A student returning from academic suspension will be placed on academic probation for up to one year or four quarters. If the student does not meet satisfactory academic progress within this time, the student will be subject to academic dismissal. Academic dismissal is a status assigned by the Academic Affairs Office to a student who fails to make satisfactory academic progress and who has been suspended twice or for one year previously and has not made satisfactory academic progress within one year following their allotted suspension. Academic dismissal is a decision executed by the Vice President of Academic Affairs in the Office of Academic Affairs.

Readmission can be considered after a minimum of one year of academic dismissal. Readmission requires an appeal form and reapplication to the college. There is no guarantee of readmission. Readmission applications will be considered by the Academic Standards Committee.

Eligibility for federal financial aid may be impacted.

Appeal Form

The appeal form can be found in the student portal or in the Academic Advisor’s office, which is located in the Academic Success Center.