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School of Health Professions - Student Handbook 2024-2025


MLS - Traditional Academic Policies and Progression

Academic Policies and Progression
Academic Standards
It is the policy of the TTUHSC School of Health Professions Medical Laboratory Science program to use the SHP grading criteria. Please refer to SHP grading criteria.
Within the Medical Laboratory Science Program, it is each instructor’s responsibility and right to assign weight to assignments, exams, and laboratory exercises in the appropriate manner to determine the level of mastery of the subject indicates the specified number of percentage points out of 100. Students' final grades will be calculated based on performance in lecture, laboratory (when appropriate), and other assignments. Students must pass each component with a 70% or higher to pass any core course. Any component having a grade of less than 70% will result in a grade assignment of “D” for the course.  Any component having a grade of less than 60% will result in a grade assignment of “F” for the course. Please refer to Attendance Policy regarding unexcused absences and tardiness.
Warning for Poor Academic Performance
A student who is failing in any didactic/clinical course will be notified in writing by the Program Director and/or advisor at the midterm of the academic period. A student who is failing any clinical experience will be notified in writing by the Clinical Education Coordinator and co-signed by the Program Director. Copies of all warning letters will be placed in the student’s file.
Remediation
Remediation plans will be developed for students placed on academic probation. Options for remediation will be determined by the faculty, approved by the Program Director or designee, and include, but are not limited to:
  • Individual tutoring with a program faculty member.
  • Individual tutoring with a student who is performing well in the program.
  • Repeating or extending clinical experiences.
  • Participating in faculty-directed group study.
  • Preparing a research paper or project.
  • Completing assignments pertinent to areas needing remediation.
  • Repeating examinations
All meetings with the student regarding remediation will be documented to reflect student's understanding of and willingness to cooperate with the plan. Routine follow-up counseling with the student is scheduled to assess and document compliance, progress, and outcome of the remediation plan. Failure to successfully complete remediation as assigned will result in dismissal.
Probation
Causes for academic probation are:
1. Failure to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in any semester in the program,
2. A student accepts remediation due to failure of a component in a single course,
3. A grade of “D” or “F” in any one course.  The course must be repeated at the next course offering.
*A core course may be repeated only once.  A student will not be allowed to matriculate into the next course in the sequence, or to the senior curriculum, or clinical preceptorship, until all courses have a grade of “C” or above.
4. Failure to attain minimal skill levels in required clinical competencies as determined by the clinical instructor and clinical education coordinator
*MLS Core Courses: HPML 3400, HPML 3405, HPML 3455, HPML 3470, HPML 3450, HPML 3460, HPML 3465, HPML 4480, HPML 3310, HPML 4105, HPML 4405, HPML 4420, HPML 4455, HPML 4440, HPML 4741, HPML 4842
Dismissal of Students
A student enrolled in the MLS programs is subject to dismissal for any of the following reasons:
  • Complaint of misconduct as stated in the TTUHSC code of conduct https://hscweb.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/current/handbooks.aspx
  • The student does not meet the competencies in clinical practicum in the specified manner and time.
  • The student in any clinical practicum acts in any manner detrimental to the safety or well-being of a client, patient, other students, or faculty.
  • The student does not maintain minimum academic performance requirements of the program.
Dismissal procedures will occur in compliance with the dismissal policy established by the School of Health Professions. In addition, a student enrolled in the MLS program is subject to dismissal for any of the following reasons:
1. Poor academic performance:
a. Failure to raise cumulative GPA to 2.5 upon completion of the semester of probation.
b. A grade of “D” in a core course (see above) while on probation.
c. A grade of “D” or below in a repeated course.
d. A grade of “D” or below in two or more core courses in the same semester.
e. A grade of "D" or below in any course as an audit/recycle student.
2. Violation of the academic and non-academic policies of the School of Health Professions.
3. Failure to successfully complete remediation as assigned.
4. Removal from a preceptorship (academic or non-academic reasons) may result in a dismissal.
Audit Policy
A student allowed to recycle is required to audit all core courses for which they have received prior credit in their specific program of study. A student auditing a class is required to adhere to the program attendance policy and participate in class assignments, integrative review exams, and comprehensive final examinations. Auditing students are required to have a cumulative average of 70% for their weekly exams and pass the comprehensive final exam with a 70% or higher. If a student auditing a class does not pass the comprehensive final examination with a 70% or higher, that student will correct the examination by including a reference that corrects each incorrect question. Failure to comply with the terms of the revised curriculum plan, which includes auditing courses, may result in loss of preceptorship assignment until the terms of the plan are deemed complete. Students may be offered one opportunity to audit and recycle through the MLS program. Additional opportunities are not allowed.