Standards

Accomodations

Statement on Accommodations

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, LSUHSC School of Public Health instructors must make reasonable accommodations for students who have physical, mental, or learning disabilities.

Responsibilities of the Student

Upon acceptance to the School of Public Health, students are required to submit a Notification of Disability if accommodations are needed. Once the final documentation has been approved, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the course directors of the approved accommodations as noted by the Office of Disability Services.

Accomodations Procedures

• Self-disclose to the Office of Disability Services
• Submit appropriate documentation from a licensed professional evaluator or medical professional. Documentation must include the following: 
  • Specific diagnosis
  • Detailed testing results
  • Current functional limitations
  • Evidence of any past accommodations or medications
  • Recommendations for academic accommodations
  • Credentials of the professional
• Once the final documentation has been approved, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the course directors of the approved accommodations as noted by the Office of Disability Services.
  • Students should submit this information to each course director within one week of the course start date during each semester he/she is enrolled in the SPH.
  • If student and course director do not agree on the accommodations then they should contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the LSUHSC ADA liaison.
• If the diagnosis is not confirmed, the student will be denied accommodation in writing.

Accomodations Guidelines

• Accommodations are not official unless they have been created through the Office of Disability Services
• Accommodations are not retroactive; they are active once a plan has been created through this office and disclosed to faculty
• Documentation and diagnosis information will remain completely confidential
• The Office of Disability Services reserves the right to request more documentation if documentation submitted is deemed dated or insufficient; documentation needs to be current within the last three (3) years

Responsibilities of Faculty

The following should appear on the course syllabus:

A student who qualifies for special academic accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act must notify the course director so that appropriate arrangements may be made.  The student must complete the Notification of Disability form and email it to the course director within one week of the course start date.

Faculty members are to make reasonable course-related accommodations for qualified persons as prescribed by the appropriate healthcare provider described above and certified by the Office of Disability Services. These may include, but are not limited to:

• allowing extended, but not unlimited, time for completion of examinations;
• allowing examinations to be written in a quiet, low-stimulus environment;
• permitting the use of dictionaries during in-class writing assignment;
• using alternative methods to assess mastery of course content (e.g., narrative tape instead of  journals);
• allowing papers to be proofread for spelling and grammatical errors (stating who can proofread);
• providing specially trained tutors for course content;
• using computer software to assist in the completion of assignments (e.g., spell check,
• computer-based adaptive devices);
• allowing the use of taped materials and resources to assist the student in reading, listening, and speaking;
• allowing students to dictate essays to a scribe.

Academic Standards

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

All undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 2.5 or higher to be considered in good standing and permitted to graduate. 

The School of Public Health requires a grade of C or higher in all course work. If the student earns a lower grade, the student must repeat the course and achieve a grade of C or higher.

If a student’s CGPA falls below 2.5, he/she will be placed on academic probation.  The probationary period is one semester during which time the student must return to good standing by raising his/her CGPA to a 2.5. The student must develop a plan with his/her academic advisor to raise their CGPA.  Failure to meet the CGPA requirement will result in the dismissal of the student at the discretion of the Program and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Students on academic probation are not eligible for graduation.  Probationary status is not recorded on transcripts or elsewhere in the student’s permanent academic record.

Graduate Programs

All graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 3.0 or higher to be considered in good standing and permitted to graduate. 

The School of Public Health requires a grade of C or higher in all course work. If the student earns a lower grade, the student must repeat the course and achieve a grade of C or higher.

Master of Public Health (also includes all joint degree MPH programs)

If a student’s cumulative grade point average CGPA falls below 3.0, he/she will be placed on academic probation.  The probationary period is one semester during which time the student must return to good standing by raising his/her CGPA to a 3.0. The student must develop a plan with the academic advisor to raise their CGPA.  Failure to meet the CGPA requirement will result in the dismissal of the student at the discretion of the Program and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Students on academic probation are not eligible for graduation.  Probationary status is not recorded on transcripts or elsewhere in the student’s permanent academic record.

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

The Academic Programs, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Dean of the School of Public Health review the qualitative and quantitative academic progress of each student. A student may be dropped from a Program at any time when academic progress is judged inadequate. A student may be permitted to remediate upon the recommendation of the student’s Program and concurrence by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Dean. Such a student is considered to be making satisfactory academic progress.