Satisfactory Progress

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY

All students are required to meet the standards of academic performance that are outlined in the sections below and they are evaluated regularly to determine that the standards are met. These standards have multiple components: a minimum cumulative grade point average requirement (CGPA); a minimum successful completion rate based on all clock hours attempted; and, a maximum time frame requirement to successfully complete all required clock hours for the program. As described below, each student must achieve the minimum CGPA within the maximum time frame established, achieving the required completion rate of 75% at each evaluation point. Failure to meet these standards may result in dismissal from the academic program and in ineligibility to earn a Diploma in Massage Therapy.
MAXIMUM TIME FRAME (MTF) MASSAGE THERAPY DIPLOMA
Students who adhere to their assigned class schedules and achieve the minimum passing scores or standards in their theory classes and core classes will complete the Massage Therapy Diploma program in 640 hours. For any student who, for any reason, has not remained on track with his or her studies, the maximum time frame (MTF) to successfully complete the program is 960 hours.
The MTF, which is 1.5 times the normal completion time of 640 hours, is computed from the very first semester in which the student enrolled and originally began his or her studies at Healing Hands Institute. Any student who does not successfully complete the Massage Therapy Diploma program within the 960 hour MTF cannot earn a Massage Therapy Diploma The MTF for transfer students will be adjusted individually according to the total number of hours they successfully transferred into the program. The total number of hours the transfer student needs to complete the Healing Hands Institute diploma program will be multiplied by 1.5 to determine that student’s MTF.
MAXIMUM TIME FRAME (MTF) PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN
Students who adhere to their assigned class schedules and achieve the minimum passing scores or standards in their theory classes and core classes will complete the Massage Therapy Diploma program in 640 hours. For any student who, for any reason, has not remained on track with his or her studies, the maximum time frame (MTF) to successfully complete the program is 450 hours.
The MTF, which is 1.5 times the normal completion time of 300 hours, is computed from the very first semester in which the student enrolled and originally began his or her studies at Healing Hands Institute. Any student who does not successfully complete the Patient Care Technician Diploma program within the 450 MTF cannot earn a Patient Care Technician Diploma The MTF for transfer students will be adjusted individually according to the total number of hours they successfully transferred into the program. The total number of hours the transfer student needs to complete the Healing Hands Institute diploma program will be multiplied by 1.5 to determine that student’s MTF.
MAXIMUM TIME FRAME (MTF) MEDICAL ASSISTANT DIPLOMA
Students who adhere to their assigned class schedules and achieve the minimum passing scores or standards in their theory classes and core classes will complete the Medical Assistant Diploma program in 640 hours. For any student who, for any reason, has not remained on track with his or her studies, the maximum time frame (MTF) to successfully complete the program is 1140 hours.
The MTF, which is 1.5 times the normal completion time of 760 hours, is computed from the very first semester in which the student enrolled and originally began his or her studies at Healing Hands Institute. Any student who does not successfully complete the Medical Assistant Diploma program within the 1140 MTF cannot earn a Medical Assistant Diploma The MTF for transfer students will be adjusted individually according to the total number of hours they successfully transferred into the program. The total number of hours the transfer student needs to complete the Healing Hands Institute diploma program will be multiplied by 1.5 to determine that student’s MTF.
MAXIMUM TIME FRAME (MTF) PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN DIPLOMA
Students who adhere to their assigned class schedules and achieve the minimum passing scores or standards in their theory classes and core classes will complete the Phlebotomy Technician Diploma program in 640 hours. For any student who, for any reason, has not remained on track with his or her studies, the maximum time frame (MTF) to successfully complete the program is 315 hours.
The MTF, which is 1.5 times the normal completion time of 210 hours, is computed from the very first semester in which the student enrolled and originally began his or her studies at Healing Hands Institute. Any student who does not successfully complete the Phlebotomy Technician Diploma program within the 315 MTF cannot earn a Phlebotomy Technician Diploma The MTF for transfer students will be adjusted individually according to the total number of hours they successfully transferred into the program. The total number of hours the transfer student needs to complete the Healing Hands Institute diploma program will be multiplied by 1.5 to determine that student’s MTF.
MAXIMUM TIME FRAME (MTF) HOME HEALTH AIDE DIPLOMA
Students who adhere to their assigned class schedules and achieve the minimum passing scores or standards in their theory classes and core classes will complete the Home Health Aide Diploma program in 75 hours. For any student who, for any reason, has not remained on track with his or her studies, the maximum time frame (MTF) to successfully complete the program is 112.50 hours.
The MTF, which is 1.5 times the normal completion time of 640 hours, is computed from the very first semester in which the student enrolled and originally began his or her studies at Healing Hands Institute. Any student who does not successfully complete the Home Health Aide Diploma program within the 112.50 MTF cannot earn a Home Health Aide Diploma The MTF for transfer students will be adjusted individually according to the total number of credits they successfully transferred into the program. The total number of hours the transfer student needs to complete the Healing Hands Institute diploma program will be multiplied by 1.5 to determine that student’s MTF.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP) EVALUATION

  1. Students are evaluated after the completion of every course and at the end of each academic semester.
  2. If a student fails a course before the semester ends, the student is immediately placed on academic probation.
    1. The student will remain on academic probation until:
      1. The student retakes the failed course when it is next offered and passes it on the next
        attempt; or,
      2. The student retakes the failed course and fails it again; or,
      3. The student takes another course (before retaking the first course) and fails it.
    2. If the student takes the course a second time and passes it, the student is removed from academic probation.
    3. If the student fails the course for a second time, the student is academically dismissed from the Institute.
    4. If the student takes another course (before retaking the first course) and fails it, the student is academically dismissed.
  3. At the end of a semester, any student whose cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is below 2.0 or whose successful completion rate is less than 75% of all hours attempted will be placed on academic probation.
      1. The student will have one semester to raise his or her CGPA to 2.0 or higher and/or their completion rate to 75% or better.
      2. Any student who fails to earn the minimum CGPA or the required completion rate by the end of the probationary semester will be academically dismissed from the Institute.
APPEALS
Any student who has been placed on academic probation for the first time but who feels that there were mitigating circumstances that caused him or her to fail the SAP standard, may file a written appeal with supporting documentation to the Academic Director, who, with the Director will make the decision whether to accept the student’s appeal. If the student’s appeal is granted, the student will be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress.
ACADEMIC DISMISSAL
Any student who has been academically dismissed will not be considered for readmission to Healing Hands Institute until 6 months have passed. The student will have to reapply for admission, satisfy all admissions criteria in effect at the time, satisfy any outstanding financial obligations to the institution, and retake any failed classes before proceeding to other courses.
ACADEMIC PROBATION
Definition of Satisfactory Academic Progress:
Each student enrolled at Healing Hands Institute must demonstrate that he or she is making satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of his or her chosen program of study. The criteria that each student must meet to qualify as making “Satisfactory Academic Progress” are defined below. A student who is failing to meet this criterion at any point outlined below will not meet the standard of “Satisfactory Academic Progress”. Any of three remedies may be applied if a student is not making Satisfactory Academic Progress. These are as follows: academic probation, restricted class load status, and/or termination from the program of study.
The definition of Satisfactory Academic Progress has both qualitative and quantitative criteria that must be met. The student must meet both of these sets of criteria to make Satisfactory Academic Progress. Unmet satisfactory academic progress also affects scholarship eligibility.
QUALITATIVE CRITERIA FOR SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Under the qualitative criteria, to make Satisfactory Academic Progress, the student must comply with the following two criteria:
- Demonstrate a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for Diploma Programs at the end of the student’s second term of enrollment, and at the end of each subsequent term thereafter.
- Demonstrate successful completion of the required percentage of the total cumulative hours he or she has attempted in the program of study. To maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student must establish and maintain at least a 2.0 overall cumulative grade point average by the end of the student’s second term of enrollment and all subsequent terms of enrollment. Also, to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, the student must complete the required percentage of coursework attempted. Any student who fails to establish or maintain Satisfactory Academic Process must meet with the Director.

A student who fails to establish or maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress will be placed on academic probation and maintain this status of academic probation during the following semester. At the end of the semester in which the student is on probation, the student’s overall GPA and Hour Completion Percentage will be recalculated. A student will be removed from academic probation only if the student completes the appropriate percentage of coursework and earns a “C-” or better in all courses attempted during the semester in which he or she is on academic probation and earns a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for Diploma Programs.

GRADING SYSTEM

Unless otherwise indicated, each grade earned is calculated into the student’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and the hours assigned for the course taken are included in the calculation of total clock hours attempted.
The grading system for academic performance appears below. Unless otherwise indicated, each grade earned is calculated into the student’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and the hours assigned for the course taken are included in the calculation of total hours attempted.
Repeated Courses
The new grade for a failed course that has been repeated will not replace the prior grade. Both the grade earned and the hours taken for the repeated course will be included in the SAP calculations.
Incomplete (Grades of I)
At the discretion of the instructor, a student may be assigned a temporary grade of incomplete (I) to allow the student more time to complete missing coursework or to take a required exam. Upon completion of the work or exam, the earned grade replaces the grade of “I” and is calculated into the grade average for the level and for the CGPA. If the missing work or exam is not completed within two weeks from the last day of the course, a grade of “F” will be assigned and computed into the final grade average for the course and into the CGPA.
TR Grade
A grade of TR is assigned for a student’s successful transfer of hours earned from an accredited institution. Neither the grade nor the hours are included in the CGPA or hours attempted calculations. The total number of hours transferred is deducted from the total number of hours needed for program completion. The maximum time frame (MTF) for a transfer student will be 1.5 times the total hours needed for program completion.
W Grade
A student who formally withdraws from the institution before the mid-point (50% or half-way point) of a course will be assigned a grade of W for the course. The W grade is not included in the calculation of the CGPA and the hours for the course are not included in the determination of total hours attempted.
WP Grade
A student who formally withdraws from the institution after the mid-point of a course and who had earned an overall score of 2.5 or higher by the time of the withdrawal will be assigned a grade of WP for the course. The WP grade is not included in the calculation of the CGPA and the hours for the course are not included in the determination of total hours attempted.
WF Grade
A student who formally withdraws from the institution or who stops attending after the mid-point of a course and who has earned less than an overall score of 2.5 or higher by the time of the withdrawal will be assigned a grade of WF for the course. The WF grade is included in the calculation of the CGPA and the hours for the course are included in the determination of total hours attempted.
OVERVIEW
Students must make satisfactory progress both in terms of cumulative grade point average and the total amount of time taken to complete the required course sequence as outlined by semester in Healing Hands Institute Catalog. To maintain satisfactory progress, the student must: Complete their total program in no more than 1.5 times the number of semesters described in this catalog for the program

Establish and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA by the end of the student’s second term of enrollment and all subsequent terms. (Grades for classes that were transferred from another Healing Hands Institute are shown as “T” on the transcript and will not be used in computing the student’s grade point average.)
Factors that may influence satisfactory progress and that may result in extended time are:
- Deviation from the catalog requirements in the number of hours taken per semester
- Deviation in the course sequence recommended
- Withdrawal from classes
- Repeated courses
- Grades of “Incomplete”
- Changing the major or the program
- Probation or suspension
- Grade appeal process
- Earning more than one diploma at a time

Under the qualitative criteria, to make Satisfactory Academic Progress, the student must comply with thefollowing two criteria:
- Demonstrate a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for Diploma Programs at the end of the student’s second term of enrollment, and at the end of each subsequent term thereafter.
- Demonstrate successful completion of the required percentage of the total cumulative hours he or she has attempted in the program of study.

To maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student must establish and maintain at least a 2.0 overall cumulative grade point average by the end of the student’s second term of enrollment and all subsequent terms of enrollment. Also, to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, the student must complete the required percentage of coursework attempted. Any student who fails to establish or maintain Satisfactory Academic Process must meet with the Director. A student who fails to establish or maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress will be placed on academic probation and maintain this status of academic probation during the following semester. At the end of the semester in which the student is on probation, the student’s overall GPA and Hour Completion Percentage will be recalculated. A student will be removed from academic probation only if the student completes the appropriate percentage of coursework and earns a “C-” or better in all courses attempted during the semester in which he or she is on academic probation and earns a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for Diploma Programs.
RESTRICTED COURSE LOAD
Conditions That May Result In Probation, Restricted Course Load Status, and/or Termination

The following describes the conditions under which a student may be placed on probation, restricted course load or terminated completely from a program of study.

- Termination automatically applies to any student not making Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of the semester, unless the student appeals the Institute’s determination of the lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress in writing to the Director. The Director may grant the student’s appeal if all the requirements specified below under Academic Probation and Restricted Course Load sections are met. If the appeal is granted, the student will be placed on probation or restricted course load status during the student’s next semester of attendance. Such action is not automatic, but at the discretion of the Institute.
- Termination automatically applies to any student not making Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of the following, unless the student appeals Healing Hands Institute’s determination of the lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress in writing to the Director. The Director may grant the student’s appeal if all the requirements specified below under Restricted Course Load sections are met. If the appeal is granted, the student will be placed on Restricted Course Load status during the student’s next semester of attendance.
- At the end of following semester, if the student is not making Satisfactory Academic Progress, he or she will be terminated from his or her program of study at Healing Hands Institute.

INCOMPLETE GRADE IN A COURSE

If a student receives a grade of A, B, C or D in any course, the student will have successfully completed that course. If the student receives a grade of “I”, he or she must successfully complete the required work for that course within a specified time arranged by the instructor and communicated to the student, but no later than the end of the semester following the semester in which the “I” was received. It is the student’s responsibility to follow up with the instructor to complete the course work. If the course work is not completed by the arranged time, the “I” becomes an “F”.

REPEAT COURSES

A student may repeat a course to improve the overall cumulative grade point average. If a student has an “F” and repeats the course and receives a better grade, for example, an “A”, then only the “A” is counted in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average. Hours attempted and earned for the second attempt are counted in lieu of those earned for the initial attempt.
Though both attempts remain part of the student’s permanent record, the cumulative grade point average will reflect only the grade earned on the second attempt.

A student who earns grade of “F” in any course included in his or her program of study must repeat that course and complete it successfully before taking any course with respect to which the failed course is a prerequisite and before graduation.

A student who has successfully completed a course, but wishes to improve the grade received in the course, may also repeat the course. If the course is repeated, the grade earned for the last time the course is taken replaces the previous grade when the overall GPA is calculated. All grades for all courses attempted will remain on the student’s transcript, however.

READMISSION AFTER SUSPENSION FOR UNSATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

If the student was not making satisfactory academic progress in his or her program of study as of the last semester enrolled, the student will not be readmitted into the same or a different program, unless the student makes an appeal in writing concerning the Institute’s determination to the Director (as provided below in the Appeal section) and the Director grants the student’s appeal. The Director will consider mitigating circumstances in addressing the appeal. If the Director grants the appeal, then the student will be placed on either academic probation or restricted course load status (at the Director discretion, as appropriate) during the student’s next semester of attendance in any program of study at Healing Hands Institute.
If the student is given permission for readmission, the student must agree in writing to the terms for readmission outlined by the Institute and must execute a new Enrollment Agreement with the institution. The student must also pay all current tuition, fees, and any other costs associated with the student’s program of study.
APPEALING A DETERMINATION OF UNSATISFACTORY PROGRESS
If Healing Hands Institute determines that a student is failing to make satisfactory academic progress in his or her program of study; the student may appeal Healing Hands Institute’s determination in writing to the Director. The student’s appeal must provide details concerning the circumstances affecting the student’s academic progress (such as serious illness or injury befalling the student, the death of a close relative of the student or any other special circumstances) that may influence the Institute’s decision to terminate or not to readmit the student into his or her program of study at Healing Hands Institute. The Director will consider the appeal to determine whether the special circumstances explained in the student’s written appeal are mitigating circumstances that will allow the student to remain enrolled in or readmitted to his or her program of study at Healing Hands Institute despite the student’s failure to conform to the requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress. The determination of the student’s appeal will made by the discretion of the Director in conformity to the principles and standards described in this catalog and will be final and binding on the student. If the Director decides in favor of the student’s appeal, the student will be placed either on academic probation or restricted course load status during the student’s next semester of attendance in a program of study at Healing Hands Institute.
PROCEDURE FOR GRADE APPEALS
There is a committee, the purpose of which is to address requests for revision of academic grade(s). This Committee, known as the “Grades Committee,” consists of the Director and two instructors. The Grades Committee members are proposed every semester by the Director and approved by the President. The Committee establishes its internal decision-making procedure that will be made public. The instructor responsible for the course is the only person who may make a grade change and he or she must notify the Registration Department when and if the change is made. When a student appeals a grade, the student will provide the faculty member with a copy of all petitions. A challenge to a grade received in a course, comprehensive examination, or other graduation requirement will be considered only when the student alleges that the grade received reflects other than appropriate academic criteria, that is, achievement and proficiency in the subject matter as stated in the course syllabus. A student who deems it appropriate to challenge a grade will proceed as follows: If the grade challenged is in a course, the student will first discuss the matter with the instructor teaching the course in an effort to resolve the grievance informally. If the grievance is not settled, the student may then file the Grade Appeal Form with the Director. The form must be filed no later than ninety (90) calendar days after the date on which the grade was due in the Registrar’s Office. The Director will make an informal investigation, hearing both the student and the instructor, and attempt an informal reconciliation. The Director will render a decision within thirty (30) calendar days and inform the student and instructor in writing. If the student wishes to appeal the decision of the Director, he or she may request that the Grades Committee investigate the decision. The Grades Committee will make a formal investigation, hearing both the student and instructor. The Committee will reach a decision within thirty (30) calendar days and notify the student, the instructor, and the Director in writing. The decision will be either that the grade will stand, or that the faculty member will change the grade as recommended by the Grades Committee. The student and/or the faculty member may appeal the decision of the Grades Committee to the Director no later than five (5) working days after the Committee’s decision. The Director decision shall be final.

GRADUATION POLICY

Undergraduate students who have maintained at least a 2.0 GPA and have completed all the required coursework for their major and have satisfied all of their financial obligations are eligible for graduation. Application for graduation must be made to the Institute Registrar by the end of the fifth week of classes in the student’s final term. The Institute Registrar will provide students with a diploma upon satisfactory completion of all remaining coursework. Students who have applied for graduation but do not meet the minimum requirements will receive a letter within ten (10) working days after the Application for Graduation was received. This letter will provide the student with specific information about their progress to date, and any remaining requirements that must be met.