SAP

About Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Overview

The purpose of this policy is to describe the Universal College of Healing Arts’ process for determining a student’s eligibility for continued receipt of Title IV federal funds.

In accordance with federal policy, to remain eligible for financial aid, students must continue making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward their diploma, certification, or degree. This is monitored by reviewing cumulative grade point average (GPA), the pace at which a student completes coursework and the maximum timeframe in which a student may complete an academic program. All SAP policies apply to all students at the Universal College of Healing Arts, including full and part-time students in all three programs (Hellerwork SI, Massage Therapy Diploma, and Massage Therapy Associate).

Federal regulations (HEA Sec. 484(c), CFR 668.16, CFR 668.34) require all schools participating in Title IV financial aid programs to have a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy that meets the requirements outlined below.

These SAP requirements apply to all college coursework taken previously, regardless of whether the student received financial aid at that time. This includes coursework transferred to the Universal College of Healing Arts from another institution. These conditions apply to all students, and SAP is one of many factors used to determine student eligibility for Title IV financial aid programs.

In accordance with federal regulations, financial aid will only be applied to courses included in a student’s program of study (diploma, certification, or degree). Any courses a student chooses to take outside of the program of study (diploma, certification, or degree) will not receive financial aid. A student’s SAP status is based on the student’s entire academic record at the Universal College of Healing Arts and all other schools attended (including all transferrable credits), regardless of whether financial aid is received.

To maintain Sap, a student must:

Requirements for Maintaining SAP

1

Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA)

To maintain SAP, a student must: 1. Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA). Students are Given Progress (Grade) Reports at Mid-term and at the end of the semester. A student must maintain at least an overall GPA of 2.5. It is important to note that to graduate, a student must have an overall GPA of 2.5.

If the student fails to meet the required GPA of 2.5 by the end of the first pay period (end of First Semester), they are notified by email that they have been placed on Warning/Academic Probation. An Academic Action Plan (Plan of Action) is requested from the student. In such a plan, the student identifies areas they need to improve, such as time management for learning, improved study skill methods, identification of support system needs, and any assistance that Teachers can provide. The Academic Advisor, Teachers, and UCHA President will add to the Action Plan as needed. Qualified to receive Financial Aid, students can continue to receive Financial Aid during this first Warning period.

If any student already on Academic Probation fails to meet SAP at the end of the second pay period (Second Semester), they will continue to stay on Academic Probation but they lose their Financial Aid eligibility unless they successfully appeal and are subsequently placed back on probation.

If the student fails to bring up their GPA to 2.5 or greater by the end of their third payment period while being on an appealed Academic Probation, they would continue to be NOT eligible for financial aid.

Students whose GPA had fallen below the minimum, who then later raise their GPA above the required standard, can re-establish and become off Academic Probation and maintain their eligibility for aid if they meet the minimum standards.

Those students whose GPA has fallen below the minimum after being on Academic Probation and who were issued a denial with any appeal will be withdrawn, that is, denied attendance, from the program. Students who have been denied aid or attendance due to a GPA below the minimum standards may be granted aid or reinstatement on an appeal basis. Students are issued a Student Advisement Form allowing for an appeal process to begin.

Students may be required to pay back monies to Financial Aid for a non-punitive grade. A Non-Punitive grade is graded as the student is either satisfactorily passing or failing but it is a grade that does not count as earned credit and isn't considered in progress standards for graduation. A non-punitive grade occurs when the student withdraws from a course after the official drop period has ended. A withdrawal after the drop period is non-punitive if it isn't calculated into the student's GPA or considered in academic progress criteria like probation and suspension. Non-credit remedial courses will not count towards the minimum number of credit hours to be completed nor affect the GPA.

2

Complete at least 67% of all attempted credit hours

Attempted credit hours are reviewed at the end of each semester, and the aggregate percentage of coursework attempted and passed must equal 67% or greater at each review. For example, a massage therapy student who enrolls for 12 credit hours and completes 8.5 credit hours has completed an acceptable percentage of attempted credit hours, 67% or greater. This percentage is calculated by dividing the total number of credits or hours successfully completed by the number of hours or credits attempted. Course work finished within thirty (30) days after the end of each semester is acceptable by the President’s approval only. After the thirty days, any course with incomplete course attendance, classroom hours not made up, and unfinished assigned work, will be considered Incomplete and graded with an ‘F’ or ‘I.’ It will be up to the President to determine if the course will need to be retaken or if any further extension may be given, such as in the case of an Internship where the student could not obtain the required number of hours to no fault of their own. This may be due to a health condition where the student was unable to perform during the required timeframe. All courses below the 70% minimum grade requirement will need to be retaken. Repeat courses may only qualify once for financial assistance.

3

Maximum Time Frame

A student is allowed a maximum time frame not to exceed 150% of the educational program’s published length.

The Diploma program is a 1000-clock-hour program, divided into semester increments over a 12-month period. A full-time Diploma student to comply will not exceed an 18-month time frame. Maximum Time Frame will also consider Semester Credits. Students must complete at least 70% of their attempted credits each semester to ensure on-time program completion. This maximum time frame or pace will be evaluated at the end of each semester. Students are informed on their end-of-semester Grade Report of the number of credits they have registered for and the number they have completed. Warnings will be issued to any student that is not meeting the 150% timeframe. Program Termination will be issued once they have gone past the 150% timeframe from their final semester.
The associate degree Program, because it is a 20-month program, has a maximum time frame of 30 months for a full-time student. This maximum time frame or pace will be evaluated at the end of each semester.
The Hellerwork Program is an 18-month program, whereas the maximum time frame would be 27 months. This maximum time frame or pace will be evaluated at the end of each semester with appropriate warnings or termination. A less than full-time student maximum time frame will be calculated using the 150% rule according to their program length. For example, a student who attends a part-time status where the program might take 24 months would have 36 months. This maximum time frame or pace will be evaluated at the end of each semester with appropriate warnings or termination.

If a student does not complete a program within the stated overall (Full Program) maximum time frame, they will be terminated from the program. They would have to re-apply and, if accepted, become a Re-Start status student. Repeated courses will be included in determining the maximum time frame. The final grade for an individual course that surpasses the Maximum Time Frame will result in either an ‘F’ (Fail) or ‘I’ (Incomplete). The final determination of this grade will be at the discretion of the President. Special circumstances that constitute an ‘I’ over an ‘F’ would be but are not limited to an extended or permanent illness or disability, special family care needs, or military deployment.

A veteran and an eligible person must make satisfactory progress toward an approved educational objective leading to employment. Veteran and eligible person's Standard of Progress will be determined utilizing the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy as listed in the college catalog consisting of overall grade point average, pace, program length, the maximum time for completion, attendance, and conduct.

Standards of Progress Policy

Course work finished within thirty (30) days after the end of each semester is acceptable by the President’s approval only. After the thirty days, any course with incomplete course attendance, classroom hours not made up, and unfinished assigned work, will be considered Incomplete and graded with an ‘F’ or ‘I.’ It will be up to the President to determine if the course will need to be retaken or if any further extension may be given, such as, in the case of an Internship where the student could not obtain the required number of hours to no fault of their own. This may be due to a health condition the student was unable to perform during the required timeframe. All courses below the 70% minimum grade requirement will need to be retaken. Repeat courses may only qualify once for financial assistance.

Course Completion

Transfer credit for courses taken (attempted) and successfully completed (75% or higher) at institutions accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This may include other approved massage schools attended during the past 12 months if the credits can be documented through an official transcript and a course description. Credit for additional coursework taken will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Transfer Credits for courses taken from a previous post-secondary school may be considered when determining a student’s compliance with UCHA’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards.

Transfer hours will be included in the number of hours completed toward the student’s program. The student must provide an original (official seal and signature) academic transcript from the college attended, which the UCHA President will review. The President will determine the final determination of the required content of a transfer course and acceptance of the credit toward the UCHA program. This may be done by reviewing Course descriptions and consulting with the attended college. Any number or Letter Grade with 75% or a C from an approved Transfer course will transfer as a P (Pass) grade and be calculated accordingly for the GPA. Before receiving a UCHA diploma, a student must complete at least 50% of their course work directly from the college. UCHA cannot guarantee that its course credits will be transferable or accepted by another educational institution. Testing Out of a class is allowed provided the student has received credit at another post-secondary school. The student must demonstrate a high qualitative knowledge of the subject matter to the President, which meets a minimum of 90 – 100% of UCHA requirements.

Any Non-credit remedial course will not count towards the minimum number of credit hours to be completed. For course work previously taken past 12 months, testing out of a class is allowed. The student would need credit from another accredited post-secondary school/College and demonstrate to the UCHA President a high qualitative knowledge of the subject matter that meets a minimum of 90% or above the UCHA requirement. Testing out in a class will count as the student has obtained a successful course grade towards completing the overall program. UCHA does not offer experiential credit in that Nebraska statute states 83-004.03 Operating Requirements: Sec. 3: Not credit a student with hours except when hours were earned in the study or the practice of massage therapy in accordance with the required curriculum, except massage schools may transfer college or university credit into the massage course of study.

Transfer Students/Credit Granted

Students will be evaluated throughout the semester on both participation and quality of academic and hands-on lessons. At Mid-term and at the end of each semester, the student will see a written summary of their current progress and grades. A student who is not making satisfactory progress at the end of the first pay period shall be placed on Warning. If the student on Warning achieves satisfactory progress for the subsequent period but has not achieved the required grades for overall satisfactory progress, they will be placed on Warning for one more pay period. Students are issued a Student Advisement Form where they can accept or appeal the Warning Status. If the student fails to achieve satisfactory progress for the second warning period, the student is placed on Academic Probation, and an appeal process is provided. If a Student should not meet the SAP requirement by the end of the Academic period, that is, at the end of the second pay period, an appeal process is provided for, and only with success may a student continue. Students may be considered but are not limited to consideration to continue if they choose a self-pay option. If the student then meets that SAP requirement by the next pay period, they would resume their eligibility for financial aid but still be on probation until they again meet SAP requirements in the next pay period.

A student may appeal if there are extenuating circumstances. Examples of these include personal or family critical illness (both physical and mental), natural disasters impacting the student or family’s home, assault, etc. If an SAP appeal is approved, the student will be placed on SAP financial aid probation. To appeal, students must complete the SAP Appeal Form, which requires a student to explain the situation, document circumstances, and develop an Academic Recovery Plan with an academic advisor.

SAP Monitoring and Appeals

If a student is put on financial aid probation, their academic progress and financial aid eligibility will be reviewed at the end of the pay period. The student will be asked to sign a semester-by-semester SAP Probation Agreement that will explain the terms and requirements of the probation.

Students on SAP financial aid probation will be monitored for improvement and adherence to probationary terms, including the Academic Recovery Plan. While on probation, an undergraduate student is expected to achieve a semester grade point average of 2.0 or above, not receive an “I” in any coursework, and receive a “P” in each Pass/Fail course. The student must have an overall GPA of 2.5 to graduate. Students on probation must also follow the terms of their Academic Recovery Plan. They continue to receive aid while on financial aid probation but will be monitored.

A student will be removed from SAP financial aid probation upon successfully completing the Academic Recovery Plan. This is demonstrated by obtaining a GPA consistent with the minimum requirement for their academic level and completing an aggregate percentage of 70% or more of all attempted credit hours.

About SAP Financial Aid Probation

Students who did not meet the terms of financial aid probation (Academic Probation) and were unsuccessful in the appeal process are not eligible for aid and attendance in any subsequent semester. A written letter and email notification are sent to all students who fail to comply with the terms of their probation.

Failure to Meet SAP Probation Requirements

Once enrolled, a student who wishes to change from a Diploma Program to a Degree Program or vice versa may do so at the end of any semester. Students will need to notify the President in writing of the anticipated change. New title IV calculations would be made for any additional semesters, or monies would be recalculated for any returns of Title IV fund for a semester that now will not be taken.

Students cannot transfer from the Massage Therapy Program to the Hellerwork Program or vice versa and expect credits to transfer. A student would have to officially withdraw from one of these programs and apply to be accepted to the other. Title IV funds would be calculated accordingly to return monies to Title IV.

Changing Major or Degrees

Students can contact the financial aid advisor if they have lost their financial aid eligibility and they believe they have special circumstances that relate to the SAP. With proper documentation of circumstances (i.e., doctor’s notice, a letter from the academic advisor, etc.), they may appeal by completing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form. Also, they should contact their academic advisor to help them develop a plan for achieving good academic standing.

Special Circumstances Affecting SAP Status

Students will be asked to verify attendance during a semester in which all grades received are unacceptable (as defined above). Failure to verify attendance in each class will result in the cancellation of all aid for the semester.

Semesters with All Failing Grades

Academic holds are used by UCHA to prevent future registration by students who need to resolve academic issues. If the student has an academic hold, the Office of Financial Aid will not determine such student’s financial aid eligibility or release funds to them until the academic hold is removed by the school or college. To resolve academic hold situations, the student should contact their school academic advisor.

Academic Holds and Financial Aid

Only courses for which the student received a grade of A, B, C, or P are acceptable and will count as a completed course. A grade of D counts as credit completed, but the course will need to be retaken to achieve at least a C (70%). A grade of F, I, or W is not acceptable and does not count as Completed for the purpose of the student’s Completion Percentage. Students who fail to complete at least 67% of attempted credit hours will have their financial aid suspended. This percentage is calculated by dividing the total number of hours or credits successfully completed by the number of hours/credits attempted. Permission for making up incomplete work may be granted when unforeseeable emergencies and justifiable reasons cause the student to be unable to complete the academic work by the end of the course.

The student is responsible for initiating a request for an incomplete, but the incomplete grade (I) is assigned at the instructor’s discretion. Course work finished within thirty (30) days after the end of each semester is acceptable by the President’s approval only. The new letter grade will then replace the Incomplete.

The GPA will be recalculated with the new letter grade. The total of credits earned will be recalculated. After the thirty days, any course with incomplete course attendance, that is, classroom hours not made up or with incomplete assigned work, will be considered Incomplete and graded with an (F) or (I). It will be up to the President to determine if the course will need to be retaken or if any further extension may be given, such as in the case of an internship where the student could not obtain the required number of hours through no fault of their own. This may be due to a health condition the student was unable to perform during the required time frame. All courses below the 70% minimum grade requirement will need to be retaken. Repeat courses may only qualify once for financial assistance.

A Non-Punitive grade is graded as the student is either satisfactorily passing or failing but it is a grade that does not count as earned credit and isn't considered in progress standards for graduation. A non-punitive grade occurs when the student withdraws from a course after the official drop period has ended. A withdrawal after the drop period is non-punitive if it isn't calculated into the student's GPA or considered in academic progress criteria like probation and suspension. Non-credit remedial courses will not count towards the minimum number of credit hours to be completed nor affect the GPA.

Incomplete Courses Work, Poor Grades, Withdrawal and Non-Punitive Grade

The first six weeks of the program(s) are an Early Probationary Period. A student may be dismissed due to academic performance or behaviors that violate the college’s policies or values. A student’s Early Probationary Period may be extended or reinstated after a six-week period due to academic performance or violating policies that do not warrant immediate dismissal. If a student is placed on an Early Probationary Period status, they will be given a notice.

The notice in the Student Advisory Record will detail which behavior needs to be implemented or discontinued within a specific time period. If the student complies with the Student Advisory Record requirements, the Early Probation will be removed as defined in the Advisory Record.

Early Probationary Period

The Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools, commonly known as ABHES, requires an institution accredited to develop and enforce a policy for satisfactory progress standards. Also, the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended to date, mandates minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress for students receiving financial aid. All semesters of college coursework must be considered, regardless of whether they received aid each semester. The standards for determining satisfactory academic progress at the Universal College of Healing Arts (UCHA) are applied in the following area:

Grading Regulations

1

Interpretation and Enforcement

The President of UCHA will have the primary responsibility to interpret and enforce this policy. Unusual issues related to this policy may be directed to the President for consultation.

2

Grade Points

A system of grade points is used to determine a student’s standing for graduation: Grade points are assigned to the respective grades as follows: for each credit unit, the grade of A is assigned 4 points; B, 3 points; C, 2 points; D, 1 point; F, 0 points. P (Pass) and F (Fail) units are not counted in a student’s GPA.

3

Grade Point Average

A student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) is the qualitative measurement used for their college academic work. A 2.0 average equals a “C” grade average. To stay in the UCHA program, students need to maintain a minimum of 70% per individual class and a cumulative grade average of 75%(GPA 2.5) to graduate and receive a diploma or degree.

Ongoing Grade reports are available to students via the Schoology classroom. End of Semester grade reports with the GPA calculations is provided in a secure network for the individual student to review. Grades are based on the quality of work as indicated on the Course Syllabus and Rubrics. The end-of-semester report will show the CGPA and all hours and semester credits earned out of the number attempted. Earned quality points are calculated for each course by multiplying the grade point value for the grade received for the course multiplied by the credit hour value of the course. For example, a 4.0 credit course with a grade of B would earn 12.0 quality points (credit value of course) times grade point value of (B)3).

The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is calculated by dividing the total earned quality points by the total attempted credits. The chart (A1) illustrates letter grades, description, percentage points, meaning, and quality points.

Grading System

Grade Point Average (GPA) is the numeric measure of a student’s average performance in all completed letter-graded courses. The grade points earned for each course are computed by multiplying the course’s credit hours by the grade point of the final grade received. The Semester GPA is computed by dividing the sum of the grade points earned in all courses taken during that semester by the total number of credit hours attempted during that semester. The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is calculated by dividing the total earned quality points by the total credits attempted. UCHA’s transcripts show two different grade point averages:

Grade Point Average Calculation

Semester GPA is the point average of the student’s grades over one semester.

Cumulative GPA is the average of the student’s grades over all the academic courses they have taken at UCHA, University, or Community College. Units are counted toward your degree or utilized to satisfy major and or elective requirements.

The official GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of attempted credits. These figures can be found on the official transcript. Attempted are found in the Credit Hours Attempted column; Grade Points are found in the Points column.

The GPA is calculated by converting each letter grade into Grade Points and then multiplying each grade by credit value. The end-of-semester report will show the GPA and all hours and semester credits earned out of the number attempted. Earned quality points are calculated for each course by multiplying the grade point value for the grade received for the course multiplied by the credit hour value of the course. For example, a 4.0 credit course with a grade of B would earn 12.0 quality points (credit value of course94) times grade point value of (B)3). The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is calculated by dividing the total earned quality points by the total attempted credits. Chart A, found on page 48 of the student catalog.

Chart A described the impact of each grade on a student's academic progress. For calculating academic progress, grades of "F," "W," and "I" are counted as hours attempted but are not counted as hours completed. The student must repeat any required course in which the student receives a grade of F or W grade. This W or F will now remain part of the student record if not replaced.

If the course is no longer offered, a substitute course may be used subject to approval from the school's President. In the case of repeated courses, the better of the two grades is calculated into the CGPA. The lower grade will be replaced by a double asterisk (**), an indication that a higher grade has been earned for a separate attempt at the course. If the same grade is obtained when a course is repeated, only the first and corresponding grades will be calculated into the CGPA. Both repeated and original credits will be counted as attempted credits in the rate of progress calculations.

Application of Grades and Credits

All grades are final in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence. A student who believes a final grade to be incorrect may contact their instructor. In the absence of the instructor, the request shall be referred to the college president.

Ongoing Grade reports are available to students via the Schoology classroom.

End of Semester grade reports with the GPA calculations is provided in a secure network for the individual student to review. Grades are based on the quality of work as indicated on the Course Syllabus and Rubrics.

Change of Grades

5 Lecture hours = 1 Semester Credit

30 Lab hours = 1 Semester Credit

45 Externship hours = 1 Semester Credit

Conversion from Clock Hours to Credit Hours for Each Course

Courses can be added, dropped, or swapped without penalty within the required time frame. 'Without penalty' refers to grades and any tuition monies. Tuition monies paid or awarded from Financial Aid will be returned or adjusted accordingly. Classes may be dropped within ten days from the first day the class meets. The student's notification must be done in person with the College President or in writing addressed to the President.

The President must receive the letter within these ten days. Adding or Swapping a Course can only be done with approval from the receiving Teacher and President. Adding or Swapping a Course must be done within five days from the Semester start date. After the required add/drop/swap notification time, the student will receive a W for the course if they still want to withdraw. Students can only withdraw from a class up to 60% of the course schedule or up to 10 weeks from the start date.

Withdrawing after this date would result in an F.

Add/Drop/Swap Policy

The first six weeks of the program(s) are a probationary period. A student may be dismissed due to academic performance or behaviors that violate the college's policies or values. A student's probation may be extended or reinstated after a six-week period due to academic performance or violating policies that do not warrant immediate dismissal.

If a student is placed on probationary status, they will be given a notice. The Student Advisory Record notice will detail which behavior needs to be implemented or discontinued within a specific time period. If the student complies with the Student Advisory Record requirements, the probation will be removed as defined in the Advisory Record.

Probation Policy

Students will be dismissed for: non-payment of tuition and fees, unsatisfactory academic performance, violating UCHA policies or falsifying information during the application process. All students are expected to maintain good moral conduct and adhere to all municipal, state, and federal laws. Any violations, disruptive or disrespectful behavior may subject the student to dismissal. The President has the right to expel, suspend, or place a student on probation when in the Director's judgment, a student's actions contradict professional ethics or UCHA policies.

All school members are responsible for bringing any questionable conduct to the attention of an instructor or the Executive Director/President. Suppose the Executive Director/President finds merit to a complaint. In that case, the student concerned will either be dismissed or receive a notice detailing the Student Advisement Record issues, which need to be addressed during probationary status. The Student Advisement Record will remain on file.

Termination by the institution will be considered to have occurred no later than seven class days after:

The student has officially withdrawn from the school, based on the published guidelines of official withdrawal, or
The last academic-related activity date may include recorded attendance, projects, clinical experience, or examination.

Conduct/Termination Policy

Students dismissed due to non-payment will be readmitted once the tuition bill is made current. Attendance policies will still apply. If more than three months have passed since the last day of attendance, the student will be subject to the new students' current tuition rate. Students dismissed for academic/other reasons may submit a new application form and application fee, and they will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If Federal Financial Aid were used in the previous enrollment, the student would not be eligible for Federal Financial Aid on readmission.

Readmission Policy

Cancellation or Withdraw notices are sent by certified mail, return receipt.

The student may cancel enrollment within three business days of signing the Student Agreement Form with a full refund of all monies paid towards registration and prepaid tuition. After this three-day cancellation period, an applicant requesting cancellation before the start of classes is entitled to a refund of all monies paid less than $150.00.

In the event of a withdrawal or termination, regardless of whether the student or the College instigates it, the student is obligated to pay for prorated tuition and fees based on that portion of the program which the student has attended (as determined by the last day of attendance), plus a $500.00 administrative charge. For a student who withdraws after completing 60% of a semester, the College may retain the full contract price for that semester.

The College has 14 calendar days from the withdrawal date to return tuition and fees owed to the student, less any outstanding balances owed to the store or College. The termination date for the refund computation is the last date of the student's actual class attendance. All educational supplies and equipment (i.e., Books, massage tables) are non-refundable.

Refund Policy

Receiving Diploma and Transcripts

The student will receive transcripts for completed coursework. Transcripts will be issued within five (5) business days from the school receiving your request in writing. Additional transcripts may be ordered following graduation by mailing or delivering a $20 payment. A Diploma and transcript for completing the program will be issued to a student upon the following.

Graduation Policy

Passing the comprehensive cumulative exam.

Fulfilling all the financial requirements of the school.

Returning any loaned materials belonging to the school.

Achieving the required grade point averages and academic requirements.

Passing the College's practical exam

Completing an "Application for Commissioning of Hands," verifying current information.

Completing the "Student Exit Interview Survey" to provide feedback on their UCHA experience.

As a clock-hour program, any time absent from the program needs to be made up and turned in to the instructor before receiving credit for the course. To receive course credit, the student is responsible in contacting the instructor. The recommended process is through Schoology messaging. The absences will be calculated per method of delivery per online or onsite. If a student should miss any 3-weeks of delivery onsite or online of an individual course, they are subject to withdraw.

Students can have a maximum of two absences during each 16/18-week period of study (a Semester). All partial absences (i.e., being tardy/ten minutes late, leaving early, or missing any part of a class) will be recorded in the instructor's attendance/grade book.

All partial absences (i.e., being tardy/ten minutes late, leaving early, or missing any part of a class) will be recorded in the instructor's attendance/grade book. The third occurrence of being tardy or leaving early will constitute one absence occurrence. The third occurrence of being absent for a class period will result in the student automatically withdrawing from that individual class unless the instructor and the President have pre-approved a plan for an individualized course of study.

Attendance at internship appointments and community service events is essential. Such absence will be reported to the President, and appropriate action will be taken (i.e., one occurrence will result in the student being placed on probation, and multiple absences can result in withdrawal from the program).

Attendance Policy/Withdraw Policy

Student grievances shall be taken seriously, and efforts shall be made to resolve the grievance. UCHA encourages students to first speak directly with their instructor or individual who is involved with the concern. If the grievance remains unresolved, the student can then submit a written statement to the UCHA President.

All discussions regarding the grievance shall be private and confidential. The student’s grievance will be reviewed, and a determination will be made in writing by the UCHA President. Unusual and/or extenuating circumstances, including but not limited to illness, injury, severe mental or emotional stress, and/or physical or mental hardship, may be considered when processing the student’s grievance.

If a grievance remains unresolved to the satisfaction of the student after it has been processed through the UCHA President, the student may contact, as appropriate, the Nebraska Department of Health Massage Therapy Program in Lincoln, Nebraska; the Program Director of Nebraska Postsecondary Private Career Schools at the Department of Education in Lincoln Nebraska; or ABHES, Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools 6116 EXECUTIVE BLVD. SUITE 730 NORTH BETHESDA, MD 20852.

Grievance Policy

All faculty members are required to publish and keep on file in their offices a course information sheet or syllabus for each course each semester and distribute them at the first-class meeting or later than the end of the second week of class.

The syllabus must align with the content of the course as indicated in the official course outline and must contain grading standards for the class, a description of how the course is to be taught such as lecture, laboratory, and outside assignments, attendance requirements, clock hours, credit hours, outside clock hours, and office location and office hours. Other recommended items to include in syllabi are examination dates, text assignments, an outline of topics covered in the course, and student learning outcomes.

Syllabus Policy

Academic Writing Policy

Plagiarism Policy

Introduction

Universal College of Healing Arts is committed to fostering an academic environment that values integrity, honesty, and the pursuit of knowledge. Plagiarism is a serious violation of academic integrity and undermines the educational process. This policy outlines the expectations, consequences, and procedures regarding plagiarism at Universal College of Healing Arts.

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's work, ideas, or intellectual property as one's own without proper acknowledgment or citation. This includes, but is not limited to, copying and pasting from sources, paraphrasing without giving credit, submitting someone else's work as your own, and using unauthorized aids during examinations.

Examples of Plagiarism:

1. Copying and pasting text from a source without proper citation.

2. Paraphrasing without providing appropriate attribution.

3. Presenting someone else's ideas or research findings as your own.

4. Collaborating on assignments without proper acknowledgment.

5. Using unauthorized materials or aids during examinations.

Avoiding Plagiarism:

Students at Universal College of Healing Arts are expected to:

1. Clearly cite all sources used in assignments, papers, and projects.

2. Understand and apply proper citation styles as specified by instructors.

3. Seek guidance from instructors if uncertain about citation practices.

4. Maintain the distinction between their work and the work of others.

Consequences of Plagiarism:

Violations of the plagiarism policy will result in consequences that may include, but are not limited to:

1. Receiving a failing grade on the assignment.

2. Receiving a failing grade in the course.

3. Academic probation or suspension.

4. Disciplinary actions as per the college's code of conduct.

Reporting Plagiarism:

Faculty members and students are encouraged to report suspected cases of plagiarism to the College President. Evidence should be provided, such as the original source and the work in question.

Appeals Process:

Students have the right to appeal decisions related to plagiarism. The appeals process is outlined in the college's academic policies, and students should follow the established procedures for submitting an appeal.

Educational Initiatives:

Universal College of Healing Arts is committed to educating students about plagiarism prevention. This includes providing resources, workshops, and guidance on proper citation practices.

Conclusion:

Maintaining academic integrity is essential to the mission of Universal College of Healing Arts. This plagiarism policy serves to create a fair and ethical learning environment where students can grow, learn, and contribute to the collective body of knowledge with honesty and integrity.

AI-Assisted Paper Writing Policy

Objective

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the process of writing academic papers at Universal College of Healing Arts.

Scope:

This policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff who engage in academic writing activities at the institution.

Definition:

For the purpose of this policy, AI tools refer to any software or applications that use machine learning algorithms to assist in generating or improving written content.

Guidelines

1. Disclosure and Transparency:

Students must disclose the use of AI tools in their papers, clearly indicating which portions were generated or enhanced with AI assistance.

Faculty members are encouraged to provide guidelines on how AI tools can be used, emphasizing transparency and honesty.

2. Educational Purpose:

AI tools should be used as educational aids to enhance writing skills, rather than as a substitute for independent thinking and original work.

The primary goal is to use AI as a tool to assist in the research and writing process, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

3. Understanding and Collaboration:

Students are expected to have a clear understanding of the content generated by AI tools and should be able to explain and defend their work during discussions or evaluations.

Collaborative efforts should involve human input and should not solely rely on AI-generated content.

4. Plagiarism and Attribution:

Proper citation and attribution must be given for any content generated by AI tools. Plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, is a violation of academic integrity.

Students and faculty should be aware of the potential pitfalls of unintentional plagiarism when using AI tools.

5. Quality Control:

AI-generated content should be critically evaluated for accuracy, relevance, and coherence by the student before submission.

Faculty members are encouraged to provide feedback on the integration of AI-generated content, guiding students to improve the overall quality of their work.

6. Security and Privacy:

Any AI tools used should comply with the institution's policies on data security and privacy.

Students should be cautious about sharing sensitive personal information or academic data with AI tools, ensuring the protection of their privacy.

7. Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation:

The institution will periodically review the impact and effectiveness of using AI tools in academic writing.

Adjustments to this policy may be made based on emerging technologies and best practices in the academic community.

Consequences of Violation:

Violations of this policy may result in academic penalties, including but not limited to, a lower grade on the assignment, course failure, or disciplinary action as per the institution's academic integrity policies.

Review:

This policy will be subject to periodic review and may be updated as necessary to reflect changes in technology, educational practices, and ethical standards.

Approval:

This policy is hereby approved and effective as of January 29. 2024. Any revisions or updates will be communicated to the relevant stakeholders.