Progress, Promotion and Graduation

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students must achieve satisfactory academic progress in order to receive federal financial aid. The Financial Aid Department’s satisfactory academic standards mirror the academic progress policies of each individual college.  A student who is found to not be making academic progress by their college is not eligible for federal financial aid. The rule may also apply to state, institutional, and private funds.  For more information refer to CenterScope, Satisfactory Academic Progress, http://catalog.uthsc.edu/index.php?catoid=8.

Grade Point Average Calculation

The following letter and quality point scale will be used by the college for purposes of reporting and recording student grades on transcripts:

If a student is required to repeat a course for any reason, both the original grade and replacement grade will be noted on the official transcript and both grades will be used in calculation of the student’s GPA. The same policy and procedure will apply for a student who is required to repeat the first professional year; however, for the purposes of academic probation and dismissal the student will be given a “fresh start” GPA and the future GPA will be calculated by hand (although the official GPA listed on the student’s transcript will continue to be calculated per institutional standards).

Academic Probation

Academic probation will be imposed upon a student when the student’s academic performance meets any or all of the following conditions:

1. The grade point average earned at the conclusion of the first term of the first professional year, or the cumulative grade point average at the conclusion of any term thereafter, is less than 2.33.
2. The grade point average earned for any one term is less than 2.00 for terms after the first term of the professional year.
3. The student earns less than a C- in any course.

A period of academic probation will be in effect during the term immediately following the conclusion of the term in which the student’s academic performance meets the conditions for imposition of probation. If at the conclusion of the term during which a period of probation is in effect the student’s academic performance continues to meet any or all of the conditions for imposition of probation, the student may be subject to dismissal. If at the conclusion of the term during which a period of probation is in effect the student’s academic performance no longer meets the conditions for imposition of probation, another period of probation will not be imposed.

During any term of probation, a student may not be elected to any office in any college or campus recognized organization. Although not required, it is strongly suggested that any student who is placed on academic probation resign any and all office(s) currently held. A student on probation is not permitted to represent the College or Campus in any official capacity and is not eligible to travel on college funds.

Academic Deficiency

A student may not progress in the curriculum with an “F” earned in any course. Within an academic year the student must receive permission of the Academic Standing Progression Promotion Review Committee in order to proceed to the spring term. Students are not eligible to begin the next academic year until the course in which the “F” was earned has been repeated and the grade earned is a C- or better. When any course is remediated, both the original grade made in the course and the newly earned grade will be used for the determination of the student’s overall cumulative grade point average.

Academic Dismissal Recommendation

A student will be subject to dismissal when any one or more of the following conditions are met:

1. Academic performance at the conclusion of a term is so poor as to predict strongly an inability to meet the overall requirements of the curriculum. It is recognized that this situation is most likely to occur during the first professional year, and may occur without a probationary period being imposed;
2. A period of probation is imposed for a second time;
3. Regardless of GPA, a student who receives less than a C- in two courses throughout the curriculum;
4. A student who fails to meet graduation requirements within 6 consecutive years of enrollment, including time spent on leave of absence or due to remediation;
5. Students with outstanding deficiencies (e.g., grade of “F”) in the professional curriculum may not register for courses in the next professional term or for subsequent clinical rotations without affirmative action by the Academic Standing and Promotion Review Committee of the College.

Notification of Probation or Dismissal

The Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, will notify a student via UTHSC email if he/she meets the criteria for probation or dismissal or who has a deficiency.

Appeals

A student appeal of a course grade must occur within one month of the time the grade is posted.  There is not opportunity for appeal after that time. An appeal should be made to the chair of the department in which the course resides.

Students may appeal any academic action of the College (such as probation or dismissal) to the Academic Standing and Promotion Review (ASPR) Committee. Appeals generally occurring at the end of the spring and fall terms and will be heard during the first week of the summer and winter terms, respectively. Information regarding the appeal procedure can be obtained from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The appeal must be submitted, in writing, within two calendar days of receipt of notification of action. After the ASPR committee hears the student’s appeal and reviews available materials, the committee will make a recommendation to the Dean who will render a decision on the appeal. The decision of the Dean is final in such cases, however, in the case where a student is dismissed, the student has the right to appeal to the Chancellor for readmission to the program if the student believes there were inherent flaws or biases in the process leading up to the dismissal.

During the College appeals process, a student who desires to continue attending classes may do so with the permission of the College and after providing a written request to the Office of the Registrar. Auditing of courses involving clerkships/clinical experiential experiences may not be allowable; thus, students seeking to enroll as non-degree students in such courses must seek additional guidance from the College and obtain written permission to enroll. Upon receipt of the student’s written request, which must be received within five (5) business days of the notice of dismissal, the student will be enrolled in classes as an audit student. Such permission will not be granted if the appeal process extends more than one term following the original committee action recommending dismissal. In instances in which the appeal process extends into a second term the student will be withdrawn. The status of the student will not change again until and unless his/her appeal is upheld and the University reinstates him/her as a student in good standing. Additional information regarding the UTHSC campus policy can be found at: https://academic.uthsc.edu/policy_docs/student_status_appeals.php

Readmission Process

Unless a student has been permanently dismissed from the College, he/she may reapply for admission to the College, but must compete for admission with the other applicants for the entering class in that year.

Requirements for Graduation

In order to be awarded the Doctor of Pharmacy degree, a student must have completed all degree requirements and complied with the following conditions:

1. Student must have been in residence as a registered student pharmacist in an acceptable college of pharmacy for at least four academic years; at least the last two academic years must have been in the UTHSC College of Pharmacy;
2. Student must have attained a final cumulative grade point average of 2.33 or above (on a 4.0 scale) and achieve a passing grade in all required courses in the professional curriculum;
3. Didactic and experiential courses in which an “F” was received must have been successfully remediated.
4. Student must have discharged all their financial obligations to the College and University;
5. Student must meet graduation requirements within 6 consecutive years of enrollment, including time spent on leave of absence or due to remediation.

Awarding Degrees and Attendance at Commencement

Degrees are conferred either during commencement (May or December) or on the third Friday in August following completion of requirements, with diplomas issued after degrees are conferred. Students must be enrolled in, or completing, at least one credit hour during the term of graduation.

Attendance at graduation is mandatory for students completing degrees and receiving degrees either in May or December. Those students unable to attend must file a written request to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs to receive their degree in absentia at least one month  prior to commencement.

Diplomas will be available for August graduates five business days after the degree conferral date. The student must then make arrangements with the Registrar for pick-up or delivery of his/her diploma. Diplomas will not be released to anyone (spouse, friend or family member) other than the graduated student without written authorization that grants specific permission from the student.  The Registrar may release diplomas to a designated college official on written request from the Dean. Diplomas will not be released to any graduate whose record shows an official account ‘hold’. Students should check Banner Self Service in advance of graduation to identify and address remaining obligations related to these ‘holds’.

Graduating with Honors

The College of Pharmacy is authorized to grant honors for academic excellence. Students may graduate with honors, with high honors, or with highest honors in accordance with appropriate cumulative grade point averages based on performance in the professional curriculum only. The College confers to the graduates of the PharmD program with the cumulative grade point average (GPA) that ranks in the top 2.5% of the class the distinction of graduating with “highest honors.” Students with cumulative grade point averages that rank in the next highest 5.0% qualify for the designation of graduating with “high honors.” Graduates who attain a cumulative grade point average that ranks in the next highest 10% qualify for the designation of graduating with “honors.” As the “honors” distinction must be reported to the Registrar during the spring of the senior year, the GPA established at the end of the fall term of the senior year is used to determine students qualifying for graduation with honors.

Licensures

In order to become a licensed pharmacist, graduates are required to successfully pass the NAPLEX and MPJE (national licensure examinations).

Tennessee Licensure
Internship requirements of the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy include a specified minimum of 1700 clock hours. Pharmacy experience obtained after enrollment is allowed toward fulfillment of the Board requirements. The Board accepts 1700 clock hours of credit for certain clinically-oriented courses (IPPE and APPE rotations) in the pharmacy curriculum. 

Licensure in other states
Pharmacists may become licensed in other states through two mechanisms: by Board examination in the individual state and by reciprocation of license from one state to another. In either method, application must be made to the Board of Pharmacy in the State for which licensure is desired.