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School of Health Professions - Student Handbook 2025-2026


MLS - Online 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 in the MLS SD/LC programs must pass each core course with a 70% or higher. Students in the MLS SD/LC programs must pass each module of the Laboratory Practice courses (HPML 4450 and HPML 4451) with a 70% or higher to pass. Any cor course or module of the Laboratory Practice courses (HPML 4450 and HPML 4451 having a grade of less than 70% will result in a grade assignment of “D” for the course.  Any core course or module of the Laboratory Practice courses 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.
Grade Appeals
Students who wish to appeal a course grade must follow the SHP Grade Appeals process found in the Student Handbook, SHP OP ST.03. Grade appeals must go to the Professor of the course before going to the Program Director, Chair, or Dean.

Remediation

a. Students not meeting the academic standards may be offered a Curriculum Remediation Plan. 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 a curriculum remediation plan as assigned will result in dismissal.
b. Online MLS students earning a grade of less than 70% in a single module of HPML 4450 (Medical Laboratory Practice I) are allowed to remediate. The student may be required to return to Lubbock to demonstrate proficiency in the remediated module at their own expense. After successfully passing the remediation (70% or higher), the highest final remediation grade allowed on transcripts is a “C”. If there is a grade of less than 70% in two or more modules, the course must be repeated at the next offering. NOTE: Remediation for HPML 4451 (Medical Laboratory Practice II) is NOT offered.
c. Students are eligible for a Curriculum Remediation Plan (CRP) when their cumulative GPA is greater than or equal to 2.100. Additionally, eligibility for a CRP requires confirmation that it is mathematically possible, with the student's remaining coursework, to meet the graduation requirement of a 2.500 GPA upon program completion.
d. All students offered a Curriculum Remediation Plan will be placed on academic probation throughout the remainder of their enrollment in the MLS program.
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 a Curriculum Remediation Plan 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.
and/or
4. Failure to attain minimal skill levels in required clinical competencies as determined by the clinical instructor and clinical education coordinator


*MLS Second Degree/Laboratory Certificate Core Courses: HPML 4341, HPML 4343, HPML 4345, HPML 4450, HPML 4242, HPML 4144, HPML 4145, HPML 4146, HPML 4147, HPML 4153, HPML 4348, HPML 4451, HPML 4752, HPML 4149
Dismissal of Students
A student enrolled in the MLS program is subject to dismissal for any of the following reasons:
  1. Complaint of misconduct as stated in the TTUHSC code of conduct 
  2. https://hscweb.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/current/handbooks.aspx 
  3. The student does not meet the competencies in clinical practicum in the specified manner and time.
  4. 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.
  5. The student does not maintain minimum academic performance requirements of the program.
  6. A student on a Curriculum Remediation Plan fails to comply with the terms of the Curriculum Remediation Plan.
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. Failure to maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better
c. A grade of “D” in a core course (see above) while on probation.
d. A grade of “D” or below in a repeated course.
e. A grade of “D” or below in two or more core courses in the same semester.
f. 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.
It is a university requirement that students achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better to receive a degree. Failure to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better in the student’s final semester will result in dismissal from the program.
Curriculum Remediation Policy
A student allowed to recycle will do so under a Curriculum Remediation Plan (CRP). Students must comply with the terms of the CRP including the deadline for registration as stated in the CRP contract. Any student on a CRP is automatically on probation. All courses previously taken and successfully passed will be audited. Any failed course will be retaken. The School of Health Professions does not grade replace. The previous grade earned is averaged with the grade earned in any course retaken. Auditing a course requires adherence to the attendance policy and participation in class assignments, lectures, weekly examinations, midterm examinations, and comprehensive final examinations. In addition, students auditing a course are required to have a cumulative average of 70% or higher on their weekly exams and must pass the comprehensive final exam with a 70% or higher. Failure of any course while on a CRP will result on dismissal from the program. Failure to successfully complete the CRP will result in dismissal from the program. Students may be offered one opportunity to audit and recycle through the MLS program. Additional opportunities are not allowed.