Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 SPRING Student Handbook NOT CURRENT 
    
2017-2018 SPRING Student Handbook NOT CURRENT [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Post-Professional Programs Policies and Procedures



Contact Information

A student should contact the University when he or she requires guidance or assistance with the online education degree programs, but only after consulting this Handbook.

Each individual online degree program will email timely notices and information. Official letters will be sent to students after any review of academic progress or other actions critical to the progression in the academic program. Students will be able to access course grades and final grades online. Each student is issued a user name and password to access grade information on the myUSA portal, My Info tab. Post-professional students are encouraged to review the Post-Professional tab on myUSA

Correspondence

All correspondence should be emailed to the Academic Program Coordinator or Program Director listed below.

Telephone—Please have the Student Handbook available when you make calls:
Main Number: 904-826-0084 or 800-241-1027

  • Ask for the Academic Program Coordinator.
  • If the assistant is unable to answer your question, you may be directed to contact the Program Director.

Master of Health Science

Jordan Utley, PhD, LAT, ATC
MHS Program Director
jutley@usa.edu 214-250-0349
Gloria Doherty, Sr. Academic Program Coordinator
gdoherty@usa.edu 904-770-3583
 
Sherrie Jensen, Academic Advisor
sjensen@usa.edu  904-770-3654

Doctor of Health Science and Doctor of Education

Cindy Mathena, PhD, OTR/L
Interim Program Director
Dean of Post-Professional Studies
cmathena@usa.edu
Gloria Doherty, Sr. Academic Program Coordinator
gdoherty@usa.edu 904-770-3583
 
Frank Bennett, Academic Advisor
fbennett@usa.edu  904-770-3525

Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy

 
Frank Bennett, Academic Advisor
fbennett@usa.edu  904-770-3525

Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Karen Snyder, PhD, OTR/L
OTD Program Director
ksnyder@usa.edu ext. 1343
 
 
Frank Bennett, Academic Advisor
fbennett@usa.edu  904-770-3525

Master of Science in Nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice

Robin Dennison, DNP, APRN, CCNS, CNE, NEA-BC
MSN, DNP Program Director
rdennison@usa.edu ext. 1310

 
 
Sherrie Jensen, Academic Advisor
sjensen@usa.edu  904-770-3654

Master of Health Administration

Kathy H. Wood, PhD, FHFMA, CAHME Fellow
MHA Program Director
kwood@usa.edu  ext. 1289
Christina Brownworth, Office Assistant
cbrownworth@usa.edu   904-770-3597
 
Sherrie Jensen, Academic Advisor
sjensen@usa.edu  904-770-3654

All Programs

Cindy Mathena, Dean of Post-Professional Studies cmathena@usa.edu
Technical support techhelp@usa.edu

Being Prepared

A student’s success in this program is based on his or her ability to use technology. If at any time a student finds him- or herself lost or with questions, he or she can try one of the following options:

  • Check the myUSA portal Blackboard tab for problem-solving advice.
  • Contact the program Program Coordinator.

Computer Equipment

Online students will be required to have access to or have their own computers. Check the myUSA portal, Tech Support tab, under IT Document Library for the most updated software requirements.

Course Availability (for Distance Learning and Electives)

It is the student’s responsibility to work with an Academic Advisor to verify the availability of a course and to make scheduling adjustments if he or she finds he or she must take the course during a particular trimester so his or her progress through the degree program will not be delayed.

Course Schedules

If a student moves through his or her coursework with a cohort group, he or she will have weekly assignments due along with his or her fellow classmates. It is the student’s responsibility to check the syllabus for due dates.

If an online course is self-paced, a student may complete assignments as he or she is ready. However, the student will be provided with a time frame or due date for completion of the course. It is the student’s responsibility to check the syllabus for complete information on schedules, assignments, and due dates.

Degree Completion

Once all coursework and assignments have been completed, the Program Coordinator will provide the student with a link to the graduation application. The application must be completed by the established date for the term.

The Program Director, in conjunction with the Registrar, will perform a degree audit to verify completion of the minimum number of credits and the overall GPA as follows:

  • MHA - 3.0
  • MHS – 3.0
  • MSN – 3.0
  • tDPT – 3.0 (or 2.50 for students admitted into the program prior to January 1, 2018)
  • DHSc – 3.0
  • EdD – 3.0
  • PPOTD– 3.0
  • DNP – 3.0

The Bursar’s Office will assure that all fiscal obligations to the University or its subsidiaries have been met in full.

Commencement ceremonies are held three times per year—April, August, and December. See the Academic Calendar   in this Handbook or the myUSA Student Services tab for dates. 

For more information, refer to Academic Policies and Procedures   completion in this Handbook.

Good Academic Standing, Academic Progression, Retention, Warning, and Probation

The role of the Post Professional Progression Committee (PPPC), in conjunction with the Registrar’s Office, is to monitor each student’s academic progress throughout the curriculum. At the end of each trimester, grades are submitted to the Registrar. The Registrar will notify students who are placed on probation or are dismissed from the respective academic program of their status.

To remain enrolled in the MHA, MHS, PPOTD, tDPT, DHSc, EdD, MSN, or DNP programs, the student must maintain

  • active status or approved leave of absence status, and
  • good academic standing.

Active Status

A student is in active status if the student

  • re gisters and begins a course within 12 weeks after official acceptance into the program; and
  • completes a course within 6 months of acceptance into the program; and
  • maintains ti mely and effective communication with the program representatives.

Leave of Absence

See Leave of Absence Policy under Campus Policies and Procedures   

Inactive Status

A student will be placed on inactive status when failing to complete the minimum number of program credits within a 12-month period based on the date of admission to the program. The student will receive a letter from the Registrar notifying him or her of this status change.

When the student completes the nimimum number of program credits within 1 calendar year, he or she will be placed back on active status. (Note: seminars alone do not count toward academic credit and meeting this requirement.)

If the student does not complete at least the minimum number of program credits within 1 year of being placed on inactive status, he or she will be referred to the Progression Committee for possible dismissal from the program. A student may be placed on inactive status only once during enrollment in DE programs. The student will be dismissed from the program if he or she fails to meet the yearly requirements for coursework progression a second time.

Good Academic Standing

To remain in good academic standing a student must

  •  ma  intain 3.0 GPA (see Probation information below):
  • not earn a  grade below a C (see Dismissal section); and 
  • comply with the University Academic Integrity Policy, which stipulates that all academic work represents the individual work of the stated author. Input and assistance from others must always be appropriate and fully acknowledged.

Probation

A student who makes a grade of C in any course will be placed on academic probation and must undergo remediation and repeat the course for credit. A remediation plan must be developed by the student and will be monitored by the Program Director.

  • When retaking the course, the student must receive a grade of C or above in order to progress academically.
  • If the student receives a grade below a C on retake, the student will be dismissed.
  • When the grade of C or above is achieved on retake, the student will be taken off academic probation if his or her GPA is above his or her program level.

If the GPA of a student falls below the acceptable program level, the student will be placed on academic probation by the Program Director.

Following being placed on probation, the student will be required to submit an academic study plan to the Program Director to explain how he or she plans to elevate the GPA to the program’s acceptable level. The Advanced Studies Progression Committee will review all study plans. The student will be expected to elevate his or her GPA to the acceptable program level or above within 1 calendar year. If a student fails to elevate his or her GPA, the student’s record will be referred to the Post Professional Progression Committee for review and possible dismissal from the program.

A student will not be permitted to progress to the final stage of the program while on probation. Remedial coursework may be necessary to increase the GPA prior to starting the final project.

Withdrawal of Acceptance into the Program

If a student does not register for one course within 12 weeks after official acceptance into the program, the Program Director will notify the Registrar to send the student a notice of withdrawal of program acceptance. Typically students will be auto-registered for IPE 7000 Introduction to Interprofessional Scholarly Studies, a required course for all post-professional students.

Dismissal

Based on recommendations of the Post Professional Progression Committee, the student may be dismissed from an Post Professional Program when a student

  • fails to maintain active status;
  • does not return to active status after an approved leave of absence period;
  • receives a grade of F in any course;
  • receives a grade below a C when retaking any course;
  • while on probation, a student does not improve academic performance to program-level GPA within the prescribed calendar year;
  • does not complete the minimum program credit hours within 1 year after being placed on inactive status;
  • has more than one “W” in any course or three withdrawals total during the program;
  • fails to comply with the University Academic Integrity Policy; or
  • fails to complete the program requirements within the prescribed timeframe. Failure to complete the program within the prescribed enrollment period may result in dismissal by the Progression Committee. An extension of the program enrollment timeline for extenuating circumstances may be requested in writing to the Program Director who will present the request to the Advanced Studies Progression Committee for review. If the Progression Committee approves the extension, the student will pay the prescribed trimester extension fee by the due date upon being billed by the accounting department. If the extension fee is delinquent by 2 weeks, the student may be dismissed.

Upon dismissal, the student will receive a letter from the University’s Registrar via USA email.

Right of Appeal

Any student who has been dismissed from the program may formally appeal this decision in writing to the 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 the Program Director; however, this request must be made within the above stated deadline.

The appeal letter should address the following:

  • The rationale behind the appeal and why the student believes the appeal is warranted.
  • Future circumstances that will permit the student to rectify previous poor academic performance or deficient course activity.

The Program Director will notify the Academic Appeals Committee of the appeal within 2 working days. The Academic Appeals Committee will convene at the earliest convenient time.

The AAC will provide a recommendation to the Program Director within 2 business days following their meeting.

The Program Director will inform the student, the AAC, the Progression Committee, and the Registrar in writing of his or her decision regarding the appeal at the earliest convenient time for all parties involved.

Should a student not agree to the decision of the AAC, the student has the right of an appeal to the President or his or her appointed designee. The appeal must be submitted, in writing, within 5 business days to the President. Upon request, the President or his or her designee will review pertinent records, at his or her discretion, 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 his or her designee will follow the process as established in this Handbook and ensure that the process was followed.

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

The Right of Petition

A student may petition the University for an exception, exemption, waiver, or special consideration of any policy. All petitions must be submitted in writing, preferably limited to one page, and accompanied by supporting documentation. Petitions should be addressed to the Program Director who, in consultation with appropriate administration and faculty, will decide the outcome. Petitions are accepted for purposes such as

  • reconsideration of a rejected applicant for admission to the University,
  • extending the course of study to complete the program,
  • transfer of credit when the initial transfer request was denied,
  • permission to continue in the program after being counseled out, or
  • appealing a grade or dismissal from the program.

The Program Director’s decision may be appealed to an arbitration committee, whose decision is final. Each petition is a case unto itself and does not create a precedent for any cases to follow.

Orientation

Prior to beginning online courses, each student will receive a username, password, and directions for logging into the course platform. Students should sign into the myUSA portal Post Professional tab and view a short tutorial on navigating the Blackboard learning portal. This will provide the student with some general information about online learning and assist in navigating the platform software used to complete online courses. Information about the Student Readiness Orientation and preparatory materials will be sent to the student by the Academic Advisor.

Registering for Coursework Online 

To register, a student must sign into his or her myUSA portal account, click on the Student Services tab, then Registrar and select the Post Professional Registration link located on the left menu column.

If a student is registering for a seminar or certification please call the Continuing Education Office at 1-800-241-1027, ext. 1266.

Registering for Seminars

When registering for Continuing Education seminars students may pay by check, money order, or credit card.

Reinstatement

Students that voluntarily withdraw from the program in good standing may be reinstated into the program. These students will be permitted to bypass the normal application process and submit a one-page re-admittance application if it has been no more than 1 year since withdrawal from the program. Any student seeking reacceptance after the 1-year period must follow the normal application process.

Time Limit

MHA

It is required that MHA students complete all program requirements within 6 trimesters or 2 years. An extension of up to 1 year may be requested. If the Program Director approves the extension, there is an extension fee of $333.00 per trimester.

MHS

It is required that MHS students complete all program requirements within 6 trimesters or 2 years An extension of up to 1 year may be requested. If the Program Director approves the extension, there is an extension fee of $333.00 per trimester.

MSN

It is required that MSN students in Nurse Educator, Nurse Executive, or Nurse Informaticist role specialties complete all program requirements within 2 years (6 terms). It is required that MSN students in Family Nurse Practioner role speciality complete all program requirements within 2 years and 8 months (8 terms). An extension of up to 1 year may be requested. If the Program Director approves the extension, there is an extension fee of $333.00 per trimester.

DNP

It is required that BSN-entry DNP students complete all program requirements within 3 years, 4 months (10 terms). It is required that MSN-entry DNP students complete all program requirements within 2 years, 4 months (7 terms).  An extension of up to 2 years may be requested. If the Program Director approves the extension, there is an extension fee of $333.00 per trimester.

PPOTD

It is required that PPOTD students complete all program requirements within 5 years. An extension of up to 2 ½ years may be requested. If the Program Director approves the extension, there is an extension fee of $333.00 per trimester.

tDPT

Students are expected to complete the transitional DPT program in 4 years. An extension of up to 2 years may be requested. If the Program Director approves the extension, there is an extension fee of $333.00 per trimester. The maximum time to complete the degree is 6 years.

DHSc

It is required that students complete all degree requirements within 5 years. An extension of up to 2 ½ years may be requested. If approved by the Program Director, there is an extension fee of $333.00 per trimester.

EdD

It is required that students complete all degree requirements within 5 years. An extension of up to 2 ½ years may be requested. If approved by the Program Director, there is an extension fee of $333.00 per trimester.