Navigating Academic Probation at UCF: Requirements and Strategies for Success

For students at the University of Central Florida (UCF), maintaining good academic standing is crucial for continued enrollment and achieving their academic goals. This article provides a comprehensive overview of academic probation policies across various UCF colleges, including the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) and the College of Business, outlining the requirements, consequences, and strategies for students to regain good standing.

Understanding Academic Probation at UCF

Academic probation is a status assigned to students whose UCF grade point average (GPA) falls below 2.0. The minimum UCF GPA required to be considered a student “in good standing” is 2.0. This status serves as a warning, indicating that a student's academic performance is not meeting the university's minimum standards. It is a critical juncture where students must take proactive steps to improve their grades and overall academic performance.

You will know if you are on Academic Probation by checking your academic standing. You will want to view your grades from the last semester you were enrolled in to see your current academic standing.

General Academic Probation Policies

When a student’s UCF grade point average falls below a 2.0, the student is placed on Academic Probation. Students on academic probation are required to earn a minimum 2.0 UCF GPA during the subsequent semester. If the semester UCF GPA is above a 2.0 and is high enough to raise the cumulative UCF GPA back to a 2.0 or higher, then the student is placed back in “good standing” and is removed from academic probation. If the semester UCF GPA is a 2.0 but is not high enough to raise the cumulative UCF GPA back to a 2.0, then the student is placed on “Continued Probation” the next semester. A student on Academic Probation is disqualified upon failure to achieve a minimum 2.0 UCF GPA during the subsequent term.

Students who have been disqualified from UCF will have a hold on their account from the Registrar’s Office. A Disqualified student seeking readmission to the University may submit an application for readmission to the Registrar’s Office, meeting the admission standards for chosen major. A student readmitted following Disqualification who fails to achieve a minimum 2.0 UCF GPA is permanently excluded from the University. Students are not eligible for readmission after Exclusion.

Read also: Strategies for Academic Success

College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) Progress Policy

The College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) has implemented a specific Progress Policy designed to encourage timely degree completion. The CECS Progress Policy is designed to encourage successful completion of a degree at UCF. The Progress Policy is enforced beginning with the 2015 catalog year. This policy addresses low grades, withdrawals, and multiple course attempts.

Key Components of the CECS Progress Policy:

Low Grades and Withdrawals: Students accumulating seven (7) C-, D, F, W, WL, NC, or U grades at UCF will be placed on Lack of Progress Probation within the college. They will remain on this probation status as long as they are enrolled in a CECS major.
Multiple Course Attempts: Students with two unsuccessful attempts of the same UCF course will also be placed on Lack of Progress Probation. To remain in a CECS major, students must earn a minimum grade of C (2.0) in the third attempt of the course.

It is important to note that CECS students are responsible for understanding the policy and their standing within it. Students reapplying to UCF or requesting a change of major to a CECS program while already on probation under this policy may be denied (re)admission to a CECS major.

CECS requires students who have been placed on probation to participate in an online workshop their first semester on probation.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science recommends that once admitted to UCF all math, science, engineering, computer science, and information technology classes be taken at UCF if the credits are being used toward a major within CECS. Students who are considering taking transient courses should work with a CECS academic advisor prior to taking the class. Taking courses as a Transient student will not allow you to enroll in future courses within the College of Engineering and Computer Science until the final grade in the transient course can be provided to UCF.

College of Business Admission Standards and Progress

The College of Business has established specific admission standards to promote program completion and post-graduation success. These standards are subject to change and apply to all pre-majors.

Read also: Navigating Academic Probation

Primary Business Core Requirements:

Completion of the Primary Business Core at UCF or an AACSB-accredited institution is mandatory.
Successful completion of GEB 3006 Career Development and Financial Planning is also required.
A grade of "C" or better is required for courses in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, and Management.

GPA Requirements by Major:

Accounting, Finance, Management, and Marketing: A minimum GPA of 3.0 in the Primary Core is required, with no grade lower than a "C" in each of the five Primary Core classes. Additionally, a grade of at least a "B" must be earned in the first course in the chosen major. If any Primary Core course is repeated, both attempts are counted in the GPA calculation. However, the better attempt will be used to determine if the minimum required grade has been met.
Integrated Business and Real Estate: A minimum GPA of 2.0 in the Primary Core is required, with no grade lower than a "D" in each of the five Primary Core classes. Real Estate majors must also earn a minimum grade of "C" in the first course in their chosen major. If the first course is repeated to earn a "C", both attempts will be calculated in the Primary Core GPA, but the best attempt will be used to meet the "C" admission requirement.
Economics: A minimum GPA of 2.0 in the Primary Core courses is required, with no grade lower than a "C" in each of the five Primary Core courses. Students are allowed a maximum of one repeat attempt to meet the 2.0 Primary Core GPA.

Admission into any College of Business BSBA program requires meeting these standards. Students meeting the standards and in the correct "Pre-major" will automatically move into their major after grades are posted.

Students entering UCF with business coursework from other institutions may use the College of Business Course Evaluation system to request equivalency reviews. The Office of Professional Development (BA2 101) provides advising services to help students understand their degree audits and graduation requirements. As a member of the UCF College of Business community, students are expected to adhere to a Student Code of Conduct, acting honestly, responsibly, and with integrity. Business majors are generally expected to complete their coursework at UCF, and transient requests for College of Business courses are typically not approved.

Students failing to maintain the minimum required major GPA, per their declared major and catalog year will be placed on “Lack of Progress” in the major. If a student on “Lack of Progress” in the major fails to achieve the minimum required major GPA in the subsequent term of enrollment, including summer semesters, that student will be dismissed from the major and required to change his or her major. Students dismissed from their major are not eligible to declare a minor in the major they were dismissed from. Students who change their major while on Lack of Progress in the Major and take courses in a subsequent term of enrollment are not permitted to return to the major or minor for which they were placed on Lack of Progress.

Students failing to maintain a minimum College of Business GPA of 2.0 will be placed on “Lack of Progress” in the College. If a student on “Lack of Progress” in the College fails to achieve a cumulative 2.0 College GPA in the subsequent term of enrollment, including summer semesters, that student will be dismissed from the College and required to change his or her major to a major outside of the College of Business.

College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) Academic Probation

As a result of being placed or continued on Academic Probation, CAHSA will put an advising hold on your records after the Add/Drop/Swap deadline. The following requirements must be met before the advising hold is removed from your account. You will be enrolled in the “CAH Academic Success” webcourse. This course is for advising purposes only-you will not earn any credit hours or be charged any fees for this course.

Read also: Financial Aid and Probation

You MUST meet with an academic advisor in CAHSA prior to the withdrawal deadline. This mandatory appointment will serve as an advising check-in to review your progress in your current courses. You will meet with your major advisor to create a plan of study for the upcoming semester(s). A plan of study is a listing of the courses you plan to take. It is your responsibility to contact your major advisor to schedule this meeting. Once you have your approved plan of study from your major advisor, you will submit it to your CAHSA advisor for review. If you do not complete all of these steps, the advising hold will remain on your account.

Strategies for Overcoming Academic Probation

Seek Academic Advising: Utilize the advising resources available within your college and at UCF. Advisors can help you understand the specific requirements for your major, identify areas where you need improvement, and develop a plan to get back on track.
Utilize Tutoring Services: UCF offers a variety of tutoring services to help students succeed in their courses. Take advantage of these resources to improve your understanding of challenging material.
Develop Effective Study Habits: Review your study habits and identify areas for improvement. Consider strategies such as time management, active reading, and regular review sessions.
Address Underlying Issues: Explore any personal or external factors that may be affecting your academic performance. Seek support from counseling services or other resources if needed.
Monitor Your Progress: Regularly check your grades and GPA to ensure that you are meeting the requirements for removing academic probation.
Complete Required Workshops: If your college requires probation workshops, attend and actively participate to gain valuable insights and strategies for academic success.

Appealing Academic Policies

Academic policies have been approved by university and College of Business faculty. These policies will be strictly enforced. It is rare that an exception would be made. If a student has documented proof of a university error or extenuating circumstances, the College may consider an appeal. Medical-related appeals (death of an immediate family member, medical or health issues, etc.) should be submitted through the Registrar’s Office, not our College appeal process. There is a university deadline for these appeals. Appeals based on disagreement or general dissatisfaction with a policy will not be considered.

The appeal includes a formal typed letter directly citing the specific policy that the student is appealing, and clearly states the exception that the student is requesting. The letter must also include the student’s PID, declared major, College of Business GPA, and UCF GPA. The appeal package contains all the above-required information and should be addressed to: College of Business Academic Policy Review Board. Appeals are submitted through an online platform. Appeals will be accepted throughout the semester, until the Monday before the start of classes as indicated on the Academic Calendar. The Academic Policy Review Board will convene once a month to review appeals.

Additional Considerations

Course Prerequisites: It is the student’s responsibility to know prerequisite requirements when registering for courses. This includes both individual course prerequisites and program prerequisites.
Course Overlap: Registration for a course that has a time overlap with any portion of the dedicated class time of another course is NOT permitted.
Credit Hour Limits: University policy allows students to enroll in a maximum of 17 credit hours per fall and spring term, and a maximum of 14 credit hours per summer term.

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