Student Evaluation
Each student's performance in the classroom and in the lab/clinical area is evaluated on a regular basis by the faculty. Grade reports are available to students at the mid-term and end of each semester. Credit hours are calculated by the following formula:

• 16 weeks per semester
• 15 lecture hours per semester = 1 credit hour
• 60 lab/clinical hours per semester = 1 credit hour

Full-Time/Part-Time Status
Students taking 12 or more credits per semester at Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences are considered full-time students. Course loads of less than 12 credits are considered part-time.

Adding Courses
A student requesting to add a class after the semester has begun may do so by contacting the Registrar and completing a Class Add form. Admission into the requested class will be granted on a first-come basis if a seat is available, and if no more than two class sessions have been conducted.

Course Auditing
A student may elect to audit a course without receiving a grade in the class. Approval to audit a course must be obtained from the course instructor and the Registrar on a space-available basis. A student may not attend a clinical/lab component of a class. Any student electing to audit a class will be charged half the tuition portion of the theory portion of the course. A student may not change from credit to audit status or from audit to credit status after the beginning of the semester. Auditors are not required to prepare lessons or papers, or take examinations, nor do they receive any credit for the course. No more than one course may be audited per semester.

Incomplete Grades
A temporary grade of Incomplete (I) is given to a student who, for a reason judged acceptable by the Instructor and Academic Dean, has not been able to complete the required coursework prior to the end of the semester. Prior to the end of the semester, the student, faculty, and Academic Dean must complete the appropriate form and file it with the Registrar. The course instructor will determine the length of time a student has to complete the coursework. This time limit shall not exceed four weeks past the last day of the semester as printed on the academic calendar. Coursework that is not completed in this period will be automatically converted to Failing (F).

Grading
The grades and terms used to describe achievement are reported at the end of each semester. The grade point average (GPA) is a comprehensive evaluation of a student's academic standing. The average is a quotient, obtained by dividing the sum of grade points earned by the number of credits attempted.

Grade Changes
It is the student's responsibility to review the grade report upon receipt.  The Program Coordinator can verify submitted grades.  Changes may only be made by the course faculty issuing the grade.  Changes must be in writing and submitted before the end of the next grading period.

Dean's List
Full-time students taking 12 or more credits, or part-time students taking 6-11 credits, are eligible each semester for the Dean's List, if they achieve a grade point average of 3.35 with no grade lower than a B- (2.7).

Academic Progress
Students enrolled in the College must maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average. Students failing to maintain a 2.0 grade point average or failing to meet the academic requirements of each program are subject to academic or clinical disciplinary action, suspension or dismissal from the College. Specific guidelines for academic progress requirements are found in the Student Handbook.

Academic Warning and Dismissal
At the midpoint and end of each semester, the academic and lab/clinical progress of each student is reviewed. Those whose academic or lab/clinical performance is unsatisfactory are counseled and the required standards are identified. A letter of warning is sent to the students who do not meet the minimum standards. Should prescribed conditions and requirements not be met, the student will be dismissed from the program.

Portfolio Project
All graduating students of LGCNHS are required to complete a portfolio project.  The Portfolio is a collection and interpretation of work which allows the instructor, employer or others to evaluate the graduate's abilities based on that work.  The Portfolio Project is used as proof of ongoing professional development and evaluates how learners have met the college's requirements for graduation as reflected in the LGCNHS mission statement.

Graduation and Licensure
A student is eligible for graduation after the satisfactory completion of the curriculum requirements of the specific program in which he/she is enrolled and must have a cumulative quality point average of 2.0 upon completion.

Upon successful completion of study, the graduate is eligible to file an application for licensure or certification in the specialty area. All programs, in their respective section of the College Catalog, identify examination and registration eligibility.

Graduation Honors
Students who have consistently earned superior grades in their course work are recognized for their achievements at graduation with the designation of graduation honors. The student's diploma and university record carry the appropriate honors designation:

• Cum Laude for a cumulative grade point average between 3.35 and 3.64.
• Magna Cum Laude for a cumulative grade point average between 3.65 and 3.94.
• Summa Cum Laude for a cumulative grade point average between 3.95 and 4.00.

Terminal Award Definitions
Based on educational criteria established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Education, the Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences uses the following definitions to describe terminal awards for educational programs:

• Certificate - a certificate program is generally less than one year in length, delivers instruction that is task or job specific and does not include general education courses.
• Diploma - a diploma program requires at least one year of study, delivers instruction that is career-specific and includes selected general education courses in its curriculum.
• Degree - a degree program requires at least two years of study, requires the successful completion of courses in the major area of study, as well as general education courses and courses that support the major.

At the completion of the program of study, the degree, diploma or certificate credential is awarded by the College.

Attendance
Students must realize the importance of achieving an academic record that reflects their intellectual ability for both the present and the future. Such records are seldom achieved without regular attendance and participation in class discussion. Mature and motivated students recognize that active and informed participation in class is essential to their scholarly growth. Students are expected to attend all classes. The specific requirements for each course are included in the course syllabi and are identified by the faculty at the beginning of each academic and/or clinical course.

Due to the diverse nature of both academic and clinical components of the various programs, each program's policies regarding tardiness, sick leave, absences from academic classes and clinical assignments are contained in the Student Handbook.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal from Classes
A student electing to withdraw from a registered course or class prior to the first day of the semester must notify the Registrar by means of electronic mail, fax or mail. Neither verbal withdrawals nor messages left on voice mail will be accepted.

A student electing to withdraw from a registered course or class on or after the first day of the semester must complete a drop form, which can be found in the Registrar's Office. Withdrawals during this time are subject to the refund policy as well as the grading policy.

Withdrawal from College
A student may request to withdraw from the program at any time. A student who wishes to withdraw from the College must request a conference with the Program Coordinator or Dean of Academic Affairs.

At the time of the withdrawal, the student must complete an official withdrawal form available in the College Office and schedule an exit interview with the Program Coordinator or Dean of Academic Affairs.  The Financial Aid Officer and the Bursar (Student Accounts Representative) must also be contacted.

The faculty reserves the right at any time to recommend the withdrawal of a student whose physical and/or mental health, conduct, scholastic achievement, or personal behavior is considered detrimental to the College or who does not meet the professional standards of nursing or standards as established by the appropriate program.

Failure to Attend: A student who has registered for a course or class, fails to withdraw per policy and fails to attend said course or class will be responsible for an administrative fee equivalent to 10% of the tuition. The student will receive a grade of "Z", which indicates "No adequate evaluation for grading." This grade does carry quality points of zero and will calculate into the student's GPA.

Leave of Absence
It is expected that students will pursue their clinical studies according to a systematic plan. If it becomes necessary to interrupt the clinical progression during the program, a leave of absence must be requested in writing and may not exceed one year. The request must have the approval of the Program Coordinator. Students may reenter the program based on seat availability. If a student fails to return from a leave of absence, the student is considered withdrawn from the College.

Transfer Credit for Matriculated Students
Prior to registering for a course at an institution other than LGCNHS, the student must complete the course request form in the Registrar's Office in order to assure compliance with the proper method for having the course approved and the credits accepted.  After enrollment, students may not earn more than six credits from other institutions.

Integrity
The College fosters a climate that promotes mutual respect and integrity as defined in the Code of Conduct and Honor Code. These are published in the Student Handbook, which can be found on the College's Intranet website (accessible to active students only).

Grievance Policy
Grievances are student issues of perceived injustice caused by a College faculty member or members, whereby the student believes he or she has been unfairly placed at a disadvantage. Grievance policies and procedures include informal and formal resolution processes between students and faculty members. Students are required to pursue informal resolution processes first. Should the informal resolution process not meet the student's satisfaction, the student is required to follow the formal grievance procedure included in the Student Handbook.

Updated 10/14/07