Student Resources

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

Student Success 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.

Alex Rouse, Manager, Student Advising
Phone: 800-241-1027
Email: advising@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 billing, refunds, and payments. The Bursar can provide information to students regarding the CASHNet Payment Plan and setting up refund preferences in BankMobile. The Bursar’s Office can also provide receipts upon request.

Career Services

USAHS does not guarantee employment, and completion of the degree program is not a guarantee of employment.

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 the Director of Career Services.

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

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

Financial aid information is available by going to Financial Information . Any inquiries or requests for student information should be directed to Department of Financial Aid Services, USAHS, 1 University Boulevard, St. Augustine, FL 32086; email: ContactFinancialAid@usa.edu; phone: (904) 423-2010; or by making an appointment.

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

Alumni Association

USAHS alumni join the University in its mission to provide equitable access to exceptional healthcare practitioners throughout the country. To support the USAHS alumni community, the University provides a comprehensive alumni engagement program designed to provide meaningful opportunities for volunteerism, service, and partnership as well as continuing professional education and personal development. All USAHS alumni are invited to join the USAHS Alumni Association upon completion of a USAHS degree program.

International Student Services

International applicants applying to a full-time 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 and the Office of Student Welfare and Accessibility is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to any student with a qualifying disability. Please see Accessibility & Accommodations  for more information. 

The Office of Student Welfare and Accessibility generally operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST and EST; however, office hours may vary to meet student needs. Information on scheduling an appointment can be found by going to MyUSA, Student Services tab, Accommodations page or by contacting accommodations@usa.edu.

Writing Center

The mission of the Writing Center at USAHS is to provide exceptional service to students across 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. Writing Center personnel seek to develop students into strong writers and editors through continued engagement with the writing process.

The Writing Center offers live and asynchronous, individual or small group appointments as well as style guide workshops. Appointments are made online via the Online Writing Center Schedule. Live online meetings allow for students and writing coaches to communicate directly with one another in real time. Asynchronous (recorded) reviews provide scheduling flexibility; rather than a meeting with a writing coach in real time, a recorded review is prepared and emailed within 24 hours of the appointment.

Detailed information about making appointments, links to drop-in workshops, various tip sheets and writing resources are located on MyUSA, Student Services tab, Writing Center page.

Writing Center Visitation Policies

First-time visitors to the online schedule must create an account using their USAHS email address. Non-degree seeking students without a university-issued email address should notify the director when creating an account with their personal email address.

• Students are limited to any combination of two live or asynchronous sessions per calendar month. This limit supports equitable opportunities for all students to benefit from the service and encourages students’ development as independent scholarly and professional writers.
• Students are not able to reserve same-day appointments on the Writing Center online schedule. Students should email WritingCenter@usa.edu to request a same-day appointment.
• All students are welcome to submit waitlist requests, even beyond the two session per calendar month limit. Please contact the Writing Center to inquire about submitting waitlist requests.
• Reasonable accommodation requests for increased appointment allowances can be submitted to the Office of Student Welfare and Accessibility. See Accessibility & Accommodations  for more information.
• Workshop attendance does not require an appointment, and students may attend as many workshops as they like. The schedule of offerings and links to connect are located on MyUSA, Student Services tab, Writing Center page.

Students must upload the documents for their review before midnight (EST) on the day before their scheduled appointment. Asynchronous feedback is sent to students via email within 24 hours of the day of their reservation.

• If no document is submitted, then the appointment will be marked as missed.
• Students do not need to have a document completed to reserve an appointment. (Planning ahead and reserving appointments early is a good idea.)
• Documents can be uploaded to previously created appointments using the “Edit Appointment” option in the appointment details on the Writing Center online schedule.

Any combination of three missed or same-day-cancelled appointments results in the suspension of a student’s Writing Center account.

• Students should cancel appointments as soon as possible when missing a scheduled appointment becomes inevitable.
• Students must contact the director of the Writing Center to have a suspended account reactivated.
• Students whose Writing Center accounts are suspended more than one time may have their visitation privileges revoked.

Students may email the Writing Center at WritingCenter@usa.edu. Emails are continuously monitored during university operating hours.

Health Services

All students are required to carry health insurance. Proof of health insurance must be provided to the Clinical Services department each trimester.

The University is not licensed to provide healthcare services.

San Marcos Campus

Emergency services are available at the following locations:

St. Augustine Campus

Emergency services are available at the following locations:

Nonemergency services are available at the following location:

Miami Campus

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

Austin Campus

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

Dallas Campus

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

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 844-819-4777 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. 

Behavioral Intervention Team

From time to time, students may experience many stressors ranging from academic difficulty to overwhelming life and personal circumstances to unmanaged physical or mental illness. At times, these stressors impede a student’s ability to function effectively at the University. The responsibility to try to identify, refer, and report (when needed) students who are struggling or who may pose a risk to themselves or the community is one in which we must all share.

The Student Concern Form is available at MyUSA, Student Services, Counseling for any USAHS campus community member who becomes aware of information that suggests concerning or threatening behavior as soon as possible, report that information via the referral form. No person who, in good faith, reports threatening or otherwise troubling behavior per this policy will be subject to retaliation.

For more information on this policy, students may go to MyUSA or email usastudentaffairs@usa.edu.

Library and Information Resources

The USAHS Library is made up of a physical branch at each campus as well as a robust collection of online resources and services. The library offers students and faculty members convenient access to current health sciences information through the library’s collection of online journals, online databases, eBooks, digital videos, anatomy models, medical equipment, print books, and more, supporting and supplementing the University’s curricula. Digital resources are accessible online 24/7. In addition to resources, the library provides a variety of services, including individual search consultations with professional librarians, information literacy education and instruction, checkout services for physical materials, and reference services. 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. Virtually, library staff members comprised of professional librarians and trained support staff are available through email, library chat, virtual office hours, and phone. In all, library staff is available more than 100 hours a week, including nights and weekends. Full details of all library resources and services are available at https://library.usa.edu/.

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. Students must have a faculty advisor for their research project and should submit proposals to the IRB that is located geographically closest to their faculty advisor. The IRB committee meets once each month for convened reviews. Dates are posted on the USAHS website for each campus. Expedited and exempt protocols are reviewed on a rolling basis. For IRB policies, procedures, and forms, go to the MyUSA portal, Academics 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 association membership.

Student Associations

In 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 were 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 are located on MyUSA in the Student Services tab under Forms.

Student Organizations

Student organizations are a vital part of campus life and offer significant opportunities and benefits to their members, the institution, the professional network, and the community. Through participation in student organizations, students have opportunities to develop leadership skills, enhance their understanding of professional perspectives, and have a profound positive impact on their classmates, their profession, and the community. 

A student organization is defined as a registered, student-led group of at least 10 actively enrolled students with a common interest and purpose. Generally, only registered student organizations are recognized by USAHS and eligible to use campus resources. In order to be recognized, to conduct USAHS-sanctioned activities, and to be eligible to access resources within the University community, student organizations must meet the following criteria:

• Be open to all students actively enrolled in the organization’s campus.
• Contribute to the advancement of the health sciences mission of the University.
• Serve a purpose not already met by another student organization or department on campus where the organization is seeking recognition.
• Assume responsibility for their actions and the activities they sponsor.

To be considered for recognition as a student organization, the organization representative must submit a proposal and if approved, complete the registration process. Registration forms are accepted during registration periods and due by October 1 and April 1 each year. Upon recognition, organizations must comply with USAHS institution policies 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 promote and adhere to the mission, values, and policies of the institution, including those student organizations that primarily have a social, religious, political, or athletic focus rather than a health sciences mission.

For detailed guidelines and access to forms and templates, go to the MyUSA portal, Student Services tab.

Student Retention Program: Tutoring

USAHS offers a variety of free tutoring services, including weekly large and small group sessions. Students are encouraged to regularly take advantage of self-directed learning, group tutoring, and faculty office hours.

Students who need the additional help of individualized tutoring may request a free 1:1, peer-to-peer tutor by completing Individual Tutoring Request Form found on MyUSA, Student Services tab, Tutoring link. To help to identify areas of need and ensure individual tutoring sessions are most effective for the student, students must complete the form with their course faculty member before submitting it to their Student Success Advisor.

Students who have a demonstrated need should request a tutor as soon as possible. Peer tutors experience increased demand during midterm and final exam periods and their availability is limited. The University is committed to placing students who have a demonstrated need with a peer tutor; however, the availability of peer tutors for all students or all courses is not guaranteed.

Off-Campus Housing

USAHS does not provide student housing; all students are responsible for securing their own living arrangements while attending the University. There are a variety of housing options near all campuses.^*

Prospective students can access a list of potential housing by campus:

San Marcos
St. Augustine
Miami
Austin
Dallas

Students with a USAHS email address can learn more about housing options from the University’s Housing Portal where they can connect with other current or incoming students to look for potential roommates as well as see a list of apartment complexes near campus that have current vacancies. Additional information about how to use the Housing Portal is available from Student Success Advisors according to campus location.

*Students should also refer to the Cost of Attendance  section for their campus and program. Monthly rental rates in the San Marcos area typically range from $500/month for an individual to $1200/month and more for apartment rentals. Please note this information is subject to change.