Academic Information & Requirements
Grading scale
Program grading terminology is based on the following scale and percentages:
| Letter Grade | Percent | Point Scale | Minimum GPA acceptable for application |
Minimum GPA in Sciences |
Minimum passing grade in program |
| A | 93 | 4.0 | |||
| B | 85-92 | 3.0 | |||
| 2.75 | 2.75 | ||||
| C | 75-84 | 2.0 | 75% | ||
| D | less than 75 | 1.0 |
Course grade consists of combined lecture, student lab and clinical performance grades.
Overall grade of 75% or better in each course is necessary to receive certificate of completion in this program
Overall grade is calculated as follows:
- Lecture Grade 40% of overall grade: Exams/Classroom grades, (35%); Affective Performance Evaluation (5%).
- Student Laboratory Grade 20% of overall grade: Evaluated on participation, specimen handling/dexterity, equipment handling and care, results and calculations, following direction/procedures, neatness and organization.
- Clinical Rotation Training 40% of overall grade:Activities and quizzes, (30%); Affective Performance Evaluation, (10%).
- Criteria for Affective Performance include attributes, such as: Demonstration of skill and dexterity; consistency in academic and clinical performance; professionalism, composure, demeanor, attitude and adaptability to workload stresses and changing situations; verbal communication skills; initiative; and interaction in the classroom and clinical setting.
Attendance
It is the responsibility of the student to make necessary arrangements to be in the classroom, student laboratory, and clinical training at the scheduled start time. Consistent attendance and punctuality is expected. Dependability is a valuable attribute to employers in providing outstanding clinical laboratory services.
Absence and tardiness will be recorded, based on the following criteria; and are subject to the stated consequences.
Student is allowed 9 attendance point for the year. Points will be assessed, as follows:
| Attendance Violation | Points |
| Each Absence/Occurrence |
2 points (2 consecutive days for the same reason counts as one occurrence. Three or more days requires documentation from Health Care Provider) |
| Tardy 1-29 minutes |
½ point |
| Tardy 30+ minutes | 1 point |
| Leave early* |
½ point |
| Late call off (after the clinical/class day is over) |
1 additional point |
Absence: Notification of absence must be made to program director or clinical department supervisor at least 1-hour prior to scheduled start time.
Absence due to weather-related emergencies may be covered under system policy.
Code White (SMMC -SAFE 1.14), Weather Emergency (HR 395)
Tardy: Arrival after assigned starting time of class, lab or clinical training day. Repeated tardies are disruptive to the class and presenter. Tardiness will be documented in performance evaluation.
Leave Early: Arrangement must be made in advance for legitimate early dismissal from class/lab or clinical training day. Documentation may be required. Leaving early due to illness or injury will be documented through facility health service.
Excused Absence: Requires >24 hour notice with appropriate and acceptable documentation of reason, ex. funeral of immediate family, required court appearance, or other situation -- discussed in advance -- with program director. No points are assessed for this excused absence.
Routine doctor appointments, family events, vacations and such should be scheduled for times outside of program days/hours.
| Accumulation | Consequence |
| >6 points with 1st 4 months |
1% reduction in grade of current course(s) |
| 6 points (>4 months) |
Written notification of attendance status |
| 9 points |
Written notification of attendance status |
| >9 points |
1% reduction in grade of current course(s) and for each additional incident of absence, tardy, leave early |
**1% reduction in course grade during lecture section includes both concurrent courses -1% in hematology and -1% in microbiology (ex., current hemo grade 88% reduced to 87%, and micro 90% reduced to 89%; if additional absence, then reduced to 86% and 88%) 1% reduction in a clinical rotation involves the grade in that rotation only (ex., clinical rotation chemistry current grade 94% reduced to 93%, additional absence in same clinical rotation, grade reduced to 92%).
Make-up work
Student is responsible for any and all material missed due to absence or tardiness.
Student laboratory exercises requiring significant preparation time and/or limited reagent usage are not to subject to make up. (Spectrophotometer, micro plating and growth, specialized instrumentation use: ex., cardiac reader). A quiz over the missed laboratory material will make up for missing laboratory.
Student laboratory exercises such as microscopy (urinalysis and blood cell differentials, gram stains) may be performed within subsequent laboratory time, provided current lab activity is satisfactorily completed prior to the make-up work.
Tardy to student laboratory results in loss of time for completion of the exercise.
Lecture examination dates are scheduled in advance.
In the event of unavoidable excused absence on an exam day, the student must take the exam on the preceding day.
Absence on exam day will result in 5% deduction on the grade; and the exam must be made up on the day of return during lunch period or after class day is over.
Tardy to the start of an exam results in loss of that allotted time for taking the examination.
Tardy to the extent of missing an exam; exam must be taken the same day during lunch period or after class day is over.
Note: Exam given on the day before or after the scheduled date will be a different, yet equivalent examination.
Weather-related Absence
Absence due to weather-related emergencies may be covered under system policy: Code White (SMMC -SAFE 1.14), Weather Emergency (HR 395).
Weather-related emergency, declaration of code white, blizzard, ice or code black may not be assessed as absence, but may require makeup work. Student is responsible for classroom material. Necessity of make-up days for clinical rotation may be determined by progress made in and content of department, by the department supervisor.
Academic Integrity
The School of MLS expects commitment to academic integrity in this program.
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Forms of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to: cheating on assignments or examinations, copying other student's work or allowing others to copy from you, falsifying experimental results and data, and plagiarism. Consequences of dishonest actions may result in zero grade, disciplinary action and/or dismissal from the program.
Guidance/Counseling
- Student advising, counseling, grievance, disciplinary action, must be impartial. These and all student personal information will be held confidentially by the program administration and may only be disclosed or discussed with involved faculty or party(ies), or advisory committee on a need-to-know basis; and only to the extent of the specific incident or concern.
- Students may request guidance regarding aspects of courses, labs or clinical experiences from the program director, faculty member or dean.
- For concerns regarding career path or placement, the student may request discussion with the laboratory site director.
- Completion of this program and/or passing a certification examination does not imply or guarantee employment with Community Healthcare System.
- For guidance or counseling for personal or other issues not directly related to participation in the program, student may access the following resources: ComPsych (1-800-344-9754) or www.guidanceresources.com, follow up with the student's own healthcare provider or reach out to resources of city, county or state agencies.
Withdrawal & Incompletion
In the event of student's personal life changes, health, family situation, or indication of desire to withdraw from the program, counseling may be offered to resolve issues related to the program,to facilitate the student's continuation in the program.
For guidance or counseling for personal or other issues not directly related to participation in the program, student may access the following resources: ComPsych (1-800-344-9754) or www.guidanceresources.com, follow up with the student's own healthcare provider or reach out to resources of city, county or state agencies.
However upon a decision to withdraw, the following procedures will occur:
- Student will submit a letter of withdrawal from the program, with effective withdrawal date, to the program director.
- Program director, faculty member, and/or objective member of the advisory committee will conduct an exit interview, and collect the student identification badge.
- Student will be asked to submit a written student evaluation of the program portion that was completed.
- Program director will complete a Documentation of Withdrawal/Dismissal Form to maintain in the student file.
- No refund of tuition is made for withdrawal beyond the initial 30-day, 50% refund period.
- See Student information; Guidance/Counseling
- Voluntary withdrawal may not preclude student from re-entering the program upon reapplication and selection process. Reapplication does not guarantee readmission to the program.
- If readmission occurs, the entire program must be repeated. No partial credit, or continuation will be granted.
Dismissal-Academic
A goal of our program is to instruct and educate motivated students. The student is expected to strive to be successful, learn and participate in all activities. In the event of poor student performance, failing grades, inability to comprehend basic laboratory and safety principles and processes, or inability to perform laboratory tests/follow procedures, a student may be placed on academic probation.
A student must maintain passing scores in their courses.
On the first instance of a student receiving a score of less than 75% (failing score) on a major course examination, the student will receive a written warning. Academic counseling may be offered to remedy the circumstances. The major courses are: blood bank, chemistry, hematology and microbiology.
On a second instance of a student receiving a score of less than 75% (failing score) on a major course examination, the student is placed on academic probation. Probation extends for the remainder of that course. A written notification will be given to the student advising of probationary status. Student must improve performance in order to remain in the program.
The student may not be scheduled for work hours -- if employed by our system laboratories -- while on academic probation.
If the student receives another score of less than 75% on a major course examination in the same or other course, the student may be subject to dismissal.
Failure or inability to achieve passing scores may lead to dismissal from the program. A committee comprised of the program director, faculty, and member(s) of the Advisory Committee will convene to assess and evaluate the circumstances and documentation; and determine the outcome.
The program director, faculty member, and/or objective member of the Advisory Committee will conduct an exit interview, request a student-written evaluation of the program and complete a Documentation of Withdrawal/Dismissal Form.
No refund of tuition is made for dismissal beyond the initial 30-day, 50% refund period.
Dismissal-Personnel/Professional
Dismissal from the program may result from uncorrected poor performance or any infraction or repeated infractions of personnel/professionalism/safety policy. Confidential written documentation including applicable policy, description of and acknowledgement of infraction, impartial and confidential counseling, corrective action plan and follow-up will be maintained by the program director.
A committee comprised of the program director, faculty, member(s) of the Advisory Committee and a representative from Human Resources will convene to assess and evaluate the circumstances and documentation; and determine the outcome.
The program director, faculty member, and/or objective member of the Advisory Committee will conduct an exit interview, request a student-written evaluation of the program and complete a Documentation of Withdrawal/Dismissal Form.
No refund of tuition is made for dismissal beyond the initial 30 day, 50% refund period.
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