Remediation, Deceleration, Withdrawal, and Dismissal (A3.15a,c,d)

Academic Improvement Process (AIP)

When a student earns a score of less than 80 on any assessment, or assignment during any course or semester. The course Instructor will review the Academic Improvement Process (AIP) of the student to ensure successful completion of the remediation.

  • The purpose of the AIP is to attempt to ensure that students who perform poorly on an exam do not have a reduced lead prior to the next examination. It is not a process that changes a score on the completed exam.
  • AIP will encompass specific concepts related to course content, lecture materials and objectives in which the student’s knowledge was deficient. The method or procedure for mastering the material will be left to the discretion of the course director/instructor.
  • Once the student receives their exam grade, it is the student’s responsibility to seek out the course instructor to initiate the AIP. If the student does not engage in the AIP, this is considered a professionalism infraction and will be placed in the student’s file.
  • This process may take one of several forms which must be measurable and documented:
    • instructor and student may review exam questions to determine areas of misunderstanding and/or how to approach test questions, (this can be in the form of a Likert scale for measurement)
    • a group or individual oral presentation that demonstrates competence in the areas tested, (in the form of a rubric for grading),
    • Review question areas missed and additional exam offered, (multiple choice, T/F, essay, etc.) OR some combination of the above which must be measurable and documented.
    • the method(s) employed in the AIP will be selected based on the needs of the student and are at the discretion of the course instructor.
  • TIMING: Except in unusual circumstances, this process must be started and completed within five (5) school days after the grades of the test or assignment have been posted.
  • FINAL EXAMS: Final Examinations are not subject to this policy as the material would have been covered in individual modules during the semester. However, a student who performs poorly on a cumulative final exam may request a meeting with the course director to review content, but not the exam itself.
  • END OF FOURTH SEMESTER: In the event a student has to participate in the AIP process at the end of the fourth semester in the didactic year, he/she may not start their clinical rotations until the course director/instructor determines that the student has sufficient grasp of the tested material.
  • APPEALS: Any student who does not agree with the assessment of the course director/instructor during the AIP process may appeal to the Academic Coordinator. If the issue cannot then be resolved by the Academic Coordinator, then the Program Director may review the case and issue a final decision.
  • COMPLIANCE: Failure to comply with the AIP requirement may be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal from the program. Non‐compliance with the AIP process may be documented by the course director and sent to the student’s academic record for consideration by the PA Student Affairs and Progression Committee.

Academic Warning  (A3.15c,d)

A didactic phase student may be placed on Academic Warning if the student fails two (2) exams in a semester. The period of Academic Warning will be articulated in writing for the student, and will expire when and if the student adequately remediates the academic deficiency. If a student fails to remove specific deficiencies in accordance with the requirements for correction of academic deficiencies, the student may be recommended for probation.

Academic and Non-Academic Probation   (A3.15a,c,d)

Any student who fails to achieve the required 3.00 semester GPA will automatically be placed on academic probation.

  • Once a student is placed on academic probation, they must achieve a 3.00 or better GPA in the following didactic semester or risk academic dismissal.
  • Two consecutive semesters with a semester GPA of less than 3.00 may result in academic dismissal.
  • Any course grade of 80% or below may result in academic dismissal. When there are extenuating circumstances leading to the failure, the student may be invited to repeat the course in the following academic year, at the discretion of the SAPC.

The Student Affairs and Progression Committee (SAPC) can review and recommend one of the following options to the Department Chair/Director:

  • Dismissal
  • Opportunity to return to restart with the following class – on academic probation.
  • If there are extenuating circumstances, the committee can recommend a remediation plan tailored to the student’s individual weaknesses and, if successful in remediation, will be allowed to continue in a probationary status

Students on probation or at risk for probation must meet frequently with their academic advisor to discuss academic progress, study habits, and test‐taking skills.

Students who have been found to be in violation of the Academic Integrity Standards or Honor Code during the didactic portion may be academically dismissed, depending on the results of the Honor Council process and any imposed penalties.

Non‐Academic probation may be imposed by the SAPC or the Dean of the School of Health Sciences after review of relevant non‐academic issues relating to a student.

  • A student placed on Non‐Academic Probation during the course of study, will remain on probation for the remainder of the program

Repeating a Course/Deceleration   (A3.15c,d)

  • The didactic phase is provided in sequence, with courses each semester being prerequisite to the following semester’s coursework, each course is only taught once per year.
    • If a student is granted the opportunity to repeat a course, it will be with the next class of students.
  • Students may be allowed to retake one course or clinical rotation, due to academic failure, over the entire curriculum. This would require the student to become a member of the class following their original graduating class.
  • Students who fail the same course more than once or who fail two different courses across the curriculum—either academic or clinical courses—will be dismissed regardless of overall GPA. Any student required to repeat a course or rotation must anticipate a delay in the timing of her/his graduation and incur additional tuition and fees necessary to repeat coursework. Students who are decelerated due to a failed course may be required to demonstrate competencies for coursework previously completed, in order to progress through their program of study.

Consequences of Academic Deficiencies  (A3.15c,d)

When an Academic Deficiency occurs, depending upon the frequency, nature, and extent of the deficiency, the following actions may be recommended by the SAPC.

A student will be:

  • placed on Academic Warning;
  • required to remediate the deficiency;
  • required to repeat the course/rotation
  • subject to a change in clinical year rotation assignment and/or sequencing;
  • decelerate
  • dismissed

All courses within a semester must be completed successfully before students can progress into the next semester.

Withdrawing from the program: (A3.15d)

Students who wish to withdraw from the program must consult with their academic advisor before meeting with the Program Director. The student must then initiate a complete withdrawal procedure at the Registrar’s Office. A Complete Withdrawal Grade Report will be completed. Failure to file the Complete Withdrawal Grade Report Form with the Registrar’s Office may result in the grade(s) of F for the course(s). A student who withdraws from the University after completion of one third of the semester receives in each course a grade of W or F as determined by the instructor at the time of withdrawal.

  • The effective date of a student’s complete withdrawal from the University will be the date that the student initiates the withdrawal and a Complete Withdrawal Grade Report Form is filed.
  • Refund Policy can be found on the FMU web page https://www.fmarion.edu/accounting/students/

Student Dismissal from Program (A3.15d)

A student may be considered for dismissal from the program if there are recurrent areas of academic deficiencies as determined from results of assessments with in and upon completion of each course. If these deficiencies are not resolved through the SAPC issuing an academic warning, remediation, repeat of course, or repeat of rotation. The SAPC will then determine an appropriate route of action which may include deceleration or dismissal from the program. The SAPC will provide the recommendation to the Program Director who will make a final decision.