Blue Cliff College Catalog Metairie Campus 3501 Severn Ave., Ste. 20 Metairie, LA 70002 (504) 456-3141 1-800-975-5405 Lafayette Campus 100 Asma Blvd., Ste. 350 Lafayette, LA 70508 (337) 269-0620 1-877-269-0615 Shreveport Campus 200 N. Thomas Dr., Ste. A Shreveport, LA 71107 (318) 425-7941 1-888-863-5445 Gulfport Campus 942 Beach Dr. Gulfport, MS 39507 (228) 896-9727 1-866-867-5358 Visit our web site at http://www.bluecliffcollege.com i
The intention of the staff and faculty of Blue Cliff College is rooted in the very name itself. Blue Cliff is taken from an ancient Zen text, Blue Cliff Records, containing dialogues between Zen Masters and their students. Blue Cliff has come to symbolize the role of the teacher in bringing personal knowledge and insight to a student, while simultaneously kindling the flame of his or her personal development and personal awareness. This catalog is not to be construed as a contract. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this catalog, no responsibility is assumed by Blue Cliff College for clerical, editorial or printing errors. At the time of preparation for printing, Blue Cliff College has attempted to present what most accurately describes the rules, policies, fees, course offerings and other matters. However, in its unfettered discretion, Blue Cliff College also reserves the right to change the regulations governing admissions, tuition, fees or other expenses; to cancel programs or courses due to low enrollment or curricular changes; or to alter any regulations affecting the student body. Any modifications made to course content will be made in accordance with the State Department of Education guidelines and ACCSCT approvals. At Blue Cliff College there will be no discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, age, disability, or national origin in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This principle applies to, but is not limited to, education programs, admissions, clinics, employment practices and financial aid. Enrollment at Blue Cliff College implies the acceptance of these conditions concerning all matters and failure to read this catalog does not excuse students from the requirements and regulations required within. Illustration Sources for this catalog were purchased from Photodisc.com Revised 6/1/2004 ii
Blue Cliff College Academic Calendar 2004 Spring Quarter New student orientation April 7, 2004 Classes begin April 12, 2004 Last day to drop or add a course April 19, 2004 Classes end June 26, 2004 Holiday closures Memorial Day, May 31 Quarter break begins June 27, 2004 2004 Summer Quarter New student orientation July 1, 2004 Classes begin July 6, 2004 Last day to drop or add a course July 12, 2004 Classes end September 18, 2004 Holiday closures Labor Day, September 6 Quarter break begins September 19, 2004 2004 Fall Quarter New student orientation September 23, 2004 Classes begin September 27, 2004 Last day to drop or add a course October 4, 2004 Classes end December 18, 2004 Holiday closures Veterans Day, November 11 and Thanksgiving, November 25 Quarter break begins December 19, 2004 2005 Winter Quarter New student orientation January 6, 2005 Classes begin January 10, 2005 Last day to drop or add a course January 17, 2005 Classes end April 2, 2005 Holiday closures Martin Luther King, Jan. 17; Mardi Gras, Feb. 8; Easter, March 27 Quarter break begins April 3, 2005 2005 Spring Quarter New student orientation April 7, 2005 Classes begin April 11, 2005 Last day to drop or add a course April 18, 2005 Classes end June 24, 2005 Holiday closures Memorial Day, May 30 Quarter break begins June 25, 2005 2005 Summer Quarter New student orientation July 7, 2005 Classes begin July 11, 2005 Last day to drop or add a course July 18, 2005 Classes end September 24, 2005 Holiday closures Labor Day, September 5 Quarter break begins September 25, 2005 iii
Table of Contents Blue Cliff College An Overview Principle and Purpose... 1 Past and Present... 2 College Profile... 3 Facilities... 3 Admissions to Blue Cliff College Admission Requirements... 4 Making Application... 4 Financial Information Fees and Tuition... 6 Applying for Financial Aid... 6 Financial Aid Resources... 7 Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress... 8 Notice of Withdrawal... 8 Louisiana Payments and Refunds... 9 Mississippi Payments and Refunds... 10 Academic Policies Attendance... 11 Definition of Quarter Credit Hour... 12 Assessment... 12 Grading Standards... 12 Satisfactory Academic Progress... 13 Academic Probation... 13 Incomplete Work... 14 Appealing Grades... 14 Repeating Courses... 14 Program Transfer/Out of Sequence... 14 Leave of Absence... 15 Withdrawal from the College... 15 Re-admission... 15 Prerequisites... 15 Transcript Request... 15 Records and Confidentiality... 15 Requirements for Graduation... 16 Minimum Course Load... 16 Student-Teacher Ratio / Maximum Class size... 16 The Blue Cliff Community Book Store and Supply Center... 17 Library... 17 Tutoring... 17 Advising... 17 Career Services... 17 Parking... 18 Campus Safety and Security... 18 Drug Prevention Program... 18 Housing... 19 Continuing Education... 19 Student Policies Student Responsibility... 20 Disciplinary Standards... 22 Student Grievance Procedure... 22 Areas of Study and Course Descriptions Information Technology Specialist (Lafayette only)... 25 Information Technology Course Descriptions (Lafayette only)... 26 Massage Therapy... 27 Diploma in Massage Therapy... 28 Associate in Occupational Studies Degree in Massage Therapy... 29 Massage Therapy Course Descriptions... 31 iv
Blue Cliff College Principle and Purpose "Commitment... Competency... Career..." President, Edward Moore, M Ed Mission Statement Blue Cliff College is committed to using its human and physical resources to provide services facilitating personal growth, professional development, and a sense of responsibility to our students. The primary purpose of Blue Cliff College is developing a high level of competency, which is accomplished through the pursuit, assimilation and dissemination of knowledge in academic programs. The most compelling purpose of the college is to prepare the students to function proficiently in a competitive society in the career of their choice and to create within them an awareness of professional and social responsibilities along with an appreciation of principles of ethical conduct. "Our Philosophy is to inspire students to strive for excellence and to achieve maximum personal potential." President, Edward Moore, M Ed Institutional Philosophy Blue Cliff encourages each student to aspire to the best he or she can be in academic, business, social, professional, and personal endeavors. Whatever the academic interest, we offer the best education possible. Our emphasis on curriculum, low student- teacher ratio and practical experience will ensure that the Blue Cliff graduate has been meticulously prepared. 1
The College: Past and Present Blue Cliff College reflects a commitment to academic and handson excellence in all training programs. Blue Cliff College was founded in 1987, and has since grown into one of the most respected and innovative Massage Therapy Training centers in the nation. In June of 1989, the college received its Proprietary School License. In 1998, the college was proud to become the first college of massage therapy to receive accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) in the state of Louisiana and in 2000 became the first to accomplish this in the state of Mississippi. Our first location was the New Orleans campus. The first expansion was to Lafayette, then to Shreveport and then Gulfport, MS. Blue Cliff has an extensive history of offering community service to cities in our region. Some events the college has participated in include: the Crescent City Classic 10K race and the Cajunman Triathlon, Tulane and Nicholls State Universities athletic programs and the Mardi Gras Marathon. The college also participates in various hospital health fairs such as Oschner s Medical Foundation. The institution reflects a commitment to academic and hands-on excellence in all training programs offered at Blue Cliff College. In August of 1999, Education Management, Inc. (EMI) purchased the Blue Cliff system. Led by Edward Moore, M. Ed., EMI continues to strive for excellence in training. 2
Blue Cliff College Profile Facilities The Blue Cliff College campuses include classrooms for lecture, technique, and lab classes, a computer lab, administrative offices, and break area. Equipment is state of the art for all programs and includes, but is not limited to, massage tables and chairs, hydrocollator, skeletons, charts, massage tools, white boards, TV/VCRs, training videos, and overhead projectors. An on-campus library includes a wide selection of books relating to our curriculums as well as access to the Jones e-globallibrary. Blue Cliff College campuses offering IT Programs are also equipped with additional computer labs, printers, routers, hubs, and various networking equipment. New Orleans Campus in Metairie The New Orleans Campus is located in the Pontchartrain Place Shopping Center at 3501 Severn Avenue in Metairie. It occupies approximately 8,000 square feet on the second floor of the center above the Mandarin House Chinese Buffet. Lafayette Campus The 6,000 square foot campus is conveniently located in a three-story office building one-half mile west of the Pinhook-Kaliste Saloom intersection in the Saloom 1 Building off Kaliste Saloom at 100 Asma Boulevard, Suite 350. Gulfport Campus The campus in Gulfport, MS is located at 942 Beach Drive. The college has approximately 12,000 square feet right on the beach. Its airy and spacious accommodations offer a relaxed and comforting educational environment. Shreveport Campus Blue Cliff offers about 6,000 square feet of educational training space. The address of the Shreveport Campus is: 200 N. Thomas and is conveniently located a little north of downtown and east of North Market Street. Accreditations Blue Cliff is an institution accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. In Louisiana, the Louisiana Board of Regents licenses the college. In Mississippi, our Gulfport campus maintains a license with The State of Mississippi Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration. Blue Cliff Campuses in Mississippi and Louisiana are approved by the U.S. Department of Education to provide Title IV Federal Aid to qualified applicants in various programs. Each location may have a different combination of accreditations and approvals. Approvals and Organizations of Affiliation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology Louisiana Board of Regents, Proprietary School Commission Mississippi Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration Veterans State Approving Agency Louisiana and Mississippi Rehabilitation Services Workforce Investment Action U.S. Department of Education to participate in Title IV Federal Financial Aid Programs Louisiana State Board of Massage Therapy and the Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy: approved as a Continuing Education Provider. Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals Documents relating to accreditation and memberships can be reviewed by contacting Student Records. We strive to improve and add to our approvals and accreditations. 3