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University Dismissal

Undergraduate Student Dismissal

A student may be dismissed for one or more of the following reasons:

  1. failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to the standards for their program (please see SAP policy for the appeal process);
  2. for conduct reasons;
  3. failure to meet program specific grade requirements;
  4. Pre-licensure (LVN-BSN, LPN-BSN, BSN) Bachelor of Science in Nursing program students will be dismissed if they receive:
    • Four (4) non-passing grades at West Coast University in General Education, or two (2) non-passing grades in any Nursing (NURS) courses, or
    • Receive a non-passing grade twice for the same course regardless of whether the course is in General Education or Nursing.
  5. A student in the Dental Hygiene program who does not pass the same General Education course twice, or three (3) General Education courses, or does not pass any DHYG course will be dismissed. 
  6. Students in 8-week distance education programs will be dismissed if they receive:  
  • Eight (8) non-passing grades at West Coast University.  
  • Receive a non-passing grade three (3) times for the same course. 

Note:  When an "I" grade is converted to a final course grade, a student's academic standing will be re-evaluated.  Any dismissal that may result will be effective as of the date in which the grade was finalized. 

A student who wishes to dispute his/her dismissal or who believes extenuating circumstances affected his/her situation, may submit a petition for appeal.  Extenuating circumstances may include (but are not limited to), the death of a relative, an injury or illness of the student, or a WCU policy or procedures was not followed by the institution.  It is the responsibility of the student who appeals to ensure he/she meets the terms and conditions of the appeals process in order for the appeal to be reviewed. 

Appeals must be submitted in writing within 30 days of notification to students of decision/situation to be appealed.  The Petition to Appeal form must be filled completely and all supporting documentation/evidence must be included at the time of submission.  The written appeal and associated documents are submitted to the Campus Director of Student Affairs, who will forward them to the members of the Appeals Committee.  The written appeal and all appellate documents should include:

  • Details and description of the decision or situation being appealed
  • Reason or basis for appeal (explain the type of circumstances that contributed to the failure)
  • Documentation that supports the appeal (for example, documentation related to the extenuating circumstance)
  • Requested resolution being sought
  • A viable student success action plan (using the Student Services Action Plan form completed by the student) showing how the student will address the education or behavioral situation if appeal is granted.  The student should use care to explain what the student had done/will do to eliminate those potential problems in the future 

Please Note:  Failure to document the circumstances or submit a completed Petition to Appeal or Student Success Action Plan will result in denial of the appeal.

The denial of an appeal by the Appeals Committee is final and may not be further appealed, although under certain circumstances may be a request that their appeal be reconsidered.   

Additional notes:

  •  NURS 493 or NURS 493R, NURS 499, DEP 098, and FYS 001 will not be considered when determining student status for academic dismissal; however, students may be subject to dismissal under Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) or other dismissal related policies.
  • Please see the Grading Scale for additional information on passing/non-passing grades. Students in graduate programs should consult with their program director/dean regarding what constitutes passing/non-passing grades.  
  • A student who has passed NURS340/342L and fails any or all courses in the subsequent terms will not be dismissed.  The student will be provided one opportunity to repeat the required coursework and any additional failures will result in dismissal from the university.  
  • A student who fails NURS 493 on the first attempt will be provided only two additional opportunities to take NURS 493R without added cost or being dismissed regardless of number of previous course failures.  If the student fails or is unsuccessful on the third attempt, this will result in dismissal from the university.  Students enrolled a California campus may be approved to sit for NCLEX as a "non-graduate" if unsuccessful in passing NURS 493 or NURS 493R.  See Campus Director of Nursing.  

Graduate Programs Dismissal

A graduate student will be dismissed from the University for any of the following reasons:  

  1. If at the end of the semester on academic and financial aid warning the student fails to meet the minimum CGPA or rate of progress requirements, the student will be dismissed from the University, but may appeal the dismissal. 
  2. A student who fails to meet the University and/or program-specific catalog and/or handbook policies, including those pertaining to attendance, may be dismissed.
  3. A student who is found in violation related to academic and student conduct may be sanctioned with a dismissal, but may appeal the dismissal
  4. Other circumstances that warrant dismissal from the University include:
    • An Occupational Therapy student will be dismissed from the program if:
      • A grade of "D+" or lower is received in any course.
      • Two grades of "C" or below are received.
      • The minimum cumulative GPA as specified for each trimester is not met
        • At the completion of the 1st trimester (17 credits) have a cumulative GPA of 2.5
        • At the completion of the 2nd trimester (36 credits) have a cumulative GPA of 2.8
        • At the completion of the 3rd trimester (42 credits) have a cumulative GPA of 3.0
        • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the rest of the program.  
      • Receiving (2) failing grades during Fieldwork Level II
      • Exceed the maximum timeframe of trimesters to complete the program.  
    • Students in 8-week online programs will be dismissed if they receive:
      • Four (4) non-passing grades at West Coast University.  WF’s will be considered failing grades for the purposes of this policy.
      • Receive a non-passing grade three (3) times for the same course.  WF’s will be considered failing grades for the purposes of this policy.