Probation: What You Should Know
There are two types of probation: Academic and Progress. Here is what you need to know about both types, and the consequences for each level of probation.
Tips for Avoiding Probation
We want you to succeed at De Anza. If you are on probation or struggling with your classes, we encourage you to meet with your counselor and follow the recommendations listed at the bottom of this webpage.You can be placed on probation if you don't meet minimum standards for
- Academic performance, as measured by your cumulative Grade Point Average
- Progress in completing courses without an excessive number of W, I or NP grades
You won't be required to meet these standards until you have taken at least 18 quarter units. Here are the standards for each.
Academic Probation
You will be placed on Academic Probation if your cumulative Grade Point Average (for all courses taken at De Anza) falls below 2.0. At that point, you will be notified by email that you are required to take certain steps, which are intended to help you improve your academic performance.
An initial period of probation lasts for one quarter. After that, you will be taken off probation if you have increased your cumulative GPA to at least 2.0.
- If your GPA for the quarter you're on probation is at least 2.0, but your cumulative GPA remains below 2.0, you will remain at the same level of probation for another quarter.
- If your GPA for the quarter you're on probation is below 2.0, you will move to the next level of probation for the following quarter.
If your GPA for the quarter is below 2.0, and your cumulative GPA has remained below 2.0 for at least five quarters, you can be placed on Dismissal status for the next quarter. It doesn't matter if the quarters are consecutive or not.
Progress Probation
You will be placed on Progress Probation if your course grades are W (Withdrawn), I (Incomplete) or NP (No Pass) for half or more of the credit units you have attempted. This means you will have completed less than 51% of the units for all courses in which you have enrolled.
At that point, you will be notified by email that you are required to take certain steps, which are intended to help you improve your progress.
An initial period of probation lasts for one quarter. After that, you will be taken off probation if you have increased your cumulative completion rate to at least 51%.
- If your cumulative completion rate remains below 51% for another quarter, you will move to the next level of probation for the following quarter.
If your cumulative completion rate is below 51% for five quarters, you will be placed on Dismissal status for the next quarter. It doesn't matter if the quarters are consecutive or not.
Levels of Probation and Consequences
Students on probation will be sent an email each quarter informing them of their probation status. If you are on probation, you will have a registration hold placed on your student account, which will prevent you from registering for next quarter or receiving certificates, degrees or transcripts. Depending on the level of probation, you also may lose your priority registration status.
The hold will be removed once you take certain steps, as required for your level of probation. But if you are unable to meet minimum standards for academic performance or progress for five quarters, you can be placed on Dismissal status for the next quarter.
Here are the levels of probation and their required consequences.
Levels of Academic Probation
Level 1
If you are on Academic Probation Level 1, you will be subject to a registration hold that can be lifted by completing one of these courses during the quarter that you are on probation
- COUN 5: Introduction to College
- EDAC 1: Introduction to College and Accommodations
You can add this class during the Add and Drop period for the quarter, but you will need to submit a request for the Retention Team to lift your registration hold temporarily so you can add the class. To do this, send an email to retention@deanza.edu. Be sure to include your name and CWID.
If you fail to pass the COUN 5 or EDAC 1 course – or if you drop or withdraw from the course – you will need to complete the course with a passing grade in the following quarter.
Remember that your registration hold will be reinstated if you do not complete one of the classes listed above during the quarter that you are on probation.
You are also strongly encouraged to meet with your counselor about updating your educational plan.
Level 2
If you are on Academic Probation Level 2, you will lose your priority registration status and will be subject to a registration hold. You can have the hold removed by completing a two-hour online Retention Workshop.
Sign-up for the Retention Workshop
Sign-up for the Retention Workshop by emailing the Retention Team at Retention@deanza.edu. In the body of the email please include your full name, CWID, email address, and the date and time of the workshop . Below is a list of the date and times of the workshops for the winter 2021 term.
You are also strongly encouraged to meet with your counselor about updating your educational plan. You may also be asked to complete a Student Self-Assessment Survey.
Level 3
If you are on Academic Probation Level 3, you will lose your priority registration status and will be subject to a registration hold. You can have the hold removed by meeting with your counselor to complete a Student Success Plan and update your educational plan in Degree Works.
If you aren't in a program that has its own counselor, you can schedule a phone or video meeting with our retention counselor, Janet Weber, or with any counselor in the General Counseling and Advising Center.
You may also be asked to complete a Student Self-Assessment Survey.
Pre-Dismissal
If you are on Pre-Dismissal Academic Probation, you will lose your priority registration status and will be subject to a registration hold. You can have the hold removed by meeting with your counselor to complete a Pre-Dismissal Student Success Form and update your educational plan in Degree Works.
If you aren't in a program that has its own counselor, you can schedule a phone or video meeting with our retention counselor, Janet Weber, or with any counselor in the General Counseling and Advising Center.
You may also be asked to complete a Student Self-Assessment Survey.
At this point, you may also face dismissal if your cumulative GPA doesn't improve.
Dismissal
If your cumulative GPA (for all courses taken) is below 2.0 for five quarters, you can be placed on Dismissal status for the next quarter.
This means you won't be allowed to register for classes and you will be dropped from any classes in which you are already registered. You will also be subject to a hold that will prevent you from obtaining certificates, degrees or transcripts.
- If you feel you improved your academic performance in the previous quarter, you may appeal your dismissal by submitting a petition to the Appeal Review Committee. You can learn more about this process and submit your petition online by visiting the Appeal Review Committee webpage.
- Alternatively, you can sit out one quarter and then re-apply. To do this, you will need to do the following:
- Submit a new online application for admission to De Anza
- Meet with your counselor to get help with preparing an online petition to the Appeal Review Committee, indicating how you plan to improve your academic performance.
Levels of Progress Probation
Levels 1
If you are on Progress Probation Level 1, you will have a registration hold placed on your student account.
- You can have the hold removed by meeting with your counselor to update your educational plan. If you aren't in a program that has its own counselor, you can schedule a phone or video meeting with our retention counselor, Janet Weber, or with any counselor in the General Counseling and Advising Center.
- You may also be asked to complete a Student Self-Assessment Survey.
Levels 2-3
If you are on Progress Probation Level 2 or 3, you will lose priority registration status and have a registration hold placed on your student account.
- You can have the hold removed by meeting with your counselor to update your educational plan. If you aren't in a program that has its own counselor, you can schedule a phone or video meeting with our retention counselor, Janet Weber, or with any counselor in the General Counseling and Advising Center.
- You may also be asked to complete a Student Self-Assessment Survey.
Pre-Dismissal
If you are on Pre-Dismissal Progress Probation, you will lose priority registration status and have a registration hold placed on your student account.
- You can have the hold removed by meeting with your counselor to update your educational plan. If you aren't in a program that has its own counselor, you can schedule a phone or video meeting with our retention counselor, Janet Weber, or with any counselor in the General Counseling and Advising Center.
- You may also be asked to complete a Student Self-Assessment Survey.
At this point, you may also face dismissal if your course completion rate doesn't improve.
Dismissal
If your cumulative completion rate (for all courses taken) is below 51% for five quarters, you can be placed on Dismissal status for the next quarter.
This means you won't be allowed to register for classes and you will be dropped from any classes in which you are already registered. You will also be subject to a hold that will prevent you from obtaining certificates, degrees or transcripts.
- If you feel you improved your academic performance in the previous quarter, you may appeal your dismissal by submitting a petition to the Appeal Review Committee. You can learn more about this process and submit your petition online by visiting the Appeal Review Committee webpage.
- Alternatively, you can sit out one quarter and then re-apply. To do this, you will need to do the following:
- Submit a new online application for admission to De Anza
- Meet with your counselor to get help with preparing an online petition to the Appeal Review Committee, indicating how you plan to improve your academic performance
Your probation status may not be reflected accurately if you are currently enrolled at both De Anza and Foothill College, or if you have taken classes at both colleges in the past. If you are on probation status and these circumstances apply, you should see your counselor for assistance.
Important Financial Aid Information
If you're on academic or progress probation for more than one quarter, you could lose eligibility for certain types of financial aid or GI benefits. Contact the Financial Aid Office or Veteran Services office for more information.
Tips for Avoiding Probation
- Complete all the classes in which you enroll. If you're struggling, talk with your instructor or your counselor, or contact other programs on campus that offer support.
- Remember the deadline to drop classes each quarter: For standard, 12-week classes, you must drop before the third Monday of the quarter to avoid getting a W or other undesirable mark.
- Plan your schedule so you can balance responsibilities at school, work and home. Remember that 12 units is considered a full-time course load.
- Allow time for homework. Typically, that means two to three hours a week, per class unit. A four-unit class may require four hours of class time and eight to 12 hours of homework per week.
- Visit the Student Success Center: They offer individual, group and online tutoring in a variety of subjects, along with study skills workshops and other assistance.
- Consider other kinds of support. De Anza has programs that offer all kinds of services to assist students in reaching their goals. You’ll find a list of resources on our Student Services webpage.
Contact Us!
Drop-In Sessions
Individual Drop-Ins (15 minutes): You can have a quick online chat with a Retention staff – without an appointment – during the hours listed below. These sessions are only 10-15 minutes and are meant for quick questions regarding academic and progress probation.
Winter Quarter Drop-in Hours:
- Monday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Tuesday, 9 a.m.-10 a.m.
- Wednesday, 12 -3 p.m.
- Thursday, 12 -3 p.m.
- Friday, 10 am.-12 p.m. (Counselor Available)
Click the red button to drop in via Zoom.
Email Us
You can reach the Retention Team by sending an email to retention@deanza.edu
Schedule a Meeting
You can schedule a phone or online video meeting with Janet Weber, the retention counselor, by clicking the yellow button to use our online scheduler.
If the scheduling system shows no appointments available with the retention counselor, you can click the red button to make an appointment with another counselor in the General Counseling and Advising Center.
Winter Remote Hours
- Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.