Douglas College students are expected to maintain minimum academic standards while pursuing their academic studies. Although students do not start their post-secondary journey planning to be placed on academic probation, many students may end up on probation due to unforeseen circumstances or other reasons. Douglas offers numerous support services to help you get back on track and improve your academic standing.
What is Academic Standing at Douglas College?
Academic Standing is a way to help students track their academic performance. Academic Standing applies to Domestic and International students. International students seeking information on the impact of being placed on Academic Probation on the status of their study permit or progression towards a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) are encouraged to contact Douglas College International for advice on these matters.
Academic standing is determined at the end of the Fall (September to December) Winter (January to April), and Summer (May to August) semesters based on your Cumulative GPA (CGPA).
Academic standing is based on a minimum of 9 credits of Douglas College coursework attempted. More information is available in the Academic Performance Policy available on the Douglas College Website.
There are 3 categories of Academic Standing at Douglas College:
Good standing
A cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 1.50 or higher in all Douglas College coursework means that you are in Good Academic Standing.
Academic Alert
If your semester or cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) (regardless of the number of credits attempted) falls between 1.99 and 1.50 you will be notified in writing by the College.
This notification is a reminder to let you know your academic performance is unsatisfactory and improvement is needed to avoid Academic Probation.
This communication will also encourage you to make use of the Support Services available to you at Douglas.
Academic Probation
If your CGPA falls below 1.50 (based on at least nine (9) credits attempted) you will be placed on academic probation and notified of your status in writing.
If this is the first time you are on academic probation you will need to meet with your Student Success Advisor or a Douglas College Counsellor to be eligible to progress. You may also be required to create an action-oriented plan to help you on your pathway to success. Our team of Student Success Advisors and Douglas College Counsellors, as well as the wider team of Student Support professionals at Douglas, are here to help you. Students on Academic Probation must demonstrate academic improvement and achieve a minimum of 1.50 CGPA to be removed from Academic Probation.
If you have been on Academic Probation for more than one term, you are required to meet with your Student Success Advisor.
Why am I on Academic Probation?
You will be placed on academic probation if your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is below 1.50 over a minimum of 9 credits.
What do I do now?
We understand that success does not always follow a predictable path. We also know that college students have complicated lives, and personal, financial, health or family reasons may have had an impact on your academics. If this is the first term you are on Academic Probation, meet with your assigned Student Success Advisor (SSA) or a Douglas College Counsellor early during your Probationary period for guidance on academic improvement. Contact an SSA. Contact a Douglas College Counsellor.
Will I be notified if I am on probation?
Enrolment Services will communicate with you by email about your academic standing after the grade deadline each term. This email communication will contain important information about your Academic Standing.
What happens if I continue on academic probation?
Improving your CGPA may seem quite challenging at times. Student Success Advisors and other support services at Douglas are here to guide you through this. While on academic probation, your registration is limited to nine credits per semester, until your CGPA rises above 1.50. Continuing on probation for multiple semesters will require an in-depth academic plan, which may include a further limitation to the maximum credits allowed along with actions to remediate your academic standing in line with the Academic Performance Policy.
How did I get here?
Every student has a different academic journey and yours is unique to you. Each of us also requires specialized success strategies which help us tackle the challenges we face. Some common root causes which lead to academic probation may include:
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Inefficient time management
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Difficulty managing study-work-life responsibilities.
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Adapting to college and the differences between postsecondary study and high school
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Financial stresses and the need to work while studying.
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Committing to taking too many classes at one time.
We also know that college students have complicated lives, and personal, financial, health or family reasons may have had an impact on your academics.
How does this impact me?
When you are placed on Academic Probation, a registration hold is placed on your account. This means your ability to register and access other features in myAccount will be blocked.
If this if your first time on Academic Probation, you are required to meet with a Student Success Advisor or Douglas College Counsellor. The advisor or counsellor will clarify the College’s Academic Performance Regulations and GPA calculations with you ensuring your situation is well understood.
Your Student Success Advisor or Counsellor will work with you to identify and understand why you are in academic difficulty and problem-solve with you to establish a plan with strategies you can implement to improve.
If you have been on Academic Probation for more than one term, you are required to meet with your Student Success Advisor.
How can I improve my Academic Performance?
The surest way to improve your GPA is to begin working on the habits and behaviours which create academic success. By focusing on the process, you can develop the skills you need to be at your best in the classroom. Accessing supports for students can help if there are factors in your personal life that are impacting your academics.
Douglas has a wide range of student support services that are available to you, beginning with your Student Success Advisor. Each student registered in courses has an SSA that is ready to help you identify which habits and skills need improvement, provide you with resources and advice on how to improve them while integrating them into your student life.
Your Student Success Advisors will also help connect you with the wider team of professionals at Douglas:
Together with your Student Success Advisor, you will develop a success strategy designed to help you implement your new skills while reinforcing these new habits. This strategy will be designed to help you succeed in your unique situation.
For example, this strategy may include attending a time management workshop at the Learning Centre, regular check-ins with your Student Success Advisor, meetings with a Counsellor, or developing your note-taking skills. Throughout the process, your Student Success Advisors and the entire student support team at Douglas will support you in your efforts to make the necessary changes needed to improve your GPA. As your GPA continues to rise your academic status will change as a result.