SECTION II: Policies and Procedures for all Students

Academic Awareness and Information

Registration Link to section

Matriculated students in the SON register for courses via UR Student. Students are expected to register for courses as outlined in their approved degree plan.

Registration occurs every semester to aid in planning for faculty, budget projection, and space needs for the coming semester. Registration for the Summer semester is held in April. Registration for the Fall semester is held in July. Registration for the Spring semester is held in November. Students are expected to register for courses as early as possible. Students registering just prior to the start of the semester should expect delays in processing and gaining access to course materials.

Adding Courses Link to section

Students should always discuss the addition of another course with their advisors. If it is an appropriate action, the course may be added via UR Student prior to its start date. An updated degree plan should be filed. If the class has already begun, course instructor approval is required, and the course change must be processed by the SON Registrar’s Office.

Dropping and Withdrawing from a Course Link to section

Students should discuss dropping a course with their advisors. The course may be dropped via UR Student prior to the semester starts and through the Registrar’s Office after the semester starts. Students can drop a course through the fifth week of the semester (Financial implications will still apply). Courses dropped will not appear on the final transcript.

Beginning with the sixth week for all students up until the twelfth week of classes, students may withdraw from a course. A class week is defined as the seven days following the semester's start (financial implications will still apply). If the student withdraws from a course after the fifth week, the faculty member will declare it WP (Passing at the time of withdrawal) or WE (Failing at the time of withdrawal). The decision to designate WP or WE will be based on the evaluation criteria stated in the course syllabus. The designation of WP or WE will appear on the student’s transcript. In the case of courses that do not run the full 15-week semester, the period to drop, and to withdraw from a course, will be prorated accordingly.

The tuition refund policy for dropping or withdrawing from a course is provided under the section “Refund - Tuition Refund Schedule.” This policy includes full-time and part-time matriculated and non-matriculated students regardless of payment method (including UR tuition waivers). Refunds are not given once classes start for non-credit or audited courses. Online Fast Track Courses are non-refundable.

Please note that students using tuition benefits are responsible for the balance of charges (after the refund). Official drop/withdrawal from a course is the responsibility of the student, who must file a request as noted above. Notice to faculty members, telephone calls to offices on campus, or failure to attend classes are NOT considered official notice of intent to drop/withdraw. The official date of drop/withdrawal determines the amount of tuition refunded (students using tuition benefit waivers are responsible for payment of the balance).

Audit Link to section

Both matriculated students and non-matriculated students may audit select courses prior to the drop/add deadline with the permission of the instructor and the appropriate Associate Dean (see Organization of the School of Nursing) and with payment of the audit fee. Prior to the student audit status being approved, the prospective auditor must reach an agreement with the course faculty concerning attendance or other expectations to be met by the student, including participation in class discussions. Courses that require the registrant’s active participation are not appropriate for audit registration. Classwork completed by auditors will not be evaluated by the instructor. Auditors will not receive a grade or credit for the course and should not expect any individual instructor time.

Full-time graduate students taking at least nine credit hours per semester may audit courses free of charge in the SON when approved by the student’s advisor, the course instructor, and the appropriate Associate Dean.

Change in Enrollment Status Link to section

A student who is contemplating a change in status in the program (leave of absence, etc.) should discuss this with their advisor. A change in status usually means a change in financial aid eligibility as well as time to degree. Students receiving financial aid are advised to check with the Financial Aid Office prior to changing their status to see if their aid will be affected. Students receiving SON Scholarship support should also check with the SON Financial Aid Coordinator. Because of limited resources, the SON cannot guarantee the continued availability of a tuition fellowship or traineeship award.

Leave of Absence Link to section

Students who will not register for coursework each term, including summer, at the SON must complete the Leave of Absence form. If the Leave is granted, the student will continue to receive preregistration reminders for the next semester and other student communications and will retain the privilege of resuming study without going through the process of reapplication. A revised degree plan must be filed upon reentry, but preferably when the Leave is initiated.

The Leave will be limited to three (3) semesters, including summer, except the ABSN program. Students in the ABSN program will be limited to one semester of Leave. Students are not guaranteed a clinical slot upon return to the program.

Students on LOA lose eligibility for student loan deferments and University Health Insurance. Ph.D. should refer to the PhD Handbook for Leave of Absence and Return from Leave processes.

Withdrawal from SON Link to section

The student will:

• Seek the advice of an advisor

• Contact the School of Nursing Registrar

For students who withdraw, the refund of tuition and fees for coursework will be prorated and determined by the date on which notice is received. Any refund of tuition and fees is forfeited if the student does not notify the School of Nursing of the intent to withdraw in writing.

Continuous Enrollment Link to section

Matriculated students must maintain continuous enrollment by registering for at least one course at the UR each Fall, Spring, and Summer semester. If this is not possible, complete the Leave of Absence form online prior to the beginning of the semester. Consult with your advisor prior to making this decision.

For students enrolled in more than one program, registering for a course in either program meets the continuous enrollment requirement for both programs. Students failing to maintain continuous enrollment as described will be administratively withdrawn.

Summer coursework is not required in the Ph.D. program.

Course Cancellation Link to section

On rare occasions, courses may be canceled due to low enrollment. Registered students will be notified of course cancellation by the Registrar’s Office.

Degree Plan Link to section

The degree plan outlines the student’s intended plan of study for the duration of enrollment in the program at the UR. The degree plan is intended to:

• Assist the student and advisor in discussing the student’s career goals and plan for completion of the program.

• Plan the ideal sequence of courses taking into consideration prerequisites, co-requisites, the student’s learning needs, and the intended time for completion of the program.

• Allow administrators to forecast enrollment and plan resources for courses.

• Identify cohorts of students for clinical course enrollment and progression.

All students are required to have a current degree plan on file with the Registrar. Failure to do so will result in a registration hold. This plan should be completed upon admission. The degree plan serves as the student’s plan of study and may not be altered without the approval of the advisor. Students’ registration for courses must reflect the degree plan. Upon filing the degree plan, the student is committed to a clinical cohort for participation in clinical courses. If the degree plan is altered, the student’s enrollment in clinical courses may be affected. Changes in the clinical cohort assignment can be granted only on a space-available basis.

Exemption/Waiver of a Course Link to section

Course exemptions and waivers are extremely rare. When a student applies for a course exemption, it is done by petitioning the course instructor. Credit is given for the course when a student successfully challenges the content. When exempting a course, the student registers and pays for the course in the semester that it is being taught and receives credit and a grade for the course based on the terms of the academic petition.

A course may be waived from a student’s program of study after a student has taken a course similar in content that has been approved for substitution by the student’s advisor, course faculty, and Program Director. The student is required to take additional coursework to make up the credit and fulfill the objectives of their academic program. The request form for this transfer credit can be found on the SON website.

Independent Study Link to section

With the approvals of the advisor, Program Director, and appropriate Associate Dean (see Organization of the School of Nursing), students may arrange independent study for variable credit if a course on the topic is not available within the SON and the faculty resources are available. The designated instructor and student design course objectives and learning experiences necessary to meet them. Materials are prepared using the Independent Study form.

The completed form is submitted by the student to their advisor/faculty member and lastly to the appropriate Program Director and appropriate Associate Dean for final approval of the curricular integrity of the proposed independent study.

The course numbers used to register for the non-clinical independent study are as follows;

• NUR 391 for Baccalaureate students

• NUR 491 for Master’s and Advanced Certificate students

• NUR 591 for Doctoral students.

Matriculation and Full-time vs. Part-time Study Link to section

Once admitted to a degree program and registered for courses, students are considered to be matriculated and are expected to maintain registration continuously until the program is completed, until they withdraw, or are separated.

Full-time status for ABSN students is twelve or more credit hours per semester. There is no full-time option for the RN to BS program.

A full-time Master’s, Advanced Certificate, Ph.D., or DNP student is defined as a student who registers for nine credits within a given semester. “Half-time status” for students in all programs for federal financial aid and loan deferment purposes is at least six credits.

Maximum Time for Completing Degree Requirements Link to section

• RN to BS, Master’s, and Advanced Certificate candidates must complete all the requirements within five years after matriculation.

• Ph.D. and DNP students entering with a Master’s degree must complete all the requirements within six years after matriculation; within seven years if entering with a Bachelor’s degree.

• ABSN students in the 12-month program must graduate within 2 years after matriculation. ABSN students in the 24-month program must graduate within 4 years of matriculation.

• Students in combined degree programs will be evaluated for time to degree per degree.

All students must maintain continuous enrollment for each term after matriculation. Students who, for good reason, have been unable to complete a program within the stated time frame may request an extension of time via the Petition for Exemption to Policy. Such an extension, if granted, will be of limited duration.

Ph.D. students do not use the Petition for Exemption to Policy form from the School of Nursing. Please refer to the Ph.D. Student Handbook.

Non-matriculated Link to section

Non-matriculated (not formally admitted to a degree program in SON). A person wishing to take a course or courses not leading to a degree or certificate program may register for a course open to non-matriculated students. Evaluation of such work for inclusion in a degree program is reviewed upon admission and is limited to a maximum of 1/3 of the total program credits. Clinical/Lab courses are not open to non-matriculated students with the exception of fast-track courses and Registered Nurse First Assist (NSG 315, 322, 323, and 488).

Overload Link to section

ABSN students considering adding ANY courses over and above those required in the program must have the approval of the advisor and the Associate Dean for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs (see Organization of the School of Nursing) .

Any other student considering an overload (19 or more credit hours) must have the approval of the advisor and the Associate Dean for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs.

Transfer Credit Link to section

Previously earned coursework from an institution accredited by a USDE (U.S. Department of Education) or CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation) approved accrediting agency can be considered for review for transfer. Transfer credit from institutions meeting accreditation requirements shall be approved upon review of course content and alignment with learning outcomes. In general, courses from degree-granting colleges and Universities can be reviewed for transfer. Coursework from for-profit online learning platforms will not.

For Baccalaureate students Link to section

The review of official transcripts to award transfer credits occurs during the admission process and after matriculation whenever the SON Registrar’s Office receives an official transcript. Arts and sciences courses completed at other colleges or universities (or other institutions, including CLEP, AP, or Excelsior credits) will be reviewed for transfer of credit to SON, providing the courses are documented on official transcripts, have been completed with a grade of C or higher.

For the MS degree Link to section

The total amount of transfer and waiver credit should not exceed 1/3 of the total program credit hours. Students may request credits for transfer via the Transfer for Credit Request Form.

Courses taken prior to matriculation may be accepted toward graduate degree requirements if:

• The subjects form an integral part of the proposed program of study.

• They are taken within five years of the date of matriculation.

• They carry a grade of B- or higher.

• They are approved by the advisor, faculty reviewing the course(s), and/or the Program Director.

For graduate students with a previous MS degree, the NUR 401 Foundations of Scholarly Writing in the Health Professions course is waived. One credit from the previous MS degree will be transferred from a writingintensive course in that program.

For Master’s and Advanced Certificate students, the required undergraduate health assessment course for entry into the required graduate-level assessment course (NUR 410 or NUR 415) must have been taken within the past five years.