Progress, Promotion and Graduation

Academic Standing

Academic Standing will be assigned at the end of each term of a student’s enrollment. There are three Academic Standing classifications at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC): Academic Good Standing, Academic Probation, and Academic Dismissal. Academic Standing is determined by the College of Nursing. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is determined by The Office of Financial Aid at UTHSC.  While very similar in their review of a student’s academic progression, Academic Standing determines a student’s academic eligibility for continued enrollment. Satisfactory Academic Progress determines a student’s eligibility for Federal and State financial aid. To maintain eligibility for financial aid, a student must meet SAP requirements, regardless of their Academic Standing.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students must achieve satisfactory academic progress to receive federal financial aid. The Office of Financial Aid’s satisfactory academic progress 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. This rule may also apply to state, institutional, and private funds. For more information, refer to CenterScope, Satisfactory Academic Progress.

1. Satisfactory Academic Progress

The criterion for satisfactory academic progress is as follows:

1. For the BSN program: Students must attain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in a given term and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to progress to the subsequent term or to graduate. Students are expected to complete all courses with a grade of “C” or higher.  
2. For the BSN Program: Federal Financial Aid laws state a bachelor’s degree should be completed within 150% of the total credit hours for the degree. The BSN degree is 120 credits, therefore any student that, during their completion of their BSN degree, exceeds 180 credit hours will be notified of the need to verify their academic progress with financial aid. The SAP form can be located at  https://uthsc.edu/financial-aid/satisfactory-academic-progress.php. Students that are notified of this progression approval form should complete the first page and send this to the BSN Program Director or designee to complete the second page. Once this is complete, the form will be signed and submitted to the financial aid office.
3. For DNP and certificate programs: Students must attain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in a given term and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to progress to the subsequent term or to graduate. Students are expected to complete all courses with a grade of “B” or higher.
4. For all programs:
   1. The grade point average is calculated based on required courses completed at  UTHSC. Grades earned in courses that are repeated are included in the calculation of the student’s UTHSC GPA. Grades that are transferred into the program are not included in the UTHSC grade point average.
   2. Students must complete required clinical hours and meet clinical outcomes for courses to progress in the program. If a student changes their state of residency, the College of Nursing may not be able to arrange appropriate clinical experiences. Delay of progression may result and could necessitate students to take a leave of absence or withdrawal from the program if clinical experiences cannot be arranged.
   3. Students must meet the College and program technical and performance standards as outlined in the Minimum Performance Standards for BSN applicants and the Technical and Performance Standards for DNP Students listed within each concentration to continue in the various curricula and graduate. Copies of these standards are provided to students by their respective programs and are included in this bulletin.
   4. Registered nurses must maintain an unencumbered Tennessee RN license or have unencumbered authority to practice as an RN via the multi-state privilege for the duration of the program.
   5. Individuals who are admitted into either a certificate program or the DNP program based on licensure as an advanced practice nurse must maintain this license during the program.
   6. The grade scale for the College of Nursing is as follows: A (92-100) Excellent, B (83-91.99) Good, C (75-82.99) Satisfactory, D (70-74.99) Poor, F (0-69.99) Failure, WF (Withdraw Failure), W (Withdraw), WP (Withdraw Passing), I (Incomplete).

2. Academic Performance Leading to Probation

The criterion for academic performance leading to probation is as follows:

1. For all Programs: Students that do not meet the criteria for academic performance leading to dismissal (see section 3 below), but who have not maintained satisfactory academic performance are placed on probation and do not go through the Progression Committee. The criterion for academic performance leading to probation is as follows:
   1. For the BSN program: Any student who earns a single grade of “WF” or “D” in a single semester will be placed on probation for the following term and remain on probation until they are in good academic standing.  
   2. For DNP and certificate programs: Any student who earns a grade of “WF” or “C” in a single semester will be placed on probation for the following semester and will remain on probation until they are in good academic standing.

3. Academic Performance Leading to Dismissal

The criterion for academic performance leading to dismissal is as follows:

1. For the BSN Program: An automatic dismissal from the CON Dean will result when a student earns a grade of “F” or “WF” two times throughout the program of study, fails a majority of their courses in any given semester, or achieves any combination of 3 or more grades of “WF”, “F” and “D” in a single semester. Students meeting the criteria for automatic dismissal outlined in this section retain their right to appeal as described in the Appeal Process section of this policy.
2. For the BSN Program: A recommendation for dismissal from the program by the Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will result when a student earns two grades of “D” or a single “F” throughout the course of study. Students meeting the criteria for recommendation for dismissal in this section retain their right to appeal as described in the Appeal Process section of this policy.
3. For the DNP Program: An automatic dismissal from the CON Dean will result when there is a “D” or “F” in any single course or two grades of “WF” throughout the course of study. Students meeting the criteria for automatic dismissal outlined in this section retain their right to appeal as described in the Appeal Process section of this policy.
4. For all Programs: Students that meet the following criteria for each program will be recommended for dismissal by the Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Students meeting the criteria for recommendation for dismissal in this section retain their right to appeal as described in the Appeal Process section of this policy.. The criterion for academic performance leading to dismissal recommendation is as follows:
   1. For all Programs: A student failing to meet the minimum grade point average requirement as stipulated by the specific degree program;  
   2. For all Programs: A student failing to meet the requirements of a course(s) as stipulated in the course syllabus;
   3. For all Programs: A student failing to meet technical and performance standards as outlined in the Minimum Performance Standards for BSN applicants and the Technical and Performance Standards for DNP Students listed within each concentration;
   4. For all Programs: A student failing to meet stipulated conditions for removal of academic probation within the designated time period prescribed in their official notification.

Progression Review

The following guidelines pertain to full-time as well as part-time students. Promotion is the process by which a student progresses through an academic program and graduates. The progress of all students is reviewed three times per year (end of fall term, end of summer term, and end of spring term). However, student progress may be reviewed more frequently if needed. The Progression Committee can act any time a student is dismissed for making inadequate progress toward degree objectives or technical and performance standards as outlined in the Minimum Performance Standards for BSN applicants and the Technical and Performance Standards for DNP Students listed within each concentration. Committee recommendations regarding a particular student are based upon input by the student, each faculty member, or the course director who has teaching responsibility for that student during a given instructional period. Students who wish to appeal dismissal will have the opportunity to submit documents and a statement supporting their appeal request in accordance with the Appeal Process outlined below.

1. Progression Committee Actions: For any student meeting the criteria for a recommendation of dismissal outlined in 3b or 3d (i through iv), the following actions may be recommended by the Progression Committee to the Dean:

1. Not Upholding Dismissal
   1. For All Programs: The Progression Committee, after considering the appeal as submitted by the student, may recommend not upholding the dismissal recommendation for the student. The Progression Committee may make recommendations to the Dean intended to facilitate the student’s academic success.
2. Probation
   1. For All Programs: The Progression Committee may recommend probation for any student failing to meet stated objectives associated with technical and performance standards. Committee recommendations must include delineation of specific conditions that must be met for removal of the student from academic probation, and the time by which such conditions must be met.
   2. For All Programs: The Progression Committee may recommend probation for students who received a recommendation for dismissal from any program upon consideration of all statements and evidence presented to the Progression Committee on appeal. Committee recommendations must include delineation of specific conditions that must be met for removal of the student from academic probation, and the time by which such conditions must be met. The Progression Committee may make recommendations intended to facilitate the students’ academic success.
   3. For the Accelerated BSN Program: The Progression Committee may recommend probation and transfer to the Traditional BSN program in lieu of a dismissal recommendation. Committee recommendations must include delineation of specific conditions that must be met for removal of the student from academic probation, and the time by which such conditions must be met.
3. Upholding Dismissal
   1. For All Programs: The Progression Committee, after considering the appeal as submitted by the student, may recommend upholding the recommended dismissal of the student.
4. Repeating Curriculum: Recommendations that a student repeat all or part of the curriculum may be made if either of the following conditions are present:
   1. Nonacademic circumstances: the presence of specific nonacademic circumstance(s) judged by the committee as having an adverse effect on the student’s academic performance and there is committee judgment that resolution of the identified circumstance will subsequently result in satisfactory performance by the student;
   2. Academic performance or leave of absence resulting in a delay in progression: Students may be required to repeat or audit courses previously taken when in the committee’s judgment the time between course completion and re-entry into program could jeopardize student progression or success on licensing or certification exams.
   3. Grades for Repeated Courses: When a course is repeated, the grades for both the original and the repeated courses are included in the grade point average.

Time to Completion 

A maximum amount of time is set in which all degree requirements must be completed as follows:

1. For the BSN program: All degree requirements must be completed within 2 times the expected duration of the curriculum plan the student matriculates into.
2. For the DNP program: All degree requirements must be completed within 8 years of matriculating into the program.
3. For all programs: Any waiver requests to these requirements must be approved by the Dean and the Vice Chancellor for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs.

Notification of Student Dismissal

Any student who does not meet progression criteria is notified of academic probation or pending dismissal recommendation by email and a certified letter from the Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. A student placed on academic probation is given a written statement of conditions that must be met for removal of academic probation, and the time period allowed.

Any student who meets the criteria for automatic dismissal will be notified by email and a certified letter from the Dean of the College of Nursing.

Appeal Process

Appeal of automatic dismissals:  If a student meeting the criteria outlined in 3a or 3c of this policy wishes to appeal, 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 dismissal. Students wishing to petition for readmission must send a letter of appeal to the Office of the Chancellor within two (2) business days after receipt of the academic dismissal notice from the Dean. This appeal must focus on perceived flaws/biases in the process leading up to academic dismissal rather than on the grades awarded.   

Appeal of dismissal recommendation: A student who has received notification of a dismissal recommendation based on criteria outlined in section 3b or 3d (i through iv) has the right to appeal the dismissal recommendation to the Progression Committee. A request to appeal the dismissal recommendation must be made  in writing via official university email to the Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs within two (2) business days after  receipt of notification of the intended action of dismissal recommendation. The student must provide a written summary and copies of source documents relevant to the appeal to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs two (2) business days prior to the Progression Committee meeting. The student may include written documentation from another individual (excluding legal counsel) who can directly contribute information regarding the dismissal. Progression Committee meeting dates are designated on the Academic Calendar and are included in the notification to the student of the failure to progress. This date is non-negotiable.

After the Progression Committee meets to review and discuss all materials presented regarding each student receiving a recommendation of dismissal from the Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, the committee will vote whether to uphold or not uphold the dismissal recommendation via a simple majority.  The composition of the Progression Committee includes four (4) elected regular faculty members with voting privileges with a minimum of one (1) from each of the following Departments: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Acute and Tertiary Care, and Community and Population Health, none of whom hold an administrative position defined as CON Chair or above in the College of Nursing, at least three (3) alternative regular faculty members, with one (1) from each department with voting privileges who will be elected to serve in the event that a standing committee member is unable to attend, Program Directors also attend as non-voting members, the Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs shall attend meetings as a non-voting member, and the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs who shall serve as Chairperson without a vote except in the case of a tie.  The Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs sends the Progression Committee’s recommendation to uphold or not uphold (with remediation) the dismissal along with supporting documentation to the Dean. The Dean will take the recommendation of the Committee into consideration, review the student’s file, and make the College of Nursing’s final determination. 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 dismissal. Students with complaints related to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability or veteran status should file a formal complaint with the Office of Access and Compliance.

Appeal of Grades

Students may appeal their final course grade if they believe that the grade was assigned inappropriately or capriciously and not in accordance with the grading policy provided in the course syllabus. The appeal must be  made in writing, within five (5) business days of the final grade being posted and emailed to the course director and  the program director. If a resolution of the issue is not made at the program level, then the appeal is made in writing to the Progression Committee (through the Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs) within two (2) business days of the student receiving notice from the course director and program director that a resolution can not be made at the program level.  The student must submit evidence that they took the issue to the course director and program director in their appeal materials. The Progression Committee will review the written documents at a Progression Committee hearing and make a recommendation to the Dean within 5 days of the grade appeal. The decision of the Dean is final. Students with complaints related to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability or veteran status should file a formal complaint with the Office of Access and Compliance.

Student Status During Academic Appeals

A dismissed student may seek permission from the Dean of the College of Nursing or the Dean’s designee to attend classes while the progress/promotion process or appeal process within the college is still pending. Students who are granted permission to attend classes from the Dean of the College of Nursing or the Dean’s designee during the appeal process will incur tuition and fee obligations only if the appeal is overturned. If the student’s academic appeal is denied or the academic dismissal is the final outcome, the Dean of the College of Nursing or the Dean’s designee will provide written notice to the student that he/she is academically dismissed, will be withdrawn from the institution, and is no longer permitted to attend classes, even during subsequent appeals. The Dean of the College of Nursing or the Dean’s designee will notify the Registrar, who will process the academic action and withdraw the student.  In such instances, the effective date of the student’s withdrawal for reporting purposes is the last date of attendance.

Readmission Following Dismissal or Unapproved Program Withdrawal

Students who withdraw from the program without permission to return or who are dismissed from the College for non-academic reasons may request readmission. Requests for readmission must be in writing and should be addressed to the Dean of the College of Nursing. Request for re-admission is acted upon by the Dean in consultation with appropriate administrators and faculty committees. If readmission is granted, the placement in the program and remaining requirements will be specified by the Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and the Program Director.

Students who are dismissed from the program for academic reasons are generally not considered competitive. Students who chose to reapply to the program following an academic dismissal should provide documentation of extenuating circumstances that contributed to the inability to progress in the program, resolution of the extenuating circumstances, and their plan to be successful academically if readmitted to the program.

Graduation Requirements

To be recommended for a degree in any of the programs offered by the College of Nursing, a candidate must comply with the following conditions:

1. The candidate must complete all required courses of the prescribed curriculum with a minimum grade point average stipulated by the specific degree program (BSN Program, grade point average of 2.0 or above; DNP Program, grade point average of 3.0 or above; certificate programs, grade point average of 3.0 or above) and in the case of clinical education or practice demonstrate a level of proficiency that is satisfactory to departmental faculty.
2. The candidate must discharge all financial obligations to the University and affiliated organizations.
3. The candidate must meet the technical and performance standards for the college and respective program as outlined in the Minimum Performance Standards for BSN applicants and the Technical and Performance Standards for DNP Students listed within each concentration.

Attendance at Graduation

Attendance at graduation is mandatory for students completing their degrees. Those students unable to attend graduation must file a written request with their respective dean to receive a degree in absentia. Permission for receiving a degree in absentia must be granted by the Dean.

Graduating with Honors Designation

Honors graduates of the undergraduate entry-level programs in the College are so designated in recognition of academic distinction achieved in their respective professional curricula. Honors designations receive special mention in the graduation program, and are based on the following cumulative grade point averages for the BSN program:

• 3.50 - 3.69 Graduation With Honors
• 3.70 - 3.84 Graduation With High Honors
• 3.85 - 4.00 Graduation With Highest Honors

No honors designations are awarded to graduates of the DNP program.

General Education Competencies

General education courses are completed prior to admission to the UTHSC. Students enrolling in the BSN program who have previously completed a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field must also complete prerequisite courses in human anatomy and physiology (8 credits), microbiology (4 credits), and American History (6 credits if not taken in high school). Individuals who have not yet completed a bachelor’s degree at the time of application to the BSN program must have completed 60 credits of non-nursing college courses. These general education courses must include math (statistics is preferred; 3 credits), science (Human Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology; 12 credits), English (6 credits), behavioral/social sciences (6 or more credits), humanities/fine arts (6 or more credits), and American History (6 credits if not taken in high school). All students enrolled in the BSN program must demonstrate general education competencies.

General education competencies for all UTHSC baccalaureate degrees are:

Critical Thinking
 Students will demonstrate their ability to solve problems, construct and present cogent arguments in support of their views and understand and evaluate arguments presented by others.

Communication
Students will demonstrate appropriate skills in planning, preparing, and presenting effective oral and written presentations.

Interprofessionalism
Students will be able to explain interprofessional practice to patients, clients, families, and/or other professionals, describe the areas of practice of other health professions, and express professional opinions competently, confidently, and respectfully while avoiding discipline specific language.

General education competencies will be measured through tools and strategies such as student performance on oral presentations, written critiques of research papers, and papers written in capstone courses.