Academic Standards

1. RATIONALE
   1. Students are selected for admission to the Pharm. D. and B.S. in the Pharmaceutical Sciences programs on the basis of (a) evidence of academic potential and readiness to handle the curriculum in a satisfactory manner and (b) evidence of motivation to pursue that goal. Once admitted, students who experience persistent academic difficulties are encouraged to determine the nature and extent of the underlying problem(s) so that appropriate remedial steps can be taken as early as possible.
   2. An academic progress review conducted at the end of each semester is intended to identify and assist students whose grade records reveal a pattern of academic problems. Directed counseling involving academic advisors and/or the Associate Dean for Academic Programs assures that these particular students take steps to evaluate their problems and formulate plans for remedial action. Students are encouraged to evaluate academic progress, seek out help for any developing problems, and develop self-discipline.
   3. To facilitate student monitoring of academic progress and initiative in resolving an academic problem, it is important to define that level of performance which is acceptable and predictive of continued satisfactory progress in the School. The Academic Standards Policies described in this document identify a "C" grade in core courses as the minimal level of performance which the faculty deems necessary for continued satisfactory progress in the School. In this context, a grade of "D" represents an unsatisfactory level of attainment of the course objectives. A "D" grade, although passing, should represent a clear warning that the student is responsible for remedying those deficiencies in order to avoid compounding the problem in subsequent professional courses which build upon that background. In addition, as outlined below, a student earning any combination of two or more D or F grades in core courses during a semester will be placed on probation.
2. CORE COURSE GPA
   1. To facilitate assessment of student progress in the School, a core course grade point average (GPA) representing core course grades will be computed for each student in the School. This core course grade point average will be calculated beginning with the grades earned in the first professional year for Doctor of Pharmacy students. Core courses or equivalents completed prior to initial enrollment in the School will not be included in the core course GPA's for Doctor of Pharmacy students. The core course GPA for students in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program includes all core science courses taken beginning with semester one of the curriculum, regardless of when the student formally enters the program.
   2. Calculations of the core course GPA will be made following the usual University procedures with regard to grades for repeated courses and with regard to credits transferred from other institutions for core course equivalents. The Office of the Registrar will provide the information needed to assist the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs with calculations of semester and cumulative core course GPA's.
   3. Performance in courses taken during a summer session does not affect academic standards in terms of grade calculations or probation status.
   4. Successful completion (grade of C or better) of an approved alternative core course through another university results in removal of any previous grade for that course on the student's School record and the student's School grade index is recalculated at the end of the semester subsequent to completion of the alternative course.
3. PROBATION
   1. Students whose semester or cumulative core course GPA falls below 2.0 at the end of any semester will be placed on academic probation by the School.
   2. If a student receives any combination of two or more D or F grades during a semester in core courses, the student, regardless of semester GPA, will be placed on probation by the School.
4. DISMISSAL
   1. Two consecutive semesters with either a semester or cumulative core course GPA below 2.0 will result in dismissal from the School.
   2. Receipt of any combination of two or more D or F grades in core courses during a semester when a student is on probation will result in dismissal from the School.
   3. A student who earns probation status three times will be dismissed from the School.
   4. Students who either fail core courses or drop them because of poor academic performance (i.e., drop after the fourth week of the semester with a WF grade) will be allowed only one additional enrollment for repeating the course (or its equivalent). Failure at the second attempt will result in dismissal from the School. Students dismissed for this reason and subsequently readmitted will be allowed to take the course only one more time.
   5. Students dismissed at the end of either the fall or spring semester should contact their pharmacy academic advisor for assistance in the revision of their next semester's schedule, as appropriate. Students who are dismissed may apply for readmission through the Pharmacy Readmissions Committee as outlined in Section V.
   6. Students dismissed from the School in accordance with these Policies and who are not below the University's scholastic deficiency level may apply for transfer to another academic program. During the period of dismissal, students planning to apply for readmission to the pharmacy program may take courses at Purdue or at another institution. Although dismissed students cannot normally take courses taught within the School of Pharmacy, they may take a course equivalent (approved by the established School procedure) in order to remedy academic deficiencies and acquire documentation for a readmission decision.
5. READMISSION
   1. Students dismissed from the School in accordance with these Academic Standards Policies may apply for readmission through the Associate Dean for Academic Programs. In its readmission decisions, the Pharmacy Readmissions Committee will be guided by the same factors determining the original admission decisions, i.e.:
      1. Evidence of academic potential and readiness to handle the curriculum in a satisfactory manner.
      2. Evidence of motivation to pursue that goal and by positive evidence of corrective measures planned by the student.
   2. Dismissed students may be required to remain out of the School for a minimum period prior to readmission.
   3. Students who apply for readmission following dismissal must submit a thoughtfully prepared pharmacy readmissions application.
   4. Students who apply for readmission to the School following dismissal may be interviewed by members of the Pharmacy Readmissions Committee.
   5. Students who are dismissed from the School and are readmitted may have stipulations placed upon their readmission. These stipulations may include a requirement that a student repeat courses previously taken, regardless of the grades earned in the course(s). Other stipulations include, but are not limited to: regular follow-up with an advisor or faculty member; seeking out specific medical or psychological care; participation in specified study or help groups.
   6. Students who are readmitted to the School following dismissal in accordance with the Academic Standards Policies will be readmitted on probation, with the following understanding:
      1. A semester core course GPA below 2.0 in the first semester after readmission or receipt of any combination of two or more D or F grades in core courses in that semester will result in dismissal.
      2. If a semester core course GPA of 2.0 or better is attained and fewer than two D or F grades are earned in the first semester after readmission, students will not be dismissed even if the cumulative core course GPA remains below 2.0. Students will have two semesters after readmission to bring the core course GPA to 2.0 or above. Thereafter, the basic policy of dismissal following two consecutive semesters with a cumulative or semester core course GPA below 2.0 or receipt of any combination of two or more D or F grades in core courses will apply.
6. GRADUATION
   A minimum cumulative core course GPA of 2.0 will be required of each student to be certified for graduation in the School.
7. NOTIFICATION
   Students placed on probation or subject to dismissal in accordance with these policies will be notified promptly in writing from the Dean's Office with copies sent to the appropriate academic advisors and the Office of the Dean of Students. These students are encouraged to utilize counseling services from the School and from the Office of the Dean of Students.
8. APPEALS
   In administering the Academic Standards Policies, student appeals relating to grades received in a core course will be handled in accordance with the University Grade Appeal System; student appeals relating to administration of the policies themselves will be referred to the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs.