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Academic Standing

1. Definition


    1. A Clinical Course is defined as any course that entails a laboratory or clinical component and all associated theory and practicum courses.
    2. Minimum Passing Grade is defined for courses in each of the following categories: 
      1. C+ (C plus): for any ABSN Course
      2. C+ (C plus): for any Generalist level DEN Course 
      3. B- ( B minus): for any advanced practice (NP designated) DEN course
      4. B- ( B minus): for any Doctoral level course
      5. C- (C minus): for all other courses

Any student not achieving the Minimum Passing Grade for a course (See Section H.1.b. above) will be required to repeat that course before taking any course for which that course is a prerequisite. 



2. Progression Standards

Any student who fails to meet the academic and clinical standards set forth below will be subject to academic or disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the program following the completion Automatic Review Process described in Section 3.

(Refer also to IHP Catalog: Academic and Disciplinary Actions)

    1. Academic
      1. A second failure to achieve the Minimum Passing Grade in a course.

        A course may only be repeated once. If a student repeats a course, both grades will stand on the transcript, but only the second grade will be considered in determining GPA. 
      2. Failure to achieve the Minimum Passing Grade in two courses in the same semester.
      3. Failure to achieve the Minimum Passing Grade in three separate courses. 
      4. Failure to regain a 3.0 GPA by the end of the second consecutive semester.

        Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 each semester. Failure to do so will result in an academic warning. The student must regain a 3.0 GPA by the end of the following semester.
      5. Violation of the Institute’s Academic Integrity Policy or the Code of Professional Behavior for Students.
      6. Failure to meet the IHP/SON immunization, OSHA, HIPAA, CPR, and any other clinical placement requirements.
    2. Clinical

      Students who demonstrate unsafe clinical practice will be suspended from the program immediately. “Unsafe clinical practice is behavior that places the client or staff in either physical or emotional jeopardy. Physical jeopardy is the risk of causing physical harm. Emotional jeopardy means that the student creates an environment of anxiety or distress which puts the client or family at risk for emotional or psychological harm. Unsafe clinical practice is an occurrence or pattern of behavior involving unacceptable risk.”

      Scanlan, J., Care, WD, & Gessler, S. (2001). Dealing with the unsafe student in clinical practice. Nurse Educator, 26(1), 33-38.

      (Refer also to the Code of Professional Behavior for Students in the MGH Institute of Health Professions School of Nursing, Appendix H) 
3. Automatic Review Process

The Automatic Review Process will be conducted by a committee convened by the SON Assistant Dean for Student Support and Clinical Facilitation, and consisting of the involved faculty and the student’s faculty advisor. A review committee will be convened in the case of:

    1. Violation of the Institute’s Academic Integrity Policy or the Code of Professional Behavior for Students.
    2. Failure to meet the IHP/SON immunization, OSHA, HIPAA, CPR, and any other clinical placement requirements.
    3. Student request for review for exception to current policy.

      A student will receive three days notice prior to the date of the committee meeting and will have the right to submit documents to and appear before the committee. Any committee recommendation for dismissal of a student shall be made to the Dean of the SON.

      A student may appeal a decision to dismiss or a Review Committee decision with which the student does not agree to the SON Appeal Committee (See Appendix E & Appendix F).


[Policy updated 6/2013]