4.1 Admissions Exceptions Policy
Applicants who do not meet university requirements in terms
of GRE or GPA are eligible to apply through the exceptions policy. Interviews
with applicants applying under the exceptions policy are held for those who
have a reasonable chance of succeeding in the program. The faculty makes
recommendations to the College of Education and Human Services for the
available exceptions “slots,” which are limited to 1-2 students per semester.
4.2 Appeals Process
All members of the University community are entitled to fair
and equitable procedures and have a right of appeal. A student who believes a
University policy imposes an undue hardship may submit through the Registrar’s
Office a petition requesting a waiver of the specific policy. The student will
be informed in writing of the results of the appeal.
Guidelines for grade appeals are in the Registrar’s Office.
Members of the community who feel that they have not been accorded rights under
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of
1972 may submit inquiries to the director of equal opportunity programs, Room
2515, J.J. Daniel Hall, 620-2507.
4.3 Attendance and Punctuality
Attendance at all class sessions is expected. Class sessions
will be comprehensive in the topics and materials discussed. Because the modes
of instruction will vary, learning acquired in class will be difficult to
duplicate by another method. For some classes, attendance to all class meetings
is mandatory. If you do miss a class, you are responsible for obtaining class
notes, handouts, class activities, and any other pertinent information. Chronic
absences (2 or more missed classes) raise serious concerns. Two missed classes
(or equivalent of 5 ½ hours of class) will reduce your grade by a letter grade.
Three or more absences, you will be asked to step out of the class and repeat
it during another semester. Courses that meet less than 15 weeks will adjust
the attendance policy according to the number of class sessions.
Part of professional behavior is punctuality. Chronic tardiness
is unacceptable professional behavior and will impact your grade. Should you be
tardy two or more times, two points will be subtracted from your grade for each
tardy; therefore, chronic tardiness runs the risk of possibly losing credit for
the course.
4.4 Continuous Enrollment
Students who do not take classes for three consecutive terms
are dropped from the program and must reapply for admission. If program
requirements are changed after the student is dropped, the student will be
obligated to meet new program requirements upon re-admission.
4.5 Incomplete Grades
Students who have extenuating circumstances that preclude
their completing all course requirements by the end of the term may, at the
instructor’s discretion, receive a grade of “incomplete.” The student must have
completed a majority of the coursework with a passing grade and must complete
the course within the time limit set by the instructor, not to exceed one
calendar year or graduation, whichever comes first. To extend and incomplete
beyond one year, the student must petition for a waiver of University policy.
An “I” will be changed to a final evaluative grade (one that is used in
calculating GPAs) at the time the student completes the required work. Students
may not register for courses in which incompletes have been received. Any “I”
grade not removed by the end of the time limit will be changed to a final grade
to be determined by the instructor. This grade will be used to calculate the
student’s cumulative GPA. If no final grade is issued, the “I” will change to
an “F” and will be calculated in the grade point average. Please note: students
may not register for courses if they have over three incompletes.
A grade of Incomplete will be available only under the
following circumstances:
- extraordinary circumstances for you or your family or by
previous agreement with the instructor before enrolling in the course;
- with completion of over 50% of the course requirements;
and
- with permission of the instructor.
Note: Completion of all assignments is required to
pass each course. Each assignment in the syllabi holds a purpose in preparing
graduates for the school counseling profession. It is not an option to take a
grade of 0 for an assignment that a student does not wish to complete.
4.6 Probation/Suspension/Removal
Program Dismissal
- Students may be dismissed from the program for academic
reasons (for example, grades of C or below; plagiarism; verbal, non-verbal, or
written communication problems).
- Students may be dismissed for overt violations of the
current ASCA Ethical Codes and Standard of Practice.
- Students may be dismissed for “personal unsuitability
for the profession.” Examples of behavior which would lead the faculty to
professionally judge a student as such are:
- consistent inability to assess problem situations in an
educational setting and determine how to negotiate/compromise or otherwise
resolve the situation;
- consistent inability to recognize personal
boundary/power issues which inhibit or prevent the student from learning
appropriate professional behavior/counseling skills;
- consistent inability to work as a team member; or
- consistent inability or refusal to participate, without
advisor consultation, in learning activities designed to promote and improve
the student’s self-understanding, self-analysis skills and interpersonal
skills.
4.7 Professional Development
Ethical Guidelines
It is the obligation of the student to become familiar and
adhere to the established ethical codes. Students are taught the ethical
guidelines of the profession in several courses. However, MHS 6780: Legal,
Ethical, and Professional Issues in School Counseling is the primary course
in which students become familiar with the professional behaviors expected of
counselors and counselors in preparation. Students are strongly encouraged to
read the ethical codes from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
Liability Insurance and Security Clearance
All students are required to obtain liability insurance
prior to beginning practicum and to maintain it through completion of
internship. Professional individual liability insurance comes with your
membership in the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and you can get
liability through the American Counseling Association (ACA). If students choose
not to join a professional organization, liability insurance must be obtained
on their own. A copy of the insurance policy must be presented to the UNF and
site supervisors in order to begin practicum and internship client contact
until liability insurance is in effect. Security clearance is also required for
work in schools. Students are required to get Level Two Clearance through
fingerprinting.
4.8 Remediation Procedure
The following guidelines were developed to assist students
and faculty in situations where conflicts arise:
- The student will meet with concerned faculty to discuss
the issue;
- If the issue is not resolved, the student will meet with
the entire faculty of the Counselor Education Program;
- The student and faculty will devise a plan to resolve the
issue and a subsequent contract will be signed by all concerned parties;
- When the contract is fulfilled, the student will report
back to the Counselor Education program leader for faculty review;
- The student will be reinstated, a new plan will be
developed, or the student will be dismissed;
- The student has a right to appeal.
4.9 Student Progress Assessment
The Student Progress Assessment form is completed for every
student the first and second semesters and beyond for students for whom faculty
are supporting to increase their skills. Although most problems are identified
prior to the completion of these courses, instructors use the Student Progress
Assessment form to evaluate students in several critical areas prior to the internship.
These forms are reviewed and discussed in faculty meetings as a means of
ensuring that all students with problems are identified and remediated or
counseled out of the program. All faculty members, including adjuncts complete
this First, Second, and Third Semester Evaluation on all students.
In cases where student problems arise, various steps will be implemented.
4.10 Student Retention Policy
Students are required to sign a Statement of Understanding when they are initially admitted into the program. Additionally,
students are expected to maintain a B average. Students who receive grades of C
in two or more courses are placed on probationary status. No more than two
courses with grades of C may be applied toward a graduate degree program. All
students who receive a grade of “C” or below in any course will be
reviewed by the faculty and may need to repeat the course.
4.11 Time Limits
Students must complete their degrees within five years from
the time they take their first course in the program, whether or not they have
been accepted into the program at that point. When coursework completed at UNF
or elsewhere exceeds five years, the credit hours become invalid, and in order
to be accepted, the courses must be validated by the program leader according
to the procedures found in the Graduate Catalog. If a course is not validated,
additional coursework will be required and added to the program of study.
Students should make every effort to complete their degree within the time
limits established.
4.12 Transfer Courses
No more than 10 semester hours can be completed before a
student is fully admitted, including a maximum of 6 semester hours of approved
credits from another institution. Students are advised to discuss any transfer
courses with their program sponsor who will determine which courses may be
applicable.
