First Professional Programs Policies and Procedures

Contact Information

Regular meetings will be scheduled with student body representatives, but if you have any questions regarding our Student Handbook, Catalog, or any other activities, please do not hesitate to email, call, or make an appointment to stop by our offices.

Academic Evaluation and Right of Appeal

Students sign an acknowledgement of the appeals procedure as part of the orientation process. An Acknowledgement of Appeals Procedure Form can be found on the myUSA portal Admissions tab.

The responsibility for academic evaluation will rest with the instructor. For minor appeal issues, which are decisions that would not result in probation or dismissal, the student appeals to the faculty member involved in the particular issue. If the student is not satisfied with the faculty member’s resolution of the issue, the student has the right to appeal the issue in writing to the Program Director within 3 business days of the instructor’s decision. The Program Director then has 5 business days to research the issue and render a decision.

If the student is not satisfied with the Program Director’s response, the student can appeal the issue to the President in writing within 5 business days after the Program Director’s response. After hearing the issue, the President or designee has 2 business days to either render a verdict on the issue or redirect the issue at that point to the Academic Appeals Committee (AAC).

Any student who has been dismissed must formally appeal this decision in writing to the Registrar with a copy to the respective Program Director within 2 business days from receipt of the notification. If the student does not meet the stated deadline, the appeal may not be considered. In extenuating circumstances, the student may request an extension from his or her respective Program Director or Program Director designee (i.e., Registrar); however, this request must be made within the above stated deadline.

Appeal letters should address

• the rationale behind the appeal and why he or she believes the appeal is warranted, and
• future circumstances that will permit the student to rectify previous poor academic performance.

The Program Director will forward the student’s appeal to the AAC within2 business days. After discussion between the AAC and the Program Director, a decision is rendered. The Program Director will convey the AAC’s decision to the student.

The AAC will meet six scheduled times per calendar year (see Academic Calendar). These meetings will convene 2 days prior to the first day of classes of each trimester and at midterm of each trimester. Procedures for the meetings are as follows:

Prior to Trimester Meetings

The AAC will convene within 2 days prior to the first day of classes of the next trimester or at the earliest convenience for both the student and the committee members. The student must appear personally before the AAC at its convenience. A written decision will be given to the Program Director within 2 business days of adjourning the meeting with the student.

Academic Progression During the Appeal Process

The First Professional student will be allowed to attend scheduled classes throughout the entire appeal process.

In the best interest of the student and clinical site, a student will not be allowed to progress to a clinical education experience when appealing a University dismissal. If the appeal process reverses the dismissal from the University, the student will be placed on a re-admittance contract and be required to remediate to meet all course requirements before entering a clinical education experience.

Midterm Meetings

The AAC will convene on or about midterm of each trimester or at the earliest convenient time for both the committee and the student. The student must appear personally before the AAC. The AAC will give a written decision to the Program Director within 2 business days of adjourning the meeting with the student.

In the event of extenuating circumstances, if a student is unable to meet at the University’s designated AAC meeting times, the student may request an alternate meeting time. This request must be submitted to the chair of the AAC in writing with detailed rationale supporting the need for an alternate time.

Students geographically distant from the University campus may be allowed to appear before the AAC meeting via phone conference solely at the discretion of the AAC.

Should the student not agree to the decision of the Program Director, the student has the right of an appeal to the President or appointed designee. The appeal must be submitted, in writing, within 5 business days to the President. Upon request, the President or designee will review pertinent records, including a review of the process to ensure that it was correctly followed, and may meet with the AAC and the student. The President or designee will follow the process as established in this Handbook and ensure that the process is followed. If the final decision by the President results in dismissal, the student will no longer be permitted to remain in any course.

Dismissal policies will be implemented as fairly and equitably as possible considering all extenuating circumstances.

Once a final appeal decision on academic dismissal has been rendered, the student does not have access to the appeal process for this same issue again.

Advanced Course Standing by Examination

Based on previous academic coursework earned from another accredited degree granting institution or another program within the University and/or work experiences, a student may be granted advanced standing for a particular course after passing an examination on the contents of the course. The examination may be written or practical or both and there is a cost associated with each exam. A maximum of 25% of the total number of credits for the degree may be granted for advanced standing. The granting of advance standing by examination is independent of the granting of transfer credit.

Approval for advanced course standing is subject to the following provisions:

• Documentation supporting the reason for requesting advance course standing by examination. Supporting documentation may include transcripts showing applicable courses for credit, course descriptions, syllabi, continuing education courses/seminar descriptions and proof of completion, and work experience.
• Passing a challenge examination to verify competency in the particular subject matter. A student has only one attempt per course to pass the challenge exam. If the student fails the exam, the student must take the course in its entirety. The passing grade will be the same as the passing grade stated in the syllabus for the course in which advance standing is being requested.

The process for requesting Advanced Course Standing by Examination is as follows:

• The student obtains a request form for Approval of Advanced Course Standing by Examination found on the myUSA portal Students tab and submits it to the respective Program Director with appropriate documentation.
• Requests for approval of Advanced Course Standing by Examination must be submitted at least 2 months before the start of classes for the trimester.
• In consultation with course instructors, the Program Director will review the request. If approved, the Program Director will notify the Registrar and a test time and date will be set up for each challenge exam. If the Program Director with consultation of the course instructor(s) concludes that the student’s previous coursework and experience are inadequate for passing the challenge exam, they may encourage the student not to seek advanced course standing or to take some type of remediation before taking the challenge exam.
• The Registrar will notify the student if the challenge exam has been passed and will post the course and its credits to the permanent academic record at that time.

Awards

Outstanding OT, PT, and Flex, Student Awards

Each of the First Professional degree programs recognizes an outstanding student of the respective graduating class. This award is based upon the criteria listed below and is given to the graduating student whose characteristics most support either the OT or PT program mission statement. The outstanding OT student award is chosen by a combined vote of his or her fellow classmates and program faculty. The PT student award is chosen by a vote of the program faculty.

Outstanding Student Awards Criteria

Stanley V. Paris and Catherine E. Patla Award

The Paris and Patla Award is presented in recognition of excellence in spinal and extremity manual therapy in professional physical therapy education to a First Professional PT graduate.

Scholastic Achievement Award

The Scholastic Achievement Award—named for the founding Program Director on each campus—is presented to the First Professional PT and OT graduate who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average (GPA). Grades from both foundational science courses and professional courses are included in the cumulative grade point computation.

Recognition for the Fellowship in Manual Physical Therapy

The University’s Fellowship in Manual Physical Therapy is credentialed by the American Physical Therapy Association and recognized by the American Academy of Manual Physical Therapists. This postgraduate program includes a minimum of 1 year of clinical mentoring as well as didactic learning.

Campus Location Change

Students who wish to change to another campus location must submit a Campus Location Change Request Form, available on the myUSA portal Students tab, to their current Program Director by midterm of the trimester prior to the requested change. Such requests will be considered on an individual basis and are contingent on space availability. The student will be notified of the outcome of the location change request via email by the Registrar’s Office. Please note: Program completion dates of students who change campus locations may be extended.

Campus Exchange Program

Students who wish to study at a USAHS campus other than their home campus for one trimester may apply to do so, provided their program is available at another campus and they meet qualifications described below.

At this time Dual students in the DPT program are not able to participate.

A student who wishes to exchange must meet the following criteria:

•  A student must be in good academic standing.
• A student must not have any misconduct issues in his or her record.
• A student must receive his or her Program Director’s approval.
• A DPT student must be willing to exchange in Term 3, 4, 5, or 7 (due to internships, scheduling, graduation, and other factors). Flex DPT students should consult with the Program Manager to discuss options.
• An OT student must be willing to exchange in Term 3, 4, or 5 (due to fieldwork experiences, scheduling, graduation and other factors). Flex OT students do not currently have this opportunity unless they are requesting a transfer to a campus based program.
• A student must be willing to guarantee his or her own travel and lodging arrangements (students may want to consider contacting the other campus’s student association leaders to see which students at the other campus may have room occupancies due to internships or other factors).

A student who believes he or she meets the criteria must follow the following process in order to become an exchange student:

1. Fill out the Campus Exchange Application found on the myUSA portal Students tab.
2. Submit the completed application (and application fee) to the student’s home campus Program Director no later than the end of the fourth week of the trimester preceding the trimester the student wishes to exchange.
3. Await Program Director approval (students should note that just because they meet the criteria, they may not be approved based on classroom seat availability or other factors).

For students who do exchange, the following apply:

• If a student receives a grade while on exchange that requires repeating a course, the student will be expected to repeat the course at his or her home campus in the following trimester.
• A temporary advisor on the host campus will be assigned to the exchanging student during the trimester in which the student is exchanging.
• Academic progression for the student will occur on the host campus on which the student exchanges for the trimester the student is on that campus.
• Professional misconduct issues will be handled on the campus at which the incident took place.
• The appeal process will be handled through the student’s home campus appeals committee.
• Tuition remains at the home campus rate.

Continuing Education

Students will not be excused from campus-based classes or Internship I/Level I Fieldwork to attend Continuing Education classes. Students participating in Level II Fieldwork or Internships II and III may request to participate in continuing education approved by the facility, the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education or Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, and the Program Director.

Counseling

Clinical psychologists under contract to the University can provide a variety of services to include peer counseling, crisis intervention, mental health programs, consultative services, assertiveness training workshops, anxiety management seminars, leadership development seminars, and interpersonal skills building workshops. If a student is in need of their services, he or she may contact their office directly at the address below. If a student is referred for counseling by the Program Director, the first two visits will be covered at the University’s expense. If a student refuses to go for counseling, the issue will be referred to the Professional Misconduct Committee. The costs of any additional visits are the student’s responsibility.

Austin campus

Contact the Student Services Advisor for additional information. Also visit the following websites: www.plumeriacounseling.com, and/or www.blueprintcounseling.com.

Miami campus

Contact the Student Services Advisor or Dr. Eric Chaconas, Campus Coordinator, for information.

Degree Completion

Acceptance into the University and payment of tuition (on a trimester by trimester basis) is not a contract assuring that the student will graduate with the degree for which he or she applied. Graduation will depend on a satisfactory grade point average, professional conduct, issues of safety, and the satisfactory completion of clinical internship/fieldwork and exit exams (where applicable). Students in the First Professional DPT program must also complete their courses in their final trimester in order to participate in the commencement ceremony. * This Handbook and the course syllabi detail what is considered satisfactory.

The following requirements must be met for a student to be eligible for graduation:

• Each student must satisfactorily complete all academic and clinical courses and be in academic good standing.
• All fiscal obligations to the University or its subsidiaries must be paid in full.
• The student must submit an application for graduation 1 trimester prior to the proposed date of graduation.
• The student must attend at least one approved professional conference.

*Should a student be unable to successfully complete part of the final coursework but has successfully met all other degree requirements including the exit examination, the student may be allowed to walk at commencement with the respective cohort class. The candidate will sign an acknowledgement regarding participation in the ceremony. The candidate will be “hooded” during the ceremony, but will not receive a diploma. If the coursework is completed within the first 7 days of the subsequent term, the diploma and transcript notation will reflect the cohort’s conferral date. Should the coursework be completed after the first 7 days of the subsequent term, the diploma will be issued and transcript notation will be dated to reflect the subsequent conferral date upon degree completion.

Dual Degree Option

Dual-degree-option students who elect not to return to the University to pursue the DPT portion of the program immediately after earning the MOT degree must submit a Program Withdrawal Form to the Registrar’s Office by midterm of the last trimester of the MOT program.

Dual-degree-option students who want to complete the DPT portion of the program through the Flex DPT program must submit a Program Change Request Form to the Registrar’s Office by midterm of the last trimester of the MOT program. This form is located on the myUSA portal Students tab.

Duplicating (St. Augustine)

Students may request that the Faculty Office Assistant make copies that will be used for student presentations on or off campus. Last minute copying requests for student presentations may not be granted. To assure the material is available on time, copy requests should be submitted 24 hours ahead of the scheduled presentation.

Employment

Outside employment is strongly discouraged for full-time First Professional students.

Students wishing to be employed in on-campus student employee positions must meet the following requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 USAHS GPA
• In good standing at USAHS
• Second term or more (some exceptions may apply)

Students should refer to www.usa.edu, Employment Opportunities, for more information and application.

Exit Examinations

All students in programs requiring exit exams are required to pass the exit examinations. These exams are designed to test the retention and integration of cognitive and clinical skills. They are given prior to a student’s scheduled graduation.

Expected and Maximum Completion Time Frames

There are three program options with expected completion time frames for First Professional students.

• Full-time DPT/MOT/OTD
  • DPT expected completion is 7 terms.
  • DPT new curriculum 2016-17 expected completion is 8 terms.
  • MOT expected completion is 6 terms.
  • OTD expected completion is 8 terms.
• Flex DPT/MOT
  • DPT expected completion is 12 terms.
  • MOT expected completion is 9 terms.
• Dual Full-time MOT/DPT
  • Expected completion is 10 terms.

When a student’s regular completion time frame changes due to academic or personal reasons, the following maximum time frames for completion apply:

• Full-time DPT maximum completion is 11 terms.
• Full-time DPT new curriculum 2016-17 expected completion is 12 terms.
• Flex DPT maximum completion is 18 terms.
• Full-time MOT maximum completion is 9 terms.
• Flex MOT maximum completion is 14 terms.
• Full-time OTD maximum completion is 13 terms.
• Dual MOT/DPT maximum completion is 15 terms.

Note: Only under extenuating circumstances approved by the Program Director will a student be allowed to transition to part-time status in which the following maximum time frames to complete the graduation requirements apply:

• Part-time DPT maximum completion is 14 terms.
• Part-time MOT maximum completion is 12 terms.
• Part-time OTD maximum completion is 16 terms.

Faculty Advisors

A Faculty Advisor will be appointed for 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 the appropriate Program Director.

Fingerprints and Criminal Record

Students acknowledge that their fingerprint results and criminal arrest/conviction record may limit internship placement availability and that internship placement is a requirement for graduation from USAHS. In addition, graduation from USAHS does not guarantee licensure or employment. A student’s arrest/conviction record may also affect eligibility for licensure as requirements vary from state to state. It is the student’s responsibility for understanding the licensure requirements for the state(s) in which he or she intends to seek licensure.

Enrollment at USAHS is at the student’s own risk and is not a guarantee of graduation, licensure, or employment.

Good Academic Standing, Academic Progression Warning, Academic Progression Probation, Dismissal

Good Academic Standing

Prior to completion of 59 credits for OT and 61 for DPT, it is expected that a student will meet the following minimum criteria:

• Complete at least 75% of all credits attempted each trimester
• At the completion of the first trimester (or 17 credit hours for OT and DPT) have a GPA of 2.0
• At the completion of the second trimester (or 38 credit hours for OT and DPT) have a GPA of 2.3

Failure to meet any of the above criteria will result in the following actions:

• Students will be issued an Academic Warning and will be required to meet with their Faculty Advisors to develop a plan to improve their academic study. If a student fails to meet the satisfactory academic progress criteria for 2 consecutive trimesters, they will be placed on Academic Progress Probation and will be required to meet with the Academic Progression and Retention Committee (APRC).

The University requires that all students enrolled in the professional education programs have a 2.50 GPA after the completion of the third (full-time) trimester, or 59 credits for OT and 61 credits for DPT, in the academic curriculum to continue in the respective program. If a student does not achieve this cumulative GPA he or she is dismissed from the program.

Academic Progression Warning

1. An emailed letter of academic concern will be issued to any student who has a grade at midterm below a C level. The intent of the concern letter is to notify the student of less than satisfactory academic progress and the potential for course failure. A student receiving an academic concern email letter at midterm must first contact—by phone, email, or in person—the instructor(s) for the course(s) within 1 week of receipt of the concern letter. The student and course instructor(s) will discuss the student’s performance, and the student will develop a plan, approved by the instructor, to improve future performance. The student must then inform his or her Faculty Advisor of the plan. If a student does not contact his or her course instructor and advisor, a note will be placed in the student’s academic file noting the failure to comply with this policy.
2. An Academic Warning will be given to any student who is not in academic good standing at the conclusion of any trimester. The intent of the academic warning is to notify the student of less than satisfactory academic progress. A student receiving an academic warning at the end of the trimester must contact his or her Faculty Advisor during the first week of the subsequent trimester and develop a plan, approved by the student’s advisor, to improve future performance.

Academic Progression Probation

• A student who makes a grade below a C in any course will be placed on Academic Progress Probation and must undergo remediation and repeat the course for credit. Such students will be made aware in writing that they are at risk for failure to complete the program.
  • A student who is no longer in good academic standing must meet with the instructor and his or her Faculty Advisor to develop a plan for remediation and monitoring. The plan may allow him or her to take additional coursework with the approval of the Program Director.
  • The student must receive a grade of C or better on the course retake to progress academically.
  • If the student receives a grade of C or better, the student will be taken off academic probation.
  • If the student receives a grade below C when retaking a course, the student will be dismissed.
• Any student who is on probation may not participate in any work-study program unless approved by the Program Director. Students placed on probation are at risk of not graduating from the University and not passing the national board exams.
• Any student who does not successfully complete the coursework necessary to exit probation may be at risk of being denied federal financial aid due to not maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

Dismissal

1. A student will be dismissed from the program if
   • an F is received in any course;
   • two grades of D are received;
   • a student receiving a failing grade during fieldwork/internship is also subject to this policy (See the Clinical Education Handbook); or
   • after the completion of 58 credits, the student has a grade point average below 2.5.
2. The Registrar notifies the APRC and the Program Director of any students who are being recommended for academic dismissal. The student will be notified of his or her dismissal by the Registrar.
3. A student may appeal the dismissal to the Academic Appeals Committee/Program Director (see Academic Evaluation and Right of Appeal). If an appeal is successful, a readmission agreement between the student and the Program Director (or Dean) is made that documents the conditions for continuation at the University. Readmission agreements can only be appealed if there are mitigating circumstances and an appeal can be made only to the University President.
4. When a student is suspended for academic probation or for professional misconduct he or she will turn in his or her student ID badge to the Registrar and remain off campus. Students may visit a campus if they have made an appointment by phone with their Faculty Advisor or Registrar and restrict their activities to that appointment.

Health Records

Each student is required to provide a completed Student Medical Record Form to be kept on file by the Clinical Education Office. Failure to submit the Student Medical Record Form will prevent the student’s participation in practicum, internship, and fieldwork clinical experiences. Detailed instructions regarding required medical records are sent to new students prior to registration. Required medical forms are due to the Clinical Education Office by the date provided each term.

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:

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:

• Austin campus

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

• Miami campus

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

Liability Release and Claim Waiver

Upon acceptance, students are asked to sign a general Waiver of Liability Form on behalf of the University prior to their participation in any athletic or extracurricular event while in residence. A copy of this form is located on the myUSA portal Students tab. These forms are placed in the student’s file for record keeping purposes.

Licensure Exams – Effective Spring 2017

DPT students will not be given permission to sit for a licensure exam that is scheduled prior to all degree requirements being met.

Lockers

On the St. Augustine, San Marcos, and Austin campuses, lockers are not assigned and are therefore on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must supply their own locks and remove these locks at the end of each term. All lockers are subject to search at any time as they are considered University property.

Lockers are located in the following locations:

• San Marcos campus: Hallway by the library and first floor of Building C
• St. Augustine campus: Academic building in the first floor lavatories
• Austin campus: Buildings A and B on the upper level near the amphitheater classroom

Orientation

All new First Professional students are required to attend orientation. Orientation activities include payment of tuition, submission of vehicle registration information required for parking decals, introduction to University departments, and a review of the Student Handbook.

Parking

In addition to parking policies listed in the general section of the Handbook, First Professional students who park on campus must display a current, valid parking decal. Each incoming student will be issued a parking decal at new student orientation. This decal is valid while a student is enrolled at the University. The decal must be used only by the student to whom it was issued. Replacement or additional decals can be purchased in the University Gear Store for $10.00.

Students must provide a copy of their vehicle registration as part of the new student registration and when purchasing a replacement decal.

Students are responsible for updating the University whenever any changes occur to their vehicle type or license tag. This can be done through the myUSA portal Students tab.

Students are required to permanently affix the decal to the back window on the driver’s side of the vehicle; motorcycle decals must be permanently affixed to the front screen. If a valid decal is not displayed, the automobile will be subject to ticketing, booting, or towing, and any subsequent charges will be the student’s responsibility.

Flex St. Augustine Campus

Flex students follow the same parking policy as First Professional students and may use the permanent University student parking lot. (Note: After 5:00 p.m. students may park in the west and south visitor/staff/faculty parking lots).

Flex San Marcos Campus

North County Transit offers a public transportation system called the Sprinter. The closest station to the campus is San Marcos Civic Center Station (#12). It is about three quarters of a mile from this station to the campus. There are currently no public bus options to the campus. For more information about light rail, visit http://www.gonctd.com/sprinter_stations.htm. Students can ride the Sprinter and bike/walk to the campus. There are bike racks available for individuals biking to school. Always secure your bike with an appropriate, applied chain and lock.

Student parking permits will be available at registration each trimester. Students are required to affix this permit to the driver’s side rear of their vehicles, and motorcyclists are required to affix it to the front screen of their motorcycles. If such permit is not displayed, vehicles will be subject to ticketing, booting, or towing, and any subsequent charges are the student’s responsibility.

Students are permitted to park in any of the parking spots on the perimeter of the two buildings excluding designated visitor, handicapped, or car pool spots unless the appropriate parking permit is displayed.

Any students who are parked in unapproved spots in the parking lot will be issued a citation of $50.00 by the University. The parking citation money will go to the Student Physical Therapists Association (SPTA) and Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) organizations. Students are responsible for any parking tickets received from the city for improperly parking on the street.

Flex Austin Campus

Students are permitted to park in any of the parking spots on the perimeter of the three buildings, excluding designated visitor or handicapped spots, unless the appropriate parking permit is displayed. All University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences students are responsible for any parking tickets received for improperly parking on the street.

Program Change

All program change requests will be considered on an individual basis and are contingent upon space availability.

Incoming Students

Incoming (new) students who want to request a change of their admission to another degree program must make a request in writing (email is acceptable) to the Director of Admissions at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the trimester. To be considered, the student must have successfully completed all of the required prerequisites for the program to which he or she is requesting change. The Director of Admissions will notify the student via email of the outcome of the request. Please note: The start and completion dates of students who change degree programs may be extended.

First Term Students

Program Change Request Forms must be submitted to the student’s current Program Director by midterm of the first trimester. Program change requests not received by the midterm deadline will be considered during the subsequent trimester. To be considered, the student must have successfully completed all of the required prerequisites for the program to which he or she is requesting change.

Second Term (and Beyond) Students

Program Change Request Forms must be submitted to the student’s current Program Director by midterm of the current trimester.

Program Change Request Process for Current Students

In order to be considered for a program change, a student must

• be in good academic standing at the time of the request: program change requests will not be considered from students who are currently remediating or retaking coursework, who are under review for appeal or professional misconduct, or who are on academic probation; program change requests from students who are on approved leave of absence will be considered;
• complete the Program Change Request Form located on the myUSA portal Students tab and
• submit the completed form to
  • his or her Program Director,
  • the Program Director of the degree program to which the student is seeking transfer, and
  • the Director of Admissions (The Director of Admissions will approve only if the student has successfully completed all of the required prerequisites for the program to which he or she is requesting transfer);

Once the Program Change Request Form has been considered by all applicable administrators, the student will be notified of the outcome via email by the University Registrar. USAHS scholarships are not transferable from one program to another. Changing programs may extend the degree completion date.

Reenrollment Timelines

A USAHS First Professional program graduate who decides to seek admission to another USAHS First Professional degree program must enroll within 3 years of his or her graduation date or he or she may be required to retake foundational (HSC) coursework and complete additional internship/fieldwork experiences. To be considered for admission to another First Professional degree program, a USAHS graduate must submit to the Admissions Office a completed application for admission; however, transcripts and GRE score reports do not need to be resubmitted with the new application.

Dual-degree students who delay beginning the DPT portion of the program after receiving the MOT degree must reenroll in the DPT program within -3 calendar years or they may be required to complete additional foundational coursework and/or internships in order to complete the second degree. To reenroll, a returning Dual student must notify the University Registrar in writing (email is acceptable) of his or her intent to resume classes at least 6 weeks before the start of the trimester.

Student Honor Council (St. Augustine, Austin)

Purpose of the Honor Council

The Honor Council is composed of elected representatives from the First Professional students who serve to perpetuate our academic community’s dedication to integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards as set forth by the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Student Code of Conduct. This assembly recognizes that each student member of our academic community must display a personal commitment to our impeccable values and honor code in order to maintain an atmosphere of trust and respect. The Honor Council functions by providing leadership to model professional behavior, supporting and actively perpetuating the Honor Council mission, and providing a mechanism for responding to lapses in the Code of Conduct.

Students should refer to myUSA, Students tab, Handouts for more information.

Student Membership in Professional Associations

All University of St. Augustine students must be members of their respective national professional associations (American Physical Therapy Association [APTA], American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA]). Dual students will be members of both professional associations (MOT during first 6 trimesters; DPT during last 4 trimesters). Current students will be asked to show proof of membership as part of the practicum courses. OT students will also need to provide evidence of a 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 association fee include but are not limited to

• authorized University functions,
• commuity awareness programs, and
• miscellaneous preapproved events.

This fee is allocated for campus-based student professional associations. Physical therapy students will be members in SPTA. Occupational therapy students will be members in SOTA. 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 and SOTA 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.

The SPTA and SOTA 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 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 Student Services Advisor in charge of the Tutor Program. 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.