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Academic Standing

Being on either academic or progress probation can delay achieving your educational goals. Finding solutions begins with knowledge. The more you know about academic standing, what Bakersfield College expects of you, and the timelines involved, the easier it will be to develop an effective action plan.

What is Academic Standing?

There are the three categories of academic standing.

Academic Standing Categories

Good Standing

Academic standing is not calculated until students have attempted 12 units of Bakersfield College coursework. Then, at the end of every fall and spring semester, the college calculates academic standing.

» A cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 in all Bakersfield College coursework indicates academic good standing.

» When 50% or more of all Bakersfield College coursework is completed with grades and not withdrawals, incompletes, or no pass notations, satisfactory academic progress (SAP) good standing is achieved.

Academic Probation

Academic probation status is assigned when a cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) falls below a 2.0. The reference to “cumulative” GPA is important. It means that all of the grade points you have accumulated at Bakersfield College are used to calculate your GPA.

» A cumulative GPA below a 2.0 shows a pattern of academic difficulty.

Progress Probation

Progress probation refers to how much progress you are making in completing your classes with grades. Progress probation is determined by the cumulative number of units that have Withdrawal (W), Incomplete (I), or No Pass (NP) notations. Progress probation status is assigned when 50% or more of your cumulative units are Withdrawal (W), Incomplete (I), or No Pass (NP) notations.

» Completing less than half of your classes with grades shows a pattern of difficulty.

 

How Academic Standing Progresses

Bakersfield College calculates academic standing twice every year;

  1. After spring grades are posted;
  2. After the fall semester grades have been posted

Once your cumulative GPA climbs to a 2.0 or above after spring or fall semester grades are evaluated, you will automatically be back in Academic Good Standing

Academic standing is always applied in a set sequence with Probation 1 coming first, Probation 2 second, and Disqualification the final stage

In other words, it takes three consecutive semesters for a student to go from being on probation to being disqualified. If you leave college in the middle of the sequence, your academic standing remains the same until you return and earn new grades in fall or spring.

Probation 1

  • Cumulative GPA at Bakersfield College falls below a 2.0
  • 50% or more of your total Bakersfield College units have Withdrawal (W), Incomplete (I), or No Pass (NP)

Students in Probation 1 will: 

  • Receive an email notification to your BC email on your academic standing
  • Hold may be placed on account, preventing you from registering for future classes

Note: Student should check correct semester grades are recorded

Steps required to register at Bakersfield College after probation

one
Step 1: Update form by logging into your InsideBC
 
two
Step 2: Student Success Seminar

To release the hold and register for classes, you must complete the online Student Success Seminar.

three
Step 3: Improve Academic Standing

Earn above a 2.0 for the semester and successfully complete more than 50% of all units attempted.

Probation 2

  • Cumulative GPA at Bakersfield College continues to be below a 2.0, for second consecutive semester
  • 50% or more of your total Bakersfield College units have Withdrawal (W), Incomplete (I), or No Pass (NP), for second consecutive semester

Students in Probation 2 will: 

  • Receive an email notification to your BC email on your academic standing
  • Hold may be placed on account, preventing you from registering for future classes
  • Lose your priority registration date

Note: Student should check correct semester grades are recorded

.

Steps required to register at Bakersfield College

one
Step 1: Update form by logging into your InsideBC
 
two
Step 2: Student Success Seminar

To release the hold and register for classes, you must complete the online Student Success Seminar.

three
Step 3: Improve Academic Standing

Earn above a 2.0 GPA for the semester and successfully complete more than 50% of all Bakersfield College units attempted.

 
 

Disqualification

  • Cumulative GPA at Bakersfield College continues to be below a 2.0, for third consecutive semester
  • 50% or more of your total Bakersfield College units have Withdrawal (W), Incomplete (I), or No Pass (NP), for third consecutive semester

Students in Disqualification will: 

  • Receive an email notification to your BC email on your academic standing
  • Hold may be placed on account, preventing you from registering for future classes
  • Lose your priority registration date

Note: Student should check correct semester grades are recorded.

Steps required to register at Bakersfield College after probation

one
Step 1: Sit Out One Semester

You have the choice to attend another college or not attend college at all. After you sit out for one full semester (summer does not count), you can be readmitted to Bakersfield College.

two
Step 2: Update form by logging into your InsideBC.
three
Step 3: Student Success Seminar

To release the hold and register for classes, you must complete the online Student Success Seminar.

four
Step 4: Meet with a Counselor or Educational Advisor
  • SID - Student Information Desk via Zoom.
  • Starfish Apts (student can make it directly themselves)
  • EOPS, if you are an EOPS Scholar
  • DSPS, if you are a DSPS student
  • Meet with your Guided Pathway Counselor to make a personalized plan of success. Call (661) 395-4421 to make an appointment. Make an appointment with your counselor/advisor using your Starfish account or Visit the Student Information Desk via Zoom.
five
Step 5: Improve Academic Standing

Earn above a 2.0 for the semester and successfully complete more than 50% of all units attempted

Appeal the Disqualification

You also have a choice to Appeal the Disqualification: You can fill out the Bakersfield College Disqualification Appeal Petition Form clearly identifying and explaining the cause(s) of the substandard academic performance and attach outside documentation (if applicable). The appeal form is submitted to the Probation Department for review: probationappeal@bakersfieldcollege.edu. The appeal period will typically end ten (10) business days before the new semester begins.

Once an appeal decision has been made, you will be notified via your BC email. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Probation Continued after Probation 2 or Disqualification

ACADEMIC PROBATION

If your cumulative grade point average is below a 2.0 but you achieved at least a 2.00 at the end of last semester then you will be automatically assigned probation continued status and given one more semester with your enrollment priority intact. For example, if your Grade Point Average for all courses at Bakersfield College is a 1.5 but your grades at the end of fall or spring are a 2.6 – good to go! One more semester to work at raising your grade point average.

PROGRESS PROBATION

If more than half of your cumulative units still show Withdrawals (W), Incomplete (I), and No Pass (NP) notations, but you completed at least 50% of last semester’s units with grades, then you have earned an exception to the rule! You can retain your enrollment priority position, and continue working on progress for one more semester.

Every semester that you meet these conditions, you are automatically extended for one semester at Bakersfield College. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. Every semester you meet these conditions you keep your enrollment priority and earn one more semester to improve your grade point average and show progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Notification is always sent to students by Bakersfield College E-mail. Students are strongly encouraged to check their academic status at the end of every semester in order to verify their performance levels. Students can view their academic progress by viewing their transcripts anytime during or after semesters.

Students on probation 1 do not have a unit limit restriction. Probation 2 students are able to take up to 12 units a semester. Disqualification students are able to enroll in up to 7 units. Student on probation continued do not have any limit restrictions. During summer sessions, all students have a 7-unit limit restriction, regardless of academic standing.

A counselor or educational advisor can assist you in many ways! Counselors and educational advisors can help you with:

  • setting up a class schedule
  • creating your degree planner
  • provide information about programs of study
  • transfer planning
  • referral to campus/community resources
  • discuss how to develop better study skills and habits
  • career and vocational exploration

Make your appointment early!

Your cumulative GPA is the total average of your grades for all classes attempted. Your cumulative total can go up or down depending on how you do in each semester.

You will return to good academic standing when you raise your cumulative GPA to at least a 2.0 and complete 50% of the units attempted.

Although you have done better academically during your most recent semester it may not have been enough to bring your cumulative GPA up to a 2.00. You will be automatically taken off of probation once you become in good standing with the College. An e-mail will be sent to your Bakersfield College e-mail address notifying you of your academic accomplishment. You can also review your academic transcript to see your progress each semester.

All previous semesters of enrollment are part of your permanent record at Bakersfield College. Past semesters and new semesters will reveal an accurate history of your cumulative record. Your past academic history may have an effect on current probationary status.

If you registered for classes and failed to officially withdraw, your instructor(s) may have turned in failing grades for you. It is your responsibility to officially withdraw from classes before the deadline published in the most recent college catalog. Go online to the Bakersfield College website and drop the course via the Web Registration System. Be sure to print the screen showing the date of the drop and save it until grades for that semester post.

The computer generated program has no way of determining why a student withdraws from their class or classes. Although you may have officially withdrawn from your classes for good reasons, submitting a drop form after the "W" notation deadline will result in a "W" grade. Failing to complete 50% of your total units for the semester will result in progress probation. Withdrawal deadlines are published in the schedule of classes each semester. The dates are also listed in each course syllabus.

Schedule an appointment with a counselor or educational advisor to discuss personal challenges or to discuss school, work conflicts, course selection, a change in family needs, educational goals, or any concerns you may have regarding your scholastic progress. Services are in place to help you succeed. You may also go to the Health Center for personal/mental health counseling.

At this point it is vital that you schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor or educational advisor. Failure to complete your second semester of probation in good standing may result in disqualification from the College.

Financial aid students must follow the satisfactory academic progress standards established by the Financial Aid Office. Those standards are different that the college's academic standards for all students. You should check your academic status with the Financial Aid Office.

Students may repeat a course in which they received a D or F. By repeating a course with a substandard grade, it will alleviate the initial grade you received. It is recommended to speak to a counselor or educational advisor to determine whether a class is worth repeating. There might be a way to alleviate a substandard grade without having to repeat the course. Ask your counselor or educational advisor about academic renewal.

Students can request an academic renewal for substandard grades (D, F) received. The substandard grade(s) may be disregarded in the computation of a student's GPA if the work was not reflective of the student's present scholastic level of performance. Please speak to a counselor or educational advisor for further details. Please note that you cannot remove Ws from transcripts with academic renewal.

Consequences include but are not limited to:

  • Student Success Seminar requirements must be met before you are cleared to register.
  • Financial Aid may be suspended.
  • Expenses incurred for repeating classes to raise GPA.

If you have any further questions contact the Counseling and Advising Department to schedule an appointment: 395-4421 

You can also email the probation team: probationappeal@bakersfieldcollege.edu. You can also use your Student Information Desk to speak to a counselor/advisor.

Unfortunately our computer generated program has no way of determining a student's personal pursuits. We are required to inform all students when they fall into a probationary category. A letter will be sent out for all probation statuses.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

This process can be difficult if you are trying to do it on your own. Know all these services are in place to provide you with support which will help you achieve your goals.

Bakersfield College Center for Student Success is designed to assist you with resources and services.

Do not hesitate to ask for help!

Guided Pathways Counseling & Advising

(661) 395-4421

Email the probation team: probationappeal@bakersfieldcollege.edu

Scheduling an appointment

If you have any further questions contact the Counseling and Advising Department, 395-4421, to schedule an appointment with your Guided Pathway Counselor. Or email the probation team (link above).

Here are some resources you may find helpful on your path back to success!

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