Student Administrative Policies

Advanced Standing

All requests for advanced standing by newly admitted, transfer, or enrolled students are processed on a course-by-course basis by the Student Promotion and Graduation Committee. The Office of the Dean provides staff support for such evaluations. To request such consideration, a student should submit a letter of request to the Dean in which the student lists a course(s) previously taken at an accredited college or university which might be similar in content to a professional course(s) that the individual is scheduled to take. The student is advised to provide an official course description(s) and a syllabus (syllabi) of the course(s) previously taken, as well. For some courses, a student may be required to take a comprehensive challenge exam. All requests must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the start of the course being considered. The decision of the committee is forwarded to the Dean as a recommendation to either grant or deny advanced standing. Advanced standing will be considered for coursework taken in which a letter grade of "C" or better has been earned. A "C-" letter grade is not acceptable for advanced standing consideration.

No advanced standing will be awarded for professional coursework completed at a foreign college.

Attendance

Upon acceptance to AZCOPT, students are expected to devote their entire efforts to the academic curriculum. The College actively discourages employment that will conflict with a student's ability to perform while didactic courses and externships are in session and will not take outside employment or activities into consideration when scheduling classes, examinations, reviews, field trips, or individual didactic or experiential course functions. Class attendance is mandatory for all students during externship.

Class Standing

To achieve the status of a second-year student in the professional program, students must have successfully completed all requisite first-year courses and earned an annual GPA of at least 2.00. To achieve the status of a third-year student in the professional program, students must have successfully completed all requisite second-year courses and earned an annual GPA of at least 2.00. To achieve the status of a fourth-year student in the professional program, students must have successfully completed all requisite third-year courses, and earned an annual GPA of at least 2.00.

Disciplinary Probation

Disciplinary probation occurs for student acts of professional misconduct as defined in Appendices 2 and 4 of the Midwestern University Student Handbook or as defined in the Clinic Manuals. Disciplinary probation is not noted on the transcript but is kept in the student's file. Disciplinary probation information may be shared with clinical sites that are affiliated with Midwestern University educational programs.

Grades

Letter grades corresponding to the level of achievement in each course are assigned based on the results of examinations, required coursework, and other criteria established for each course. Individual faculty have the prerogative to use a plus/minus letter grading system or a pass/fail grading system.

Courses are recorded in terms of quarter hour(s) of credit. Multiplication of the credits for a course by the numeric value for the grade awarded gives the number of quality points earned for a course. Dividing the total number of quality points earned in courses by the total number of credits in those courses gives the grade point average.

Grades reported as "W", "W/F", and "P" are recorded on a student's permanent record but are not used in the calculation of a student's grade point average. Similarly, a grade of "I" or "IP" may be assigned and is used only when special/extenuating circumstances exist (e.g., prolonged illness, family crisis, etc), which prevent a student from completing the necessary course requirements on time in order to receive a grade.

If a student receives an "F" grade in a course, that grade will be recorded on the student's transcript. This deficiency may be corrected as recommended by the Student Promotion and Graduation Committee by repeating the failed course. When a course is repeated, the student may earn a maximum grade of "C". Following successful repetition of the course, the permanent record of the student will be updated to indicate that the failing grade has been successfully corrected. The grade earned each time is recorded, but only the most recent grade is used in the computation of the student's cumulative grade point average.

If a student is required or recommended, by the Student Promotion Graduation Committee, to retake a course that was previously passed, the grade earned each time is recorded, but only the most recent grade is used in the computation of the student's cumulative grade point average.

Grade and Quality Point Scale

Grade

Quality Points (per credit)

Comments

A

4.000

-

A-

3.670

-

B+

3.330

-

B

3.000

-

B-

2.670

-

C+

2.330

-

C

2.000

-

F

0.000

-

I

0.000

An Incomplete (I) grade may be assigned by an instructor when a student's work is of passing quality but incomplete, or if a student qualifies for re-examination. It is the responsibility of the student to request an extension from the course instructor. By assigning an "I" grade, it is implied that an instructor agrees that the student has a valid reason and should be given additional time to complete required coursework. All incomplete grades must be resolved within 10 calendar days from the end of final exams for the quarter. In the case of courses ending prior to final exam week, it is the obligation of the course director to monitor the use and resolution of the incomplete grade, with notice to the Registrar.

IP

0.000

An In-Progress (IP) grade may be assigned when extenuating circumstances make it necessary to extend the grade completion period past 10 calendar days (e.g. illness, family death). Authorization by the Dean is required, and the completion period should not typically exceed one quarter.

P

0.000

Pass (for a pass/fail course); designation indicates that the student has made satisfactory progress or completed required coursework satisfactorily. Grade of "P" is counted toward credit hour accruals for graduation but does not affect GPA calculations.

F

0.000

Fail (for a pass/fail course); designation indicates that the student has not made satisfactory progress or completed required coursework satisfactorily. Grade of "F" is counted toward credit hour accruals as attempted but not completed. Grade of "F" is calculated into the GPA (quality points are lowered due to unsuccessful course completion).

W

0.000

Withdrawal is given if the work completed up to the time of withdrawal was satisfactory. This grade is not counted in any GPA calculation and is not counted in credit hour accruals for graduation.

W/F

0.000

Withdrawal/Failing is given if the work completed up to the time of withdrawal is below the passing grade level for the Program/School. This grade is not counted in any GPA calculation and is not counted in credit hour accruals for graduation. Multiple "F's" and "W/F's" can be grounds for dismissal.

AU

0.000

This designation indicates an audited course in which a student is registered with the understanding that neither academic credit nor a grade is earned. The status of the course cannot be changed from audit to full credit after the start of the quarter. The designation AU is not counted in the GPA calculation.

AP

 

This designation indicates the decision of a college to award academic credit that precludes a student from taking required course work. The designation of Advanced Placement (AP) is applied toward credit hour accruals, but is not counted in the GPA calculation.