Academic Progression

Academic Year

Nexford University’s catalog year aligns with its academic year, both running from January 1 to December 31. Enrollment occurs on the first day of each month. 

Add/Drop

Each academic term spans two months, and each course runs for up to 56 days (eight weeks), including the period available for eligible late work under the Late Work Submission Policy.

Learners who complete a course early may begin a new course in the second month, which constitutes the start of a new term. Course timelines are measured in term days beginning on the official course start date rather than fixed calendar dates.

Learners may add or drop a course within the first five term days. Courses dropped during the first five term days are eligible for a full tuition refund and will not appear on the learner’s transcript. No grade will be assigned, and the course will not count toward attempted credits.

Dropping the only course in a term during the add/drop period allows learners to remain enrolled in the program for the remainder of that term. Learners must enroll in and participate in a course the following term. A second drop of the only course during the add/drop period of the following term will result in dismissal from the program.

Course Participation and Withdrawals

All Nexford courses start on the first day of the month. Enrolled learners must demonstrate academic participation by submitting the required Module 1 assignment by the 10th day of the course. The Late Work Submission Policy does not apply to Module 1 assignments or seminar courses.

The following actions apply based on participation and the timing of a course withdrawal:

• By Day 10: Learners who do not demonstrate academic participation are administratively withdrawn from the course and are eligible for a full tuition refund. Failure to meet participation requirements may also result in dismissal from the program.

Learners who have demonstrated academic participation may withdraw from a course through Day 35.

• Days 6–35: Learners who withdraw receive a grade of W on their transcript. Refunds are issued in accordance with the University Refund Policy.

• Day 36 onward: Learners who withdraw receive a grade of F on their transcript. No refund is available.

Program Withdrawal and Dismissal

Learners may voluntarily withdraw from their program by contacting the Learner Success Team at success@nexford.edu. The University may dismiss learners for academic, participation, behavioral, or financial reasons.

• Program Withdrawal: Voluntary separation initiated by learners.

• Program Dismissal: Involuntary separation initiated by the University.

Learners who wish to resume their studies following withdrawal or dismissal must follow the University’s readmission process (see Reconsideration for Admissions and Readmission).

Change of Program

Learners who elect to change their academic program must contact the Learner Success Team at success@nexford.edu to request the change and discuss its potential impact on academic progress and goals. Program changes are governed by the requirements of the catalog year in effect at the time the change is officially approved.

Course Load

To ensure academic success and maintain rigorous learning standards, all learners must meet specific criteria before increasing their course load. The requirements vary by program, ensuring that learners build a strong foundation before taking on additional coursework. Course loads are limited to a maximum of two courses at a time, and learners must have no outstanding financial balance to qualify.

• Associate degree programs. Learners may enroll in one course per term for the first four courses of the program. To qualify for two courses per term, learners must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0.

• Bachelor’s degree programs. Learners may enroll in one course per term for the first seven courses of the program. To qualify for two courses per term, learners must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.0.

• Master’s degree programs. Learners may enroll in one course per term for the first five courses of the program. To qualify for two courses per term, learners must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.6.

• Undergraduate career pathway programs. Learners may enroll in one course per term for the first two courses of the program. To qualify for two courses per term, learners must maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.0.

• Mini-MBA Graduate Certificate. Learners may enroll in one course per term. The seminar course may be taken alongside another course.

All capstone courses must be taken as a single course per term. If a learner's CGPA falls below the required threshold or if tuition payments are not remitted promptly, their course load will be restricted to a single course per term.

While courses follow an 8-week term structure, learners can accelerate progress and complete a course within one month. If learners complete a course within one month, their next term begins the first day of the following month.

Leave of Absence

A Leave of Absence (LOA) allows degree-seeking learners to temporarily suspend their studies for personal, financial, or academic reasons. This policy applies only to learners enrolled in degree programs. Learners on suspension are not eligible for an LOA. The University permits multiple LOAs, provided that the total duration does not exceed the applicable program limit, and no more than 180 calendar days are taken within any twelve-month period. The cumulative LOA allowance is as follows:

• Associate degree programs: six months

• Bachelor’s degree programs: twelve months

• Master's degree programs: four months

LOA usage does not reset upon readmission to the same program. Any LOA time previously used is applied toward the total LOA allowance for that program.

LOA requests must be submitted in writing to the Learner Success Team at success@nexford.edu in advance of the requested start date and may apply only to future months. Prior to submission, learners must discuss their intended LOA and return date with a Success Advisor, who will confirm the learner’s remaining LOA balance and assist in establishing the appropriate start and end dates. Each request must include the reason for the LOA and the requested start and end dates. All requests are subject to University approval and will be granted only where there is a reasonable expectation that the learner will return from the LOA. 

An LOA cannot take effect within the same month in which it is requested, except in documented emergency situations. Depending on when the LOA begins within a term, enrollment will be affected as follows: 

• If the LOA begins during the first month of a term, the learner will not be enrolled in a course for that term. 

• If the LOA begins during the second month of a term, the learner will be withdrawn from the active course in accordance with University withdrawal policies.

Learners are expected to complete all coursework and receive a final grade by the end of the month preceding the start of the LOA. Failure to do so will result in withdrawal from the course effective on the first day of the LOA.

In cases of unforeseen or emergency circumstances, an LOA may be approved without prior request, provided that the reason is documented and submitted as soon as practicable. In such cases, the effective date of the LOA will be determined by the University based on the date the circumstances resulted in the learner’s inability to continue academic participation, as supported by institutional records. The Learner Success Team may assist learners in identifying appropriate academic alternatives during any interim period. 

During an approved LOA, tuition billing is paused, and any unused tuition is credited toward future study. Access to the Learning Management System (Canvas) is suspended for the duration of the LOA.  

Learners are expected to resume enrollment on the approved return date. The University will issue reminder notifications prior to the scheduled return date. Learners who do not confirm or resume their studies by the approved return date will be administratively withdrawn, with the effective date based on the learner’s last date of academic activity. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Nexford University closely monitors the academic performance of every learner to support them in mastering the competencies they need to complete their courses successfully and to progress in their academic programs. The University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy requires that learners progress through their academic program according to the following measures:

• Cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Learners must maintain the following academic standards:

  • Undergraduate programs: A minimum grade of C (2.0 GPA) in each course and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

  • Graduate programs: A minimum grade of B (3.0 GPA) in each course and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

  The CGPA is calculated by averaging the grades earned, with only the highest grade being considered in the calculation for repeated classes.

• Rate of progression (pace). Learners are required to demonstrate consistent academic progression by completing a minimum percentage of credits attempted. This completion rate is calculated by dividing the total number of successfully earned credits by the total number of credits attempted.

All course attempts are calculated toward the rate of completion including failed and withdrawn courses. Courses that are dropped are not calculated into the Pace requirements.

• Maximum time frame (MTF). MTF represents 150% of a program’s published length and is used as a measure of SAP for all learners. A learner who reaches the MTF without completing the program is subject to dismissal. In limited circumstances, following an individualized review of the learner’s academic progress and ability to successfully complete the program, the University may approve continued enrollment beyond the MTF.

SAP Standards

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Course Failure and Repetition

Learners who receive a failing grade must repeat the course. Assignments submitted in repeated courses must reflect new work and original analysis; reuse of prior submissions is permitted only with instructor approval.

All course attempts are recorded on the learner’s academic record, with only the highest grade included in the CGPA calculation. All attempts, including failed and withdrawn courses, are included in the pace calculation for SAP.

Learners who fail to successfully complete the same course twice, are withdrawn from the same course twice, or have a combination of unsuccessful attempts and withdrawals in the same course will be placed on a SAP plan established and monitored by the Learner Success Team (LST) to support successful completion of the course.

Failure to successfully complete the course on the third attempt will result in dismissal from the program. Dismissed learners may subsequently apply for readmission to the University in accordance with the University’s readmission requirements.

Learners dismissed after failing the same course three times may, upon readmission and with prior approval:

• Complete an equivalent course from an accredited institution or recognized provider, subject to approval and transfer credit policies

• Change to a different program, provided the failed course is not a required component of the new program’s curriculum

• Select an alternative elective, if applicable

• Learners enrolled in single courses who fail a course three times are not permitted to retake that course.

Academic Sanctions

Failure to meet SAP requirements results in the following sequence of academic sanctions:

• Academic Warning: Applied upon the first failure to meet SAP requirements and remains in effect for one term. Meeting SAP requirements by the end of the term restores good academic standing. Failure to do so results in Academic Probation.

• Academic Probation: Applied when SAP requirements remain unmet following Academic Warning. Learners have one term to meet SAP requirements and return to good academic standing. Learners who appeal may be placed on a SAP plan and remain on Academic Probation for a maximum of two consecutive terms.

• Academic Dismissal: Applied when SAP requirements, or the conditions of an approved SAP plan when applicable, are not met by the end of Academic Probation. This status results in dismissal from the program.

Learners dismissed for failure to meet SAP requirements may apply for readmission. Readmission is subject to an evaluation of the learner’s ability to complete the program within the allowable program completion period set by the University.

Learners receiving VA education benefits may have their eligibility affected if they fail to meet SAP requirements, in accordance with applicable federal and institutional requirements.

SAP Appeals

Learners placed on Academic Probation have the right to appeal when mitigating circumstances affect their ability to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. Mitigating circumstances may include:

• A serious illness or injury affecting the learner or an immediate family member;

• The death of an immediate family member; or

• Other significant and unexpected circumstances beyond the learner's control

To appeal, a learner must:

• Complete the University's online SAP Appeal Form;

• Submit supporting documentation substantiating the mitigating circumstances; and

• Participate in an advising session with a Success Advisor.

The appeal considers the documented circumstances, the learner's academic progress, and whether the learner can reasonably regain good academic standing under a SAP plan within a maximum of two consecutive terms. If the learner can reasonably regain good academic standing within this period, a SAP plan is developed outlining the requirements the learner must meet. Otherwise, the learner is academically dismissed, regardless of whether mitigating circumstances are established.

An appeal is approved when qualifying mitigating circumstances are established, and learners can reasonably regain good academic standing under a SAP plan. If qualifying mitigating circumstances are not established, the appeal is denied. Learners whose appeals are denied but who can reasonably regain good academic standing may continue enrollment on Academic Probation under a SAP plan.

For learners receiving VA education benefits, benefits may continue while they follow a SAP plan and demonstrate satisfactory progress under the plan, for a maximum of two consecutive terms.

Appeals and SAP plans are subject to final approval by the Director of Learner Success. Appeal decisions are communicated to learners in writing.