Attendance Policy - Graduate Studies in Nursing

Because of the delivery method of non-residential programs, attendance is required and monitored. Students are expected to be present for onsite class sessions and participate in online activity. Absences are allowed as follows:

• Under emergency circumstances, a student may be allowed one absence in courses that are five class sessions or fewer in length. Students need to contact the faculty member regarding make up work.
• Under emergency circumstances, a student may be allowed two absences in courses that are six or more class sessions in length. Students need to contact the faculty member regarding make up work.

If a student exceeds the allowed absences and does not contact the Office of Student Services to officially withdraw before the last class session, the instructor is directed to issue the grade of “F”. Students who never attend a class and do not withdraw will be administratively withdrawn from the course and from all subsequent courses. Student must then go through the normal readmittance process.

Students who must miss a course due to unavoidable circumstances must arrange for a withdrawal with the Office of Student Services prior to the beginning of the course. Students needing to withdraw while in a course may do so by arrangement with the Office of Student Services prior to the end of the course, but the regular refund and academic withdrawal policies apply. Students will be charged a $100 withdrawal fee.

Faculty members reserve the right to factor lateness, early departures, and class attendance into a student’s grade, as long as it is addressed in the syllabus.

Onsite Attendance Policy – The nature of the adult and graduate programs requires students to attend all class sessions. Class attendance records are maintained by the faculty member and submitted to the Office of Student Services. Students are expected to be present when class begins, and remain the entire workshop. To be counted present, a student must attend a total of three hours or more of a class that is four hours in length. Only under emergency circumstances, a student may be allowed one absence in any clinical course.

Online Attendance Policy: Attendance is determined by activity during a workshop, either through discussions or submission of assignments. A student is reported absent for a workshop if there is not at least one submission (or posting) of an assignment or in a discussion forum assigned during that workshop.

Primary Care (PYC) Practicum Courses Attendance Policy:  The Primary Care (PYC) Practicum courses combine onsite and online workshops within a single course. Students enrolled in these courses are held to a more stringent attendance standard due to the nature of the knowledge presented and its relevance to safe advanced nursing practice. Missing more than one onsite or online workshop during a practicum course will result in a grade of “F” for the course.