Satisfactory Academic Standing

Criteria for Satisfactory Academic Standing
Criteria for Dean's List
Criteria for Distinguished Scholar
Warning Notices
Academic Probation
Academic Suspension
Appealing Academic Suspension
Academic Dismissal
Reinstatement After Suspension/Dismissal
Appeal for Reinstatement
Students' Grade Appeal Process

Academic Standing Table

A student is considered to be in Satisfactory Academic Standing if the following two criteria are met:

1. The student must meet the minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) as outlined here.

Degree Credits Completed*                 Minimum CGPA
1-11                                                     0
12-21                                                   1.6
22-31                                                   1.75
32-51                                                   1.9
51                                                        2.0

*Degree credits completed includes credits for all courses (at the 100-level or above) from which the student has not officially withdrawn and all transfer credits accepted by Brookdale. (Only credits earned at Brookdale are computed in the CGPA.)

2. Once more than 11 credits (either degree or non-degree) have been attempted (not including official withdrawals), a student enrolled in 0-level courses must pass 50% of those courses each semester he or she is enrolled in a 0-level course.

A student must have a CGPA of 2.0 to be eligible for graduation.

Dean's List and Distinguished Scholar

Criteria for the Dean's List

           The student must be a degree student.
           The student must have achieved a grade point average of 3.7.
           The student must have completed twelve credits or more in any long term, with 100% completion rate, OR if the student enrolls for fewer than twelve credits in both long terms, the student must complete twelve credits over the course of one year (July through June), with 100% completion rate.
           Developmental courses do not count toward the Dean's List.

Criteria for the Distinguished Scholar Award

           The Distinguished Scholar Award applies only to graduates from Associate Degree programs who have a 3.7 or higher cumulative grade point average at graduation, along with a 95% cumulative course completion rate. 

Warning Notices

           A student who has completed 1 - 11 degree credits and whose CGPA is less than a 2.0 will receive a warning.
           A student who has completed more than 11 degree credits and is in Satisfactory Academic Standing but whose CGPA is less than a 2.0 will also receive a warning.
           The student will be notified that he or she may be in jeopardy of losing Satisfactory Academic Standing and must choose future courses carefully in order to maintain Satisfactory Academic Standing. 

Academic Probation

A student who is not in Satisfactory Academic Standing will be placed on Academic Probation. The student will be required to meet with his or her counselor and plan the next semester with Satisfactory Academic Standing as a goal. The student will be restricted to a maximum of 14 credits or four (4) courses, and the counselor’s signature is required for registration.

If, at the end of the first semester of Academic Probation, the student achieves Satisfactory Academic Standing, the Academic Probation period ends. If, at the end of the first semester of Academic Probation, the student does not achieve Satisfactory Academic Standing, the student continues for another semester on Academic Probation.

If, at the end of the second semester of Academic Probation, the student still does not achieve Satisfactory Academic Standing, the student may continue for a third semester of Academic Probation if they fall into one of the following categories:

1. The student has fewer than 32 degree credits completed and in the second semester of probation, successfully complete* 100% of credits attempted and earns at least a 2.0 Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA) for degree credits attempted. 

2. The student has at least 32 degree credits completed and in the second semester of probation, successfully completes* 100% of credits attempted and earns at least a 2.3 Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA) for degree credits attempted. 

* Successful completion includes grades of D or higher. 

Academic Suspension

A student who has been on Academic Probation for two consecutive semesters and has not achieved Satisfactory Academic Standing by the end of the second semester will be suspended from the college for at least one full semester (Fall or Spring).

The suspended student will not be permitted to attend any intervening Winterim or Summer terms.

Once the Academic Suspension period has expired, the student may return to the college on Academic Probation but must meet with his or her Student Development Specialist to construct a plan with Satisfactory Academic Standing as a goal. The counselor's signature is required for registration.

Appeal of Academic Suspension

A student placed on Academic Suspension may appeal the suspension, based on extraordinary circumstances, through the following process:

The student meet with a counselor within seven (7) days of notification of suspension and discuss the reason for the appeal. The counselor supports or denies the appeal. If the counselor supports the appeal: the student must write a letter to the Director-Student Affairs and Support Services explaining in full the basis for the appeal, the extenuating circumstances, and a plan for academic success.

All appropriate documentation must be included. The Director must receive this letter, along with a letter of support from the counselor, within ten (10) days following notification of suspension, the student must make an appointment to meet with the Director-Student Affairs and Support Services.

The Director will make a determination on the appeal. The results will be forwarded to the counselor and the Registration Office. The Director’s office will notify the student of the results within seven (7) days of the meeting.

The decision of the director is final.

The student who successfully appeals the suspension may return to the college on Conditional Reinstatement. The student is governed by the conditions outlined in Reinstatement after Suspension or Dismissal.

Academic Dismissal

A student who has returned after Academic Suspension must meet the conditions outlined in Reinstatement after Suspension or Dismissal.

If these conditions are not met, the student is placed on Academic Dismissal for a minimum period of one full year. Once the minimum period for Academic Dismissal is over, the student may submit a written request for reinstatement to the Dean of Students.

If the student does not return for three or more years, the student may apply for Academic Amnesty (College Regulation 5.0014R).

Reinstatement after Suspension or Dismissal

A student who is reinstated after Academic Suspension or Academic Dismissal will be placed on Academic Probation and will have, with the exceptions noted below, one semester to achieve Satisfactory Academic Standing.

One additional semester of Academic Probation will be granted to students who do not achieve Satisfactory Academic Standing at the end of the Academic Probation Semester if they fall into one of the following categories:

1. The student has fewer than 32 degree credits completed and in the Academic Probation Semester of Reinstatement completes 100% of the credits attempted and earns at least a 2.0 Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA).

2. The student has more than 32 degree credits completed, and in the Academic Probation Semester of Reinstatement completes 100% of the credits attempted and earns at least a 2.3 SGPA.

Appeal for Reinstatement

A student in Academic Dismissal may Appeal for Reinstatement in writing to the Dean of Student Development.

The appeal letter must be received at least thirty (30) days prior to the start of the next long semester. The student must explain in full the basis for the appeal, any extenuating circumstances, and a plan for academic success.

The Appeal for Reinstatement will be judged by an Academic Review Committee composed of:

           Dean of Academic Affairs (or designee)
           Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs (or designee)
           Division Chair of Counseling (or designee)
           Director of Student Affairs and Support Services (or designee)
           Registrar (or designee)
           Two Division Chairs
           Two Faculty
           The Academic Review Committee must have 60% of its member present to act on an appeal. 

The Academic Review Committee may grant an Appeal for Reinstatement by majority vote.

The committee will notify the student in writing of its decision at least one week prior to the start of the semester for which the student wishes to register.

The decision of the Academic Review Committee is final.

Students' Grade Appeal Process (Through Education Services)

This Student Appeal Process offers the student an avenue to discuss and resolve problems that arise with his or her educational progress.

The first two steps (with the Faculty member and with the Department Chairperson/Counselor) are informal; the following steps (Division/Director, Academic Appeals Committee) are formal and require the student to utilize the Appeals Process Form.

The Appeals Process must be initiated by the student.

No adverse action will be taken against a student for making an appeal.

NOTE: Grades can only be changed by the classroom instructor; however, the student may use the appeal process to discuss how the grade was arrived at and whether an equitable resolution can be found.

Grade appeals must be filed before the end of the NEXT long (15-week) term.

STEP I (INFORMAL): Discuss issue with faculty member. It is important to discuss any appeals with the faculty member.

STEP II (INFORMAL): If there is no resolution, within two weeks of Step I, the student contacts either the counselor or the Department Chairperson and arranges a meeting. The faculty member may be invited to this meeting if the counselor or department chairperson thinks that it is appropriate.

STEP III (FORMAL): If there is no resolution, within two weeks of Step II, the student fills out a Student Appeals Process Form and schedules a meeting the Division Chairperson or Director who will direct an investigation of the problem.

STEP IV (FORMAL): If there is no resolution, within two weeks of the failure of Step III, the student will schedule a meeting with the Dean of Academic Affairs (or designee), who will convene the Academic Appeals Committee, which is a recommending body.

The Faculty member involved with the student complaint will have an opportunity to be heard before the Appeals Committee, and any employee involved in Step I - III may be asked to comment before the Committee. All employees involved in the Formal steps (i.e... Steps III - IV) will keep a confidential record of their part of the process on a copy of the Appeal Form.

The Academic Appeals Committee will write a brief summary of their decision which will be kept confidential. These records may not be used in any detrimental way against the student or instructor.

Within two (2) weeks after the hearing the participants will be informed of the recommendations. All records of appeals will be destroyed upon the student's graduation from Brookdale or within three (3) years, whichever comes first.

The Academic Appeal Committee will be made up of two (2) faculty members, two (2) students and the Dean (or designee), who will be a non-voting member, except in the event of a tie. 

Brookdale, The County College of Monmouth

765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738-1543
An equal opportunity/affirmative action institution