Whether you are a recent high school graduate, an adult returning to college, or a professional looking to update your knowledge in a certain area, one question is likely on your mind when it comes to colleges: can a professor drop you from the class? It’s possible, yes. Let’s talk about how that could happen, and why in this piece.
Can a Professor Drop you from a Class?
A professor can drop you from class if you have violated the school policy or you do not meet the minimum requirements to continue with that course.
If a student does not meet the criteria or has missed classes, the professor has the power to drop a student from a class.
More importantly, you should note that and if you are in his or her class, a professor can do it without allowing you to appeal.
If you are in danger of being dropped from a class, make sure that you talk to your professor right away.
Some colleges allow professors to grant exceptions if there is a valid excuse for a failing grade or for missing a class.
Make sure that you work closely with your professor throughout the semester to address issues before they become major problems.
Reasons You Can be Dropped from Class
Some common reasons students get dropped from class:
1. Not Attending Class
College classes move quickly and cover a lot of material in each lecture. If a student is absent for one-third or more of their classes, the professor may drop them from the course.
This can be especially difficult if the student is not aware that so much time moved since they attended class last. Students should keep track of their attendance and be sure to attend enough classes to pass the course.
Even though you may be dropped from your class, there are alternatives to dropping a class that you can consider.
2. Emergency
Many colleges also allow students to drop a class if they provide documentation of reasons beyond their control that would prevent successful completion of the course. The student must provide proof of these circumstances (medical note, police report, etc.) to get an exception.
3. Tardiness
Arriving late to class repeatedly is not a good idea.
Professors often take attendance at the beginning of class, so if you are late, they may mark you absent when you arrive.
If a student accumulates too many absences, they may get dropped from the class.
4. Minimum Requirement Deficit
Many professors will drop students who fail midterm exams or have poor grades on other assignments during the first half of the semester. A good number of students fail in their exams.
This shows that the student is not keeping up with the work in the class and probably will not pass it by the semester’s end.
Colleges use requirements such as minimum GPAs and standardized test scores to weed out students who are not likely to be successful at the school. If your grades fall below acceptable levels, colleges might drop you from one or more of your classes automatically even if you haven’t officially withdrawn.
5. Fee Payment
If you have not paid your tuition by the due date, you could find yourself dropped from your classes. Contact the school’s financial aid office to discuss your options or payment plans if you need more time.
6. Disruptive Student
Professors have the responsibility of maintaining classroom environments that are both safe and conducive to learning for all students. If your behavior disrupts other students’ learning, the professor has every right to drop you from the course (and may even report this behavior to the dean’s office).
Instances When the Professor Can Withdraw You from a Class
1. School Allows Him
Generally, the professor has the authority to withdraw you from a class for a variety of reasons. Typically, however, universities do not give professors the authority to arbitrarily withdraw students from classes. Instead, they typically have to follow certain rules and procedures.
In some cases, schools have what they call “add/drop” periods. During these periods, students can add or drop courses without incurring any penalties. After that period is over, students may still add or drop courses with permission from their instructor or academic advisor.
If the school does not allow for late adds after the add/drop period ends, this would mean that you would need the instructor’s permission to add a course after that period ends.
2. The Prof is the Head of the Department or Dean
If you are taking a course, taught by the head of the department, he/she has the authority to make decisions regarding your participation in the course. Besides, if you are not participating in class or doing any assignments, the professor withdraws you from the course.
If you are taking a course, taught by a dean (not your department head), you will fall under the same rules as any other student.
3. You have Requested to Dropping
It is your responsibility to keep track of your class schedule, and it is your responsibility to drop classes you do not want to take.
The instructor may withdraw you from the course if you do not attend or participate within the first two weeks of the semester.
If that happens, it will be considered as if you were never enrolled in the course. You will receive a grade of WF (withdrawn failing) on your transcript.
If you request to drop a class, your professor is responsible for withdrawing you from that class.
This will remain on your transcript and will not affect your GPA. Read about your school grade’s relevance to your studies.
4. Academic dishonesty
A student who commits academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic misconduct) also risks being withdrawn from a course.
Such a student will be subject to the college’s normal disciplinary procedures and is subject to a grade penalty. In addition, the instructor may remove a student from the class with a grade of “W” (withdrawn).
What to Do When a Professor Decides to Drop You
If you are in a situation where a professor might drop you, the first thing to do is talk to them.
In many cases, there are simple misunderstandings that need a solution via a conversation. Maybe they got confused about your major, or maybe they thought you registered for the class and did not realize you would drop it.
If nothing else, talking to them will at least show them that this is not something you are taking lightly. Even when it comes down to dropping you or another student, at least they will remember the one who cared enough to come to talk to them
If the professor doesn’t see eye-to-eye with you on why they should let you stay in class, ask if there is anything you can do to make up for lost time, whether it is extra credit or just paying closer attention in class.
When none of those work and the professor still plans on dropping you from their class, go to an academic advisor. An academic advisor can help explain why it was okay for the professor to kick a student out of their class.
That could be whether it was because of absenteeism or poor grades, but they can also help advocate for students who want to stay in their classes.
Can You Get Back from a Dropped Class?
It is possible to get back into a class that you dropped if you can convince your professor to add you to the roster. You will need to make a strong academic case for being readmitted, citing extenuating circumstances and how they have changed since you dropped the class.
If your professor agrees to let you back in, then the next step is getting approval from the department chair. Again, emphasize the changes in your circumstances that will allow you to succeed in this class now.
Bear in mind that there is no guarantee that your professor or department chair will let you back into a dropped class. However, it is worth asking them about it if there is any chance of success.
Joseph is a freelance journalist and a part-time writer with a particular interest in the gig economy. He writes about schooling, college life, and changing trends in education. When not writing, Joseph is hiking or playing chess.