School of Graduate Nursing: Academic Rules, Regulations, and Information

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Statement These rules and regulations apply to all School of Nursing programs, with the exception of the Ph.D. program. The Ph.D. Nursing degree is a program under the auspices of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). Ph.D. students should abide by GSAS policy and the policies set forth in the Ph.D. program section.

Grade Scale

Grades A minimum grade of B- is required in all courses offered for any graduate degree. If a student receives below a B- grade in any School of Nursing course, the course must be repeated. If the grade for the repeated course is below a B- the student will be automatically dropped from the program. A grade of below B- in any other course requires repeating the course and earning a satisfactory grade or earning a minimum grade of B- in an alternate course. Students who receive more than one grade below B- are automatically dropped from the program. Any F grade results in the student being dropped from the program. Students in the School of Graduate Nursing are not permitted to take courses on a CR/NC basis.

Incomplete Grades A grade of incomplete is a non-grade designation given for a course. A grade of IN becomes an F 200 days after the end of the examination period unless a form requesting an extension of time has been signed by the course instructor and approved by the Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services. Instructors are not authorized to extend the time for completion of course work without the Dean’s approval. Forms for securing extensions are available from the School of Nursing website. Prior to the end of the course, students must initiate the request for an IN and secure the instructor’s approval.

Students with two or more outstanding incomplete designations (in the same semester or cumulatively) may not enroll in courses in subsequent terms. An IN grade remaining at the time of graduation is converted to an F.

Grade Changes No grade may be changed after it has been submitted to the University Registrar without the approval of the School of Nursing. The School of Nursing is not authorized by the faculty to change a grade submitted to the University Registrar except when an instructor certifies that, because of errors in calculation or transcription, an incorrect grade has been submitted. Extra work to raise a grade, once submitted, is not permitted.

Transfer of Credit Students may receive a maximum of four graduate-level courses (up to 12 credits) completed at other institutions for transfer credit. In order to be considered for transfer, the courses must have been completed with a minimum grade of B.

Credit for transfer courses is determined following an evaluation of each student’s course work and overall plan of study. The School of Nursing grants transfer credit based on an analysis of the content, level, and comparability of the courses taken, the applicability of the courses to the student’s intended major and degree program, the quality of the student’s performance in the courses, and the accreditation of the institution at which the work was completed. Evaluation of credits for transfer does not occur until after the student is admitted to the program. Information on the procedure for transfer of credit is available from the School of Nursing Registrar’s webpage.

Any currently practicing advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has taken advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment (the “3 Ps”), and has those courses documented on an approved academic transcript, will not be required to retake those courses as part of the program of study for a Post-Master’s Certificate. In addition, practicing APRNs will not be required to take Role I: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Role Acquisition or Role II: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Role Transition.

Application for Degrees: Students apply for graduation via the Student Information System (SIS) by the end of the semester prior to the semester they intend to graduate. Failure to apply for graduation at this time may place the student at risk for not being able to graduate at the expected time. A student who has been listed as a degree candidate and then fails to complete degree requirements must reapply.

Acceptance of Degrees Formal commencement exercises are held only once a year in May. All those who have completed a graduate program in August or December are invited to attend the exercises the following May.

Voluntary Withdrawal An official application to withdraw must be approved by the Dean of the School of Nursing or the Dean’s designate. Withdrawal applications may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Student Services. The application must then be endorsed by the Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services. Student identification cards are collected at the time of withdrawal.

A student is not permitted to withdraw later than two weeks before the beginning of the examination period in any semester except for providential reasons.

A student who withdraws from the University for reasons of mental health must obtain permission from CAPS and the Department of Student Health. Subsequent medical clearance from the Department of Student Health/CAPS and the Office of the Dean of Students is required for readmission.

Leaves of Absence The Associate Dean for Academic Programs may grant leaves of absence to students for either a semester or a session upon written application stating the reason for temporarily leaving the University.

Readmission After Voluntary Withdrawal or Leave of Absence Readmission to the School of Nursing master’s program is not automatic. After an absence of a semester or longer, a former student must apply for readmission to the School of Nursing Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Services by December 1 for the spring semester or by April 1 for the fall semester. Readmission following a withdrawal or leave of absence is granted only if space is available.

Visiting Student Status Under special circumstances, a student with a baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing may complete a maximum of two graduate nursing courses without formally seeking admission to the degree program. Special student status is granted only when there are vacancies available in the courses requested. An application for visiting student status, obtained from the Office of Admissions and Student Services, must be submitted by the deadline on the form. Admitted degree students receive enrollment priority. Completion of coursework as a visiting student does not guarantee admission to the program.

Clinical Agencies: Responsibility, Compliance and Affiliation Agreement Policy Formal affiliation agreements are executed with all agencies prior to placement of students in clinical sites to provide direct care to patients. Agreements must be fully executed and include the signatures of the authorized representative of the facility, the Dean of the School of Nursing, and the Assistant Vice President for Finance and University Comptroller. Faculty members are responsible for adherence to these agreements. Students will be placed in clinical sites only when enrolled in a credit-bearing course for which he or she paid tuition and in which participation in the clinical experience is a course requirement. This applies to all clinical experiences that require the student to have patient contact.

The faculty member placing students and the students assigned to agencies are responsible for knowing and adhering to the terms of the affiliation agreement, including its conditions and responsibilities.

The School does not provide legal advice to the student regarding whether to submit to the conditions set by the facility. The School does not pay any student costs related to the clinical experience. If the student declines or fails to participate in or complete the clinical experience and the experience is a requirement for the course, the student will not successfully complete the course and may not graduate. The student is solely responsible for the consequences of his or her decision regarding whether to submit to the conditions or requirements established by the facility.

Clinical Agency Requirements Students must meet the required competencies of the clinical agency to which they are assigned as outlined in the clinical agency contract. This may include requirements such as infection control training, criminal background investigation, and mandatory drug screening.

Criminal Background Check All nursing students are required to undergo a regular criminal background check after admission to the program. Some clinical agencies will require such a check to be performed annually and may require additional testing/screening of nursing students. Information can be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Student Services.

Masters Degree Programs

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Leader (RN-entry and non-RN Master’s-entry)
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Health Systems Management
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Practice (Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner)
• Public Health Nursing Leadership
• Public Health Nursing Leadership with combined Family or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner preparation

Joint Degree Program

• MSN/MBA Joint Degree Program

Certificate Programs

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Health Systems Management
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric-Mental Health (Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner)
• Public Health Nursing Leadership
• Wound, Ostomy, Continence (WOC) Nursing

Doctoral Degree Programs

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D)

In addition to tuition, fees, and expenses as outlined in the Tuition, Fees, Housing, and Dining section of this Record, graduate students in nursing should anticipate the following additional expenses:

Field Trips Students are responsible for expenses incurred while on field trips.

Travel to Clinical Facilities Many of the clinical facilities used in the master’s degree and certificate programs or for the doctor of nursing practice program are a distance from the medical center. Transportation costs to and from these facilities must be borne by the student.

Medical Instruments A complete set of diagnostic instruments must be procured by students admitted to the advanced practice nursing program. The cost of these instruments is assumed by the student.

Hospital Insurance The Student Health Service does not provide for the expense of hospital care. The University requires that all students carry hospitalization insurance for year-round coverage. A preferred risk group insurance program sponsored by the University is available; for an additional premium, the dependents of married students are included. Students or parents may substitute a plan comparable to that offered by the University.

CPR Certification Students are required to obtain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for adults, children, and infants prior to entering clinical courses. Certification must be maintained throughout the program, and validation must be presented each year. Students must complete the American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers course.

Immunization Titer Requirements The School of Nursing requires documentation of a positive antibody titer for Hepatitis B, rubella, and varicella for all students who practice in a clinical setting. No student will be permitted to enroll in clinical courses without providing this documentation. Information regarding the vaccine and antibody titers can be obtained from the student’s local health care provider, district health department, or from Student Health.

MMR, TD, and PPD Documentation of current measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization and tetanus booster (TD) is required for all students. Tuberculosis testing (PPD) is required on an annual basis for all students enrolled in clinical courses.