Mar 29, 2024  
2019-2020 Catalog/Handbook NOT CURRENT 
    
2019-2020 Catalog/Handbook NOT CURRENT [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Resources


Mission

The Student Services offices are responsible for providing pre-admission, admission, registration, and financial services to prospective students, current students, and alumni. The offices oversee, coordinate, and administer multifaceted activities and student-centered services that include recruitment programs, pre-admission advisement, admissions, and registrar functions, and alumni services. The staff value excellent customer service, timely and accurate communication, professionalism, and teamwork.

Advisors

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is committed to student success. With this in mind, students are connected to an Advisor. An Advisor is available to support students in many ways leading up to the first class and throughout the duration of the academic program. 
 
Advisors provide concierge support and help students navigate through the University.  They assist students in completing required forms, understanding USAHS policies and procedures, adjusting schedules, and much more. Advisors also have access to resources that can assist students with study strategies, time and stress management techniques, and organizational tips.  
 
Advisors partner with students to help them achieve their academic and professional goals and will check up on students from time to time just to see how they are progressing.  Advisors are on the front lines of student services and are always willing to answer questions and provide support.    
 
Telephone: 800-241-1027
David Schoenherr, San Marcos Campus, Dallas Campus ext. 2411 dschoenherr@usa.edu
Kailynn Cannata, Austin Campus ext. 3117 kcannata@usa.edu
Juliette Henry-Pitter, Miami Campus ext. 4135 jhenrypitter@usa.edu
Cynthia Edwards, St. Augustine Campus ext. 1303 cedwards1@usa.edu
Sherrie Jensen, Post-Professional Advisor ext. 1354 sjensen@usa.edu
Frank Bennett, Post-Professional Advisor ext. 1225 fbennett@usa.edu 

Faculty Advisors

A Faculty Advisor will be appointed to each student. This advisor will serve in two capacities. The first is to advise the student on academic matters, and the second is to assist in professional development. Should a student wish to change advisors, he or she should meet with his or her Program Director.

Bursar’s Office

The Bursar’s Office handles all billing and refunds.

Telephone: 800-241-1027

Susan Jones, Bursar Team Leader, Business Office, St. Augustine Campus ext. 1240 sjones@usa.edu
Candice Salazar, Business Office Bursar, Austin Campus ext. 3108 csalazar@usa.edu
Kristin Hitchcock, Business Office Bursar, San Marcos Campus ext. 2456 khitchcock@usa.edu
Tania McLaws, Business Office Bursar, Miami Campus ext. 4134 tmclaws@usa.edu
Candice Salazar, Business Office Bursar, Dallas Campus ext. 3108 csalazar@usa.edu

Career Services

Career Services provides services to students online via the Optimal Resume and Handshake platforms, through on-campus career fairs twice yearly, and via online career coaching. Access Career Services by logging into the MyUSA portal, Student Services tab, Career Services link. 

In Optimal Resume, students can create a resume and cover letter and have them reviewed by a career coach, record a practice interview, create a career portfolio, and view informational videos on current career topics. Go to Optimal Resume to create an account. 

In Handshake, students can create a career profile with a resume, post it for employers to view, and apply to job postings. Each semester, new students will be invited to join Handshake

Career fairs are held twice a year on each campus.

Student referrals to prospective employers are not based on direct contact with the employer regarding current job openings.

Students may request individual career coaching via Skype by emailing Dr. Morris.

Dr. LaDonna Morris, Manager of Career Services    

     904-770-3539 lmorris@usa.edu

 

Continuing Professional Education Office

The Office of Continuing Professional Education registers students for live seminars, online webinars/seminars and certification preparation, and examination.

Telephone: 800-241-1027, ext. 1400

Lori Hankins, Director of Continuing Education ext. 1203 lhankins@usa.edu
Ouida Howell, Assistant Director of Continuing Education ext. 1266 ohowell@usa.edu

Enrollment Office

The Enrollment team assists prospective students from initial inquiry through the entire application completion process, including guidance on selecting the appropriate start date and modality, submitting required documents, and preparing the most competitive application. For questions or more information, please email enroll@usa.edu or, to speak to someone, please call 800-241-1027, ext. 2499.

Financial Aid Office

For financial aid information, visit the Financial Aid page Financial Aid Information. Any inquiries or requests for student information should be sent to the Department of Financial Aid Services, USAHS, 1 University Boulevard, St. Augustine, FL 32086, or email ContactFinancialAid@usa.edu.

Vanessa Flowers, Director, Financial Aid 904-770-3650 vflowers@usa.edu
Erica Kelly, Financial Aid System Analyst 904-770-3541 ekelly@usa.edu
Jessica Gooden, Financial Aid Counselor, St. Augustine Campus 904-770-3638 jgooden@usa.edu
Theresa Stone, Financial Aid Counselor, St. Augustine Campus 904-770-3647 tstone1@usa.edu
Clara Cadatel, Financial Aid Counselor, Miami Campus 786-725-4039 ccadatel@usa.edu
Eloisa Augustus, Financial Aid Processor, Austin Campus 737-202-3306 eaugustus@usa.edu
Michael Thompson, Financial Aid Counselor, Austin Campus 737-202-3353 mthompson@usa.edu 
Mary Grawl, Financial Aid Counselor, San Marcos Campus 760-410-5341 mgrawl@usa.edu
Jazmin Garcia, Financial Aid Counselor, San Marcos Campus 760-410-5342 jgarcia@usa.edu
Financial Aid Counselor, Dallas Campus   contactfinancialaid@usa.edu

Registrar’s Office

The main Registrar’s Office for all degree programs is located on the St. Augustine campus with Registrar staff also located on the San Marcos campus. Any inquiries or requests for student information should be sent to the Registrar, USAHS, 1 University Boulevard, St. Augustine, FL 32086, or by email to registrar@usa.edu.

Telephone: 800-241-1027 ext. 1600

Diane Rondinelli, Registrar 904-770-3505 drondinelli@usa.edu
Laura Sanders, Associate Registrar 904-770-3595 lsanders@usa.edu
Cristina (Cris) Clark, Assistant Registrar 904-770-3605 cclark@usa.edu
Brooke Nelson, Assistant Registrar 760-410-5385 bnelson@usa.edu

International Student Services

International applicants applying to a fulltime residential or flex program in Miami, Florida; St. Augustine, Florida;  Austin, Texas; and San Marcos, California, may receive assistance obtaining the required I-20 form from a designated school official (DSO) A DSO may be reached by calling ext. 800-241-1027, ext. 1600 or by emailing registrar@usa.edu for assistance.

Assistance for Students with Disabilities

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), USAHS is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to any student with a disability. Please see the section regarding Accessibility and Accommodations  for more information.

Writing Center

The mission of the Writing Center at USAHS is to provide exceptional service to students across all modalities and programs by providing individualized instruction and resources to solidify their writing skills as practicing scholars and emerging professionals in the field of Health Sciences. The Writing Center is not a drop off editing service; rather than simply correcting or writing portions of varying projects, we seek to develop our students into strong writers and editors through continued engagement in the writing process. Coaching appointments are made online via the WCONLINE platform where students can upload a file for review either in a live Skype session with a coach or via asynchronous feedback.

Students can reserve an appointment with one of the writing coaches on the Writing Center Online schedule. First-time users will need to register their account using their USAHS email address.

Writing Center information and resources can be accessed in the MyUSA student portal, Student Services tab, Writing Center link. 

 

Hideki Nakazono Director of the Writing Center 760-410-5327 ext. 2427 hnakazono@usa.edu
Darcy Fox Writing Center Coach   dfox@usa.edu
Nicholas Eastham Writing Center Coach   neastham@usa.edu
Lauri Barnes Writing Center Coach   lbarnes@usa.edu
Elaine Pascale Writing Center Coach   epascale@usa.edu

Wellness Centers (St. Augustine, Austin)

Mission Statement

The mission of USAHS Wellness Center is to provide an environment that promotes and facilitates a healthy and productive lifestyle in our students, faculty, staff, and ultimately our clients and the local community. This will be achieved by (1) development of programs that will allow the University philosophy on health and wellness to become a reality and (2) providing a state of the art wellness facility that will include wellness-related testing/screening and quality instruction in the various domains of wellness.

Students must complete a liability waiver prior to utilizing the Wellness Center and must complete a mandatory orientation prior to utilizing the Obstacle Course on the St. Augustine Campus.

For more information, including access and policies, go to the MyUSA portal, Student Services tab, Wellness Center link.

Health Services

All students are required to carry health insurance. Proof of health insurance must be provided to the Clinical Education Office each trimester.
The University is not licensed to provide health care services.

  • St. Augustine campus

Flagler Hospital has a 24-hour emergency service. For nonemergency care, the University contracts with a family practice physician to provide services:

  Dr. James Connor
1851 Old Moultrie Road
St. Augustine, FL 32086
904-824-8088
 

Additionally, there are local walk-in clinics that are equipped to provide emergency and nonemergency care.

  • San Marcos campus

Emergency services are available at the following locations:

  Palomar Medical Center
555 E. Valley Parkway
Escondido, CA 92025
Tri-City Medical Center
4002 Vista Way
Oceanside, CA 92056
  • Austin campus

Emergency and nonemergency medical services are available at the following Austin locations:

  St. David’s Urgent Care
5700 West Slaughter Lane
Austin, TX 78749
512-394-0020
Nextcare Urgent Care
6001 West William Cannon Drive #302
Austin, TX 78749
512-288-3627
  Austin Immediate Care
5000 West Slaughter Lane #100
Austin, TX 78749
512-282-2273
St. Davis South Austin Medical Center
901 West Ben White Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
512-447-2211
  Seton Southwest Hospital
7900 Farm to Market 1826
Austin, TX 78737
512-324-9000
University Medical Center at Brackenridge
601 East 15th Street
Austin, TX 78701
512-324-7000
  • Miami campus

Emergency and nonemergency medical services are available at the following Miami locations:

  Kendall Regional Medical Center
11750 SW 40Th St
Miami FL 33175
305-223-3000
Baptist Health Medical Plaza at Doral Urgent Care
9915 NW 41st St
Doral FL 33178
786-586-3830
  • Dallas campus
Emergency and nonemergency medical services are available at the following Irving locations:

 

Medical City Las Colinas
(Emergency & Full-Service Hospital)
6800 N. MacAurthur Blvd.
Irving, TX 75039
972-969-2000
MedSpring Urgent Care
7400 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, TX 75063
469-804-9295
 
Integra Urgent Care
7447 N. MacArthur Blvd. Ste. 190
Irving, TX 75063
972-861-5200
Baylor Surgical Hospital at Las Colinas
400 W. Interstate 635 Ste. 101
Irving, TX 75063
972-868-4000
 
Advance ER (Galleria Area)
12338 Inwood Rd.
Dallas, TX 75244
469-730-0289

Counseling Services

In partnership with ComPsych (a Student Assistance Program provider), USAHS offers free counseling services and online resources whenever and wherever needed.

24/7 Confidential Support

Students (and members of the same household) may call 800-697-0353 toll free and be connected to free and confidential, highly-trained masters- or doctoral-level clinicians via phone. This licensed counselor can help with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, relationship conflict, substance abuse, or any other personal issue a student may be experiencing. If needed, the counselor will also be able to refer the student to meet with an in-person counselor for up to three complimentary sessions. 

Online Resources

Students and household members also have unlimited access to guidanceresources.com. Students will need to use “USAHS” as the Web ID to create a free account. This website provides information, tools, and support on a wide variety of subjects including wellness, legal, financial, and relationship topics. Students can view articles, podcasts, videos, or slideshows and can utilize Ask the Expert to receive personal responses to questions. 

Information Resources/Library

The University’s Learning Resource Center, composed of the University Library and the Computer Lab, with physical branches at all campuses of the University in addition to a robust online presence, offers students and faculty members convenient access to current health sciences information through the library’s collection of books, journals, videos, OT assessments, anatomy models, treatment tables, equipment, eBooks, online journals, and online databases. The Learning Resource Center’s holdings include more than 3,000 books, and eBooks, full-text access to more than 20,000 journals, and dozens of videos to support the University’s curriculum. Physical campus libraries are each open and staffed more than 80 hours per week during regular academic terms and provide physical study space, reference services, and printing/copying/scanning services. Library staff members are available through library chat, email, and phone approximately 17 hours a day, including evenings and weekends. The library’s electronic resources are available 24/7. Trained and knowledgeable librarians are available to provide formal and informal library and information literacy instruction by faculty request. Go to MyUSA, Library tab for full details.

Institutional Review Board

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a University committee that reviews all research proposals involving the use of human subjects. The purpose of the IRB is to protect the human rights of those subjects and keep them from harmful procedures. All students participating in research projects that involve human subjects (including Case Reports) are required to submit the appropriate IRB documentation. The IRB committee meets once each month. Dates are posted on the USAHS website for each campus. For IRB policies, procedures, and forms, go to the MyUSA portal, Student Services tab.

Student Membership in Professional Associations

All USAHS students in MOT, OTD, DPT, and SLP must be members of their respective national professional associations (American Physical Therapy Association [APTA], American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], National Student Speech Language Hearing Association [NSSLHA]). Current students will be asked to show proof of membership as part of the practicum or physical therapist practice courses. OT students will also need to provide evidence of state membership.

Student Associations

The first trimester students will be assessed a one-time mandatory student activity fee of $20.00. This fee is subject to change.

Examples of activities covered by the student activity fee include but are not limited to the following activities:

  • authorized University functions
  • community awareness programs
  • miscellaneous preapproved events

This fee is allocated for campus-based student professional associations. Physical therapy students will be members of SPTA. Occupational therapy students will be members of SOTA. Speech-Language Pathology students will be members of SSLPA. Dual-degree students will be members of SOTA in the first half of the dual-degree program and SPTA in the second half. Student representatives from all classes and programs meet monthly with Program Directors to share information and discuss concerns.

All student events are to be coordinated through these associations with all allocated monies to be controlled by the SPTA, SOTA, and SSLPA organizations. All functions/events involving the University or the use of its name require prior review and written approval by (1) the respective Program Director and (2) the University’s Director of Marketing. Possible examples of University-sanctioned events might include community/charitable events such as the annual 5K run and University or departmental picnics/celebrations. A student-organized off-site baseball team would be an example of a non-University event that could be supported by the student associations but would need approval if the University name was used. Any requests to use the University logo on clothing etc. require the same approval as listed above.

The SPTA, SOTA, and SSLPA organizations operate independently; however, financial support may be provided upon agreement of the supporting organization. Any use of funds requires two signatures from current officers of the respective organizations.

Student Events

Students who would like to plan an event should submit an Event Request Form to their Campus Director for approval at least 30 days prior to the event.  Event Request Forms can be located on MyUSA.

Student Organizations

Student organizations are a vital part of campus life and offer significant opportunities and benefits to their members, the University institution, the professional network, and the community.  A student organization is defined as a student-led group of actively enrolled students with a common interest and purpose.  In order to be recognized, to conduct activities, and to be eligible to access resources within the University community, student organizations must be open to all students and must contribute directly to the advancement of the mission of the University.  They also must serve a purpose not already met by another student organization or department on campus. Student organizations must assume full responsibility for their members and activities they sponsor.  Proposed organizations with a religious, political or athletic focus will not be recognized by the University. 

To be considered for recognition as a student organization, the organization representative must complete the registration process during one of two semi-annual registration cycles.  Upon recognition, organizations must comply with USAHS policies institution and renew registration annually to continue to conduct activities and access resources of the University. The University reserves the right to deny or suspend registration for student organizations that do not adhere to the USAHS values and policies of the institution, or do not continue to contribute directly to the advancement of the University mission.  For detailed guidelines and access to forms and templates, navigate to the Student Services tab on the MyUSA portal.

Student Retention Program: Tutoring

Based on availability, students who have a documented need (course average below 75%) for assistance in a class may request tutoring. This request for a tutor needs to be signed by the student’s instructor who verifies the at-risk need by signing the Tutor Request Form. Students obtain the form and return it signed by the instructor to the Faculty Advisor, Administrative Assistant, or Academic Advisor in charge of the Tutor Program. The availability of tutors is not guaranteed.

The Tutor Program Manager will indicate the name and phone number of a recommended tutor on the bottom of the form and explain that it is the responsibility of the student to contact the tutor directly to arrange a mutually convenient schedule.

If the student is requesting a tutor before there is a grade to verify a course average below 75%, the student may receive tutoring with faculty permission until midterm. At midterm, the tutoring need will be reevaluated.

Off-Campus Housing

USAHS does not provide student housing; all students are responsible for securing their own living arrangements while attending the University. To the best of our knowledge, there are a variety of housing options near all campuses.

Students can learn more from the University’s Facebook group for San Marcos students at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/USAHSRoommatesSanMarcos/. In this group, students can connect with other incoming students and look for potential roommates, as well as see a list of apartment complexes near campus that have current vacancies. If students have questions about housing in San Marcos, they may contact David Schoenherr at dschoenherr@usa.edu or 760-591-3012.  Monthly rental rates typically range from $500 a month for an individual, to $1200 a month and more for apartment rentals.  Please note this information is subject to change.  

Austin students can learn more at: https://m.facebook.com/groups/165577046918459. In this group, students can connect with other incoming students and look for potential roommates, as well as see a list of apartment complexes near campus that have current vacancies. If students have questions about housing in Austin, they may contact Kailynn Cannata at kcannata@usa.edu or 737-202-3317. 

Dallas students can learn more at https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgroups%2F379876252636313%2F. In this group, students can connect with other incoming students and look for potential roommates, as well as see a list of apartment complexes near campus that have current vacancies. If students have questions about housing in Dallas, they may contact Esther Garcia at egarcia2@usa.edu or 469-498-5705.

St. Augustine students can learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/USAHSRoommatesStAugustine/members/. In this group, students can connect with other incoming students and look for potential roommates, as well as see a list of apartment complexes near campus that have current vacancies. If students have questions about housing in St. Augustine, they may contact Dr. Cynthia Edwards at cedwards1@usa.edu or 904-770-3677.

Miami students can learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/USAHSRoommatesMiami/. In this group, students can connect with other incoming students and look for potential roommates, as well as see a list of apartment complexes near campus that have current vacancies. If students have questions about housing in Miami, they may contact Juliet Henry-Pitter at jhenrypitter@usa.edu or 786-725-4035.