University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences 2012 – 2013 Student ...

Doctor of Health Science9. The Right of Petition:• A student may petition the University for an exception, exemption, waiver, or specialconsideration of any policy. All petitions must be submitted in writing, preferably limited toone (1) page, and accompanied by supporting documentation. Petitions should be addressedto the Director of the Program who, in consultation with appropriate administration andfaculty, will decide the outcome. Petitions are accepted for purposes such as:a. Reconsideration of rejected applicant for admission to the University.b. Extending the course of study to complete the programc. Transfer a credit when the initial transfer request was deniedd. Permission to continue in the program after being counseled oute. Appealing a grade or dismissal from the program.• The 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.DEGREE COMPLETIONAcceptance into the University and payment of tuition is not a contract assuring that the student willgraduate with the applied for degree. Graduation will depend on a satisfactory grade point average,professional conduct, and the satisfactory completion of your learner’s contract. This handbook and thecourse syllabi detail what is considered “satisfactory”.• The following requirements must be met for a learner to be eligible for graduation:1. Each learner must satisfactorily complete all parts of the learner’s contract and be inacademic good standing.2. All fiscal obligations to the University or its subsidiaries must be paid in full.3. The student must make application for graduation one (1) trimester prior to the proposeddate of graduation.4. Should a student be unable to successfully complete part of the final coursework but hassuccessfully met all other degree requirements, the learner may be allowed to walk atcommencement. The candidate will sign an acknowledgement regarding participation inthe ceremony. The candidate will be “hooded” during the ceremony, but will not receivea signed diploma. The signed diploma will be dated to reflect the actual date of degreecompletion as will be denoted on the transcript. The graduate will have the option ofparticipating in the commencement ceremony subsequent to degree completion to receivethe signed diploma.Once all your coursework and assignments have been completed you will be in a position to submityour paperwork and request graduation. The Graduation Application form is located on the myUSAportal Students tab.Send the graduation application and graduation fee to the University’s Student Services Office.Refer to the latest Academic Calendar to indentify the due date for applications for the upcominggraduation. The graduation fee covers the cost of the regalia and diploma. These items are sent tothe student if not attending the formal graduation ceremony.The Program Director will perform a degree audit to verify completion of the minimum number ofcredits, GPA overall of 3.0 and the financial office will assure that all fiscal obligations to theUniversity or its subsidiaries have been met in full.Commencement ceremonies are held three (3) times a year – April, August and December. See the EntryLevel Academic Calendar on pages 78 - 81 or on the myUSA portal Students tab.University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences 129