Academic Pardon

An academic pardon is a way for students to put their past behind them so they can resume their college careers and complete a degree. 

For instance, a student may leave WSU with a very low GPA, gain a few years or life experience, and then decide to return to college. An academic pardon would set aside their previous grades to adjust their GPA and meet graduation requirements. 

An academic pardon can only be granted once.

How to Get an Academic Pardon

Submit the Academic Pardon Request Form through Warrior Space.

Your request will be reviewed by a team member in the Registrar Office to determine whether you meet the criteria for an academic pardon. 

If you are eligible, your request will be sent to the Department Chair, Dean, and Provost.

Criteria for an Academic Pardon

All four criteria for an Academic Pardon must be met to qualify: 

1. Student was not enrolled in any WSU courses for at least 3 years between the period indicated above and their re-admission to WSU
2. Student earned a WSU cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 for the period indicated
3. Student has earned at least 24 semester credits and at least a 2.00 GPA at WSU since being re-admitted
4. Student has not previously requested an Academic Pardon 

After an Academic Pardon is Approved

If approved, an academic pardon has these effects: 

• The cumulative GPA will be recalculated. The new GPA will be based on courses completed after the student was re-admitted. Grades and credits attempted during the period covered under the academic pardon will not be used to calculate the cumulative GPA that is printed on transcripts. The pardoned grades and credits will not be used to determine whether graduation requirements have been met.
• Courses in which the student received a grade of “C” or better prior to being re-admitted will not be used to calculate the GPA. However, these “C” or better grades will used for academic credit.
• The student’s transcripts will include the statement: “This student was granted Academic Pardon under the WSU Academic Pardon Policy. All WSU courses with a grade of “C” or better taken prior to re-admission and granting of academic pardon were given academic credit, but were not used in the calculation of the WSU GPA.” 
• Grades the student received during the period of academic pardon will remain unchanged as a permanent part of the student’s academic record. These grades will be printed on all transcripts of that record.
• The student must meet all program requirements in effect at the time they were re-admitted
• The student is not eligible for academic honors at graduation.