Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology policies

Graduate Catalog: Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Policies

The Augustana College Catalog is currently under construction. What follows are the policies that pertain directly to the MS-SLP program that will be inserted into Augustana College's official catalog.

Academic departments and divisions

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program is housed in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department, which is in the Social Sciences Division.

Transfer credit for Speech-Language Pathology program

A student may transfer up to a maximum of six semester hours of post-baccalaureate credit into the master’s program subject to approval of the program and the college. Students seeking transfer credit should contact the Graduate Program Director for approval. Students should retain syllabi and other course materials to assist in determining suitability of graduate work completed elsewhere.

Academic accommodations

If you are a student who has a documented disability, or had academic accommodations in high school or at another institution of higher learning, you may be eligible for services. Services are coordinated through Augustana’s Office of Disability Services in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Augustana College is committed to equity, access, and inclusion for all students. Students can meet with the director of Disability Services located on the third floor of the Tredway Library in Office 314.

English Language Proficiency

Admission into the MS-SLP program: The MS-SLP program will use the same English proficiency standards as Augustana College (i.e., minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the written test or 80 on the internet test, or IELTS minimum of 6.5; writing sample; telephone interview).

Admission into Internal and External Clinical Placements for English Language Learners: Any student who meets the minimum qualifications for internal clinical placement, as demonstrated by meeting the Essential Functions, may participate in the clinical practicum experience. Some externship sites may have additional requirements and as long as they are met, any student, regardless of cultural, linguistic, or individual diversity, will be considered for placement.

Student Retention Policies/Procedures for English Language Learners: Student academic or clinical intervention plans will be followed for students who struggle in academic and/or clinical aspects of the graduate program. These procedures will be followed for all students.

Proficiency in English: Students who demonstrate challenges in the MS-SLP program that are related to English proficiency will be offered ongoing support, when possible, through their academic advisor, instructors, and clinical supervisors. If additional support is needed for the student to maintain minimum academic or clinic standards, additional College resources also may be accessed including assistance from the Office of International Student Life or the Learning Commons that employs tutors who are familiar with procedures to assist students whose primary language is other than English.

The Center Director will be responsible for enforcement of policies and procedures related to clinical practicum and the Department Chair/MS-SLP Program Director will be responsible for the enforcement of policies and procedures related to academic, graduate admissions, and advising matters.

Advising

Each graduate student will be assigned an academic advisor with whom they will meet individually at least one time per semester. During these formal advising meetings, academic advisors will monitor students’ academic and clinical progress using the Program Evaluation tracking program; review progress toward college and departmental requirements; advocate on behalf of the student; assist with registration; review major number of clinical hours using CALIPSO; complete a status review if the student has an academic or clinical intervention plan; provide referrals for various forms of academic, social, and clinical support, as needed; and document meeting details in Starfish.

Academic advisors work closely with the Center Director and Department Chair/MS-SLP Program Director to ensure that students are on track for successful program completion. Appointments are made by signing up electronically with an advisor.

Degree progress evaluation

The Office of the Registrar provides support and assistance in the degree audit. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of each student to meet degree requirements. Students and advisors may monitor their progress on an unofficial transcript or through the Program Evaluation on Arches.

Advisors are available to assist the student in this responsibility. Each graduate student will be assigned an academic advisor with whom they will meet individually at least one time per semester. During these formal advising meetings, academic advisors will monitor students’ academic and clinical progress using the Program Evaluation tracking program; review progress toward College and Departmental requirements; advocate on behalf of the student; assist with registration; review major number of clinical hours using CALIPSO; complete a status review if the student has an academic or clinical intervention plan; provide referrals for various forms of academic, social, and clinical support, as needed; and document meeting details in Starfish. Academic advisors work closely with the Center Director and Department Chair/Graduate Program Director to ensure that students are on track for successful program completion. Appointments are made by students signing up electronically.

Performance alerts (Starfish)

Faculty are asked to provide feedback to the advising office on each student whose classroom performance is less than satisfactory. Students and advisors are informed of reported difficulties routinely throughout the term. These reports are not part of the permanent record and are used only for advising and academic, social, and medical counseling. Students who receive a Starfish flag will also be provided ways to connect with campus resources. Students should consult their Starfish record and Moodle accounts, and work with their advisor to find appropriate campus resources for assistance.

Certification of degree program

A student should track their own progress in Arches on their program evaluation. During a student's second year at Augustana, the Registrar may provide a complimentary audit to students who have applied to graduate as a courtesy. However, it is the student’s responsibility to check to see that the program of study is listed correctly on their record, and report any concerns to the Office of the Registrar at least one term prior to graduation.

Academic honesty and integrity

Any form of plagiarism or cheating can result in expulsion from the College. According to Inside Augustana and the Augustana Honor Code, "Plagiarism is the misrepresentation of someone else's research, thought, or writing as one's own. Plagiarism is dishonest. It is, in the realm of words and thought, the equivalent of theft in the realm of things." Furthermore, "Plagiarism means submitting work not one's own as one's own, or an abuse of standard procedures for acknowledging debts to others serious enough to provide persuasive evidence of intent to deceive. The faculty has agreed that the penalty for plagiarism may be, at the discretion of the faculty member, an "F" in the course, but must be an "F" on that piece of work." Students are responsible for their own conduct. Students also are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the ASHA Code of Ethics.

Your right to education free from discrimination and harassment

Augustana College is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive environment free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. Our Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment describes your right to freedom from discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, service in uniformed service, veteran status, sex, age, political ideas, marital or family status, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by law. Consistent with state and federal requirements, our Policy against Sex Discrimination specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and gender, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, stalking, and relationship violence. To find resources available to you or anyone on campus who has experienced discrimination or harassment, please see www.augustana.edu/titleix.

Faculty members are required to report any information they have about potential violations of these policies to help foster a safer campus for all. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially about these issues, you can visit Counseling Services (or phone 309-794-7357), visit Campus Clergy (or phone 309-794-7213), or phone the Campus Confidential Advisor, Cassandra Hall, at 563-326-2243. All college employees are mandated reporters of suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.

Student complaints

Student complaints are handled institutionally in a variety of ways, depending on the area, nature, and severity of the complaint. Students typically bring minor complaints directly to the institutional office (i.e., Communication Sciences and Disorders Department) most directly responsible, and a complaint will be handled in accordance with the policies and procedures of that office.

Student complaints regarding any of the graduate program’s policies and procedures or regarding unlawful conduct can be made to the Graduate Program Director and the Center Director, as appropriate. For a complaint involving the Graduate Program Director, the Division Chair should be notified. Student privacy will be maintained by all institutional employees, following FERPA requirements and the ASHA Code of Ethics.

If the complaint cannot be resolved at the departmental level, the matter should be brought to the appropriate higher level administrative office within the reporting structure. See Augustana’s Offices and Services to find the appropriate contact.

Additionally, the college president holds frequent open office hours where students may raise concerns. A schedule of upcoming open office hours is available from the president's office.

To file an official complaint with the college, students also may use the Suggestion Box on the college website at https://www.augustana.edu/about-us/president/suggestions.

A complaint also may be filed by calling the Campus Conduct Hotline at (866) 943-5787, a toll-free number, available on a 24/7 basis to report complaints or concerns.

Students may report and receive assistance with unresolved complaints to the State at Illinois Board of Higher Education.

A student may also file a complaint with the college's accreditor, The Higher Learning Commission.

Additionally, information regarding the college's accreditation and state authorization documents are available upon request from the Provost of the College.

Students may also contact the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) with complaints related to the CSD Department’s compliance with program accreditation standards by completing the Complaint Procedure against Graduate Education Programs, which is found online at http://www.asha.org/academic/accreditation/accredmanual/section8.htm. Complaints must be submitted in writing to: Chair, CAA-ASHA, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, Md., 20850. Additional information regarding CAA accreditation standards is found online at http://www.asha.org/academic/accreditation/accredmanual/section3/.

Degree requirements

Students are subject to all degree requirements in place at the time they first enrolled.

With some exceptions, if degree requirements are changed, students have the option of graduating under the requirements in effect when they first enrolled at Augustana or under a more recent, active catalog. Students should see their department chair to determine which set of major requirements will apply to their degree based on changes to the major during their time of enrollment with the college.

Students who wish to adopt a new catalog will be subject to all major requirements of the new catalog and must sign a form in the Office of the Registrar at least one semester prior to graduation. Exceptions to this option include changes made by the full faculty that may specify a student's requirements to adhere to a particular catalog, set of newly adopted college-wide requirements, or if changes are made to accommodate changes in college resources.

However, students who interrupt their attendance for more than two consecutive semesters (including the summer semester) are subject to all requirements in effect when they re-enroll. These students also may be required to complete additional coursework in their major if the department or program chair determines that previously completed work does not fulfill a current requirement. If an academic program (major) is no longer active in the new catalog, a student cannot complete that program if readmitted.

Changes in requirements for majors are effective for the new catalog on the first day of classes in the fall semester after the faculty adopts them.

Exceptions to degree requirements or policies are made by the Committee on Advanced Standing and Degrees when circumstances warrant. Students who wish to file a petition with this committee may obtain counsel and the proper form from the Office of the Registrar.

The major advisor and the registrar provide assistance and information to students regarding requirements and progress toward the degree. An audit of progress toward the degree is called the program evaluation and is available on Arches.

Grade Reports, Grade Appeals, and Access to Records

Grade reports are made available electronically in Arches to students at the end of each term. Students who suspect an error in reporting a grade, or who have a question or complaint about a grade, should first contact the instructor. If it is necessary to carry the inquiry further, the department chair, the division chair, and then the Associate Dean of the College should be consulted. Grade appeals or reporting errors in grade must be made by the conclusion of the following semester's grading deadline. This includes reporting clerical errors or requests for withdrawals. Requests made after that deadline will not be considered. Students can access their Augustana academic record anytime in Arches.

Satisfactory Academic Progress: Student Retention Policies and Intervention Plans

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology curriculum has been designed to provide graduate students with the professional competencies, knowledge, and skills that are needed to become competent speech-language pathologists, as designated by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Council on Academic Accreditation. Every academic and clinical course syllabus in the graduate SLP program specifies which of the professional competencies, knowledge, and skills will be taught and assessed in that course.

Academic courses. MS-SLP students must achieve grade point average of at least 3.0 each semester to progress in the program. Additionally, at mid-semester and at the end of every semester for each course, the instructor will rate students' level of competency for each of the student learning outcomes. A 5-point scale (A = 5 points, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, F = 1) will be used to rate each student’s level of competence on student learning outcomes at the end of the term. Students who receive a score below 3.0 on any student learning outcome will be required to complete a student intervention plan.

Student intervention plans will be implemented for any student who struggles in academic aspects of the graduate program. An intervention plan will be developed by the instructor of an academic course for a student not meeting one or more of the learning outcomes for the course. The student’s intervention plan will specify the learning indicator targeted, the individually-developed intervention, and the date the remediated work is due. Competency will be evaluated as being satisfactory or in need of further remediation.

Clinical courses. Intervention plans for student clinicians who do not make adequate progress in the clinic courses and/or practicums or externships are specified in the CSD Clinic Manual.

Academic Records

Note: While the second-year audit, program evaluation, and academic support resources, as well as academic guidance from faculty and advisors, are all available to every student at no additional cost, these resources are provided for use in planning only. It is the responsibility of the student to report any printed error to the Office of the Registrar within two semesters. The responsibility for understanding and meeting degree requirements rests entirely with the student.

Release of Records Policy

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the release of an educational record to any third party requires an original written signature included in the request or a secure login authentication through a college-provided Arches account. Privacy waiver forms are available in the Office of the Registrar in the Steve and Jane Bahls Campus Leadership Center. Completed waivers do not grant access to request a transcript, each transcript request must be made individually by the student. No direct access is granted to student accounts in Arches or Moodle to any third party. The college does not accept electronic or proxy signatures. Students are strongly discouraged from sharing their login information with anyone at any time.

Final College Transcripts Required for Enrollment

All degree-seeking students are required to provide the college a final, official copy of their college transcripts from all other institutions attended as a condition of continued enrollment. Students who do not meet this requirement will be restricted from registering for future terms starting with their second term of enrollment. For details about how to submit an official transcript to the college visit our transcript page.

Academic Permanent Record

The Office of the Registrar maintains each student’s official academic record. Official records (including transcripts and diplomas) may be withheld if the student has any outstanding financial obligation to the college. By sending official scores and official transcripts to Augustana College, individuals consent to post all eligible coursework to the academic record. In accordance with legal regulations and best practice standards, coursework posted to the record may not be removed.

When students transfer coursework to Augustana, that work is evaluated and recorded on the academic permanent record. Copies of the academic record are made available via Arches after the transfer courses are posted. The applicability of transfer credit to a major or minor is determined by the appropriate department or program chair in consultation with the student.

Obtaining Documents and Data Originating from Another Agency or Institution

In accordance with national record release standards, we do not release documents that have become the property of Augustana College through a legal release to a third party (Augustana.) In addition, the college does not release or verify other pieces of personal information such as visa numbers, social security numbers, passport numbers, health conditions, etc. We are not the official, legal custodian of record for any data that was not assigned by the institution or for documents that did not originate at Augustana College and therefore do not have the legal authority to release them. This includes documents such as high school records and transcripts, ACT/SAT/GRE scores, AP/IB/A-Level scores or degree information and college transcripts from other institutions. These records are the property of the college and are for our internal college purposes only. Please contact the originating agency, organization or institution that produced the original records to obtain a legal copy.

Note: Augustana cannot certify, verify or validate documents as "original" - "authentic" - "verified" - "certified" (etc.) with the college seal and official signatures unless they originate at the college. This includes copies of diplomas, transcripts, or other documents previously released to the student or a third party. Students who require an additional certified or notarized diploma, transcript or other official Augustana document, should contact us to order one.

Application for Graduation

Students must apply for graduation at least one semester in advance and will be restricted from graduation starting in the fall of their second year if they have not done so. It is strongly recommended that graduate students complete an Application to Graduate in the summer prior to their second year. The graduation application should be completed online in Arches. Only students who apply to graduate on this timeline will receive a courtesy audit of outstanding degree requirements and information about commencement.

The Augustana Degree

Augustana College awards the Master of Science degree upon completion of the degree requirements. Augustana confers degrees three times per year following fall semester, spring semester, and summer term. Degrees are not conferred after J-term. Individuals may not earn more than one Master of Science degree.

Individuals who require proof of a degree should use the National Student Clearinghouse for these services or request an official transcript through Arches be sent after the awarding of a degree.

Finalizing the Academic Record

The college confers degrees at the conclusion of Fall semester, Spring semester, and Summer Term. All final grades and official transcripts for transfer work must be received by the degree conferral date. According to college auditor policy and federal reporting requirements, a very brief grace period is allowed to receive the final work. This grace period deadline will not be extended under any circumstances. If you have questions about the grace period, contact the Office of the Registrar. Students who do not meet this deadline will be removed from the graduation candidate list for that term and must apply for a future term of graduation in Arches.

Once the degree is conferred at the date of graduation, the academic record is considered complete and final. No further changes will be made unless there is a documented clerical error. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Office of the Registrar of a clerical error within 30 days of the graduation date. See additional policies on enrollment and grade change requests.

If readmitted to the college after the degree is posted, a student may return to campus and take additional Augustana coursework towards additional majors or minors or towards teacher certification as a non-degree student. The student is responsible to tracking this additional coursework and notifying the academic department and the Office of the Registrar prior to the conclusion of the term that work toward additional majors/minors is complete. If notification is not made in writing (via official Augustana email) within 30 days, no further major/minors will be added to the student record.  Course repeats are not permitted after a degree is awarded (see course repeat policy.) No transfer work will be accepted after the degree is conferred.

The Educational Record

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a student has the right to request to view the educational record. Individuals who wish to view their record must:

• Make a request in writing to the Office of the Registrar with the printed name as it appears in the Augustana records and a written signature.
• The request must contain the student identification number (or social security number), the date of birth and dates of attendance.
• The request must include current email address, phone number, and mailing address.
• An appointment to view the record will be scheduled no sooner than seven days from the date of the request.
• Appointments will be no more than two-hours in length and will take place within business hours.
• Students are not permitted to bring a phone or a camera with them to the appointment. 
• Requests expire within 60 days.

Those who do not respond to a request to make an appointment or fail to report to their appointment must make a new request.

Individuals who are unable to view the record may request a copy of their educational record. In these cases, the individual must:

• Make a request in writing to the Office of the Registrar with the printed name as it appears in the Augustana records and a written signature.
• The request must include proof of why the individual is unable to appear in-person to inspect their records. 
• The request must contain the student identification number (or social security number), the date of birth and dates of attendance.
• The request must include current email address, phone number and mailing address.
• Pay a copy fee of $1 per page (payable in advance of mailing).
• The individual must pay a flat fee of $10 for postage (payable in advance of mailing).
• Requests will be fulfilled within ten business days of the payment.
• Unpaid requests expire within 60 days. Those who do not pay fees within this timeline must make a new request.

Under The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), an eligible student has the right to request that "inaccurate or misleading information" in his or her education records be amended. Individuals who seek to amend their educational record must:

• Make an amendment request in writing to the Office of the Registrar with the printed name as it appears in the Augustana records and a written signature (or an email from the Augustana email account if the individual is a current student).
• The request must contain the student identification number (or social security number), the date of birth and dates of attendance.
• The request must include current email address, phone number and mailing address
• A complete statement that addresses which specific sections are "inaccurate or misleading" in the eyes of the student. Please read below about the guidelines for amendment procedures from FERPA. 

The individual will receive a written response of the decision, by email, within 45 days of the date the request was received. If the college decides not to amend the record, the student may make a request for a hearing. These are the amendment hearing guidelines:

• Request for a hearing must be made in writing (or an email from the Augustana email account if the individual is a current student) within 10 days of the date of the notice of the decision not to amend.
• The hearing will take place within 45 days of the request for a hearing on the Augustana campus during business hours.
• The committee will consist of three college officials (as selected by the Registrar) and one currently enrolled student in good standing and appointed by the Student Government Association.
• The individual may appear in person to speak at the hearing or submit a statement to be read at the heading in lieu of appearing.
• The individual may present relevant materials or statements in advance or bring them to the hearing.
• The committee will make a decision and notify the individual within 45 days of the hearing.

"If, as a result of the hearing, the school still decides not to amend the record, the eligible student has the right to insert a statement in the record setting forth his or her views. That statement must remain with the contested part of the eligible student's record for as long as the record is maintained." (Taken directly from the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, General Guidance for Students Department of Education).

FERPA guidelines for amendment requests: "FERPA amendment procedure may be used to challenge facts that are inaccurately recorded, it may not be used to challenge a grade, an opinion, or a substantive decision made by a school about an eligible student. FERPA was intended to require only that schools conform to fair record-keeping practices and not to override the accepted standards and procedures for making academic assessments, disciplinary rulings, or placement determinations. Thus, while FERPA affords eligible students the right to seek to amend education records which contain inaccurate information, this right cannot be used to challenge a grade or an individual's opinion, or a substantive decision made by a school about a student. Additionally, if FERPA's amendment procedures are not applicable to an eligible student's request for amendment of education records, the school is not required under FERPA to hold a hearing on the matter." (Taken directly from the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, General Guidance for Students Department of Education).

Note: Augustana does not provide copies of transcripts from high schools, colleges, Advanced Placement, or International Baccalaureate that are property of the college and part of the education record. Students needing those records must obtain copies from the originating institution or organization. See policy above.

Policy on the Awarding of Posthumous Degrees

The achievements and contributions of Augustana students are formally recognized at graduation. In case of the untimely death of a student who has made substantial progress toward a degree, it is important that the college acknowledge the work of this individual. Upon written request from a family member, the Committee on Advanced Standing and Degrees may recommend conferral of the posthumous degree under the following policy requirements:

• The student should have advanced second-year status (72 earned credits or more) at the time of his/her death.
• The student should have been in good academic and social standing at the college at the time of his/her death.
• The student should have been enrolled for coursework at the college at the time of his/her death.
• As with other candidates for graduation, the posthumous degree will be recommended to the Faculty by the Committee on Advanced Standing and Degrees. The Faculty recommendation will then be passed to the Board of Trustees for approval.
• The student's name will appear in the graduation program. The student's family will decide if the name will be read and the degree is to be conferred during the graduation ceremony or in a private ceremony.
• The degree will be marked as awarded posthumously for the academic record and a diploma noting the Master of Science will be available to the family.
• In instances when the student had not reached advanced second-year status at the time of his/her death, a certificate of achievement will be presented to the family.

Release of Record of a Deceased Student

Following the death of a student, the college will release the educational records of the individual student under the following condition(s):

• The student has submitted a signed Authorization to Release Educational Records form that designated the person(s) eligible to request and/or receive educational records. Authorized person must submit a signed request for records that can be mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered to the Office of the Registrar.
• The student has officially designated the person(s) as an emergency contact. This information is held in the student's e-record on the EMER screen. Authorized person must submit a signed request for records which can be mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered to the Office of the Registrar.
• In response to a legal subpoena.

Find online at https://www.augustana.edu/academics/catalog