Academic Standing

Generally, students with a cumulative GPA at 2.0 or higher will be in good academic standing. Students with GPAs below this will also be in good academic standing if their cumulative grade point average is equal to or greater than: 

Credit Hours Taken ... GPA

• 6–11 inclusive ........ 1.5
• 12–22 inclusive........1.6
• 23–32 inclusive........1.7
• 33–44 inclusive........1.8
• 45–55 inclusive........1.9
• 56 and above........2.0

The Parkland College dean’s list is published at the end of the fall and spring semesters, listing the students who have outstanding scholastic achievements. Criteria to be on the Dean’s List is as follows:

• Grade Point Average (GPA ) of 3.5
• 12 Credit Hours (Must be 100 level classes or higher, for example, BIO 100)
  • Sometimes students have 12 credit hours that include Developmental classes. These class levels are below 100.  For example, ENG 099 does not qualify towards the Dean’s List.
  • If a student doesn’t qualify in the previous semester and doesn’t take 12 hours in the current semester of the same academic year, then two semesters are combined. The combined semesters will help to meet the criteria.
  • For example, if you did not meet the criteria in the 2020 fall semester, courses completed in 2020 summer would be reviewed. 

If you have any questions, please contact us at deanofstudents@parkland.edu. You can also learn more about Academic Honors in the Parkland Student Handbook.

• 6–11 inclusive ........ 1.5
• 12–22 inclusive........1.6
• 23–32 inclusive........1.7
• 33–44 inclusive........1.8
• 45–55 inclusive........1.9
• 56 and above........2.0

Students will be placed on academic notice if, after taking six or more credit hours (grades of W excluded), their cumulative grade point average is less than:

Credit Hours Taken ... GPA

• 6–11 inclusive ........ 1.0
• 12–22 inclusive........1.3
• 23–32 inclusive........1.5
• 33–44 inclusive........1.6
• 45–55 inclusive........1.8
• 56 and above........1.9

1. Enroll in no more than 13 hours (7 hours in summer).
2. Enroll in no more than one online class.
3. Enroll in no more than one midterm start class (fall or spring semester).

As part of the adoption of the 2025–2026 Parkland College Catalog, changes have been made to the college’s academic standing policy. These updates include revised terminology designed to provide clearer context for students regarding their academic progress.

• Warning is now Caution
• Probation is now Notice
• Suspension and Dismissal are now Separation I and Separation II, respectively

These new terms also help distinguish academic standing from financial aid satisfactory academic progress, which follows a separate policy.

Students will begin seeing the updated terminology reflected in their academic standing starting with the Summer 2025 term. Academic standings calculated prior to Summer 2025 will continue to use the previous terms. As a result, students who attended Parkland both before and after this transition may see a combination of both sets of terms on their transcripts.

Students on academic separation I and II may return after they have completed the required period of separation I (one full semester, either fall or spring) or separation II (one full calendar year, fall and spring). The return process starts with an advisor meeting. Review the deadlines and then refer to the process below to get started.While we strive to respond to all return requests in a timely fashion, consideration of returns may be subject to a 2 week turnaround.

Deadlines for returning from separation, suspension, or dismissal

Fall 2024

• August 15 - Deadline to submit a request to return for August-start classes
• September 5 - Deadline to submit a request to return for September-start classes

Spring 2025

• January 9 - Deadline to submit a request to return for 16-week classes
• January 30 - Deadline to submit a request to return for 13-week classes

Summer 2025

• May 15 - Deadline to submit a request to return for May-start classes
• May 29 - Deadline to submit a request to return for June-start classes
• July 1 - Deadline to submit a request to return for July-start classes

Fall 2025

• August 14 - Deadline to submit a request to return for August-start classes
• September 4 - Deadline to submit a request to return for September-start classes

Students on academic separation I and II (formerly suspension and dismissal) may appeal their status and petition to register for classes without sitting out for the required time frame. Appeal decisions are made by the Dean of Counseling Services and are granted in cases where students make a compelling case for returning early in the face of extenuating circumstances. In order to be considered, separation/suspension/dismissal appeals must be received by the posted deadlines and must include all required documentation. While we strive to respond to all appeals in a timely fashion, consideration of appeals may be subject to a 2 week turnaround.

Deadlines for appealing separation, suspension, or dismissal

Fall 2024

• August 13 - Deadline to submit an appeal of academic separation, suspension, or dismissal

Spring 2025

• January 7 - Deadline to submit an appeal of academic separation, suspension, or dismissal

Summer 2025

• Appeals of  separation, suspension, or dismissal are not typically accepted for the accelerated summer session. Please work with your academic success advisor to plan your appeal or return for fall or spring semester instead.

Fall 2025

• August 12 - Deadline to submit an appeal of academic separation, suspension, or dismissal

If you are returning from separation, suspension, or dismissal or appealing any of these standings, you should meet with your advisor to develop a plan for your return semester. Then complete and submit the online form: https://explore.parkland.edu/register/ASP

Things you should think about to prepare for your academic success plan include:

• How will you pay for your classes once your plan is approved?
• Complete online orientation at go.parkland.edu/orientation
• Plan your class schedule with your advisor, making note of the schedule restrictions.
• Think about the resources you will use in order to have a strong return semester. The form will ask you to list them.
• Plan to submit written answers to several questions:
  • What caused you difficulty in previous semesters?
  • When you saw your grades falling in the past, what changes did you make? Were those new strategies successful?
  • What are your planned strategies/supports to be successful next semester? Provide details for each strategy, including what you will do, when and how often, and who will support you.