Jefferson College of Health Sciences expects students to exhibit high levels of integrity in all activities. The College reserves the right to deny admission to or remove students from any program if they have a record of misconduct or demonstrate behavior that would jeopardize their professional performance.

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: cheating on an assignment or examination; using materials during a quiz or examination other than those specifically permitted by the instructor; stealing, accepting or studying from stolen quizzes or examination materials; plagiarism; forgery of signatures; falsification of official documents; falsification of data; falsification of clinical records; misrepresentation of academic qualifications; misuse of materials which belong to the College; stealing or copying of computer programs and presenting them as one’s own or misrepresenting completion of clinical hours or assignments. Students who violate these standards of academic integrity may receive a failing grade for the assignment or the course. They will not be granted a grade of “W” in the course and may, depending on the nature of the offense, be suspended or dismissed from a program or the College.

Falsification of official documents or misrepresentation of academic qualifications may result in denial or annulment of admission.

Every faculty member and student is responsible for assuring academic integrity at Jefferson College of Health Sciences. At the beginning of each course, the instructor will discuss the concepts of academic integrity as it relates to the College, his or her expectations, and course design. Faculty will include a statement regarding academic integrity in their course syllabi.

It is the student’s responsibility to know what constitutes academic dishonesty, cheating or plagiarism. If students are unclear they should seek the advice of the instructor. Students should see the Academic Honor Code in the College Student Handbook for further information.

Academic Responsibility

While Jefferson College of Health Sciences makes every effort to advise and counsel students on their academic programs and academic requirements, it is the student who is ultimately responsible for fulfilling all requirements of a degree.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Please refer to Services for Students with Disabilities under Student Support Services in the undergraduate catalog.

Catalog of Entry

In general, a student must fulfill the degree requirements set forth in the Catalog current during the student’s first term enrolled in a graduate program at Jefferson College of Health Sciences. Academic policies amended while a student is enrolled in courses at JCHS may be deemed to apply regardless of the policies stated in the Catalog at time of entry. The College reserves the right to modify degree requirements from those listed at the time of entry due to curricular exigencies. If students are readmitted, they re-enter under the Catalog in effect at the time of readmission.

Change in Program of Study

Changes in the planned program of study for candidacy must be approved by the academic advisor and program director. Forms for program changes are available in the Registrar’s Office.

Computer Use and E-Mail Policy

See Undergraduate section by clicking here.

A full-time graduate academic load is nine credit hours per term.

Dropping and Adding Course

The drop and add period is limited. After the drop/add period has ended, a student must withdraw from any course that will not be completed to receive a grade of “W”. Students who do not withdraw will receive a final grade of “F”.

Grade Reports and Final Grades

Grade reports are issued to students each semester through each student’s IQ Web account. Some courses may issue midterm grade reports through IQ Web. The mid-term grade report if course and program appropriate indicates a student’s progress and serves to identify potential academic problems. Neither midterm nor final grades are mailed to the student.

Independent Study Guidelines

An independent study is an out-of-class, self-directed learning experience undertaken by a student with faculty guidance and supervision. This offers the student opportunity to explore areas of personal interest and may be used as elective credit. An independent study is not intended to replace an existing course in the program of study. The primary responsibility rests with the student for making arrangements for any experience projected to be a part of the independent study, but consultation with a faculty member is required. A student may take no more than three credit hours of independent study toward the completion of a master’s degree. All Independent Studies will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Final approval for independent study rests with the Provost and Dean for Academic Affairs.

Grading

Graduation requirements are based on the quantity and quality of the student’s work. The number of credits is a measure of quantity, with a credit normally representing fifteen hours per semester of course work, thirty hours per semester of lab, and not less than forty-five hours per semester of clinical. The grade is a measure of quality. The College uses the following system for grading graduate courses:

Grading Scale
Grade	Quality Points	Graduate Courses
A	4.000	Satisfactory/ Passing
B	3.000	Satisfactory/ Passing
C	2.000	Unsatisfactory*/ Passing
P	0.000	Satisfactory /Passing
F	0.000	Unsatisfactory/Failing
Special Grading Symbols
I	0.000	Course Work Incomplete
IE	0.000	Incomplete Extended
NJ	0.000	No Judgment
W	0.000	Student Withdrawal

 

*Although a C may be considered satisfactory for a course, students must maintain a 3.00 average in their degree program and present a 3.00 GPA on the courses listed on the graduation application.

Grade Point Average: The grade point average is used to determine eligibility for admission and graduation. It is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of graded credit hours attempted. Graded credit hours include all courses with grades of “A”, “B”, “C”, and “F”. Courses with grades or status of “P”, “W”, and “I” are not figured in the grade point average. A student’s cumulative grade point average at JCHS is based solely on academic work at JCHS and is not affected by course credit earned at another institution.

Pass / Fail: Some graduate classes may be offered on a Pass / Fail. Pass in a graduate course is equivalent to “A” or “B”. A graduate course may not be taken on a Pass / Fail basis unless this grade status is specified in the course description.

Incomplete Status: Only the faculty member may assign a course status of Incomplete “I”. When a faculty member assigns a grade status of “I” in a course for a student, the faculty member must complete the appropriate form in the Registrar’s Office. A status of Incomplete “I” may be assigned if a student is passing the course and has a justifiable reason for not completing the work on time. This status must be changed by midterm of the following semester. Otherwise, the instructor or the Registrar will change the status to an F. No student with a status of “I” may receive a degree. Neither credit hours nor grade points are awarded for a course whose status is “I”.

Incomplete Extended: The time limit for the completion of a grade of Incomplete may be adjusted due to extenuating circumstances. The faculty member and the Registrar must approve the extension of an Incomplete.  

No Judgment: The designation of “NJ” indicates satisfactory progress in project courses taken by students in cases where such courses are not completed during a term and when there is need for a grade to indicate that the student has been actively engaged in scholarship. Students may enroll in such courses according to the policies of their degree program.

Graduation

Graduation requirements: Students may receive a graduate degree only after meeting all of their program requirements. A grade point average of 3.00 or better is required for all graduate coursework. No more than six (6) extra hours (two courses) may be taken for the purpose of increasing the student’s grade point average to the required level. No course with an assigned grade below “C” may apply toward degree requirements.

Minimum number of credits required for a graduate degree: Thirty-six credit hours are required as a minimum for a graduate degree.

Application for graduation: It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of progress toward the degree. Students must file an Application for Graduation form with the Registrar’s Office two semesters before the date of graduation. A program of study, signed by the advisor and program director, must be forwarded to the Registrar.

Commencement Exercises: Ceremonies for all graduates who have completed degree requirements in the previous summer and current fall terms are held in December. Ceremonies for all graduates who have completed degree requirements in the current spring term are held in May of each year.

Master’s Scholarly Project

Some master’s degree programs involve a Master’s project that is a culminating experience, which includes an integrating activity and a comprehensive evaluation of the student’s performance:

1. The integrating activity is intended to help student synthesize knowledge and skills acquired throughout the degree curriculum. The form of this activity will vary according to the particular discipline. Departments and/or graduate program offices shall identify in the graduate catalog the integrating activity provided in each degree.

2. The Master’s Project should demonstrate the ability of the student to select a specific problem or topic, to assemble pertinent data, to do research appropriate to the topic, to organize ideas and data acceptable; to synthesize, analyze and interpret results; and to produce a document in clear and effective English.

3. The student’s performance on the Master’s Scholarly Project may be classified into one of three (3) categories: (1) Pass; (2) No Judgment – the student is provided an opportunity for further study and re-examination by the committee; (3) Fail with no opportunity for re-examination or re-evaluation. The nature of further study and a schedule for re-evaluating the student’s performance will be established by the program faculty.

Readmission

Inactive students who were in good standing and who wish to re-enroll should submit a new application and any additional materials requested, including transcripts from all colleges attended since leaving Jefferson College of Health Sciences.  Readmitted students adhere to the requirements of the Catalog at the time of re-entry.

Reinstatement

Students who have been dismissed for academic or professional reasons from a graduate program at JCHS are not eligible for reinstatement to that program.

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Each program has established standards of satisfactory academic progress. Discipline specific details are found in the appropriate program handbook. Graduate faculty and the Provost and Dean for Academic Affairs Standards administer these standards.

Students’ Rights of Access to Their Educational Record

The College complies with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended, as it relates to student rights, records, release of information and financial aid. Only persons who have a legal right in accordance with the law to access this information will be allowed to review such records. Such records are accessible to authorized College and administrative personnel who may require review and utilization of such records for educational purposes. The student may request, in writing, the opportunity to review the material or to have transcripts sent to other educational institutions in accordance with regulations governing students’ records. 

Time Limit for Degree Requirement

All course work for the Master’s degree must be completed within seven (7) years of matriculation. Exceptions to these time limits may be granted following appeal by the student.

Transfer Credit

Jefferson College of Health Sciences may accept up to six (6) semester hours of equivalent graduate work transferred from other institutions. Only graduate courses with a grade of “B” or better will be considered for transfer credit. Any grade received from another institution will be included in the Jefferson College of Health Sciences grade point average.

Transfer credits are subject to the following conditions:

1.                  Courses must be comparable to Jefferson College of Health Sciences course requirements or be acceptable as appropriate for the student’s program of study. The graduate student must make this request in writing to the faculty advisor.

2.                  Courses must have been completed at a regionally accredited institution within the prior five calendar years.

3.                  Courses must be fully acceptable and applicable to comparable degree programs at the offering institutions; however, transfer credit is not allowed for a course counted within a graduate degree program completed at another institution.

4.                  Courses must be reflected on an official transcript that indicates regular disciplinary prefixes, graduate-level course numbers, and titles. An official transcript of the transfer course and a copy of the course description from the appropriate academic years catalog must be submitted with the student’s written request to the faculty advisor.

5.                  Continuing education, professional development, and in-service courses are not transferable unless the course(s) is (are) fully acceptable and applicable to a comparable degree program at the offering institution.

6.                  Any courses proposed for transfer credit, whether taken before or after admission to Jefferson College of Health Sciences, must have the approval of the program director and registrar.

7.                  The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program does not accept transfer or advanced credit.

Withdrawal From a Course

The withdrawal period is limited. The deadline for course withdrawal is published each term in the term academic calendar. After the deadline for withdrawal, a student who does not intend to complete a course and wishes to receive a grade status of “W” must received special permission from the Provost and Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who simply stops attending class during the term will receive a grade of “F” for the course.

Withdrawal From the College

By the Student: A student who wises to withdraw from the College must notify the office of the Provost and Dean of Academic Affairs and complete the appropriate form. The Drop/Add dates for the term apply. A student who simply stops attending classes will receive a grade of “F” for all courses.

By the College: If a student does not register for a course for three consecutive terms, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the College and considered an inactive student. An inactive student must apply to the Admissions Office for readmission, and may resume studies under the Catalog in effect at the time of readmission. The College reserves the right to require at any time the withdrawal of a student whose conduct or academic work is not considered satisfactory.

Leave of Absence: Graduate students may request a leave of absence for a number of terms not to exceed one calendar year. A request for a leave of absence should be sent in writing to the academic advisor of the program. Students who return on the agreed-upon date re-enter the program with the same status held at the time they left. Students who do no obtain a formal leave of absence, or those who do not return in the agreed upon term, shall be considered withdrawn from the College and will have to reapply to gain readmission.