In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education’s regulations, universities are required to consistently apply reasonable standards for evaluating Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for all students regardless if he/she is a financial aid recipient. Additionally, recipients of Title IV funds must meet the minimum standard of SAP in order to continue receiving Federal Aid. SAP standards are evaluated at the end of each academic term. 

Students are evaluated for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) based on three standards as defined below:

1. Academic Standard (CGPA)

The academic standard is measured by the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), which refers to the overall GPA. CGPA is calculated by dividing the number of quality points earned in all courses attempted by the total credit hours in all attempted courses.

2. Pace Standard (ICR)

Incremental Completion Rate indicates the pace at which a student is progressing through the required credit hours for the degree program. ICR is calculated by determining the percentage of credit hours a student successfully completes by the credit hours attempted.

Credit hours completed is defined as the total credit hours a student has completed with a passing grade.

Credit hours attempted includes: 

3. Maximum Time Frame Standard (MTF)

Time Frame is defined by credit hours attempted, which are credits a student has enrolled in and transferred to apply towards their degree program, which is further defined above. The maximum time frame is the total number of credit hours a student is allowed to attempt during a program. 

At the Graziadio Business School, the minimum standards for SAP are:

At the end of each academic term, students who fail to meet the minimum SAP standards will be notified in writing by the program office prior to the start of the following trimester. 

Failure to meet any one of the SAP requirements results in placement on SAP Warning status for the following term. Students who do not meet all SAP standards at the end of the term while on SAP Warning status will be dismissed from the business school. Students may appeal a dismissal one time after taking a minimum of one term off. Appeals can only be submitted on the condition that meeting SAP requirements is mathematically possible within one trimester upon re-entry. Students who receive financial aid will lose their eligibility to receive financial aid for future terms upon dismissal. 

Students who are dismissed for failing to meet the minimum requirements of SAP must appeal the dismissal in writing to the Program Office.

Submit written appeals to the Program Office 30 calendar days prior to the start date of the term of intended re-entry. The Program Office will evaluate the appeal and render a written decision within 14 calendar days of the term start date.

The written appeal for re-entry must state the mitigating circumstances that the student believes contributed to the failure to meet SAP requirements leading to the dismissal, including relevant supporting documentation, and explanation of how the circumstances have been addressed to ensure the student will be able to meet minimum SAP standards if re-admitted. Appealing a dismissal does not guarantee re-entry. 

If an appeal is granted, students are placed on SAP probation and must earn the minimum CGPA or higher after one term on SAP probation and satisfy the probation requirements outlined in the Academic Success Plan, including achievement of the minimum required CGPA at the time of graduation. While on academic probation, students are expected to achieve the minimum requirements in the plan by the end of each probationary term to remain enrolled. If at the end of the SAP probationary term, students who successfully meet the minimum requirements for SAP are returned to satisfactory academic standing and remain eligible for financial aid. Failure to meet the minimum requirements at the end of the probationary trimester will result in dismissal with no further appeal. Students will also lose federal financial aid eligibility. Students are unable to appeal, reapply or re-enter following a second dismissal to any program at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.