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Academic Policies

Progression Policy

Grades in all nursing courses are calculated per the course syllabus and are reported as a letter grade. Students are required to earn a grade of "C" or higher in all nursing courses. The minimum numeric score required to earn a grade of "C" in any nursing course is a 75% (no rounding). All nursing courses required for the program will be evaluated based on satisfactory completion of class, lab, and PLE competencies. In a course, which includes both theory and practice learning experience (PLE) components, the student must pass both components separately to pass the course.

PLE performance is evaluated per the course syllabus and posted rubric. Earning a cumulative grade below 75% in a PLE constitutes a course failure. Students must earn both a 75% or higher in the PLE component and the didactic portion of the course to pass the course. Scoring an unsatisfactory rating on the PLE component of the course results in a grade of "F" for the course and PLE. A grade of “pass” in the PLE component of the course is required to successfully complete, or pass, the co-requisite theory portion of the course.

Also, RN to BSN students must maintain a valid unencumbered RN Texas license while a student in the program and must report any changes in status and location in writing to the Program Director. Relocating to another state may invalidate admission, based on new state residency BON rules; students would be required to pay out of state tuition, may lose scholarships that are location/residence specific and may need to attend PLE in the Victoria area if not available in their new location.

ACADEMIC PROBATION

Students are placed on academic probation in the Nursing Program if they receive a grade of "D" or "F" in any nursing course. A letter stating their academic probation status will be sent to the student.  The student will confer with the nursing advisor to determine a revised plan of study.  If the student does not confer with the nursing advisor, it is assumed the student does not wish to continue in the program.  If the student is out for one year, then the student must reapply to the nursing program and re-admission will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Throughout the program, students are permitted only one “D” or “F” in any nursing course.  The course must be repeated with the student earning a “C” or higher. 

Students who fail two or more courses or is out for 12 months must submit a letter to the Nursing Program requesting readmission.  The letter will include a detailed plan for success.  Re-admission is not guaranteed.  The decision of the director and faculty is confidential and final.  Students who withdraw and/or drop from a nursing course with a co-requisite requirement must withdraw and/or drop from the other co-requisite course as well.  For progression purposes, withdrawal and/or dropping from one course and its co-requisite will be considered as one withdrawal within the Nursing Program. 

Suspension from the program due to academic reasons can occur under the following circumstances:

  • A course grade of less than "C" in the same nursing course twice.
  • A course grade less than a "C" in any two nursing courses.
  • Non enrollment for 1 year
  • Students must complete the program within five years

[Amended by NPFC 05/2019; 04/15/2020; 07/08/2021]

Students who are in the process of appealing a course grade through the UHV Academic Appeals Committee may not enroll in any subsequent nursing courses for which the course under appeal is a prerequisite. If a student registers before receiving an appeal decision, they will be administratively withdrawn from those courses.

Academic Honesty Policy

The UHV Student Honor Code “As a UHV Jaguar, I pledge to be honest, respectful, and responsible, always remembering to respect my university well.”

Since the University is an academic community, every member of the community, including students, are expected to contribute to an atmosphere of high ethical standards in every way possible, especially by observing all accepted principles of academic honesty. Students are responsible for knowing standards of academic conduct, whether stated or routinely assumed.

The Nursing Program Honor Code incorporates UHV’s Student Honor Code, also students pledge to maintain academic integrity and professional behavior at all times.

“Academic dishonesty” in any of its forms is unacceptable in the University of Houston-Victoria Nursing Program where all are held to high, ethical, moral, and professional standards of the nursing profession and the ANA Code of Ethics.

  • Plagiarism is a violation of academic honesty, and it misrepresents the work of another as your own.
  • Common, but no means exhaustive, examples of academic dishonesty are:
    • The use of another individual's work or ideas without paraphrasing, citing, and referencing their work.
    • Submitting your own work from another course or previously submitted in the same course without faculty approval.
    • Giving false information.
    • Cheating on quizzes/exams
    • Altering documents, such as a grade on an assignment, test, evaluation, PLE records, or transcript.
    • When preparing course assignments, students must be careful to differentiate between their ideas and those derived from other sources.
    • Whenever ideas or facts are obtained from a student's reading, research, other student’s or faculty sources, they must be properly cited according to standards set by the nursing program and the current edition of Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Manual).
    • Resources are provided to students to aid in the understanding of preventing plagiarism and are provided in course assignment instructions, within the learning management system, and/or course syllabi.

Disciplinary Actions

Sanctions for a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy will be applied no matter how minor, intentional, or unintentional the infraction. Consequences will be recommended by the faculty and will range from a significant grade reduction for a minor offense, to a "0" on the assignment or a failure in the course for a moderate offense, to being dismissed from the Nursing Program and University for a major infraction or a repeat offense.

 A student involved in academic dishonesty will be notified by the course faculty in writing. The student has a 4-tiered option.

  1. Admit the alleged academic honesty violation, waive the Program Director Review, and accept the associated sanction. The instructor and the student must agree to the waiver of the Program Director’s resolution. A student is eligible for a waiver only if there is no prior waiver and no previous findings of a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy.
  2. Proceed to the Program Director who will review the allegation of academic dishonesty and the findings and either accept the sanctions or determine an alternative resolution.
  3. Proceed to the Dean of the School of Education, Health Professions, and Human Development. The Dean or his/her designee will review the allegations of academic dishonesty and the findings and either accept the sanctions or determine an alternative resolution.
  4. Proceed to the Provost. Students may petition the Provost to review the matter for possible referral to the Academic Council.

A student who is found to have violated the Academic Honesty Policy at the program level before the end of an academic term may remain enrolled in the course at issue while any appeal provided for under this policy is pending. Sanctions do not become final and may not be applied while any appeal provided for under this policy is pending. Any second offense will be reported by the Dean to the University Academic Council, according to UHV policy. Refer to the UHV policy on Academic Dishonesty in the Student Handbook Grading System Policy.

The grading system for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program is based on a letter grade system using A, B, C, D and F. The specific criteria for determining grades and achievement of course requirements are described in each course syllabus.

Grading Scale

A = 90 or higher

B = 80 to 89

C = 75 to 79

D = 60 to 74

F = 59 and below<

No grade rounding is used, an 89.9 is recorded as an 89 and a 74.9 is a 74

Incomplete = I

Withdrawal from the course (passing) = W

Criteria for Program Good Standing

The undergraduate student is expected to maintain at least a 2.0 "C" grade point average for hours attempted at this institution, the minimum permitted for graduation, as outlined in the UHV Policy for Academic Probation or Suspension – Undergraduate Students. Failure to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 "C" may result in academic probation or withdrawal from the BSN program.

A minimum course grade of 75 "C" is required for passing in all BSN nursing courses. Any grade below a "C" is considered a failing grade. If a grade below "C" is attained in any course, the student will be placed on academic probation and will be required to retake the course the next time that it is offered. The academic probation will be removed after successful completion of the course. The student may not be allowed to progress in the program until the course is retaken, and a satisfactory grade of "C" or higher is earned. Instructors file course grades with the registrar at the end of each semester.

If a student earns  a “D or below” in any course, they must repeat the course and earn a grade of “C” or higher. A student who earns a grade of "D or below" twice will no longer be eligible to continue in the nursing program and will be suspended from the program.

The Program Director will notify students of their suspension from the nursing program.

[Amended by NPFC 07/08/2021]

Grade Calculation Practices

Each graded assignment will be recorded in the grade book as a raw score carried out to the second decimal place. No grade rounding is used. An 89.9 is recorded as an 89, and a 74.9 is recorded a 74.

Midterm Grades

Students who have a course average below 75 are at risk for academic jeopardy at midterm will be notified. Students will meet for academic advising with faculty.

Posting of Grades

Assignment and exam grades are posted in Canvas as a convenience for students. The official, final course grade is submitted to the registrar’s office at the end of the semester.

Policy Regarding Incomplete Grades “I”

Due to the accelerated nature of the RN to BSN program, an "Incomplete" or "I" grade is not awarded. Students may withdraw from a course if they believe they cannot complete all course requirements. [Amended by NPFC 5/2019]

Academic Jeopardy Policy

The University and Nursing Program maintain high academic standards. Students are expected to meet these standards in all courses attempted. The Academic Jeopardy notification is a method to alert students at midterm (between weeks 3-4) that they are at risk for being unsuccessful. Academic Jeopardy notifications are a courtesy to students.

Students are responsible for knowing:

  1. Grades earned on all assignments, discussion, quizzes, and examinations;
  2. Each grade that is below 75% in the Nursing Program is considered unsatisfactory;
  3. Each unsatisfactory grade calls for remedial action;
  4. Academic Jeopardy notification may be issued from the Nursing Program and/or the University;
  5. Failure of the Nursing Program to issue a jeopardy letter or the failure of a student to receive a jeopardy letter does not affect the validity of the grade assigned or the need for corrective action;
  6. A final course grade below 75% in the program constitutes a failure of the course, and;
  7. Any course, lab, simulation, or practice learning experience absence or failure to meet required hours may result in academic failure.
  8. Students earning a midterm grade less than 75% in the undergraduate program and/or absence may receive a jeopardy letter from the Nursing Program and/or the University. The written notice will include the action the student should take as a result of the grade or non-attendance. It is the responsibility of the student to follow through with the suggested action(s). A copy of the Academic Jeopardy letter will be placed in the student’s academic file.

Withdrawal Policy

The grade of "W" is assigned when a course is dropped after the date indicated in the Academic Calendar as the last day to drop a course without receiving a grade, but before the last day to drop a course or withdraw from the University.

If a grade of "W" is received before a guilty finding of academic dishonesty, the student will become liable for the Academic Honesty penalty, including "F" grades. Refer to the UHV Student Handbook regarding the University Student Withdrawal Policy.

Withdrawals for Active Duty Military Service

In accordance with the Texas Education Code 54.006 (f): If a student withdraws from the University of Houston-Victoria because the student is called to active military service, the following options apply:

  1. Upon the student’s request, the University will refund the tuition and fees paid by the student for the semester in which the student withdraws;
  2. Upon the student’s request and as determined by the instructor, the University will grant a student who, at the time of military deployment, is passing a course or courses and has completed all but a relatively small part of the course requirements:
  3. An incomplete grade in any or all courses
  4. An appropriate final grade or credit in any or all courses.

Students or their representatives may request withdrawal and refund by presenting evidence of the call to active military duty to the Registrar’s Office. Students receiving Title IV federal funds should contact the Financial Aid Office.

Cancellation of Registration

Refer to the UHV Student Handbook for specifics of the University’s Registration Information policy.