Probation

A student who exhibits unsatisfactory or deficient academic performance or inappropriate professional conduct will be placed on probation. Students on probation are required to satisfy and comply with the terms and/or conditions of their probation. The ADAA, Program Director, Student Progression Committee, or Coordinator may recommend that the Dean suspend students who have not fulfilled the terms and conditions of their probation.

Academic Probation/Withdrawal “Not in Good Academic Standing”

If a student’s performance is unsatisfactory on any academic program requirements, the student will be placed on academic probation. The ADAA, Program Director, or Coordinatory will acknowledge the student’s placement on academic probation and will specify the terms of probation in a written document. Included in this document will be:

  • A statement outlining the area of deficiency
  • A statement reiterating the School’s Withdrawal Policy, and
  • The terms and conditions for returning to good academic standards

This document will be delivered by email, certified mail, or hand-delivered to the student. The student must sign a copy acknowledging receipt of the letter and return it to the ADAA, Program Director, or Coordinator. A copy of the letter will be submitted to the Dean.

Under normal circumstances, a student will be removed from academic probation once he/she has successfully passed all deficient assessments/objectives. During academic probation a student is required to meet regularly with the ADAA, Program Director, the Director of Academic Support Services, Senior Director of Student Affairs, faculty, or the Office of Experiential Education (as appropriate) and the faculty advisor.

Probation for Professional or Personal Misconduct

Students who exhibit inappropriate professional or personal behavior may be placed on Probation for Professional or Personal Misconduct. Inappropriate professional or personal behavior includes, but may not be limited to the following: excessive absence or disruptive behavior in class; inappropriate or disrespectful behavior toward fellow students, faculty, staff, preceptors, or staff/employees at clinical sites; inappropriate or disrespectful interaction with patients; and, unprofessional dress, language, or conduct as defined by SPHS or the respective KGI-affiliated clinical sites. This also includes online behavior and interactions, including social media. At all times, intentional or otherwise, SPHS students must be aware that the violation of legal statutes (e.g., HIPAA, etc.), and Institute and SPHS policies and procedures (e.g., Professionalism Policies, Sexual Harassment Policies, etc.) in their online activities may result in disciplinary actions up to and including probation or dismissal from the Institute. Please see the section on “Student Honor Code” in this handbook.

Matters involving a student’s inappropriate professional or personal behavior will be brought to the attention of the Senior Director of Student Affairs through the Honor Code Intake Form. The student will meet with the Senior Director of Student Affairs. The issue will be resolved or referred to the Student Conduct Committee, in either case the outcome will be documented in the student’s file.

The Student Conduct Committee may recommend that the ADAA place the student on Probation for Professional or Personal Misconduct, and will specify the terms of probation. The ADAA or Program Director will acknowledge the student’s placement on probation as described above.

The Senior Director of Student Affairs shall be responsible for monitoring the student’s progress toward meeting the terms of probation. Once the student has satisfied the terms of probation, the Senior Director of Student Affairs shall communicate to the ADAA, or Program Director, that the student be reinstated to non-probationary status.

For more specific policies, MSPA program students should refer to the MSPA Program Student Handbook.

Suspension

Suspension of a student is a serious action and is only considered in situations of consistent or persistent academic difficulties, or for consistent or persistent professional or personal misconduct. The ADAA, Program Director, or the Student Conduct Committee, after appropriate review, may recommend that the Dean suspend a student from the program.

The Dean will notify the student of their suspension, including the terms and conditions of the suspension, as soon as possible but within ten (10) business days. The decision shall be delivered to the student by hand or by certified mail and receipt acknowledged by signature. This decision will also include the length of time for which the suspension will be in effect. During the imposed suspension, the student is prohibited from attending or participating in any instructional sessions (either in the classroom or on experiential rotations) or any School or Institute events that are not open to the general public.

Following the suspension period, the student may petition the Dean in writing, to allow him/her to return. The Dean shall consider the request and notify the student and the administrative officers, in writing, of the exact date and conditions under which their status is reinstated or the official termination date of the student.

Dismissal

The Dean reserves the right to dismiss a student at any time in order to safeguard the School’s standards of scholarship, professional and personal conduct, and orderly operation. Actions which threaten or endanger, in any way, the personal safety and/or well-being of self or other, or which disrupt or interfere with the orderly operation of the School are cause for immediate dismissal of the student. A student who is dismissed may not be reinstated under any circumstances.

Total Withdrawal is a privilege granted in consideration of specified levels of performance and of maintaining the established standards of scholarship and personal and professional conduct. The Dean of the KGI SPHS reserves the right to require withdrawal at any time they deem necessary to safeguard the school’s standards of scholarship, conduct, and orderly operation. The student concedes this right by the act of matriculation.

Voluntary Withdrawal

Application for voluntary withdrawal from the School must be made in writing to the Division of Student Affairs. A withdrawal form must be requested from the Division of Student Affairs. This form will need to be signed and submitted to the Division of Student Affairs by the student. Every effort should be made by the student to assure that no misunderstandings or errors occur in the withdrawal process. Following the submission of the form by the student, the Senior Director of Student Affairs will notify the Dean. A student who leaves the School without notifying the Division of Student Affairs and completing the established withdrawal procedures within 30 days will automatically be dismissed from KGI and will not be considered for readmission at a later date. Withdrawal is not complete until the required forms are signed by the student, the Senior Director of Student Affairs, the Academic Dean, the KGI Registrar, the Financial Aid office and the Student Accounts office. If the student is an international student, there must also be a signature from a Designated School Official.

Mandatory Withdrawal

As stated in Academic Policies and Procedures above, students who have made unsatisfactory progress may be required to withdraw from the program “not in good academic standing”. Students who leave the School without completing the established withdrawal procedure within 30 days will automatically be dismissed from KGI and will not be considered for re-instatement.

Conditions for Readmission for Students Who Have Withdrawn From the Program

A student who withdraws “in good academic standing” (i.e., not on academic probation) is not assured readmission unless it is a part of the final written decision and/or agreement made between the Dean and the student. Students who have withdrawn voluntarily or been required to withdraw for academic or conduct reasons may request re-admission. Requests for re-admission should be submitted to the Senior Director of Student Affairs in the Division of Student Affairs by June for the fall semester and November for the spring semester. All petitioners are required to fill out the Application for Re-admission for the KGI Registrar and provide requested documentation.

If the petitioner was temporarily withdrawn under defined terms, the Senior Director of Student Affairs will forward the Application for Readmission to the KGI Registrar, and notify the Dean and the ADAA.

If the petitioner withdrew with no written terms for return or was withdrawn from the program, the Senior Director of Student Affairs will forward the Application for Readmission. DOS forwards application to the Dean. The Dean will make a final decision on readmission. The decision will be communicated to the petitioner, DOS, and the ADAA. If readmission is granted, the DOS will forward the Application for Re-admission and supporting documentation to the KGI Registrar, the ADAA, and the Program Director will send the student an academic plan along with any other stipulations of re-admission.

Unless circumstances determined by the Dean warrant, a student who is granted re-admission must re-enter at the beginning of the next academic year and register for the entire academic year.

Conditions for Reinstatement for Students Who Have Temporarily Left the Program

A student who is delayed for academic reasons, has been suspended, or taken a leave of absence is required to fill out the Application for Reinstatement for the KGI Registrar and provide requested documentation. Requests for reinstatement should be submitted to the Senior Director of Student Affairs by June for the fall semester, November for the spring semester, and March for the summer semester. The Senior Director of Student Affairs will forward the Application for Reinstatement to the Dean and the ADAA.

If reinstatement is granted by the Dean, the Senior Director of Student Affairs will forward the Application for Reinstatement and supporting documentation to the KGI Registrar, and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Program Director, or Office of Experiential Education will send the student an academic plan along with any other stipulations of reinstatement.