Certification & licensures

Academic Standards and Suspension Appeals

Students must maintain a minimum academic standard in order to continue at UWL. Based on grades earned at UW-La Crosse, a student will be assigned a Good Standing, Academic Warning, Probation, or Suspension status. These standards are defined in the  UWL Catalog in the Academic Policies section under the subsection of Academic Eligibility. It is possible for a first semester student or for a student never before on Probation to be declared Suspended!

Suspended student appeals

Students declared academically Suspended may appeal their status by writing a 1-2 page, detailed letter of appeal addressed to the Dean's Appeals Committee. Please follow the directions provided below:

1. The Committee appreciates all the information you may supply, and your appeal should address these questions:
   1. What has contributed to your poor academic performance?
   2. How will you improve your performance this coming semester?
   3. What major/academic program do you intend to pursue?
2. Letters should be no more than one 1-2 page in length and please include a current phone number and email address to facilitate efficient communication.
3. Appeal process:  direct your appeal to the School of Education, Professional and Continuing Education. To save your next semester schedule your appeal should be sent ASAP (by email or mail as directed below):
   1. Email: acree@uwlax.edu
   2. NOTE: If emailing the letter, send from your UWL email address; 
   3. Mail:145 Graff Main Hall, 1725 State Street, La Crosse, WI 54601.
4. Please direct all correspondence and questions to:
   1. 145 Graff Main Hall, 608.785.8218. 

If your appeal is approved by the Dean's Appeals Committee, you will be permitted to return on probation this coming semester.

However, if your appeal is denied by the Dean's Appeals Committee you have the right to bring your original appeal before the Committee for Academic Policies and Standards (CAPS), which meets prior to the beginning of the spring semester. This is the final level of appeal; if CAPS denies the appeal, you must remain out of school for one semester.

IMPORTANT: If you were suspended after the spring 2021 semester, we recommend submitting a request to change any grades of “F” to “U” (unsatisfactory) under the spring 2021 COVID-19 S/U grade change policy.  

“F” grades are calculated into the semester and cumulative grade point averages used to determine academic standing whereas “U” grades are NOT calculated into the semester and cumulative grade point averages. Assuming approval of your request to change any “F” grades to “U,” your semester and cumulative grade point averages will change and you may no longer be suspended. 

The deadline to submit grade change requests for spring 2021 semester courses is 11:59 p.m. on June 11, 2021. Do not wait until the deadline to submit any requests! 

If you have any questions about the spring 2021 COVID-19 S/U grade change policy and how it affects your suspension status, please contact Ashley Cree (acree@uwlax.edu).

Appeals Process

Do not submit an appeal of your suspension status until the deadline to submit grade changes under the spring 2021 COVID-19 S/U grade change policy has passed (11:59 p.m., June 11, 2021).

View a sample letter format