Academic Standing & Student Support
This page explains the types of academic standing and highlights the academic and wellness support services available to assist students in regaining and maintaining good academic standing. Review our academic catalog for additional information regarding academic regulations.
Understanding Academic Standing
Academic standing reflects a student’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and academic progress toward degree completion. The University uses academic standing classifications to identify students who may need additional support to achieve academic success.
Types of Academic Standing
Good Academic Standing
Students are considered in good academic standing when they maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 or higher. Students in good standing are eligible to continue enrollment without restriction.
Academic Warning
Academic warning is issued when a student’s CGPA falls below 2.0 for the first time. This status serves as an early alert that academic performance needs improvement.
- Students remain enrolled; however, restrictions may be recommended
- Students are strongly encouraged to use academic support services
- Improvement is required to avoid probation
Academic Probation
Academic probation occurs when a student’s CGPA remains below 2.0 for a second consecutive semester. This status indicates a serious academic concern.
- Students must demonstrate academic improvement
- Enrollment conditions or requirements may be applied
- Failure to improve may result in academic dismissal
Academic Dismissal
Academic dismissal occurs when a student fails to raise their CGPA to the minimum standard after being placed on probation.
- Enrollment for future semesters is cancelled
- Students are not eligible to return for one academic year
- Students have the right to appeal the dismissal decision
- How to appeal the dismissal decision
Important: Students are encouraged to seek assistance early to avoid progression from warning to probation or dismissal.
Next Steps After Receiving an Academic Standing Notice
If you have received a notice regarding your academic standing, it is important to take action as soon as possible. The following steps are designed to help you regain good academic standing and stay on track toward graduation.
- Sign Up for the Academic Recovery Program (ARP): Enroll in the Academic Recovery Program to work one-on-one with an academic coach who will help you identify challenges, create a personalized recovery plan, and monitor your progress throughout the semester.
- Meet With Your Student Success Coordinator: Schedule a meeting with your college’s Student Success Coordinator. Student Success Coordinators work closely with students on academic warning, probation, or dismissal to provide guidance, accountability, and connection to resources.
- College of Arts and Sciences: Dr. Lucy Gichaga — lgichaga@bowiestate.edu
- College of Business: Mr. Kareem Fernandez — kfernandez@bowiestate.edu
- College of Education: Dr. Maurice Gatling — mgatling@bowiestate.edu
- College of Professional Studies: Ms. Shinzira Shomade — sshomade@bowiestate.edu
- Contact Your Academic Advisor: Meet with your academic advisor to review your course schedule, degree requirements, and strategies for improving your academic performance. If you don’t know who your academic advisor is, refer to our academic advisor directory or contact the Academic Advising Center, phone number: 301-860-4072, email: advisingbsu@bowiestate.edu
- Utilize Tutoring and Academic Support Services: Take advantage of tutoring, study skills workshops, and other academic resources available through the Student Success Center to strengthen your performance in challenging courses.
- Use the Writing Center: Seek writing assistance for papers, projects, and assignments to improve clarity, organization, and overall academic writing skills.
- Access Counseling Services: If stress, personal concerns, or emotional challenges are affecting your academic performance, contact Counseling Services for confidential support.
- Visit the Henry Wise Wellness Center: Engage with wellness resources and programming designed to support your physical, emotional, and mental well-being, which are essential to academic success.
Remember: Taking proactive steps early greatly increases your chances of returning to good academic standing.
Academic Support Services
The University offers a variety of academic support services designed to help students strengthen their skills, address challenges, and regain good academic standing.
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center provides individual and group tutoring, writing assistance and study skills and academic workshops
Contact: Ms. Ebone Johnson — eajohnson@bowiestate.edu
Writing Center
Peer and professional staff will help you overcome challenges in any step of the writing process, whether that is understanding a prompt, conducting research, organizing ideas, creating a draft, integrating sources, revising work, or completing the final edits. Office location: MLK Center, RM# 3315
Contact: Dr. Becker – mbecker@bowiestate.edu
Academic Advising Center
Academic advisors assist students with course planning, degree requirements, and academic decision-making. Students are encouraged to meet regularly with their advisor to review progress and develop an academic success plan.
Contact Dr. Dorsha Goodman at dgoodman@bowiestate.edu.
Phone: 301-860-4072
Counseling & Wellness Services
Academic challenges may be connected to personal, emotional, or wellness concerns. The University provides confidential support services to help students manage stress and maintain balance.
Counseling Services
Counseling Services offer confidential support for stress management, motivation, and personal concerns that may impact academic performance.
Phone: 301-860-4169
Henry Wise Wellness Center
The Henry Wise Wellness Center promotes student well-being through health education, wellness programming, and support services designed to foster overall success.
Phone: 301-860-4170