A student who has not met the program standards as determined by the College of Professional Studies as defined in the Academic Standing and Program Progress policies, may be dismissed from the Villanova non-credit professional programs. The student will be informed of the dismissal via electronic communication to their Villanova University student email account, immediately following the decision.
Typically, the student will be allowed to appeal the dismissal in writing to the Dean of the College. There is no additional process of appeal beyond the Dean of the College. In some cases (e.g., when the student has had previous warnings), the student may, at the determination of the College, be dismissed without the right of appeal.
If the student is already enrolled in future courses when the dismissal notification is sent, the student must withdraw from those courses. Tuition for courses not started will be refunded. Tuition for courses that have begun will be reversed in accordance with the refund schedule found in the Financial Information section of this document.
Students enrolled in the VUnited Scholars Program are subject to the Behavioral Expectations Policy and dismissal procedure found in the VUnited Scholars Handbook.
Re-Admission from Academic Dismissal
A student who has been academically dismissed from a non-credit certificate program is eligible to reapply to the same certificate program for readmission after 12 months from the dismissal date has elapsed. The student must submit a written statement of request for readmission to the Professional Education team at professionaled@villanove.edu for review. In addition to the request for readmission, students are required to provide a letter of recommendation in support of their continued studies. A reviewing of the application, including a review of past discipline at Villanova University, and whether the student has been dismissed by another College within Villanova University will be conducted before readmission is granted. A student who has been dismissed and then returns to the University will be treated as a continuing student, not a transfer student, for purposes of policies regarding courses taken elsewhere; in other words, such a student would not be permitted to transfer courses taken at another institution.
Paralegal, Women’s Leadership, VUnited Scholars, VIISTA, and any other non-credit program offered in partnership with The College of Professional Studies are subject to additional approval by the designated Program Director.
Updated 6/2026