School Catalog

Transcription

1 School Catalog PITC Institute 827 Glenside Avenue Wyncote, Pennsylvania P age Volume 2.5

2 Table of Contents Message from the President... 6 Our Mission... 7 Accreditation and Approvals... 7 Approvals and Licensure... 7 Campus Memberships and Approvals... 7 General Information... 7 School History... 7 Organizational Structure and Administration... 8 Campus Facilities... 8 Student/Teacher Ratio... 8 Catalog Disclaimer... 9 Certification and Licensure Disclaimer... 9 Admissions Policies... 9 Non-Discrimination Policy... 9 General Admission Requirements... 9 Programmatic Requirements Pennsylvania Board of Nursing Laws Regarding a Convicted Person - Applicable to Practical Nursing Program Admissions Procedures Americans with Disabilities Act/Special Accommodations Transfer Credit Procedures Re-Entry Student Procedure Re-entry Policy - Practical Nurse Program Only Repeat Course Policy - Practical Nursing Program Financial Aid Programs Eligibility Requirements Federal Pell Grant Program Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program (subsidized or unsubsidized) Private Loans Tuition Financing P age Volume 2.5

3 Financial Services Bursar Academic Standards Related to Federal Financial Aid Refund and Cancellation Policy Add/Drop Period Termination Date Cancellation/Termination Policy Return to Title IV Policy Application Policy Period of Refund Academic Policies Academic Integrity Attendance Policy Attendance Policy - Practical Nurse Program Withdrawal/Termination Policy Missed Class Work Policy Make-up Policy Practical Nurse Program Leave of Absence Policy Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP) Satisfactory Academic Progress Definitions Grading Period Grade Point Average Maximum Time Frame Evaluation Points Appeal Process Grading Policy Treatment of Grades on Satisfactory Academic Progress Change of Program Academic Probation Standards of Conduct Dress Code Dress Code Standards for Allied Health Students Dress Code Standards for Trades Students Page Volume 2.5

4 Conduct Student Services Student Support and Resources Placement Assistance Academic Advising and Tutoring Transcript Request Credit Hour Definition Clock Hour Definition Graduation Requirements Student Rights and Responsibilities Student Rights Notification of FERPA Consumer Information Annual Security Report Visitor Policy Emergency Procedures Inclement Weather Student Acceptable Use Policy Copyright Infringements and Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Policy Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws: Drug Free School Policy Standards of Conduct Disciplinary Measures Prevention and Health Risks of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Legal Sanctions Sexual Harassment Policy Student Complaint/Grievance Procedure Program Offerings Dental Assistant Diploma Program Medical Assistant Diploma Program Medical Billing and Coding Diploma Program Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program Practical Nurse Diploma Program Page Volume 2.5

5 Electrical Technician Diploma Program Course Descriptions Catalog Supplements P age Volume 2.5

6 Message from the President Welcome to PITC Institute! On behalf of the staff and faculty it is my pleasure to welcome you to PITC Institute. We are dedicated to providing the training, skills and support necessary to assist you in your journey in achieving your career goals. Since 1998 PITC Institute has been providing hands on, performance based occupational training to prepare our graduates for entry level employment that meets the needs of our local community. Today, PITC Institute continues the same training in allied health and trade based occupational training to our students. The key to a successful career starts with education and training and we commend you for making the decision to start down a new career path. Our staff and faculty are committed to you, and providing the skills and training necessary to meet the needs of the employers in your community. We welcome you to the PITC family and look forward to working with you as you start your journey to a new future! Sincerely, Dr. Shahid Ahmed President 6 P age Volume 2.5

7 Our Mission The mission of PITC Institute is to provide high quality, cutting-edge post-secondary education. We strive to develop leaders who will provide innovation and service for the wellbeing of our community. Our commitment is to deliver education (relevant to the market demands) that equips students for success and for lifelong learning. The mission is achieved by providing career-oriented instruction and facilities that fulfill the desired goals of our students through the objectives as follows: To offer high quality education to meet the employment demands of the market place. To provide resources to excel in educational pursuits. To cultivate the habit of critical thinking in students to effectively service their clients. To instill leadership endeavor by challenging the students for creative solutions. Accreditation and Approvals PITC Institute is accredited by The Accrediting Commission of Independent Colleges and Schools, (ACICS) to award diplomas. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education. Approvals and Licensure PITC Institute is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education Provisionally Approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing Practical Nurse program Campus Memberships and Approvals Pennsylvania Association Private School Administrators Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities Pennsylvania Career Link Programs approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Veteran Affairs Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) Pennsylvania Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators General Information School History Princeton Resource Associates, Inc. was founded by Dr. Shahid Ahmed in 1998 to provide consulting and computer training services to corporations. In August of 1998, 7 P age Volume 2.5

8 the Princeton Resource Associates diversified and formed what is known today as PITC Institute, offering training in Information Technology. In 2004, PITC Institute made a strategic shift from its technology offerings to include an emphasis on allied health education. The Practical Nurse program was licensed by the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing in 2006, and has been in our program offerings since. In 2015 PITC Institute sought to expand our program offerings and added Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding and Electrical Technician programs to our program mix. Organizational Structure and Administration Princeton Resource Associates, Inc. is a registered corporation in Pennsylvania, dba, PITC Institute. The President is Dr. Shahid Ahmed, and Dr. Naheed Ahmed is the Vice President/School Director. A full listing of faculty and staff can be found in the Catalog Supplement. Campus Facilities PITC Institute is located at 827 Glenside Avenue, Wyncote, Pennsylvania in a newly renovated facility consisting of approximately 25,000 square feet in a commercial district easily accessible by car and public transportation and houses administrative offices, classrooms, and clinical laboratories. Each classroom is supplied with program specific equipment. The school is well lit, temperature controlled and provides a comfortable learning environment conducive to teaching and learning. The student learning environment is supported through the use of the classrooms, laboratories and a computer lab. The computer lab is supported through a virtualized networked environment with Internet access. Specific software requirements are detailed in the course syllabus as appropriate. The campus also has a library available for student and faculty use. Students and faculty are encouraged to use the library resources for research and supplemental reading as required for their program of study. Student/Teacher Ratio PITC Institutes experienced faculty support the learning objectives to enhance student success in the classroom, laboratory, and at the clinical site. An appropriate student to teacher ratio and class capacity enhances the learning experience as students prepare for entry into their field of study. Please see below for specific student to teacher ratios by program. The allied health and trade program laboratory capacities range from 15 to 30 students, with equipment and workstations available to provide the necessary hands on practice. Lecture room capacity ranges from 30 to 60 students. Class sizes are typically lower than room capacity ranges and care is taken to provide individualized attention to students in hands on courses. Please note that some clinical agencies that participate in PITC Institute s clinical 8 P age Volume 2.5

9 program may enforce policies of smaller class sizes at the clinical site. Catalog Disclaimer The information published in this catalog is correct and accurate as of the date of this publication. The school reserves the right to change the information, and when changes occur, information may be updated, revised or amended by use of addenda or supplements. Information in addenda or supplements is considered part of the catalog and is effective as of the date of its publication. PITC Institute reserves the right to make changes in class schedules, course sequence, academic calendar, or program of study. Such changes will have no effect on continuity or integrity of programs offered. PITC also reserves the right to make changes in administrative or teaching personnel, tuition and fees with notice, or any school activity or policy. Any changes to this publication will be documented as an Addendum to the Catalog and will be included as such. Current students will be notified in writing (through or written notice) of any changes stated above. Certification and Licensure Disclaimer PITC Institutes programs do not include occupationally specific certifications or licensure as a requirement for graduation. However, most programs are written utilizing a number of the educational objectives that will be required for the graduates future attempts at certification or licensure. Admissions Policies Non-Discrimination Policy Applicants are admitted, trained, and referred for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, sex, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. PITC Institute is an equal opportunity training facility. General Admission Requirements In order to be considered for admission into PITC Institute, an applicant must: 1) Be a high school graduate or have earned a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) 2) Candidates must be 18 years of age or older 3) Meet any special requirement for the program of study. 4) Achieve a passing score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Exam (SLE) entrance assessment(s). Please Note* Candidates who attempt and fail WSLE after two attempts are required to wait until the next start date to apply for admission. After the admissions interview, applicants are invited to meet with a financial aid advisor to learn of the various programs available to help cover tuition costs and to establish the basis for meeting tuition obligations. The School Director or their designee makes an admissions determination and provides the dates of the next available class start. The school must also confirm 9 P age Volume 2.5

10 receipt of proof of high school graduation or GED documents and ability to pay the cost of training. Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (WSLE) Program Score Practical Nurse Medical Assistant Dental Assistant Medical Billing & Coding Electrical Technician Programmatic Requirements Practical Nurse Program Additional Entrance Requirements In addition to the stated admissions requirements above, Practical Nurse applicants must meet the criteria below. 1) Student must attain a minimum combined score of 2.5 on the Admissions Acceptance Matrix. Admission Acceptance Matrix Criteria Minimum Score a) Acceptable scores on the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (WBST)Verbal and Quantitative. 450 b) Acceptable scores on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level examination (WSLE) 14 c) Acceptable score on the Admissions Interview.5 10 P age Volume 2.5

11 The following are not entrance requirements but must be met prior to starting clinical course - work or the student will be withdrawn from classes: 1) Completion of the required Medical Exam. 2) Candidate must obtain Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance. 3) Proof of Pennsylvania residency for at least two years. If less than two years, the candidate must provide an FBI fingerprint check. 4) A Criminal History Record Check that does not list any prohibitive offenses contained in act 169 of ) Proof of CPR Certification Pennsylvania Board of Nursing Laws Regarding a Convicted Person - Applicable to Practical Nursing Program The board shall not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No. 64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, or convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory or country unless: At least ten (10) years have elapsed from the date of conviction; The applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the board that he has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure of the application should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of patients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations; and the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act. As used in this section the term convicted shall include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere. An applicant's statement on the application declaring the absence of a conviction shall be deemed satisfactory evidence of the absence of a conviction, unless the board has some evidence to the contrary. Admissions Procedures Candidates who are interested in applying to the school are encouraged to contact the admission office to schedule an appointment. The process below describes the required admissions procedures. All applicants must complete the Admission Application form Payment of non-refundable associated fee Complete a tour of the facility. Complete any required entrance assessments with a passing score and pay associated non- refundable fee. Those who get the minimum passing score, complete an interview with a school representative that is used as part of the entrance criteria. Candidates must provide proof of citizenship for naturalized citizen (or proof of legal residence, green card, in the case of non-citizen, to be eligible to study in the United States), high school or GED credentials, and complete any required background checks and medical exams prior to the start of classes. Candidates who are unable to provide all forms and required documents will be denied admissions to the school. Acceptable medical exam results must be provided prior to a student being allowed to 11 Page Volume 2.5

12 go to clinical classes (Practical Nurse program only). Candidates will be required to agree and sign to the terms as stated in the Enrollment Agreement, which is then signed by the school director or designated official. Candidates will be notified if they are accepted or denial of admission to the school. Candidates who are denied admission may appeal the denial of admission to the School Director. Americans with Disabilities Act/Special Accommodations PITC Institute does not discriminate in admission or access to our program(s) on the basis of age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity/national origin, disability, perceived gender, or gender identity. If you would like to request academic adjustment or auxiliary aids, please contact the Title IX Coordinator, Ms. Michelle Bonocore, Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Compliance. You may request academic adjustments or auxiliary aids at any time prior to starting your career at PITC Institute. The Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Compliance is responsible for coordinating compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of Applicants, who are persons with disabilities, as defined in paragraph 104.3(j) of the regulation under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, may apply for admittance into the program(s). The School will work with the applicant or student to determine whether reasonable accommodations can be effective and/or are available. Any qualified individual with a disability requesting an accommodation or auxiliary aid or service should follow this procedure: 1) Notify the Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Compliance in writing of the type of accommodation needed, date needed, documentation of the nature and extent of the disability, and of the need for the accommodation or auxiliary aid. 2) The request should be made at least four weeks in advance of the date needed. You may contact the Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Compliance by telephone at the number listed in this catalog. 3) The Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Compliance will respond within two weeks of receiving the request, informing you of the outcomes of the request. 4) If you would like to appeal the decision regarding your request, please contact the School Director with all the previously requested information. 5) Appeals must be submitted within one week of the date of the Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Compliance response. Transfer Credit Procedures PITC Institute will consider credits that were obtained from another nationally or regionally accredited institution as transfer credit toward its programs of study. Students must have earned a 3.0 or better for any courses that will be evaluated. Transfer credits granted by PITC Institute cannot exceed 30% of the total credits or clock hours required for the respective program. Only applicable didactic courses for transfer that have been completed within the past year will be reviewed and, if approved, will be awarded during the admissions process. 12 P age Volume 2.5

13 Transfer credits may not be granted after the first day of a student s attendance in the program of study. All transfer credits must be evaluated and approved by the School Director before being applied to the program of study. Candidates must provide official transcripts, and, when required, course descriptions from the school where the coursework to be transferred was completed. PITC Institute does not guarantee transferability of credits to another institution. Transfer of PITC Institute courses to other postsecondary institutions will be accepted based on the policies of the receiving institution. Re-Entry Student Procedure Students may reapply to return to school after withdrawal by submitting a written letter of interest addressed to the School Director. The signed letter must be received by the school thirty (30) days prior to the start of classes. The student must pass the school entrance test requirements at the time of the re-application, if the entrance test requirements have changed since the date student was admitted the first time. In some cases, such as Practical Nurse Program, the student can only return after oneyear of the last date of attendance. Students who apply to return to school after one year from the last date of attendance are required to repeat the entire program and no other prior courses will be given credit. The School Director will review the request and determine if the student is eligible to apply for readmission. Determinations are made based on the student s academic performance in school and that the standards of the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy are met. Further determinations will be made based on the nature of the withdrawal including the student s attendance record, professionalism, and past adherence to the Conduct policy in the Student Program Handbook and/or School Catalog. These factors are all considered when making determinations on the student s future success in school. Readmission will also be dependent upon on the availability of the course (didactic and clinical, when applicable) schedule and the number of available seats in the course(s) and so as not to exceed the allowable student to teacher ratios. Applicants considered for readmission, under this provision, are required to pay in full any outstanding balance due to the school that may have occurred as a result of the withdrawal. Re-entry Policy - Practical Nurse Program Only Former students who wish to return to school must complete a request for reinstatement and have their records reviewed by the School Director or Student Services for approval. Placement in class is determined through an evaluation conducted by the Program Director or Student Services. Remaining tuition charges will be determined accordingly. Re-entry is subject to class and clinical space availability. Students that seek to return after 1 year but before two years from their last date of attendance will be subjected to the requirements outlined in the Repeat Course policy in the Practical Nurse Student Handbook. 13 P age Volume 2.5

14 Students who wish to return to school whose last date of attendance is two years or more must reapply for admission and will need to retake all course work completed prior. Repeat Course Policy - Practical Nursing Program Please refer to the Repeat Course policy for Practical Nurse students in the Practical Nurse Student Handbook. Financial Aid Programs Financial Aid is available to those who qualify. Candidates for admission to the school will have the opportunity to meet with a financial aid officer to determine eligibility and need for the funding of the student s education. Below is a summary of the grant and loan programs that are available. The financial aid officers are available during school hours to assist any candidates for admission and to assist any full- or part-time students who need assistance. Eligibility Requirements Student financial aid applicants must satisfy certain eligibility requirements in order to be able to receive and continue to use financial aid. These requirements include, but are not limited to: Students must possess a high school diploma or a GED Submission of all documentation requested by the school; Maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with school policy; Completion of aid specific requirements, such as verification of income, taxes paid, household size, as well as loan entrance counseling. In addition, graduating students who received student loans must attend exit loan counseling sessions and meet all other graduation requirements before they will be considered a graduate. All students who used any Title IV loans must attend exit counseling. Federal Pell Grant Program The Federal Pell Grant program is the foundation of the federal government s financial aid programs. The Pell Grant, unlike loans, does not have to be repaid. If qualified, the Pell Grant amount will be determined by a formula established by the U.S. Department of Education. Please check with the Financial Aid Office for award minimums and maximums. Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program (subsidized or unsubsidized) A Federal Direct Stafford student loan is a low-interest loan originated by the U.S. Department of Education. Funds are paid by the federal government and credited to the student s account. Eligibility for the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is based on student need, other aid awarded, and the overall cost of attendance (COA) at the institution for the program the student wishes to attend. Eligibility for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) are based mainly on the COA. Federal Direct Stafford Loans are low-interest loans made to students attending school at least half-time. Federal Direct Stafford Loans, unlike grants, must be repaid, with interest. Payments normally begin six 14 P age Volume 2.5

15 months after leaving school. Repayment depends on the amount borrowed and/or the ability to pay. Students must complete the FAFSA before eligibility for the loan can be determined. This need-based loan offers in-school interest subsidies by the federal government. Students may also qualify for a non-need based Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. These loans do not offer interest subsidies. It is possible for students to have both subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans. Private Loans There are lending institutions that offer loans to help cover the difference between the cost of education and the amount of federal financial aid a student will receive. A cosigner may be required to qualify for their lending program. Interest rates vary based on the lending institution. The school does not have a preferred lender arrangement with a private lender. Students are free to seek these sources on their own accord. Tuition Financing Students who have a balance due to the school will be permitted to make payments to the school through an Institutional Loan program with PITC Institute. There are no interest charges for this plan, but the student is required to complete a financing plan and corresponding disclosure forms. Students who subsequently do not honor the terms of the payment plan may be terminated. Late and returned, uncollected payments may be subject to additional fees if the student s financial institution assesses fees for returned funds to PITC. Likewise, if a student is not current on their payment plan at the completion of their program they will not be permitted to receive their Diploma or transcripts. Financial Services The Financial Aid Office is ready to provide information relating to financing tuition and meeting ongoing personal expenses. Budgeting advice can be provided, as well as assistance in applying for available aid source. Bursar All student payments and arrangements are handled by the school Bursar located in the Administration Offices. Contact Information for the FSA Student Loan Ombudsman s Office The Ombudsman s Office is a final resource after individuals look for help through other customer service avenues. Before contacting the Ombudsman, borrowers concerned about student loans should contact their loan holder or visit our web site for further information. Current students should contact their financial aid office first. Via fsaombudsmanoffice@ed.gov Via on-line assistance: Via telephone: (toll free) or Via fax: Via mail: U.S. Department of Education FSA Ombudsman 830 First Street, N.E. Washington, D.C Trade Act or TAA 15 P age Volume 2.5

16 PITC Institute is approved as an eligible institution to provide training by the Department of Labor and Industry. For additional information on eligibility requirements contact your State s local Employment Office. Career Link PITC Institute has been approved for training by numerous counties under the Career Link training programs. For additional information on eligibility requirements contact your State s local Employment office. Department of Veteran s Affairs Veterans are eligible for educational benefits while attending certain programs at PITC Institute. With a few exceptions, programs offered are approved for the training of veterans by each State s Education Department. Contact the Financial Aid office for an updated listing of eligible programs. Veterans eligible for educational benefits can use these benefits at PITC Institute. Eligibility can be determined only by the Veterans Administration (VA). Academic Standards Related to Federal Financial Aid In order to continue to qualify for federal financial aid programs, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress standards. These standards are outlined in the Academic Standards and Policies section of this catalog. However, students receiving financial aid must successfully complete all of the courses in the prior payment period and must have completed, for clock hour programs, 100% of the hours required for the payment period for which aid was received. Refund and Cancellation Policy Add/Drop Period New students will be permitted to start class or cancel their enrollment within the first five (5) days of their program scheduled start date. Students cancelling their enrollment in this period will be subject to the add/drop period cancellation policy. A student that starts class within the add/drop period will be required to work with their Program Coordinator to make arrangements to schedule missed class hours. Termination Date The termination date is the date the school receives official notice of the student s withdrawal or the date the school determines the student s unofficial withdrawal status. The school may determine the student to be terminated after 14 calendar days of non-attendance and initiate termination procedures based on the student s last date of attendance. For refund computation purposes, the termination date will be the last day of attendance. Cancellation/Termination Policy Students withdrawing from a course or program must notify the School Director. If a student voluntarily withdraws from their program or is terminated for any of the reasons described in the school catalog prior to completion of the course, PITC Institute will refund to the depositor the amount of any unearned advance payments made on behalf of the student on the following basis (please note that the application 16 P age Volume 2.5

17 fee and admission testing fee is non-refundable in all circumstances). Rejection: An applicant rejected by the school is entitled to a refund of all monies paid. Five Day Cancellation: All monies paid by an applicant will be refunded if requested within five days after signing the enrollment agreement and making an initial payment, with the exception of applicable application and testing fees; the same is true if the student cancels enrollment within the five (5) day add/drop period. Other Cancellations: For a student requesting cancellation more than five days after signing an enrollment agreement and making an initial payment, but prior to attending classes, is entitled to a refund of all monies paid minus a registration fee of $100. For a student that enrolls and withdraws or is terminated from their program, prior to the completion of their program, the minimum refunds will apply: o o o o For a student withdrawing from or discontinuing the program during the first 7 calendar days of the term, the tuition charges refunded by the school shall be 75% of the tuition for the term. For a student withdrawing from or discontinuing the program after the first 7 calendar days of the term, but within the first 25% of the term, the tuition charges refunded by the school shall be 55% of the tuition for the term. For a student withdrawing from or discontinuing the program after 25%, but within 50% of the term, the tuition charges refunded by the school shall be 30% of the tuition for the term. For a student withdrawing from or discontinuing the program after 50% of the term, the student is entitled to no refund. For refund calculations, a term is defined in the enrollment agreement. In addition, students receiving title IV funds are subject to the Return of Title IV refunds policy as follows. Return to Title IV Policy A Title IV recipient who completely withdraws from a payment period will have earned a portion of his or her Title IV funds based on the number of days enrolled in the payment period divided by the total calendar days in the payment period. The school or the student must return to the U.S. Department of Education the unearned portion of Title IV funds. This may decrease the amount of Title IV funds paid for the student s direct charges and therefore may increase his or her personal debt to the institution. The withdrawal date is used to determine the point in time that the student is considered to have withdrawn so that the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment completed can be determined. If the day the student withdrew occurs when or before the student completed 60% of the payment period or period of enrollment, the percentage earned is equal to the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment that was completed. If the day the student withdrew occurs after the student has completed more than 60% of the payment period or period of 17 P age Volume 2.5

18 enrollment, the percentage earned is 100%. If the student receives more federal student aid than the amount earned, the school, the student, or both must return the unearned funds in the following order: Unsubsidized Direct loans (other than PLUS loans), Subsidized Direct loans, Direct PLUS loans, Federal Pell Grants, and other fund provisions, and then any excess funds will be returned to the student. The amount of federal student aid to be returned is determined by subtracting the amount of earned Title IV aid from the amount of Title IV aid that was actually disbursed to the student. As per the Institutional/State Refund Policy, PITC shall refund unearned tuition and fees as set forth in the state regulations. Application Policy Any monies due the applicant shall be refunded within 30 days if the student withdraws before the first day of the class. Any monies due the student shall be refunded within 30 days from the termination date. If a student does not return following a leave of absence (LOA) period (not to exceed 180 calendar days), refunds must be made within 30 days from the scheduled end of the LOA. When a student takes an LOA, under no circumstances can a refund exceed 210 days from the last date of actual student attendance. Period of Refund Refunds shall be made within 45-calendar days of the date the student fails to enter or leaves the program. Academic Policies In order for a student to successfully complete their courses and progress to graduation, several methods are applied to ensure satisfactory academic standing. Students are expected to maintain acceptable attendance, maintain a specified grade point average, and cumulative grade point average while attending school. In addition, the student must meet specified graduation requirements in order to complete their program and earn their academic credential. Academic Integrity Academic Integrity by definition is the moral and ethical values in academics. Activities such as cheating and plagiarism affect everyone at the institution. Faculty members make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct. All examinations are monitored to prevent students from copying or otherwise exchanging information. All electronic devices must be turned off and put away when testing is in progress. All assigned research papers must be a product of the student s own expression in writing. The fraudulent reproduction or copying of published materials, copyright infringement, or text or misrepresenting the original author s ideas or words and presented as an original idea without credit of the source constitutes plagiarism. Any student caught engaged in academic misconduct is subject to immediate dismissal from school. 18 P age Volume 2.5

19 Attendance Policy Students are required to attend school every day in order to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for each required course of study. Students are required to notify the Student Services department and the instructor in the case of absence or tardiness at least one hour before the scheduled class or clinical time. Students who miss class or clinical and do not return to school within 14 calendar days of days, as given in the student syllabus provided to the student, may be withdrawn from school on the next business day. All students, with exception of Practical Nurse, must complete at minimum 90% of scheduled class hours to remain in good standing. Practical nurse students must meet the required hours as set for by the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing. Attendance Policy - Practical Nurse Program Practical Nurse students are advised that although they may miss class hours according to the attendance policy, time missed from their program must be made up if the student falls below 1,519 hours in attendance or the student will fail to meet the 1,519 hours required to qualify for graduation and licensure as per the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing standards. Please refer to the Practical Nurse Student Handbook for the Practical Nurse program attendance policy. Withdrawal/Termination Policy Students requesting to be withdrawn from PITC should contact the School Director. The school requests that a written notification be given to the School Director for requests to withdraw from the program. In addition, a student may be placed on suspension, probation or terminated for unsatisfactory academic progress, poor or non-attendance, academic misconduct, violation of school conduct policies, or failure to pay tuition. Further, the student must meet with the Financial Aid Officer for an exit interview, if the student has received any kind of Financial Aid. Missed Class Work Policy The student is responsible for all material covered daily in each class for which he/she is enrolled. In no instance does absence from class relieve the student from the responsibility for the performance of any part of the class work. The student is responsible for initiating any request to make up work missed because of class absence. Make up of missed assignments does not erase an absence from a student s record. A student will only be allowed to make up one test or exam per course. The makeup test or exam must be completed by the end of the course. Make up of missed assignments does not erase an absence from a student s record. Make-up Policy Practical Nurse Program Please refer to the applicable student handbook for the detailed requirements for makeup work or test and any specific charges to the student for make-up clinical time. Leave of Absence Policy Students requesting a Leave of Absence (LOA), must do so in writing, using the Leave of Absence Request Form available from Student Services of the Registrar. Supporting documentation is required for any Leave of Absence request and it may not exceed Page Volume 2.5

20 calendar days in length within any 12-month period for any reason. Each request will be evaluated on an individual basis by the School Director. Students must have completed at least one course and be in good academic standing to be eligible to apply for a Leave of Absence. Students should be current on their financial aid obligations to the school and are expected to remain so during the Leave of Absence. The student will be dismissed from the school if they fail to return on the expected return date and will be immediately within the grace period for the repayment of their Direct Loans. Students must complete an exit interview with the Financial Aid department prior to starting their approved LOA and will not accrue any additional charges while on LOA. A student returning from LOA must be evaluated by the campus before returning and will only be allowed to return to the program at the beginning of the module. Students who do not return from the LOA on the scheduled return date indicated on the LOA Request Form will be automatically withdrawn from the school effective that date and will be charged as outlined in the refund policy described in the school catalog and Enrollment Agreement. Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP) Satisfactory Academic Progress Definitions Grading Period A Grading Period is a period of instruction for which the student receives a final grade that is recorded on a student s transcript for a particular course. Students will be notified of their grades as soon as is practical after the end of each grading period. Grade Point Average At the end of each grading period, the student will receive a grade report advising them of the grade point average (GPA) earned for that grading period. Upon completion of two or more grading periods, the grade report will also provide a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). The explanation of CGPA calculation is provided further in another section of the SAP policy. The qualitative component of SAP consists of achieving a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average ( CGPA ) at the end of the grading period wherein each Evaluation Point (measured in credit or clock hours completed) is initially met or exceeded, as shown in the chart below. The CGPA is calculated using the grade for all courses attempted. (The calculation of the CGPA would include the grade from any course the student has attempted in the current program. However, if a student repeats a course, without regard to the previous grade, the new grade will be used and all prior grades for that course will be ignored in calculating the CGPA). Maximum Time Frame Additionally, in order to maintain satisfactory academic progress, a student must complete the program within a designated time period, which may not exceed a 20 P age Volume 2.5

21 maximum of one and a half (1.5) times the published program length in weeks and clock hours for a clock hour program or the number of credits (as applicable) of the program. This is referred to as maximum time frame. Failure to maintain the standards as indicated will result in dismissal. All attempted courses must be included in the calculation of maximum time frame at the program assessment points regardless of grade earned. This is known as Cumulative Maximum Time Frame (CMTF). To determine the maximum time frame for a clock hour program, take the total number of clock hours necessary to graduate and multiply by 1.5. For example, the maximum time frame for a 900 clock hour program would be 1350 clock hours (900 x 1.5 = 1,350) and for a 1,519 hour program would be 2,278 hours (1,519 x 1.5 = 2278). In order for a student to demonstrate satisfactory progress for CMTF, the student must demonstrate a successful rate of progress in meeting attempted clock-hours or credits as prescribed at each evaluation point. This is calculated by Earned Credit/Attempted Credit for each evaluation point. If not, the student will be placed on probation until the next evaluation point. If the student has not achieved the minimum required percentage of successfully completed hours at the next Evaluation Point the student must be dismissed. Practical Nurse students must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 CGPA and have received a Satisfactory (S) grade for all completed clinical courses at the completion of each Evaluation Point. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program, (Refer to Withdraw and Termination Policy). Practical Nursing students that fail a course will be considered not meeting SAP and will be dismissed from school. A student that has been dismissed for failure to meet SAP can file an appeal for the mitigating circumstances (Please refer to the Appeal Process below). Evaluation Points Checkpoints are established for each program, based on credit or hour intervals, at which time the Cumulative Grade Point Average and progress towards Cumulative Maximum Time Frame are assessed. In essence, all students, regardless of their program must be at or above the specified CGPA at specified clock hour completion or credit hour levels. That is, the student must achieve a designated minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) at each checkpoint. In addition, the student must also have successfully completed a specified percentage of attempted credits or attempted clock hours at these points. If the student does not attain these standards, the student must be placed on Academic Probation and has until the next Evaluation Point to achieve the minimum CGPA and percentage of successfully completed credits or clock hours for that evaluation point. If the student s does not meet the specified standards, the student will be withdrawn from the school. In order to ensure financial aid recipients eligibility for continued funding, the Financial Aid Office reviews student performance against these standards at the end of each payment period. This will vary from student to student according to their program start date and program of study. 21 P age Volume 2.5

22 Appeal Process A student who fails to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and is dismissed from school has the right to appeal based on special, unusual or mitigating circumstances causing undue hardship as determined by the institution. The student must submit the appeal in writing, to the School Director, within 10 calendar days of the determination of the course failure. The appeal must include the explanation and if appropriate, documentation, of the special circumstances causing undue hardship that prevented the student from making satisfactory academic progress. The appeal also must include what has changed in the student s situation that would allow for the demonstration of satisfactory academic progress at the end of the next evaluation period. Initial consideration of appeals will be evaluated by the Appeals Committee which is comprised of the School Director, school administration, the program coordinator, and/or faculty. Appeals that are approved will contain an academic plan that, if followed, will provide the student the opportunity to meet satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation point. The student will be notified of the decision by the committee within 10 calendar days of the request. If the appeal is approved and the student is readmitted, the student will be placed on academic probation and the student s eligibility for financial aid will be reinstated. A student on probation may receive federal financial aid funds for one evaluation period. Failure to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress at the conclusion of the evaluation period will result in dismissal from the program. Evaluation Points Practical Nursing Program Evaluation Point (Based on total published clock hours) (Qualitative Measure) Minimum Required Grade Point Average (CGPA) 30% % % % 2.0 Evaluation Points Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Electrical Technician, Dental Assistant programs, Pharmacy Technician 22 P age Volume 2.5

23 Evaluation Point (Based on total published clock or credit hours) (Qualitative Measure) Minimum Required Grade Point Average (CGPA) (Quantitative Measure) Minimum Rate of Progress (Earned clock or credit hours/attempted clock or credit hours) 25% % 50% % 100% % Grading Policy Grading is based on a student's classwork and lab/clinical work, and the result of written and performance testing. An average is taken of all grades in an Evaluation Period and must be at or above the specified CGPA to be considered making satisfactory academic progress. In order to assess student progress in school the following grading scale is used in determining student grades, grade point average and overall cumulative grade point average. Grade Scale Grade Grade Points Letter Grade A B C Below F Satisfactory - S Unsatisfactory - U Withdrawal - W Repeated - R Course Transfer Credit - T Treatment of Grades on Satisfactory Academic Progress Satisfactory Grades, (A, B, C) Awarded based on the quality points earned. These grades are counted toward the calculation of the CGPA and CMTF. Unsatisfactory Grades, (F) A F grade is awarded based on the grade a student earns. The F grades are 23 P age Volume 2.5

24 counted when calculating the CGPA and towards credits attempted but not earned when calculating the minimum rate of progress. S (Satisfactory) An S grade is awarded to a student that has successfully completed a clinical course. The S is not considered in computing the CGPA and is counted as credits attempted in the calculation of CMTF. U (Unsatisfactory) A U grade is awarded to a student that has not successfully completed a clinical course. The U is not considered in computing the CGPA and is counted as credits attempted but not completed in the calculation of the minimum rate of progress. W (Withdrawal) A W grade is received by a student that withdraws from a course. The W (grade is not used when calculating CGPA, but is counted as hours attempted if the student withdraws after completing 25% of the course. R (Repeated Course) An R grade is received by a student that repeats a course. The R replaces a failed grade for courses that have been repeated once the student has successfully repeated and passed the class failed previously. The R is not considered in computing the CGPA and is counted as credits attempted in the calculation of the minimum rate of progress. T (Transfer Credit) A T grade indicates that the school has accepted credits from another program within PITC or from an external institution for previously earned coursework. Please refer to the Transfer Credit policy regarding the assignment of T (Transfer Credit). The T grade is used to calculate clock hours attempted in the calculation of CMT, but is not used in the CGPA calculation. Change of Program If a student changes academic programs, the credits/hours from the prior program will be counted in attempted and earned credits. If the student does not meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, the student may appeal on the basis of a change in program and request that only credits applicable to the new program be included in the calculation of cumulative GPA, completion rate, and cumulative maximum time frame. Academic Probation Students who do not maintain satisfactory academic progress by either failure to maintain an adequate CGPA or course completion percentage (CMTF) at the designated Evaluation points, or who have been re-admitted under an approved appeal for mitigating circumstances, will be placed on academic probation until the next evaluation point. Additionally, Practical Nurse students that were withdrawn for not meeting SAP and have re-applied and returned to class will be placed on academic probation upon return to class. If the student on academic probation achieves the minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress for the subsequent period, the 24 P age Volume 2.5