College of Education & Health Professions

Orientation

New students attend a mandatory virtual orientation scheduled the week prior to the start of the semester in which they will initially enroll. The orientation will provide students with an overview of the program; outline the expectations for students to be self-directed learners in online classes; and, review the capstone project at the end of the program. New students will have an opportunity to talk with program area faculty and ask questions during the orientation.

Grade Requirements

In keeping with UHV policy students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 over all graduate courses taken at UHV. Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be given probationary status. Students will receive written notice of their probationary status and the steps they can take to be removed. The length of a student’s probationary status will depend on when courses are offered again and retaken. Students should show progress toward removal from probationary status, but probationary status may be extended if courses needed are not offered each semester. Students may continue in the program while on probationary status. However, students may not take courses with prerequisites until they have satisfactorily completed the prerequisites with a grade of B or better.

Advising

Upon entering the program, students are assigned a graduate advisor responsible for administrative functions including providing them with an official degree plan. Students are also assigned a faculty advisor from the program core faculty. The assignment is based on a rotation. The faculty advisor works with students on choosing courses to take each semester; monitors student progress in the program each semester; supports student research efforts directly or indirectly and advises students on professional development through membership in ABA organizations. Faculty advisors will set up periodic meetings with students for advisement at least twice per academic year. Additionally, students can schedule advisement meetings with faculty as needed.

Transfer of Credit

Up to 9 hours of graduate credit with a minimum grade of B, from an accredited university can be transferred into the program. Credit to be transferred cannot be more than 10 years old. Faculty determine transfer credit hours by comparing the course content of the transfer credit with courses on the degree plan. Only courses that include compatible content will be approved for transfer credit. Students must provide a syllabus for review for a class taken at a different institution to be considered for transfer credit.

Leave of Absence

Students requiring a leave of absence from the program may request it by contacting one of the core special education ABA faculty members in writing. Students who stop participating in the program without first being approved for a leave of absence will be graded as if they are still participating in their classes. If a leave of absence is requested and granted during a semester, students will drop their classes and may or may not receive a refund according to the UHV Drop and Withdrawal Refund Schedule found at this link https://www.uhv.edu/student-billing/tuition-and-fees/drop-and-withdraw-refund-schedule/ .

The leave of absence request will be considered by the ABA faculty members and approved or denied according to a group consensus. Students once approved can take a leave of absence for up to two consecutive semesters without having to reapply to the program. Students not enrolled in the program for 15 months or more will need to reapply to the university and the program. There is no guarantee they will be readmitted into the program if they leave the program for 15 months or longer.

Exceptions to Policy

If students wish to make a case for an exception to any of the above policies, they can complete a College of Education Appeal Form. The appeal form can be found at College of Education and Health Professions Appeal Form (office.com)