Student Admissions and Regulations

General Admission Policies

Please refer to individual program’s websites for their respective admission policies: http://www.lsuhs.edu/ah

1. Admission to the various programs of the School is by competitive application.
2. Preference is given to Louisiana residents. Information regarding establishing LA residency may be obtained by the Office of the Registrar.
3. Each program sets minimum admission criteria, including required grade point average and pre-requisite coursework.
4. If an applicant is not accepted to a particular program, the applicant must submit a new application for each application cycle to be considered for admission.
5. Accepted applicants must certify that they meet the technical standards established by the program with or without reasonable accommodations.
6. Accepted applicants are assigned a provisional admission status until meeting conditions outlined in the acceptance letter and completing pre-matriculation requirements (e.g. drug screen, criminal background check) set forth by the Office of the Registrar. Failure to meet these requirements may result in revocation of acceptance offer.
7. Any applicant that is not an American citizen and does not have a United States permanent resident card, must meet the following admission criteria:
   • Post-secondary level or college academic transcripts/records from foreign institutions must undergo a course-by-course, detailed evaluation by the foreign evaluation vendor approved by the respective program’s centralized application service (CAS). Official transcript evaluations must be sent directly from the evaluation vendor to CAS by the application deadline.
   • International applicants must provide an official Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) score with a minimum score of 80 on the internet-based test, 550 on the paper-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test. Official TOEFL scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the respective program’s centralized application service (CAS) by the application deadline.

Method of Application

Application to the various programs of the School is made through a Liaison International Centralized Application Service (CAS). CAS is a cloud-based resource available to applicants via the internet. Application materials, e.g. official transcript(s), must be sent directly to the respective program’s CAS. Some programs require supplemental items be sent directly to the school.

Please refer to individual program’s websites for their respective application instructions, including admission criteria, deadlines, and associated fees at http://www.lsuhs.edu/ah or contact the Admissions and Records Office at (318) 813-2908 or ShvAHStudentAffairs@lsuhsc.edu.

Method and Provisions of Acceptance

Acceptance letters are forwarded in writing to accepted applicants. Accepted applicants are expected to notify the program in writing as to whether or not they plan to enroll in the program by a date noted in their acceptance letter. Upon notification of acceptance, a $150.00 non-refundable commitment fee is required. This fee will be credited toward the first semester’s tuition. It is expected that an applicant who has accepted a position in the School of Allied Health Professions and subsequently decides to attend another school, notify the Office of Admissions.

Prior to registration, accepted applicants are assigned a provisional admission status until meeting conditions outlined in the acceptance letter and completing pre-matriculation requirements set forth by the Office of the Registrar. Failure to complete requirement in a timely manner will prevent registration and may result in revocation of the offer of acceptance. As part of the pre-matriculation requirements, incoming students are required to pass a drug screen and criminal background check prior to matriculation. Offers of acceptance are contingent on passing both.

Grading System

The School of Allied Health Professions employs a letter grading system (A, B, C, D, F, I, P, S, and U). An A has the value of 4 quality points, B=3 quality points, C=2 quality points, D=1 quality point, and F=0 quality points. The grade point average is derived by dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of hours attempted. The “I” grade is recorded for a student whose work is satisfactory but, for reasons beyond the student’s control, is incomplete at the time grades for the course are reported. Grades which may be assigned but which are not included in the computation of the grade point average are as follows: “P” grade indicates a Pass, “S” grade indicates satisfactory performance, and “U” indicates unsatisfactory performance.

An incomplete or “I” grade may be awarded by the course instructor for work that is of passing quality but, for circumstances beyond the student’s control, is not complete. All course requirements must be completed by the last day to add a course for credit during the next regular semester. If the requirements are not met by this deadline, the “I” will convert to a failing (F) grade. If the student’s circumstances preclude removal of the “I” by the deadline, the student or instructor may, before the deadline, petition the Assistant Dean of Academic & Student Affairs for an extension. Students should consult the Office of Financial Aid for how “I” grades will affect financial aid status.

Undergraduate Academic Requirements

1. An undergraduate student must maintain a 2.0 cumulative LSUHSC-S Program grade point average (GPA) to be in good academic standing. An undergraduate student whose cumulative LSUHSC-S Program GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation.
2. The minimum requirement for coursework is a grade of C. In courses designated Pass/Fail or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory a grade of Pass or Satisfactory is required to be in good academic standing.
3. An undergraduate student should refer to a program-specific policies for academic progression when a failing grade (D,F,U) is recorded in a course.

Graduate Academic Requirements

1. A graduate student must maintain a 3.0 cumulative LSUHSC-S Program grade point average (GPA) to be in good academic standing. A graduate student whose cumulative LSUHSC-S Program GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation.
2. The minimum requirement for coursework is a grade of C. In courses designated Pass/Fail or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory a grade of Pass or Satisfactory is required to be in good academic standing.
3. For a graduate student enrolled in a master’s degree program no more than 9 credit hours of C grades may be counted toward a degree unless otherwise established by the Program. A master’s level student who accrues more than 9 credit hours of coursework with a grade of C will be dismissed from the School, independent of LSUHSC-S Program GPA.
4. For a graduate student enrolled in a doctoral degree program, no more than 12 credit hours of C grades may be counted toward a degree unless otherwise established by the Program. A doctoral-level student who accrues more than 12 credit hours of coursework with a grade of C will be dismissed from the School, independent of LSUHSC-S Program GPA.
5. A graduate student should refer to program-specific policies for academic progression when a failing grade (D,F,U) is recorded in a course.

Provisions for Academic Progression

1. A student who falls below his or her Program’s minimal cumulative LSUSHC-S Program grade point average (GPA) requirement will be placed on academic probation.
2. Once a student is placed on academic probation and the student is informed in writing, he or she will have up to two consecutive semesters to increase his or her cumulative LSUHSC-S Program GPA in order to be removed from this status. Failure to meet this requirement will result in dismissal from the School.
3. A student that has already been placed on academic probation for the sum of two semesters, irrespective of whether consecutive semesters, will be dismissed from the School if meeting criteria for academic probation for a third semester.
4. A student cannot graduate while he or she is on academic probation.
5. Unless otherwise established by the Program, a student who earns a failing grade (D,F,U) in a course may repeat the course one timely only.
6. Grades recorded in repeated coursework do not replace the original grade. Both the original grade and repeated grade will appear on the academic transcript and both grades will be used in the computation of the LSUHSC-S Program GPA.
7. A student may not enroll in a clinical rotation, fieldwork, or preceptorship until all clinical course prerequisites are completed per the minimum academic requirements.
8. A student should refer to program-specific policies for academic progression related to clinical rotation, fieldwork, and preceptorship.
9. A student must complete the Program in a specified period of time allotted by each Program.
10. A student dismissed from the School may reapply to the Program to be considered for readmission.

Academic Probation/Dismissal Notification Procedure

Academic probation: The Program Director must notify a student in writing about the loss and/or reinstatement of good academic standing. The letter must be signed by both the Program Director and Assistant Dean of Academic and Student Affairs. The Program Director must provide secondary copies of the letter to the Registrar and Admissions Office.

Dismissal: The Program Director must notify a student in writing about dismissal from the School. The letter must be signed by both the Program Director and Dean. The Program Director must provide secondary copies of the letter to the Assistant Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, Registrar, and Admissions Office.

Special Status Students

Special status students are defined as students who are not matriculated for purposes of pursuing a full program directly leading to the award of a degree. Appropriate credits earned while in special student status may later be applicable toward a degree, at the discretion of the Department head and/or program director.

Special status students may be registered upon written authorization of the head of the Department and/or program director in which they seek enrollment. Department heads and/or program directors may waive grade-point average requirements and course-prerequisite requirements and for special status students, at their discretion.

Special Status Students must:

1. Make application for admission to the School and the program;
2. Pay tuition and fees as are required by LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport;
3. Complete pre-matriculation requirements (e.g. drug screen, criminal background check) set forth by the Office of the Registrar; and,
4. Meet all other requirements for maintaining satisfactory progress, for attendance, and for completion of course work.

Registration as a special status student does not guarantee future acceptance and admission as a regular, degree-seeking student. Special-status students are not eligible to receive any federal financial assistance.

Auditing Courses

Students regularly enrolled in the School of Allied Health Professions may be admitted to classes as auditors by obtaining written permission from the instructor of the course. Auditors must pay a non-refundable fee which shall be consistent with the “Regular Semester” and “Summer Term” fees as established by LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport. The fee for students enrolled for combined credit and audit courses will be assessed in accordance with total hours scheduled.

Auditors will not receive Health Sciences Center credit for any course audited and may not change from audit to credit after registering for the course. In order to receive credit from LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, the course must be taken on a for-credit basis.

Student Withdrawals and Leave of Absence

All students admitted to an academic program at LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport are expected to continue enrollment until completion of the program. Students who cease enrollment in ALL classes for a given term will be considered withdrawn, unless the student has received an approved leave of absence. A student may voluntarily resign beginning with the first day of class through the final day for withdrawal. Definitions for withdrawal and leave of absence are located in the Student Withdrawal Policy, which may be obtained by the Office of the Registrar. Students leaving the institution for any reason should contact the Bursar or Student Financial Aid Offices to inquire about tuition and fee refunds.

Please refer to the School of Allied Health Professions Student Handbook for the Student Withdrawal/Leave of Absence Procedure. The withdrawal and leave of absence process is initiated in the Office of Academic & Student Affairs. Some academic programs may require additional clearance actions for students leaving the institution. Students returning to the institution after an approved leave of absence or withdrawal must contact Office of Academic & Student Affairs regarding instructions and requirements for re-entry.

Students with Disabilities

The School of Allied Health Professions seeks to comply with the American with Disabilities Act by providing reasonable accommodations, including resources and services, for students with disabilities, chronic medical conditions, a temporary disability, or pregnancy complications resulting in difficulties with accessing learning opportunities. For further information, please view the LSUHSCS Student Policy for Requesting Accommodations.

It is the responsibility of a student with a disability (or a student who develops a disability) and who needs accommodations to contact the School of Allied Health Professions Admissions and Records Office to initiate the procedure for requesting accommodations and provide adequate documentation of the general nature and extent of the disability and the functional limitations to be accommodated. All requests are reviewed by school’s ADA Officer to determine what reasonable accommodations, if any, are appropriate for the student.

Student Conduct, Dismissals, and Appeals

The School of Allied Health Professions has an established policy and procedures relative to student conduct. These policies are outlined in the School of Allied Health Professions Student Handbook.

Student Grade Appeals

The student is responsible for initiating the appeals process for a final course grade within 10 working days after the grade is posted with the Registrar. This appeals process is for final course grades only; students who wish to appeal grades received for examinations, quizzes, laboratories, or clinical practicum experiences, must resolve their appeals within their own program or departments. The instructor of record will have the final authority for assignment of grades in all program or departmental courses and activities. If any party to the appeal seeks resolution of the matter through any agency outside the Health Sciences Center, whether administrative or judicial, the Health Sciences Center shall have no obligation to continue the appeal process.

All due dates listed below are subject to change by the Dean if circumstances warrant.

The following procedure for appealing a final course grade is to be followed:

1. The student should meet with the faculty member who assigned the grade within 10 working days of the date the grade was posted by the Registrar to discuss the grade and attempt to arrive at a solution.
   1. If an administrative officer (Program Director, Department Head, Dean, or Associate/Assistant Dean) is the faculty member who assigned the grade that is appealed, that administrative officer should be excused from the appeals process. The administrative officer will be replaced by a faculty member appointed by the Dean or his/her designee.
   2. If a solution is reached between the student and faculty member and it requires changing a final grade in an official LSU System record, the faculty member must comply with all University System regulations and procedures necessary to accomplish the grade change.
   3. The faculty member must notify the student of his decision within 5 working days of their meeting.
2. If the matter is not resolved between the student and the faculty member assigning the grade, and the student chooses to pursue an appeal, the student shall make a written request to the Program Director (or Dean’s appointee) asking for a meeting.
   1. The written request should be submitted to the Program Director within 10 working days of the faculty member’s decision in step 1 above.
   2. The written request must clearly state the specific basis for the student’s dissatisfaction (e.g. why the grade is unjust, unfair, or inaccurate).
   3. The written request must explain what the student believes is an acceptable outcome (e.g. what the student wants the Program Director to do).
3. The Program Director (or Dean’s appointee) shall arrange a meeting within 10 working days from the date of receipt of the request to discuss the matter. At this meeting, both the student and the faculty member may be accompanied by an advisor. Anyone may serve as an advisor. The advisor may offer advice during the meeting, but he/she may only direct the advice to his/her advisee. He/she may not address the meeting at large.
   1. The Program Director (or Dean’s appointee) shall render a decision within 10 working days of the meeting.
   2. If the decision reached requires change in an official grade record, the faculty member must comply with all regulations and procedures necessary to accomplish the change.
4. If the student is not satisfied with the Program Director’s decision, the student may appeal to the Assistant Dean of Academic & Student Affairs.
   1. The written request should be submitted to the Assistant Dean of Academic & Student Affairs within 10 working days of the Program Director’s decision in step 3 above.
   2. The written request must summarize the appeal and clearly state the specific basis for the student’s dissatisfaction (e.g. why the grade is unjust, unfair, or inaccurate).
   3. The written request must explain what the student believes is an acceptable outcome (e.g. what the student wants the Assistant Dean of Academic & Student Affairs to do).
5. Upon receipt of the request, the Assistant Dean of Academic & Student Affairs will forward copies of the request for an appeal to the Program Director (or Dean’s appointee) and faculty member(s) concerned.
   1. The Assistant Dean of Academic & Student Affairs will meet with all parties involved and investigate the matter thoroughly.
   2. The Assistant Dean of Academic & Student Affairs shall render a decision within 10 working days of receipt of the appeal.
6. If the student is not satisfied with the Assistant Dean of Academic & Student Affairs’ decision, the student may appeal to the Dean of the School.
   1. The student’s appeal must be in writing and must contain all documentation of the appeal to that point.
   2. The written request must explain what the student believes is an acceptable outcome (i.e. what the student wants the Dean to do).
7. Upon receipt of the request, the Dean will forward copies of the request for an appeal to the Program Director (or Dean’s appointee), faculty member concerned, and Assistant Dean of Academic & Student Affairs.
   1. The Dean will review the appeal from all levels.
   2. The Dean may choose to meet with any or all parties involved.
   3. The Dean may take one of the following actions:
      1. Render a decision based on the written appeal and his/her review of all documentation and investigation.
      2. Meet with all parties concerned, who may be accompanied by advisors if desired, and then reach a decision.
      3. Refer the appeal to an ad hoc appeals committee for its recommendation.
         1. If the Dean, or his/her designee, chooses to convene an ad hoc appeals committee, the Dean will appoint a chairperson and three faculty members.
         2. The panel will conduct a hearing to review facts from the concerned parties. After deliberation, the panel will make its recommendation in writing to the Dean within 5 working days of the hearing.
   4. The Dean’s decision will be in writing. It will list the reasons supporting the decision.
   5. Copies of the Dean’s final decision will be given to all parties.
   6. The Dean’s decision represents the final level of due process for appeal of a final course grade in the School of Allied Health Professions.
   7. If the decision requires change in an official record, the faculty member must comply with all regulations and procedures necessary to accomplish the change.

Student Complaints and Grievances

All students in the School of Allied Health Professions at LSU Health Science Center at Shreveport have the right to express a complaint/grievance on academic or non-academic issues. Students must provide evidence of error, miscalculation, omission, or other action negatively impacting the student. The purpose of the complaint/grievance process is to provide students with an opportunity for fair and objective consideration and review of their issue. Students are expected to follow established procedural guidelines for academic and/or non-academic complaints or issues.

Individuals wishing to remain anonymous can file a complaint in any manner, including by telephone or written communication however, electing to remain anonymous may limit the Institution’s ability to correct the issue, collect evidence, or take effective action against individuals accused of violating policies.

The School of Allied Health Professions has an obligation to maintain an environment free of Title IX offenses (include sex discrimination, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and retaliation, etc.), thus faculty/staff have mandatory reporting and response obligations and may not be able to honor a complainant’s request for confidentiality.

Please refer to the School of Allied Health Professions’ Student Complaint/Grievance webpage for appropriate protocol for filing an academic, non-academic, or Title IX complaint.

Student Government Association

Established in 1985, the Student Government Association of the School of Allied Health Professions provides a forum for student debate and opinion; to meet the needs of the members through identification, coordinated activity, communication and fellowship; and to provide an orderly method of colloquy between students and faculty. The SAHP SGA is composed of two student representatives from each of the seven academic programs. The selection process varies among programs.

Student Awards and Honors

Alpha Eta Society - The Alpha Eta Honor Society is a national scholastic honor society that serves to promote and recognize significant scholarship, leadership, and contributions to the allied health professions. Student initiates are nominated by their respective program faculty based on scholastic and leadership abilities reflected in their chosen professions.

The Chancellor’s Award - A cash award is presented annually to high-ranking graduating student who has done the most to promote the Health Sciences Center and the School before the public. Selection is made by a committee of the faculty appointed by the Dean. This award was established by the chancellor of the Health Sciences Center in 1977.

The Dean’s Award - A cash award is presented to the graduate who in the opinion of the faculty represents the highest ideals of the School of Allied Health Professions. Recognizing that outstanding achievement in the allied health professions is not always totally determined solely by academic course grades, these awards serve to recognize the qualities of professionalism, skill, ethical conduct and motivation, in addition to scholastic achievement. Selection is made by a committee of the faculty appointed by the Dean.

Requirements for Graduation

The student must have fulfilled all requirements of each course, and have maintained at least the minimum scholastic requirements established by the program.

The student must be registered in the semester of anticipated graduation and pay the appropriate diploma fee.

The student must have met all financial obligations to LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport at least ten days prior to graduation.

The student must attend commencement ceremonies, unless excused, in writing, by the Dean.

Degrees with Honors

Baccalaureate degrees are awarded summa cum laude to students whose quality point average falls within the range of 3.960 to 4.000, magna cum laude to students whose quality point average falls within the range of 3.860 to 3.959, and cum laude to students whose quality point average falls within the range 3.760 to 3.859. Scholastic honors are based on the overall quality point average for all course work attempted in pursuing the degree.