Academic Policies

Graduation and the awarding of a degree from the University is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of both academic and behavioral requirements. All students must demonstrate the emotional maturity, stability and professional attributes desirable for the practice of their profession, must be of good moral character and must have demonstrated integrity and honesty in their personal behavior.

Misconduct such as cheating on examinations, falsifying clinical data, improper patient care in the clinical setting or activities constituting criminal behavior may result in the denial of the Doctor of Optometry degree, Doctor of Audiology degree, Master of Medical science degree, Master of Science or Education degree, or Master of Public Health degree even though the individual has satisfactorily completed the academic program.

The University reserves the right to place on probation, suspend or expel from the institution any student who willfully violates any rule or regulation of the University or the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or other state, federal or local governments, whether or not convicted in criminal court.

A student may be refused the degree of Doctor of Optometry, Doctor of Audiology, Master of Medical Science, Master of Science, Master of Education or Master of Public Health due to impairments derived from neurological disease or degeneration, emotional or psychological disorders, substance abuse or showing inappropriate behavior towards patients.

All such policies and interpretations are to be consistent with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Consult the University Academic Policy and Procedures manual for further information.

Each student is given a copy of the complete Academic Policy at orientation, and additional copies may be found in the Student Affairs Office, Admissions Office and library.

Doctor of Optometry, Doctor of Audiology

All required and elective curricula must be completed with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.

Honors for exceptional work after completion of the academic and clinical program are designated by the awarding of the OD or AuD degree with:

• Highest Honor (cumulative GPA 3.75)
• High Honor (cumulative GPA 3.5)
• Honor (cumulative GPA 3.25)

Matriculants must complete this degree program in no more than five (5) years. Under normal circumstances all didactic course/clinical rotation work must be completed in no more than four calendar years (not including approved leaves of absence) and students must present evidence of continuing to make satisfactory academic progress at all times. The dean must approve any exception to this total length of program.

Physician Assistant Program

For the Master of Medical Science degree (MMS), graduates of the Physician Assistant program must complete all required and elective curriculum with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.

Additionally, Physician Assistant students must maintain the required technical standards of the program for its duration.  (See Physician Assistant handbook on our website for details:  www.salus.edu/pa/pa_handbook_rev0307.pdf).

Honors for exceptional work after completion of the academic and clinical program for the Physician Assistant program are indicated by the award of the MMS degree with:

• Highest Honor (cumulative GPA 3.85)
• High Honor (cumulative GPA 3.75)
• Honor (cumulative GPA 3.65)

Under normal circumstances all didactic course/clinical rotation work must be completed in no more than 25 months (not including approved leaves of absence) and students must present evidence of continuing to make satisfactory academic progress at all times.  A student must complete the entire program in three years.  The vice president/dean of Academic Affairs, in conjunction with the PA Program Director, must approve any exceptions to this total length of program.

Master of Public Health Program

Standards and requirements for honors designations currently are under review for this program.

Under normal circumstances all didactic coursework must be completed in no more than two years.  A student must complete the entire program within five years (not including leaves of absence) and must present evidence of continuing, satisfactory, academic progress at all times.  The Committee on Academic
Promotions and the associate dean of the College of Education and Rehabilitation must approve any exceptions to this policy.

College of Education and Rehabilitation Degree Programs

Honors for exceptional work after the completion of academic and direct service programs are indicated by the following awards:

• Master’s degree with Excellence (cumulative GPA 4.0)
• Master’s degree with Highest Honor (cumulative GPA 3.75)

Under normal circumstances all didactic coursework must be completed in no more than two (2) years.  A student must complete the entire program within five (5) years (not including leaves of absence) and must present evidence of continuing to make satisfactory academic progress at all times.  The Committee on Academic Promotions and the associate dean of the College of Education and Rehabilitation must approve any exceptions to this policy.

In addition, to receive the above designations, students also must have demonstrated superior clinical performance by receiving a grade of Honors in four of seven Professional Practice courses, beginning with the Spring term of the second year.

Student Records

The Registrar is responsible for maintaining all official student academic records.  University policy is based on practices recommended by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

The University’s policy is governed by regulations established by the Department of Human Services, the Department of Education and other government agencies.

Salus University maintains a permanent record file on each student that includes the original application form, undergraduate college records, letter of acceptance, course enrollment/remediation forms, grades, letters of correspondence concerning the student, letters indicating actions of the Committee on Academic Promotions, scholarship information and other items relating to the student’s education at Salus University.

Privacy of Records

It is institutional policy that material in student records is confidential.  The University fully complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, which protects the privacy of students’ education records, establishes the right of students to inspect and review their education records and provides guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informational hearings.

Students also have the right to file complaints with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC  20201, concerning alleged failure by the University to comply with the Act.

Examination of Student Records

A student may examine his or her University student records by making a written request to the Registrar or the Dean of Student Affairs.  The student may obtain a copy of his or her records.  The costs of photocopying or duplication shall be borne by the student.

Students may challenge the accuracy of information in the record and should meet with the appropriate faculty member or administrative official.  Students are requested to review their student handbooks for rite of appeal procedures.

Transfer of Student Information

The student will be notified of any transfer of information within that student’s file to persons or institutions other than those associated with the University.  Such information may be transferred only under the following conditions:  by reason of a subpoena or court order; by a request from a federal or state educational agency specifying its purpose in writing; upon written request of the student.

Letters of evaluation to accompany transcripts will be prepared by a dean in the Office of Academic Affairs upon receipt, in writing, of the names of the persons, institutions, hospitals or licensing boards to which the letters or transcripts are to be sent.

Records shall be kept under the name used for admission to the University unless the student files a change-of-name form with the Office of the Registrar while in attendance.

Release of Academic Information

Official grades may be transmitted from Salus University to another institution only through the registrar.  If a student requests a letter of recommendation, the individual faculty member may state only the grade received in the course and provide a narrative.

Copies of examinations with or without answers may be made available to students at the instructor’s discretion.  Curves, distribution, etc., may be posted if desired; however, any posted scores must contain a statement to the effect that they do not constitute a grade.  Federal and state laws prohibit the posting of scores, grades, etc., that can in any way identify a student.

Transcripts

Only final grades appear on transcripts.  When a course is repeated, both the original and the repeated grades appear on the transcript.  The final transcript grades issued at graduation cannot be modified except for clerical errors.Transcripts can be ordered electronically.

08/18/2011