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Satisfactory progress

In order to make satisfactory progress, continue in, and graduate from your program of study, you must meet University, School and program standards relative to scholarship and performance in pursuit of your degree or certificate.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing/Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

In order to make satisfactory progress, continue in, and graduate from the BSN/ABSN program, a BSN/ABSN student meets University, School and program standards relative to scholarship and performance in pursuit of the BSN degree and must:

  1. Earn a 2.0 or above in all graded classes (see University definition of low scholarship) or “Credit” in non-graded classes;
  2. Meet the Essential Qualifications for BSN and ABSN Students at all times during the program; and
  3. Satisfactorily complete the first 45 credits of the BSN program within two years of initial enrollment.

The BSN Coordinating Committee (BSNCC) monitors satisfactory progress of all BSN/ABSN students. If BSNCC is concerned that a student is not making satisfactory progress as defined by the criteria above, the committee:

  1. Reviews the situation, with particular attention to evidence that student is not meeting Essential Qualifications or is performing at a level that poses a safety risk to patients.
  2. Considers the action needed. Actions may consist of but are not limited to:
    1. Place the student on Essentials or Academic (course) Warn.
    2. Outline in writing specific requirements the student must meet for the remainder of the program in order to continue in and graduate from the program.
    3. Provide the student with information about support systems to enhance satisfactory progress, including regular tutoring, counseling, or advising appointments.
    4. Require the student to repeat a course or courses, take a remedial course or complete additional remedial sessions associated with a course.
    5. Require the student to attend the program on a reduced program schedule.
    6. Require the student to take a leave of absence.
    7. Dismiss the student from the program.

Students are encouraged to seek support through Student and Academic Services, as well as through counseling services as needed.

Master of Science

Satisfactory progress

A master’s student who is making satisfactory progress meets University, School and departmental standards relative to scholarship and performance in pursuit of the master’s degree and must meet the following criteria:

  • Maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA
  • Earn a quarterly GPA of 3.00 or higher
  • Earn a grade of 2.7 or higher in required courses
  • In programs of study where course work is sequential, achieve course objectives and earn credit for each course each quarter in order to progress to the next quarter of the program of study
  • If applicable, satisfactorily complete clinical coursework, participate in a clinical seminar, and demonstrate safe clinical practice
  • Make adequate progress with thesis or scholarly project (non-thesis), as demonstrated by the faculty advisers or supervisory committee chair’s progress notes regarding student demonstration of interest, responsibility in working toward completion of thesis or project, and number of credits taken before a proposal has been approved
  • For MN students, maintain active, unrestricted licensure as an RN in Washington State
  • Meet all Essential Behaviors for continuation and graduation

Unsatisfactory progress

Students who are having academic or clinical difficulties are encouraged to work directly with the course instructor or clinical preceptor, if applicable, as well as with their academic adviser or supervisory committee chair. Students who are not making satisfactory progress in a course or in the program of study will be issued a warning card, as outlined in Student and Academic Services Memorandum No. 6. To guide the student toward success, a formal learning contract may be written by the faculty member and, as appropriate, Student and Academic Services staff, in order to identify the areas of deficiency and specify corrective actions to satisfactorily meet course and program objectives. This learning contract may accompany the warning card and will be placed in the student file.

If the student is included in the UW Graduate School’s Low Scholarship Report, the student may also be recommended for warning, probation, final probation, or drop by the School of Nursing Graduate Program Coordinator or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

In programs of study where course work is sequential: if an improvement is not made and course objectives are not met, credit is not earned. The student may, thus, not continue in the program. Final probation or drop may be recommended by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to the UW Graduate School due to low grade point average or unsatisfactory performance and progress and will be reviewed by the Dean of the Graduate School as outlined in Graduate School Memorandum No. 16. Students will be informed of a change in status by a letter from the Dean of the Graduate School.


Evaluation procedures: Quarterly reviews and annual reviews

Master’s student performance is reviewed on a quarterly and on an annual basis as described below. Student-faculty conferences may be initiated by the student or by a faculty member at any time.

Quarterly reviews

Quarterly reviews are conducted by:

  1. the School of Nursing Graduate School Coordinator, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, who:
    1. receives a quarterly Low Scholarship Report from the UW Graduate School of students with a cumulative or quarterly G.P.A. less than 3.00;
    2. seeks input from the faculty adviser, the supervisory committee chair, track faculty, and departmental graduate faculty regarding a listed student;
    3. based on faculty assessments, may recommend the following actions in writing to the Graduate School regarding a listed student: no action, warn, probation, final probation, or drop. If a change of status has been recommended, the Graduate School notifies the student in writing. A letter may also be sent by the Associate Dean to the student’s adviser or supervisory committee chair when a change of status has been recommended.
  2. the faculty adviser, the supervisory committee chair, track faculty, and departmental graduate faculty, who:
    1. assess student readiness to progress in the program, make progress notes in the student file, and may hold conferences with the student to discuss their progress as outlined in Student and Academic Services Memorandum No. 2;
    2. at the request of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, review the total records of a student on the Low Scholarship Report to determine if the student is meeting departmental requirements and making satisfactory progress with thesis or scholarly project non-thesis), noting recommendations on student grade sheet for quarter, in the student file, and on the list sent to the department and then returned to Student and Academic Services. This information is also shared with the department chairperson.

Annual reviews

Annual reviews are conducted in winter or spring quarter each year by the School of Nursing Graduate School Coordinator and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in concert with faculty in the department of the student’s area of study. Students are notified in writing of the outcome of the annual review, which may include recommendations for action by the student or the student’s supervisory committee.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Satisfactory progress

A DNP student who is making satisfactory progress meets University and School standards relative to scholarship and performance in pursuit of the DNP degree and must meet the following criteria:

  1. Meet University requirements for a doctoral degree
  2. Maintain satisfactory performance and progression toward completion of the degree, as outlined in Graduate School Memorandum No. 16
  3. Maintain active, unrestricted licensure as an RN in Washington State. For those with an ARNP license: additionally, maintain active unrestricted licensure as an ARNP in Washington State.
  4. Earn a quarterly GPA of 3.00 or higher
  5. Earn a grade of 2.7 or higher in required courses
  6. In programs of study where course work is sequential, achieve course objectives and earn credit for each course each quarter in order to progress to the next course in the sequence
  7. If applicable, satisfactorily complete clinical coursework, participate in a clinical seminar, and demonstrate safe clinical practice
  8. Complete the following, all of which require signed approval from your supervisory committee:
    • Program of Study that meets DNP program requirements
    • Final Project Proposal
    • Final Project Final Report Presentation/defense of Final Project
    • Satisfactory completion of an approved Program of Study
    • Final Examination Warrant signed when Final Project and Program of Study are completed
  9. Make adequate progress with Final Project, as demonstrated by the supervisory committee chair’s progress notes regarding student demonstration of interest and responsibility in working toward completion of a project
  10. Meet all Essential Behaviors for admission, continuation, and graduation
  11. Satisfactorily complete DNP requirements for Final Examination, and UW requirements for the Final Examination, registering for at least two credits during the quarter the examination is taken.

Unsatisfactory progress

Students who are having academic or clinical difficulties are encouraged to work directly with the course instructor or clinical preceptor, if applicable, as well as with their academic adviser or supervisory committee chair. Students who are not making satisfactory progress in a course or in the DNP program will be issued a warning card, as outlined in Student and Academic Services Memorandum No. 6, to help guide the student toward success. If the student is included in the UW Graduate School’s Low Scholarship Report, the student may also be recommended for warn, probation, final probation, or drop by the School of Nursing Graduate Program Coordinator, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

In programs of study where course work is sequential: if an improvement is not made and course objectives are not met, credit is not earned. The student may thus not continue in the course sequence. Final probation or drop may be recommended by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to the UW Graduate School due to low grade point average or unsatisfactory performance and progress and will be reviewed by the Dean of the Graduate School as outlined in Graduate School Memorandum No. 16. Students will be informed of a change in status by a letter from the Dean of the Graduate School.

On a case by case basis, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in consultation with the faculty adviser, chair of the supervisory committee, and the DNP Coordinating Committee, will determine the length of time low scholarship or unsatisfactory progress on the part of a DNP student will be tolerated.

Evaluation procedures: Quarterly reviews and annual reviews

DNP student performance is reviewed on a quarterly and on an annual basis as described below. Student-faculty conferences may be initiated by the student or by a faculty member at any time.


Quarterly reviews

Quarterly reviews are conducted by:

  1. the School of Nursing Graduate School Coordinator, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, who:
    1. receives a quarterly Low Scholarship Report from the UW Graduate School of students with a cumulative or quarterly GPA less than 3.00;
    2. seeks input from the faculty adviser, the supervisory committee chair, and departmental graduate faculty members regarding students listed as well as any students whose progress may be of concern;
    3. based on faculty assessments, may recommend the following actions in writing to the Graduate School: no action, warn, probation, final probation, or drop. If a change of status has been recommended, the Graduate School notifies the student in writing. A letter may also be sent by the Associate Dean to the student’s adviser or supervisory committee chair when a change of status has been recommended.
  2. the faculty adviser, the supervisory committee chair, and departmental faculty, who:
    1. assess student readiness to progress in the program, make progress notes in the student file, and may hold conferences with the student to discuss their progress as outlined in Student and Academic Services Memorandum No. 2;
    2. at the request of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, review the academic records of any DNP student to determine if the student is meeting requirements and making satisfactory progress in the program, noting recommendations in the student file, as well as to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the MN/DNP Coordinating Committee chair as needed.

Annual reviews

Annual reviews are conducted in autumn or winter quarter each year by the School of Nursing Graduate School Coordinator, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in concert with the student’s faculty adviser or supervisory committee chair. Students are notified in writing of the outcome of the annual review, which may include recommendations for action by the student or the student’s supervisory committee.


Appeals

When a change of status has been recommended (warn, probation, final probation, or drop) by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to the Graduate School, a student may appeal following the procedure outlined in satisfactory performance and progression toward completion of the degree, as outlined in Graduate School Memorandum No. 16.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science

Satisfactory progress

A PhD student who is making satisfactory progress meets University and School standards relative to scholarship and performance in pursuit of the PhD degree and must meet the following criteria:

  1. Meet University requirements for a doctoral degree
  2. Maintain satisfactory performance and progression toward completion of the degree, as outlined in Graduate School Memorandum No. 16
  3. Earn a quarterly GPA of 3.00 or higher
  4. Earn a grade of 2.7 or higher in required courses
  5. Achieve course objectives, satisfactorily complete, and earn credit for each core course in the PhD program, and in each course identified as a requirement of the student’s program of study.
  6. Satisfactorily complete PhD requirements for General Examination, and UW requirements for the General Examination, registering for at least two credits during the quarter the examination is taken
  7. Meet all Essential Behaviors for Admission, Continuation, and Graduation
  8. Satisfactorily complete PhD requirements for Final Examination, and UW requirements for the Final Examination, registering for at least two credits during the quarter the examination is taken.

Unsatisfactory progress

Students who are having academic or clinical difficulties are encouraged to work directly with the course instructor and clinical preceptor, if applicable, as well as with their academic adviser and supervisory committee chair. Students who are not making satisfactory progress in a course or in the PhD program will be issued a warning card, as outlined in Student and Academic Services Memorandum No. 6, to help guide the student toward success. If the student is included in the UW Graduate School’s Low Scholarship Report, the student may also be recommended for warn, probation, final probation, or drop by the School of Nursing Graduate Program Coordinator, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

In programs of study where course work is sequential: if an improvement is not made and course objectives are not met, credit is not earned. The student may thus not continue in the course sequence. Final probation or drop may be recommended by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to the UW Graduate School due to low grade point average or unsatisfactory performance and progress and will be reviewed by the Dean of the Graduate School as outlined in Graduate School Memorandum No. 16. Students will be informed of a change in status by a letter from the Dean of the Graduate School.

On a case by case basis, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in consultation with the faculty adviser, chair of the supervisory committee, and the PhD Coordinating Committee, will determine the length of time low scholarship or unsatisfactory progress on the part of a PhD student will be tolerated.


Evaluation procedures: quarterly reviews and annual reviews

PhD student performance is reviewed on a quarterly and on an annual basis as described below. Student-faculty conferences may be initiated by the student or by a faculty member at any time.

Quarterly reviews

Quarterly reviews are conducted by:

  1. the School of Nursing Graduate School Coordinator, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, who:
    1. receives a quarterly Low Scholarship Report from the UW Graduate School of students with a cumulative or quarterly GPA less than 3.00;
    2. seeks input from the faculty adviser, the supervisory committee chair, and departmental graduate faculty members regarding students listed as well as any students whose progress may be of concern;
    3. based on faculty assessments, may recommend the following actions in writing to the Graduate School: no action, warn, probation, final probation, or drop. If a change of status has been recommended, the Graduate School notifies the student in writing. A letter may also be sent by the Associate Dean to the student’s adviser or supervisory committee chair when a change of status has been recommended.
  2. the faculty adviser, the supervisory committee chair, and departmental faculty, who:
    1. assess student readiness to progress in the program, make progress notes in the student file, and may hold conferences with the student to discuss their progress as outlined in Student and Academic Services Memorandum No. 2;
    2. at the request of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, review the academic records of any PhD student to determine if the student is meeting requirements and making satisfactory progress in the program, noting recommendations in the student file, as well as to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the PhD Coordinating Committee chair as needed.

Annual reviews

Annual reviews are conducted in Autumn or Winter Quarter each year by the School of Nursing Graduate School Coordinator, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in concert with the student’s faculty adviser or supervisory committee chair. Students are notified in writing of the outcome of the annual review, which may include recommendations for action by the student or the student’s supervisory committee.

Appeals

When a change of status has been recommended (warn, probation, final probation, or drop) by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to the Graduate School, a student may appeal following the procedure outlined in satisfactory performance and progression toward completion of the degree, as outlined in Graduate School Memorandum No. 16.

Graduate Certificate Program in Advanced Practice Nursing

Satisfactory progress

A graduate certificate student who is making satisfactory progress meets University, School and departmental standards relative to scholarship and performance in pursuit of the graduate certificate and must meet the following criteria:

  1. Maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA
  2. Earn a quarterly GPA of 3.00 or higher
  3. Earn a grade of 2.7 or higher in required courses
  4. In programs of study where course work is sequential, achieve course objectives and earn credit for each course each quarter in order to progress to the next quarter of the program of study
  5. If applicable, satisfactorily complete clinical coursework, participate in a clinical seminar, and demonstrate safe clinical practice
  6. For students in clinical nursing graduate certificates requiring an RN license, maintain active, unrestricted licensure as an RN in Washington State
  7. Meet all Essential Behaviors for continuation and graduation

Unsatisfactory progress

Students who are having academic or clinical difficulties are encouraged to work directly with the course instructor and clinical preceptor, if applicable, as well as with their academic adviser and supervisory committee chair. Students who are not making satisfactory progress in a course or in the program of study will be issued a warning card, as outlined in Student and Academic Services Memorandum No. 6. To guide the student toward success, a formal learning contract may be written by the faculty member and, as appropriate, Student and Academic Services staff, in order to identify the areas of deficiency and specify corrective actions to satisfactorily meet course and program objectives. This learning contract may accompany the warning card and will be placed in the student file.

If the student is included in the UW Graduate School’s Low Scholarship Report, the student may also be recommended for warning, probation, final probation, or drop by the School of Nursing Graduate Program Coordinator, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

In programs of study where course work is sequential: if an improvement is not made and course objectives are not met, credit is not earned. The student may thus not continue in the program. Final probation or drop may be recommended by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to the UW Graduate School due to low grade point average or unsatisfactory performance and progress and will be reviewed by the Dean of the Graduate School as outlined in Graduate School Memorandum No. 16. Students will be informed of a change in status by a letter from the Dean of the Graduate School.


Evaluation procedures: quarterly reviews and annual reviews

Student performance is reviewed on a quarterly and on an annual basis as described below.  Student-faculty conferences may be initiated by the student or by a faculty member at any time.

Quarterly reviews

Quarterly reviews are conducted by:

  1. the School of Nursing Graduate School Coordinator, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, who:
    1. receives a quarterly Low Scholarship Report from the UW Graduate School of students with a cumulative or quarterly G.P.A. less than 3.00;
    2. seeks input from the faculty adviser, the supervisory committee chair, track faculty, and departmental graduate faculty regarding a listed student;
    3. based on faculty assessments, may recommend the following actions in writing to the Graduate School regarding a listed student: no action, warn, probation, final probation, or drop. If a change of status has been recommended, the Graduate School notifies the student in writing. A letter may also be sent by the Associate Dean to the student’s adviser or supervisory committee chair when a change of status has been recommended.
  2. the faculty adviser, the supervisory committee chair, track faculty, and departmental graduate faculty, who:
    1. assess student readiness to progress in the program, make progress notes in the student file, and may hold conferences with the student to discuss their progress as outlined in Student and Academic Services Memorandum No. 2;
    2. at the request of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, review the total records of a student on the Low Scholarship Report to determine if the student is meeting departmental requirements and making satisfactory progress with thesis or scholarly project non-thesis), noting recommendations on student grade sheet for quarter, in the student file, and on the list sent to the department and then returned to Student and Academic Services. This information is also shared with the department chairperson.

Annual reviews

Annual reviews are conducted in winter or spring quarter each year by the School of Nursing Graduate School Coordinator, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in concert with faculty in the department of the student’s area of study. Students are notified in writing of the outcome of the annual review, which may include recommendations for action by the student or the student’s supervisory committee.