SWAG��Ƶ

The mission of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition program is to prepare individuals for leadership roles in the field of nutrition, to advance knowledge and expand skills that promote excellence and innovation in all areas of nutrition practice, and to emphasize evidence-based best practices to support the well-being and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities through education, research, and scholarship.

Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program Goals

Graduates of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program will:

1. Interpret, evaluate, communicate and apply complex nutritional concepts to a wide variety of individuals, communities, and organizations
2. Use evidence-based knowledge to inform best practices in nutrition professions
3. Provide leadership and innovation to the nutrition profession, facilitating the growth and application of best practices in the field to our region and globally
4. Utilize theories of health behavior and the translation of theory into practice as a valuable tool in public health, community, and clinical nutrition settings

Objectives in support of the goals of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program

Program Objectives
Graduates of the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition Program will:

1. Develop and utilize nutrition concepts and best-practices for nutrition and health promotion initiatives
2. Apply core research principles to measure the nutrition status and environment of individuals and communities
3. Develop communications and collaboration strategies with representatives from government, non-profit, community, and business entities regarding nutrition initiatives
4. Interpret and modify explanations of complex nutrition concepts for various audiences
5. Research, develop and disseminate evidence-based and theory-driven educational materials and work-products at an audience-appropriate level for topics related to nutrition and health promotion

There are degree focus areas that allow the Masters of Science in Applied Nutrition students to concentrate in growing areas of the nutrition industry and to pursue an educational pathway that best addresses their personal and professional needs. The focus area-specific objectives are based on the student’s chosen focus and are listed below.

Degree Focus Area: Obesity and Health Promotion

Graduates completing this focus area will be able to:

1. Define and explain key concepts related to overweight/obesity to a variety of audiences
2. Describe the prevalence of and trends in overweight/obesity
3. Develop materials to combat the impacts of overweight/obesity
4. Analyze and communicate the medical, psychosocial, and economic costs associated with overweight/obesity to a variety of audiences
5. Compare overweight/obesity prevention and treatment approaches to evaluate their efficacy at the individual and community levels
6. Propose and communicate new approaches to combat the incidence of overweight/obesity for a variety of audiences based on analysis of existing policy and regulations

Degree Focus Area: Nutrition and Disease Prevention

Graduates completing this focus area will be able to:

1. Analyze nutrition research literature to apply it to nutrition practice
2. Analyze and communicate evidence-based nutrition information to a variety of audiences
3. Apply theories of health behavior in nutrition practice settings
4. Analyze and communicate research in nutrition-related disease prevention and progression to a wide variety of audiences
5. Design and implement nutrition and wellness research to include identifying research hypotheses, analyzing data, interpreting research results, and writing publishable reports

Degree Focus Area: Sustainable Nutrition

Graduates completing this focus area will be able to:

1. Assess current regional and global agricultural policies and practices in relation to environmental stewardship, human health, and food justice
2. Analyze nutrition, food systems, and agricultural literature to apply it to nutrition practice, education and advocacy
3. Evaluate the environmental sustainability of traditional and current diets worldwide and how they can meet nutritional needs while lessening environmental impacts
4. Analyze and communicate evidence-based nutrition and food systems information to a variety of audiences
5. Design and implement nutrition and food systems research to include identifying research hypotheses, analyzing data, interpreting research results, and writing publishable reports

Degree Focus Area: Generalist, Applied Nutrition

Students selecting this focus area will develop skills in and an understanding of multiple competency areas of nutrition study and practice, dependent on their individualized course of study. This option allows the student to take the requisite first-year classes, and then diversify their educational plan of study to best meet their personal and professional needs.

All programs at the SWAG��Ƶ are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

REQUIRED COURSES

Degree Focus: Nutrition and Disease Prevention

Degree Focus: Obesity and Health Promotion

Degree Focus: Sustainable Nutrition

Minimum Grade Point Average

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Any student who receives a grade of F in two or more courses is dismissed from the program.

Graduation

Candidates must fulfill all program requirements and are required to earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to graduate. All students must file an Application to Graduate with the registrar’s office via U-Online. Please see our Graduation FAQ for complete instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions.

Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

The last day permissible for matriculating graduate students to add or drop a course without financial penalty is the second day of class.

Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing and will receive a “W” on their transcript indicating withdrawal. Students will receive a partial refund if they withdraw from a course within the first or second week. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course. Students who have not participated in the course by the end of the second week will be administratively withdrawn from the course and will not receive a tuition refund.

Email requests for withdrawals must be submitted from a student’s SWAG��Ƶ email to be considered.

Matriculating students who withdraw after completing more than 2/3 of a course will receive a grade of “WF” (withdrawn failing) or “WP” (withdrawn passing), based on the instructor’s assessment of the student’s current standing in the course. A “WF” is calculated as an “F” in the student’s GPA. Upon successful completion of the course, the new grade will be used to calculate the GPA. Students will be dismissed from their program after two failing grades (including a “WF”).

University Withdrawal

All matriculated students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete notification documentation available from Registration Services. Documentation must be signed by designated academic and administrative authorities.

Leave of Absence (Academic Stop-Out)

Students may stop out of their program for up to two semesters. Students need to coordinate stop-outs in advance with their assigned student support specialist, and stop out time is considered part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned.

However, the student who does not return at the specified time or who exceeds two semesters of stop out will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Readmitted students are subject to the re-admittance term’s catalog (this may mean that policies and/or program requirements have been changed or updated since previous admission, and should be reviewed for potential impact on degree requirements, time to complete the degree, and degree planning).  

Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the student support specialist and student financial services to indicate a change of plans; stop out time can affect financial aid eligibility and repayment.

Medical Leave of Absence

In the event that a leave of absence is taken due to medical reasons, a doctor’s note may be required in order to return to active standing within the program.

Audit Policy

A student may, with prior consent of the Program Director or designee, enroll in a course for an audit grade (AU). This must be requested at the time of registration for the course and must be accompanied by signed approval of the instructor and Program Director or designee. This applies to both matriculated and non-matriculated students. Reversal or change of an audit grade is not possible. Once enrolled for AU the grade becomes permanent on a student's academic record. The student who wishes later to be graded for such a course must re-enroll in and pay for graded credit. In auditing a course, the student is expected to complete all lectures and discussion boards, but is not permitted to submit course work for evaluation, take examinations, receive grades, or earn credit. Auditing a course does not count toward enrollment status (i.e. part-time, full-time, etc.) and therefore cannot be considered for financial aid purposes, veteran's benefits, etc.

Academic Integrity Policy

The SWAG��Ƶ values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
4. Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final.  Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in The College of Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook.

Student Access Center

The Student Access Center works to ensure that the University promotes respect for individual differences and that no person who meets the academic and technical standards needed for admission and continued enrollment at SWAG��Ƶ is denied benefits or subjected to discrimination due to a disability. Toward this end, and in conjunction with federal and state laws, the University provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is highly valued by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. Many courses within the College feature experiential-learning components. However, at this time, no credit will be awarded to students for purely experiential learning experiences undertaken in lieu of coursework.

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three, 3-credit courses (maximum of nine credits) into the Master of Science in Applied Nutrition program.

To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to, and will be granted at the discretion of, the Program Director.

Transfer courses must:

• Be classified as graduate level.
• Have been taken within five years of application.
• Have been completed with a grade of “B” or better. 
• Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education. 

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor’s degree or above from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Previous coursework in Nutrition and/or Biology, and Statistics is highly recommended.
• Computer with internet connection, including the hardware and software requirements described in our . Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the internet as all classes are accessed 100% online.

Application Process

• Completed online application:
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statements
• Three professional references
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a bachelor’s degree or above from a regionally accredited institution. All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought. The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admission are accepted through SWAG��Ƶ’s online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration. Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution.  See International Admissions
• All applicants to SWAG��Ƶ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university.  SWAG��Ƶ accepts several methods of English Proficiency, seeInternational Admissions. 
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language) are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application. 

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Policy Exceptions

The Master of Science in Applied Nutrition program and Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

The mission of the Athletic Training Program at the SWAG��Ƶ is to provide a comprehensive curriculum designed for individuals who want to enhance the quality of health care for active persons and to advance the profession of athletic training through education and research in the prevention, evaluation, management, and rehabilitation of injuries.

This graduate degree program is offered in a 3+2 year format and designed for students who want to work to improve individual and team wellness and health. The curriculum in this program combines the study of anatomy and other health-related sciences with the art of preventing, managing, and rehabilitating athletic and orthopedic injuries. Students are provided with a thorough understanding of the effects of sport and sport-related injuries on the individual performer through a series of interprofessional classroom (didactic) and field (clinical) experiences both on- and off-campus.

Academic Standards

The SWAG��Ƶ Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Program is a graduate program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Students in the pre-professional (undergraduate) phase of the program will be retained providing the following criteria are maintained throughout the undergraduate experience:

1. Minimum requirements for successful progression in years 1-3 as outlined in the SWAG��Ƶ undergraduate Catalog must be met.
2. Students must achieve a minimum grade of "C" in the following courses: MAT 120, BIO 104, BIO 208, BIO 209, IHS 220/NUTR 220, PUB 200, SPC 100, ATC 105, ATC 333, ATC 420, EXS 120, EXS 310, and EXS 320. Failure to achieve a "C" will result in program-level probation, and may affect academic progression. 
3. Students must achieve a minimum grade of "C-" in the following courses: CHE 110 and PHY 110.  Failure to achieve a "C-" will result in program-level probation, and may affect academic progression.
4. Students may enroll in any course in the WCHP Common Curriculum a maximum of two times.  Enrollment consists of achieving a "WP," "WF," or a letter grade.  Receiving a "W" in a course is not considered official enrollment and will not result in academic penalty. Failure to achieve the required grade after a second attempt at a course will result in dismissal from the major. 
5. Students enrolled in the Professional (graduate) Phase of the MSAT Program must maintain a minimum cumulative semester GPA of 3.0.
6. Students enrolled in the professional (graduate) phase of the program must maintain a minimum grade of "B" in each required course (or a "P" in each Pass/Fail course). Students may enroll in required courses in the Professional Phase a maximum of two times regardless of the final grade, including "W", "WP" or "WF." Please refer to the WCHP Graduate Program Progression Policies and Procedures (PDF) for a detailed description of academic standards.

Technical Standards

The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Program at The SWAG��Ƶ is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in it. An objective of this program is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity. The technical standards set forth by the MSAT Program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for admitted students to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer; as well as meet the expectations of the program's accrediting agency CAATE. The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students in the Professional Program. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will be subject to dismissal. All MSAT students must be able to demonstrate competency for patient safety appropriate to the learner’s level of training. Demonstration of fluency of skills and knowledge appropriate to the level of training is a requirement for progression through the curriculum. Most assessments are designed to simulate activities in the clinical training and clinical practice settings and are tied to the learner’s demonstration of competency for patient safety. These assessments may be performed in a timed and structured environment and are designed to evaluate the learner’s ability to demonstrate appropriate fluency of skills and knowledge under specific conditions. 

Compliance with the program's technical standards does not guarantee a student's eligibility for the BOC certification exam.

Candidates for selection to the MSAT Program must demonstrate:

1. the mental capacity to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, integrate concepts and problem solve to formulate assessment and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm;
2. sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques; and accurately, safely and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients;
3. the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively. Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice;
4. the ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately;
5. the capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress;
6. the perseverance, diligence and commitment to complete the athletic training program as outlined and sequenced;
7. flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in clinical situations; and
8. affective skills and appropriate demeanor and rapport that relate to professional education and quality patient care.

Candidates for selection to the professional (graduate) phase of the MSAT Program will be required to certify with the program director that they have read, understand and meet these technical standards or that they believe that, with certain accommodations, they can meet the standards. Please see the Student Access Center for more information.

Every graduate from the SWAG��Ƶ Master of Science in Athletic Training Program will be able to:

1. Successfully challenge the athletic training entry-level Board of Certification (BOC) examination;
2. Demonstrate knowledge of and clinical proficiency in all five domains of athletic training: 1) injury/illness prevention and wellness promotion, 2) examination, assessment, and diagnosis, 3) immediate and emergency care, 4) therapeutic intervention, and 5) healthcare administration and professional responsibility;  
3. Model the importance of interprofessional collaboration in the delivery of high-quality athletic health care; and
4. Provide evidence-based, clinically-relevant care to athletes and the physically active.

Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program.  Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at SWAG��Ƶ in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All courses completed must be no older than five years. Other restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions also.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
Application

The SWAG��Ƶ Department of Athletic Training participates in the All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

Degree Requirement

Completion of Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, prior to matriculation.

• All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to . Please see application for additional information and instructions.

GPA requirement

Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, as calculated by ATCAS (inclusive of all coursework taken with no forgiveness for retakes).

Prerequisite Coursework Requirements

• General Chemistry I w/lab, 4 semester or 6 quarter credits
• Anatomy and Physiology I & II w/labs,  8 semester or 12 quarter credits
• Physics I w/lab, 4 semester or 6 quarter credits
• Exercise Physiology, 3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits
• Kinesiology/Biomechanics, 3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits

Other Important Prerequisite Coursework Notes:

• All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better (“C minus” grades are not acceptable).
• Prerequisite courses may be in progress or planned at the time of application. All courses must be completed with an official transcript submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission prior to the start of the program.

All planned or in-progress coursework should be listed on the ATCAS application at the time of application submission; not doing so will result in the applicant not meeting all admissions requirements and therefore will not be eligible for admission review.

Online courses offered through  as well as online courses from other regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities are acceptable with program approval.

Letters of Reference

Two (2) letters of reference* – submitted via ATCAS

• One (1) academic reference from a professor, research advisor, or academic advisor.
• One (1) letter from a person of your choice who can speak to your ability to be academically successful and practice professionally. 
  *Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable.

Personal Statement

• Please refer to the ATCAS application for specific writing prompt and additional information.

Licenses and Certifications

The following document should be uploaded directly to the ATCAS application:

• Proof of current certification in Emergency Cardiac Care and Basic First Aid.

Interviews

• Personal interviews with faculty are required for admission and are granted to qualified applicants by invitation only.

International Applicants

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

• Official credential evaluation by , confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be sent directly to ATCAS. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the SWAG��Ƶ website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a SWAG��Ƶ approved English language proficiency test.
• Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the SWAG��Ƶ website for specific information and minimum score requirements.
• Please refer to the ATCAS application for test score submission instructions.

Other Requirements

Prior to matriculation, accepted and deposited students will be required to complete the following compliance requirements:

• Completion of physical examination with proof of up-to-date immunization status. Please refer to SWAG��Ƶ’s Student Health Center for detailed information.
• Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen prior to matriculation, as well as periodically throughout the program (as required by clinical affiliations).
• Proof of successful completion of yearly OSHA-required bloodborne pathogens safety training will be required prior to the first clinical assignment.
• All students transferring into the AT Program must meet all admissions requirements and complete the entire graduate phase of the program.
• All students must have the ability to meet the Academic and Technical Standards of the Athletic Training profession.

Note: All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of SWAG��Ƶ and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Due to continuing developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, some application requirements and processes may change during the cycle for the health and safety of the university, its employees, and prospective students/applicants. We appreciate your flexibility and consideration.

Policy Exceptions

• Policies are established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants to the university and its programs
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum and/or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates

Transfer Credit

• Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another Athletic Training Program.
• The program director will review and award transfer credits on a case by case basis.

Advanced Standing

• No advanced standing placement available

Experiential Learning

• No credit awarded for experiential learning

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

The mission of the Department of Biology at SWAG��Ƶ is to enable students to understand the real-world relevance of the biological sciences, foster scientific literacy and critical thinking skills, and lay the foundation for lifelong learning and meaningful, productive contributions to society. 

The mission of the Master of Science: Biological Sciences program is to prepare outstanding graduate students for careers or further training in science, technology, and education by providing an advanced knowledge base and a working knowledge of research methods in the biological sciences. 

The Master of Science: Biological Sciences program offers post-baccalaureate training to students interested in a wide variety of biological topics. The classroom curriculum features a broad-based exposure to advanced topics in biological subjects that may include physiology, ecology, molecular biology, and microbiology. The program also focuses on the research experience: students will conduct research and prepare a thesis on any of a variety of topics selected in consultation with our faculty.

Program Goals

• Provide a knowledge base in the biological sciences that is deeper than the typical undergraduate experience.
• Foster participation in the production of biological knowledge through excellence in research.
• Instill outstanding research skills and a working knowledge of the scientific method by participating in high-quality research.
• Develop outstanding scientific communication skills through writing and oral presentations.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

To remain in the MS: Biological Sciences program, the student's cumulative graduate GPA must be a minimum of 3.0.  A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 or who receives a grade below B- in any course taken for graduate credit will be placed on academic probation.

Program Completion Timeline

Students have a maximum of five years to complete the graduation requirements.  After two academic years (fall and spring terms), students who have completed their coursework but are still completing their theses are required to enroll in a minimum of three Thesis credit hours per semester to remain in the program.

Probation/Dismissal

A graduate student whose grade point average (GPA) for any semester falls below 3.0, or whose cumulative grade point average is below 3.0, or who receives a class grade below a B- for any class taken for graduate credit is automatically placed on probation. A student placed on academic probation will be granted one fall or spring semester to raise his/her cumulative GPA to 3.0 or above, will be required to achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the semester, and cannot receive a second class grade below B-.  Any student who fails to meet these criteria will be considered for dismissal by the School of Biological Sciences academic director and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Course Withdrawal

In normal length semesters, a matriculated student may withdraw from a course without academic penalty (a grade of W is assigned) at any time during the first two-thirds of the semester. If withdrawal occurs after that date, the grade of WP (withdrew passing) or WF (withdrew failing) will be entered, subject to determination by the instructor. The grade of WF is computed in the grade point average. 

Incomplete Grades

A student who believes she/he is unable to complete the work for a given course by the end of the term may apply for an extension by discussion with the instructor. At the time of this meeting, a plan must be agreed upon for completion of the course work, including a date of completion, not to exceed six weeks following the end date of the course. This agreement must be completed by the last day of class for the given course. Any student who does not follow the above guidelines will receive an F for the course. In exceptional circumstances (such as death in family, significant illness, accident), an additional extension may be requested. Any such request must be made in writing, reviewed and signed by the instructor and the student’s advisor.

Program Goals

1. Provide a knowledge base in the biological sciences that is deeper than the typical undergraduate experience.
2. Foster participation in the production of biological knowledge through high quality research.
3. Instill outstanding research skills and a working knowledge of the scientific method by participation in high-quality research.
4. Develop outstanding scientific communication skills through written and oral presentations.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate expertise in their thesis research field
2. Students will increase their proficiency to publication level written and professional oral communication skills
3. Students will demonstrate mastery of the concepts and principals of the Biological Sciences
4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of research design and have the ability to carry out a research project

TRANSFER CREDIT

• Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another biological science program
• Transfer credits will be reviewed and awarded on a case by case basis

Advanced standing

• No advanced standing available

Experiential Learning

• No credit awarded for experiential learning

Admissions Requirements

APPLICATION

The SWAG��Ƶ participates in the . All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

DEGREE REQUIREMENT

Completion of Bachelor’s Degree in Biology (or other related area) from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, prior to matriculation.

• All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to . Please see application for additional information and instructions.

GPA REQUIREMENT

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (inclusive of all coursework taken with no forgiveness for retakes).
• All applicants must meet minimum GPA requirements to be considered for admission.

STANDARDIZED TESTS

• Satisfactory completion of the within 5 years of application.
• Official GRE score reports should be submitted directly to GradCAS. Please refer to GradCAS application for program GRE code and submission instructions.

RESUME

• A current resume is required and should be uploaded directly to your GradCAs application.

LETTERS OF REFERENCE

Three (3) letters of reference are required* – submitted via GradCAS

• Letters should come from a person of your choice who can speak to your academic and/or professional experience.
  *Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

• Official credential evaluation by , confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be sent directly to GradCAS. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the SWAG��Ƶ website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a SWAG��Ƶ approved English language proficiency test.
• Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the SWAG��Ƶ website for specific information on acceptable tests and minimum score requirements.
• Please refer to the GradCAS application for test score submission instructions.

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES

• Prior to or early in the application process, applicants are strongly advised to communicate with SWAG��Ƶ faculty with whom they would like to work.
• Meeting with faculty during the application process does not in any way negate the need to fully complete the application and admissions process.
• Candidates are reviewed by program faculty and are admitted based on academics and experiences that might be the best fit with the open research opportunities.
• Applications completed after the posted deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
• Applicants offered admission will be expected to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure a seat in the program.
• The non-refundable deposit is applied toward fees not covered by the assistantship or grant received upon acceptance.
• Should the candidate decide not to matriculate in the program, the deposit will be forfeited.

Note: All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of SWAG��Ƶ and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Due to continuing developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, some application requirements and processes may change during the cycle for the health and safety of the university, its employees, and prospective students/applicants. We appreciate your flexibility and consideration.

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

• Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants.
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements.
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made on a case by case basis, only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, individual candidates.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Continued Enrollment

After two academic years, a student who has completed all coursework except his/her thesis will be required to pay for a minimum of three Thesis credit hours plus mandatory fees each semester to remain in the program. 

Other Expenses

Housing is arranged by and financed at the expense of the student. Currently, there is no on-campus housing available for graduate students.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office at the Biddeford Campus. Call (207) 602-2342 or by visiting the Financial Aid website. Information on tuition remission, Research Assistantships, and Teaching Assistantships can be found on the Department of Biology graduate programs website.

The goals of the Post-Masters Certificate and CAGS programs are to prepare students to:

• Lead schools, programs, and classrooms in a humanistic, caring manner.
• Demonstrate professional responsibility and ethical decision-making.
• Meet the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) :
  • Standard 1. Mission, Vision, and Core Values
  • Standard 2. Ethics and Professional Norms
  • Standard 3. Equity and Cultural Responsiveness
  • Standard 4. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
  • Standard 5. Community of Care and Support for Students
  • Standard 6. Professional Capacity of School Personnel
  • Standard 7. Professional Community for Teachers and Staff
  • Standard 8. Meaningful Engagement of Families and Community
  • Standard 9. Operations and Management
  • Standard 10. School Improvement

All programs at the SWAG��Ƶ are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study — Advanced Educational Leadership

For educators interested in pursuing an administrative certification, the SWAG��Ƶ offers a program to equip teachers with the foundational knowledge and curriculum required and approved by the State of Maine.

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Advanced Educational Leadership is a post-master's program of study leading to an educational administrative credential in Maine and has been designed to offer high-quality, cost-effective, and innovative curricula delivered through an online format. This program requires completion of ten post-master's courses (30 credits). Emphasis is on developing the knowledge and skills needed by school administrators and other educators who wish to assume significant leadership roles in their schools, educational institutions, and communities. The program is aligned with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL).

Certificates of Advanced Graduate Study

The SWAG��Ƶ offers 30 credit certificate programs that allow students to customize their program by choosing electives from different topic areas in education such as curriculum, literacy, educational leadership, and inclusion for teachers looking to advance their education careers. 

30 Credit Certificate in Advanced Graduate Study: Education
Choose any ten (10) of the electives listed below. You also have the option to add EDU 791/792 Internship I and II to your curriculum. Note that this CAGS is not an approved program for administrative certification in Maine. For SWAG��Ƶ's approved administrator preparation program see CAGS: Advanced Educational Leadership. Please contact your state’s Department of Education for specific certification requirements.

Electives

• EDU 701 Educational Leadership
• EDU 702 School Law
• EDU 703 Educational Change/ School Reform
• EDU 704 Supervision and Evaluation of Instructional Personnel
• EDU 706 School-Community Relations and Communications
• EDU 707 Instructional Leadership
• EDU 709 School Finance
• EDU 715 Organizational Theory and Strategic Planning
• EDU 720 Special Education Law 
• EDU 721 Using Technology within Inclusion Education
• EDU 722 Special Education Assessment in Inclusion Settings
• EDU 723 Teaching and Learning in Inclusion Settings
• EDU 724 Collaboration in Inclusion Settings
• EDU 725 Behaviors Considerations/Inclusion
• EDU 726 Telling Your School's Story through Data Analysis
• EDU 727 Understanding the Whole Child
• EDU 740 Supporting Literacy Development for All Learners
• EDU 741 Literacy Assessments as Teaching Tools
• EDU 742 Study Skills & Content Literacy Instruction for All
• EDU 743 Connecting Reading with Writing for Success
• EDU 744 Meeting Student Literacy Challenges
• EDU 746 Professional Learning and Literacy Leadership
• EDU 747 Literacy for English Language Learners
• EDU 748 Literacy for Inclusion Settings
• EDU 749 Reading Diagnosis: Clinical Practice I
• EDU 750 Instruction Intervention: Clinical Practice II
• EDU 751 The Application Model of Learning – Curriculum Development

Post-Masters Graduate Certificate

The SWAG��Ƶ offers a 15 credit certificate program that allow students to customize their program by choosing electives from different topic areas in education such as curriculum, literacy, educational leadership, and inclusion for teachers looking to advance their education career. Please contact your state’s Department of Education for specific certification requirements.

Post-Masters Certificate — Reading Specialist

For educators with prior Literacy coursework interested in pursuing a Reading Specialist certification, The SWAG��Ƶ offers a program to equip teachers with the foundational knowledge and curriculum required by the State of Maine.

Post-Masters Certificate: Choose any five (5) of the electives listed below. Please contact your state’s Department of Education for specific certification requirements

Electives:

• EDU 701 Educational Leadership & Ethics
• EDU 702 School Law
• EDU 703 Educational Change/ School Reform
• EDU 704 Supervision and Evaluation of Instructional Personnel
• EDU 706 School-Community Relations & Communications
• EDU 707 Instructional Leadership
• EDU 709 School Finance
• EDU 715 Organizational Theory and Strategic Planning
• EDU 720 Special Education Law for the Classroom
• EDU 721 Using Technology within Inclusion Education
• EDU 722 Special Education Assessment in Inclusion Settings
• EDU 723 Teaching and Learning in Inclusion Settings
• EDU 724 Collaboration in Inclusion Settings
• EDU 725 Behaviors Considerations/Inclusion
• EDU 726 Telling Your School's Story through Data Analysis
• EDU 727 Understanding the Whole Child
• EDU 740 Supporting Literacy Development for All Learners
• EDU 741 Literacy Assessments as Teaching Tools
• EDU 742 Study Skills & Content Literacy Instruction for All
• EDU 743 Connecting Reading with Writing for Success
• EDU 744 Meeting Student Literacy Challenges
• EDU 746 Professional Learning and Literacy Leadership
• EDU 747 Literacy for English Language Learners
• EDU 748 Literacy for Inclusion Settings
• EDU 749 Reading Diagnosis: Clinical Practice I
• EDU 750 Instruction Intervention: Clinical Practice II

Course Drop and Withdrawal Policy

The last date to drop a course with no record is the first day of course. Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing (e-mail is acceptable) by the end of the fourth week of the course. Students will receive a “W” on their transcripts indicating withdrawal. Beyond the fourth week, at the faculty’s discretion, a “WP” or “WF” may be assigned if extenuating circumstances do not allow the student to complete his/her work. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course.

Minimal Grade Point Average

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course and must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Students receiving a grade of F in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation. Any student who receives a grade of F in two courses is dismissed from the program.

Dismissal from the Program

Termination from the Program may occur when the Education Program Director becomes aware of one of the following:

• Surrender of a teacher license in any jurisdiction for disciplinary reasons.
• Documented academic dishonesty (Note this also includes course on-line postings and email communications with faculty and staff. Students are advised that their behavior while participating in the Program should exemplify the ethical behavior of a professional educator with respect to all communications.)

Graduation Requirements

To complete the program and receive a Post-Masters Certificate or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study, a student must:

• Complete all program requirements.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Pay all tuition and fees.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE (ACADEMIC STOP OUT)

Students may stop out of their program for up to two semesters. Students need to coordinate stop outs in advance with their assigned student support specialist, and stop out time is considered part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the student who does not return at the specified time or who exceeds two semesters of stop out will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Readmitted students are subject to the re-admittance term’s catalog (this may mean that policies and/or program requirements have been changed or updated since previous admission, and should be reviewed for potential impact on degree requirements, time to complete the degree, and degree planning).

Re-admission

Students who have withdrawn from the program, either self-initiated or by administrative withdrawal, must reapply to the program if they wish to continue their studies. The application procedures, academic policies, and program requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission will apply.

Students who re-enroll following withdrawal will have their previous coursework evaluated for applicability to the existing academic requirements. Coursework that is more than five years old will not be accepted for credit in the program.

Financial Aid

After completing a CAGS program, students should be able to:

• Apply research results to leadership decisions
• Describe the requirements of the PSEL standards
• Demonstrate a high degree of specialized knowledge and skills about school administration
• Exhibit leadership skills in an actual school administrative settings

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three, 3-credit courses (maximum of nine credits) into the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. Transfer credit is not accepted into the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study — Advanced Educational Leadership program.

To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to, and will be granted at the discretion of, the Program Director.

• Be classified as graduate level.
• Be taken at a regionally accredited institution
• Be worth 3 credits.
• Have been taken within five years of application.
• Have been completed with a grade of “B” or better.
• Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education.

Transfer credit cannot be accepted into the Post Master's Certificate or Certificate of Advanced Study — Advanced Educational Leadership programs or any other program leading to State of Maine certification.

CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDY (CAGS) AND CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDY — ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP (CAGS - AEL)

Admission Requirements

• A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
• Employed in an educational setting or ability to regularly access an environment in which you can apply course concepts and strategies.
• Computer with internet connection, including the hardware and software requirements described in our . Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the internet as all classes are accessed 100% online.

Application Process

• Completed online application:
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee
• Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statement
• Supervisor Endorsement
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a master’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution. All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought. The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

Procedures and Policies

• Applications for admission are accepted through SWAG��Ƶ’s online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Students are admitted to the CAGS program six (6) times a year: Summer A & B, Fall A & B, Spring A & B.
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration. Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution. See International Admissions.
• All applicants to SWAG��Ƶ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university.  SWAG��Ƶ accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Admissions. If applicable, the  requirement must be completed and score received by the application deadline.

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please view the  website.

Policy Exceptions
The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study program and the CAGS Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

POST-MASTERS GRADUATE CERTIFICATE (PMC)

Admission Requirements

• A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
• Employed in an educational setting or ability to regularly access an environment in which you can apply course concepts and strategies.
• Sufficient computer skills to navigate the worldwide web and effectively participate in an on-line program.
• Own or have regular access to a computer with internet connection and with appropriate hardware and software requirements.

Application Process

• Completed online application:
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statement
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a master’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution.  All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

Note:  Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought.  The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

Procedures and Policies

• Applications for admission are accepted through SWAG��Ƶ’s online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Students are admitted to the PMC program six (6) times a year:  Summer A & B, Fall A & B, Spring A & B.
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration.  Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution.  See International Admissions
• All applicants to SWAG��Ƶ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university.  SWAG��Ƶ accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Admissions.  
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language () are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application. 

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the Post Masters Certificate program website.

Policy Exceptions
The Post-Masters Graduate Certificate program and the PMC Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office. Call (207) 602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.

This program provides current and aspiring administrative and instructional leaders in diverse settings (e.g., education, health, non-profits, public and private organizations, and agencies, etc.) with the attitudes, knowledge, experience, and skills needed to transform organizations through the effective use of human and technological resources.

This three-year program requiring completion of 13 8-week, 3 credit courses and a 12 credit dissertation representing a total of 51 credits (a maximum of 12 credits can be transferred from a post-Master’s program). The program (including dissertation) will be completed entirely online with no residency requirement.

Program Goals

• Prepare leaders who are future-focused and capable of fostering innovation and change.
• Promote a continuing cadre of educators who maintain active connections and collaboration with one another, with schools, communities and professional groups.
• Establish a higher education program that is technologically sophisticated, educationally effective and academically rigorous.
• Build a national reputation based upon action research.
• Provide each candidate with a carefully selected faculty mentoring team contributing actively to the candidate’s progress with their program of study, their research, and their dissertation, beyond what is usually available with a single advisor. 

Minimal Grade Standard and Academic Progress

Candidates may proceed to subsequent courses in the curriculum with one Low Pass grade. A second Low Pass (or below) course grade may result in termination from the doctoral program. For those needing to report course completion status to employers, a Pass equates to a B or better.

Dismissal from the Program

Termination from the Program may occur when the Education Program Director becomes aware of one of the following:

• Surrender of a teacher license in any jurisdiction for disciplinary reasons.
• Documented academic dishonesty (Note this also includes course on-line postings and email communications with faculty and staff. Students are advised that their behavior while participating in the program should exemplify the ethical behavior of a professional educator with respect to all communications.)
• Academic failure (see “Minimal Grade Standard and Academic Progress”.)

Timeline for Completion

A student who has not completed the Doctor of Education program within five (5) years will be administratively withdrawn from the program and be required to apply for readmission.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE (ACADEMIC STOP-OUT)

Students may stop out of their program for up to two semesters. Students need to coordinate stop-outs in advance with their assigned student support specialist, and stop out time is considered part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the student who does not return at the specified time or who exceeds two semesters of stop out will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Readmitted students are subject to the re-admittance term’s catalog (this may mean that policies and/or program requirements have been changed or been updated since previous admission, and should be reviewed for potential impact on degree requirements, time to complete the degree, and degree planning).

Students who have been withdrawn from the program for any reason must reapply if they wish to continue their studies. The application procedures, academic policies, and program requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission will apply. Students who re-enroll following withdrawal will have their previous coursework evaluated for applicability to the existing academic requirements. Coursework that is more than five years old will not be accepted for credit in the program. Older courses that have been revised or eliminated from the program offerings will not be accepted upon re-admission.

Students who have been administratively withdrawn from the program may petition for re-admission after a full semester has elapsed. The petition letter must provide a justification for re-admission that addresses how past issues have been resolved and will not re-occur. The letter should be sent electronically to the Education Program Director prior to applying for re-admission.

Learning Outcomes

• Participate fully and responsibly in supportive and action-based learning environments of authentic value for colleagues in K-12 education, community college, health, business, and other sectors.
• Develop and utilize transformative institutional processes to foster, assess the results, and respond to the reported analysis for continued systemic change. 
• Use technology for research collaboration and dissertation development among colleagues and faculty (e.g., web/videoconferencing).
• Fully utilize an integrated curriculum that fuses discreet elements of each candidate’s program of study into a coherent whole.
• Fully utilize online search tools and databases to identify research studies and other relevant resources.
• Participate in virtual seminars and conferences building a professional learning community.
• Employ problem and case-based learning strategies extensively in courses and dissertation. 
• Write and successfully defend a field-based dissertation. 

Transfer Credit

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to four, 3-credit courses (maximum of twelve credits) into the Doctor of Education program.

To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to, and will be granted at the discretion of, the Program Director.

Transfer courses must:

• Be classified as graduate, post-Master’s level.
• Be taken at a regionally accredited institution
• Be worth 3 credits.
• Have been taken within five years of application.
• Have been completed with a grade of “B” or better.
• Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student's education.

Admissions Requirements

• A Master's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or its equivalent.
• Graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
• Computer with an internet connection, including the hardware and software requirements described in our . Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the internet as all classes are accessed 100% online.

Application Process

• Completed online application: 
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee
• Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Application Essay
• Two (2) letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought. The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admission are accepted through SWAG��Ƶ’s online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration. Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution. See International Admissions
• All applicants to SWAG��Ƶ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university. SWAG��Ƶ accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Admissions.
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application. 

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the 

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

The Doctor of Education program and the EdD Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office. Call (207) 602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.

The Department of Environmental Studies strives to increase awareness and appreciation of human connections with the rest of nature and to stimulate advocacy for sustainable behaviors. The curriculum stresses sound interdisciplinary understanding of natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities disciplines in order to explore past, present, and potential ways of living on the earth. We are concerned with environmental issues at local, regional, national, and global levels, and we especially desire to help individuals and communities practice sustainable living by means of our research, teaching, and service. Faculty and students collaborate in active and critical learning through community discourse, personal inquiry, and experiential learning. We intend that our students develop a personal aesthetic awareness of the earth and that they engage in the inquiry, discovery, critical thinking, and debate that characterize the study of environmental issues.

This degree requires a total of 36 graduate credits, including a minimum of 12 thesis/research credits (ENV 590), 2 credits of Graduate Seminar in Environmental Studies (ENV 599; 1 in the fouth and 1 in the fifth year), 3 credits of Research Methods (BIO 503) and up to 19 additional course credits (minimum of 12-course credits). Of the 12-19 additional course credits, at minimum of two classes must be offered through the Department of Environmental Studies. A maximum of 12 course credits can double-count towards both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

PROGRAM GOALS

• Improve the competitiveness of our graduates for jobs and entrance into doctoral programs.
• Continue to strengthen and diversify research productivity of faculty
• Attract and retain high achieving students
• Enhance the intellectual community involving faculty and students in our department

COURSE WITHDRAWAL

In normal length semesters, a matriculated student may withdraw from a course without academic penalty (a grade of W is assigned) at any time during the first two-thirds of the semester. If withdrawal occurs after that date, the grade of WP (withdrew passing) or WF (withdrew failing) will be entered, subject to determination by the instructor. The grade of WF is computed in the grade point average. 

INCOMPLETE GRADES

A student who believes she/he is unable to complete the work for a given course by the end of the term may apply for an extension by discussion with the instructor. At the time of this meeting, a plan must be agreed upon for completion of the course work, including a date of completion, not to exceed six weeks following the end date of the course. This agreement must be completed by the last day of class for the given course. Any student who does not follow the above guidelines will receive an F for the course. In exceptional circumstances (such as death in family, significant illness, accident), an additional extension may be requested. Any such request must be made in writing, reviewed, and signed by the instructor and the student’s advisor.

• Students will demonstrate expertise in their thesis research field
• Develop outstanding scientific communication skills through written and oral presentations
• Students will demonstrate mastery of the concepts and principals of Environmental Studies/Sciences
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of research design and have the ability to carry out a research project

TRANSFER CREDIT

• Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another biological science program
• Transfer credits will be reviewed and awarded on a case by case basis

ADVANCED STANDING

• No advanced standing available

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

• No credit awarded for experiential learning

APPLICATION

The SWAG��Ƶ Department of Biology participates in the . All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

DEGREE REQUIREMENT

Completion of Bachelor’s Degree in Biology (or other related area) from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, prior to matriculation.

• All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to . Please see application for additional information and instructions.

GPA REQUIREMENT

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (inclusive of all coursework taken with no forgiveness for retakes).
• All applicants must meet minimum GPA requirements to be considered for admission.

STANDARDIZED TESTS

• Satisfactory completion of the (GRE) within 5 years of application.
• Official GRE score reports should be submitted directly to GradCAS. Please refer to GradCAS application for program GRE code and submission instructions.

RESUME

• A current resume is required and should be uploaded directly to your GradCAs application.

LETTERS OF REFERENCE

Three (3) letters of reference are required* – submitted via GradCAS

• Letters should come from a person of your choice who can speak to your academic and/or professional experience.

*Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

• Official credential evaluation by , confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be sent directly to GradCAS. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the SWAG��Ƶ website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a SWAG��Ƶ approved English language proficiency test.
• Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the SWAG��Ƶ website for specific information on acceptable tests and minimum score requirements.
• Please refer to the GradCAS application for test score submission instructions.

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES

• Prior to or early in the application process, applicants are strongly advised to communicate with SWAG��Ƶ faculty with whom they would like to work.
• Meeting with faculty during the application process does not in any way negate the need to fully complete the application and admissions process.
• Candidates are reviewed by program faculty and are admitted based on academics and experiences that might be the best fit with the department’s open research opportunities.
• Applications completed after the posted deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
• Applicants offered admission will be expected to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure a seat in the program.
• The non-refundable deposit is applied toward fees not covered by the assistantship or grant received upon acceptance.
• Should the candidate decide not to matriculate in the program, the deposit will be forfeited.

Note: All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of SWAG��Ƶ and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Due to continuing developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, some application requirements and processes may change during the cycle for the health and safety of the university, its employees, and prospective students/applicants. We appreciate your flexibility and consideration.

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

• Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants.
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements.
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made on a case by case basis, only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, individual candidates.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

The Master of Science in Health Informatics program prepares future leaders in health informatics to leverage technology tools to improve health and healthcare outcomes through the execution of data-driven management techniques and strategies, to adapt to rapidly-changing landscapes, and to provide leadership and innovation to the health informatics profession.

The Graduate Programs in Health Informatics prepares students for a career in health informatics through the interdisciplinary study of the design, development, adoption, and application of technology-based innovations in healthcare services delivery, management, and planning. The courses provide graduate education to individuals with varied backgrounds to learn skills in healthcare, technology, informatics, and leadership. The curriculum is delivered in an online format, with full- and part-time options, and is intentionally flexible and readily applicable to students regardless of where they live.

The Master of Science in Health Informatics is a 36 credit hour curriculum that develops and enhances skills in a variety of professional areas, including healthcare quality, information management, technology, innovation, and leadership. This degree culminates in a practicum, which includes a practical or project experience and capstone paper.

The Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics is an 12-credit hour program that provides students with the core health informatics courses they need to broaden and enhance their professional knowledge. All courses in the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics are also transferable to the Master of Science in Health Informatics program.

The SWAG��Ƶ is Accredited by: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

 Required Courses

Electives – choose two courses from the following list:

Degree Plan for Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics

Degree Plan for Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Data Analytics

Minimum Grade Point Average

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Students receiving a grade of F in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation. Any student who receives a grade of F in two or more courses is dismissed from the program.

Graduation

Candidates must fulfill all program requirements and are required to earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to graduate. All students must file an Application to Graduate with the registrar’s office via U-Online. Please visit the Office of the Registrar website for complete instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions.

Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

The last day permissible for matriculating graduate students to add or drop a course without financial penalty is the second day of class.

Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing and will receive a “W” on their transcript indicating withdrawal. Students will receive a partial refund if they withdraw from a course within the first or second week. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course. Students who have not participated in the course by the end of the second week will be administratively withdrawn from the course and will not receive a tuition refund.

Email requests for withdrawals must be submitted from a student’s SWAG��Ƶ email to be considered.

Matriculating students who withdraw after completing more than 2/3 of a course will receive a grade of “WF” (withdrawn failing) or “WP” (withdrawn passing), based on the instructor’s assessment of the student’s current standing in the course. A “WF” is calculated as an “F” in the student’s GPA. Upon successful completion of the course, the new grade will be used to calculate the GPA. Students will be dismissed from their program after two failing grades (including a “WF”).

University Withdrawal

All matriculated students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete notification documentation available from Registration Services. Documentation must be signed by designated academic and administrative services.

Leave of Absence (Academic Stop Out)

Students may stop out of their program for up to two semesters. Students need to coordinate stop-outs in advance with their assigned student support specialist, and stop out time is considered part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the student who does not return at the specified time or who exceeds two semesters of stop out will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Readmitted students are subject to the re-admittance term’s catalog (this may mean that policies and/or program requirements have been changed or updated since previous admission, and should be reviewed for potential impact on degree requirements, time to complete the degree, and degree planning). 

Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the student support specialist and student financial services to indicate a change of plans; stop out time can affect financial aid eligibility and repayment.

Audit Policy

A student may, with prior consent of the Program Director or designee, enroll in a course for an audit grade (AU). This must be requested at the time of registration for the course and must be accompanied by signed approval of the instructor and Program Director or designee. This applies to both matriculated and non-matriculated students. Reversal or change of an audit grade is not possible. Once enrolled for AU the grade becomes permanent on a student's academic record. The student who wishes later to be graded for such a course must re-enroll in and pay for graded credit. In auditing a course, the student is expected to complete all lectures and discussion boards, but is not permitted to submit course work for evaluation, take examinations, receive grades, or earn credit. Auditing a course does not count toward enrollment status (i.e. part-time, full-time, etc.) and therefore cannot be considered for financial aid purposes, veteran's benefits, etc.

Academic Integrity Policy

The SWAG��Ƶ values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
4. Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in The College of Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook.

Office for Students with Disabilities

The Student Access Center works to ensure that the University promotes respect for individual differences and that no person who meets the academic and technical standards needed for admission and continued enrollment at SWAG��Ƶ is denied benefits or subjected to discrimination due to a disability. Toward this end, and in conjunction with federal and state laws, the University provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is highly valued by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. Many courses within the College feature experiential-learning components. However, at this time, no credit will be awarded to students for purely experiential learning experiences undertaken in lieu of coursework.

1. Graduates will understand the American healthcare system and the effects technology and data have had on it.
2. Understand the complex system of legal and regulatory compliance that governs the healthcare system.
3. Apply core concepts of database design to facilitate managing the large amounts of data produced and captured in the healthcare setting.
4. Understand foundational concepts and theories of leadership and management, especially with respect to data-driven business intelligence.
5. Apply technology and the healthcare quality framework to meet the goals of the triple aim of improving the patient experience of care, improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of health care.
6. Analyze, evaluate, and apply the range of tools needed to implement new technology, including identifying, evaluating, selecting, implementing, and upgrading technological systems.
7. Evaluate the ways new and developing healthcare technology trends influence worldwide health outcomes, and propose potential technology-based solutions for increasing world-wide health outcomes.
8. Understand and apply project management tools, concepts, and best practices to oversee the successful completion of complex projects.

TRANSFER CREDIT

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three, 3-credit courses (maximum of nine credits) into the Master of Science in Health Informatics program or up to one, 3-credit course (maximum of three credits) into the Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics or Healthcare Data Analytics programs.

To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to and will be granted at the discretion of, the Program Director.

Transfer courses must 

• Be classified as graduate level
• Have been taken within five years of application
• Have been completed with a grade of “B” or better
• Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor’s degree or above from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
• Computer with an internet connection, including the hardware and software requirements described in our . Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the internet as all classes are accessed 100% online.

Application Process

• Completed online application:
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee 
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statement
• Three professional references
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a bachelor’s degree or above from a regionally accredited institution. All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought. The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admission are accepted through SWAG��Ƶ’s online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration. Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution. See International Admissions
• All applicants to SWAG��Ƶ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university. SWAG��Ƶ accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Admissions. 
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application. 

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the .

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

The Graduate Health Informatics program and the Health Informatics Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

The Master of Healthcare Administration program prepares future healthcare leaders to improve health and healthcare outcomes through the execution of data-driven management techniques and strategies, to adapt to rapidly-changing landscapes, and to provide leadership and innovation to the healthcare profession.

The Master of Healthcare Administration is comprised of 12 courses (36 graduate credit hours) that prepare graduates with foundational, specialized, and technology skills that align with the core responsibilities found in relevant job postings for healthcare leaders.

These skills include people management, budget management, business strategy, quality assurance/control, project management, business management, communication skills, teamwork/collaboration, planning, research, problem-solving, and the technologies facilitating these skills.

Alignment with the current CGPS portfolio of offerings also provides the coursework for a number of focus areas for the degree, including health data analytics, public health, and grant writing and entrepreneurship.

Students may complete the coursework for the MHA program in 24 months by taking one course during each 8-week term, or on an accelerated schedule by increasing the number of courses taken per term.

The SWAG��Ƶ is accredited by New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Minimum Grade Point Average

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Students receiving a grade of F in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation. Any student who receives a grade of F in two or more courses is dismissed from the program.

Graduation

Candidates must fulfill all program requirements and are required to earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to graduate. All students must file an Application to Graduate with the registrar’s office via U-Online. Please access the following link for complete instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions: www.une.edu/registrar/graduation

Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

The last day permissible for matriculating graduate students to add or drop a course without financial penalty is the second day of class.

Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing and will receive a “W” on their transcript indicating withdrawal. Students will receive a partial refund if they withdraw from a course within the first or second week. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course. Students who have not participated in the course by the end of the second week will be administratively withdrawn from the course and will not receive a tuition refund.

Email requests for withdrawals must be submitted from a student’s SWAG��Ƶ email to be considered.

Matriculating students who withdraw after completing more than 2/3 of a course will receive a grade of “WF” (withdrawn failing) or “WP” (withdrawn passing), based on the instructor’s assessment of the student’s current standing in the course. A “WF” is calculated as an “F” in the student’s GPA. Upon successful completion of the course, the new grade will be used to calculate the GPA. Students will be dismissed from their program after two failing grades (including a “WF”).

University Withdrawal

All matriculated students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete notification documentation available from Registration Services. Documentation must be signed by designated academic and administrative services.

Leave of Absence (Academic Stop Out)

Students may stop out of their program for up to two semesters. Students need to coordinate stop-outs in advance with their assigned student support specialist, and stop out time is considered part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the student who does not return at the specified time or who exceeds two semesters of stop out will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Readmitted students are subject to the re-admittance term’s catalog (this may mean that policies and/or program requirements have been changed or updated since previous admission, and should be reviewed for potential impact on degree requirements, time to complete the degree, and degree planning). 

Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the student support specialist and student financial services to indicate a change of plans; stop out time can affect financial aid eligibility and repayment.

Audit Policy

A student may, with prior consent of the Program Director or designee, enroll in a course for an audit grade (AU). This must be requested at the time of registration for the course and must be accompanied by signed approval of the instructor and Program Director or designee. This applies to both matriculated and non-matriculated students. Reversal or change of an audit grade is not possible. Once enrolled for AU the grade becomes permanent on a student's academic record. The student who wishes later to be graded for such a course must re-enroll in and pay for graded credit. In auditing a course, the student is expected to complete all lectures and discussion boards, but is not permitted to submit course work for evaluation, take examinations, receive grades, or earn credit. Auditing a course does not count toward enrollment status (i.e. part-time, full-time, etc.) and therefore cannot be considered for financial aid purposes, veteran's benefits, etc.

Academic Integrity Policy

The SWAG��Ƶ values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
4. Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in The College of Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook.

Office for Students with Disabilities

The Student Access Center works to ensure that the University promotes respect for individual differences and that no person who meets the academic and technical standards needed for admission and continued enrollment at SWAG��Ƶ is denied benefits or subjected to discrimination due to a disability. Toward this end, and in conjunction with federal and state laws, the University provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is highly valued by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. Many courses within the College feature experiential-learning components. However, at this time, no credit will be awarded to students for purely experiential learning experiences undertaken in lieu of coursework.

Program competencies include:

1. Healthcare Planning
   • Assess healthcare strategic planning problems to develop comprehensive and practical solutions
   • Evaluate strategies for increasing the reliability of healthcare processes, including using technology
2. Healthcare Management
   • Demonstrate mastery of leadership skills and tactics required of healthcare managers and executives in the current healthcare environment
   • Evaluate operational and capital budgets for a health care facility, including sources of capital funding and costs, and create budget action plans informed by those analyses
3. Healthcare Policy
   • Evaluate significant policies that have shaped the American healthcare system
   • Critically evaluate healthcare interests and goals to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
4. Healthcare Leadership
   • Demonstrate how to promote quality and a culture of patient safety
   • Demonstrate effective methods for developing and motivating diverse audiences within healthcare settings to improve organizational agility

TRANSFER CREDIT

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three, 3-credit courses (maximum of nine credits) into the Master of Healthcare Administration program.

To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to and will be granted at the discretion of, the program director.

Transfer courses must:

• Be classified as graduate level
• Have been taken within five years of application
• Have been completed with a grade of “B” or better
• Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor’s degree or above from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
• Computer with an internet connection, including the hardware and software requirements described in our . Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the internet as all classes are accessed 100% online.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Completed online application: 
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee 
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statement
• Three professional references
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a bachelor’s degree or above from a regionally accredited institution. All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought. The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admission are accepted through SWAG��Ƶ’s online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration. Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution. See International Admissions
• All applicants to SWAG��Ƶ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university. SWAG��Ƶ accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Admissions. 
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the  are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application. 

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please visit the Master of Healthcare Administration website.

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

The Master of Healthcare Administration Program and the Healthcare Administration Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

This required coursework in the HDAC program will provide students who have a background in healthcare or information technology the foundation, skills, and advanced concepts to perform healthcare data analysis. Beyond the foundational and theoretical content provided, these courses provide experiential learning opportunities using software platforms and applications common in today's workplace. Students will graduate from this program with the ability to use SQL, a language used to query data; R, an open-source language which can be used for predictive analytics on large data sets; and Tableau, a data visualization application used to create online charts and dashboards with datasets, to analyze complex healthcare issues.

The SWAG��Ƶ is Accredited by: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

Minimum Grade Point Average

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Students receiving a grade of F in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation. Any student who receives a grade of F in two or more courses is dismissed from the program.

Graduation

Candidates must fulfill all program requirements and are required to earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to graduate. All students must file an Application to Graduate with the registrar’s office via U-Online. Please see the University Registrar website for complete instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions.

Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

The last day permissible for matriculating graduate students to add or drop a course without financial penalty is the second day of class.

Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing and will receive a “W” on their transcript indicating withdrawal. Students will receive a partial refund if they withdraw from a course within the first or second week. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course. Students who have not participated in the course by the end of the second week will be administratively withdrawn from the course and will not receive a tuition refund.

Email requests for withdrawals must be submitted from a student’s SWAG��Ƶ email account to be considered.

Matriculating students who withdraw after completing more than 2/3 of a course will receive a grade of “WF” (withdrawn failing) or “WP” (withdrawn passing), based on the instructor’s assessment of the student’s current standing in the course. A “WF” is calculated as an “F” in the student’s GPA. Upon successful completion of the course, the new grade will be used to calculate the GPA. Students will be dismissed from their program after two failing grades (including a “WF”).

University Withdrawal

All matriculated students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete notification documentation available from Registration Services. Documentation must be signed by designated academic and administrative services.

Leave of Absence (Academic Stop Out)

Students may stop out of their program for up to two semesters. Students need to coordinate stop-outs in advance with their assigned student support specialist, and stop out time is considered part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the student who does not return at the specified time or who exceeds two semesters of stop out will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Readmitted students are subject to the re-admittance term’s catalog (this may mean that policies and/or program requirements have been changed or updated since previous admission, and should be reviewed for potential impact on degree requirements, time to complete the degree, and degree planning). 

Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the student support specialist and student financial services to indicate a change of plans; stop out time can affect financial aid eligibility and repayment.

Audit Policy

A student may, with prior consent of the Program Director or designee, enroll in a course for an audit grade (AU). This must be requested at the time of registration for the course and must be accompanied by signed approval of the instructor and Program Director or designee. This applies to both matriculated and non-matriculated students. Reversal or change of an audit grade is not possible. Once enrolled for AU the grade becomes permanent on a student's academic record. The student who wishes later to be graded for such a course must re-enroll in and pay for graded credit. In auditing a course, the student is expected to complete all lectures and discussion boards, but is not permitted to submit course work for evaluation, take examinations, receive grades, or earn credit. Auditing a course does not count toward enrollment status (i.e. part-time, full-time, etc.) and therefore cannot be considered for financial aid purposes, veteran's benefits, etc.

Academic Integrity Policy

The SWAG��Ƶ values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
4. Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in The College of Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook.

Office for Students with Disabilities

The Student Access Center works to ensure that the University promotes respect for individual differences and that no person who meets the academic and technical standards needed for admission and continued enrollment at SWAG��Ƶ is denied benefits or subjected to discrimination due to a disability. Toward this end, and in conjunction with federal and state laws, the University provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is highly valued by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. Many courses within the College feature experiential-learning components. However, at this time, no credit will be awarded to students for purely experiential learning experiences undertaken in lieu of coursework.

Students who successfully complete the HDAC will be able to:

• Build a small relational database containing tables, views, and apply permissions to users using MySQL, an open course relational database program
• Build a visualization using Tableau
• Import, analyze, and visualize select data using R
• Mine structured and unstructured data, build data visualizations, and perform descriptive statistics on the data

Due to the nature of this four-course graduate certificate, no transfer credit will be accepted for this program offering.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor’s degree or above from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
• Computer with an internet connection, including the hardware and software requirements described in our . Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the internet as all classes are accessed 100% online.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Completed online application: 
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee 
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statement
• Three professional references
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a bachelor’s degree or above from a regionally accredited institution. All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought. The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admission are accepted through SWAG��Ƶ’s online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration. Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution. See International Admissions
• All applicants to SWAG��Ƶ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university. SWAG��Ƶ accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Admissions. 
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the  are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application. 

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please see the .

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

The Graduate Health Informatics program and the Health Informatics Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

The mission of the School of Marine Programs at SWAG��Ƶ is to enable students to understand the real-world relevance of the marine sciences, foster scientific literacy, and critical thinking skills, and lay the foundation for lifelong learning and meaningful, productive contributions to society.

The Marine Sciences degree encompass a wide variety of disciplines that seek to understand the way the ocean functions, and how it is related to earth systems sciences, as well as to human interactions with the environment. Students will learn the theoretical underpinnings and applications of disciplines from biology to chemistry, geology, and physics. Students will be able to apply these disciplines to solving real problems, not only in ocean sciences, but in fields as far-ranging as meteorology and space exploration, as well as aquaculture and marine policy.

The mission of the Master of Science in Marine Sciences program is to prepare outstanding graduate students for careers or further training in science, technology, and education by providing an advanced knowledge base and research skills in marine sciences.

The Master of Science in Marine Sciences program offers post-baccalaureate training to students interested in continuing their education in the marine sciences. The classroom curriculum provides a strong background in all aspects of the marine sciences. The program focuses on a thesis research experience: students will conduct research and prepare a thesis on any of a variety of topics selected in consultation with our faculty.

Program Goals

• Provide a knowledge base in the marine sciences that is deeper than the typical undergraduate experience.
• Foster participation in the production of new knowledge through excellence in research.
• Instill outstanding research skills and a working knowledge of the scientific method by participation in high-quality research.
• Develop outstanding scientific communication skills through written and oral presentations.

Graduation Requirements

Students must successfully complete all required courses with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 and successfully pursue, complete and defend publicly an approved research thesis.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

To remain in the M.S. in Marine Sciences program, the student's cumulative graduate GPA must be a minimum of 3.0. A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 or who receives a grade below B- in any course taken for graduate credit will be placed on academic probation.

Program Completion Timeline

Students have a maximum of five years to complete the graduation requirements. After two academic years (fall and spring terms), students who have completed their coursework but are still completing their theses are required to enroll in a thesis continuation credit per semester to remain in the program.

Probation/Dismissal

A graduate student whose grade point average (GPA) for any semester falls below 3.0, or whose cumulative grade point average is below 3.0, or who receives a class grade below a B- for any class taken for graduate credit is automatically placed on probation. A student placed on academic probation will be granted one fall or spring semester to raise his/her cumulative GPA to 3.0 or above, will be required to achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the semester, and cannot receive a second class grade below B-. The School of Marine Programs and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will consider for dismissal any student who fails to meet these criteria.

Course Withdrawal

In normal length semesters, a matriculated student may withdraw from a course without academic penalty (a grade of W is assigned) at any time during the first two-thirds of the semester. If withdrawal occurs after that date, the grade of WP (withdrew passing) or WF (withdrew failing) will be entered, subject to determination by the instructor. The grade of WF is computed in the grade point average.

Incomplete Grades

A student who believes she/he is unable to complete the work for a given course by the end of the term may apply for an extension by discussion with the instructor. At the time of this meeting, a plan must be agreed upon for completion of the course work, including a date of completion, not to exceed six weeks following the end date of the course. This agreement must be completed by the last day of class for the given course. Any student who does not follow the above guidelines will receive an F for the course. In exceptional circumstances (such as death in the family, significant illness, accident), an additional extension may be requested. Any such request must be made in writing, reviewed and signed by the instructor and the student’s advisor.

1. Students will demonstrate expertise in their thesis research field
2. Students will increase their proficiency to publication level written and professional oral communication skills
3. Students will demonstrate mastery of the concepts and principles of the Marine Sciences
4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of research design and have the ability to carry out a research project

TRANSFER CREDIT

• Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another Marine Science program
• Transfer credits will be reviewed and awarded on a case by case basis

ADVANCED STANDING

• No advanced standing available

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

• No credit awarded for experiential learning

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
 

APPLICATION

The SWAG��Ƶ School of Marine Programs participates in the . All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

DEGREE REQUIREMENT

Completion of Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, prior to matriculation.

• All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to Please see application for additional information and instructions.

GPA REQUIREMENT

• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required.
• Minimum science/STEM GPA of 3.0 is required.
• All applicants must meet minimum GPA requirements to be considered for admission.

PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS

• Marine Science Track
  • Science (all courses should include labs)
    • Biology, 16 credits
    • General Chemistry, 12 credits
    • Physics, 8 credits
  • Other
    • Calculus, 4 credits
• Oceanography Track
  • Science (all courses should include labs)
    • General Chemistry, 8 credits
    • Physics, 8 credits
  • Other
    • Calculus, 4 credits
    • Complete additional 16 credits in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, or Biology,

Other Important Prerequisite Coursework Notes:

• All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better (“C minus” grades are not acceptable).
• Prerequisite courses may be in progress or planned at the time of application, although all courses must be completed with an official transcript submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission prior to the start of the program.

All planned or in-progress coursework should be listed on the GradCAS application at the time of application submission; not doing so will result in the applicant not meeting all admissions requirements and therefore will not be eligible for admission review.

Online courses offered through  as well as online courses from other regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities are acceptable with program approval.

STANDARDIZED TESTS

• Satisfactory completion of the within 5 years of application.
• Official GRE score reports should be submitted directly to GradCAS. Please refer to the GradCAS application for program GRE code and submission instructions.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

• Please refer to the GradCAS application for specific writing prompt and additional information.

RESUME

• A current resume is required and should be uploaded directly to your GradCAS application.

LETTERS OF REFERENCE

Three (3) letters of reference are required* – submitted via GradCAS

• Letters should come from a person of your choice who can speak to your academic and/or professional experience.
  *Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

• Official credential evaluation by , confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be sent directly to GradCAS. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the SWAG��Ƶ website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a SWAG��Ƶ approved English language proficiency test.
• Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the SWAG��Ƶ website for specific information on acceptable tests and minimum score requirements.
• Please refer to the GradCAS application for test score submission instructions.

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete and submit an application well before the application deadline for earliest consideration.
• Prior to or early in the application process, applicants are strongly advised to communicate with SWAG��Ƶ faculty with whom they would like to work.
• Meeting with faculty during the application process does not in any way negate the need to fully complete the application and admissions process.
• All completed applications will be reviewed by the program admissions committee after the application deadline, with decisions mailed around mid-March.
• Applications completed after the posted deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
• Applicants offered admission will be expected to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure a seat in the program.
• The non-refundable deposit is applied toward fees not covered by the assistantship or grant received upon acceptance.
• Should the candidate decide not to matriculate in the program, the deposit will be forfeited.

Note: All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of SWAG��Ƶ and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Due to continuing developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, some application requirements and processes may change during the cycle for the health and safety of the university, its employees, and prospective students/applicants. We appreciate your flexibility and consideration.

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

• Policies are established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants to the university and its programs.
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum and/or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements.
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Continued Enrollment

After two academic years, a student who has completed all coursework except his/her thesis will be required to pay for a thesis continuation credit plus mandatory fees each semester to remain in the program.

Other Expenses

Housing is arranged by and financed at the expense of the student. Currently, there is no on-campus housing available for graduate students.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office on the Biddeford Campus. Call (207) 602-2342, or visit the Financial Aid website. Information on Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships can be found on the School of Marine Programs graduate programs website.

All programs at the SWAG��Ƶ are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

The Master of Science in Education 

SWAG��Ƶ allows students to customize their program by choosing electives from different topic areas in education such as curriculum, literacy, educational leadership, and inclusion for teachers looking to advance their career in education. Contact your state’s Department of Education for specific certification requirements.

Program Requirements

Available Electives

Master of Science in Education — Reading Specialist

For educators interested in pursuing certification, the SWAG��Ƶ offers a program to equip teachers with the foundational knowledge and curriculum required by the State of Maine.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION — TEACHING METHODOLOGY

The Master of Science in Education — Teaching Methodology is available only to SWAG��Ƶ students who have successfully completed the Teacher Certification Program (TCP). The Teaching Methodology program is a 30 credit master’s degree encompassing 15 graduate credits from SWAG��Ƶ’s College of Arts and Sciences Teacher Certification Program and 15 core credits in The College of Graduate and Professional Studies (CGPS) Graduate Programs in Education. The CGPS graduate education courses are delivered online with in-depth study in the areas of professional learning communities, differentiation, motivation, and action research.

CAS Program Requirements

CGPS Program Requirements

Course Drop and Withdrawal Policy

The last date to drop a course with no record is the first day of course. Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing (e-mail is acceptable) by the end of the fourth week of the course. Students will receive a “W” on their transcripts indicating withdrawal. Beyond the fourth week, at the faculty’s discretion, a “WP” or “WF” may be assigned if extenuating circumstances do not allow the student to complete his/her work. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course.

Minimal Grade Point Average

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course and must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Students receiving a grade of F in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation. Any student who receives a grade of F in two courses is dismissed from the program.

Dismissal from the Program

Termination from the Program may occur when the Education Program Manager becomes aware of one of the following:

• Surrender of a teacher license in any jurisdiction for disciplinary reasons.
• Documented academic dishonesty (Note this also includes course on-line postings and email communications with faculty and staff. Students are advised that their behavior while participating in the Program should exemplify the ethical behavior of a professional educator with respect to all communications.)

Graduation Requirements

To complete the program and receive a Master of Science in Education, a student must:

• Complete all program requirements.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Pay all tuition and fees.

Leave of Absence (Academic Stop Out)

Students may stop out of their program for up to two semesters. Students need to coordinate stop outs in advance with their assigned student support specialist, and stop out time is considered part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the student who does not return at the specified time or who exceeds two semesters of stop out will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Readmitted students are subject to the re-admittance term’s catalog (this may mean that policies and/or program requirements have been changed or updated since previous admission, and should be reviewed for potential impact on degree requirements, time to complete the degree, and degree planning).

Re-admission

Students who have withdrawn from the program, either self-initiated or administrative withdrawal, must reapply to the program if they wish to continue their studies. The application procedures, academic policies, and program requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission will apply.

Students who re-enroll following withdrawal will have their previous coursework evaluated for applicability to the existing academic requirements. Coursework that is more than five years old will not be accepted for credit in the program.

After completing the M.S.Ed. program, students should be able to: 

1. Address the full range of student motivation and differentiation issues encountered in today's school systems
2. Analyze and conduct research relevant to their teaching or administrative interests
3. Document professional development in the program via an electronic portfolio of course work
4. Demonstrate a high degree of specialized knowledge and skills about their chosen area
5. Exhibit leadership in their classroom and/or school system
6. Develop online collaborative relationships with peers 

transfer credit

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three, 3-credit courses (maximum of nine credits) into the Master of Science in Education program.

To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to, and will be granted at the discretion of, the Program Director.

• Be classified as graduate level.
• Be worth 3 credits.
• Have been taken within five years of application.
• Have been completed with a grade of “B” or better.
• Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education.

Transfer credit cannot be accepted into the Master of Science in Education – Reading Specialist or any other program leading to State of Maine certification.

Admission requirements

• A bachelor's degree or above from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Employed in an educational setting or ability to regularly access an environment in which you can apply course concepts and strategies.
• Computer with internet connection, including the hardware and software requirements described in our . Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the internet as all classes are accessed 100% online. 

Application Process

• Completed online application: http://go.une.edu/apply
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee
• Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statement
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a bachelor's degree or above from a regionally accredited institution. All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought. The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admission are accepted through SWAG��Ƶ’s online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Students are admitted to the M.S.Ed. program six (6) times a year: Summer A and B, Fall A and B, Spring A and B.
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration. Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited U.S. institution. See International Admissions.
• All applicants to SWAG��Ƶ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university. SWAG��Ƶ accepts several methods to demonstrate English Proficiency, See International Admissions.
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language () are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application. 

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the

exceptions

The Master of Science in Education program and the MSEd Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office. Call (207) 602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.

The mission of the School of Nurse Anesthesia is to provide an academic environment that allows students to master the intellectual and technical skills necessary to become competent in the safe conduct of anesthesia. This is accomplished by providing a select group of experienced, graduate-level critical care nurses with the highest level of didactic, simulation lab, and clinical site experiences. SWAG��Ƶ's graduate nurse anesthetists develop life-long scholarship, critical thinking skills, technical skills, and professionalism needed to become compassionate, patient-centered Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA's) in solo practice or within a collaborative anesthesia environment.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, have been providing anesthesia care in the United States of America for over 150 years. Currently, there are approximately 55,000 CRNAs in the country with more than 2,800 students graduating per year.

CRNA's are anesthesia specialists who safely administer approximately 49 million anesthetics to patients in the United States each year. As advanced practice nurses, they can serve in a variety of capacities in daily practice, such as a clinician, educator, administrator, manager, and researcher.

• CRNA's administer anesthesia to patients across the lifespan for all types of surgical cases, using all anesthetic techniques and practice in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered, from university-based medical centers to free-standing surgical facilities and offices.
• CRNA's are the primary anesthesia providers in almost 100% of rural hospitals in the United States, affording access to anesthesia care where it would otherwise not be available. CRNAs also provide anesthesia in inner cities as well as urban areas including teaching institutions.
• CRNAs are qualified and permitted by state law or regulations to practice in every state in the nation. They provide anesthesia in collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, podiatrists, dentists, and other healthcare professionals.

The School of Nurse Anesthesia at the SWAG��Ƶ has been involved in nurse anesthesia education since 1970, serving as an academic affiliate for hospital-based certificate nurse anesthesia programs. In 1988, we initiated a program leading to the Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia. In 1993, the SWAG��Ƶ MSNA program became the sole authority of the education of nurse anesthesia students and the last hospital-based program in Maine closed.

Two-Phase Program

At SWAG��Ƶ, we offer a 27-month two-phase program.

Phase I is conducted on our historic Westbrook College of Health Professions Campus, situated in the picturesque coastal city of Portland. The first eight months of study consist of didactic instruction in basic sciences and anesthesia taught by our CRNA and science faculty. Included within this eight-month didactic curriculum is instruction using state-of-the-art task trainers and simulation labs that prepare students for their clinical curriculum. In the summer of 2017, the Simulation Lab moved to a multi-million dollar, high fidelity center in Innovation Hall on the Portland campus, increasing the numbers and quality of the simulation experiences provided.

Phase II of the curriculum entails clinical training based at our hospital affiliates for a period of 19 months. Didactic instruction continues during the clinical phase through hybrid, web-based courses in advanced principles of anesthesia and research and on-campus courses involving business and leadership in anesthesia practice and anesthesia crisis resource management simulation. The School has contractual relationships with over 38 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and offices located in New England and throughout the country, which offer our students a varied and diverse clinical education experience. Our students are trained in collaborative anesthesia environments as well as in non-medically directed, CRNA-only sites. Students gain experience in all facets of anesthesia management, including ultrasound guided regional anesthesia, pain management, invasive monitoring, and pre and post-op patient assessment.

With successful completion of the 27-month program, students are awarded a Master of Science degree in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA). The graduate is then qualified to take the National Certifying Examination. Upon successful completion of the exam, the graduate becomes a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist qualified to practice in all 50 states. To date, 100 percent of our students have passed the certifying examination in their first-year post-graduation and 100 percent have successfully obtained employment.

Transition Plan to the Entry-Level Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program: The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) requires that all students matriculating into a nurse anesthesia educational program on January 1, 2022, or thereafter be enrolled in a program approved by the COA to award a practice doctoral degree. The SWAG��Ƶ Nurse Anesthesia program plans to submit its application to the COA for approval to award the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in January 2021. Pending approval by the COA, the program plans to enroll its first doctoral cohort of students in May 2022. Further information regarding this transition may be obtained by contacting the Program Director Cheryl L. Nimmo, DNP, MSHSA, CRNA at (207) 221-4519, or at cnimmo@une.edu.

The School of Nurse Anesthesia is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-secondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. The School of Nurse Anesthesia is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs through the spring of 2021. The program received the full 10-year accreditation length in June 2011. We are scheduled for reaccreditation in the fall of 2020.

As of December 14, 2020: The School of Nurse Anesthesia is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs through October 2021. The program is scheduled for reaccreditation review in October 2021. The program received the maximum 10-year accreditation award in June 2011.

View the department performance data sheet (PDF)

For the first 8 months (two semesters), students attend classes full time on SWAG��Ƶ's Portland campus. The majority of the basic science and anesthesia didactic courses are offered during this period. The remaining 19 months of the program are clinically-based, with an emphasis on advanced coursework, clinical training, simulation lab experiences, and completion of a capstone project. All students are required to complete the entire curriculum with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Clinical Training

Upon completion of the didactic portion of the program, the students move on to the 19-month clinical portion of the curriculum. The primary focus is clinical anesthesia training. The clinical experience obtained encompasses all areas for the student to achieve clinical competency in anesthesia. This is accomplished through affiliations at various clinical sites.

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs has set minimum standards for clinical experience that each student must achieve prior to graduation from the program to qualify for the National Certifying Examination. Each student is required to administer a specific number of anesthetics including all techniques, agents, and patients across the lifespan. Students complete more than the required minimum case numbers and clinical hours. All of the surgical specialties are included, including hands-on training in regional anesthesia techniques with ultrasound. Specialty experiences (i.e. neurosurgery, open-heart surgery, obstetrics) when not available at primary hospital affiliation sites, will be obtained from rotations at other medical facilities.

All types of anesthesia techniques and the latest agents are available for student learning. Students are able to obtain experience in general anesthetics, intravenous agents, invasive line placement, and regional anesthesia including spinal, epidural, and peripheral nerve blocks including the use of ultrasound. Students are also required to rotate to CRNA-only rural sites for valuable experience.

Clinical Affiliates

Please refer to the clinical education website for a list of clinical sites currently utilized by the School of Nurse Anesthesia.

Graduation Requirements

The following criteria must be met to qualify for graduation:

1. Satisfactory completion of all didactic and clinical courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
2. Satisfactory completion of clinical experience as required by the School of Nurse Anesthesia and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
3. Satisfactory completion and fulfillment of stated SWAG��Ƶ School of Nurse Anesthesia Student Learning Outcomes.
4. Completion of twenty-seven actual months in the program, exclusive of probationary time.
5. All evaluations must be completed and signed, including University and Program evaluations.
6. All clinical records must be completed and submitted to the Anesthesia School Administrative staff.
7. Successful completion of the capstone project.
8. All fees must be paid in full.
9. All library books must be returned.
10. A current RN license and ACLS, PALS, BLS Certifications must be on file.
11. Successful completion of the Self-Evaluation Exam (SEE) from the NBCRNA. Students are required to obtain a SEE score of 425 or higher before they can complete the program. The program will pay for the first attempt and the student is responsible for subsequent SEE payments until the minimum score is obtained. This may delay graduation for the program

WCHP Academic Policy

The Department of Nurse Anesthesia, the Westbrook College of Health Professions, and the SWAG��Ƶ are committed to offering a quality Nurse Anesthesia education program that complies with the evaluative criteria of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). The program provides learning experiences to enable graduates to achieve the outcomes required for the practice of Nurse Anesthesia. Please refer to the WCHP Graduate Program Progression Policies and Procedures (PDF) for a detailed description of academic standards.

PROGRAM COMPLETION TIMELINE

Students are expected to complete 27 actual months in the program.

RULES OF CONDUCT WHILE ON AFFILIATION AT CLINICAL SITES

Success in the Nurse Anesthesia profession requires certain behavioral attributes including but not limited to personal commitment and hardiness, self-awareness, resilience, perseverance, empathy, discipline, honesty, integrity, personal regard for others, the ability to work effectively with others in a team environment, and the ability to address a crisis or emergency situation in a composed manner. Adherence to these attributes requires a high level of maturity and self-control, even in highly stressful situations. During the clinical phase, students must conduct themselves in a highly professional manner consistent with the patient care responsibilities with which they will be entrusted. Failure to adhere to these standards, as noted below, or comply with the Clinical Rotation Policies will result in disciplinary action ranging from a written warning to dismissal from the program (depending upon the violation and the circumstances surrounding the offense).

1. Creating or contributing to situations that jeopardize patient safety. 
2. Students are expected to follow all policies in the Student Code of Conduct section of the SWAG��Ƶ Handbook. Unethical behavior such as academic dishonesty, falsifying case logs, or medical records is considered a violation of the Program’s standards of conduct. 
3. Respect the confidentiality of patients and fellow students. One is not permitted to discuss any patients by name outside the clinical encounter situation. Students should not discuss other students with preceptors. For academic presentations, all identifying data, including name, initials, date of birth, and facility where seen will be omitted.
4. Unauthorized possession, use, copying, or distribution of hospital records or disclosure of information contained in such records to unauthorized persons.
5. Use, distribution, or unauthorized possession of intoxicating beverages or drugs on hospital premises or reporting to work under the influence of intoxicants.
6. Unauthorized absence from the Anesthesia Department during regularly scheduled clinical hours.
7. Failure or refusal to follow instructions of a duly assigned preceptor including refusal to accept clinical assignment.
8. Use of vile, intemperate or abusive language, or acting in a disrespectful manner to any employee, supervisor, patient, or visitor.
9. Any disorderly conduct on hospital premises.
10. Creating or contributing to unsanitary conditions.
11. Theft, fraud, or unauthorized use of property belonging to the hospital, patient, or visitor.

CLINICAL PRACTICUM COURSE EXPECTATIONS

To successfully complete each clinical practicum course, students must achieve a grade of A or B. Details regarding clinical practicum expectations will be detailed in the Student Clinical Practicum Handbook and course syllabus. Clinical progression will be monitored during each clinical practicum. If students are not meeting clinical objectives, they will be placed on Probation.

If a student is placed on a 30-day Probationary Status, they will continue with the clinical objectives scheduled for that level. The student will communicate with program faculty and clinical faculty to develop a plan based on their clinical evaluations, clinical faculty feedback and/or program faculty findings. The plan will include strategies for improvement of clinical performance. 

At the end of the 30-day Probationary Status, the student’s performance will be re-evaluated by the clinical and program faculty. If they are successful, they will resume their clinical practicum at the same level their peers are at and return to good standing. Being placed on probationary status will delay the student's graduation date accordingly. If progress continues to be unsatisfactory, the student will receive an 'F' for the course and be dismissed from the program.

Students may be placed on a second 30-day probationary period for additional (unresolved or newly identified) performance issues. The process described above would apply for this as well. Students are granted a maximum of two (2) probationary periods not to exceed 60 days total. If additional (newly identified) performance issues continue to occur after a student has been granted (2) probationary periods, the student would be immediately dismissed.

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Principles
Nurse anesthesia education requires that accumulation of scientific knowledge be accompanied by the simultaneous acquisition of specific skills and professional attitudes and behavior. Nurse Anesthesia faculty have a responsibility to society to matriculate and graduate the best prepared nurse anesthetists, and thus admission to this program has been offered to those who present the highest qualifications. The essential technical standards presented in this document include pre-requisites for matriculation, subsequent promotion from year to year, and ultimately graduation from the SWAG��Ƶ School of Nurse Anesthesia. These standards pertain to all matriculated students. All required courses in the curriculum are necessary in a progressive order to develop essential skills and knowledge required to become a competent nurse anesthetist.

The faculty is committed to fostering relationships with its students that encourage human and professional growth. Its policies and procedures attempt to reflect this commitment to proactive and supportive communication.

It is imperative that all students recognize that the primary responsibility for a successful nurse anesthesia education, both in and outside the classroom, rests with the individual. Students, including students with disabilities, must have the capacity to manage their lives and anticipate their own needs. The School has incomplete influence in helping students achieve these personal adaptations. Situations can arise in which a student’s behavior and attitudes resulting from a disability or other personal circumstances represent a secondary problem which impairs the student’s ability to meet the School’s standards, even after implementation of all reasonable accommodations have been made by the School.

Recommendations

1. No otherwise qualified individual will be denied admission to the School of Nurse Anesthesia based solely upon a disabling condition.
2. Candidates with disabilities applying to the School of Nurse Anesthesia will be expected to have achieved the same requirements as their non-disabled peers.
3. Matriculation into the School of Nurse Anesthesia assumes certain levels of cognitive, emotional, and technical skills. Nurse anesthetist candidates with disabilities will be held to the same fundamental standards as their non-disabled peers. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to assist the candidates in learning, performing, and satisfying the fundamental standards, so long as the candidate provides timely, comprehensive documentation establishing the candidate’s disability status and need for reasonable accommodation.
4. Reasonable accommodations that facilitate candidate progress will be provided but only to the extent that such accommodation does not significantly interfere with the essential functions of the School of Nurse Anesthesia, fundamentally alter the program, significantly affect the rights of other candidates, or pose a health or safety risk to any individual including patients. 
5. The School, under the law, is obligated to provide all reasonable accommodations that will eliminate or minimize the barriers disabled candidates may face in the process of successfully completing the requirements for graduation from the SWAG��Ƶ’s School of Nurse Anesthesia.

Abilities and Skills
A candidate for this program must have abilities and skills of five varieties including observational skills; communication skills; fine and gross motor skills; intellectual skills: conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities; and behavioral and social/emotional attributes.

I. Observational Skills
The candidate must be able to acquire a defined level of required information as presented through demonstration and experiences in the basic sciences and anesthesia courses including, but not limited to, information conveyed through labs and simulated anesthesia exercises. Furthermore, a candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately, both at a distance, and close at hand, acquire information from written documents and visualize information as presented in radiographic images and patient monitors. The candidate must have visual and hearing acuity, including use of depth perception and peripheral vision; hearing normal and faint body sounds (blood pressure and heart sounds) and hearing auditory alarms on monitors and anesthesia delivery systems. Such observation and information acquisition necessitate the functional use of visual, auditory, and somatic sensation while being enhanced by the functional use of other sensory modalities.

In any case where a candidate’s ability to observe or acquire information through these sensory modalities is compromised, the candidate must demonstrate alternative means and/or abilities to acquire and demonstrate the essential information without reliance upon another person’s interpretation of the information. The university will provide appropriate reasonable accommodations to foster the student’s ability to meet these standards, so long as the student registers with SWAG��Ƶ Disability Services.
 
II. Communication Skills
The candidate must be able to effectively and efficiently communicate using verbal, written, and reading skills, in a manner that demonstrates sensitivity to patients, their families, and all members of the health care team. A candidate must be able to accurately elicit information, describe a patient’s change in mood, thought, activity, and status. He or she must also demonstrate established communication skills using traditional or alternative reasonable means that do not substantially modify the standard.

III. Fine and Gross Motor Skills
The candidate must be able to, with or without the use of assistive devices, but without reliance on another person, interpret x-ray and other graphic images and digital or analog representations of physiologic phenomenon (such as EKGs).

The ability to participate in basic diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers and procedures (e.g. palpation, auscultation) is required. It is also essential for a candidate to possess the gross motor skills sufficient to provide a full range of safe and effective care to patients. These include the ability to move within confined spaces, reach above shoulders, bend, stoop, squat, stretch, and reach below the waist. Fine motor skills are necessary to perform psychomotor skills such as picking up objects, grasping, pinching with fingers (intubations, manipulating a syringe, starting IVs), twisting and squeezing.

Physical stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous course of didactic and clinical study is required. In addition, physical endurance and strength are requirements in order to tolerate training during an entire shift (including overtime or call), standing for long periods of time, and sustaining repetitive movements (performing CPR, positive pressure ventilation, etc). Candidates must be able to provide hands-on patient care such as lifting, pushing, and pulling excessive weight to position patients, pick up and carry children, ambulate patients and transfer anesthetized patients from stretchers and beds. When transporting patients to patient recovery areas, the candidate is required to move not only the patient's weight but also the heavy bed.

The candidate is required to carry heavy equipment and supplies, sit for long periods of time on stools with and without any back support, twist and turn to visualize monitors and the surgical field, and possess the strength and flexibility to assist in the restraint of combative patients. In addition, the candidate must be able to move quickly to respond to emergencies. At all times the ability to administer care to patients in a safe manner is paramount.
 
IV. Intellectual Skills - Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
The candidate must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize information in a timely fashion. In addition, the candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structure. Problem-solving, the critical skill demanded of nurse anesthetists, requires all of these intellectual abilities. These problem-solving skills must be able to be performed in a precisely limited time demanded by a given clinical setting. In addition, the candidate must be able to adapt readily to changing environments and deal with unexpected activities.

V. Behavioral and Social/Emotional Attributes
Candidates must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients.

Candidates must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of patients. They must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize information effectively in a precisely limited time demanded by a given clinical setting, while under stress, and in an environment in which other distractions may be present.

Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, self-reflection, emotional intelligence, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that will be assessed during the admissions and educational processes.

Upon completion of this educational program, the student shall demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the faculty, specific competencies expected of graduates. These competencies identify the knowledge and skills necessary for competent entry-level practice of nurse anesthesia. Upon completion of the program, the graduate will:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the perianesthetic management of patients based on theory and research evidence learned in the basic sciences and basic and advanced principles of anesthesia practice during the didactic phase of the program.
2. Apply theoretical and evidence-based knowledge learned during the didactic phase of the program and demonstrate mastery in the perianesthetic management of the patient in the clinical setting.
3. Effectively communicate with all health care professionals, patients, and families in the delivery of culturally competent perianesthetic care throughout the anesthesia experience.
4. Demonstrate vigilance and adherence to patient safety principles throughout the anesthetic experience.
5. Demonstrate professional responsibility, integrity, and accountability to their peers, interprofessional colleagues, and other health care stakeholders throughout the program and perianesthetic clinical experiences.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credits are not awarded.

Advanced standing

No advanced standing placement is available

Experiential Learning

No credit awarded for experiential learning

APPLICATION and ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Items to submit to the SWAG��Ƶ Office of Graduate Admission:

• Application with application fee
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• Resume
• Proof of current RN licensure
• Copies of required certifications/score reports: ACLS, PALS
• Proof of satisfactory completion of Biochemistry Prerequisite*
  *If you are unsure whether or not a specific Biochemistry course will count towards our prerequisite requirement, please submit the . Your submission will be reviewed and a reply will be sent to you via email within 5-7 business days.

APPLICATION

All SWAG��Ƶ Nurse Anesthesia Program applicants should apply through the

DEGREE REQUIREMENT

Completion of Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in Nursing OR
Completion of an Associate’s Degree in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science degree in a science-related field of study.

All degrees must have been completed at a U.S. regionally accredited college/university or international equivalent, and all nursing degrees must have been completed at an accredited nursing program, prior to starting the program.

• All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent from the home institution directly to the SWAG��Ƶ Office of Graduate Admissions at :

  SWAG��Ƶ
  Attn: Office of Graduate Admission/MNA
  716 Stevens Ave.
  Portland, ME  04103

GPA REQUIREMENT

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, specifically in the sciences, is highly recommended.
• Due to the competitive nature of the program, meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee an interview or acceptance.

PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK REQUIREMENT

• Biochemistry (3-4 semester credits)
  • Course must be upper division (300 level+)
  • Community College courses are not acceptable

Other Important Prerequisite Coursework Notes:

• Biochemistry must be completed with a grade of “B” or better (“B minus” grade is not acceptable) 
• Biochemistry course must have been completed no more than five years prior to the application deadline for the SWAG��Ƶ Nurse Anesthesia program
• Course must be successfully completed with an official transcript submitted to the SWAG��Ƶ Office of Graduate Admission no later than the application deadline.

offers an online, accelerated Biochemistry course that can be used to fulfill this prerequisite requirement.

LETTERS OF EVALUATION

Three (3) letters of evaluation are required* — submitted via SWAG��Ƶ’s online application system

• One letter must be from the immediate acute care nursing supervisor or manager attesting to the total length of time, in years and months that an applicant has worked in the acute care setting as a registered nurse.
• It is recommended that the remaining two letters come from those that can attest to the clinical and professional skills of the applicant.

*Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable

EXPERIENCE HOURS

Clinical Experience: All applicants are encouraged to shadow a nurse anesthetist for at least 1 day in the operating room prior to application to more fully understand the commitment involved in studying to become a nurse anesthetist.

• Minimum of at least 18 months (2 or more years is recommended) experience as a critical care nurse.
• All experience hours must be completed prior to application submission
• Acceptable areas: ICU, CCU, CVICU, SICU, MICU, NICU, PICU and Neuro ICU 

LICENSURE and CERTIFICATIONS

• Proof of current unencumbered RN licensure in your home state at the time of application; licensure in the state where clinical experience occurs is obtained after enrollment.
• Certifications Required-
  • Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification
  • Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification
• Certifications highly recommended-
  • CCRN and/or other specialty certification (i.e., CEN) highly recommended
    • Submit copy of certification
    • Submit score report

PERSONAL STATEMENT

• Please refer to the online application for the specific writing prompt and additional information.

INTERVIEWS

On-campus interviews are a required part of the application and admission process:

• Qualified applicants will be contacted and invited to interview during the fall semester, prior to the summer start of the Nurse Anesthesia program.
• Interviews are done by invitation only.
• Alternate interviewing modalities (including virtual interviews) may be instituted as necessary to address ongoing public health concerns with COVID-19. The Office of Graduate Admissions will be in touch with any updates, as needed.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

• Official credential evaluation by , confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the SWAG��Ƶ website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a SWAG��Ƶ approved English language proficiency test.
• Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the SWAG��Ƶ website for specific information and minimum score requirements.
• All supporting documents must be submitted directly to the SWAG��Ƶ Office of Graduate Admission.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Prior to matriculation, accepted and deposited students will be required to complete the following compliance requirements:

• Completion of physical examination with proof of up-to-date immunization status. Please refer to SWAG��Ƶ’s Student Health Center for detailed information.
• Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen prior to matriculation, as well as periodically throughout the program (as required by clinical affiliations).
• All students must have the ability to meet the Academic and Technical Standards of the Nurse Anesthesia profession.
• Admissions decisions are non-rolling and made by the program Admissions Committee after all interviews are completed.

Note: All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of SWAG��Ƶ and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Due to continuing developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, some application requirements and processes may change during the cycle for the health and safety of the university, its employees, and prospective students/applicants. We appreciate your flexibility and consideration.

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

• Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made on a case by case basis, only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog. Miscellaneous fees that students should plan for in the program include but may not be limited to the following (approximate amounts):

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office at the Biddeford Campus. Call (207) 283-0170, ext. 2342 or by visiting the Financial Aid website.

SWAG��Ƶ Occupational Therapy (OT) Mission is to develop innovative and collaborative OT practitioners and leaders who respond to the dynamic needs of people and communities to support health and wellness through occupational engagement. 

Vision

Our vision is to lead the profession in meeting society’s occupational needs by fostering excellence in occupational therapy teaching, scholarship, and service.

Occupational therapy is a health profession whose practitioners work with clients of all abilities across the lifespan. The goal of occupational therapy intervention is to increase the ability of the person to participate in everyday occupations that include activities we need and want to participate in such as, mealtimes, dressing, bathing, leisure, work, education, and social participation. 

Occupational therapy practitioners work in a variety of settings some of which include hospitals, clinics, schools, rehabilitation centers, home care programs, community health centers, psychiatric facilities, and skilled nursing facilities. With experience, practitioners might function in private practice, as a university faculty member, in administration, as a researcher, or as a consultant.

The OT curriculum is designed to facilitate occupation-based, client-centered practice, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning. Courses emphasize life-long learning and professional responsibilities and help students become competent and compassionate practitioners. Workshops, lectures, intervention labs, small group classes, and fieldwork experiences help students apply and integrate practice grounded in theory.

The graduate OT program within the Westbrook College of Health Professions emphasizes interprofessional education among nursing, nurse anesthesia, athletic training, applied exercise science, physical therapy, social work, dental hygiene, physician assistant, pharmacy, public health, nutrition, health wellness and occupational studies, dental, and osteopathic medical students.

The Occupational Therapy Program was first awarded accreditation in January 1985. The OT program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, North Bethesda, Md. 20852-4929. For members, (301) 652-AOTA, for non-members (301) 652-6611.

Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). NBCOT, Inc. 1 Bank Street, Suite 300 Gaithersburg, Md. 20878 Phone: (301) 990-7979 Email: Info@nbcot.org Websire:

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

Most states require licensure to practice. (State licensure requires NBCOT Certification Examination results). Eligibility for the National Certification Examination requires:

• Master's degree, with a major in occupational therapy
• Successful completion of an accredited occupational therapy curriculum
• Successful completion of a minimum of six months of supervised fieldwork (Level II)

Fieldwork Experiences

Level I Fieldwork: Students complete Level I Fieldwork experiences as part of instructional courses in a variety of community and medical settings. This experience reinforces course concepts. Students are supervised by qualified personnel may include occupational therapists, teachers, social workers, public health nurses, and physical therapists.

Level II Fieldwork: Emphasizes the application of knowledge by providing the student with in-depth experience in delivery of occupational therapy service to patients/clients. Students complete two full-time level II fieldwork experiences, each is 3 months long.

The expenses incurred for room and board during these internships, and travel to and from the fieldwork sites, are the responsibility of each student. Students may complete fieldwork at any approved location.

The requirements for Level II fieldwork include:

• A minimum of six months (24 weeks, full time) of Level II Fieldwork experience, preferably with at least three months on a full-time sustained basis;
• Completion of all fieldwork experience no later than 18 months following completion of the didactic portion of the curriculum;
• Supervision provided by a licensed occupational therapist with at least one year of experience.

Graduation Requirements

Students must successfully complete all courses prior to graduation and fulfill all curriculum requirements.

WCHP Academic Policies

The Department of Occupational Therapy, the Westbrook College of Health Professions, and the SWAG��Ƶ are committed to offering a quality Occupational Therapy education program that complies with the evaluative criteria of the ACOTE (Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education). The program provides learning experiences to enable graduates to achieve the outcomes required for the practice of Occupational Therapy. Please refer to the WCHP Graduate Program Progression Policies and Procedures (PDF) for a detailed description of academic standards.

M.S.O.T. Technical Standards

Technical Standards for Occupational Therapy Program

The following abilities and skills are necessary to engage in the Occupational Therapy department at the SWAG��Ƶ: 

• Cognitive abilities to analyze, synthesize, and integrate information related to anatomy, physiology, human development, psychology, sociology, kinesiology, and occupational studies in order to make clinical judgments for planning and implementing effective occupation-based interventions.
• Critical thinking and judgment that promotes safety, optimal occupational performance, remediation, and adaptation.
• Time management and organizational skills to meet demands of classroom and practice environment.
• Interpersonal skills that include participating in classroom discussion, conducting interviews, observing body language, listening, responding, collaborative goal setting, and developing intentional relationships.
• Evaluation of the performance of self and others and making adjustments in behavior or promoting behavioral change in others to enhance occupational performance.
• Communication skills to develop positive client relationships, complete written documentation consistent with OT practice, and participate as a health care team member.
• Physical abilities to perform physical examinations, such as balance, range of motion, and strength, and to accurately, safely, and efficiently use assessment tools, equipment, and other materials during occupational therapy intervention.
• Emotional stability to handle the demands of a practice environment. This includes acting in a professional manner, being dependable, meeting commitments, and being forthcoming about one’s own needs.
• Ability to maintain personal appearance and hygiene conducive to working in clinical and community settings.

Through the transformative power of occupation, SWAG��Ƶ OT graduates collaborate with people and communities to navigate a journey toward health and wellness.

Upon completion of the Occupational Therapy program, students will demonstrate the following outcomes:

Leadership and Advocacy

• Advocate for access to occupations that support health and wellness.
• Demonstrate everyday leadership that equips others to navigate the journey to health and wellness through the transformative power of occupation.
• Develop as leaders who model the way to health and wellness through the transformative power of occupation.

Collaboration

• Effectively demonstrate professionalism to communicate and collaborate in team-based care for client-centered practice.
• Cultivate relationships to facilitate health and wellness.
• Demonstrate communication that is flexible and responsive to contextual demands.

Community and Context

Facilitates SWAG��Ƶ OT students' recognition that occupations are inextricably connected to and influenced by the communities and contexts in which they are performed

• Demonstrate the ability to recognize and assess characteristics of community (comprised of individuals, groups, and populations that are complex, multifaceted, and layered with meaning) and context (factors such as culture, physical environment, personal interests, rituals, routines, spirituality, roles) to collaboratively find solutions to occupational challenges and to support occupational engagement and participation.
• Value the characteristics of community and context as they influence occupation due to the symbiotic, dynamic, and complex relationship with the nature of the occupation.
• Support occupational engagement and participation by recognizing and assessing the characteristics of communities and contexts.

Creativity

• Collaborate with individuals, groups, populations, and communities to implement creative solutions to occupational challenges.
• Integrate creative resources and strategies to shape thinking that will move people and communities toward health and wellness through occupational engagement.
• Demonstrate the resourcefulness to keep occupation at the center of academic and practice related learning.

Evidence-based Practice and Scholarly Inquiry

• Integrate all levels of evidence to create, inform, and support occupation-centered practice encompassing (or throughout) the entire OT process.
• Embrace a culture of scholarly inquiry that addresses gaps in knowledge and promotes best practices and lifelong learning.
• Demonstrate excellence in written and verbal communication to disseminate new ideas, knowledge, and skills that inform and guide practice.

Meaning

Meaning provides a framework for people to participate and live a fully engaged life

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how participation and engagement in occupation creates a sense of meaning and in turn influences health and wellness.
• Demonstrate awareness that meaning is a dynamic process that occurs throughout day-to-day occupations across the lifespan.
• Discern meaning as it relates to each individual, population, group, and community.

Transfer Credit

• Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another Occupational Therapy program
• Transfer credits will be reviewed and awarded on a case by case basis

Advanced STANDING

• No advanced standing available

Experiential Learning

• No credit awarded for experiential learning

Admissions Requirements

APPLICATION

The SWAG��Ƶ Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program participates in the . All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

DEGREE REQUIREMENT

• Completion of Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, prior to matriculation.
• All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to . .

GPA REQUIREMENT

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, as calculated by OTCAS (inclusive of all coursework taken with no forgiveness for retakes), required.
• Minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0, as calculated by SWAG��Ƶ using highest grade received for repeated coursework; calculated using the OTCAS universal computation scale for quality points.
• All applicants must meet minimum GPA requirements to be considered for admission.

PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS

• Science​�ċ
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II (with labs, 8 semester or 12 quarter credits) or
    • Human Anatomy, 4 semester or 6 quarter credits, and
    • Physiology, 4 semester or 6 quarter credits (Animal or Exercise Physiology not acceptable)
  • Neuroscience* (3-4 semester or 4.5-6 quarter credits); lab component not required but is highly recommended​
• Other (each prerequisite course below should be equivalent to 3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits)
  • Statistics (Bio, Math, Psych)
  • Intro to Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Human Development** (lifespan)
  • Social Science*** (Sociology/Anthropology)
  • English Composition
  • Courses in Medical Terminology, college Chemistry or Physics, and Introduction to Occupational Therapy are not required but are highly recommended​

Other Important Prerequisite Coursework Notes:

• All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better (“C minus” grades not acceptable).
• All science prerequisite coursework must be completed no more than seven (7) years prior to SWAG��Ƶ’s OTCAS application deadline.
• A maximum of 6 Advanced Placement (AP) credits can be accepted as a substitute for Intro to Psychology and English Composition only.
• All prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
• *Neuroscience prerequisite – the course should include structure and function of the nervous system including both the central and peripheral nervous system, content related to the neural basis for movement and sensory functions (including content on sensory and moto pathways), and general cognitive functioning.
• ***Social Science prerequisite – applicants must have 3 credits of social science which might include sociology or anthropology that is focused on the study of society, human interactions/relationships, the structure and function of social institutions or organized groups, and culture.
• **Human Development prerequisite – course must cover entire lifespan from birth to death. Applicants wishing to use Developmental Psychology to fulfill this prerequisite must reach out to the program for approval prior to application submission.
• Prerequisite coursework may be in-progress or planned at the time of application. All courses must be completed with an official transcript submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission prior to the start of the program.
• Official transcripts for coursework and/or degrees completed in the summer/fall term should be submitted and verified by OTCAS during the period.
• Official transcripts for coursework and/or degrees completed in the spring term should be submitted directly to SWAG��Ƶ’s Office of Graduate Admission prior to the start of the program.

All planned or in-progress coursework should be listed on the OTCAS application at the time of application submission; not doing so will result in the applicant not meeting all admission requirements and therefore will not be eligible for admission review.

Online courses offered through  as well as online courses from other regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities are acceptable with program approval.

LETTERS OF EVALUATION

Two (2) letters of evaluation are required* – submitted via OTCAS

• Letters should come from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s academic abilities and/or professional experiences.

*Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable.

OBSERVATION HOURS

• Completion of volunteer or work experience in a health or human service-related setting is highly recommended.
• All hours can be documented directly within the OTCAS application.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

• Please refer to the OTCAS application for specific writing prompt and additional information.

INTERVIEWS

• Interviews are required for admission and are by invitation only.
• Alternate interviewing modalities (including virtual interviews) may be instituted as necessary to address ongoing public health concerns with COVID-19. The Office of Graduate Admissions will be in touch with any updates, as necessary.
• If an applicant has extenuating circumstances and would like to request a virtual interview, it may be granted with program approval. Please reach out to the program directly for additional information.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

• Official credential evaluation by , confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be submitted directly to OTCAS. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the SWAG��Ƶ website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a SWAG��Ƶ approved English language proficiency test.
• Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the SWAG��Ƶ website for specific information and minimum score requirements.
• Please refer to the OTCAS application for test score submission instructions.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Prior to matriculation, accepted and deposited students will be required to complete the following compliance requirements:

• Completion of physical examination with proof of up-to-date immunization status. Please refer to SWAG��Ƶ’s Student Health Center for detailed information.
• Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen prior to matriculation, as well as periodically throughout the program (as required by clinical affiliations).
• All students must have the ability to meet Academic and Technical Standards of the Occupational Therapy profession.

Note: All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of SWAG��Ƶ and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Due to continuing developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, some application requirements and processes may change during the cycle for the health and safety of the university, its employees, and prospective students/applicants. We appreciate your flexibility and consideration.

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

• Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants to the university and its programs
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum and/or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

The mission for SWAG��Ƶ North is to forge new strategic local-to-global North Atlantic/Arctic research, education, and industry/business partnerships at the forefront of the region’s innovation economy; to catalyze the full potential of Maine/North Atlantic/Arctic networks to educate and empower sustainability leaders; to create a platform to develop and apply collaborative solutions to the region’s shared economic, environmental, social, and health challenges.

The SWAG��Ƶ NORTH Ocean Food Systems (OFS) P.S.M. envisions a future where a diversified, innovative, and sustainable ocean food system is developed across the Maine-North Atlantic-Arctic region with the participation of all stakeholders including communities, producers, engineers, manufacturers, and consumers. Industry-academic partnerships are paramount to actualizing this vision. OFS partners have direct access to project planning, development, and implementation and are vital to setting “up-to-the-minute” relevant foci of study for OFS program cohorts. 

The Professional Master’s in Ocean Food Systems: SWAG��Ƶ NORTH, through the School of Marine Programs, offers post-baccalaureate training to students interested in an in-depth study of how where you will holistically examine ocean foods value chains in fisheries and aquaculture, seafood trade, and interactions with marine governance, law, management, and policy. 

The 12-month program, along with coursework, will include a customized master’s project catered to each individual student. The master’s project will be designed and extensively researched by each student with the guidance of a mixed committee of faculty and industry stakeholders.

Program goals

• Provide a knowledge base in Ocean Food Systems that is deeper than the typical undergraduate experience.
• Foster the participation of new knowledge and thoroughly communicate that to the public.
• Instill outstanding critical thinking skills paired with in-depth scientific knowledge to inform science, business, and/or policy in Ocean Food Systems.
• Develop outstanding scientific communication skills through written and oral presentations.

Graduation requirements

Students must successfully complete all required courses with a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 and successfully pursue, complete and defend publicly an approved research thesis.

Satisfactory academic progress

To remain in the P.S.M. in Ocean Food Systems Program: Marine Sciences program, the student's cumulative graduate GPA must be a minimum of 3.0. A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 or who receives a grade below B- in any course taken for graduate credit will be placed on academic probation.

Program completion timeline

Students have a maximum of three years to complete the graduation requirements. After one academic year (summer, fall and spring terms), students who have completed their coursework but are still completing their projects are required to enroll in a project continuation credit per semester to remain in the program.

Probation/dismissal

A graduate student whose grade point average (GPA) for any semester falls below 3.0, or whose cumulative grade point average is below 3.0, or who receives a class grade below a B- for any class taken for graduate credit is automatically placed on probation. A student placed on academic probation will be granted one fall or spring semester to raise his/her cumulative GPA to 3.0 or above, will be required to achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the semester, and cannot receive a second class grade below B-. SWAG��Ƶ NORTH, The School of Marine Programs, and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will consider for dismissal any student who fails to meet these criteria.

Course withdrawal

In normal length semesters, a matriculated student may withdraw from a course without academic penalty (a grade of W is assigned) at any time during the first two-thirds of the semester. If withdrawal occurs after that date, the grade of WP (withdrew passing) or WF (withdrew failing) will be entered, subject to determination by the instructor. The grade of WF is computed in the grade point average.

Incomplete grades

A student who believes she/he is unable to complete the work for a given course by the end of the term may apply for an extension by discussion with the instructor. At the time of this meeting, a plan must be agreed upon for completion of the course work, including a date of completion, not to exceed six weeks following the end date of the course. This agreement must be completed by the last day of class for the given course. Any student who does not follow the above guidelines will receive an F for the course. In exceptional circumstances (such as death in family, significant illness, accident), an additional extension may be requested. Any such request must be made in writing, reviewed, and signed by the instructor and the student’s advisor.

1. To describe and analyze the international to local issues, problems and opportunities, sustainability challenges, and natural and social-ecological foundations of transdisciplinary work in ocean food systems.
2. To engage in the processes of project formulation, design, team-building, and writing in ocean food systems.
3. To develop the ability to conduct independent investigations under supervision in order to build leadership skills in ocean food systems.
4. To formulate, develop, and deliver a project comprising transdisciplinary, social, and natural science and other technical information; collect data and information, and summarize results, findings, and recommendations, both orally and in writing, to international, national, and local audiences.

Transfer credit

• No transfer credit granted

Advanced standing

• No advanced standing placement available

Experiential learning

• No credit awarded for experiential learning

Admissions requirements

APPLICATION

The SWAG��Ƶ P.S.M. in Ocean Food Systems participates in the . All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

DEGREE REQUIREMENT

Completion of Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, prior to matriculation.

• All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to . Please see our application for additional information and instructions.

GPA REQUIREMENT

• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is preferred.

LETTERS OF REFERENCE

Three (3) letters of reference are required* – submitted via GradCAS

• One (1) academic reference from faculty who can comment on your potential for graduate study in Ocean Food Systems.
• Two (2) letters from internship or work/faculty advisors.
  *Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

• Please refer to the GradCAS application for specific writing prompts and additional information.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

• Official credential evaluation by , confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be sent directly to GradCAS. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the SWAG��Ƶ website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a SWAG��Ƶ approved English language proficiency test.
• Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the SWAG��Ƶ website for specific information and minimum score requirements.
• Please refer to the GradCAS application for test score submission instructions.

Note: All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of SWAG��Ƶ and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Due to continuing developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, some application requirements and processes may change during the cycle for the health and safety of the university, its employees, and prospective students/applicants. We appreciate your flexibility and consideration.

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

• Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants.
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements.
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and are made on a case by case basis, only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates.

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Continued enrollment

After one academic year, a student who has completed all coursework except their project will be required to pay for a minimum of one project credit hour plus mandatory fees each semester to remain in the program. 

Other expenses

Housing is arranged by and financed at the expense of the student. Currently, there is no on-campus housing available for graduate students.

Financial aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office at the Biddeford Campus. Call (207) 602-2342 or by visiting the Financial Aid website. Information on tuition remission, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships can be found on the SWAG��Ƶ NORTH Educational Programs website

The Department of Physical Therapy believes that optimal 21st century, person-centered health care is best delivered by well-educated, compassionate leaders who think critically, reason intelligently, collaborate inter-professionally, and who promote health and wellness. In this spirit, the department is dedicated to preparing students for contemporary physical therapy and advances the profession through its steadfast commitment to excellence in academics, clinical education, scholarship, research, and service. 

Core Values

The Department of Physical Therapy values excellence in student-focused teaching and learning, evidence-based practice, service to the community and profession, interprofessional collaboration, scholarship, and clinical practice.

Student-Focused

• Friendly, collegial atmosphere
• Low student-to-faculty ratios
• Supportive and engaged faculty and professional staff

Academic Excellence

• Expert academic and clinical faculty
• State-of-the-art equipment and technology
• Experiential learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving
• Quality clinical experiences
• High standards and expectations for student admission and retention
• Continuous program improvement

Evidence-based Practice

• Critical appraisal of evidence
• Integrate evidence, expertise, and patient values
• Best practice

Community and Diversity

• Professional and community service
• Embrace and learn from diversity
• Non-discriminatory
• Academic-Community partnership

Professional Conduct

• Academic IntegrityRespect for all individuals
• Respect for all individuals

​�ċTrustworthy and Truthful

• Confidentiality of patient-therapist relationship
• Sound judgment
• Competence and professional development
• Pro bono service
• Life-long learning

Collaboration

• Interprofessional Grand Rounds, seminars and symposia
• Research and scholarship
• Teaching and learning

Scholarship

• Student participation and choice
• Collaborative, interprofessional, and individual intellectual pursuits

Health and Wellness

• Whole person wellness
• Injury and disease prevention
• Promotion of healthy environments

Program Goals

1. Core Attributes: Graduate compassionate, collaborative leaders who are critical thinkers and who promote health and wellness.
2. Academics: Develop academic excellence.
3. Clinical Practice: Promote faculty and student involvement in physical therapy practice across the continuum of care.
4. Research and Scholarship: Generate and disseminate new knowledge.
5. Service: Identify, develop, and promote opportunities for faculty and students to provide service to the institution, community, and profession.
6. Administration: Aspire to efficient processes and resources to support department operations.

The entry-level D.P.T. program is three calendar years (eight semesters) in length and includes a combination of classroom, laboratory, and clinical practicum experiences. The curriculum begins with the foundational sciences, through which the student explores and studies normal human structure and function, and fundamental physical therapy techniques. From this critical underpinning, the student engages in the evidence-based approach to the physical therapy management of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, function, and health across the life span. The curriculum sequence is generally organized according to key body systems (i.e., musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, neuromuscular, integumentary). Coursework includes the study of the functional and psychosocial impacts of health conditions, relevant medical and surgical interventions, and the physical therapy tests, measures, and interventions utilized within the patient/client management model.

The student is also introduced to the physical therapist's role in disease prevention and health promotion, education, consultation, legislation and policy-making, and management and administration. The student engages in scholarly inquiry, either by completing a case report or conducting research under the direction and mentorship of a faculty member. The student may also explore topics beyond those required in the professional curriculum through elective courses or workshops offered by the Department and College.

Students complete three full-time clinical practica, totaling 36 weeks of clinical experience. Hundreds of clinical sites around the United States are available to provide a broad base of experiences in a variety of settings. The sites represent the continuum of health care practice settings including acute care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient private practices, ambulatory care centers, skilled nursing facilities, school/preschool programs, and home health care. Full-time clinical practical experiences are integrated in the second and third professional years, enabling students to apply information learned in didactic courses to patients and clients.

The D.P.T. program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The Department, through its policies and procedures, is committed to assuring compliance with the evaluative criteria established by CAPTE.

Accreditation indicates that the institution and program have been carefully evaluated and found to meet standards agreed upon by qualified educators. To contact CAPTE:

1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
accreditation@apta.org
(703) 684-2782 or (703) 706-3245

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) program is eight semesters in length and includes a combination of classroom course work, laboratory coursework, and three full-time clinical practica. In addition to the 106 required credits, students are invited to take up elective coursework offered by the department and by other graduate programs within the university.

*Students complete one of the following course sequences:

• PTH 608 and PTH 708 or
• PTH 606 and PTH 705 or
• PTH 690 and PTH 705

*Please note: Curriculum is subject to change.

Conferring of the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is contingent upon the successful completion of academic and clinical coursework to include a total of 106 academic credits.

Graduation Requirements

Academic Standards

The Department of Physical Therapy, the Westbrook College of Health Professions, and the SWAG��Ƶ are committed to offering a quality physical therapist education program that complies with the evaluative criteria of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The program provides learning experiences to enable graduates to achieve the outcomes required for the practice of physical therapy. Please refer to the WCHP Graduate Program Progression Policies and Procedures (PDF) for detailed description of academic standards.

Essential Technical Standards

The essential technical standards are pre-requisites for successful completion of the D.P.T. program at the SWAG��Ƶ. Guidelines for reasonable accommodation are discussed. Please read this document carefully to determine whether you possess the abilities and skills reflected in the technical standards below. The standards apply to program activities taking place in classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings.

Principles

1. Physical Therapy is an intellectually, physically, and psychologically demanding profession.
2. The obligation and mission of the SWAG��Ƶ D.P.T. program is to produce effective and competent physical therapists that are best able to serve the needs of society. Therefore, all applicants, regardless of disability, will be held to the same admission standards. Once accepted, all D.P.T. degree candidates will be held to the same technical standards, with reasonable accommodations provided when necessary and appropriate.
3. Individuals with documented disabilities applying to the SWAG��Ƶ D.P.T. program will be expected to have completed the same academic prerequisites as their non-disabled peers. No applicant is required to disclose the details of disability and no otherwise qualified individual will be denied admission to the D.P.T. program based solely upon a disabling condition.
4. Upon acceptance, the Westbrook College of Health Professions, under the law, is obligated to provide reasonable accommodations to D.P.T. candidates and students with documented disabilities who are registered with the University’s Student Access Center while completing the academic and clinical requirements for graduation from the program.

Reasonable accommodations

• Are provided to help minimize the impact of the student’s disability, provide equal access to the University’s programs and services while upholding the academic, clinical, and technical standards of the D.P.T. program.
• Are provided to assist the student in learning, performing and satisfying the fundamental standards, so long as the student provides comprehensive documentation establishing his/her disability status prior to the need for reasonable accommodation
• Are provided only to the extent that such accommodation does not fundamentally alter the academic and/or technical standards of the Department of Physical Therapy or interfering with the rights of other students
• Do not exempt D.P.T. candidates from completing certain tasks deemed essential
• Do not include reliance on peers-when a candidate’s ability to function is compromised (with or without accommodation) the candidate must demonstrate alternative means and/or abilities to acquire essential information and demonstrate essential tasks without reliance upon another person to help perform that essential task.
• Are determined by the SWAG��Ƶ Student Access Center in consultation with D.P.T. faculty.

In addition, D.P.T. faculty are available to work with candidates with disabilities to help identify strategies that might assist them in performing technical standards.

Candidate Declaration of abilities and skills:

1. Prior to the start of D.P.T. classes, matriculating students must indicate that they possess the abilities reflected in the technical standards described below, either with or without reasonable accommodation.
2. A D.P.T. candidate with a disability who wishes reasonable accommodation must contact the Student Access Center, Portland Campus, Lower Level, Ginn Hall, Phone: (207) 221-4418, Fax: (207) 523-1919. An offer of admission may be withdrawn or a D.P.T. candidate may be withdrawn from the program if it becomes apparent at any time (1) that he or she cannot complete the technical standards even with accommodations, (2) that the accommodations needed are not reasonable, or (3) that fulfilling the functions would create a significant risk of harm to the health or safety of the student or others.

Technical Standards: Abilities and Skills

Matriculation into the D.P.T. program assumes certain essential cognitive, emotional, and technical skills. Reflected in the standards that follow are those abilities and skills that degree candidates must possess to engage safely and competently in required learning activities. The abilities and skills are described in five domains, including observation skills; communication skills; motor skills (fine and gross); intellectual-conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities; and behavioral and social/emotional attributes.

I. Observation
Observation requires the functional use of vision, hearing, touch, and the use of common sense. Candidates must have visual perception, which includes depth and acuity. A candidate must be able to observe lectures, laboratory dissection of cadavers, and lecture and laboratory demonstrations. The candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately and obtain an appropriate medical history directly from the patient or guardian. Examples in which these observational skills are required include: observation of skin color; breathing regularity; temperature of skin; muscle tone; facial expressions; palpation of peripheral pulses, bony prominences and ligaments; visual and tactile evaluation for areas of inflammation; and visual and tactile assessment of the presence and degree of swelling. A candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand, noting nonverbal as well as verbal signals. The candidate must have sufficient vision, hearing, and touch to detect patient/client needs in a busy clinical environment. The candidate must be able to read and interpret equipment, patient charts, and diagnostic tests. The candidate must also be able to accurately monitor dials, displays, and equipment used in treatment of patients including exercise equipment and electrical modalities.

II. Communication
Communication includes: speech, language, reading, writing and computer literacy. Students must be able to communicate effectively, sensitively, and convey a sense of compassion and empathy with patients and their families, as well as perceive non-verbal communications, and to deal effectively with cultural and ethnic diversity. Physical therapy education presents exceptional challenges in the volume and breadth of required reading and the necessity to impart information to others. Candidates must be able to communicate quickly, effectively and efficiently in oral and written English with all members of the health care team. Candidates must be able to complete forms according to directions in a complete and timely fashion. The candidate must be able to demonstrate the ability to deliver and receive complex information in one-on-one and group settings, respond to questions from a variety of sources and respond appropriately to verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as explain complex information according to the listener’s needs and abilities, both formally and informally. A candidate must be able to complete paper and/or online forms and documentation according to directions in a timely fashion, accurately elicit information and describe a patient’s change in mood, thought, activity and posture. Candidates must be able to demonstrate sufficient communication skills to effectively train other D.P.T. candidates, patients, family and support personnel.

III. Motor
The candidate must have sufficient strength, endurance, and motor skills to effectuate the coordination of both gross and fine muscular movement, equilibrium, and the integrated use of touch and vision. Sufficient physical stamina is required to complete the rigorous course of didactic and clinical study. The candidate must be able to access and negotiate laboratories, classrooms and workstations, attend clinical internships, and accomplish required tasks in the clinic and academic settings. The candidate must be able to perform emergency procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation; safely lift, transfer and position patients; safely assist and guard patients during gait training; safely and effectively administer exercise and examination procedures that require resistance or facilitation; perform non-surgical wound debridement, and manually adjust exercise equipment and assistive devices. Long periods of sitting, standing, and moving are required in classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences. The candidate must demonstrate sufficient balance, coordination, and ability to accompany and detect loss of balance in patients who are walking; the ability to support and guard patients who lose their balance during walking on level surfaces, as well as on stairs and uneven terrains/ramps; sufficient freedom of movement to be able to participate in all classroom and clinical activities; and the ability to lift and carry heavy objects. Required movements may include pushing, pulling, standing, sitting for long periods of time with and without back support, twisting, kneeling, stooping, and bending. The candidate must be able to use motor skills to accurately assess changes in muscle tone, tissue and skin temperature, joint position, chest sounds and peripheral pulses, joint play, and other examination tests. The candidate must also be able to: effectively apply compression, traction, resistance, and percussion; and demonstrate sufficient fine motor skills to be able to manipulate small objects and write legibly. The candidate must be able to respond to bells and alarms related to emergencies. At all times the ability to administer care to patients in a safe manner is paramount.

IV. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
To effectively solve problems, the candidate must be able to: measure, calculate, reason, analyze, comprehend, integrate and synthesize information from the clinical, natural, and social sciences in a timely fashion. For example, the candidate must be able to synthesize knowledge and integrate the relevant aspects of a patient’s history, physical examination, and laboratory data. The candidate must be able to: provide a reasoned explanation for likely therapy, recalling and retaining information in an efficient and timely manner. The ability to incorporate new information from peers, teachers, and medical literature in formulating treatment plans is essential. In addition, the candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand spatial relationships of structures. The candidate must have the ability to use computers for searching, recording, storing, and retrieving information. The candidate must be able to understand theory, research literature, and principles that apply to physical therapy practice, and analyze and solve complex patient problems. The candidate must be able to utilize knowledge of natural, clinical, and social sciences to develop appropriate interventions in a clinical setting. The ability to use critical analysis to understand theory, research literature, and principles that apply to physical therapy practice and to apply inductive and deductive clinical reasoning to solve complex patient problems is necessary. The candidate must be able to effectively engage in self-assessment of performance, as well as provide objective and constructive assessments of peers and faculty. The candidate must be able to identify significant findings based upon history and physical examination and interpret laboratory and diagnostic imaging data. The candidate must utilize sufficient judgment to ensure safe encounters with peers and patients and to effectively delegate to support personnel.

V. Behavioral and Social/Emotional Attributes
The candidate must be: dependable, punctual, ethical, and reliable; maintain professional demeanor in all situations; recognize stressors and be able to seek assistance as needed. Candidates must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities. They must: exercise good judgment, promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the care of patients, and develop mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients. The candidate must also demonstrate a commitment to learning by seeking new knowledge and understanding, formulating their own thoughts and ideas, and taking ownership of their educational advancement. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to: adapt to changing environments, display flexibility and function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical practice. They must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize information effectively in the limited time demanded by a given clinical setting, while under stress, and in an environment in which other distractions may be present. The candidate must be able to abide by the APTA Code of Ethics, the Standards of Physical Therapy Practice and the Core Values, which can be found on the American Physical Therapy Association website at www.apta.org. Candidates must also be able to establish professional and empathetic relationships with individuals across the lifespan and from various cultures. Candidates must demonstrate integrity and honesty in the academic and clinical environment, as well as being able to engage in respectful interactions with individuals from various lifestyles, cultures, races, socioeconomic classes and abilities. They must be able to develop and maintain respectful working relationships with peers, faculty, professional colleagues, patients, family members, and the general public and to recognize the psychosocial impact of movement dysfunction and disability on clients and families. The candidate must be able to accept constructive feedback and respond with suitable action.

Specific Examples of Technical Skills (Essential Functions) and Abilities
Specifically, candidates must be able to:

1. Attend and participate in classes for 30 or more hours per week during each academic semester. Classes consist of a combination of lecture, discussion, laboratory, and clinical activities.
2. Use auditory, tactile, and visual senses to receive classroom instruction and to evaluate and treat patients.
3. Read, write, speak, and understand English at a level consistent with successful course completion and development of positive patient-therapist relationships.
4. Complete readings, assignments, and other activities outside of class hours.
5. Apply critical thinking processes to their work in the classroom and the clinic.
6. Exercise sound judgment in class and in the clinic.
7. Participate in clinical experiences, which typically require students to be present 40 or more hours per week on a schedule that corresponds to the operating hours of the clinic.
8. Gather decision-making pieces of information during patient assessment activities in class or in the clinical setting without the use of an intermediary (classmate, aide, etc).
9. Perform treatment activities in class or in the clinical setting by direct performance.
10. Sit for two to 10 hours at a time, stand for at least one to two hours at a time, and walk or travel for at least two hours at a time
11. Frequently lift weights less than 10 pounds and occasionally lift weights between 10 and 100 pounds.
12. Occasionally carry up to 25 pounds while walking up to 50 feet.
13. Frequently exert 75 pounds of push/pull forces up to 50 feet and occasionally exert 150 pounds of push/pull forces for this distance.
14. Frequently twist, bend and stoop.
15. Occasionally squat, crawl, reach above shoulder level, and kneel.
16. Frequently move from place to place and position to position at a speed that permits safe handling of classmates and patients.
17. Frequently stand and walk while providing support to a classmate simulating a disability or while supporting a patient with a disability.
18. Occasionally climb stairs and negotiate uneven terrain.
19. Frequently use hands repetitively with a simple grasp and frequently with a firm grasp.
20. Frequently perform tasks requiring manual dexterity skills.
21. Frequently coordinate activities with gross motor and communication skills.

*Information and design from The Essential Standards and Technical Standards documents from the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy at Central Michigan and Sacramento State, and University of Buffalo’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, as well as the generic abilities developed by the physical therapy program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Students are expected to abide by the academic policies and procedures and conduct code outlined in the SWAG��Ƶ (SWAG��Ƶ) Student Handbook, the Department of Physical Therapy Student Handbook and the WCHP Graduate Program Progression Policies and Procedures. Failure to abide by these policies, procedures or codes may result in disciplinary action.

The Department of Physical Therapy, the Westbrook College of Health Professions, and the SWAG��Ƶ are committed to offering a quality physical therapist education program that complies with the 2016 standards of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

After completing the physical therapy curriculum, students will:

1. Integrate concepts from the biological, physical, behavioral, and clinical sciences into physical therapy services
2. Exhibit professional conduct and behaviors that are consistent with the legal and ethical practice of physical therapy
3. Demonstrate compassion, caring, integrity, and respect for differences, values, and preferences in all interactions with patients/clients, family members, health care providers, students, other consumers, and payers 
4. Demonstrate culturally sensitive verbal, nonverbal, and written communications that are effective, accurate, and timely
5. Collect and critically evaluate data and published literature to apply in the delivery of care, practice management, and to examine the theoretical and scientific basis for physical therapy
6. Screen patients/clients to determine if they are candidates for physical therapy services or if a referral to, or consultation with, another health care professional or agency is warranted
7. Complete a patient/client examination/reexamination and evaluate and interpret the examination data to determine a physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis
8. Employ critical thinking, self-reflection, and evidence-based practice to make clinical decisions about physical therapy services 
9. Collaborate with patients/clients, caregivers, and other health care providers to develop and implement an evidence-based plan of care that coordinates human and financial resources 
10. Provide services and information related to health promotion, fitness, wellness, health risks, and disease prevention within the scope of physical therapy practice
11. Advocate for patient/client and profession
12. Provide consultative services and education to patients/clients, caregivers, health care workers, and the public using culturally sensitive methods that are adapted to the learning needs, content, and context
13. Employ effective leadership skills in the context of supervising, delegating, and mentoring within the profession

TRANSFER CREDIT

• Transfer credits are rarely awarded to students who transfer from another Physical Therapy program
• The program director will review and award transfer credits on a case-by-case basis.

ADVANCED STANDING

• No advanced standing placement available.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

• No credit awarded for experiential learning.

Admissions requirements

IMPORTANT UPDATE: On-site interviews are no longer required as part of the application process. We will instead host several informational Open Houses in the fall. We highly encourage all those interested in our DPT program to attend at least one Open House. Fall 2020 Open House dates will be posted no later than 9/1/2020.

APPLICATION

The SWAG��Ƶ Department of Physical Therapy participates in the . All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

DEGREE REQUIREMENT

Completion of Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, prior to matriculation.

• All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to . Please refer to the application for additional information and instructions.

GPA REQUIREMENT

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, as calculated by PTCAS (inclusive of all coursework taken with no forgiveness for retakes).
• Minimum math/science prerequisite GPA of 3.0, as calculated by SWAG��Ƶ, using the highest final grade (excludes Introduction to Psychology); calculated using the PTCAS universal computation scale for quality points.
• Last 60 credit GPA, as calculated by PTCAS, will also be considered.
• All applicants must meet minimum GPA requirements to be considered for admission.

PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS

Other Important Prerequisite Coursework Notes:

• All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better (“C minus” grades are not acceptable).
• All science prerequisites must be completed no more than seven (7) years prior to SWAG��Ƶ’s PTCAS application deadline.
• Science course requirements – Alternative higher level biology and chemistry courses with a lab component may be acceptable (with program approval).
• Prerequisite courses may be in progress or planned at the time of application. All courses must be completed with an official transcript submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission prior to the start of the program.
• Official transcripts for coursework and/or degrees completed in the summer/fall term should be submitted and verified by PTCAS during the fall period.
• Official transcripts for coursework and/or degrees completed in the spring/summer term should be submitted directly to SWAG��Ƶ’s Office of Graduate Admission prior to the start of the program.

All planned or in-progress coursework should be listed on the PTCAS application at the time of application submission; not doing so will result in the applicant not meeting all admissions requirements and therefore will not be eligible for admission review.

Online courses offered through  as well as online courses from other regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities are acceptable with program approval.

STANDARDIZED TESTS

• UPDATE: Due to ongoing uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Physical Therapy Admissions Committee has decided to waive the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) test requirement for the 2020-2021 application cycle.

LETTERS OF REFERENCE

Three (3) letters of reference are required* – submitted via PTCAS

• One (1) academic reference from a professor, research advisor, or academic advisor.
• Two (2) letters from individuals of your choice* who can speak to your ability to be academically successful and practice professionally.
  *Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable.

OBSERVATION HOURS

• UPDATE: Due to the ongoing pandemic, the observation hour requirement is waived for the 2020-2021 application cycle.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

• Please refer to the PTCAS application for specific writing prompts and additional information.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

• Official credential evaluation by , confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be sent directly to PTCAS. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the SWAG��Ƶ website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a SWAG��Ƶ approved English language proficiency test.
• Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the SWAG��Ƶ website for specific information and minimum score requirements.
• Please refer to the PTCAS application for test score submission instructions.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Prior to matriculation, accepted and deposited students will be required to complete the following compliance requirements:

• Completion of physical examination with proof of up-to-date immunization status. Please refer to SWAG��Ƶ’s Student Health Center for detailed information.
• Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen prior to matriculation, as well as periodically throughout the program (as required by clinical affiliations).
• All students must have the ability to meet the Academic and Technical Standards of the Physical Therapy profession.

Note: All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of SWAG��Ƶ and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Due to continuing developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, some application requirements and processes may change during the cycle for the health and safety of the university, its employees, and prospective students/applicants. We appreciate your flexibility and consideration.

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

• Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made on a case by case basis, only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Other Expenses

Other expenses will include textbooks and lab fees in some courses. Students should also anticipate transportation, housing, and living expenses during clinical practica.

Equipment

All students are required to have access to high-speed internet service and a laptop computer with the capability of utilizing Blackboard or similar on-line education format, and ExamSoft.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office Call (207) 602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.

The mission of the SWAG��Ƶ Physician Assistant Program is to prepare master's level primary care Physician Assistants to be highly skilled members of interprofessional healthcare teams. The program is committed to developing clinicians who will provide compassionate, competent and evidence-based patient-centered healthcare to people of all backgrounds and cultures throughout their lifespan. The Program places special emphasis on training clinicians who are knowledgeable about the healthcare needs of our aging population and have the skills and passion to provide healthcare to people in underserved rural and urban communities. 

Graduate Professional Competencies

The mission of the Program is accomplished by having graduates who meet the goals of the educational process. Graduates of the Physician Assistant Program will:

• Understand the basic sciences of anatomy, physiology and Pathophysiology and be able to utilize this knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
• Understand the principles of pharmacotherapeutics and to apply them in the treatment of patients.
• Elicit a detailed, accurate history and perform a thorough physical examination.
• Understand how to order and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests in a cost-efficient manner.
• Present patient data and document it appropriately in the medical record.
• Provide quality acute and ongoing patient care by appropriately delineating patient problems and by formulating and implementing patient management plans, including referrals to other healthcare providers and agencies.
• Perform or assist in the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and manage or assist in the management of medical and surgical conditions, particularly in life-threatening situations.
• Understand the principles of public health and incorporate health promotion and disease prevention into a patient care practice.
• Use information technology in the provision of quality healthcare and clinical decision-making.
• Evaluate the medical literature critically and apply this knowledge and the principles of evidence-based medicine to clinical practice.
• Provide compassionate and competent healthcare to patients of all ages and backgrounds.
• Understand the medical and social issues that affect the geriatric patient and provide appropriate management of these problems.
• Counsel patients, their families and their caregivers regarding issues of health, illness and medical care.
• Understand the historical and contemporary role of the physician assistant in the healthcare system.
• Participate effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Understand the principles of patient-oriented healthcare and to communicate clearly with patients.
• Identify the special dynamics of providing healthcare to rural or underserved populations.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior by following the American Academy of Physician Assistants' Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession.

The Master of Science — Physician Assistant Program (M.S.P.A.) has been planned to effectively utilize faculty expertise from the University's five colleges. Some faculty hold joint appointments with responsibility for teaching medical and physician assistant students as well as other health profession matriculants. Similarly, physician assistant candidates will receive clinical supervision as part of an integrated team of health providers. It is our expectation that these collaborative strategies toward teaching and learning will ultimately result in high quality, cost-effective health care delivery, particularly in medically underserved regions of New England.

Upon successful completion of the Physician Assistant Program, the SWAG��Ƶ awards the master of science degree. The program operates on a 24-month full-time calendar, beginning in late May of each year with a new incoming class.

What is a PA?

Physician Assistants (PAs) are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Physician Assistants are qualified by graduation from an accredited physician assistant educational program and/or certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Within the physician/PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services under the general supervision of the physician.

Other

The SWAG��Ƶ's M.S.P.A. program was designed according to the Essentials and Guidelines for an Accredited Educational Program for the Physician Assistant. The SWAG��Ƶ Physician Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

Note: The curricular requirements below apply to the class entering JSWAG��Ƶ 2018 (Class of 2020). 

Phase I of the program of study consists of 60.5 credit hours in pre-clinical didactic course work. The summer, fall, and spring terms include instruction in the fields of biomedical sciences, clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, clinical assessment, anatomy, physiology, evidence-based medicine, ethics and professionalism, specialty disciplines, surgery, geriatrics, and emergency medicine.

Twelve months of clinical rotations will take place upon successful completion of the didactic phase. The program ends with a final week on campus, which provides a forum for the presentation of students' research projects to peers and faculty; offers assistance in preparing the graduating students for certification, and gives physician assistant candidates an opportunity to integrate the didactic and clinical portions of their training in preparation for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete all program requirements prior to the issuance of their Master of Science degree and the certificate of completion of the program. 

WCHP Academic Policies

The Department of Physician Assistant, the Westbrook College of Health Professions, and the SWAG��Ƶ are committed to offering a quality Physician Assistant education program that complies with the evaluative criteria of the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. The program provides learning experiences to enable graduates to achieve the outcomes required for the practice of Physician Assistant. Please refer to the WCHP Graduate Program Progression Policies and Procedures (PDF) for a detailed description of academic standards.

Technical Standards

A student in the Physician Assistant Program must have abilities and skills in five categories: observation, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioral/social. All students admitted to the program must meet the following abilities and expectations upon matriculation and maintain these standards while enrolled in the PA Program. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, the student will be subject to dismissal after admission.

Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis. However, a candidate must be able to perform these skills in an independent manner. Accordingly, the program requires each student to meet the following technical standards with or without accommodation:

Observation: Students must have sufficient sensory capacity to observe in the lecture hall, the laboratory, the outpatient setting, and the patient’s bedside. Sensory skills adequate to perform a physical examination are required. The ability to acquire sensory input using vision, hearing, and tactile sensation must be adequate to observe a patient’s condition and to elicit information through procedures regularly required in a physical examination, such as inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation.

In any case, where a student’s ability to observe or acquire information through these sensory modalities is compromised, the student must demonstrate alternative means and/or abilities to acquire and demonstrate the essential information without reliance upon another person’s interpretation of the information. It is expected that obtaining and using such alternative means and/or abilities shall be the responsibility of the student. The University will reasonably assist the student where necessary.

Communication: The student must be able to effectively and efficiently communicate in the English language using verbal, written, and reading skills, in a manner that demonstrates sensitivity to fellow students, patients, their families, and all members of the health care team.

• A student must be able to accurately elicit information, describe a patient’s change in mood, thought, activity, and posture. Students must demonstrate established communication skills using traditional means which may include the use of assistive devices. 
• The student must be able to communicate complex findings in appropriate terms for patients/caregivers and other members of the health care team.
• A student must be able to communicate clearly and audibly during interactions with classmates, professors, patients, and members of the health care team. 
• A student must be able to receive, write legibly, and interpret written and verbal communication in both clinical and academic settings.
• The student must be able to interpret and record legibly observations in a manner that is efficient and accurate using handwritten and electronic and dictating formats.

Motor: The ability to participate in basic diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers and procedures (e.g. palpation, percussion, auscultation) is required. Students must have sufficient motor function to safely execute movements required to provide care to patients. Students must be able to negotiate patient care environments and must be able to move between settings, such as clinic, classroom building, and hospital. Physical stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous course of didactic and clinical study in required. Long periods of sitting, standing, or moving are required in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences.

The student must be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general and emergency diagnosis and medical care such as airway management, placement of intravenous catheters, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and suturing of wounds. At all times the ability to administer care to patients in a safe manner is paramount.

Intellectual: Students must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize information effectively in a precisely limited time as would be appropriate for the individual’s level of training in a given clinical setting, while under stress, and in an environment in which other distractions may be present. Problem-solving, one of the critical skills demanded on Physician Assistants, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, students should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures.

Students must be able to read and understand medical literature. The student must be able to demonstrate mastery of these skills and the ability to use them together in a timely fashion in medical problem solving and patient care.

The student must be able to, with or without the use of assistive devices, but without reliance on another person, interpret x-ray, and other graphic images and digital or analog representations of physiologic phenomena (such as EKGs).

Behavioral and Social Attributes: Students must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the prompt completion of all academic and patient care responsibilities. The development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and other members of the health care team are essential. Flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills, and the ability to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical practice are required.

Students must function professionally and effectively in any academic or clinical setting. Students must always demonstrate the psychological and emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the prompt completion of all academic and clinical responsibilities.

The student must demonstrate mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with University faculty and professional staff, peers and classmates, patients and other members of the health care team. Flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills, and the ability to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical practice are all required.

For more information on disabilities and accommodation, please contact SWAG��Ƶ Student Access Center at (207) 602-2815.

Grading

Upon completion of a course of study, the faculty member in charge of that course submits the number of hours taught and a grade for each student to the academic coordinator. The M.S.P.A. program uses a standard letter grading system.

Course Add/Drop or Withdrawal Policy

Due to the standard curriculum sequence within the M.S.P.A. program, students are not allowed to add or drop courses. Students may not withdraw from an individual M.S.P.A. course, to do so indicates a complete withdrawal from the MSPA Program.

Repeat Course Policy

Courses in the M.S.P.A. program are offered once per year. All courses within the program must be completed with a minimum final grade of at least 74%. Students must successfully complete each course within a given semester to progress to the next semester. The Program Student Development Committee in association with the program director determines whether or not a course or part of it must be repeated. It may be necessary for the student to await the next time the course is offered in the MSPA Program schedule which may make it necessary for the student to apply for a leave of absence and if granted, return to the program when the course is next offered. 

Upon completion of a repeated course, a new listing and assigned grade are placed on the student's transcript. The original course listing and grade remain on the student's transcript. All courses are listed chronologically on the transcript by semester or academic period in which they are enrolled.

Please refer to the Westbrook College of Health Professions Graduate Progression Policy and Procedures for further information regarding graduate program progression. 

The mission of the program is accomplished by having graduates who meet the goals of the educational process. Graduates of the Physician Assistant Program will:

• Understand the basic sciences of anatomy, physiology, and Pathophysiology and be able to utilize this knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
• Understand the principles of pharmacotherapeutics and to apply them in the treatment of patients.
• Elicit a detailed, accurate history and perform a thorough physical examination.
• Understand how to order and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests in a cost-efficient manner.
• Present patient data and document it appropriately in the medical record.
• Provide quality acute and ongoing patient care by appropriately delineating patient problems and by formulating and implementing patient management plans, including referrals to other healthcare providers and agencies.
• Perform or assist in the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and manage or assist in the management of medical and surgical conditions, particularly in life-threatening situations.
• Understand the principles of public health and incorporate health promotion and disease prevention into a patient care practice.
• Use information technology in the provision of quality healthcare and clinical decision-making.
• Evaluate the medical literature critically and apply this knowledge and the principles of evidence-based medicine to clinical practice.
• Provide compassionate and competent healthcare to patients of all ages and backgrounds.
• Understand the medical and social issues that affect the geriatric patient and provide appropriate management of these problems.
• Counsel patients, their families and their caregivers regarding issues of health, illness and medical care.
• Understand the historical and contemporary role of the physician assistant in the healthcare system.
• Participate effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Understand the principles of patient-oriented healthcare and to communicate clearly with patients.
• Identify the special dynamics of providing healthcare to rural or underserved populations.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior by following the American Academy of Physician Assistants' Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession.

TRANSFER CREDIT

• Transfer credit is not accepted or awarded.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
 

APPLICATION

The SWAG��Ƶ Master of Science, Physician Assistant program participates in the . All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

DEGREE REQUIREMENT

Completion of Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, prior to matriculation.

• All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to . Please see application for additional information and instructions.

GPA REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, as calculated by CASPA (inclusive of all coursework taken with no forgiveness for retakes).
• Minimum Biology, Chemistry, Physics (BCP) GPA of 3.0, as calculated by CASPA.
  - BCP is the standardized GPA calculated by CASPA and includes all completed biology, chemistry, and physics coursework.
• Last 60 credit GPA, as calculated by CASPA, will also be considered.
• All applicants must meet minimum GPA requirements to be considered for admission. However, due to the competitive nature of the program, meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee an interview or acceptance.

PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS

• Science Courses
  • Biology I & II (w/labs; 8 semester or 12 quarter credits)
  • General Chemistry I & II (w/labs; 8 semester or 12 quarter credits)
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology (w/labs; 8 semester or 12 quarter credits)
    • Completed within seven (7) years of matriculation
    • Must include all body systems and encompass a full-year, two-semester sequence or equivalent
    • Combination of courses must consist of both 4 credits of anatomy with lab and 4 credits of physiology with lab OR 8 credits of A&P I & II (both with lab)
    • Animal Physiology/Exercise Physiology will not satisfy the physiology prerequisite
• Other Courses
  • Psychology/Sociology or related behavioral science (6 semester or 9 quarter credits)
  • English (6 semester or 9 quarter credits)
  • Statistics (3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits)
• Recommended Courses
  • Microbiology w/lab **  (highly recommended)
  • Pathophysiology
  • Advanced Physiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Physics

Other Important Prerequisite Coursework Notes:

• All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better (“C minus” grades are not acceptable).
• Prerequisite courses may be in progress or planned at the time of application, although all courses must be completed with official transcripts submitted to CASPA no later than December 31, 2020. All courses must be completed with an official transcript submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission prior to the start of the program.
• Official transcripts for coursework and/or degrees completed in the summer/fall term should be submitted to CASPA for verification during the fall period.
• Official transcripts for coursework and/or degrees completed in the spring term should be submitted directly to SWAG��Ƶ’s Office of Graduate Admission prior to the start of the program.

**For the entering class of 2021:

Microbiology is highly recommended and preference will be given to applications with this successfully completed course as it is indicative of future success in the rigorous PA program. Other recommended courses include: genetics, biochemistry, immunology, cell biology, advanced physiology, and pathophysiology. Added value will be given to applications with these successfully completed recommended courses.

**For the entering class of 2022:

Microbiology will be a required prerequisite course. Added value will be given to applicants that have successfully completed coursework in genetics, biochemistry, immunology, cell biology, advanced physiology, and pathophysiology.

All planned or in-progress coursework should be listed on the CASPA application at the time of application submission; not doing so will result in the applicant not meeting all admissions requirements and therefore will not be eligible for admission review.

Online courses offered through  as well as online courses from other regionally accredited U.S. colleges or universities are acceptable with program approval.

LETTERS OF EVALUATION

Three (3) letters of evaluation are required- submitted via CASPA

• One (1) letter from a clinician (allopathic physician, osteopathic physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse) is required.
• Two (2) letters from other clinicians, supervisors, or co-workers. Letters should be requested from those who can speak to the applicant’s academic abilities and/or professional experiences.
  Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable.

EXPERIENCE HOURS

All experiences should be documented in the CASPA application.

Applicants are required to complete a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care experience:

• Hours can be completed through paid employment or volunteer work.
• Hours completed for academic credit, e.g. internship hours to complete a bachelor’s degree is acceptable.

Preference is given to applicants who have completed 20 hours of Physician Assistant (PA) shadowing prior to the application deadline:

• Shadowing hours must be completed with a licensed PA.
• Shadowing in more than one practice facility and practice area is recommended in order to gain a clear understanding of the PA role within a medical team.
• Shadowing hours do not count toward direct patient care experience hours.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

• Please refer to the CASPA application for a specific writing prompt and additional information.

INTERVIEWS

On-campus interviews are a required part of the application and admission process:

• Qualified applicants will be contacted and invited to interview by the Office of Graduate Admission.
• Interviews are done by invitation only.
• Alternate interviewing modalities (including virtual interviews) may be instituted as necessary to address ongoing public health concerns with COVID-19. The Office of Graduate Admissions will be in touch with any updates, as necessary.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

• Official credential evaluation by , confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be submitted directly to CASPA. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the SWAG��Ƶ website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a SWAG��Ƶ approved English language proficiency test.
• Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the SWAG��Ƶ website for specific information and minimum score requirements.
• Please refer to the CASPA application for test score submission instructions.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Prior to matriculation, accepted and deposited students will be required to complete the following compliance requirements:

• Completion of physical examination with proof of up-to-date immunization status. Please refer to SWAG��Ƶ’s Student Health Center for detailed information.
• Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen prior to matriculation, as well as periodically throughout the program (as required by clinical affiliations).
• All students must have a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification at the time of matriculation. BLS certification status must remain current throughout the duration of the program.
• Proficiency with computer technology strongly recommended.
• All students must be able to meet the Academic and Technical Standards of the Physician Assistant profession.

Note: All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of SWAG��Ƶ and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Due to continuing developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, some application requirements and processes may change during the cycle for the health and safety of the university, its employees, and prospective students/applicants. We appreciate your flexibility and consideration.

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

• Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made on a case by case basis, only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates
• All academic (coursework and degree) and experience requirements presented in this summary are subject to change per accreditation mandates or clinical affiliation requirements

ADVANCED STANDING

• No advanced standing available

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

• No credit awarded for experiential learning

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Lab Fees

A fee is charged to cover the expenses for specific science courses (e.g., anatomy), certain specific course or program components (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), evaluative testing, including the use of high-fidelity simulators, etc.) and an equipment fee for personal medical equipment.

Clinical Fee

The Clinical Fee is dispersed to clinical sites during the student's clinical year. It is an honorarium paid to the clinical site in appreciation for clinical training. While dispersed to clinical sites during the clinical year, to better equalize charges and award financial aid, a portion of the fee is billed to students during both the didactic and clinical year.

Tuition and fees are refunded per SWAG��Ƶ policy. The refund policy can be found in the University Catalog section on Financial Information for Graduate Programs.

Equipment

Students are required to have certain personal medical equipment. This equipment is group purchased (at a significant discount) for each entering Class and the equipment is delivered to students during the first week of the program. Please do not purchase personal medical equipment from sources other than the Program's group purchase.

Books

Students in the didactic phase can plan on spending approximately $1,500 to $2,000 on required textbooks. Course syllabi and the program booklist may also include recommended books which students are not required to purchase but may wish to have as important reference materials. Most of the texts used in the program are available digitally via the SWAG��Ƶ Library's Portal and can be accessed without additional expense.

Other Expenses

Students are responsible for expenses involved with travel, parking, living expenses, and meals.

Student Employment

The program discourages students from having outside employment while attending the PA program. If a student feels that it is necessary to work while in the program, it is advisable that the student inform his/her academic advisor.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office on the Biddeford Campus. Call (207) 602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.

Overview

The Graduate Programs in Public Health are designed to provide foundational skills desirable for professionals engaging in the practice, education, and research of public health.  The MPH program competencies align with the competencies outlined by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) in 2016.  Required and elective courses in the MPH program help students attain these competencies that are at the center of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by emerging leaders in public health.

Major Description

The College of Graduate and Professional Studies offers a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree and a Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GCPH). These programs provide a graduate education to individuals currently working in the public health field, allied health professionals, clinicians, and individuals in the beginning stages of a career in public health. The curriculum is delivered in an online format, with full- and part-time options, and is intentionally flexible and readily applicable to students regardless of where they live.

The Master of Public Health is a 46-credit hour curriculum that develops and enhances skills in a variety of professional areas, including epidemiology, social and behavioral health, program development and evaluation, and public health practice and management. Applied Practice Experience (APE) and Integrative Learning Experience (ILE) are required components of the MPH program. 

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health is an 18-credit hour program that provides students with the core public health courses they need to broaden and enhance their professional knowledge. All courses in the Graduate Certificate in Public Health are also transferable to the MPH degree program.

PROGRAM VISION:

Our graduates will build healthier global communities through informed and collaborative public health practice.

Program Mission:

The Graduate Programs in Public Health are globally accessible programs committed to improving the health and well-being of communities through education, research, and service using a scholar-practitioner model.

Program Goals:

Education

1. Enroll and support qualified and diverse students.
2. Cultivate a learning environment that values diversity and cultural competence.
3. Ensure all graduates possess the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for public health practice.
4. Recruit, retain, and support qualified instructors.

Research

1. Sustain a scholarly research agenda to advance the field of public health.
2. Support scientific inquiry among students.
3. Support a collaborative scholarly environment for students and faculty.

Service

1. Facilitate student and faculty participation in service activities with a public health focus.
2. Identify and support workforce development needs. 

PROGRAM VALUES:

At GPPH, we value and encourage:

• Advocacy
• Collaboration
• Cultural competency
• Diversity
• Integrity
• Transparency
• Service

The Master of Public Health degree program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH),  The Master of Public Health and the Graduate Certificate in Public Health are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health includes the following required courses (18 credits):

The Master of Public Health program includes the following courses (46 credits):

The following required courses (31 credits):

One of the following Advanced Electives (3 credits):

Four of the following electives (12 credits):

APPLIED PRActice experience (APE) and integrative learning experience (ILE)

Competencies

The Graduate Programs in Public Health adopted programmatic competencies that align with the competencies outlined by the Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH) in 2016.  Relevant competencies are listed on each course syllabus. 

In addition, the program has the following program competencies:

1. Synthesize and incorporate scientific evidence into professional writing.
2. Search databases and critically analyze peer-reviewed literature.
3. Develop strategies for qualitative and quantitative data management.
4. Evaluate the use of financial resources and management techniques by public health programs to achieve goals and sustainability.
5. Evaluate the use of technological applications in health interventions.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for completion of and receive the Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GCPH) students must:

• Satisfactorily complete 18 credits of specified course work within three consecutive years.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Have no outstanding financial obligations to the University.

To qualify for completion of and receive the Master of Public Health (MPH) students must:

• Satisfactorily complete 46 credits of specified course work within six consecutive years.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Have no outstanding financial obligations to the University.

Minimum Grade Point Average

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course and will not earn credits. Any student receiving a grade below B- in a required course must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Any student who receives a grade of F in two courses is dismissed from the program.

Graduation

Candidates must fulfill all program requirements and earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to graduate. All students must file an Application to Graduate with the registrar’s office via U-Online. Please access the following link for complete instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions:

Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

• The last day permissible for matriculating graduate students to add a course is the day before the term starts.
• The last day permissible for matriculating graduate students to drop a course is the second day of class.
• For refund information, contact Student Financial Services.

Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing and will receive a “W” on their transcript indicating withdrawal. Students will receive a partial refund if they withdraw from a course within the first or second week. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course. 

Email requests for withdrawals must be submitted from a student’s SWAG��Ƶ e-mail to be considered.

Matriculating students who withdraw after completing more than 2/3 of a course will receive a grade of “WF” (withdrawn failing) or “WP” (withdrawn passing), based on the instructor’s assessment of the student’s current standing in the course. A “WF” is calculated as an “F” in the student’s GPA. Upon successful completion of the course, the new grade will be used to calculate the GPA. Students will be dismissed from their program after two failing grades (including a “WF”).

University Withdrawal

All matriculated students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete notification documentation available from Registration Services. Documentation must be signed by designated academic and administrative authorities.

Audit Policy

A student may, with prior consent of the Program Director or designee, enroll in a course for an audit grade (AU). This must be requested at the time of registration for the course and must be accompanied by signed approval of the instructor and Program Director or designee. This applies to both matriculated and non-matriculated students. Reversal or change of an audit grade is not possible. Once enrolled for AU the grade becomes permanent on a student's academic record. The student who wishes later to be graded for such a course must re-enroll in and pay for graded credit. In auditing a course, the student is expected to complete all lectures and discussion boards, but is not permitted to submit course work for evaluation, take examinations, receive grades, or earn credit. Auditing a course does not count toward enrollment status (i.e. part-time, full-time, etc.) and therefore cannot be considered for financial aid purposes, veteran's benefits, etc.

Academic Integrity Policy

The SWAG��Ƶ values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

1.      Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.

2.      Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.

3.      Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.

4.      Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.

5.      Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final.  Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in The College of Graduate and Professional Studies Student Handbook.

Student Access Center

The Student Access Center works to ensure that the University promotes respect for individual differences and that no person who meets the academic and technical standards needed for admission and continued enrollment at SWAG��Ƶ is denied benefits or subjected to discrimination due to a disability. Toward this end, and in conjunction with federal and state laws, the University provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is highly valued by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.  Many courses within the College feature experiential-learning components. However, at this time, no credit will be awarded to students for purely experiential learning experiences undertaken in lieu of coursework.

Transfer Credit

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three 3-credit courses (maximum of nine credits) into the MPH program or up to two 3-credit courses (maximum of six credits) into the Graduate Certificate in Public Health program.

To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to, and will be granted at the discretion of, the Program Director.

Transfer courses must

• Be classified as graduate level
• Be from a CEPH accredited institution
• Have been taken within five years of application 
• Have been completed with a grade of “B” or better
• Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education

Individuals who earned a Graduate Certificate in Public Health from the SWAG��Ƶ within the last five years may apply for admission to the MPH program and request that all courses be accepted.  Current GCPH students, who are in good standing, may apply to the MPH program at any time during the certificate program by requesting a "change of major" with their Student Support Specialist.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor’s degree or above from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See  for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Demonstrated academic ability to succeed in graduate level work as evidenced by consistent academic performance in science and math courses.
  Please note: In lieu of college-level courses in either, students may submit GRE subject test scores in mathematics or science.
• Computer with Internet connection, including the hardware and software requirements described on the  page. Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the Internet as all classes are accessed 100% online.

Application Process

• Completed online application: http://go.une.edu/apply
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statements
• Two completed Applicant Recommendation Forms
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a bachelor’s degree or above from a regionally accredited institution.  All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

Note:  Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought.  The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.​

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admission are accepted through SWAG��Ƶ’s online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration.  Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution.  See .
• All applicants to SWAG��Ƶ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university.  SWAG��Ƶ accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see  
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language () are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application. 

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the  website

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

The Graduate Programs in Public Health and the GPPH Admissions Committee reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include course textbooks. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available upon request from the Financial Aid Office. Call (207) 602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.

The mission of the Science Prerequisites for Health Professions program is to provide rigorous courses that help non-matriculated students develop a strong understanding of the content, oral and written communication skills, and critical and innovative thinking skills that provide the foundation for entry into, and successful completion of, graduate programs, particularly in the health sciences.

The Science Prerequisites for the Health Professions (SPHP) program is primarily for students who have completed a baccalaureate degree and wish to enter a graduate program, but lack the necessary prerequisite courses. Many students enrolled in these courses will be working professionals. Students may enroll in SPHP courses at any time and from almost anywhere in the world.  The courses are designed to be completed in 16 weeks, but they are self-paced, so students may complete the courses at an accelerated pace in order to meet their personal academic needs.

All of the courses in the SPHP program are included in SWAG��Ƶ's regional accreditation by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), the highest standard of academic accreditation possible.

Many institutions accept these courses, but we encourage you to check with specific schools to verify that the courses are transferrable before you apply and/or register.

For more information on the courses offered within the SPHP program, including prerequisites, registration information, and a description of laboratory components, please call 1 (855) 325-0894 or email prehealth@une.edu.

Course Length

1. Courses in the SPHP program are equivalent to one-semester courses, designed to be completed in 16 weeks.
2. Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens, which is listed in the Academic Calendar found on the SPHP Webpage.

Upon completion of a course, the course instructor submits a grade for each student. Students can typically request an official transcript within 5-7 days after completing the course.

Technology requirements may differ by course. Please email prehealth@une.edu regarding technology requirements for a specific course.

Students take proctored exams online using Proctor U. This requires the student to allow an online proctor remote access to the student's computer. SWAG��Ƶ holds academic integrity in the highest regard, so exams that are not proctored in their entirety are not credited.  For instructions on creating an account and testing your equipment, please visit . For detailed information about the mandatory, SWAG��Ƶ-approved webcam and whiteboard needed for all proctored exams, please visit the .

Withdrawal from the Course and Refunds

To withdraw from a course, please go to the University Registrar website and complete the withdrawal form under "Science Prerequisite Course Forms." All correspondence with the SWAG��Ƶ Registrar's office must be from your SWAG��Ƶ email address. Please complete all sections of the withdrawal form, including your PRN, the CRN, course subject, and number (Example: ANAT 1005). This action will result in a W grade for the course. For withdrawal deadlines, please refer to the academic calendar. Please direct any questions about this process to the Student Service Advisory Team at prehealth@une.edu.

Refund POLICY

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Students may enter the program at any time, as long as they meet the prerequisites for the individual courses. They may take as many courses as needed to meet the prerequisite requirements for the health professions program to which they are applying, but they are encouraged to limit enrollment to a maximum of two courses simultaneously. For students wishing to take more than two courses at a time, please email a Student Service Advisor at prehealth@une.edu or call 1 (855) 325-0894. 

We do not accept any type of financial aid or payment plan at this time, with the exception of military assistance. Students are expected to make payment in full at the time of checkout.

Vision

The SWAG��Ƶ School of Social Work envisions a world where social workers are at the forefront of advocating with individuals and communities for human dignity and social inclusion by mobilizing efforts to end inequities, exploitation, and violence. 

Mission

The mission of the School of Social Work is to provide transformative and collaborative learning that embraces the values of social inclusion and promotes enhanced quality of life for individuals and communities. 

Values

Our values promote social inclusion¹ conceptualized as actions taken to improve quality of life, access to equitable resources, enhancement of human bonds within the context of cultural diversity, and engagement of people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society. Towards this end:

• We promote culturally informed practice that is respectful of the complexity and diversity of people’s lives and circumstances.
• We recognize that social exclusion prevents people from full and just participation in their communities as a consequence of inequities, discrimination, and disadvantage arising from adversity in early life and continuing across the life course.
• We practice social responsibility by raising public awareness of social exclusion, challenging discrimination and acting with and on behalf of groups, populations, and communities.
• We support person-centered collaborative practices and partnerships that bring together diverse workers and community members to meet the best interests of individuals, families, and groups.

¹“The process of improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of people, disadvantaged on the basis of their identity, to take part in society.” (2013, World Bank Publication)

References:

The School of Social Work prepares people for advanced professional practice and is accredited to offer the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree by the Council on Social Work Education. M.S.W. graduates learn to understand the potential for individual and collective human development when people live with dignity and social justice; to identify people's strengths across diverse populations and how to build upon them; to understand the multiple social, cultural, political and economic factors influencing the design, development, and evaluation of social policies and programs; to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out multiple social work interventions consistent with the School's mission and the profession's ethics; and to develop intervention strategies that empower individuals, families, groups, or communities.

The M.S.W. degree offers graduates the opportunity to play active roles in health and mental health, alcohol and substance abuse, poverty, and public welfare, women's and children's services, domestic violence, homelessness, corrections, applied arts and social justice and other emerging areas of service delivery. The program prepares graduates to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in an array of settings and with diverse populations. The values and commitments embedded in the School's Mission Statement permeate our work in every area.

Program Goals

Prepare competent master-level professional social workers who at every system level provide leadership to:

• Promote social inclusion to enable people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society.
• Create person-centered collaborative and sustainable relationships across diverse communities and practice settings.
• Develop and apply ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based on social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. 

These goals are integrated into the social work curriculum. Through their presence in courses, fieldwork internships, and internal School governance we bring our mission statement to life.

The School of Social Work at the SWAG��Ƶ is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education to offer the master's degree in social work.

Students in the campus-based program option can complete their M.S.W. in 2-years as a traditional full-time student or in 3-4 years as a part-time student. Students who have graduated from an accredited B.S.W. program can apply for Advanced Standing and complete their M.S.W. in just 1 year (full time) or 2 years (part-time). Students can take hybrid courses as part of the campus-based program option. Select M.S.W. courses are offered in a hybrid format that blends online learning with classroom experiences within the individual courses. Campus-based hybrid courses meet once every third week and the remainder of the course material is taught online. Hybrid courses are not to be confused with the online M.S.W. option. It is not possible for students to take both online courses via online program option and campus-based courses via campus-based program option at the same time.  Hybrid courses are offered as part of the campus-based option only. 

M.S.W students are required to complete 64 credit hours of graduate course study.  Additionally, students are required to complete two separate Field Placements (internships) that consists of four semesters of supervised practice in approved social work settings; each semester includes 280 hours of practice experience (~18-20 hrs/wk).  Advanced Standing students complete 35 credit hours and 1 field placement consisting of 2 semesters. Advanced standing students coming directly from SWAG��Ƶ’s B.S.W. program do not need to take the 3 credit bridge course and therefore complete the program in 35 credit hours (including the 3 credit bridge course) and 1 field placement consisting of 2 semesters. 

Integrated Clinical Practice Specialization (ICPS)

SWAG��Ƶ offers one specialization track, the Integrated Clinical Practice Specialization (ICPS), and three certificate options* in Applied Arts and Social Justice, Trauma-Informed Practice, or Training in Diversity and Aging (TRIAD**).  Certificates are integrated into the ICPS and completed within the required credit course structure (see individual certificate pages for more detail).

*Certificates are offered as part of the campus-based program option

**TRIAD certificate comes with $10,000 stipend

The ICPS curriculum is designed to provide an integrated generalist foundation and advanced skills for integrated clinical social work practice in a variety of settings:

Generalist Year

Generalist social work courses emphasize an integrated social work perspective involving the social context and its impact on social policy, programs, and the social work profession. Courses include Human Behavior and the Social Environment I and II; Social Work Research and Action Research for Social Work Practice; Social Work Policy and Advocacy; Social Work Practice I and II; Social Work Practice with Groups; and Field Integrating Seminars I and II. In addition, students spend 560 hours in a field setting, which permits students another learning mode through placements in social agencies and programs with structured on-site professional supervision.

Specialization Year

Specialization social work courses prepare students for a wide range of advanced practice roles.  Students glean clinical skills necessary for advanced social work practice with individuals, families, and groups, while they can also take advanced courses in policy and program development, administration, supervision, political advocacy, community practice, and evaluation. 

The Integrated Clinical Practice Specialization (ICPS) is taught within a framework based in social work values of social inclusion, anti-oppression, and contextualizes human experience with consideration to social determinants of health and well-being.  The student experience is enriched by a diverse selection of practice relevant electives and through shared learning with students from other health professions and the humanities. Students learn skills to translate practice knowledge into work in organizations and communities. The ICPS prepares graduates for professional leadership positions within their communities and beyond.  

Graduation Requirements

Students must successfully complete all courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 prior to graduation and fulfill all curriculum requirements.

Graduates of the SWAG��Ƶ SSW will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:

1. Practice social inclusion to enable people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society, enhance human bonds in the context of cultural diversity and ensure improved quality of life and equitable resource distribution.
2. Engage in culturally-informed relationship building respectful of the complexity and diversity of contexts and circumstances. 
3. Utilize theories of human behavior, social systems, and social inclusion when offering interventions with people and their environments. 
4. Promote ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based on social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. 
5. Balance the roles of helpers, activists, and advocates through collaboration with communities to build healthy and sustainable resources. 
6. Engage as critical consumers and producers of research and evaluation applied to clinical and community practices. 
7. Practice person-centered and collaborative community partnerships across diverse settings. 

TRANSFER CREDIT

• Petitions for transfer credits for graduate social work courses to be submitted at the time of acceptance to the School of Social Work
  • Up to nine (9) credits may be transferred for courses completed with a minimum grade of “B” and equivalent to SWAG��Ƶ SSW foundation courses
  • P/F courses will not be accepted for transfer credit 
  • No course electives nor courses from programs outside of social work will be considered for transfer credit
  • All courses to have been completed within seven (7) years of anticipated enrollment in the School
• Applicants petitioning for transfer credits must include the following
• Professional statement to include reasons for requesting transfer to the SWAG��Ƶ School of Social Work
• A syllabus for each course being submitted for transfer credit
• Transfer students required to adhere to the degree-requirement progression plan in effect at the time of your admission (Note: Individualized provisions may, at times, increase the total credit hours required for graduation from the School of Social Work)
• SSW reserves the right to require transfer students to enroll in SSW 526 Integrating Clinical\Community Frameworks as part of their progression plan
• Consideration of transfer credit beyond nine (9) credits and 7-year matriculation may be considered on a case by case basis at the time of admission

EXPERIENTIAL CREDIT

• Academic credit is not given for life experiences or previous work experience

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Master of Social Work Advanced Standing Program (Campus-based) - specific application information can be found towards the bottom of this page.

APPLICATION

The SWAG��Ƶ School of Social Work participates in the . All applicants are required to apply online through this service.

DEGREE REQUIREMENT

Completion of Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, prior to matriculation.

• All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly to . Please see the application for additional information and instructions.
• Applicants who have not yet completed a Bachelor’s degree must submit a current official transcript. Accepted and deposited students will also be required to submit a final official transcript showing undergraduate degree conferral.

GPA REQUIREMENT

• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is preferred.

LETTERS OF REFERENCE

Two (2) letters of reference are required* – submitted via GradCAS

• Letters should come from writers who can speak to your academic abilities and/or professional experiences.

*Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable.

EXPERIENCE HOURS

• All experiences can be documented in the GradCAS application.
• All applicants should provide evidence of work or volunteer experience working with people in a human service environment.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

• All applicants are required to demonstrate graduate-level writing skills.
• Please refer to the GradCAS application for specific writing prompts and additional information.

RESUME

• A current resume or CV is required and should be uploaded directly to your GradCAS application.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants and those with foreign degrees and coursework are required to satisfy the following additional requirements:

• Official credential evaluation by , confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree. The completed credential evaluation should be sent directly to GradCAS. Please refer to the International Admissions section of the SWAG��Ƶ website for more information on the type of credential evaluation required for admission review.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate written and spoken fluency through the successful completion of a SWAG��Ƶ approved English language proficiency test.
• Applicants should refer to the English Language Proficiency page on the SWAG��Ƶ website for specific information and minimum score requirements.
• Please refer to the GradCAS application for test score submission instructions.

ADVANCED STANDING MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK (M.S.W.) PROGRAM

The advanced standing M.S.W. program can be completed through one (1) year of full-time or two (2) years of part-time enrollment.

Applicants are required to meet all the requirements listed above for the traditional M.S.W. track, as well as the following additional requirements/documents:

• Submission of an official transcript reflecting conferral of a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree from a CSWE accredited B.S.W. program, preferably within the last seven (7) years.
• Completion of coursework equivalent to SWAG��Ƶ’s Foundation courses at the undergraduate level with a “B” or better is strongly preferred.
• Evidence of significant experience in the human services field with M.S.W. supervision. Please submit copies of field evaluations and verification of completed field hours as part of your application.
• One (1) recommendation letter from a faculty member within your previous B.S.W. program who can speak to your academic abilities (this can serve as one of the required letters or recommendation).

Note: All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of SWAG��Ƶ and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

Due to continuing developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, some application requirements and processes may change during the cycle for the health and safety of the university, its employees, and prospective students/applicants. We appreciate your flexibility and consideration.

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

• Policies have been established to ensure fair and consistent admissions practice for all applicants
• All criteria presented in this summary are subject to change per professional accreditation requirements, changes in curriculum or other institutional standards, and clinical affiliation requirements
• Exceptions to existing admission policies are rare and made on a case by case basis, only when it is deemed necessary and appropriate to maintain fair and consistent practice for all candidates, not individual candidates

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Principles

Social work education requires simultaneous acquisition of theory and social work practice skills and is a competency-based education that rests upon a shared and accepted view of the nature of competence in professional practice. Social work competence is the ability to integrate and apply social work knowledge, values, and skills to practice situations in a purposeful, intentional, and professional manner to promote human and community well-being. (Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), 2015) 

The essential technical standards presented are required for subsequent promotion from year-to-year, and ultimately graduating from the SWAG��Ƶ (SWAG��Ƶ) with either a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) or a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree. These standards pertain to all students enrolled in either the online or on-campus M.S.W. program at SWAG��Ƶ.   

SWAG��Ƶ’s social work faculty is committed to fostering relationships with its students that encourage personal and professional growth. Its policies and procedures attempt to reflect this commitment to proactive and supportive communication. At the same time, it is imperative that all students recognize that the primary responsibility for a successful SSW education, both in and out of the classroom, rests with the student. 

All students, including students with disabilities, must have the capacity to manage their lives and anticipate their own needs. Situations can arise in which a student’s behavior and attitudes resulting from a disability or other personal circumstances present a problem which impairs the student’s ability to meet the standards set forth, even after reasonable accommodations have been considered and, if appropriate, made by the program, all students must still meet the requirements set forth by the program.  

All applicants, regardless of disability, will be held to the same admission standards, and all enrolled students, regardless of disability, will be held to the same academic standards, understanding that all properly submitted requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered. 

Students are expected to maintain these academic and technical standards in all online, on-campus, and SWAG��Ƶ-sponsored off-campus activities, including clinical and fieldwork experiences and relevant community service. 

Academic Program Standards

All students must complete all Social Work program requirements and receive a passing grade in all courses and practicums to be eligible for graduation. The graduating M.S.W. student must have a cumulative grade point average of a 3.0 or better. In order to progress in the program, B.S.W. students must have a “C” or better in PSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology, SOC 150 - Introduction to Sociology, and SSW 200 – Introduction to Social Work. B.S.W. students must also receive a “C” or better in PSY 205 – Abnormal Psychology, PSY 250 – Lifespan Development, PUB 300 – Global Health, and all social work courses. B.S.W. students are given two chances to earn a “C” or better in their required coursework.

Technical Standards

Throughout the program, students are expected to maintain the technical standards set forth and demonstrate them online and in face-to-face interactions; this includes in their classroom comportment, written and oral products, and interactions with peers and faculty; in service-learning settings, and in their field practicum and other professional experiences. Student behaviors that fail to demonstrate these standards while in the program will be reviewed and appropriate action (e.g., remediation, counseling, or dismissal) will be taken. Because this expectation is separate from academic achievement, simply maintaining a GPA is not sufficient. 

Ethics

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics outlines explicit standards for professional conduct. All students are required to acquire their own copy of the “Code of Ethics”, and are subsequently responsible for reading, understanding, and following all Ethical Principals and Ethical Standards as outlined.  

Indicators of Concern

• Violation of NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws or policies

Respect for Diversity and Social Justice

SWAG��Ƶ SSW students are expected to 

• Exhibit a willingness to relate and work nonjudgmentally across difference with others.
• Demonstrate knowledge of, and sensitivity to: diversity, oppression, and privilege, including a willingness to examine personal beliefs, values and assumptions that perpetuate oppression.
• Understanding that members of the social work profession must serve all persons in need of assistance, regardless of the person’s age, class, race, gender, religious affiliation, physical or cognitive ability level, sexual orientation, background, or value system.
• Demonstrate an interest in different cultural perspectives and circumstances and acknowledge diversity.
• Demonstrate the ability to solicit and identify quality sources of feedback, reflect on, and integrate the feedback, learn from mistakes and failures. And provide meaningful feedback to others (e.g. appropriately discussing and supporting diversity, be responsive to feedback and constructive criticism regarding professional behavior and attitude, and understand the seriousness of academic and disciplinary warnings).  

Indicators of Concern

• Violation of NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws, or policies.
• Use of discriminatory language or stereotypes.
• Inability to recognize the impact of their own personal values and behaviors on their relationship with others.
• Discriminatory behavior or harassment towards others on the basis of race, gender, age sexual orientation, disability, religion, etc.

Communication

Communication includes speech, language, reading, writing, computer literacy, body language, and other, non-verbal ques. 

SWAG��Ƶ SSW students are expected to

• Ensure that all their communication is timely, respectful*, with speech free from bias, discriminatory language or stereotyping and responsive to the requests of faculty, field instructors, peers, clients, collaterals, potential and current practicum sites, and associated personnel, and to the School, College, and University as a whole.      
• To read all communications posted by the School of Social Work (SSW) and are responsible for staying abreast of current and ongoing information pertinent to their roles as graduate and professional students.   
• Advocate for themself in an ethical, direct, respectful, and responsible manner using SSW and agency-specific channels for conflict management.
• Demonstrate respect for the privacy of their clients; refrain from gathering information about clients from online sources without the client’s consent (i.e. googling client history, accessing client social media); photographing clients; or publishing client information on social media.
• Follow relevant laws, field education agency policy, NASW Code of Ethics (1.07) pertaining to social media and in use of technology in all aspects of service delivery.
• Maintain awareness of how personal communications using social media could affect professional relationships with clients, colleagues, and agencies.
• That their written assignments demonstrate: good spelling, appropriate use of punctuation, clear structure, paragraphing, good organization, follows logical sequence. Consistent use of APA style.

Indicators of Concern

• Violation of NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws, or policies.
• Use of discriminatory language or stereotypes.
• Written work is frequently vague, shows difficulty in expressing ideas clearly and concisely.
• Student has many errors in the areas of spelling, punctuation, structure, etc. and does not make effort to show improvement.
• Appears to have plagiarized the work of others.
• Demonstrating disrespectful behavior to self or others.
• Communication is not reciprocated in a timely manner.
• Public use of social media which depicts self or others in ways that may be viewed as unprofessional or disrespectful
  • Respectful communication is partially explained in the NASW’s “Code of Ethics”:  Social Workers treat each person, in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity...(pg. 5) 
  • 2. 2.0.2 Respect a) Social workers should treat colleagues with respect and should represent accurately and fairly the qualifications, views, and obligations of colleagues.  b) Social Workers should avoid unwarranted negative criticism of colleagues in verbal, written, and electronic communications with clients or with other professionals. Unwarranted negative criticism may include demeaning comments that refer to colleagues’ level of competence, or to individuals'’ attributes such as race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, and mental or physical ability. C) Social workers should cooperate with social work colleagues and with colleagues of other professions when such cooperation serves the well-being of clients. (pg. 18) 

Intellectual

SWAG��Ƶ SSW students are expected to

• Effectively solve problems students must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, comprehend, integrate, and synthesize information from the clinical, natural, and social sciences in a timely fashion.
• Have the ability to use computers for searching, recording, storing, and retrieving information.
• Specialization year students must have the ability to use critical analysis to understand theory, research, literature, and principles that apply to social work practice and to apply inductive and deductive clinical reasoning to solve complex patient or client problems as necessary. 
• M.S.W. students must be able to provide a reasoned explanation for likely intervention.
• Students must be able to recall and retain information in an efficient and timely manner.
• Students must have the ability to incorporate new information from peers, teachers, and literature in formulating treatment plans is essential. 

Indicators of Concern

• Limited or no access to computer and/or the internet
• Inability to reasonably explain interventions used for treatment
• Limited ability to incorporate feedback and information from peers, teachers and literature from the field.
• Inability to problem solve without intervention from a faculty or supervisor.

Openness and Willingness to Learn

SWAG��Ƶ SSW students are expected to

• Demonstrate an openness to learning new ideas and perspectives.
• As required by the demands of professional practice, be flexible and adaptable in new situations and as circumstances change.
• Assume the stance of learning with humility (e.g. avoid relying solely on current or past professional or personal experiences to inform your decision-making in the field and in the classroom).
• Demonstrate a willingness to effectively communicate your learning needs.

Indicators of Concern

• ·       Monopolizes class discussion(s).
• ·       Constantly complains about class workload to the point that it impedes the class process.
• ·       Uses classroom tools, such as the discussion board, to make personal complaints or to lobby for personal issues.
• Creates conflict which impedes leaning and/or building effective relationships.
• Uncooperative or unwilling to participate in class or practicum activities.
• Consistently late on assignments.
• Consistently late to practicum site.
• Does not sign into Blackboard as frequently as expected or is late or leaves class early.
• Disruptive to the learning environment.
• Uses derogatory language or makes demeaning remarks.
• Unable or unwilling to accept feedback.
• Responds in a defensive manner.
• Consistently argumentative.
• Academic misconduct.
• Takes little initiative in exploring areas of learning growth.

Professional and Behavioral Conduct

Each SSW student enrolled at SWAG��Ƶ is expected to 

• Behave in responsible, reliable and dependable manner (e.g. manage time well; be on time for class; be on time for assignments, meetings, and appointments; plan ahead and follow through with commitments; cooperate with person(s) in charge of programs; and take responsibility for absences or missed assignment(s). 
• Provide notice to faculty and/or person(s) in charge of programs when not able to follow through with commitments including assignments, class attendance and participation, and other responsibilities required by the program.
• Demonstrate personal integrity, honesty, and self-discipline (e.g. be consistent and truthful, to show appropriate personal control; take on tasks that they can manage; be honest in reports and self-evaluations).  
• Project a professional image, both online and in-person, in manner, dress, grooming, speech, and interpersonal relationships. 
• Recognize their personal limitations and biases, whether they are intellectual, physical or emotional, and to strive to overcome them.  
• Demonstrate the professional and emotional maturity to manage tensions and conflicts which occur among professional, personal, and family responsibilities, seeking professional help if necessary (e.g. acknowledge the conflict with all parties and work to resolve misunderstandings; get needed help from student support, tutors, counselors, learning assistance professionals and other qualified persons; show ability to prioritize appropriately one’s personal, professional, and academic expectations and activities).  
• Demonstrate the ability to exercise sound judgment and to function under pressure (e.g. request help when needed and to avoid endangering others; respect the difference between a licensed social worker and a social worker in training; remain focused on the task at hand; remember that as an SSW student 
• they are representing SWAG��Ƶ SSW and the social work profession to the greater community at large.) 
• Demonstrate compassion and respect towards others (e.g. work cooperatively with differences and diversity in personalities and in cultural backgrounds as well as with differences in social and in economic status; and respect the privacy and individual choice of others).  
• Demonstrate consistent respect for administrators, faculty, staff, students of the University, as well as all personnel associated with current or potential practicum sties, clients, patients, families, and collaterals.  
• Familiarize themselves with the policies and procedures of field sites for their clinical or fieldwork placements and to act in accordance with those guidelines. Students should refer to the relevant policies of the specific institution and/or consult with clinical field instructors or supervisors.  
• Be informed of, and follow all Federal and State laws and agency policies regarding confidentiality and mandatory reporting.
• Demonstrate the ability to solicit and identify quality sources of feedback, reflect on and integrate the feedback, learn from mistakes and failures. 

Indicators of Concerns

• Violation of NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws or policies
• Creates conflict which impedes leaning and/or building effective relationships. 
• Uses classroom tools, such as the discussion board, to make personal complaints or to lobby for personal issues.
• Uncooperative or unwilling to participate in class or practicum activities.
• Consistently late on assignments.
• Consistently late to practicum site.
• Does not sign into Blackboard as frequently as expected or is late or leaves class early.
• Disruptive to the learning environment.
• Uses derogatory language or makes demeaning remarks.
• ·Difficulty in listening (e.g. overly sensitive, externalizes blame, distorts communication).
• Unable or unwilling to accept feedback.
• Responds in a defensive manner.
• Consistently argumentative.
• Monopolizes class discussion(s).
• Constantly complains about class workload to the point that it impedes the class process.
• Unwilling or unable to develop an understanding of people different from oneself.
• Inability to separate their personal values from professional values and responsibilities.
• Inability to recognize the impact of their own personal values and behaviors on their relationship with others.
• Discriminatory behavior or harassment towards others on the basis of race, gender, age sexual orientation, disability, religion, etc.
• Physical action directed at clients, faculty, staff, colleagues, or fellow students.
• Academic misconduct.
• Takes little initiative in exploring areas of learning growth.

Self-Understanding

SWAG��Ƶ SSW students are expected to

• Use self-disclosure appropriately (e.g. student seems to have an insight and self-awareness, and has resolved the issue they are sharing).
• Appear to be able to handle discussion of uncomfortable topics.
• Deal appropriately with issues that arouse emotions.
• Demonstrate an awareness of one’s own personal limits and biases.
• Understands the effect of one’s own behavior on others.
• Seeks supervision and feedback from others.
• Willing to examine, assess, and reconcile (if need be) the relationship between their own personal values and their alignment with the profession's ethics as outlined in NASW’s Code of Ethics.

Indicators of Concern

• When engaged in self-disclosure, the student appears to be working through unresolved issues and/or avoiding client issues.
• The student appears to overreact to or resent feedback (e.g. takes it personally).
• Appears unwilling or unable to control emotional reactions.
• Verbal or physical threats directed towards clients, faculty, staff, coworkers, or students.
• Demonstrates impaired judgment, decision-making, or problem-solving skills.
• Consistent failure to demonstrate ability to form effective client/social worker relationship.

Reasonable Accommodations

• Are intended to provide students with disabilities equal access to the University’s programs and services while upholding the academic, clinical, and technical standards of the M.S.W. program.
• Are provided only to the extent that such accommodation does not fundamentally alter the academic and/or technical standards of the B.S.W. or M.S.W. program or interfere with the rights of other students.
• Do not exempt B.S.W. or M.S.W. students from completing certain tasks deemed essential.
• Are considered on a case-by-case basis and determined by the SWAG��Ƶ Student Access Center in consultation with SSW faculty through the University’s accommodations application process.

Continued Enrollment Requirements

• HIPPA: Students must be in compliance with SWAG��Ƶ HIPAA requirements to attend practicum.  
• Background checks: Practicum sites may request background checks. Information obtained in background checks may inhibit students from completing generalist or advanced field practicums and thus may delay or hinder graduation. The university does not pay for these checks. 
• Drug Screening: Practicum sites may request drug screens. Information obtained in drug screens may inhibit students from completing generalist or advanced field practicums and thus may delay or hinder graduation. The university does not pay for these tests. 
• Transportation: All students must provide their own transportation to practicum sites and interviews. Students must be willing to travel a reasonable distance for their practicum. 
• Technology: Students enrolled in the online M.S.W. program are .