Standards Of Academic Progress

Written examinations will be given during and at the completion of each course. Quizzes and special assignments may be given by instructors within a program. If quizzes or extra work assignments are to be counted as part of the student grades, the grading policy of any additional work will be discussed prior to the request of the work being given to the student. A signed statement of agreement on the policies governing grading terms will be requested of all students. Quizzes and extra work will not exceed 10% of the total grade for a student. All written portions of the examination are graded according to the following grade table in the Grading System below. The minimal acceptable grade of passing any course is B or 80%.

The instructor evaluates the student during each course of study on the above grading scale. Evaluation is based on the student’s ability to demonstrate competency in the required skills and ability to follow instructions. Students are given every opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to demonstrate required competencies for industry employment. No student will be automatically terminated for failure in their first attempts to acquire skills but will be advised on correctional assignment required to master the course.

Grading System

Students must maintain or earn a grade of “B” or more to complete the program successfully. This grade will be determined by a practical examination (at each evaluation period), test grades, and labs/projects. Theory, manual skills, and clinical performance work will be graded according to the following scale:

Grading Scale

GRADE POINT AVERAGE CALCULATION (GPA)

The GPA is calculated using the following formula:
Multiply the number of hours for each course/module (considered in the evaluation period) by the grade achieved. Divide then the sum of the points (grade points) by the total number of courses/modules attempted. The result will be a number between 0 and 100. Assign as GPA the corresponding unit according to the grade scale of our school’s catalog.

GRADE ASSIGNMENTS

Theory grades are assigned based on the academic scores of exams administrated and by the assigned projects related to the corresponding theoretical content. Practice grades are assigned based on the student’s ability to apply the theory learned and the work activities in the labs and services.

MAXIMUM TIMEFRAME

Although Dominium Institute strictly adheres to maximum allowed time, all withdrawals, incomplete and or repeats must be completed within the time frame of 150% of the course length. The student must successfully complete the course objectives in a maximum time frame, not to exceed 150% of the normal program length.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROCESS

All students are required to meet the standards of academic progress that are outlined in the sections below and they are evaluated regularly to determine that the standards are met. These standards have multiple components (qualitative and quantitative measurements) that include: a minimum cumulative grade point average requirement (CGPA); a minimum successful completion rate based on all credit hours attempted; and a maximum time frame requirement to successfully complete all required credit hours for the program.

SAP – Quantitative Criteria

Students must complete at least 67% of credit hours attempted each semester to remain compliant with SAP Policy. Credit hour progression will be based on a cumulative total of attempted hours to earned hours. For example, a student enrolls for twelve term credit hours the student is required to successfully complete a minimum of eight term credit hours (12 x 67% = 8) for the term. Failure to meet these standards may result in dismissal from the academic program and an ineligibility to earn the Degree.

SAP – Qualitative Criteria

Under the qualitative criteria, to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), the student must comply with the following two criteria:

1. Demonstrate a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the end of the student’s second term of enrollment, and at the end of each subsequent term thereafter.
2. Demonstrate successful completion of the required percentage of the total cumulative credit hours he or she has attempted in the program of study.
3. To maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student must establish and maintain at least a 3.0 overall cumulative grade point average by the end of the student’s second term of enrollment and all subsequent terms of enrollment. Also, to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, the student must complete the required percentage of coursework attempted. Any student who fails to establish or maintain Satisfactory Academic Process must meet with the Institute’s Director of Nursing.
4. A student who fails to establish or maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress will be placed on academic probation and maintain this status of academic probation during the following semester. At the end of the semester in which the student is on probation, the student’s overall GPA and Credit Completion Percentage will be recalculated. A student will be removed from academic probation only if the student completes the appropriate percentage of coursework and earns a “B” or better in all courses attempted during the semester in which he or she is on academic probation and earns a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

SAP – Evaluation

1. Students are evaluated after the completion of every course and at the end of an academic semester.
2. If a student fails a course before the semester ends, he is immediately placed on academic probation.
3. The student will remain on academic probation until:
   • The student retakes the failed course when it is next offered and passes on the next attempt; or,
   • The student retakes the failed course and fails it again; or,
   • The student takes another course (before retaking the first course) and fails it.
4. If the student takes the course a second time and passes it, the student is removed from academic probation.
5. If the student fails the course for a second time, the student is academically dismissed from the Institute.
6. If the student takes another course (before retaking the first course) and fails it, the student is academically dismissed.

SAP Evaluation – Timeframe to Complete (MTF) Policy

The maximum allowable timeframe for students to remain active in a diploma program of enrollment is equal to 150% of the total length of the program.

The maximum timeframe for Dominium Institute programs is as follows:

For a credit hour program, the credit hours attempted cannot exceed 1.5 times the credit hours required to complete the program. The student will be withdrawn once it is determined that he/she has exceeded the allowable maximum time frame.

Probation

Students who do not comply with the academic requirements will be placed on probation for a two- week period or until academic requirement is satisfied and given the option to make up the work missed while on probation.

Once the student is placed on probation, an advisement agreement must be signed. The advisement agreement specifies the conditions under which the student can regain satisfactory academic progress. When the student meets the terms of the agreement and has adhered to the satisfactory academic progress guidelines the student will then be removed from probation.

Students who fail to regain satisfactory progress by the end of the probationary period will be terminated.

SAP – Appeals

Any student who has been placed on academic probation for the first time but who feels that there were mitigating circumstances that caused him or her to fail the SAP standard, may file a written appeal with supporting documentation to the Institute’s Director of Nursing who will then make the decision whether to accept the student’s appeal within 5 days. If the student’s appeal is granted, the student will be making satisfactory academic progress.

ACADEMIC DISMISSAL

Any student who has been academically dismissed will not be considered for readmission to the Institute until 6 months have passed. The student will have to reapply for admission, satisfy all admissions criteria in effect at the time, satisfy any outstanding financial obligations to the Institute, and retake any failed classes before proceeding to other courses.

APPEALS

Students terminated for unsatisfactory academic progress may file a written appeal based on mitigating circumstances. Mitigating circumstances include, among other things, the student being ill, employed full-time, or death or illness of a family member. Students terminated for disciplinary violations may also file a written appeal. All appeals should be submitted to the Director.

Time Frame for Appeals: Appeals must be submitted within 5 calendar days of any mitigating circumstance. Once submitted the Director will respond within 5 business days regarding approval or denial of the appeal.

Approved Appeals: Once the appeal has been approved the student will be notified within 10 business days of the appeal having been filed and will be allowed to return to the program. If any make-up work is needed the student will be allowed to make up the work. Please refer to the “Make-Up Work” policy.

Denied Appeals: Appeals that are denied will be notified to the student within? business days of the appeal having been filed. Students will have to restart the program and full tuition will be charged.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Students must submit work that represents their original words or ideas. Students must make it clear the extent to which external sources were used. Words or ideas that require citation include, but are not limited to, all hard copy or electronic publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communication when the content of such communication clearly originates from an identifiable source.

It is possible that an act of academic misconduct may not be discovered until credits are issued or a degree is awarded. In such a case, the Institute reserves the right to revoke credits or degrees based on discovery of improper scholarly conduct. Individual instructors may fail a student for an examination, assignment or course that contains a violation of the Institute’s academic honesty policy. The instructor may refer the circumstances to the Director of Academics for review and final action.

The Institute’s Director of Admissions may expel a student for cheating or plagiarism. No credit will be given for homework that is not the original work of the submitting student. Students will receive credit only for their own original work. Plagiarism is grounds for dismissal from the Institute.

CLINICAL

Students attend clinical in four 10-hour shifts, or five 8-hour shifts per week for 5 to 8 weekdays/weekends for each.

CLINICAL WARNINGS

A Clinical Warning is written document, prepared by a faculty member who is responsible for the course, and sent to the student who is at risk for not successfully completing a clinical course, the student’s Academic Advisor(s), the Director of the program, and additional course faculty who are working directly with the student or course. This could also be the result of not meeting the objectives on the Clinical Evaluation Tool or the inability to achieve clinical competencies. A Clinical Warning may also be given in conjunction with a Notification of Missed Clinical Time if missed clinical time is a factor in preventing a student from meeting the objectives on the Clinical Evaluation Tool or achieving clinical competencies. Clinical Warnings will be given to students at the earliest indication of concern, to enable the student to meet with the Clinical Instructor and Clinical Course Coordinator, so they may develop a plan for the student’s successful completion of the clinical course.

BEHAVIORS SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Disciplinary action is determined at the sole discretion of the Dominium Institute administration. The school will apply appropriate disciplinary procedures and sanctions, including suspension and termination, to any student who acts independently or jointly, who commits, or attempts to commit, any of the following acts of misconduct:

• Academic dishonesty, including but not limited to, dishonesty on exams, quizzes, or assignments, claiming credit for work not done or work done by others hindering the academic work of other students.
• Cheating or lying. Cheating is defined as violating rules or regulations or conducting matters fraudulently to benefit oneself. Lying is defined as giving or attempting to give a false impression or making false statements. Students who are found cheating or lying will be dismissed from the nursing program.
• Non-disclosure or misrepresentation in filling out applications or other school records.
• Substantially interfering with the freedom of expression, movement, or activity of others
• Excessive absences or tardiness
• Violation of any probation terms
• Failure to comply with the lawful directions of school officials, law enforcement officials, acting in the performance of their duties.
• Use of indecent language on campus or at school-sponsored events.
• Theft of property or of services
• Misusing school computing resources by intentionally making or receiving, accessing, altering, using, or tampering with files, programs, passwords, or hardware belonging to other computer users without their permission.
• Any other acts or omissions which interfere with the rights of others in the pursuit of their education, or otherwise disrupts the learning process.
• Any student arrested after admission to a program must report the arrest within 10 days to the program administrator. Dominium Institute will evaluate each arrest incident on a case-by-case basis. A student who fails to report an arrest is subject to disciplinary action, including dismissal. A student who is arrested may be required to withdraw from a clinical course while processing through the criminal justice system; graduation will be delayed, and the student will be financially responsible for the additional cost to retake courses. Readmission to the nursing program requires written documentation of the resolved case prior to consideration for returning, and full compliance with the school’s re-entry policy.

TERMINATION BY THE SCHOOL

At its sole discretion, Dominium Institute reserves the right to terminate any student who engages in the following behavior:

• Fails to adhere to the attendance policy.
• Fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Engages in unlawful or improper conduct, or any conduct that reflects discredit upon the school, or demonstrates disruptive behavior in the classroom.
• Makes false representations to Dominium Institute including but not limited to, forgery and unauthorized use of any Dominium Institute, or instrument of identification.
• Fails to meet any financial obligations to the school.
• Threatens or causes physical harm to others or to the property of others.
• Is involved in any type of sexual assault, including rape.
• Uses, possesses, or distributes any controlled substance, illegal drugs, or alcohol on school premises or at a school-sponsored event.
• Uses fireworks on school premises or at a school sponsored event. Uses, possesses, or stores any weapons, which might include firearms, ammunition, bombs, explosives, knives, or other dangerous weapons or substances, on school premises or at a school sponsored event.
• Dominium Institute reserves the right to inspect all items brought into the school facility and/or on school grounds.

ALCOHOL, SMOKE, AND DRUGS POLICY

Dominium Institute is a drug-free, alcohol-free, and smoke-free institution and workplace, and offers drug and alcohol counseling information to students. The school’s policy provides for administrative action, up to and including termination or expulsion of any student found in possession of alcohol and or a controlled substance on the campus. The school has a zero-tolerance policy with regards to alcohol, smoking, and drugs.

SOLICITATION

Dominium Institute will not permit any outside soliciting in the classroom for any reason without the written consent of the program administrator.

STUDENT RECORDS AND RELEASE OF INFORMATION

Dominium Institute will maintain student records permanently to ensure continuity of communication and verification of training for job placement and advancement. Students should inform the school administration of any change in name, address, phone number, or marital status. Failure to inform the school of such changes may result in the student not receiving grade reports, transcripts, and various announcements.

FAMILY EDUCATION AL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT

In compliance with public law 93-380, “The family Educational Rights and Privacy Act” (FERPA), which is section 438 of the General Education Provision Act, Dominium Institute has adopted policies and procedures, which permit the student the opportunity to view his/her educational records upon request. Educational records include files, documents, and other materials that contain information directly related to a student. Educational records do not include working papers concerning students, such as informal notes and other temporary notes of a similar nature that are in the sole possession of the faculty or staff and are not accessible or revealed to any other person. Dominium Institute will not permit access to or release of confidential information to any person or agency without the written consent of the student, except for the following reasons: When records are required by Dominium Institute administrators for appropriate organizations conducting studies for educational and governmental agencies; if United States Government agencies as listed in Public Law 93-380; accrediting agencies; parents of dependent children as defined in the Internal Revenue Code; appropriate persons in connection with an emergency; other educational institutions upon requests of transcripts for students seeking enrollment in that institution; but only with the students’ written consent; in connection with the award of financial aid; and in response to legal court orders.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Dominium Institute will not be liable for any kind of the loss, theft, damage, destruction to the personal property of students or staff. Students must protect and safeguard their personal property on school premises. The school maintains a lost and found area for lost property. Items left over 30 days will be discarded.

CAMPUS SECURITY POLICY

In the event of a crime or other emergency on the Dominium Institute Campus, students are instructed to notify any personnel who will place the 911 call. If the nature of the emergency is such that this is not possible, the student(s) may call 911 on their own.

• Whenever a crime or emergency is reported, it is the responsibility of the program administrator to make a written report of the nature of the emergency, actions taken, and the results.
• The program administrator has responsibility for maintaining copies of all reports. If a student commits a crime, that person will be terminated immediately without further notice. The school’s appeals procedure will not apply in the case of individuals who are terminated for committing a crime on the school campus.
• Dominium Institute on local law enforcement agencies to provide emergency service.
• No one, other than certified police department personnel, may carry or possess firearms on campus. Possession of a firearm on any school property is a violation of State law.

ANTI-HAZING POLICY

Dominium Institute has an absolute prohibition on hazing. Hazing is defined as an action or situation created on or off campus which recklessly or intentionally harms, damages, or endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purposes, including initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating within the Dominium Institute. Hazing includes, but is not limited to:

• Pressuring or coercing a student into violating Dominium Institute rules or local, state, or federal law.
• Any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced/encouraged consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance.
• Or other forced/encouraged physical activity that could adversely affect the physical or mental health or safety of the student, any activity that would subject the student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced/encouraged exclusion from social contact, forced/encouraged conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or forced/encouraged activity that could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the student, or any other activity which is inconsistent with the regulations and policies of the Dominium Institute.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

A Diploma or Degree is presented to the student who has:

1. Successfully completed all required course competencies of the enrolled program.
2. Completed attendance requirements.
3. Met satisfactory academic progress.
4. Fulfilled all monetary obligations to Dominium Institute.
5. Completion of ATI Exit exam for Associate of Science in Nursing and Practical Nursing Students with a 75% Score.