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Criteria for Program Progression

The MSOT program curriculum requires successful completion of each semester’s courses with a grade of “C” or better prior to continuing to the next semester. Grades less than a “C” require immediate remediation prior to program progression.

Grading Scale

The following grading scale is used in the MSOT program and is common throughout the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

A = 93-100
B = 92-85
C = 84-77
D = 76-69
F = 68 below

Please note that grades below a “C” are considered “failing” and do not count towards graduation requirements.

Minimum Grade Requirements

A student should always consult with their academic advisor and course instructor when problems within or outside the classroom arise that affect one’s ability to succeed.

A student receiving a 76% or below on any assignment or exam in any course must remediate and be reassessed to ensure competence. Successful remediation results in demonstration of competence NOT a change in the initial grade. The manner of remediation is at the course instructor’s discretion.

In addition, students may be required to complete a learning contract in collaboration with the course instructor and their faculty advisor to facilitate success and establish competence. The learning contract is a method through which a student identifies potential barriers to learning and creates an action plan toward successful learning and performance.

No course grade less than a “C” (76% or below) will be accepted toward meeting graduation requirements for the MSOT program. The following are the minimum grade requirements for students in the MSOT program:

1. To remain in Good Academic Standing at Lewis University, the graduate student must maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.0. Any student whose GPA is below a 3.0 will be put on academic probation (see Academic Probation and Dismissal)
   
   
2. Any student who receives an "F" grade in a course (68% or below) will be immediately dismissed from the program.
   
   
3. Any student who receives a “D” grade in a course (75% - 69%) will need to retake the course the next time it is offered, and must earn a grade of “B” (85% or higher) to continue in the program. Courses are offered only once per year, so retaking a course will result in the student sitting out until the next time the course is offered, and joining the next cohort to progress within the curriculum. Only one retake per course is allowed. If the student does not earn a “B” or above when retaking the course, the student is dismissed from the program.
   
   
4. Any student who receives a “C” in a course (84% - 76%) will meet with the instructor, their academic advisor and the Program Director to develop a remediation plan and learning contract. This process is completed to ensure student understanding of essential course material in an effort to increase the likelihood of success in subsequent courses. Remediation plans and learning contracts for a course grade of “C” must be fully completed before the end of the subsequent term (i.e., remediation for Fall course must be completed by end of spring term) to be eligible for placement at Level I or Level II Fieldwork (see Remediation Policy)
   
   
5. A student may earn no more than two grades of “C” during the MSOT program to be eligible for graduation.
   
   
6. If a student retakes a course, the highest grade earned will be used to count towards their GPA. 
   
   
7. A course may only be repeated once, and the student must earn a grade of “B” (85% or higher)
   
   
8. A maximum of two (2) different courses in the MSOT program may be repeated
   
   
9. Courses are only offered once per year, therefore if a student does wish to repeat a course, they will need to wait until the course is offered again.

Good Academic Standing

To remain in Good Academic Standing at ȺpÎÞÂë, the graduate student must maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.0. No grade less than a “C” (2.0) will be accepted toward meeting graduation requirements. Additionally, a student may earn no more than two grades of “C” during the MSOT program to be eligible for graduation. Students who fail to maintain good academic standing will be placed on academic probation.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

A MSOT student who fails to maintain a minimum of a 3.0 ȺpÎÞÂë Cumulative GPA will be placed on academic probation. The student will receive written notification of probationary status from the MSOT Program Director. A student on academic probation will work with his/her academic advisor, the course instructor and the Program Director to establish a learning plan and remediation to address the probation.  The remediation must be satisfactorily completed by the student before the subsequent term ends and before the student can participate in any fieldwork experiences. (i.e., a plan to address fall courses should be completed before the end of spring term)

While on academic probation, the student must achieve a semester GPA of 3.0 or higher during each semester. If a student does not meet this minimum GPA requirement during any semester on academic probation, he/she will be dismissed from the program. Once a student's ȺpÎÞÂë Graduate Cumulative GPA meets or exceeds 3.0, the student will return to good academic standing.

Any student who receives an "F" grade in a course will be immediately dismissed from the program.

Remediation Policy

Remediation is a formal, student-specific process through which a student who is experiencing difficulty works to improve unsatisfactory performance and/or professionalism issues. The intent is to increase the likelihood of a student’s educational and professional success. Remediation may address examinations, assignments or unprofessional behavior. The remediation may take the form of self-study, re-doing assignments, completion of specific tasks, completing alternate assignments, written response to selected exam items, referral to support services, etc. The timeline for remediation is determined by the course instructor.

Remediation is for the purpose of learning, and the student must demonstrate that they understand the material in which the deficiency was identified. Successful remediation will support student progression; however, remediation does not guarantee student progression in the program. Remediation does not result in a grade change on the original work submitted.

Incomplete Grades

If a student who has completed the majority of the requirements of a course is unable to complete that course because of documented compelling circumstances, he or she may request that the instructor award a grade of "I." It is up to the instructor to accept or deny the request based on the student's progress in the course and the seriousness of the circumstances which prevented the student from completing it. An approval of the College Dean may be required.

To earn credit for the course, the student must successfully complete all remaining requirements within the course, as specified by the instructor. The instructor must submit a change of grade for the student. For incomplete grades earned in the Fall semester, the deadline for successful completion of all course requirements and submission of the grade change by the faculty will be the following March 1st. For Spring and Summer semesters, the deadline for successful completion of all course requirements and submission of the grade change by the faculty will be the following October 15th.

If a student is on academic probation and receives an "I" for a course, he or she will not be able to enroll in additional courses in the academic program until the course is completed and a grade is assigned, except if granted explicit permission by the OT Program Director.

Prior to the stated deadline, the student may request a renewal of the incomplete grade. Official renewal of an incomplete grade may be granted only with permission of the faculty and approval of the College Dean. Failure to meet the stated deadline or obtain an official renewal of the incomplete grade will result in an automatic grade change from "I" to "IF," with zero credit granted for the course.

Successful Completion of Fieldwork Rotations

To progress in the program requires successful completion of fieldwork rotations. If a student fails a fieldwork rotation for any reason, the course failure must be reviewed by the Program Director and the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator. A site placement to make up the failure is not guaranteed and will be determined following a full review of the circumstances leading to the failure by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Program Director. If an additional site placement is permitted, the student may be required to complete a remediation requirement prior to starting their next rotation. The remediation plan will be designed by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and faculty with expertise in the practice area. The Program Director will approve the remediation plan before it is implemented. Any fieldwork rotation following a failed rotation will be scheduled according to the Program’s established fieldwork rotation schedule. Should a student fail fieldwork a second time, the student will be dismissed from the MSOT Program.

Time Limitation for Completing the Program

The program is designed to be completed in 24 months. The maximum time allotted to complete the program is 36 months. Students must complete Level II fieldwork within 18 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.

Graduation requirements

To complete the MS in Occupational Therapy degree, a student must earn a minimum of 78 credit hours in the MSOT program of study. No grade less than a “C” (2.0) will be accepted toward meeting graduation requirements, and a student may earn no more than two grades of “C” during the MSOT program to be eligible for graduation.

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