Admissions, Records, and Registration
Admission to the University’s Degree Programs
- Candidates offered admission may request a deferral to a future term in instances when the applicant has extenuating circumstances related to a health or family emergency that would prevent their ability to start in the term offered admission. Requests for deferral will be reviewed for consideration with supporting documentation. Deferral is not guaranteed. If approved, deferrals are for one term start only and may not be extended.
- Students previously enrolled who were suspended or placed on administrative LOA due to student conduct violations may apply for reinstatement once all sanctions have been met and provided it’s been less than a year since last enrolled. If the timeline for seeking reentry is beyond a full year, the student may submit a new application which will be considered along with all other traditional applicants. Reinstatement/readmission is not guaranteed.
- Students previously enrolled who were dismissed due to student conduct violations are permanently separated from the University and ineligible for readmission.
- Students previously dismissed for academic reasons may seek readmission through the academic appeal process within five days of receipt of the original dismissal notification. If the student fails to submit an appeal during the appropriate timeline or the appeal is unsuccessful, then the student has no further opportunity for readmission.
Background Checks, Fingerprints, Drug Screens, and Criminal Records (DPT, MOT, OTD, MS-SLP, MSN, DNP, Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates)
- Ideally, results should be received by USAHS prior to matriculation. Admitted students must have their criminal background check and 12-Panel drug screen results received within the first 30 days of enrollment or risk the rescission of admission and/or a hold being placed on their record that will prevent future enrollment and the distribution of federal financial aid, when applicable. The fingerprint report must be received before the end of the first term of enrollment or the student risks removal from the program and a hold being placed on their record that prevents future enrollment.
Application for Admissions MOT, MOT Flex
- Required Prerequisites
- 8 semester credits of anatomy and physiology (lab required)
- 3 semester credits of sociology or anthropology
- 3 semester credits of developmental psychology
- 3 semester credits of abnormal psychology
- 3 semester credits of statistics
- 1 semester credit of medical terminology
- GRE scores are no longer required.
- Two letters of recommendation from occupational therapy professionals or academic contacts willing to endorse the applicant’s skills and abilities.
- Observation hours are recommended but no longer required to apply.
Applications for Admission OTD, OTD Flex
- Required Prerequisites
- 8 semester credits of anatomy and physiology (lab required)
- 3 semester credits of sociology or anthropology
- 3 semester credits of developmental psychology
- 3 semester credits of abnormal psychology
- 3 semester credits of statistics
- 1 semester credit of medical terminology
- GRE scores are no longer required.
- Two letters of recommendation from occupational therapy professionals or academic contacts willing to endorse the applicant’s skills and abilities.
- Observation hours are recommended but no longer required to apply.
- OTD essay. An 800–1000-word, double-spaced essay exhibiting the applicant’s understanding of an issue and its potential impact on occupational therapy practice. One essay topic is selected from the following:
- Working with marginalized populations in healthcare
- Working with other professions as an occupational therapist
- Telehealth and occupational therapy
- The rising cost of healthcare and access to occupational therapy
- Healthcare disparities and access to occupational therapy
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare
- Ethical dilemmas in the rehabilitation fields
- US health trends that will impact occupation in the future
- Addressing the needs of vulnerable populations in occupational therapy
- The use of technologies in the delivery of occupational therapy
Applications for Admission DPT, DPT Flex
- Fall 2022 Prerequisites
- 8 semester credits of general college chemistry (lab component recommended)
- 8 semester credits of general college physics, biomechanics, or anatomical kinesiology (lab component recommended)
- 6 semester credits of human-based, general college biology
- 8 semester credits of anatomy and physiology (lab component recommended)
- 3 semester credits of human growth and development across the lifespan
- 1 semester credit of medical terminology
- 6 semester credits of social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, or anthropology)
- Spring 2023 Prerequisites
- 8 semester credits of general college chemistry (lab component required)
- 8 semester credits of general college physics, biomechanics, or anatomical kinesiology (lab component required)
- 6 semester credits of human-based, general college biology
- 8 semester credits of anatomy and physiology (lab component required)
- 9 semester credits of social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, or anthropology)
- 1 medical terminology course – may be fulfilled with traditional academic credit, continuing education units, certification, or USAHS noncredit experience with evidence of successful completion.
Applications for Admission MS-SLP
- GRE scores are no longer required to apply.
Applications for Admission MHA, MHS, MSN, DNP, EdD, PG Certificates
- Official transcripts from all schools from which the student earned a baccalaureate degree or higher and schools from which required prerequisite courses were completed if applicable. Additional transcripts are required only when transfer credit was utilized to award the degree. An official transcript is one that is sent directly to the Admissions Office by the Registrar of the issuing institution or one forwarded in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution. Formerly, transcripts were required from all schools attended.
Applications for Admission MSN and Applications for Admission DNP
- Prerequisite courses are no longer required.
Additional Requirements for Domestic, International, and/or Foreign-Educated Students
- If the NACES-approved evaluation service includes a copy of the evaluated official transcripts with the evaluation and the transcript is in English or accompanied by an English translation, USAHS will consider these transcripts as official.
International Students Applying for Admission
- MS-SLP and all Post-Professional programs are not approved to admit international students who require an F-1 student visa.
Alternative Prerequisite Credits
- Credit by Exam: In most instances, CLEP credit that aligns with USAHS program prerequisites and that is included on an undergraduate or graduate transcript is sufficient to fulfill the prerequisite requirement. Some programs allow the use of CLEP taken independent of college enrollment to fulfill admission prerequisites; however, others do not due to programmatic accreditation standards that restrict such use (e.g., MS-SLP program). It is strongly recommended that applicants consult with an enrollment advisor prior to scheduling or taking a CLEP examination.
- American Council on Education: Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their USAHS Enrollment Advisor prior to engaging in ACE endorsed educational experiences to ensure acceptability by USAHS in fulfillment of admission prerequisites.
Records
- CA residents are excluded from having holds placed on students’ transcripts because of financial or other obligations to the University.
Address Changes
- Campus-based students must have correct local addresses on file to ensure students are located in a state where USAHS is able to offer their respective program. Students are advised to visit usa.edu to check their program-specific web page prior to relocation to another state to ensure they are aware of any limitations on the University’s ability to operate and/or place students in clinical experiences in that state.
Grade Changes
- Students may appeal the instructor’s decision by following the process for minor academic appeal issues as outlined in the Academic Appeals Process. Formerly, students could appeal to the program director.
Leave of Absence Policy
- This policy is now housed in the Admissions, Records, and Registration section of the catalog. Formerly, it was housed in the Academic Policies section.
Post-Professional Awards
- The Excellence in Dissertation Research Award is granted to a graduating student whose dissertation demonstrates excellence in one of the following areas of scholarship: discovery, integration, or application
University Policies
Reporting a Professional Misconduct Violation
- The Office of Student Welfare and Accessibility reviews PMC referrals and determines the appropriate level of response. If a PMC hearing is deemed appropriate, the referral is routed to the Chair of the Professional Misconduct Committee, copying the appropriate Program Director.
- If the misconduct warrants a hearing, the Office of Student Welfare and Accessibility notifies the student in writing of the allegations against him or her and the date and time of the PMC hearing.
Interim Measures (Professional Misconduct)
- Students may be placed on an interim suspension and/or a registration hold may be placed on the student’s account by the PMC Administrator (or designee) in order to protect the health and safety of students or the community, preserve University property, pursue an investigation and/or hearing, protect academic integrity, or prevent disruption of or interference with the normal operations of the University. In addition, if a PMC hearing cannot be scheduled within two weeks due to the academic calendar, the student may be placed on an administrative LOA.
Status Sanctions (Professional Misconduct)
- Suspension: The student is separated from the University for a specified period. Separation includes physical and electronic removal from the University. During the suspension, students do not have access to Blackboard, and security deactivates the student’s ID badge. The Registrar’s Office withdraws the student from all classes for the specified term(s). Students who are suspended enter inactive status for the specified period and are not eligible for a refund for incomplete courses outside the University’s Refund Policy. Students should check with Financial Aid to determine whether their student loans will enter into repayment during their suspension. Upon satisfaction of the specified period of suspension and any other outstanding sanctions, the student is notified that their suspension has ended and is eligible to return to the University.
- Dismissal: The student is withdrawn from their program and permanently separated from the University. Separation includes physical and electronic removal from the University. The student does not have access to Blackboard, and security deactivates the student’s ID badge. The student is barred from being on campus, and the student’s presence at any University-sponsored activity or event is prohibited. The Registrar’s Office withdraws the student from all classes for the term. Students who are dismissed enter inactive status, are not eligible for a refund for incomplete courses outside the University’s Refund Policy, and should check with Financial Aid to determine when their student loans will enter into repayment.
Student Resources
Career Services
- USAHS does not guarantee employment, and completion of the degree program is not a guarantee of employment.
Health Services
- Access to emergency and nonemergency medical services for students on the Miami campus have been updated to locations within five miles of campus.
Innovation, Learning Excellence, and Academic Resource Network (iLEARN)
- iLEARN is a hub for USAHS students to connect to university-sponsored live and recorded training events to enhance academic, personal, and professional development. The mission of iLEARN is to enhance student success through learning opportunities that strengthen scholarly skills, digital literacy, and leadership development. More information, including the iLEARN calendar of events and event registration, is available at https://ilearn.usa.edu/.
Academic Policies
Examination and Proctoring for Flex and MS-SLP Programs
- The timing of exams within the course content are identified in the course syllabus; however, at the course instructor’s discretion, exam details such as specific dates and exam time windows may be determined within the class based on the majority of students’ availability.
- Books, other study materials, book bags, and purses must be placed at the perimeter of the examination room or left outside of the examination room except in the case of an open-book exam designated by the faculty. In the online environment, the room will be visually scanned via each student’s webcam and no materials will be allowed in the testing room unless previously designated by the faculty and noted on the proctoring form.
- Course instructors may decide to administer exams during lab weekends or other on-campus time at their discretion and with advanced notice.
MS-SLP Additional Grading Criteria
- Clinical Practicum courses require a minimum of 80% competency in coursework and in clinical experiences to pass a clinical course.
- Additional criteria of meeting the competencies and necessary actions when competencies are not met. MS-SLP students, faculty, and staff should ensure they understand and are in compliance with the revised policy.
Continuous Enrollment Policy
- Administrative Program Withdrawal: Students on an administrative program withdrawal retain access to their USAHS email account.
Financial Information
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
- Tuition and Cost of Attendance for the Fall 2022 term is now available.
Refund Policy (MS-SLP, MOT, OTD, DPT)
- When notification of withdrawal from the University is submitted, the University retains $100 as a matriculation fee.
Financial Assistance Programs
- While USAHS does not offer Title IV financial aid for any term in which an accelerated learning course is taken without a full term “anchor” course, other financing alternatives may be available.
- Loan rates are updated: The current interest rate is 6.54% fixed with a 1.057% loan fee. Loans originated on or after October 1, 2022, and before October 1, 2023, will have a 1.057% disbursement fee.
USAHS Scholarship Programs
- Graduate Certificates: Students are eligible for a 15% discount on the total cost of tuition.
- Master of Health Administration (MHA) and Master of Health Science (MHS): Qualified applicants who enroll for Fall 2022 are eligible for a $1,000 early application incentive offer. MHA students are eligible for an additional 10% discount on the total cost of tuition.
College of Health Sciences
Graduate Certificates
- The College of Health Sciences now offers the following Graduate Certificates (each requires 12 credit hours):
- Business Intelligence
- Executive Leadership
- Interprofessional Education (IPE)
EdD Specializations
- Twelve credit hours are required for any specialization in the EdD program; a total of 22 elective/specialization credit hours are required total to complete the program.
Post Graduate Nursing Certificates
- The School of Nursing in the College of Health Sciences now offers a Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care at two entry points: practicing APRNs as well as non-nurse practitioners and MSN/DNPs without an APRN. Required credit hours are determined by entry point.
- The Post Graduate Nurse Informaticist Certificate program is discontinued.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- The Nurse Informaticist role specialty is discontinued.
- DNP, FNP students located in Arkansas must take 72 credits (rather than 71) to complete the program. Students in Arkansas may take NUR 7455 Special Topics to fulfill the requirement (see curriculum ).
Financial Information
- The Accepted Methods of Payment is updated to include acceptance of E-Check and additional fees for credit cards.
Effective January 9, 2023
Campuses and Clinical Sites
- Dallas Campus Parking Information is updated to reflect new campus.
Effective February 7, 2023
Academic Engagement
Academic Engagement and Related Activities now specifies the types of activities that are considered participation for the purposes of academic engagement.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Financial Aid Eligibility
The requirements and details for financial aid eligibility are now separated from the requirements and process of maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Additional language and definitions around how eligibility is determined, SAP sanctions, and how to appeal are now included.
Effective April 17, 2023
Transcripts
The cost of transcripts increases on May 8, 2023.
Right to Cancel for Missouri Residents
Missouri residents have until midnight on the third business day after all parties have signed the enrollment agreement to cancel.
Effective April 28, 2023
Accreditations and Approvals
Update to the required CAA accreditation statement for the MS-SLP program.
Effective May 8, 2023 (Summer Update)
International Students Applying for Admission
The entry-level, residential OT and PT programs in Dallas, TX are now authorized by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to admit international students who require an F-1 student visa.
PA Curriculum
The proposed course Radiology SCPE is now PAC 6789 - Elective 2 SCPE . Note: The planned start date for the first cohort of the PA program is Spring 2024 term.
Attendance and Academic Engagement
Policy revisions clarify attendance and academic engagement.
Effective May 24, 2023
Accreditations and Approvals
The DPT program on the Dallas campus is now accredited by CAPTE.
Effective July 13, 2023
Updated 2023-2024 Academic Calendar
