MSN-FNP

Student Handbook
Policies & Procedures

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Table of Contents
Mission and Vision ............................................................................................................. 1
Philosophy........................................................................................................................... 1
Accreditations and Memberships ........................................................................................ 3
Policies & Procedures ......................................................................................................... 3
Compliance Requirements .............................................................................................. 3
Policy on Background Checks, Toxicology Testing, and Disclosure ............................. 4
University Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs .............................................................. 5
Additional Requirements ................................................................................................ 5
Pre-Entrance Health Form .......................................................................................... 5
Required Immunizations/Titers .................................................................................. 5
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR) ................................................. 6
Online Training Modules and Consent Forms: ........................................................... 6
RN License.................................................................................................................. 6
Urine Drug Screen & Criminal Background Check ................................................... 6
Health Insurance ......................................................................................................... 6
Professional Responsibility......................................................................................... 6
Technical Standards for Admissions and Graduation ......................................................... 6
Professional Expectations and Conduct .............................................................................. 8
Classroom Behavior ........................................................................................................ 8
Attendance for Testing .................................................................................................... 8
APA Format .................................................................................................................... 8
Honor Pledge .................................................................................................................. 9
Professional Conduct ...................................................................................................... 9
Program Competencies and Terminal Objectives............................................................... 9
Academic Advisement ...................................................................................................... 11
Registration ....................................................................................................................... 11
Maximum Units ................................................................................................................ 11
Attending Correct Class Section ....................................................................................... 11
Dropping and Adding Courses.......................................................................................... 11
Filing a Program Change or Leave of Absence ................................................................ 12

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Course Fees ....................................................................................................................... 13

Program Track Changes .................................................................................................... 13
Withdrawal from the University ....................................................................................... 13
Continuous Enrollment ................................................................................................. 13
Leave of Absence .......................................................................................................... 13
Readmission .............................................................................................................. 14
Dismissal ................................................................................................................... 14
Attendance ........................................................................................................................ 14
Students with Disabilities ................................................................................................. 15
Grading ............................................................................................................................. 15
Withdrawing and Repeating Courses............................................................................ 16
Other Marks and Their Definitions ............................................................................... 16
Disputing a Grade ......................................................................................................... 17
Academic Probation ...................................................................................................... 17
Progression in the Program ........................................................................................... 17
Academic Conduct ............................................................................................................ 17
Academic Progress Evaluation and Review ..................................................................... 18
Academic Warning and Dismissal of Graduate Students ............................................. 18
Professional and Academic Standards .......................................................................... 18
Student Review Process ................................................................................................ 19
Types of Review ....................................................................................................... 19
Student Appeals Process ............................................................................................... 20
Student Appeal to the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work ......................... 20
Student Appeal to the Graduate School .................................................................... 20
Support Systems............................................................................................................ 20
Social Media ..................................................................................................................... 21
Commencement ................................................................................................................ 22

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Mission and Vision

The Department of Nursing opened within the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social
Work at the University of Southern California (USC) in 2015. This Department is
committed to achieving distinction in and preparing leaders in advanced research,
education, and nursing practice. The Department aims to work collaboratively with our
Social Work colleagues and others, to improve patient care by preparing outstanding
advanced practice nurses who provide evidence-based practice, and transform the
healthcare system.

The Nursing Department offers graduate degree programs. The current program is a
Masters in Science Nursing (MSN) level advanced practice nursing Family Nurse
Practitioner (FNP) program. This program prepares learners who have earned a
baccalaureate degree in nursing to become socially aware, clinically excellent, advanced
practice nurses who will be leaders in education, scholarship, and practice.

Philosophy
Each individual is a unique physical and psychosocial being with the potential for growth
influenced by heredity, environment, spiritual beliefs, and cultural values. Each person
possesses inherent dignity and worth, and therefore has the right to self-determination. It
is the responsibility of the nurse to ensure that the individual is informed to make
responsible decisions that affect his/her life. Each person is in constant interaction with
both an internal and external environment. This interaction shapes a personal perception
of health, and directs the choices and human behaviors that promote growth and wellness.

Society is a group of individuals with specific and/or collective activities, interests, needs
and cultures. Society structures itself in order to achieve common purposes and goals,
and supports members' external environment. This structure is rapidly changing, and
societies can be local, regional, national, and global.

Health is a dynamic state of physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being that
fluctuates over the lifespan. Health is a subjective state influenced by both internal and
external factors, which result in an understanding and appreciation for wellness and
health that is unique to each individual. Optimal health does not preclude the existence of
illness; health and illness can co-exist. Persons with chronic or debilitating illness may
experience individually-determined optimal levels of health.

Nursing is an art and an expanding science that focuses on the promotion and
maintenance of the health of individuals, families, and communities. The practice of
nursing is based on a scientific foundation. Nursing utilizes a holistic approach,

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committed to the delivery of compassionate and competent care. Nurses are

knowledgeable providers of healthcare; working collaborative to provide quality,
effective care.

Advanced Practice Nursing is based on the synthesis of scientific, experiential, and

interpersonal knowledge. The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) has a
thorough understanding of foundational nursing through earning a baccalaureate degree
in nursing science. After an advanced preparation in nursing practice, including
advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology, APRNs assess patients, prescribe and
interpret diagnostic tests, make diagnoses, and initiate and manage treatment plans
including prescribing medications. Along with providing skilled clinical services, APRNs
bring a comprehensive perspective to healthcare including health promotion, disease
prevention, and health education for patients and their families. The APRN may function
independently or collaboratively and is accountable as a direct provider of care. APRNs
promote interdisciplinary collaboration to help assure positive health outcomes. APRNs
assume leadership roles in legislation and public service to identify and implement
changes in the delivery of healthcare. APRNs have a moral responsibility to the common
good and an obligation to provide culturally sensitive, high-quality care for all human
beings. The APRN is prepared to deliver evidence-based practice for patients with
common complex chronic and acute conditions throughout the life cycle.

Nursing education is a lifelong process of acquiring knowledge that fosters development

of an individual for a productive life. Curricula are designed to prepare learners to
achieve the nursing program outcomes so that graduates are able to meet the challenges
of the evolving healthcare climate and provide excellent clinical care. This includes
engagement, assessment, interventions, and evaluation. Educational experiences are
clearly articulated, planned, collaborative, and interactive. A major goal of these
experiences is the integration of research approaches and research findings into
classroom discussion and clinical practice. The faculty’s responsibility is to serve as a
resource and mentor, to facilitate the development of learners’ knowledge acquisition,
clinical judgment, and psychomotor skills. The faculty provides flexibility in the
curricula, recognizing that learners possess diverse abilities and employ different learning
strategies. Learners’ knowledge and skill is evaluated objectively. The faculty believes
that all learners are capable of assuming responsibility for personal achievement.
Learners are expected to be accountable for their actions and behaviors and are
responsible for competently practicing within legal, ethical, and regulatory standards.

Competence is the ability to perform a task according to a predetermined standard. Each

graduate of the nursing department possesses fundamental competence to enter advance
practice nursing at the level the learner was prepared. To assist in this process, the

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faculty has developed competency based educational programs congruent with the
philosophy, organizing framework, and program outcomes. A group of essential
competencies with related critical behaviors, grounded in evidence-based practice and
current best practices form the basis for the performance standards used to determine the
learner’s achievement.

Accreditations and Memberships

The master’s degree program in nursing at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of
Social Work is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
(http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

The USC MSN-FNP program conforms to the California Board of Registered Nursing’s
“Standards of Education for Nurse Practitioner Programs”
(California Code of Regulations Section 1484) and have been approved by the BRN
(https://www.rn.ca.gov/education/apprograms.shtml#np).

The Family Nurse Practitioner Program is accredited by the Western Association of

Schools and Colleges (WASC).

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of Nursing and its
faculty are members of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the
National Association of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), the American Academy
of Nursing (AAN), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the
California Association of Nurse Practitioners (CANP).

Policies & Procedures

Compliance Requirements
All enrolled degree/certificate-seeking students must register and complete a background
check, drug screening, certifications, and required vaccines and medical tests. The
Department of Nursing has contracted with CastleBranch to track and approve all
compliance requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain, renew, and update
each requirement by the expiration date and to keep copies for personal records.

Follow these instructions to purchase the correct package from CastleBranch:

• Visit: https://portal.castlebranch.com/UQ51
• Continue your order with CastleBranch and fill in all information to complete
order. If you have your USC email, please use it when registering. If you do not

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have access to your USC email when you are registering, please use a personal
email that you check frequently.
• No further action is required for the background check. Instructions for your drug
screening will be emailed to you by CastleBranch once you have placed your
order.
• Your account will list the required documents for compliance. Documentation
related to the requirements listed below will be found in your CastleBranch
account. Upload scanned copies of your documentation to the appropriate
requirements. All medical documents must be submitted and approved through
CastleBranch. Do not submit any documents directly to the Department of
Nursing.

If you are having technical issues with CastleBranch, please contact their service desk:
(888) 723-4263.

Policy on Background Checks, Toxicology Testing, and Disclosure

An increasing number of health care facilities require students to obtain and pass a
background check and drug test in order to participate in clinical facility placements.
Consequently, students are required to undergo a background check and urine drug
screen when they are conditionally admitted to the FNP program. Updated criminal
background checks and/or drug testing may be required by clinical affiliates of the
Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of Nursing.

Admitted students are required to immediately report all changes in their criminal record
(including DWIs or DUIs) and/or disciplinary actions initiated with the Board of Nursing,
which occur while enrolled in the FNP program since any conviction or other adverse
result may prevent placement at a clinical training site. Failure to report any change in
status will result in referral to the Director of the FNP program and possible dismissal
from the program.

The fees required to obtain a background check, urine drug screen, and any additional
tests are the sole responsibility of the student. Students must authorize release of the
results of the background check and urine drug screen to the Suzanne Dworak-Peck
School of Social Work Department of Nursing and its clinical affiliates. If there is any
information in the report that the clinical facility determines disqualifies the student from
participating, the student will be responsible for obtaining the necessary documents to
correct/explain the information. If the issue is not resolved to the satisfaction of the
clinical facility, the student may not be able to participate in a clinical program and may
be unable to complete the requirements for his or her degree.

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University Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs

USC recognizes that illegal or abusive use of alcohol and other drugs by members of the
University community has a detrimental effect on the university’s commitment to provide
continual excellence in teaching, research and education. Misuse of drugs by students
poses hazards both to the individual involved and to the community. Students share with
faculty and staff the responsibility for creating attitudes conducive to eliminating the
abuse of alcohol and other drugs within the University community.

USC’s comprehensive approach to addressing substance abuse emphasizes:

• Taking effective steps to create and maintain a drug-free workplace and

educational environment for students, faculty and staff.
• Providing continuous access to prevention, health promotion and medical and
behavioral healthcare services, along with referrals to off-campus treatment
facilities as appropriate.
• Encouraging individuals who are experiencing problems associated with alcohol
and other drugs to seek assessment and treatment.
• Engaging in ongoing self-assessment of university sanctions for the illegal
manufacture, distribution, use or possession of drugs and the unlawful possession
or use of alcohol. (See “Sanctions” section of this policy for an overview of
possible university and criminal sanctions.)
Policy: https://policy.usc.edu/drug-free/

Additional Requirements

Pre-Entrance Health Form

Required health forms must be completed by a healthcare provider and submitted to the
School prior to orientation. This document must verify that the student is physically able
to participate in his/her program of study, and meets all qualifications outlined in the
Department of Nursing Technical Standards for Admission & Graduation Policy.

Required Immunizations/Titers
• Influenza
• Tuberculin: TB Skin Test/PPD or QuantiFERON Blood Test
• Tdap
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Varicella Zoster
• Hepatitis B
• COVID Vaccination and Booster
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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification (CPR)

Students must choose one of the following CPR BLS certifications:
• American Heart Association - BLS for Healthcare Providers
• American Red Cross - BLS for Healthcare Providers
• Military equivalent training

Online Training Modules and Consent Forms:

• HIPAA Training
• Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Blood borne Pathogens
• Confidentiality Statement
• Honor Code Statement
• Student Handbook Acknowledgement of Receipt

RN License
All students must submit evidence of current nursing licensure from state where clinical
courses will be completed.

Urine Drug Screen & Criminal Background Check

Students must provide information for background check and urine drug screen. This is
performed every two years, unless there are site-specific requirements that mandate
testing prior to clinical. Instructions for your drug screen and background check will be
located in your CastleBranch account.

Health Insurance
Proof of health insurance as required by USC.

Professional Responsibility
Valid/Current Nursing license in state of residence and clinical placements.

Technical Standards for Admissions and Graduation

Candidates for nursing degrees must be able to meet the minimum standards (listed below)
with or without reasonable accommodation:

Observation: Students must have sufficient capacity to make accurate visual observations
and interpret them in the context of laboratory studies, medication administration and
patient care activities. A student must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance
and close at hand. Students must have a sufficient level of hearing to determine both high

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and low levels of frequency and amplitude (monitor, assess and respond to health needs).

Communication: Students must communicate effectively both verbally and non-verbally

to elicit information and to translate that information to others. A student must be able to
read and write English effectively in order to fulfill academic requirements, and to
maintain accurate clinical records on patient care.

Motor Skills: Students are required to possess motor skills sufficient to elicit
independently information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other
manually-based diagnostic procedures. Students should be able to conduct laboratory and
diagnostic tests, and carry out physical assessments. Students must possess motor skills
required for their specialty’s scope of practice. The student must also be able to
coordinate fine and gross muscular movements to treat patients in emergency situations.
Emergency situations include any circumstance requiring immediate remedy.

Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: The student must be able

to develop and refine problem-solving skills that are critical to practice as a nurse. The
student must have the ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize
objective and subjective data and to make decisions that reflect consistent and sound
clinical judgment. Students must possess good judgment in patient assessment, and the
abilities to incorporate new information, comprehend three-dimensional relationships,
and retain and recall pertinent information in a timely fashion. This includes decision-
making in order to maintain safety and security of patients and to behave appropriately
with patients, staff, students, supervisors and faculty.

Behavioral and Social Attributes: Students must possess the physical and emotional
health required for the application of his/her intellectual abilities and the employment of
sound judgment in an appropriate and prompt manner. Students must be able to function
effectively under physically taxing workloads, and in times of physical and mental stress.
Students must display compassion, sensitivity, and concern for others, and maintain
professional integrity at all times. Students must be able to adapt to changing
environments; display flexibility; accept and integrate constructive criticism and learn to
function cooperatively and efficiently in the fact of uncertainties inherent in clinical
practice. This includes appropriately interacting with individuals, families, and groups
from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

Program Specific Requirements: In addition to the areas enumerated above, applicants

and students must also possess any abilities and skills deemed essential for their
particular program. These areas of enumerated skills and abilities are the minimum
attributes required of applicants for admission to the specific nursing program and of

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students who are candidates for graduation.

Ability to Manage Stressful Situations: Students must be able to adapt to and function
effectively to stressful situations in the classroom and clinical settings (including
emergency situations). Students will encounter multiple stressors while in the nursing
program; these stressors may be (but are not limited to) personal, patient care, faculty,
peer, family, and or program-related.

Admission to the Department of Nursing at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of

Social Work is open to all qualified individuals and in accordance with the 1973
Vocational Rehabilitation Act and the American with Disabilities Act. The Department of
Nursing is committed to accommodating the needs of students with documented
disabilities, and will do so to the extent possible without compromising the essential
components of the curriculum.

Professional Expectations and Conduct

Classroom Behavior
Faculty and students are mutually responsible for enforcing optimal classroom behavior
and thus helping to create an appropriate learning environment for all.

All students shall be given the opportunity to learn in an environment that is free from
noise, intrusions and disruptions. Students should remain attentive to the activities of the
virtual classroom and behave in a manner that allows others to be attentive. Noise must
be avoided and includes, but is not limited to: cell phones, children, side conversations
among students, monopolization of conversation, turning the camera on and off and
frequent getting up and down while class is in session. When attending synchronous
sessions, students are expected to have their webcams focused on the student and remain
on for the duration of the class time.

Attendance for Testing

Students are expected to take tests as scheduled unless an excused absence is obtained
from an appropriate course faculty representative before the time of the test. A grade of F
will be given to a student with an unexcused absence from a test.

APA Format
Formal papers submitted for all graduate nursing courses should follow the writing and
documentation guidelines of the current Publication Manual of the American
Psychological Association. Previous editions are not acceptable.
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Honor Pledge
The following honor pledge applies to each examination and assignment.
"On my honor, I pledge that I have neither given nor received any unauthorized
assistance on this (exam), (assignment), (care plan), (paper), (project). If I violate this
agreement, I may be subject to adverse action up to and including dismissal form my
Academic Program."

Professional Conduct
In order to practice as a nurse practitioner a person must possess a variety of cognitive,
sensory, affective, interprofessional and psychomotor skills. These functions are essential
to successful progression in and completion of nursing program requirements and are a
requirement of each course. Students should carry out their nursing responsibilities and
interactions with others in a manner consistent with the professional obligations of the
profession. Behavior and communication that is disrespectful to faculty, staff, academic
partners, preceptors, patients, and fellow students is disruptive and prohibited. This
includes communications that are aggressive or hostile in tone – including but not limited
to emails, verbal abuse, shouting, profanity, stalking, swearing, sexually suggestive talk,
threatening communication of any kind or any other activity that meets the legal
definition of harassment. Students who exhibit a chronic pattern of hostility and
intimidation will be issued a Student Performance Improvement Plan (SPIP) and will be
referred to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs to determine if a violation of the
Student Code of Conduct has occurred.

Program Competencies and Terminal Objectives

Ten domains constitute the framework for the practice of nursing. Although these
domains are discrete entities, the APRN will need to integrate most of these domains in
practice and patient encounters. The domains and their descriptors are listed below. More
information on the domains, their descriptors, competencies and sub-competencies can be
found in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing document
The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education

• Domain 1: Knowledge for Nursing Practice

Descriptor: Integration, translation, and application of established and evolving
disciplinary nursing knowledge and ways of knowing, as well as knowledge from
other disciplines, including a foundation in liberal arts and natural and social
sciences. This distinguishes the practice of professional nursing and forms the
basis for clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice.
• Domain 2: Person-Centered Care
Descriptor: Person-centered care focuses on the individual within multiple
complicated contexts, including family and/or important others. Person-centered

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care is holistic, individualized, just, respectful, compassionate, coordinated,

evidence-based, and developmentally appropriate. Person-centered care builds on
a scientific body of knowledge that guides nursing practice regardless of specialty
or functional area.
• Domain 3: Population Health
Descriptor: Population health spans the healthcare delivery continuum from
public health prevention to disease management of populations and describes
collaborative activities with both traditional and non-traditional partnerships from
affected communities, public health, industry, academia, health care, local
government entities, and others for the improvement of equitable population
health outcomes.
• Domain 4: Scholarship for Nursing Discipline
Descriptor: The generation, synthesis, translation, application, and dissemination
of nursing knowledge to improve health and transform health care.
• Domain 5: Quality and Safety
Descriptor: Employment of established and emerging principles of safety and
improvement science. Quality and safety, as core values of nursing practice,
enhance quality and minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both
system effectiveness and individual performance.
• Domain 6: Interprofessional Partnerships
Descriptor: Intentional collaboration across professions and with care team
members, patients, families, communities, and other stakeholders to optimize
care, enhance the healthcare experience, and strengthen outcomes.
• Domain 7: Systems-Based Practice
Descriptor: Responding to and leading within complex systems of health care.
Nurses effectively and proactively coordinate resources to provide safe, quality,
equitable care to diverse populations.
• Domain 8: Informatics and Healthcare Technologies
Descriptor: Information and communication technologies and informatics
processes are used to provide care, gather data, form information to drive decision
making, and support professionals as they expand knowledge and wisdom for
practice. Informatics processes and technologies are used to manage and improve
the delivery of safe, high-quality, and efficient healthcare services in accordance
with best practice and professional and regulatory standards.
• Domain 9: Professionalism
Descriptor: Formation and cultivation of a sustainable professional nursing
identity, accountability, perspective, collaborative disposition, and comportment
that reflects nursing’s characteristics and values.
• Domain 10: Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development
Descriptor: Participation in activities and self-reflection that foster personal
health, resilience, and well-being, lifelong learning, and support the acquisition of
nursing expertise and assertion of leadership.

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Academic Advisement
Upon enrollment, graduate nursing students will work with staff and faculty to
understand academic policies and procedures and how to navigate programs of study, as
well as monitor progress to ensure completion of required coursework and counseling
students on how to improve any performance issues. Students should consult with faculty
about any program changes, such as a shift in full-time/part-time status, or taking a leave
of absence, all of which are subject to approval by the Director of the program of study.

Registration
Though information may be provided by the university regarding the registration process,
students must follow the registration guidelines and timelines established and distributed
by the nursing registrar. Registration information is provided each semester via email and
the school’s website at (www.usc.edu/socialwork) under Student Resources. Students can
also find a schedule of course offerings posted in the Schedule of Classes
(https://classes.usc.edu/).

Maximum Units
Due to the rigorous demands of the program, students may enroll in a maximum of 12
units per semester. Students are encouraged to register for no more than 6 or 7 units
(typically 2 classes) on a given day within the Department of Nursing. It is not
recommended that students enroll in more than 7 units during the summer due to the
abbreviated 12-week summer semesters.

In clinical courses, students are expected to be available to complete their clinical hours
Monday through Friday. Clinical Placements do not work around student’s work
schedule.

Attending Correct Class Section

Stability among classes is vital to the ongoing instruction that will take place, and
excessive dropping/adding after the first three hours of instruction is disruptive to this
process. No one is allowed to sit in on a course section for which they are not
registered. Students should confirm the accuracy of their class schedule on the first day
of class.

Dropping and Adding Courses

Students may drop or add classes any time prior to the start of the semester if class
sections are open and available for the proposed changes. Classes in the Suzanne

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Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, Department of Nursing are closed after the first
day of class, and no changes will be permitted except in extraordinary circumstances.
Any special exceptions that occur within the first week of classes require advanced
approval by the Program Director. Students seeking approval should contact the Nursing
Registrar at [email protected].

After the 3rd week of classes (and before the end of the 12th week of classes), students
can drop a course; however, that class will appear on the transcript with a mark of “W”
(withdrawal). A mark of “W” does not affect a student’s grade point average. Classes
cannot be added during this period, and courses cannot be dropped after the 12th week
deadline. If a student stops attending a course after the 3rd week of classes and before the
end of the 12th week without officially dropping the class, the student may be awarded a
mark of “UW” (unofficial withdrawal) by the instructor, which is calculated into the GPA
like a grade of F. Students are responsible for all of their registered courses and are
expected to either complete all courses accordingly or to withdraw from them by the 12th
week deadline.

Students who must withdraw from the program should contact their advisor. All
withdrawals must be requested and processed before the end of the 3rd week of classes to
be eligible for a refund. Refunds are subject to university guidelines.

Courses may be added only during the 20 percent mark of the session. After registering,
it is the student’s responsibility to officially drop from a course if he or she decides not to
continue in a course. All such changes must be processed by Web Registration or by
sending an email to the Registration Department. Failure to withdraw officially will result
in the mark of “UW,” which is computed in the GPA as zero (0) grade points. A student
may drop a course without academic or financial penalty up until the 20 percent mark of
the session in which the course is offered. If the course is dropped after the 20 percent
mark and before 45 percent of the session, the course does not appear on the official
transcript only, but the course tuition and fees will be assessed to the student’s account. If
the course is dropped after the 45 percent mark, it will be recorded with a mark of “W”
on the official transcript. No course may be dropped after the 80 percent mark of a
session. A student may not withdraw from a course in which the student committed or
was accused of committing an academic integrity violation. Please refer to the Schedule
of Classes to see session dates.

Filing a Program Change or Leave of Absence

Students who request a change of program or a leave of absence must contact their
advisor. The change or LOA is not approved until all steps in the process have been

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completed. The student must meet with their academic advisor to review the request.
Final approval must be obtained from the registration and student services offices.

Course Fees
As part of the two on-campus intensives (OCI) during the MSN program, a $350.00
course fee is associated with the following courses:
• NURS 502 – OCI #1
• NURS 601 – OCI #2

Program Track Changes

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for all students who request a program track change
from part-time to full-time status.

Withdrawal from the University

Continuous Enrollment
The University requires that all graduate students remain in continuous enrollment each
Fall and Spring semester until degree requirements are met. In certain circumstances, an
anticipated break in enrollment may be covered by a time-limited (one or two semesters)
leave of absence. The University allows a maximum of four semesters for leaves of
absence. Such leaves of absence must be applied for and approved, in advance, by the
director of student services.

Leave of Absence
Students who are in good standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA, making satisfactory
progress toward the graduate nursing degree, and have a compelling reason to do so, may
request a leave of absence for a stated period, usually not to exceed one year at a time.
The request for a leave of absence must be made no later than the last day to drop or add
courses. A leave of absence form requesting a leave along with a letter requesting a leave
must be submitted to your academic advisor and approved by the Director. The request
must indicate the reason for the leave and the proposed semester to return. An academic
plan will be developed to prepare for your re-entry into the program. Students gone
longer than two years will need to reapply for admission through the USC Suzanne
Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Office of Admissions.

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Readmission
If you were granted a leave as a student in good standing and making satisfactory
progress towards the MSN degree, you must contact the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of
Social Work Nursing Registrar’s office at [email protected] at least eight to 12 weeks
prior to your approved re-entry semester. The plan for re-entry will be discussed, along
with readjustment to program expectations.

A student who leaves the program without notifying the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of
Social Work’s Department of Nursing has taken an unofficial leave and failed to abide by
the continuous enrollment requirement. If it has been longer than four or more semesters
and you wish to apply for readmission to the program, you must contact your academic
advisor to assist in the planning of your return. You also will need to submit an
application for readmission to the school, addressed to the admissions department, along
with an updated autobiographical statement and at least two letters of reference. An
interview may be requested to make a determination regarding your request to be
readmitted. If the decision is in favor of your readmission, your application will be
submitted to the Graduate School, indicating the school’s recommendation and approval
of your request

Dismissal
Dismissal occurs rarely and only when all other appropriate alternatives have been
exhausted. Circumstances resulting in this decision may include: grade point average
falling below 3.0 at the end of the first semester; a clinical work evaluation which
indicates failure to achieve expectations; failure to attend classes or clinical work on a
regular basis; failure to complete assignments; or violations of academic integrity. The
student may reapply to the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of
Nursing if he or she wishes. In conjunction with a reapplication, there should be some
demonstration that professional/personal growth has occurred.

Attendance
As a professional school, class attendance and participation are an essential part of your
professional training and development at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of
Social Work. You are expected to attend all classes and meaningfully participate. More
than two unexcused absences in class may result in the lowering of your grade by a half
grade. Additional absences can result in additional deductions. For VAC courses,
meaningful participation requires active engagement in class discussions and maintaining
an active screen. Furthermore, unless directed by your course instructor, you are expected
to complete all asynchronous content and activities prior to the scheduled live class
discussion. Failure to complete two asynchronous units before the live class without prior

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permission may also lower your final grade by a half grade. Not completing additional
units can result in additional deductions.

University of Southern California policy permits students to be excused from class and
clinical practicum without penalty for the observance of religious holy days. This policy
also covers scheduled final examinations which conflict with students’ observance of a
holy day. Students must make arrangements in advance to complete class work which
will be missed or to reschedule an examination due to observance of a holy day. Policy:
https://orsl.usc.edu/life/calendar/absences/

Students with Disabilities

Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to
register with Disability Services and Programs (https://dsp.usc.edu/) each semester. You
then must obtain a letter of verification for approved accommodations and deliver it to
your instructor as early in the semester as possible. You can contact DSP counselors by
phone at (213) 740-0776 or by email at [email protected].

Grading
Final course grades shall be A, B, C, D, F, including designations of +’s or –’s. The
university will not record an A+ on your transcript as a final grade. A grade of C- or
below is equivalent to failure in all graduate courses, and the course must be repeated.

Within the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, grades are determined in each
class based on the following:

1. Grades of A- or A are reserved for student work which not only demonstrates
mastery of content but also shows the student has undertaken a complex task, has
applied critical thinking skills to the assignment and/or has demonstrated
creativity in her or his approach to the assignment.
2. A grade of B+ denotes work that has demonstrated a more than competent
understanding of the material being tested in the assignment.
3. A grade of B signifies the student has done adequate work on the assignment and
meets basic course expectations.
4. A grade of B- indicates a moderate grasp of content and/or expectations.
5. A grade of C or C+ would suggest a minimal grasp of the assignments, poor
organization of ideas and/or several significant areas requiring improvement.
6. Grades between C- and F denote a failure to meet minimum standards, reflecting
serious deficiencies in all aspects of a student’s performance on the assignment.

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Grade reports will not be automatically mailed to you at the end of each semester.
Students may access an electronic report of your grades on OASIS.

Withdrawing and Repeating Courses

A graduate nursing student may only withdraw and/or repeat a course once. Failure or
withdrawal after the first 20 percent of the course on the second attempt will result in
dismissal from the program.

Other Marks and Their Definitions

CR (Credit) - Passing mark for non-letter-graded courses. Equivalent to B quality or
better for graduate courses; no effect on GPA.

NC (No Credit) - Less than the equivalent of B quality for a graduate, non-letter-graded
course; no effect on GPA. IP (In Progress) Interim mark for a course exceeding one
semester.

Incomplete (IN) - Grades of Incomplete should only be assigned in the case where work
cannot be completed because of documented illness or some other emergency occurring
after the 12th week of the semester.

When an IN grade is given in lieu of a final grade, you and the instructor will negotiate
and sign an agreement with regard to what work remains to be completed and within
what time frame in order for the IN grade to be removed from the record with a final
grade given. While the university permits a time limit of up to one year to complete work
for which an IN grade has been entered, the contract between you and your faculty
member will determine the terms for completion. If you are unable to meet the terms of
the contract, you must renegotiate those terms directly with the faculty member. Failure
to do so may result in a failing grade. Students may not be permitted to move forward
until all outstanding IN grades have been resolved.

If the IN is not removed within the designated time, the course is considered “lapsed,”
and the grade is changed to an IX. An IX will be calculated into the grade point average
as 0 points. Courses offered on a Credit/No Credit basis for which a mark of IN is
assigned will be lapsed with a mark of NC or NP and will not be calculated into the grade
point average. A student may petition the Committee on Academic Policies and
Procedures (CAPP) for an extension of time for the removal of an IN; however,
extensions beyond the specified time limit are rarely approved if the student has enrolled
in subsequent semesters. In all cases, a petition for an extension of time for removal of an
IN must have school approval and include a statement from the instructor explaining
what is needed to complete the course and why the student should be given further time

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for completion. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the deadlines are being
met.

Disputing a Grade
When a student complains of prejudiced, capricious, or unfair evaluation, a basis for
appeal may exist. Faculty members are required to justify disputed grades. The student
must meet with the faculty member to review the grade in question. Every effort should
be taken to resolve the matter at this level. If the student is dissatisfied with the
instructor’s response, the student may appeal in writing to the director of student services.
Such an appeal must be received by the end of the following semester (excluding
summer) after the student has received the disputed grade. The MSN Director will review
the matter, and a decision will be given to the student following the review process.

Academic Probation
If at any time your grade point average falls below a 3.0, you will be formally placed on
academic probation until grade deficiencies have been corrected. Students must attain a
minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) at the end of their coursework to
continue in the program. Exceptions must be reviewed and approved by the director of
student services, who will conduct an academic review. All students must have a
cumulative grade point average of 3.0 to qualify for the MSN degree.
Bridge Course (NURS 500)

This course is graded Credit/No Credit. Students will earn a passing grade if their total
score for the class is at least 80% of the possible points from participation and exams
scores. Students who are required to take this course as a pre-requisite for enrollment
into the MSN-FNP program must pass with Credit for the course. Students who
withdraw or do not earn credit for the course may not repeat the course.

Progression in the Program

The University reserves the right to dismiss any students who do not maintain the
required standards of scholarship, or whose conduct or clinical performance demonstrates
a lack of fitness for a health profession.

Academic Conduct

Academic Integrity: Plagiarism – presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either
verbatim or recast in your own words – is a serious academic offense with serious
consequences. Please familiarize yourself with the discussion of plagiarism in the USC
Student Handbook section “Integrity and Accountability: Student Community

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Expectations.” Violations in academic integrity will result in a F in the class and may
result in dismissal from the program.

Academic Progress Evaluation and Review

Academic Warning and Dismissal of Graduate Students

Staff advisors and the Department of Nursing take factors other than satisfactory grades
and adequate GPAs into consideration in determining a student’s qualifications for an
advanced degree. A student’s overall academic performance, specific skills and
aptitudes, and faculty evaluations will be considered in departmental decisions regarding
a student’s continuation in a master’s or doctoral degree program. Procedures on
disputed academic evaluations are described in USC Student Handbook.

Professional and Academic Standards

Graduates of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of
Nursing must enter the profession meeting the highest professional and academic
standards. Consequently, the school bears a responsibility to ensure students meet the
standards for acceptable professional and academic performance. As defined by the
Department of Nursing and the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, five areas
comprise satisfactory professional and academic progress:

• Abiding by the USC Student Conduct Code

• Abiding by the USC policies regarding academic integrity
• Maintaining an acceptable cumulative grade point average
• Acting in accordance with professional ethics
• Mastering professional competencies.

Violations of the Student Conduct Code and policies regarding academic integrity are
governed by policies outlined in the USC Student Handbook under University
Governance and Academic Policies. A student’s ability to maintain an acceptable
cumulative grade point average, act in accordance with professional ethics (in accordance
with the American Nurse Association Code of Ethics) and master professional
competencies is initially governed by the school’s procedures for review. Students
wishing to appeal must follow procedures the USC Graduate School has set forth and
outlined in the USC Student Handbook under University Governance and Academic
Policies.

Students who do not meet satisfactory professional or academic performance

requirements at the end of the semester are notified in writing and are subject to the

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school’s student review process. A Level III review will be conducted for students who
do not meet the criteria for satisfactory performance at the end of each semester with the
goal of remediation before or during the first semester of the concentration year. Students
who do not meet satisfactory professional or academic performance requirements at the
end of the foundation year will receive a letter informing them of the need for a Level III
review.

Student Review Process

To ensure the integrity of the academic process, every effort shall be made to provide a
fair, just and expeditious review process. This document represents the official
professional and academic review process for the School. The Suzanne Dworak-Peck
School of Social Work, Department of Nursing has charged the Office of Student
Services to inform students of their rights and responsibilities, and to provide information
and clarification on the professional and academic review process.

Types of Review
Level I
If a problem is identified with student grades, professional ethics and/or
professional competencies, the individual academic faculty will meet with the
student. For clinical placement issues, the clinical faculty liaison, and the Director
of Clinical Placements will meet with the student.

Level II
If the problem with student grades, professional ethics and/or professional
competencies persists, the individual academic faculty will meet with the student.
If clinical placement issues persist, the director of clinical placements and the
clinical faculty liaison will meet with the student.

Level III
If the problem with student grades, professional ethics, professional competencies
is still not resolved, the associate dean of clinical education and the Level II group
participants (in cases related to clinical work) or the director of student services
(in cases related to course work) will meet with the student. In case of clinical
education practicum/placement review, improved performance must be met on the
date specified in the Student Performance Improvement Plan (SPIP) or the student
is subject to dismissal from the program. Please refer to the Clinical Placement
Manual (online) for further details on the Clinical Education student review
process. Conditionally admitted students who fail to meet the 3.0 GPA
requirement by the end of the first semester, are subject to dismissal from the
program. Students placed on academic probation who fail to meet the 3.0 GPA

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requirement by the end of the subsequent semester are subject to dismissal from
the program.

Student Appeals Process

In compliance with the academic policies outlined in the USC Student Handbook under
University Governance and Academic Policies the Department of Nursing has two levels
of appeal for disputed evaluation: 1) Instructor and 2) Dean. In the Suzanne Dworak-Peck
School of Social Work Department of Nursing, appeals to the Dean will be handled by
the Program Director.

Student Appeal to the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Students wishing to appeal to the director of the graduate nursing program must submit to
the director of student services a detailed narrative explaining the reason(s) for the
appeal. The student should also outline the outcome/resolution that he or she is seeking.
A written decision will be sent to the student after the review.. Normally, the decision
should be sent to the student within approximately 15 days after the review. This time
may be extended if necessary. The student should be informed in writing if the decision
will be delayed.

In compliance with the academic policies outlined in the USC Student Handbook under
University Governance and Academic Policies, the school has two levels of appeal for
disputed dismissal from the program: 1) Dean and 2) Office of the Provost. Students
wishing to appeal Dismissal from the program must submit to the Suzanne Dworak-Peck
School of Social Work Assistant Dean of Student Affairs a detailed narrative explaining
the reason(s) for the appeal. The student should also outline the outcome/resolution that
he or she is seeking. A written decision will be sent to the student after review. Normally
the decision should be sent to the student within approximately 15 days after the review.
This time may be extended if necessary. The student should be informed in writing if the
decision will be delayed.

Student Appeal to the Graduate School

The USC Student Handbook specifies the student may appeal to the Office of the
Provost. That appeal should be sent to the associate dean for graduate academic affairs in
the Graduate School.

Support Systems
Discrimination, sexual assault, and harassment are not tolerated by the university. You
are encouraged to report any incidents to the Office of Equity and Diversity or to

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the Department of Public Safety. This is important for the safety whole USC community.
Another member of the university community – such as a friend, classmate, advisor, or
faculty member – can help initiate the report, or can initiate the report on behalf of
another person. The Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services (RSVP)
provides 24/7 confidential support, and the sexual assault resource center
webpage [email protected] describes reporting options and other resources.

A number of USC’s schools provide support for students who need help with scholarly
writing. Check with your advisor or program staff to find out more. Students whose
primary language is not English should check with the American Language Institute,
which sponsors courses and workshops specifically for international graduate
students. Office of Student Accessibility Services provides certification for students with
disabilities and helps arrange the relevant accommodations. If an officially declared
emergency makes travel to campus infeasible, USC Emergency Information will provide
safety and other updates, including ways in which instruction will be continued by means
of blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technology.

Students with Disabilities: Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a

disability is required to register with Office of Student Accessibility Services each
semester. You then must obtain a letter of verification for approved accommodations and
deliver it to your instructor as early in the semester as possible. You can meet with DSP
counselors in Student Union 301 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For
more information, please call (213) 740-0776 or email [email protected].

Social Media
Social media is an important part of communications between students in the USC
Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. The school welcomes this form of active
engagement and exchange, which helps us all build stronger connections with each other.
The school has adopted some guidelines to ensure that we make the best possible use of
these pages, accounts, and groups.

We ask that all students agree to the following guidelines:

Register any USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work-affiliated student group
social media page as well as identify the administrator of the page, account, or group,
with the school's Student Organization and the Office of Student Affairs.

Explicitly state that the page or group has been created by USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck
School of Social Work students and does not officially represent policies, practices, or
views of the School. Open membership in any and all such social media groups to
everyone. Respect others' views and opinions. Notify Student Organization and the

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Office of Student Affairs of the closure or deletion of any such page, account, or group,
and/or any administrative change for any such page, account or group.

By participating in the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and its
affiliate (Student Organization, caucuses, and interest groups.) social media, USC
students and other public users agree they will not do the following: Post material that the
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and/or its affiliate groups determine
is threatening, harassing, illegal, obscene, defamatory, libelous or hostile toward any
individual or entity. Post any identifying information about an individual or an entity
(contact information, Birthday, Social Security number, etc.) in the body of personal
comments without consent. Post material that infringes on the rights of the USC Suzanne
Dworak-Peck School of Social Work or any individual or entity, including privacy,
intellectual property or publication rights. This includes the improper use of (but is not
limited to) images, logos, videos, content, documents, and white papers, among other
examples. Post chain letters, post the same comment multiple times, or otherwise
distribute SPAM. Post comments under multiple names or using another person’s name.
Allow any other individual or entity to use personal student identification for posting or
viewing
comments.

If a user is found to be in violation of any of these standards, the USC Suzanne Dworak-
Peck School of Social Work and its affiliate groups reserve the right to: Ban future posts
from people who repeatedly violate the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social
Work’s terms and conditions. Remove comments at any time. Immediate threats report
to DPS immediately at (213) 740-4321. When providing information please include your
name, the concerning behaviors, and who is exhibiting the concerning behaviors. Then
report to the Office of Student Services at [email protected].

Commencement
The university holds the main commencement ceremony each year in early May. The
USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work hosts a more personalized ceremony
following the university’s ceremony.

Once requirements have been met, degrees may be posted to your official transcript at the
end of any semester. Final grades are typically not posted prior to the commencement
ceremonies, and only students in good standing at the end of the previous semester with a
grade point average of 3.0 or better will be permitted to participate in these ceremonies.

Students will not be permitted to participate in commencement if they:

• Have failed a course in the final semester of the program

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• Must re-take a course during the next scheduled semester

Graduation lists are confirmed by the Office of Student Affairs. Learn more about
Commencement.

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