Undergraduate Academic Standing Policy

Undergraduate students at the University of Northern Iowa are expected to meet academic standards set by the university and to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress towards earning a degree. Academic Alert and Academic Probation serve to warn students that unless their academic performance improves, they may be placed on Academic Suspension. No students in their first-semester in attendance at the University of Northern Iowa will be placed on Academic Suspension.

First-semester students (freshman and transfer students) at the University of Northern Iowa placed on Academic Alert or Academic Probation may be subject to conditions designed to increase academic success. A student who does not agree to these conditions may have their course schedule canceled for the semester.

All continuing students (students who are in their second semester or beyond at UNI) who are placed on Academic Probation should also seek assistance for academic improvement from academic advisors, The Learning Center, or the Counseling Center.

Academic Standing is not run following the conclusion of summer term.

For a flowchart of the undergraduate academic standing policy, click here.

Office of the Registrar

Academic Alert

Any first-semester student who has a 1.00-1.99 UNI term GPA will be placed on Academic Alert. Only first-semester students new to the university can be placed on Academic Alert. While on Academic Alert, the student will be limited to 15 credit hours. Academic Alert is not recorded on the student's official academic transcript.

At the end of a student's semester on Academic Alert, one of the following actions will be taken:

  • The student will be removed from Academic Alert and shall be in Good academic standing if their UNI cumulative GPA is 2.00 or higher.
  • The student will be placed on Academic Probation if their UNI cumulative GPA is less than a 2.00.

Academic Probation

Any first-semester student who has a UNI term GPA below 1.00 will be placed on Academic Probation. Also, any continuing student will be placed on Academic Probation when their UNI cumulative GPA is below a 2.00. A student placed on Academic Probation must earn a minimum UNI term GPA of 2.00 for each semester while on Academic Probation until their UNI cumulative GPA reaches 2.00 or higher.

While on Academic Probation, a student will be limited to 15 credit hours. Once a student's UNI cumulative GPA reaches 2.00 or higher, they will be removed from Academic Probation. Academic Probation is not recorded on the student's official academic transcript.

At the end of a student's semester on Academic Probation, one of the following actions will be taken:

  • The student will be removed from Academic Probation and shall be in Good academic standing if their UNI cumulative GPA is a 2.00 or higher AND their UNI term GPA is a 2.00 or higher.
  • The student will continue on Academic Probation if their UNI term GPA is a 2.00 or higher and their UNI cumulative GPA remains below a 2.00.
  • The student will be placed on Academic Suspension if their UNI term GPA is less than a 2.00.

Academic Suspension

A student on Academic Probation who fails to earn a UNI term GPA of 2.00 will be placed on Academic Suspension. Academic Suspension is for a minimum period of one academic semester and is permanently noted on the student's official academic transcript. Once suspended, a student will not be allowed to re-enroll at the University of Northern Iowa until they have been academically reinstated.

Readmission After Suspension

Academic Suspension is for a minimum period of one regular academic semester. Only with strong justification, demonstrated potential for future success, and an agreement to enter the Early Readmission program (ERP) would a student be readmitted prior to sitting out for a semester. Entry into the ERP does not remove the suspension from a student's record.

An undergraduate student who has been placed on Academic Suspension may be readmitted only after completing an application for readmission and receiving formal reinstatement from the Committee on Admission, Readmission, and Retention. The application for readmission can be completed and submitted online.

To request early readmission prior to sitting out a semester, complete the Application for Early Readmission from Academic Suspension. Readmission prior to sitting out a semester is contingent on the Committee's recommendation, and the student's acceptance of entry into the ERP. As a condition of reinstatement, a student will be subject to stipulations designed to increase academic success. A student who does not agree to these conditions will be denied early readmission or have their course schedule canceled for the semester.

To request readmission after sitting out a semester, complete the Application for Readmission from Academic Suspension. Readmission from Academic Suspension will not be granted for summer semesters.

A student who is readmitted after a first suspension, either through admission to the Early Readmission Program (ERP) or after sitting out for one semester, will be placed on Academic Probation following Suspension. A student readmitted after suspension must earn a UNI term GPA of 2.00 for each semester until their UNI cumulative GPA reaches 2.00 or higher. While on Academic Probation following Suspension, the student will be limited to 15 credit hours for a semester. Failure to earn a UNI term GPA of 2.00 or higher will result in a second suspension.

A second Academic Suspension will be for two regular semesters (summer sessions excluded). Students suspended for a second time may apply for early readmission through the Committee on Admission, Readmission, and Retention by completing the Application for Early Readmission from Academic Suspension, only after having sat out for a minimum of one regular semester. 

If a student sits out for two regular semesters, then the student will complete the Application for Readmission from Academic Suspension. Readmission from Academic Suspension will not be granted for summer semesters. A third Academic Suspension is considered permanent. Only the most extenuating circumstances would warrant consideration for readmission from Academic Suspension a third time.

At the end of a student's semester on Academic Probation following Suspension, including semesters in the Early Readmission Program, one of the following actions will be taken:

  • The student will be removed from Academic Probation following Suspension and shall be in Good academic standing if their UNI cumulative GPA is a 2.00 or higher.
  • The student will continue on Academic Probation following Suspension if their UNI term GPA is a 2.00 or higher and their UNI cumulative GPA remains below a 2.00.
  • Following a first suspension, the student will be academically suspended for the second time if their UNI term GPA is less than a 2.00.
  • Following a second suspension, the student will be permanently academically suspended if their UNI term GPA is less than a 2.00.

Undergraduate students wishing to discuss the Undergraduate Academic Standing Policy at UNI, or seeking information regarding readmission after Academic Suspension, may make an appointment with the Office of the Registrar, Gilchrist 115 or call 319-273-2241.