Academic Progress

Academic Progress Guideline

All CCA students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress. Recognizing the value of measuring academic progress for all students, CCA has established the following practice and procedures for measuring academic standing. This procedure is intended to be informational and helpful, but also establishes clear standards of academic progress that must be met and maintained in order to be a successful student at CCA. A student’s academic standing at one Colorado Community College System (CCCS) college will impact academic standing at all CCCS colleges.

Academic Progress Process

For students who have attempted fewer than 9 credit hours, CCA will monitor satisfactory progress through an academic alert process.  These students are not subject to Academic Standing.

Academic Standing applies to all students who have attempted 9 or more college-level credits at a CCCS college, regardless of the number of term credits they attempt from that point forward. Academic Standing is applied consistently and uniformly within each CCCS institution. CCA will determine Academic Standing following the posting of the majority of term grades for each semester. Students placed on probation or suspension will be notified of their status. Suspended students will not be allowed to attend any CCCS college in the subsequent semester(s) unless an appeal is approved. Academic Standing status will be noted on the advising, official, and unofficial transcripts. The Academic Standing of a student is not specific or limited to CCA as it will impact a student’s enrollment at other CCCS colleges.

Academic Progress Definitions

Only college level classes will be used to calculate term and cumulative GPA’s.

• Summer courses are included in the calculation.
• Only courses taken “in residence” will be used for this procedure; “In residence” means courses taken at CCA. Courses taken elsewhere and transferred in do not apply. The GPA calculations for this procedure may not match those used for financial aid purposes.

Academic Progress Standards

Initial Standing: Student has attempted fewer than 9 cumulative credit hours with a cumulative GPA that is greater than or equal to 2.0 for all classes attempted.

Academic Alert: Student has attempted fewer than cumulative 9 credits with a cumulative GPA less than 2.0 for all classes attempted.

Good Standing: Student has attempted at least 9 cumulative credit hours and has a cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 2.0 for all classes attempted.

Probation: Student has attempted at least 9 cumulative credit hours and has a cumulative GPA less than 2.0 for all classes attempted.

Returning to Good Standing: By the conclusion of the Academic Probation term, the student must raise their cumulative GPA to at least 2.0. If this condition is met, the student returns to Good Standing.

Probation (continuing): If a student on Academic Probation earns a term GPA of at least 2.00 for all classes attempted during the term, but fails to raise their cumulative GPA to at least 2.0 for all classes attempted, the student will be allowed to attend the next term, but will remain on Academic Probation.

Suspension: If a student on Academic Probation earns a term GPA of less than 2.0 for all classes attempted, the student will be suspended and will not be allowed to enroll at any CCCS college for the next term, excluding summer term (as summer term may not be used as a "suspension term").

Academic Progress Suspension Rules

• Summer term may not be used as a “suspension term”.
• Summer term may be used to remediate (improve) the GPA if approved by CCA. If a student wishes to enroll for summer term after being suspended, they will need to follow CCA’s Suspension Reinstatement Procedure.
• Initial suspension is for one term, excluding summer term.
• A second suspension is for two terms, excluding summer term.
• If a student, who has served the suspension time for initial suspension or second suspension, wishes to return, the student will be allowed to re-enroll only after meeting with a CCA Pathways Advisor. The student will be placed on Academic Probation.
• A third suspension is for two full years, or 4 academic terms excluding summers.
• If a student, who has served the third suspension time of two years, wishes to return, the student must meet with a CCA Pathways or Program Advisor.

Academic Progress Suspension Appeals

• Students may appeal their suspension by following the CCA Suspension Reinstatement Procedure. If a student intends to transfer to another CCCS college, the student may appeal to the transferring CCCS college.
• If the student’s suspension appeal is approved, the student will be placed on Academic Probation.
• Students put on Suspension will be dropped from all courses for any future terms. Students will not be able to register for courses until they meet the requirements outlined in the Suspension Reinstatement Procedure. Students are ultimately responsible for their enrollment and need to check their enrollment schedule for accuracy.

Academic Progress Suspension Reinstatement Procedures

The Academic Suspension Reinstatement procedure requires that a student meet with a Pathways Advisor to review the Academic Suspension Reinstatement Packet. Students should prepare the following items and then schedule an appointment or visit the Advising Department during drop-in hours:

• A completed Suspension Reinstatement or Appeal form.
• A typed Letter of Appeal that explains the circumstances that lead to suspension and the steps taken to ensure these barriers have been addressed.
• Verify that you are in the correct degree or certificate program.
• Print a copy of your Degree Check program audit.

After review, the Pathways Advisor will notify the student of their reinstatement status in person or via their college email account. If the student is approved for reinstatement, the student must follow the planned and approved courses outlined in the Academic Reinstatement Plan. In order to continue enrollment at CCA, students must meet all requirements outlined in their Reinstatement Contract.