1.- Department Information
2.- General Information for Nursing Students
3.- Academic Standards
4.- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
5.- Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing for Registered Nurses
6.- Nursing (NURS) Courses
7.- Continuing Education Program

3.- Academic Standards

Academic Progress:
A grade of "C" or higher must be earned for each nursing course. A grade of "D" or "F" in either the theory or practicum parts of a course constitutes a grade of "D" or "F" for the course resulting in failure in the course. If a student earns a "D" or "F" in a required upper-division nursing course, the concurrent or next higher course may not be taken until the prerequisite course is repeated and passed with a "C" or higher. A nursing course may be repeated only once, based on faculty recommendation and space availability. A student may repeat only two nursing courses and still continue in the nursing program. A student who is not recommended to repeat a professional course is no longer eligible to continue in the nursing program.

All nursing students must perform within limits of safe practice. A faculty member may drop a student from a course with an "F" if the student's nursing practice is deemed to be unsafe as defined in the Safe Practice Policy of the College. A copy of this policy is posted on the Official Bulletin Board in the College.

Conferences:
The dean and the chair of the Nursing Department are prepared to confer with students who are doing unsatisfactory work, particularly at mid-semester and at the end of the semester. Faculty are available to confer with students, according to posted office hours.

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Challenge Examination--Registered Nurses: In keeping with the College's stated philosophy of learning, the faculty recognizes that many potential avenues for acquisition of the knowledge, attitudes, and skills are available. The faculty believes that experiences in formal education should build on the student's present level of achievement. Therefore, the faculty subscribes to the principle of validation of the candidate's competencies and allows matriculation into the program at the demonstrated level of achievement.

1. To petition for challenging a course, an individual must have met all prerequisite requirements.
2. The candidate should consult the chair of the Nursing Program regarding application policies and scheduling of challenge examinations.
3. A course may not be challenged if the student was previously enrolled in that course.
4. A candidate for challenge examinations may obtain the course materials which are available to all students enrolling in the respective course. Auditing or receiving tutoring by faculty of the College of Nursing and Health Sciencess is prohibited.
5. A fee for a challenge examination is assessed.
6. Courses for which a challenge examination is available may have a theoretical and a clinical component. When this occurs, both portions must be passed to receive credit.
7. A challenge examination in any course may be attempted one time only.

Graduation Requirements:

1. To be eligible for graduation, a student must have attained a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average in both the lower division course work and the upper division course work in the baccalaureate degree plan.
2. A candidate must successfully complete the prescribed curriculum and must meet all other requirements of the University and the College.

Testing Program:
In order to assist faculty with academic advisement of students, as well as providing a means of ongoing evaluation of the College of Nursing and Health Sciencess curriculum, nursing students are required to participate in a testing and evaluation program in addition to course examinations. These requirements are posted on the official bulletin board in the College.

LICENSURE AS A PROFESSIONAL NURSE
Graduates seeking licensure must successfully complete the State Registered Nurse Licensure Examination which is administered by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas. The Board issues a temporary permit to practice professional nursing under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. The permit must be returned to the Board of Nurse Examiners if the candidate fails the examination.

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