Freshman Probation
The Freshman Probation Program was created at Northern Michigan University to provide support and assistance to college students who have entered the institution on probation -- in simpler terms, the program provides the structure that any student needs to be successful in college. Students admitted to NMU with fewer than 12 college credit hours, and a high school GPA of less than 2.25 or an ACT score less than 19, are placed on freshman probation. Students remain on freshman probation until they have attained a 2.00 GPA in 12 credits of 100-level or higher courses.
Freshman Probation (FP) students are placed in a "block" of courses with 12-14 credit hours for their first semester. Typically the courses fulfill liberal studies requirements (for more information, go to the Academic and Career Advisement Center's page) and/or general elective credit. The concept behind the block is to have the same 20-25 students take the same courses together to help support each other, form study groups, etc. The block is held together by the two-credit UN 100 course: Freshman Seminar, a support course designed to introduce students to success in college. The instructor of this course also will serve as the enrolled students' academic adviser.
Sample Block (14 credit hours)
| Class | Credits | Satisfies |
| UN 100: Freshman Seminar | 2-credit hours | General elective credit |
| EN 110: Good Books | 4-credit hours | Liberal studies humanities credit |
| PS 101: Introduction to Political Science | 4-credit hours | Liberal studies social sciences credit |
|
CIS 110: Principles of Computer Information Systems |
4-credit hours | Liberal studies formal communications credit |
Success of the Program
Review of the program has demonstrated that probation block students out perform non-block students in both grade point average and return rates (retention).
Students in FP blocks who attained good standing after only one semester: 69.0 percent. Students not in FP blocks who attained good standing after only one semester: 52.2 percent.
Students in FP blocks who returned for a second semester: 81.0 percent. Students not in FP blocks who attained good standing after only one semester: 64.5 percent.
Based on this type of success, it was determined that all FP students would participate in a block.
