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General Academic Policies

Absence Authorization for University Sponsored Events
Students representing an official University or College organization, group or athletic team who plan to attend an event, which necessitates absence from a required experience, must obtain approval from the appropriate faculty. The student must obtain an absence authorization form from the College Office of Student Affairs and have it signed by the relevant faculty member at least one week prior to the anticipated absence. The completed form must be returned immediately to the College Office of Student Affairs. Whenever feasible, faculty will attempt to facilitate the student's participation in the event and will arrange make-up of the missed experiences.

Academic Advising

Students are encouraged to seek assistance from faculty and advisors as soon as academic problems occur. For course related problems students should contact the faculty member. All faculty members are required to maintain office hours for academic counseling. All students should feel free to seek out faculty members and advisors for support or career counseling. For most effective service students are encouraged to make appointments with faculty and staff.

Undergraduate Students

The Office of Student Affairs is responsible for general advising and program planning for baccalaureate students. The Baccalaureate Academic Advisor provides service for the traditional baccalaureate students. The RN/BSN Academic Advisor provides service RN/BSN students.

Graduate Students
Each matriculated graduate student is assigned an academic advisor. Students are encouraged to seek assistant as soon as academic problems occur. A change in advisors may be requested from the appropriate Department Head, the Director of the Doctoral Component of the Graduate Program or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Department Heads, the Director of the Doctoral Component of the Graduate Program or advisors are notified of each student's progress at the end of each quarter by the Office of Student Affairs by way of duplicate grade reports. Students who are in academic difficulty will have their records referred by the Office of Student Affairs to the Admission and Progression Committee for review and recommendation.

Academic Integrity

The College of Nursing abides by the University Rules as set forth and adheres to the Charter of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The Student Code of Conduct and related procedures are in the University Rules and are available from a variety of campus resources, including the Office of the Ombudsman and the University Office of Student Affairs. Students are expected to know and follow the rules and regulations as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and policies of the College.

Professional Code of Conduct
When engaged in nursing functions, the student must do so within legally prescribed bounds and is accountable for his/her actions. The student has the obligation to adhere to the standards of ethical practice and conduct, which are stated in the American Nurses Association's "Code for Nurses":

ANA Code for Nurses

1. The nurse provides services with respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of the client, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems.
2. The nurse safeguards the client's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature.
3. The nurse acts to safeguard the client and the public when health care and safety are affected by the incompetent, unethical, or illegal practice of any person.
4. The nurse assumes responsibility and accountability for individual nursing judgments and actions.
5. The nurse maintains competence in nursing.
6. The nurse exercises informed judgment and uses individual competence and qualifications as criteria in seeking consultation, accepting responsibilities, and delegating nursing activities to others.
7. The nurse participates in activities that contribute to the ongoing development of the profession's body of knowledge.
8. The nurse participates in the profession's efforts to implement and improve standards of nursing.
9. The nurse participates in the profession's efforts to establish and maintain conditions of employment conducive to high quality nursing care.
10. The nurse participates in the profession's effort to protect the public from misinformation and misrepresentation and to maintain the integrity of nursing.
11. The nurse collaborates with members of the health professions and other citizens in promoting community and national efforts to meet the health needs of the public.

Advanced Standing (Transfer) Credits

Transfer credit may be awarded for courses that parallel those required in the College of Nursing program. A minimum grade of "C" or better is required for courses earned in a regionally accredited program. In order to receive transfer credits, an Advanced Standing Form must be submitted by the College to the appropriate university office. A copy of the form that is submitted is retained in the student's academic record.

Undergraduate students - the Academic Advisor for Undergraduate Students completes the form and submits it to the University Registrar.

Graduate students - The student's faculty advisor completes the form and submits it to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for filing with the Division of Research and Advanced Studies and the University Registrar. Advanced Standing Credits may be granted for transfer and non-transfer credits as specified in this policy.

Attendance

Attendance of all classes is highly recommended as the class activities are important for achieving academic success and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) or certification examinations.

1. Requirements for class attendance are at the discretion of the faculty.
2. Students are responsible for course material covered and all assignments made during class sessions.
3. Students are responsible for contacting the faculty to determine the nature of any make-up tests or examinations for an excused absence. (See Makeup Examinations).

Change in Major (MSN Students)

A MSN student may request to change from her/his current master's major to another major in the MSN program by submitting a completed "Change in Major Form." Signatures of Department Heads from both majors are required prior to submission of the form to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for approval.

Children, Pets and Friends in Classes

Only students who are registered for a class may attend. Students are encouraged to leave pets and children at home. Attendance of family, friends, pets and children may be negotiated when they are a part of the learning experience and the course faculty has approved their attendance.

Degree Requirements

Baccalaureate Degree
The requirements for completion of the BSN degree are a minimum of 182 credits and fulfillment of required program courses.

Master's Degree
The University's minimum requirement for the degree is one year's full-time graduate study, or its equivalent. The University requirement for eligibility for graduation is a minimum of 45 quarter credits, the latter half of which must be completed while in residence at the University of Cincinnati. Advanced Standing Credits (non-transfer credits) may be awarded to students who 1) hold current national certification in the area of clinical specialty for the major and 2) provide evidence of completion of a certificate program. Graduates of certificate programs who hold no master's degree must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 30 to 40 quarter credits (numbers varies by major) including all MSN core requirements (includes Capstone Project or Thesis) and at lease one specialty focused didactic and one clinical practicum nursing course at UC. Students with a Master's Degree in Nursing may be eligible for advanced standing through transfer of credits.

Graduate credits earned in another approved university or college may be accepted in fulfillment of the requirements with consent of the faculty in the student's major. If a student is requesting transfer of credit for core courses in the curriculum, a course outline must be submitted to the faculty member teaching that particular course to determine if the course taken parallels the core courses required. In no case can credit for thesis, project, or comprehensive examination be satisfied by transfer from another institution.

Doctoral Degree
Eligibility for graduation requires a minimum of 135 graduate credits, the last 45 of which, exclusive of research credits, must be completed at the University of Cincinnati.

Residency Requirement
All doctoral students must meet the residency requirements of the University's Division of Research and Advanced Studies. Students must engage in full-time study (a minimum of 12 credit hours per quarter) within a span of five consecutive quarters. The full-time registration must include a Fall Quarter and cannot be solely for dissertation research. (The university Graduate Handbook can be obtained at http://www.research.uc.edu/graduate/pdf/ghandbook99b.pdf)

Dual Credit Courses

Some courses (500, 600 and 700 Level courses) are offered for both graduate and undergraduate credit. Generally, these are courses taken for elective credits. Graduate students registered for these courses may be required to complete a certain amount of academic work in addition to that required of undergraduates in the same course. The extra work may consist of reading and reviewing additional books, presenting reports, or doing such supplementary work as the faculty member in charge of the course deems advisable. It is also possible that where a course is offered for variable credit, the graduate student will be required to take the course for the maximum number of credit hours.

Graduation

BSN Student Requirements
The university confers degrees at the end of every quarter. To receive the BSN degree an "Application for Degree" must be completed and filed with the academic advisors for the BSN and RN/BSN programs in the college's Office of Student Affairs by the date specified each quarter.

Graduate Student Requirements

University Requirements for Conferral of Degree
At the beginning of each quarter the Program Coordinator for the Graduate Program posts notices of deadlines for submission of graduation applications and solicits names of students expected to graduate from the faculty. The Program Coordinator submits a list of the students who are expected to graduate that quarter to the Division of Research and Advanced Studies (DRAS). The DRAS mails to each student a packet of materials and a cover letter specifying deadlines the student must meet in order to be eligible for graduation that quarter. Included in the packet are required forms to be completed and information on preparation of the thesis and dissertations for submission to the DRAS, Thesis/Dissertation Cover Signature sheets indicating faculty approval of the completed manuscript, and the University pamphlet. Instructions for Preparation and Depositing of Master's Thesis and Doctoral Dissertations. Students who have not received their mailing by mid-quarter should go directly to DRAS to obtain their packet. Each student graduating with a master's or doctoral degree is responsible for ensuring that the following are completed by specified deadlines and, where appropriate, submitted to the (DRAS), Suite 773 Edwards Center, Building One.

It is the responsibility of the STUDENT to complete these requirements no later than the dates posted; if any requirement is omitted, conferral of the degree will be postponed.

Forms that must be completed

1. Application for Degree. (Note: If the Formal Application for Degree form is submitted and the student does not graduate, he/she must submit another form for the following graduation date.)
2. Alumni Office Record Card.
3. Request for conferral of the degree in absentia (if applicable).
4. Each doctoral candidate is required to complete the Doctoral Exit Survey and return it to the Division of Research and Advanced Studies.

Grades

1. Confirmation of removal or waiver of all "N" grades.
2. Confirmation of satisfactory completion or waiver of all required courses in which an "F" grade was received originally.
3. Confirmation of removal of all "I" grades.

Evidence of Satisfactory Completion of:

1. the requirements of the program of study in which the student is matriculated, and
2. all applicable departmental requirements (form to be submitted by department).  

Thesis/Dissertation Submission Requirements

1. Submission by required date.
2. Cashier's receipt of payment of binding fee for 2 copies of manuscript for University Archives and University Library; Please pay the fee at the Cashier's Office (5145 Edwards Center, Building One), and present the receipt to the DRAS with the manuscripts. If the fees are paid by mail, request that the receipt be forwarded to the Division of Research and Advanced Studies, Suite 773 Edwards Center, Building One; Mail Location #0627);
3. Receipt of 3 University copies of the thesis/dissertation [NOTE: The 3 copies for the University must be submitted on acid-free bond paper (e.g., Archival Bond), each in a separate manila envelope, marked legibly with the name of candidate, year, College of Nursing, committee Chairperson's name, and degree for which submitted.
   1. Two copies are submitted to DRAS with one of the original signed copies of Thesis/Dissertation Approval form on top of each manuscript.
   2. One copy is submitted to the College of Nursing Library with a photocopied, signed Thesis/Dissertation approval form. Students wishing to have personal copies bound may obtain the name of a binary from the Library or in their local phone book.

College of Nursing Graduation Requirements

Graduate Student Information Sheet
All graduating students must complete an information sheet and return it to the College Office of Student Affairs.

Confirmation of Completion of Course Requirements
The form is signed by the department head or program advisor and forwarded Program Coordinator for Graduate Student in the Office of Student Affairs.

Final Summary of Performance
A final summary of performance in the program is to be included in the student's permanent college record. The summary of performance is to be compiled by the graduate student's faculty advisor. This summary is to be completed during the last quarter of the student's attendance in the graduate program. The summary of performance should include the following aspects:

1. Program performance;
2. Professional growth;
3. Personal growth (NOTE: student's ability to function effectively, independently, with peers, and with others);
4. Research conducted;
5. Special accomplishments, e.g., publications, professional experiences; and
6. Student and faculty advisor signatures.

MSN Students Completing a Thesis
The following options provide a useful guide for anticipating degree completion.

1. Defense of thesis is scheduled.
2. Presentation of thesis other than a defense is scheduled.
3. A publishable paper based upon thesis or project is completed and approved.

The following forms are processed as described:

Record of Thesis Defense, Presentation or Completion of Publishable Article - thesis chair or project advisor completes and returns form to the Office of Student Affairs for filing in the student's file.

Thesis Approval Form (Title Page) - The two original copies with appropriate signatures accompany the thesis copies submitted to the Division of Research and Advanced Studies.

Should the title to the thesis have changed over its development, care must be taken by the student and the chairperson to ensure that all forms reflect the most recently approved title.

Confirmation of Thesis Completion - thesis chair or project advisor signs this form when the student has completed any changes or made any additions on his/her thesis.

Change of Grade Forms - All "I" and "N" grades submitted for thesis must be removed. The thesis chair assigns grades for the course, 29NURS833 Masters Research Thesis and returns forms to the Office of the Registrar with a photocopy to the Office of Student Affairs

Grading Policies, University (Also see Academic Progression Policies)

Undergraduate Grades and Grade Quality Point

Grade	Description	Grade Quality Points	Comments
A   A-	Excellent	4.00 3.67
B+ B   B-	Good	3.33 3.00 2.67
C+ C   C-	Satisfactory	2.33 2.00 1.67
D+ D   D-	Poor	1.33 1.00 0.67
F	Failure	0.00
P	Pass	N/A
U	Unsatisfactory	N/A
T	Audit	N/A
I	Incomplete	0.00	No grade quality points (none) during first quarter after I grade incurred; thereafter, zero (0) grade quality points. If I grade remains on student record at the end of one year after term has ended, the grade will be changed to I/F (Failure).
I/F**	Failure	0.00
W	Withdrawal (official)	N/A
UW	Unofficial Withdrawal	0.00
IP	In Progress	N/A	The grade of IP is used only for those courses that have been approved by college committees to have an extended grading period beyond the normal term ending, due to the nature of the material covered in the courses.
NG	No Grade reported (see instructor)	N/A

Graduate Grades and Grade Quality Points

Grade	Description	Grade Quality Points	Comments
A   A-	Excellent	4.00 3.67
B+ B   B-	Good	3.33 3.00 2.67
C+ C   C-	Satisfactory	2.33 2.00 1.67
F	Failure	0.00
P	Pass	N/A
U	Unsatisfactory	N/A
T	Audit	N/A
I	Incomplete	0.00	No grade quality points (none) during first quarter after I grade incurred; thereafter, zero (0) grade quality points. If I grade remains on student record at the end of one year after term has ended, the grade will be changed to I/F (Failure).
I/F**	Failure	0.00
W	Withdrawal (official)	N/A
UW	Unofficial Withdrawal	0.00
IP	In Progress	N/A	The grade of IP is used only for those courses that have been approved by college committees to have an extended grading period beyond the normal term ending, due to the nature of the material covered in the courses.
NG	No Grade reported (see instructor)	N/A

Change of Grade
Only the professor assigned to a course may award or change a grade. The Registrar may assign a grade of "UW" indicating an unofficial withdrawal or a grade of "N" if no grade is reported by a professor.

Pass/Fail
The pass/fail grading system may be used for some College of Nursing graduate courses. Students should check with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and/or the Department Head if there is a question of which course will be accepted for pass/fail status.

Questions or Problems Regarding Grades
If, after receiving grades, a student does not agree with the final grade or believes a mistake has occurred, the student must contact the faculty member immediately. If there is disagreement between the instructor and the student, the student must contact the Department head and subsequently the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The procedures as outlined in the University Student Grievance Policies and Procedures must be followed. The parties involved must first attempt to resolve the complaint informally. (BSN students see Undergraduate Student Grievance Procedure; MSN, Post-MSN, and PhD Students see Graduate Student Grievance Procedure).

Independent Study and Clinical Elective

Undergraduate Students
The guidelines for independent study and clinical elective for undergraduate students matriculated in the College of Nursing are as follows:

1. The undertaking of an independent study or clinical elective is the student's decision.
2. If A student wishes to enter into an independent study experience, the student must:
   1. Have a 2.5 overall average.
   2. Contact a faculty member to direct and/or supervise the experience
   3. Receive approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
3. All independent studies and clinical electives are to receive letter grades.
4. The student and faculty member supervising the experience will determine the objectives of the experience. The objectives should reflect additional learning experience in the total undergraduate program.
5. The evaluation process for the experience will be negotiated between the student and faculty member.
6. Student and faculty member will determine the number of credit hours for which the student is contracting; a 3:1 ratio of clinical to credit hours is to be used. The student may contract for 1-4 credit hours of independent study.
7. Prior to the registration for independent study or clinical elective, a written proposal concerning the learning experiences must be submitted to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for approval. Specifically, the proposal must include:
   1. Student name with signature
   2. Number of credit hours (1-3)
   3. Quarter and year of course enrollment.
   4. Objectives
   5. Clinical experience, if any, including where the learning will be located.
   6. Faculty member's name with signature
   7. Evaluation process

Graduate Students
The guidelines for independent study and clinical elective for graduate students matriculated in the College of Nursing are as follows:

1. The undertaking of an independent study or clinical elective is a joint student-faculty decision.
2. If a student wishes to enter an independent study experience, the student must:
   1. Provide evidence of satisfactory progress toward completion of program requirements.
   2. Contact a faculty member to direct and/or supervise the experience.
   3. Secure approval of the department head and/or coordinator of the major.
3. Either a letter or Pass/Fail grade may be negotiated. A letter grade is especially required if the credit hours are needed to meet graduation requirements. The evaluation process for the experience will be negotiated between the student and faculty member.
4. The student and faculty member supervising the experience will determine the objectives of the experience. The objectives should reflect additional learning goals for the student over and above those of the required learning experiences in the total program.
5. The student and faculty member will determine the number of credit hours for which the student is contracting. A 3:1 ratio of clinical to credit hours is to be used.
6. Before the beginning of the experience, information concerning the proposed learning experience must be submitted to the student's academic advisor and filed in the student's file (Office of Student Affairs). Specifically, this communication must include:
   1. Student's name with signature
   2. Number of credits
   3. Quarter and year for course enrollment
   4. Objectives
   5. Specific methods of meeting the learning objectives including arrangements made with clinical agencies, if appropriate
   6. Type of grading
   7. Faculty member's name with signature
   8. Evaluation process
7. Written validation of the successful completion of the independent study, learning objectives and its focus as indicated in #6 above is to be filed in the student's permanent folder.

   NOTE: The above procedure does not refer to the one (1) quarter credit hour of Independent Study for which graduate students register to maintain candidacy once all course work is completed or no fee courses to maintain half-time enrollment status.

Makeup Examinations

1. Students are responsible for notifying the faculty in charge of an examination prior to the exam time if they are unable to be present for the exam. If the faculty cannot be reached, the student must leave a message with the departmental secretary. (See Directory for phone listing).
2. Within two school days following the student's return to school, he/she must contact the faculty regarding the make-up exam.
3. At the discretion of the faculty, an alternate test may be given in place of the original test.
4. Any breach of the above will result in reduction of ten percent (10%) from the student's score obtained on the make-up exam.

Registration

Each student should seek the advice of their Student Affairs advisor; their graduate major advisor or faculty advisor; the appropriate department head; or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs before registering for classes. Registration in excess of nineteen (19) hours per quarter requires an additional fee.

Supplementary Information Form

The following individuals must complete the Supplementary Information Form:

1. New students entering the University
2. Students not enrolled in the previous academic year or for 5 quarters.
3. Students who transfer from another college/department
4. Students who have earned their masters degrees and are admitted to the doctoral program

The student is requested to complete the form and return it to the Office of Student Affairs, before the time that the student registers for classes.

Enrollment of students from other disciplines in nursing course

Undergraduate courses - Enrollment in College 29 courses by non-matriculated students is prohibited unless authorization for enrollment is received from the college's Office of Student Affairs prior to enrollment. Students who enroll without permission will be administratively withdrawn from the course.

Graduate course - Any graduate or upper level undergraduate student in a health sciences field who is not already enrolled in the College of Nursing Master of Science or PhD degree program may be enrolled in College of Nursing course work up to 9 credit hours at the discretion of the nursing faculty and in collaboration with the College of Nursing Department Head for departmental courses, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for program core courses, or the Director of the Doctoral Component of the Graduate Program for doctoral courses.  The student must submit a letter of approval from his/her program advisor indicating that the student may take a course in the College of Nursing.

Readmission

BSN
Students admitted to the sophomore year of the BSN program who cannot complete the program in the cohort to which they are admitted may be considered for readmission into a later cohort. Individual consideration is made based on the following:

1. Academic standing upon leaving the program
2. Space available in the cohort to which they intend to be readmitted

Decisions are made on an individual basis and will be the sole responsibility of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate studies.  If the student re-enters the program under a curriculum that has been revised since they left, the Associate Dean for undergraduate studies will determine the curricular equivalencies and remaining requirements to be completed for fulfillment of the BSN degree.

RN/BSN
For a variety of reasons RN/BSN students may find it impossible to complete the BSN program as planned at the time of their admission to the program. Students may revise that plan but must abide by the following policies to maintain enrollment in the program.

1. Students must notify the Director of the RN/BSN program, in writ ing, two weeks prior to the beginning of a quarter that they will be reducing their load or will not be attending any classes. Students reducing their load should specify the class(es) in which they intend to be enrolled.
2. Pre-requisite courses must be completed in order to enroll in the sequential course.
   1. Transition to Professional Nursing is a pre-requisit e course to all Upper Division Nursing courses except Concepts of Community, Genetics, and Professional Nurse as Leader/Manager (the Transition course is recommended as a pre-requisite to these 3 courses);
   2. Statist ics for Health Sciences is pre-requisite to Nursing Theory/Research;
   3. Concepts of Community is pre-requisite to Community as Partner (theory and clinical courses);
   4. Community as Partner (theory course is pre-requisite/co-requisite to the Community as Partner clinical course);
   5. Enrollment in the RN Senior Capstone course must be concurrent with or following completion of all Upper Division Nursing Courses.
      1. RN students are responsible for creating a revised, written program plan in collaboration with the RN/BSN Director documenting when course requirements will be met and the site where the course(s) will be taken.
      2. Enrollment in courses is contingent on the availability of space in the specific course when taken at another site.
         

RN/BSN Challenge and CLEP Examinations

Obtain current information published by the Office of Student Affairs.

RN/BSN Student Enrollment in the Upper Division

General support courses must be completed successfully, through enrollment, examination, or transfer credit, in order to be admitted to the upper division baccalaureate nursing courses. RNs who have not completed all general education electives or may have another course remaining to be completed may petition for admission prior to completion of all courses. Required general support courses are outlined on the WEB site under academic programs or may be obtained from the College's Office of Student Affairs.

RN/BSN Student Escrow Credits
Upper division RN/BSN students received escrow credit for the their basic nursing education in an associate degree or diploma program. The 64 credits are upon enrollment in 29NURS407, Senior Project for the following courses.

	Cr. Hrs.
General Pharmacology	3
Pathophysiology	4
Nutrition	3
Interpersonal Relationships in Nursing	3
Health Care Ethics	3
Therapeutic Nursing Intervention	4
Practicum: Professional Nursing Care	4
Health Patterns A and B	8
Health Patterns A and B Seminars	4
Health Patterns A and B Practica	8
Health Patterns Integration	4
Health Patterns Integration Seminar	2
Health Patterns Integration Practicum	4
Health Pattern Synthesis in Acute Care	3
Seminar: Health Pattern Synthesis	2
Practicum in Acute Care Environment	5
Total Credits	64

RN Licensure

All RN/BSN and graduate students must hold a current, unencumbered RN license at the time of enrollment in the college. These students must hold an RN license to practice in the State of Ohio when enrolled in the clinical practicum courses throughout their RN/BSN or graduate program. Accelerated Pathway-MSN students must hold a current Ohio RN license in order to progress to courses in the master's major.