School of Education Student Handbook

School of Education Student Handbook Revised: November 8, 2013 Effective: June 23, 2009

TOURO UNIVERSITY NEVADA SCHOOL OF EDUCATION STUDENT HANDBOOK Page SECTION I TOURO UNIVERSITY NEVADA 3 Non-Discrimination Policy 3 SECTION II TOURO UNIVERSITY NEVADA SCHOOL OF EDUCATION 3 Accreditation and Approval 3 Degree Awarded 3 SECTION III OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS 4 Office of the Registrar 4 SECTION IV GENERAL ACADEMIC AND CLASSROOM POLICIES 4 Grading Grade Appeals 4 Attendance Policies 4 Classroom Conduct Rules 5 Student Academic Ethics: A Guide to Academic Honesty 6 SECTION V INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES 6 Smoking 6 Sexual Harassment 6 Grade Appeal 6 Immunizations and Health Records 6 Lost and Found 6 SECTION VI STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 7 2

SECTION I TOURO UNIVERSITY NEVADA The Student Handbook contains policies and requirements which govern academic performance and student conduct. These policies are unique to Touro University Nevada, and are designed to promote standards for academic competency, professional discipline and personal responsibility. It represents the parameters of achievement and behavior the faculty expects of its students. It is the responsibility of all students to be knowledgeable about Touro University Nevada policies. These policies will be applied to all aspects of the student s academic progress and personal conduct for as long as the student is enrolled. This handbook applies to all students currently enrolled in the School of Education, and only where stipulated, do policies and requirements apply differently for individual classes. Touro University Nevada reserves the right to make changes at any time in this handbook or in the requirements for admission, graduation, tuition, fees and any rules or regulations. Touro University Nevada maintains the right to refuse to matriculate a student deemed by the faculty to be academically incompetent or otherwise unfit or unsuited for enrollment. Non-Discrimination Policy It is the policy of the University to admit qualified students irrespective of race, age, gender, color, creed, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. To be considered for admission to any program offered by the University, a student must possess the academic credentials and professional attributes deemed essential by the respective program admission s committee for selection to the program. SECTION II TOURO UNIVERSITY NEVADA SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Accreditation and Approval Touro University Nevada is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities. The programs are also licensed by the Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education. Degree Awarded Master of Education Curriculum & Instruction Brain-Based Learning (Online) Master of Education Curriculum & Instruction Differentiated Instruction (Online) Master of Education Curriculum & Instruction Educational Technology (Online) Master of Education Curriculum & Instruction Teaching English as a Second Language (Online) Master of Education Curriculum & Instruction Response to Intervention (Online) Master of Education Curriculum & Instruction School Counseling (Online) Master of Education Curriculum & Instruction Humanities Master of Education Curriculum & Instruction National Board Certification Master of Education Literacy and Language Master of Education School Administration Master of Education Special Education Generalist Master of Education Secondary Education Endorsements Teaching English as a Second Language Endorsement Autism Endorsement 3

SECTION III OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS The Office of Student Affairs, which is under the supervision of the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Institutional Research, is located at 874 American Pacific Drive, Henderson, Nevada 89014. This office coordinates a variety of student support service functions within the University including the publication and distribution of the Student Handbook. Student Affairs interacts with students to develop and offer support programs and services which enrich students experiences on campus. The Office of Student Affairs is available to students on a continuing basis supporting student concerns and challenges. Office of the Registrar The Office of the Registrar is responsible for the official documentation for student enrollment at the University. The services provided by the Office of the Registrar include course registration, transcript requests, processing requests for withdrawal or a leave of absence from the University, transfer requests, adding or dropping a course, and certifying enrollment for student loans. SECTION IV GENERAL ACADEMIC AND CLASSROOM POLICIES Grading Students must obtain a minimum final grade of 83% to pass any Touro University School of Education course. Grade Appeal Only grade appeals based on one or more of the following criteria will be considered for appeal: 1. A discrepancy exists between the syllabus and what or how the grade was actually calculated; 2. The course grade was assigned on a basis other than performance in the class; 3. A perception of bias exists (The instructor used standards that were different from those allowed for other students in the same class) First level grade appeal: Appeal to the Course Instructor and/or Lead Instructor Student must notify the Course Instructor in writing within 24 hours (not including weekends or scheduled university holidays) of final course grade posting that he/she would like to appeal the grade. The Course Instructor must meet with the Student within 3 days. The Course Instructor will notify the Student in writing within 24 hours after the meeting regarding the decision and rationale. Attach all written documentation (including emails) between Student and Course Instructor regarding the scheduling and resolution of the meeting. Second level grade appeal: Appeal to Program Director/Department Chair Should the Student wish to continue the Grade Appeal Process, the next step is an appeal to the Program Director/Department Chair in writing within 24 hours of receiving the Course Instructor's decision. A formal meeting is not required. Attach all documentation between the Student and Director/Department Chair. The Director/Department Chair will notify the student in writing with a decision and rationale within 24 hours. Third level grade appeal: Appeal to the Grade Appeal Committee The student needs to appeal to the Dean/Grade Appeal Committee in writing within 24 hours of receiving Director's decision. The College Dean will forward the appeal to the Grade Appeal Committee within 24 hours. The Committee will meet 4

within 5 academic days of receiving the appeal. The recommendation along with supporting documentation will be forwarded to the Dean within 24 hours. Advanced Studies Programs (CTE) Attendance/Participation It is expected that students will attend all instructional sessions, required activities, and field assignments. The College of Education attendance policy supports the belief that attendance at all sessions is crucial to benefit from the learning experience. Students who are absent from a session will have four (4) points deducted from their grade, including absences for minor illness, family commitments, conflicting work schedules, etc. Students who present documentation of required attendance at a school activity (open house or back to school night) will not be penalized for their absence but must submit all missed assignments. Missing a Sunday class will result in nine (9) points deducted from their grade. (The department curriculum committee retains the discretion to make individual exceptions to this policy based upon extenuating circumstances.) Absences from any class session for any reason do not relieve the student from responsibility for the covered material or assignments. Students who arrive late to class or leave early may have one point deducted from their grade each time this occurs. Students who do not attend the first night of class AND do not notify the instructor in advance will be dropped from the course and charged a course drop fee. Master s Programs Attendance/Participation It is expected that students will attend all instructional sessions, required activities, and field assignments. The College of Education attendance policy supports the belief that attendance at all sessions is crucial to benefit from the learning experience. Students who are absent from a session will have four (4) points deducted from their grade, including absences for minor illness, family commitments, conflicting work schedules, etc. Students who present documentation of required attendance at a school activity (open house or back to school night) will not be penalized for their absence but must submit all missed assignments. Missing a Sunday class will result in eight (8) points deducted from their grade. (The department curriculum committee retains the discretion to make individual exceptions to this policy based upon extenuating circumstances.) Absences from any class session for any reason do not relieve the student from responsibility for the covered material or assignments. Students who arrive late to class or leave early may have one point deducted from their grade each time this occurs. Students who do not attend the first night of class AND do not notify the instructor in advance will be dropped from the course and charged a course drop fee. Classroom Conduct Rules Cell phones are not to be accessible during class time. All cell phones will be turned off and put away during class time. They may be used during approved breaks. If there is an emergency for which you must have your cell phone either on or visible and accessible, it must be pre-approved with your instructor. No side conversations during class time. If you need to express yourself, please share it with the class. If you did not hear or are confused about a point, ask your question for the benefit of the entire class. If you have a question, usually others in class have the same question. Show respect to those who are presenting in class. Computers are to be used only for the purpose of class content. Computers are not for instant messaging, checking of emails, writing of papers, or other non-class-related activity. Students are expected to contribute to class discussions. Without your participation, the class will not be as effective and productive. Your input is important for the learning process. 5

Students must come to class prepared, having read class assignments before class begins, and having papers ready for submission. Instructors may opt not to accept emailed papers. Students must not only come to class on time, but also return from breaks on time. Students must be prepared to stay for the duration of the scheduled class period. Student Academic Ethics: A Guide to Academic Honesty What is Academic Dishonesty? Academic dishonesty is intentional cheating, fabrication or plagiarism. It is also knowingly helping or attempting to help others to be dishonest. Academic dishonesty lowers scholastic quality and defrauds those who will eventually depend upon your knowledge and integrity. See the University Catalog for the institutional Code of Conduct. SECTION V INSTITUTIONAL POLICES Smoking Smoking is not permitted inside any campus building of inside University vehicles. The University recognizes the health, safety and benefits of smoke-free air and the special responsibility that is has to maintain a healthy and safe environment for its faculty, students, employees and guests. Touro University Nevada is committed to the promotion of good health, wellness and the prevention of disease and to comply with Nevada state law regarding smoking indoors. Violators are subject to disciplinary action. In addition, smoking materials shall not be sold or in any way distributed under the auspices of Touro University Nevada. Smokers are required to dispose of all cigarette butts in a safe manner. Sexual Harassment Sexual harassment is a form of unlawful discrimination under state and federal law. It may consist of: actual or threatened sexual contact which is not mutually agreeable to both parties, continued or repeated verbal abuse of a sexual nature, and/or a threat or insinuation that a lack of sexual submissiveness will adversely affect the victim s employment, academic standing or other vital circumstances. Examples of sexual harassment include but are not limited to: pressure (subtle or overt) for sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt threats concerning one s job, grades or letters of recommendation; inappropriate display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; unnecessary touching, pinching, patting or the constant brushing against another s body and/or use of sexually abusive language (including remarks about a person s clothing, body or bodily movement or sexual activities). Any member of the University community may resist such harassment and/or report such harassment to the appropriate program director, Associate Dean or other member of the Touro University Nevada administration. Immunizations and Health Records See TUN Catalog for minimum requirements. Lost and Found The Department of Human Resources maintains a Lost and Found Service for the University. Lost articles may be claimed from Human Resources during regular business hours. Students are urged to label all books and other personal belongings so that they can be easily identified if turned into the Lost and Found. 6

SECTION VI STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES SLO Baseline Measures Developmental Measures Mastery Measures Alumni Measures Standards 1-7 3. Access and evaluate information 4. Commit to lifelong learning 5. Serve the needs of their communities 6. Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences 7. Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines 8. Act in a professional and ethical manner Standard 1, 2, 3 Standard 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Standard 1, 2, 3, 4 Standard 1, 3, 4 Standard 1, 4, 5 5, 6, 7 Standard 1 5, 6 Standards 1-7 1) Teacher Work Standard 1, 2, 3 Standard 1,2,3,4,5,6, Standard 1,2,3,4 Standards 1, 3, 4, Standard 1, 4, 5 5, 6, 7 Standard 1, 5,6, Standards 1-7 Standard 1,2, 3 1) Standard 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 2)Interstate School Standard 1, 2, 3, 4 Standard 1, 4, 5, 7