FAQ
1.- What is Probation?
Academic probation is a term used to describe a student's standing when the GPA goes below the minimum GPA of 2.0. With advisor and Dean approval, probationary students may enroll.
2.- What is Suspension?
Once a student is on probation, suspension will occur if at the end of the probationary semester the overall GPA remains below a 2.0. Suspended students generally may not enroll at UTEP until the period of suspension is complete.
3. How does a student re-establish his/her Probation/Suspension status?
There are several things a student must do:
- Talk to an advisor to obtain guidance for this situation.
- Reestablish GPA; bring it higher than a 2.0.
- Complete re–instatement form by visiting your department or advisor.
4. What happens if a student remains on Suspension?
One of two things could happen:
- Academic Suspension for One Year If a student has been suspended for one semester, returns to UTEP for one semester and still has less than 2.0 GPA, then the student will be suspended for one year, which means that the student will not be allowed to register for any classes at UTEP for one full year. After the one year is over, the student can choose to petition his/her department for reinstatement. If approved, the student will be allowed to re-enroll for one semester on academic probation. The advisor and/or Dean may also impose certain restrictions such as the amount of hours the student can register for or set a certain GPA standard the student must achieve for the semester.
- Academic Suspension for Two Years If a student still does not do well in the semester following the one-year suspension, then the student will be suspended for two years. After the two full years, the student can choose to petition the department for reinstatement. If approved, the student will be allowed to register for classes probably with some restrictions and expectations as mentioned above.
5. Can my GPA be recalculated?
Yes! A GPA recalculation means the following:
- A student takes a UTEP course and is unsuccessful. Usually this means earns a D or F.
- Sometime later the student takes the SAME course at UTEP for the second time. Whatever grade is earned the SECOND time replaces the grade earned the first time. The GPA is computed by ignoring the FIRST attempt grade and using only the SECOND attempt’s grade.
- NOTE: that ONLY the second attempt can replace the first. For example, a student takes a course and earns a D (unsuccessful) the first time, then repeats the class and earns an F, then repeats the third time and earns an A; a GPA recalculation for that class will replace the initial D with an F.
- All grades earned remain on the academic record so anyone who seed your transcript will see all the attempts you made and their grades. The record will be annotated with the symbol (E-Excluded) next to the replaced grade and the GPA will appear on the transcript after ignoring the E (Excluded) grades. The last grade earned is the official grade for a course.
All Freshman and Sophomore Level UTEP courses (1XXX and 2XXX) are automatically recalculated so if you repeat an unsuccessful 1XXX or 2XXX course make sure you do your very best on the second attempt.
Engineering students that want to have their GPA recalculated for courses other than 1XXX and 2XXX must meet with their advisor and the department chair before being able to fill the GPA recalculation Form. The form must then be approved by the Dean.
6. How do I calculate my GPA?
The Grade Point Average is the sum of quality points divided by the total number of attempted credit hours. The quality points are calculated by multiplying the grade points earned times the credit hours of the class. These numbers can be found on your unofficial transcript available from Goldmine.
Grade points:
A = 4.0
B = 3.0
C = 2.0
D = 1.0
F = 0.0
| Course | Grade Earned(x) | Credit Hours(y) | Quality Points(z) | GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Points = x*y | GPA = z/y | |||
| MATH 1508 | B | 5 | 15 | |
| CHEM 1305 | C | 3 | 6 | |
| CHEM 1105 | A | 1 | 4 | |
| ENGL 1311 | A | 3 | 12 | |
| ART 1300 | F | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 15 | 37 | 2.5 |
7. How do I re-establish my GPA?
- Understand how to calculate GPA
- Retake courses
- Be proactive and drop classes when you know you're not doing well.
- Bring the GPA above 2.0.
- The more credit hours you earn the harder it is to change the GPA. This means as you get closer to graduation it is difficult to change your GPA. The lesson is to ensure a GOOD GPA from the very beginning of your time at UTEP.
8. What is an Option 2?
It is also known by many institutions as an "academic fresh start". It allows you to erase your GPA and start over.
Things that you need to know before taking an Option 2:
- Once an Option 2 is taken all of your UTEP credits will be lost. This includes ALL classes where you earn excellent grades. All grades are exempted from GPA calculation.
- An Option 2 does not erase your prior work from record. Your transcript will show the prior classes and the grades earned but the grades will not enter into the GPA calculation.
- You can only take an Option 2 one time.
- You may not enroll at UTEP for two years following the Option 2. Example: you last took UTEP classes in Fall 2020. You leave town and return in January 2023 and decide to take an Option 2. Ok. Or you decide to take an Option 2 at end of Fall 2020 and try to enroll at UTEP in Fall of 2021. No, you cannot.
- Option 2 is not reversible. Once you choose it, and it is granted, you cannot change your mind.