Skip to main content

Student Resources

Information & Policies

A Dean’s List of Academic Honors is published for each quarter of the school year (but not for the summer session) by each school for the purpose of recognizing undergraduate students who have done outstanding academic work during the quarter.

The Dean's List of Academic Honors contains the names of those students who have a term GPA of 3.50 and better, who have completed 15 or more units, have no grade lower than a B-, no grade that is an I or an IP, and no S/U grades that bring the total completed units below 15 units. (Honors activity is an S/U grade course.) A copy of the Dean's List of Academic Honors is kept in the CAS Dean's Office for archival purposes, and may be found online for the current academic year. Students will be notified via their La Sierra University email address in regards to their inclusion on the Dean's List.*

A Dean's Letter of Academic Recognition is emailed to those students who are eligible for the Dean's List of Academic Honors and have earned a grade point average of 4.00.

A President’s Letter of Recognition contains the name of those students who have been on the Dean’s List of Academic Honors for the three consecutive quarters (autumn, winter, spring) of the same school year and have maintained a grade point average for those three quarters of 4.00.

*Students not wishing to have their names published should make the request in writing at the College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Office.

Students are expected to make continuous progress towards college level English and Mathematics readiness by enrolling in Basic Skills courses. Continuous enrollment in Basic Skills English courses is required until a student qualifies for college level English. Even though continuous enrollment in Basic Skills Mathematics courses is strongly recommended, students may defer enrollment for a quarter in any one academic year.

A Qualifying Hold is placed on entering freshmen and transferring students who have not demonstrated minimum competencies. A Qualifying Hold is removed when:

  • The student scores at or above the University's minimum cut-off on the required diagnostic test(s). Students who score below the minimum cut-off on the University's diagnostic test(s) will be required to complete appropriate Basic Skills course(s).
  • The student earns a C (2.00) or above in the La Sierra University Basic Skills course(s) and/or earns a passing score on the La Sierra University Writing Placement Exam.
  • The University receives official transcripts from an accredited university/college showing a grade of C (2.00) or above in courses La Sierra University deems equivalent to ENGL 111 College Writing I and a college-level math class.

Students with an official transcript from an accredited university/college showing a grade of C (2.00) or above in courses equivalent to Basic Skills classes at La Sierra University must either pass the University's diagnostic/placement test(s) or retake and pass the course(s) at La Sierra University to fulfill any Basic Skills requirements.

A four-day examination schedule allowing a two-hour period for each class is printed in the schedule of classes. Students are required to take the scheduled final examination at the appointed time and place in order to secure credit. Examinations may not be taken before or after the scheduled period, nor may the time of an examination be changed without authorization by the dean of the school of the student’s enrollment.

All classes meet at the time scheduled for the examination. If the time is not needed for an examination, it is to be used for some other educationally appropriate class activity. Exceptions to the examination schedule are granted only for emergency situations. Students with examinations covering more than 12 units on one day may petition the dean of the school of the student’s enrollment to take one examination at another time during the examination week. The Exam Schedule Variance Petition can be found

here.

Acceptable Academic Progress for the undergraduate student is considered to be:  

  • the maintenance of a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or better and a term grade point of at least 1.00. 
  • the completion of all requirements for a degree within eight years. 

For the graduate student acceptable academic progress is considered to be:  

  • the removal of all prerequisites and deficiencies during the first quarter of attendance as determined by dean at enrollment. 
  • the maintenance of a GPA of at least 3.00. 
  • the completion of the conditions of residency. 
  • the maintenance of continuous registration from advancement to candidacy to the awarding of the degree.  
  • the completion of all requirements for a degree within five years from date of admission for masters programs and within seven years from the date of admission for the educational specialist or the doctorate. 

Consequences of Failure to Make Acceptable Academic Progress  

  • An undergraduate student failing to make acceptable academic progress is subject to restrictions (as determined by the dean of his or her school or college) on enrollment status and university-related activities as follows: 
    • Academic Warning: A student whose cumulative and La Sierra University GPA remains at 2.00 or higher but whose quarter GPA falls between 1.00 and 1.99 is placed on academic warning and will receive a letter indicating this status. Students in this category are considered to be in regular standing. 
    • Academic Probation: A student whose cumulative and/or La Sierra University GPA falls below 2.00 or whose quarter GPA falls below 1.00 is placed on Academic Probation the next quarter. A student on Academic Probation is subject to a restricted course load and to restrictions on participation in university activities requiring off-campus travel (musical, dramatic, athletic, recruiting, etc.) and is expected to work with university entities (Learning Center, advisors, counseling, etc.) who can supplement the educational experience in order to improve the student’s academic performance. A student may not be on Academic Probation for more than one quarter consecutively.  
    • Critical Academic Probation: A student on Academic Probation who fails to raise his or her cumulative and La Sierra University GPA to 2.00 or above or who earns a quarter GPA below 1.00 is placed on Critical Academic Probation with restrictions on course load, on participation in university activities requiring off-campus travel, and on time devoted to work and other personal non-academic activities. The student will have a contract with the dean stipulating a working relation with university entities (Learning Center, advisors, counseling, etc.) who can supplement the educational experience in order to improve the student’s academic performance.  
    • Academic Disqualification: A student on Critical Academic Probation who does not raise his or her cumulative and La Sierra University GPA to 2.00 or above or who earns a quarter GPA below 1.00 during the quarter of Critical Academic Probation or a student admitted Provisional (One Quarter Basis) who fails to fulfill his or her admission contract is placed on Academic Disqualification. The Office of Admissions is also notified. The student is not permitted to register for further coursework at the university without readmission. A student on Academic Disqualification wishing to return to La Sierra University may make an appeal to the CAS Dean's Office or must show evidence of academic improvement by taking at least 24 quarter units of transferable college coursework from another institution of higher learning, earning a C (2.00) or better in each course making up the 24 units raising his or her cumulative GPA to 2.00 or above, and completing any remedial requirements in English and/or mathematics. A student who has fulfilled the expectations above may apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions. Non-degree status at La Sierra University is not available during this time of disqualification. A student who is Academically Disqualified for a second time will not be readmitted to the university. Click here for more 
       
  • A graduate student failing to make acceptable academic progress is subject to restrictions (as determined by the dean of his or her school or college) on enrollment status as follows: 
    • Academic Probation: A student whose GPA for any term falls below 3.00 is placed on Academic Probation the next quarter and is subject to a restricted course load. 
    • Academic Disqualification: A student on Academic Probation who fails to raise the current quarter GPA to 3.00 or better is placed on Academic Disqualification, and the Office of Admissions is so notified. The student will not be allowed to register the next quarter. To be readmitted after a period of Academic Disqualification, the student must reapply through the Office of Admissions. A student who is Academically Disqualified a second time will not be readmitted to the university. Students failing comprehensive exams for the second time are Academically Disqualified and will not be readmitted to the program. The Office of Admissions is so notified.

Useful Links

  • Writing Center: Schedule an appointment www.lasierra.mywconline.com 
    • Mon-Wed 12 - 7pm & Thursday 1 - 5pm
    • Writing Coaches are available for 25-minute conferences (55-minute conference available for research papers only).
      • Coaches can assist students with:
        • Beginning the writing process through brainstorming
        • Making a point by developing a thesis
        • Creating a structure through outlining
        • Supporting a thesis with paragraphing
        • Developing a first draft
        • Revising for content, organization and style
        • Incorporating research into writing
        • Documentation in MLA or APA style
  • Library: Email library@lasierra.edu
    • Open Mon-Thurs, 9am - 12pm, 1 - 6pm & Fri 10am - 1pm
    • https://lasierra.edu/library/
      • Library Instructional Videos are available to help with searching for journal articles, EBooks, etc.
  • Office of Academic & Career Services Virtual Front Deskhttps://zoom.us/my/oacsfrontdesk
    • ​​​​​​​Pop by and see them for ANY help you need, such as...
      • Registration Help
      • Advising Questions
      • Tutoring
      • Accessibility Services

Contact us!

Questions regarding Academic Probation, Overload Forms, Academic Variance Petitions, or Basic Skills Holds?

Schedule an appointment HERE!

Connect with us

College of Arts & Sciences Social Media

Go to Top