Academic Standing

Being on either academic or progress probation can delay achieving your educational goals. Finding solutions begins with knowledge. The more you know about academic standing, what Bakersfield College expects of you, and the timelines involved, the easier it will be to develop an effective action plan.

Student Success Seminar

What is Academic Standing?

There are the three categories of academic standing.

Academic Standing Categories

Bakersfield College calculates academic standing twice every year;

1. After spring grades are posted;
2. After the fall semester grades have been posted

Once your cumulative GPA climbs to a 2.0 or above after spring or fall semester grades are evaluated, you will automatically be back in Academic Good Standing.

Academic standing is always applied in a set sequence with Probation 1 coming first, Probation 2 second, and Disqualification the final stage.

In other words, it takes three consecutive semesters for a student to go from being on probation to being disqualified. If you leave college in the middle of the sequence, your academic standing remains the same until you return and earn new grades in fall or spring.

Probation 1

• Cumulative GPA at Bakersfield College falls below a 2.0
• 50% or more of your total Bakersfield College units have Withdrawal (W), Incomplete (I), or No Pass (NP)

Students in Probation 1 will: 

• Receive an email notification to your BC email on your academic standing
• Hold may be placed on account, preventing you from registering for future classes

Note: Student should check correct semester grades are recorded

Steps required to register at Bakersfield College after probation

1. Complete and update form by logging into your InsideBC account.
2. Student Success Seminar 
   To release the hold and register for classes, you must complete the online Student Success Seminar.
3. Improve Academic Standing 
   Earn above a 2.0 for the semester and successfully complete more than 50% of all units attempted.

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Probation 2

• Cumulative GPA at Bakersfield College continues to be below a 2.0, for second consecutive semester
• 50% or more of your total Bakersfield College units have Withdrawal (W), Incomplete (I), or No Pass (NP), for second consecutive semester

Students in Probation 2 will: 

• Receive an email notification to your BC email on your academic standing
• Hold may be placed on account, preventing you from registering for future classes
• Lose your priority registration date

Note: Student should check correct semester grades are recorded.

Steps required to register at Bakersfield College

1. Complete and update form by logging into your InsideBC account
2. Student Success Seminar 
   To release the hold and register for classes, you must complete the online Student Success Seminar.
3. Improve Academic Standing
   Earn above a 2.0 GPA for the semester and successfully complete more than 50% of all Bakersfield College units attempted.

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Disqualification

• Cumulative GPA at Bakersfield College continues to be below a 2.0, for third consecutive semester
• 50% or more of your total Bakersfield College units have Withdrawal (W), Incomplete (I), or No Pass (NP), for third consecutive semester

Students in Disqualification will: 

• Receive an email notification to your BC email on your academic standing
• Hold may be placed on account, preventing you from registering for future classes
• Lose your priority registration date

Note: Student should check correct semester grades are recorded.

Steps required to register at Bakersfield College after probation

1. Sit Out One Semester 
   You have the choice to attend another college or not attend college at all. After you sit out for one full semester (summer does not count), you can be readmitted to Bakersfield College.
2. Complete and update form by logging into your InsideBC account.
3.  Student Success Seminar 
   To release the hold and register for classes, you must complete the online Student Success Seminar.
4. Meet with a Counselor
   • Starfish Apts (student can make it directly themselves)
   • EOPS, if you are an EOPS Scholar
   • DSPS, if you are a DSPS student
   • Make an appointment with your counselor using your Starfish account.
5. Improve Academic Standing 
   Earn above a 2.0 for the semester and successfully complete more than 50% of all units attempted

Appeal the Disqualification

You also have a choice to Appeal the Disqualification: You can fill out the Bakersfield College Disqualification Appeal Petition Form clearly identifying and explaining the cause(s) of the substandard academic performance and attach outside documentation (if applicable). The appeal form is submitted to the Probation Department for review: probationappeal@bakersfieldcollege.edu. The appeal period will typically end ten (10) business days before the new semester begins.

Once an appeal decision has been made, you will be notified via your BC email. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Probation Continued after Probation 2 or Disqualification

ACADEMIC PROBATION

If your cumulative grade point average is below a 2.0 but you achieved at least a 2.00 at the end of last semester then you will be automatically assigned probation continued status and given one more semester with your enrollment priority intact. For example, if your Grade Point Average for all courses at Bakersfield College is a 1.5 but your grades at the end of fall or spring are a 2.6 - good to go! One more semester to work at raising your grade point average.

PROGRESS PROBATION

If more than half of your cumulative units still show Withdrawals (W), Incomplete (I), and No Pass (NP) notations, but you completed at least 50% of last semester's units with grades, then you have earned an exception to the rule! You can retain your enrollment priority position, and continue working on progress for one more semester.

Every semester that you meet these conditions, you are automatically extended for one semester at Bakersfield College. It doesn't matter how long it takes. Every semester you meet these conditions you keep your enrollment priority and earn one more semester to improve your grade point average and show progress.

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WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

This process can be difficult if you are trying to do it on your own. Know all these services are in place to provide you with support which will help you achieve your goals.

Bakersfield College Center for Student Success is designed to assist you with resources and services.

Do not hesitate to ask for help!

Guided Pathways Counseling & Advising

(661) 395-4421

Email the probation team: probationappeal@bakersfieldcollege.edu

Scheduling an appointment

If you have any further questions contact the Counseling and Advising Department, 395-4421, to schedule an appointment with your Guided Pathway Counselor. Or email the probation team (link above).

Here are some resources you may find helpful on your path back to success!

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