Policies and Procedures

The University-assigned student email account (@umn.edu account) is the official means of communication from the University and School of Nursing. Check your University-assigned account regularly. Failure to monitor your University-assigned account will not be considered an acceptable or valid excuse for missing important information or course/program deadlines vital to your success in the MN program. Forwarding your University email to another account risks losing important information; therefore, it is strongly recommended that you do not forward mail from this account. If you do choose to forward email sent to your University email account, you are still responsible for all information, including all attachments.

All students are expected to follow University of Minnesota information technology policies and procedures.

To request permission to depart from degree requirements and procedures, withdraw from a required nursing course, or to petition acceptance of transfer courses, you will need to fill out a petition form available the MN Current Students webpage. Submit the signed the petition and any relevant documents (e.g., a syllabus, medical documentation, etc.) to the Office of Student and Career Advancement Services office in 2-139 Weaver-Densford Hall or by emailing the professional academic advisor.

Degrees are conferred at the end of the month in which all degree requirements are met. The academic advisor will prompt you for action regarding degree conferral processes. The degree is formally posted on the transcript approximately two weeks after the last day of the month of degree conferral.

As a MN student, you must meet the following guidelines:

• Remain an "active" graduate student--meaning you have registered in the semester of degree conferral
• Complete and receive a letter grade for all courses by the last day of the month (any Incomplete grades must be changed to a grade).

All requirements for the MN degree must be completed and the degree awarded within 2 years of enrollment, unless a new progression plan has been approved. The earliest coursework satisfying degree requirements, including transfer credit, may not be older than five years at the time of degree conferral.

You are expected to attend all meetings of your courses. You will not be penalized for an absence during the semester due to unavoidable or legitimate circumstances. Such circumstances include verified illness, participation in intercollegiate athletic events, subpoenas, jury duty, military service, bereavement, or religious observances. Such circumstances also include activities sponsored by the University if identified by the senior academic officer for the campus or his or her designee as the basis for excused absences. This does not include voting in local, state, or national elections. Instructors must be notified at the beginning of the term about such planned absences and arrangements to make-up required work. Instructors are not required to accommodate makeup of laboratory experiences or examinations to suit students’ personal convenience or to accommodate situations such as vacations.

School of Nursing instructors determine and inform you of the policies and procedures regarding absence from class, laboratory, and examinations. Makeup work is determined at the sole discretion of the instructors. They are not obligated to afford or arrange practicum make-up times due to an absence unless it is due to one of the excused circumstances noted above.

The School of Nursing pre-licensure programs partner with clinical agencies to meet national and state guidelines for pre-licensure education. To effectively educate, assess, and evaluate student outcomes, faculty need the designated practicum time to observe and guide students in each practicum setting. Students are expected to maximize their learning at each practicum site by attending all practicum days for the course (as outlined in each course syllabus).

All pre-licensure students are expected to attend all practicum experiences as designated by each practicum course unless the student meets one or more of the criteria stated in the University Policy: Makeup Work for Legitimate Absences. Or, accommodations have been determined based on joint agreement between the Disability Resource Center Services Liaison, the program director(s), and course faculty. This accommodation must be documented in an accommodation letter from the Disability Resource Center.

An unexcused absence in a practicum course will result in a 1 “step” grade reduction on the course grade scale applied after the final course grade has been calculated for that course (for example B+ to a B).

The following is the procedure that course faculty adhere to for unexcused absences:

1. Course faculty will include the policy statement in the course syllabus (in practicum courses).

2. Course faculty will keep documentation of student unexcused absence (e-mail, notes of student meeting, etc. ).

3. Course faculty will notify the student as soon as an unexcused absence has been verified regarding the consequence of the final course grade reduction.

4. Following the calculation of the final course grade at the end of the semester, the grade reduction as stated about will be applied to the final score and the corresponding letter grade will then be entered into the gradebook as the final grade in University grade platform.

To maintain active student status, you must register every fall, spring, and summer term within the 16-month program. If you do not register in the School of Nursing every fall, spring, and summer, you are considered to have withdrawn and your SoN records are deactivated. Deactivated students may not register for courses, take examinations, or otherwise participate in the University community as a School of Nursing student. If you wish to resume coursework, you must request readmission to the SoN and, if readmitted, must register in the School for the term of readmission to regain anactive status.

A zero-credit, zero-fee, non-graded registration option is available if, because of extraordinary circumstances, you are not able to take courses in a given semester. However,you must register solely to meet the continuous registration requirement. NURS 777 does not meet any other internal/external departmental or agency requirements. You must meet with your advisor to receive permission to register for NURS 777. Late registration fees will be assessed if you register past the deadline date. You are allowed to enroll in NURS 777 a maximum of two (2) semesters during theprogram.

You may have specific registration requirements if you are receiving financial aid from the University or other agencies, if you are an international student with a certain types of visa, or if you wish to use various University services and facilities. You are responsible for obtaining information about such requirements from the appropriate offices.

You will be required to enter a permission number in order to register if:

• prerequisites for a course indicate that instructor consent is required for course entry

• a course is closed

• you are trying to register in the second week of the term

A permission number represents the instructor’s consent for entry into a course. You must, therefore, contact the instructor of the course to get a permission number. Requests for permission numbers should be done via e-mail. Faculty e-mails are linked to the courses within the One Stop registration system.

You must manage your registration via the online registration system through the MyU Portal. Carefully check the courses you have registered for and apprise yourself of the deadlines for cancellations, grade-base changes, and refunds. If you wish to withdraw from a course or completely cancel your registration, you are encouraged to consult your academic advisor prior to taking action. Tuition and course fees are refunded on a prorated schedule.

You may request a leave of absence from the University of Minnesota. To request a leave of absence, you must submit a request form to the Office of Student and Career Advancement Services. Nursing courses follow a particular sequence. Therefore, students who are taking a leave of absence from required nursing courses must contact their faculty or professional academic advisor to discuss their options. Failure to have your leave of absence approved could affect your status as a MN student, as well as your financial aid award and ability to be readmitted to the School of Nursing.

Due to the nature of pre-licensure programs, students may be required to repeat clinical coursework that is more than 1 year old. Students on an approved leave of absence do not need to apply for readmission to the MN program.

The Policy Library website contains detailed information on University grading policies and practices. Specific School of Nursing policies and variations are listed below.

The SoN uses two grading systems: A-F (with pluses and minuses) and S-N (S = satisfactory, N = no credit). School policy dictates that at least two-thirds of the course credits on a student's official Degree Plan must be taken under the A-F system. Additionally, all clinical courses must be taken under the A-F system. Grading option changes are not permitted after the second week of the term (earlier for the summer term).

All courses required within the nursing curriculum must be completed for a grade of C- or better. Academic work with a grade lower than C- is considered unsatisfactory. Students who receive two or more unsatisfactory grades in one or two different classes will be immediately dismissed from the MN program (see Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Progress). Students who do not maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA each semester will be placed on academic probation.

Under provisions of federal and state legislation, examination scores, course grades, and similar indicators of student academic progress are not public information. Accordingly, such information cannot be released or made public without written student permission, except for normal educational and administrative uses within the University.

The Office of the Registrar maintains and releases student transcripts, the official University record of grades and registration symbols for all courses students take. You can request an official transcript online at OneStop. To obtain an unofficial transcript online, log in to MyU, select the Academics tab, the Grades sub tab, and click the "Unofficial Transcript" link. With a picture ID you may also pick up an unofficial transcript in person, free of charge, at OneStop (Bruininks Hall, 222 Pleasant St. S.E.).

The first step of any resolution should be at the lowest unit level, between the parties involved or the parties and an appropriate third party (e.g., other faculty, department chair, or administrator). You may wish to contact the Student Conflict Resolution Center or similar support service for advice and possible mediation. If no informal resolution is reached at the lowest unit level, you may seek informal resolution at the collegiate level with the other party and higher level administrators. If the issue is not resolved informally, you may seek formal resolution. 

The School of Nursing expects you to complete coursework in a timely manner. An “incomplete” grade is assigned at the discretion of the course instructor when, due to extraordinary circumstances, you are prevented from completing the work of the course on time. First, faculty and student meet to discuss if an incomplete grade is warranted. If it is warranted, faculty follow the SoN Incomplete Grade Procedure. The faculty member teaching the course completes an incomplete contract with you and disperses copies of the contract to the you, your academic advisor, and the program director.

The Graduate Admissions and Progressions Committee reviews student progression according to established school policy. An incomplete grade may impact progression in sequential courses. You will have one calendar year from end of term to end of term to complete incomplete coursework. Failure to complete coursework in one calendar year may result in the incomplete converting to an F or N grade. (Note that a contract for an incomplete grade established by a course instructor that you agree to may require completion of the course within a specific time frame that is less than one calendar year.)

The purpose of a Notice of Concern is to facilitate a student’s growth towards achieving program outcomes. When potential or actual problems or concerns are identified, you and faculty member will develop a plan to resolve the issue. You are provided a copy of the notice, as well as the course instructor/coordinator, the faculty advisor, the Office of Student and Advancement Services, and the program director. This document does not become part of your official University of Minnesota academic record. All notices not resolved in a timely manner will be brought to the Graduate Admissions and Progressions Committee for review. 

The University of Minnesota School of Nursing requires you maintain a minimum term and cumulative GPA of 3.0 while in the MN program.

The following are instances that are subject to academic probation and possible suspension:

• When your cumulative GPA falls below 3.0
• When your term GPA falls below 3.0
• When you earn an unsatisfactory grade (lower than a C-) in one course required for the MN program

When you earn less than a C- in a required course, or when you fail to complete required courses, you are out of progression and are required to submit a revised program plan and petition to the Graduate Admissions & Progression Committee. Failure to complete an approved progression plan will result in dismissal from the MN program. Contact the Office of Student & Career Advancement Services for assistance with petitions.

When a student does not successfully complete two or more required courses in the nursing curriculum, the student is immediately dismissed from the MN program. This can include withdrawals from courses, a grade lower than C- in two different courses, or unsuccessful completion twice in the same course. This includes failures and withdrawals that occur in the same semester or in different semesters.

You may retake a class one time only.

If placed on academic probation, you will have a hold placed on your record and must see your academic advisor in order to register. You are suspended if, at the end of the probation term, both your cumulative GPA and the term GPA are below 3.0 or the conditions of an academic contract are not fulfilled. A suspension is effective immediately. Academic suspension lasts for one year, after which time you may apply for readmission. Readmission is not guaranteed.

Students readmitted to the program after a period of academic suspension will be placed on probation requiring additional demonstration of academic success. Students who do not successfully complete the contract shall again be suspended. Failing two required nursing courses, either in the same or different semesters, results in immediate dismissal from the MN Program.

As a student in the School of Nursing, you are expected to adhere to the U of M Code of Conduct, as well as the School of Nursing Behavioral Standards when you accept your offer of admission. Any violation of the above is considered an act of misconduct and warrants disciplinary action appropriate to the violation. You have the right to contest any allegation of misconduct or disciplinary action. Whenever possible, allegations of misconduct should be settled at the lowest possible level—between the individuals involved. Allegations of misconduct should be resolved as quickly as possible.

When a faculty member believes that a student has engaged in misconduct or scholastic dishonesty, the faculty member will submit a report to the Office of Community Standards. The student may then be required to meet with an Office of Community Standards staff member to discuss the matter. If a student disagrees with the outcome of the case and does not wish to accept an informal resolution, the Campus Committee on Student Behavior composed of faculty and students will hear the case.

When students are found responsible for scholastic dishonesty, the sanctions can include but are not limited to the following options: failing grade on an assignment, failing grade in a course, completing a required assignment, being placed on disciplinary probation, being suspended, or being expelled.

Students can expect the severity of the sanction to be increased for a second offense.

Be advised that University policy prohibits withdrawing from a course to avoid a grade penalty of F or N due to scholastic dishonesty. The School of Nursing does not allow a student to withdraw from a class if accused of scholastic dishonesty.

A student has the right to a hearing and to appeal any disciplinary action. Records of academic misconduct are kept on file in the college office and in the Office of Community Standards.

The University of Minnesota has established policies regarding privacy and access to student educational records, which the SoN adheres to. You may review your file in the Office of Student and Career Advancement Services (2-139 WDH) by appointment. You may review the information contained in the file but you may not copy or remove it. Requests made to the Office of Student and Career Advancement Services to send copies of previously submitted documents such as transcripts or references to other agencies or universities are usually not granted. You are expected to maintain your own records and to contact the primary document source for additional records should the need arise.