Academic Policies for Graduate Programs

EMCON Grading Policies

All graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.

DNP students may receive no less than a B in clinical practicum courses and in the 3 P’s (advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment and advanced pharmacology). DNP and certificate students may receive no less than a C in didactic courses. PhD Students may receive no less than a B- in required courses.

University Grading System

As indicated in the Graduate Student Handbook Graduate School Grading Policies, seminar and course grades are assigned solely by the course instructor.

The following letter grades are given to graduate students in graduate-level courses:

*Graduate students enrolled in undergraduate courses may receive these grades. Grades of C or higher are required in all courses numbering 500 or above.

In Progress

An interim grade of In Progress (IP) is routinely recorded for thesis/dissertation credits until the candidate receives their graduate degree. At that time, grades of Satisfactory (SAT) are assigned for all thesis/dissertation credits. Should a student choose not to complete their thesis/dissertation after registering for the credit, a grade of Drop (DR) is recorded for each registration.

• Course Withdrawal: Grades of Drop (DR), Withdraw Passing (WP), or Withdraw Failing (WF) are recorded when the student formally drops the course prior to the end of the semester. The instructor must indicate "WP" or "WF" and date last attended when entering the withdrawal into Spire. A student may convert an otherwise passing course to an audit up to the last day of classes.
• Audited Courses: A grade of Audit (AUD) is recorded for students who register for and successfully complete the course requirements for auditing students. The instructor determines what constitutes successful completion. If an AUD grade is not reported, the course will not be included on the student's transcript. No required courses for a graduate degree can be taken as an Audit.
• Undergraduate Courses: A graduate student who enrolled in an undergraduate level course (100-499) may receive any grade that is valid for undergraduate students enrolled in the same course. Grades of C- and D+ and D are valid only for undergraduate-level courses.

Incomplete

A grade of INC (incomplete) can be given at the discretion of the faculty based on criteria outlined by the University Graduate School policy. Incompletes are not automatic. A contract between the faculty and student for remaining work must be submitted to the program director with current grades and a timeline for remaining work. A student can obtain credit for an incomplete only by completing the work of the course before the end of one calendar year from the time of enrollment in that course. At the end of that period, if a grade is not submitted, a grade of IF (incomplete failure) will be recorded. An INC that turns to an IF can negatively affect the GPA. No more than three incompletes may be present at any one time.

The responsibility for arranging the removal of an incomplete rests with the student. Students receiving a grade of incomplete may need to pay a continuous enrollment fee if they have no other courses to take in order to remain an active student while finishing the INC. Advisors should work closely with advisees who are not progressing in their course work and notify the graduate program director. NOTE: PhD students must resolve all incompletes before moving to the dissertation phase of their program. DNP students may not proceed to the next clinical course in their sequence until all incompletes have been resolved.

An INC grade is given at the discretion of the faculty member of record for the course if extraordinary circumstances occur such as:

• Personal/medical
• Clinical placement challenge or issue
• Academic challenge or issue
• If half or more of the course has been completed successfully

If a grade of INC is granted, it is recommended that the faculty and the student:

• Complete a Teaching/Learning contract indicating the expectation for completing the incomplete, including measurable outcomes and a timeframe for completion.
• Review plan of study: Students cannot proceed to courses for which the INC course is a pre-requisite until the INC grade is completed.
• Review plan of study to determine if there are other non-clinical courses to which the student can progress.

Failing a course

The minimum passing grade for the majority of graduate courses is a C (B- in Ph.D. courses). For advanced health assessment (N614), advanced pathophysiology (N615), and advanced pharmacology (N619), the minimum passing grade is a B. A grade of B or higher is required for all practicum courses in the DNP program.  

If a student fails a required course in their plan of study, the student must apply in writing to the program director and graduate program director to be allowed to retake the course. The original grade remains on the transcript, and it will not be replaced by the new grade. However, a passing grade may help raise the cumulative GPA, which must be maintained above 3.0 to remain an active graduate student.  

If a DNP or Master’s student receives a failing grade in a practicum course, the student may retake the practicum course. The companion didactic course may need to be repeated if the instructor feels that the student needs the content of the didactic course as a refresher in order to successfully pass the practicum. The didactic course may be audited. Please review the University Without Walls (UWW) website for information about how to register to audit a course.

Course Waivers and Course Challenges

In addition to adhering to the Graduate School grading policies, the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing internally provides both course waivers and course challenges in some instances. These waived courses do not go on a student’s official transcript but are counted towards his/her plan of study work as “completed.”

A course may be waived as a requirement for a degree program if the student documents that a previous course sufficiently meets the same course requirements. The course previously taken by the student must be equivalent to the required course at the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing and be documented on the plan of study. This must be approved in writing by the student’s faculty advisor or program director. No credit is given for this, as the student does not register for the course that is being waived. Courses over five years old must be repeated.

A student may request to challenge a required course for academic credit. The challenge requirements are negotiated by the student’s advisor and the faculty of record teaching the course. University policy currently allows a maximum of 6 qualified credits to be applied towards course requirements in the plan of study.

Independent Study

Students interested in an independent study are required to discuss their proposed independent study with an EMCON graduate faculty member prior to engaging in an independent study course.  In order to register for an independent study the following requirements must be met:

1. Complete the appropriate Independent Study/Practicum Enrollment form. You must have the name and email address of your Faculty Sponsor.
   1. MS & DNP students form
   2. PhD students form
2. You must have the name and email address of your Faculty Sponsor. 
3. Upon submission, an email will be sent to your Faculty Sponsor, to the email you designate on the form, with instructions on how to approve your request.
4. You will receive a copy of the email to serve as confirmation that the request was sent to your Faculty Sponsor for approval.
5. Once we receive approval from Faculty Sponsor via email, you will be enrolled in the class and will be notified at your UMass email address. You may also check your schedule in SPIRE.
6. Requests received from students will not be accepted..

Online Courses and Posting Requirements

Students should read and understand the expectations of their online courses for each and every course that they take. Students are responsible for making themselves familiar with the posting requirements for all online courses and that they are following ALL requirements for their specific courses, including, but not limited to, how many postings they need to make and how often they need to post in order to fulfill the requirements of the class. If students have any questions they should ask their instructor BEFORE beginning the course, if the course syllabus is not clear.

Continuous Enrollment/Program Fee

Graduate students not enrolled for course/thesis/dissertation credits and who are candidates for a degree must pay the Program Fee and register for Continuous Enrollment every semester until that degree has been formally awarded, not simply filed for. An incomplete grade (INC/IP) from a previous semester does not maintain a graduate student's enrollment status. Newly admitted graduate students cannot register for Continuous Enrollment or pay the Program Fee to defer entrance into the University, nor is Continuous Enrollment applicable for Non-Degree graduate students. Before the end of the registration period, graduate students may register for Continuous Enrollment (GRADSCH 999) in SPIRE. The student will then receive a bill for the Program Fee from the Bursar's Office. If the student wishes to pay by credit card, the Graduate Records Office should be contacted by the registration deadline.

Leave of Absence

A student who takes a leave of absence may have conditions for returning set by the faculty advisor in consultation with the program director and dean of nursing. To maintain continuous enrollment, students must pay the continuous enrollment program fees during their leave of absence. Students returning from a leave of absence are advised to check in with the program director to ensure a smooth transition back into coursework.

Academic Probation

A student will be placed on probation if a cumulative GPA of 3.0 is not maintained. A student on probationary status is given one semester to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.0. If, in this semester, the cumulative GPA is not raised to 3.0, the student is subject to academic dismissal. Students placed on probation are notified in writing and a copy is sent to the student’s faculty  advisor. If a student is in jeopardy of failing a course by mid-semester, an email will be sent to students informing them of their most current grade and reminding them of the GPA policy.

Statute of Limitations

The Statute of Limitations (SOL) is the period within which all degree requirements must be completed, and it is determined during the acceptance process. Because SOLs vary with degree, please see the Graduate School website for a complete description of the SOL guidelines.

A student may be granted additional time to complete his/her degree program by the dean of the Graduate School, provided the graduate program director makes such recommendation and provided satisfactory and reasonable progress is being made.

Posting of Grades

Grades are recorded on SPIRE approximately 1 week following the date they are due from the instructors. The actual date grades will be available is announced in SPIRE each semester. As incomplete or missing grades are received and posted, they are uploaded to SPIRE. If a printed copy of your grades is required, you can print an unofficial transcript from SPIRE, or an official transcript from the Graduate Records Office can be requested (see Transcripts).

Transfer Credit Policy

A limited number of course credits may be transferred toward a master's program provided the graduate program director recommends to the graduate dean that the credits be transferred, and that request is approved (See Sample Request for Transfer of Graduate Course Credit Form). No courses taken outside of the University of Massachusetts Amherst may be transferred toward doctoral or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study programs. No credits can be transferred toward the completion of the PhD program. Any requests for exceptions to the regulations specified below must be made by the student's graduate program director and to the graduate dean, outlining the specific reason(s) for the request.

• Course Eligibility Requirements:
  Grades received for courses requested for transfer must be B (3.00) or better. Graduate level courses to be transferred must have been taken no more than five years prior to the student's acceptance into the EMCON and may not have been used previously to fulfill the requirements for any other degree, certificate or program. An official transcript of the course(s) to be transferred is required.
• Use of Courses to Fulfill Requirements:
  Non-University of Massachusetts Amherst transfer credits may be used to fulfill elective or departmental course requirements. These courses may not, however, be used to satisfy the 600-800-level requirements, nor can the grade received in a course taken at another institution be used to satisfy the University's requirement for letter-graded credits (see Master's Degree Requirements).
• Number of Credits:
  No more than a total of twelve (12) graduate credits may be transferred. Of these, a maximum of six (6) credits may be from any one of the following sources:
  • Course(s) taken at another regionally accredited college/university within the United States
  • Course(s) taken while enrolled as a non-degree graduate student at UMass Amherst
  • Course(s) taken as an undergraduate student over and above requirements for the baccalaureate degree
• Transfer Credits to Another Institution:
  Courses taken as a non-degree student are listed separately from the degree transcript. A course taken while enrolled in a degree program, but not applied toward a University of Massachusetts Amherst degree, may be transferrable. The Graduate School can, if necessary, certify that a course was not applied to any degree requirement at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was eligible for graduate credit, when appropriate.

Transferring Non-Degree Courses to UMass Amherst Transcript: Students are responsible for providing the graduate program director an official transcript for the courses they wish to transfer into their degree program. The graduate program director then sends an official form to the Graduate School, with that transcript, requesting the transfer.

Credentialing

Statement of the ANA Position

In the nursing profession, the use of credentials is an essential component to designate levels of attained education and licensure, certification, and professional achievement. The listing of credentials when identifying a nurse ensures credibility and competence to the consumers of nursing care. Standardized use strengthens a unified understanding of credentials among nurses, within the healthcare delivery system, and for healthcare consumers. In an effort to establish a recognizable and understandable credential usage process across all spectrums of nursing, the following order of credentials is recommended: Highest earned degree, mandated requirements (i.e. licensure), state designations or requirements, national certifications, awards and honors, other certifications.

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing does NOT endorse the use of the credentials PhD(c) or DNP(c). These are not legitimate credentials and can be confusing to the public. Instead, we suggest using the following language regarding your status in any communication, publication, or conference proceedings:

During course work:

Michael Torres, BS (or MS, not both), RN
PhD Student
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Michael Torres, BS (or MS, not both), RN
DNP Student
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
University of Massachusetts Amherst

After passing the Ph.D. portfolio/qualifying exam:

Michael Torres, MS, RN
PhD Candidate
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
University of Massachusetts Amherst

In the final year of your DNP program:

Michael Torres, MS, RN
DNP Candidate
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
University of Massachusetts Amherst

An Environment of Academic Freedom

The University of Massachusetts Amherst strives to create an environment of academic freedom that fosters the personal and intellectual development of all community members. To do this, the University protects the rights of all students, faculty, and staff to explore new ideas and to express their views. A necessary condition for these pursuits is an acceptance of the spirit of inquiry and a respect for diverse ideas and viewpoints. For true academic freedom to exist, this acceptance and respect must exist in both the overall campus environment and in the classroom. 

The University preserves a high standard for community members in terms of mutual respect and civility. While each member of the community holds several rights, privileges, and responsibilities, those individuals who disrespect the rights of others or who act in a way that discredits themselves or the University may forfeit privileges or receive sanctions. As members of an academic community, we are obligated to be exemplary, both in our behaviors and in our attitudes. This obligation is especially important within the classroom context since this is one of the primary ways that learning, and growth, are fostered.

Preparing for Your Graduate Clinical Practicum

Practicum Placement

All graduate students are required to work with our clinical placement staff to secure their practicum placements and preceptors in quality health care agencies or practices. The Psych/Certificate, MS and DNP programs are online programs with students located in communities throughout the United States. The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing clinical placement coordinator will be able to give assistance with placements. Program directors must approve all preceptors before a student can begin a practicum experience. Preceptors should hold advanced degrees in nursing, public health, medicine, or a related field. Preceptors and agencies should be selected based upon their suitability with the course objectives and practicum focus areas.

You should start negotiating for a preceptor at least 6 months before you begin a practicum. Negotiating several semesters ahead or an entire year in advance may be necessary to ensure placement in a busy medical practice that may provide spots to students from multiple institutions. You must be licensed in the state in which your practicum is being completed. 

Online Practicum Requirements for Nurse Practitioners 

The University of Massachusetts Amherst (“UMA”)  the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing that leads to professional licensure in the State of Massachusetts and may allow graduates to be eligible for licensure in other states.  

• This program meets professional licensure requirements for the following states: Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Idaho; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Mississippi; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; Nevada; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New Mexico; North Carolina; North Dakota; Ohio; Oklahoma; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Vermont; Virginia; West Virginia; Wisconsin; and Wyoming.
• This curriculum does NOT meet current educational requirements for licensure or certification for the following states: Alabama, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Washington.

Additional Information: Most states require specialty certification for licensure as an advanced practice nurse/nurse practitioner. Although EMCON curriculum meets the state education requirements for most states with the exception of Alabama, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and or Washington it is important to check with your state board of nursing for any additional licensure requirements. View state-by-state nursing licensure requirements.

Health Clearance Requirements

Before beginning a graduate clinical practicum, course students must have completed the submission of all required health records and certifications through CastleBranch at least 8 weeks prior to the clinical course start date. You will set up your student records account during orientation or via emailed instructions provided by your program.  

Instructions for submitting health records are included in Appendix A.  

Please note: Students will not be allowed to begin a practicum course until all required items have been submitted and the College has approved the practicum site and preceptor! 

Please be aware that state and local regulations have limited the states where you may participate in a clinical practicum associated with the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. If you are moving after having been admitted to the program, notify us immediately, so that we may advise you of your options.  

You are not guaranteed to be able to complete a clinical practicum in non-covered states if you move after being accepted into the program or if regulations in your state change.

Students of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing are required to adhere to certain health maintenance procedures to comply with standards prescribed by affiliating clinical agencies and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 15C, entitled, "Immunization of college health science students." Students may use the services of their own family health care providers or the University Health Services. The policies are intended to protect the health and well-being of patients and the nursing student engaged in clinical practice.

Typhon

Typhon is the web-based application that you will be using with your preceptor to track your practicum experiences. After the College of Nursing receives your “Student Preceptor Form,” both you and your preceptor will each be assigned a unique login ID and password to access Typhon. DO NOT SHARE YOUR ID AND PASSWORD.

There are tutorials within the system that will explain how to use Typhon. Like all computer programs, there may be issues at times. Please email Dorian Pariseau with any questions or concerns.

EXXAT

Students who entered their practicum Fall 2025 and prior will continue to use CastleBranch/Typhon and students who enter their practicum starting in Spring 2026 will be using Exxat. Exxat will be your health compliance, background check, clinical scheduling, and to use to track your practicum experiences.

Dorian Pariseau is your UMass support person for CastleBranch and Exxat. 

Dorian Pariseau will load your information once you are admitted into the program and then initiate your welcome email into Exxat. You will complete your profiles by reading through your attestations, uploading your immunization, and finalizing your preclinical requirements. You then utilize the Exxat system to find sites, communicate with your preceptor, instructors, and placement coordinator.

General Information Regarding Practicum and Assignment 

 Time allotment per clinic day: Students may set up practicum time with a preceptor for an 8-hour day (or 12-hour day) once or twice per week as discussed. However, if a student is only able to see 2-3 patients that “fit” the course needs, only 3-5 clinical contact hours can be counted for the day. The student will need to go back to the clinic another day to see more patients. A general rule of thumb: 6-8 patients must be seen to count 8 hours for the day. 

Please note the start and stop dates for practicum courses as you register for courses each semester so that you know the dates you must have preceptors secured for and the dates they will be working with you. Also note that we may have more than one section for any one practicum course. You may need to enroll for a section under your name or you may be asked to “swap” to another section to even out the number of students per section.

Student Code of Conduct

Learning and the exchange of ideas may take place in many settings, including the formal classroom. When students and faculty come together, the expectation is always that mutual respect will prevail to ensure that every student has the optimum opportunity to learn and that each faculty member has the best opportunity to teach. 

It is the expectation of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing that ALL students enrolled in graduate level courses be respectful of others when interacting with faculty, staff, and colleagues, in the classroom, online, and while representing the College of Nursing in clinical settings. 

The College of Nursing follows the University Code of Conduct for Students.

Differences of opinions or concerns related to the class are welcomed if presented in a mutually respectful manner. The challenging of viewpoints is part of the academic experience but should occur in a manner that promotes dialogue and embodies anti-racist, gender-affirming, accessible, and emancipatory nursing praxis. 

• Guidelines for Classroom Civility and Respect

Academic Integrity Statement

Since the integrity of the academic enterprise of any institution of higher education requires honesty in scholarship and research, academic honesty is required of all students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating dishonesty. Appropriate sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed an act of academic dishonesty. Instructors should take reasonable steps to address academic misconduct. Anyone who believes a student has committed academic dishonesty should bring such information to the appropriate course instructor as soon as possible. Instances of academic dishonesty not related to a specific course should be brought to the attention of the appropriate department head or chair. Since students are expected to be familiar with this policy and the commonly accepted standards of academic integrity, ignorance of such standards is not normally sufficient evidence of lack of intent.

Update with new statement: UMass Amherst is strongly committed to academic integrity, which is defined as completing all academic work without cheating, lying, stealing, or receiving unauthorized assistance from any other person, or using any source of information not appropriately authorized or attributed. As a community, we hold each other accountable and support each other’s knowledge and understanding of academic integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University and includes but is not limited to: Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, lying, and facilitating dishonesty, via analogue and digital means. Sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed or participated in an academic integrity infraction. Any person who has reason to believe that a student has committed an academic integrity infraction should bring such information to the attention of the appropriate course instructor as soon as possible. All students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have read and acknowledged the Commitment to Academic Integrity and are knowingly responsible for completing all work with integrity and in accordance with the policy.

University Academic Honesty Policy 

It is the expressed policy of the University that every aspect of graduate academic life, related in whatever fashion to the University, shall be conducted in an absolutely and uncompromisingly honest manner by graduate students. The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing abides by the University Academic Honesty Policy. 

A student identified by an instructor, or another student as having committed a breach of the academic honesty regulations has the right to appeal before any penalty can be imposed. Do not share papers or other work done in previous classes with other students in your program, as this is a violation of the academic honesty code. Students are required to follow the guidelines of the American Psychological Association Publication Manual 7th edition guidelines for citation of works in their assignments. 

Appeals must be filed within ten days of notification by the instructor who suspects dishonesty. Information on the appeal process can be found in the Academic Honesty Policy or requested from the Ombuds Office, where appeals are filed.

The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics

The College of Nursing abides by and adheres to the Code of Ethics for Nurses and the ANA Nursing Standards, which are set forth by the American Nurses Association as it relates to the professional conduct of nurses. The full code and interpretative statements can be viewed, read, and purchased at: https://codeofethics.ana.org/home  

The Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (The Code) was developed as a guide for carrying out nursing responsibilities in a manner consistent with quality in nursing care and the ethical obligations of the profession. 

Provisions of the Code of Ethics 

1.  The nurse practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person.
2. A nurse’s primary commitment is to the recipient(s) of nursing care, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.
3. The nurse established a trusting relationship and  advocates for ts the rights, health, and safety of recipient(s) of care.
4. Nurses have authority   over nursing practice and are responsible and accountable for their practice consistent with their obligations to promote health, prevent illness  and provide optimal  care.
5. The nurse has moral duties to self as a person of inherent dignity and worth including an expectation of a safe place to work that fosters flourishing authenticity of self at work, and self-respect through integrity and professional competence. .
6. Nurses, through individual and collective effort, establish, maintain, and improve the ethical environment of the work setting that affects nursing care and the well-being of nurses.
7. Nurses advance the profession through multiple approaches to knowledge development,  professional standards, and the generation of policies for nursing, health and social concerns. 
8. Nurses build collaborative relationships and networks with nurses, other healthcare and non-healthcare disciplines, and the public to achieve greater ends.
9. Nurses and their professional organizations work to enact and resource practices, policies, and legislation to promote social justice, eliminate health inequities, and facilitate human flourishing.
10. Nursing, through organizations and associations, participates in the global nursing and health community to promote human and environmental health, well-being, and flourishing. 

 Source: American Nurses Association. (2025). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretative statements. Silver Spring, MD: Author. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/code-of-ethics-for-nurses/.

Guidelines for Conduct in Clinical Settings

It is expected that each student will understand and act in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, The Code of Nursing Ethics as promulgated by the American Nurses Association, and the Academic Honesty Policy of the University. Failure to do so will constitute cause for dismissal regardless of academic standing. Please see previous section on professional conduct. Confidentiality (HIPAA) of information related to clinical experiences and the anonymity of patients and families are to be preserved. Professional accountability and responsibility include timely attendance at all scheduled clinical experiences, being adequately prepared for the respective experiences, and always maintaining safety in clinical practice. It is imperative that each student communicate respectfully in collaboration with the health care team and patients.

Clothes and lab coats must be neat and clean. Students must wear their UMass Student Name tag and abide by the dress code at their assigned clinical agencies.

Technical Standards for Admission and Progression

By accepting admission and enrolling in the UMass Elaine Marieb College of Nursing (EMCON), students acknowledge that they have read this policy and certify that they understand the technical standards for admission and progression in the program.

In addition to classroom learning, nursing education requires a clinical/practicum component that involves caring for patients. This policy reviews EMCON expectations for the student’s participation in and adherence to required technical standards in the classroom, simulation, and throughout clinical settings.

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing values diversity and is committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all students, including those with disabilities. This commitment ensures access to nursing education and clinical practice while maintaining the safety and integrity of patient care. EMCON does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If reasonable accommodations will allow a qualified student with a disability to meet these technical standards, accommodations will be provided. Students may request accommodation through UMass Disability Services, which will provide specific guidance to students on required documentation and to faculty and staff on recommended accommodations.

Some students may acquire disabilities during their course of study. In such cases, students should again work with Disability Services to develop reasonable accommodation. The student, Disability Services, and EMCON program leadership will collaborate to organize reasonable accommodation. Sometimes it is not possible for students to meet technical standards with reasonable accommodations; in this event, the student will be dismissed from the program. 

Essential eligibility requirements for participation in the nursing program include the following technical standards:

Observation/Communication

• Auditory, visual, olfactory, and tactile ability - or functional equivalent - sufficient to detect and interpret changes in patient condition, environmental hazards, and safety concerns in diverse clinical settings
• Capacity to accurately obtain and use data for oral and written communications, and use visual images, sounds, and verbal and non-verbal communication to inform patient care
• Ability to record information accurately, timely, and clearly in oral and written form and communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, their families, and colleagues in the healthcare system

Physical/Motor

• Physical and motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform patient care and handling, ergonomic practices, and diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, including in emergencies
• Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide therapeutic nursing interventions that are safe and effective and that maintain safety and security standards
• Motor ability sufficient to meet the requirements specific to the specialty scope of practice, with or without adaptive equipment

Intellectual— Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative

• Critical thinking sufficient for clinical and academic judgment
• Sophisticated problem-solving skills, including calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis; ability to learn through a variety of modalities, including classroom, simulation, and clinical settings, individual and team-based learning, preparation of oral and written reports, and use of technology to support academic work
• Ability to integrate and assimilate complex information from multiple sources in varying amounts, and multiple educational experiences in a timely fashion in order to formulate accurate patient assessments and management plans
• Ability to comprehend spatial relationships and three-dimensional relationships of structures

Interpersonal

The development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and other members of the health care team are essential. The ability to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical practice, adaptability to change environments, flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills, and concern for others are all required. 

• Interpersonal ability to interact appropriately, sensitively, and compassionately with individuals, families, and groups from diverse backgrounds irrespective of the patient’s race, ethnicity, social, emotional, cultural, religious/political preference, gender or sexual orientation, ability to pay and intellectual backgrounds
• Ability to adhere to the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Student Code of Conduct in academic and clinical settings
• Ability to demonstrate appropriate judgment in decision-making, in order to maintain safety and security of patients and to behave appropriately with patients, staff, students, and supervisors
• Ability to function and adapt effectively under physically demanding workload, long hours, and in times of physical and mental stress; display flexibility and openness for changing environments and integrate constructive feedback given in the classroom and clinical settings
• Ability to nurture respectful, mature, healthy client-provider and collegial relationships
• Ability to uphold standards as outlined in the EMCON student handbooks (undergraduate and graduate).