ACADEMIC PROGRESSION & STANDARDS
It is hoped that no student will have scholastic difficulties. Those who experience trouble with one or more courses are urged to meet with the instructor/s involved at the earliest sign of concern. Associate Dean for Education and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs are also available to advise and assist you.
The Student Evaluation Committee (SEC) reviews the progress of all students at the COD, mid-semester, at the end of each semester, and at the end of the Summer Session.
Standards for Academic Performance
It is expected that students:
- Achieve a semester/session grade point average (GPA) of 2.0,
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0,
- Receive passing grades in their courses, and
- Uphold the UNMC Student Code of Conduct and the codes in the Student Handbook.
Grading System
The grading system for courses must be determined before a course starts and must be published in the course syllabus. It is either:
1. Letter grades
a. For courses from Department of Dental Hygiene and Oral Biology:
| A+ | 4.0 |
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.67 |
| D+ | 1.33 |
| D | 1.0 |
| D- | 0.67 |
| F | 0.0 |
b. For courses from the Department of Adult Restorative Dentistry:
| A+ | 4.0 |
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.67 |
| F | 0.0 |
c. Letter grades in the departments of Growth and Development and Surgical Specialties may use either table above at the course director’s discretion.
2. Honors (H), Pass (P), Fail (F), and Incomplete (I). Some classes are P/F.
3. Pass (P), Not Yet (N) for daily clinical grades.
W - Withdrawn – Students may be administratively withdrawn for non-academic reasons. These reasons include but are not limited to violation of non-academic policies such as failure to pay tuition and fees; UNMC disciplinary procedures; death of the student; noncompliance with Student Health policies; or inability to complete a course due to military deployment. Administrative withdrawals must be initiated and approved by the Associate Dean for Education.
P - Pass - Acceptable achievement for course enrolled under P/F option. Instructors can set their own percentage grade as long as they are announced the first week of class. Many use 70% as the passing grade.
I - Incomplete - Temporary assignment only. The grade of "I" is used by an instructor at the end of a semester/session to designate incomplete work in a course. It is used when students are unable to complete the requirements of the course in which they are registered for credit because of illness, military service, hardship, or serious illness or death in the immediate family, or major patient-related issues. A grade of Incomplete cannot be used as a method of remediation of marginal or failing performance.
For Incompletes received in the spring semester, the "Incomplete" must be removed during the summer session before the student can register for the subsequent academic year.
For Incompletes received in the summer session, the course or module director and student must enact a plan that can be completed by the end of the first eight weeks of the fall semester. Incompletes will not be issued for the CCC D3 course. D3 students must complete their D3 clinical requirements by the end of the summer before they can advance into their D4 year.
A course or module director issuing a grade of Incomplete will indicate, in writing, with a copy to the student and communication to the Student Evaluation Committee, how the Incomplete is to be removed. For Incompletes received in the fall semester, the course or module director and student must enact a plan that can be completed by the end of the first eight weeks of the spring semester.
A course or module director issuing a grade of Incomplete will indicate, in writing, with a copy to the student and communication to the SEC, how the Incomplete is to be removed. For Incompletes received in the fall semester, the course or module director and student must enact a plan that can be completed by the end of the first eight weeks of the spring semester. When a grade of "Incomplete" is received in the spring semester, or in the summer sessions, the "Incomplete" must be removed during the summer session before the student can register for the subsequent academic year.
If a student fails to remove the grade of "Incomplete" from their record in the allotted time, a grade of "F" is automatically received. If the student takes an approved leave of absence, the Incomplete stays on the transcript until the time at which the student returns from leave and completes the course. The student will work with the appropriate module/course directors and Associate Dean for Education to determine the plan for course completion.
Time Limits
- There will be a time limit of six (6) years in attendance to earn the DDS degree, and a time limit of three (3) years in attendance to earn the BS in Dental Hygiene degree.
- When a student is on LOA, they are not in attendance. Their leave time does not count towards the time limit. Ordinarily a student will be allowed only three years to complete the first two years of the dental program and only three years to complete the last two years of the dental program.
Under unusual circumstances, a student may petition for permission to repeat the entire year. This petition must be received at least two weeks before the end of a semester or the summer session. The Student Evaluation Committee (SEC) will grant or deny this privilege. The content, format, and grading procedure applied to the student for the repeated courses will be the same as administered to the class as a whole.
The SEC may recommend deceleration of the program under special circumstances.
Attendance/Absences
Students are expected to be in attendance full-time during the academic year, during the Fall and Spring Semesters, Summer Session 1 for D1 and DH3 students, and Summer Session 2 for D2 and D3 students. When a class schedule states "Consults/ Office Hours", it is a good opportunity for students to meet with professors. Professors may schedule make-up classes/quizzes/exams during those times, or students may be required to attend special college activities and lectures, e.g., Research Day, Alumni Reunion lectures.
Students are strongly advised NOT to plan travel and vacations during days when school is in session. If they do and the schedule changes to a time that conflicts with their arrangements, they will need to change their travel plans. Students who made such plans and do not attend college activities will not be granted excused absences. Excused absences will still be given for healthcare appointments if booked during such times, and a conflict arises, but a doctor's note or equivalent will be needed.
No student may be admitted later than 10 days after the opening of an academic session except by special permission of the Dean.
No credit is granted to any student for matriculation or attendance where such attendance is less than one semester in duration. Moreover, each student must remain in continual attendance during each semester for which credit is sought. If, for any reason, a student leaves the program and subsequently returns to the University, they must satisfy all requirements for graduation as they may exist at the time they continue their studies.
Students are expected to attend all lectures, workshops, laboratories, and clinics. Each course director determines the attendance requirement (e.g., mandatory or not mandatory attendance) and method of monitoring attendance for their course (e.g, signatures on paper, using an app, quizzes every class). Excused absences need to be arranged with the Office of Academic Affairs or the Dental Hygiene Program Director and Chair.
To request an excused absence, students need to complete the Student Absence Request Form.
Examples of excused absences include personal illness, healthcare appointments, death or critical illness of immediate family, traditionally recognized religious holidays, military duty, jury duty, extreme personal emergencies, wedding ceremonies of immediate family, wedding ceremonies if in the wedding party, birth of own child, parental leave.
For unusual circumstances, a temporary leave of absence may be recommended by the Associate Dean for Education, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, or the SEC. The Associate Dean for Education shall determine the granting of such status. Such leave does not excuse a student from meeting all course requirements.
In case of illness, a student will usually need a written statement from the Student Health Center or a private healthcare provider. Students should report absences to the Office of Academic Affairs or the Director of the Dental Hygiene Program. Students with patient appointments are expected to contact their appointment clerk so that patients can be notified if the student is unable to attend the appointment. Neither absence nor an excuse relieves anyone from meeting all course requirements. Absences may result in a lowered or failing grade in the course.
Clinic Attendance
The clinic attendance policy is designed to promote assurance of clinical curriculum and experiences for students by establishing attendance and absenteeism policy and for maintaining continuity of care for patients.
See Student Handbook for Clinic Attendance Policy.
Availability
As part of the educational experience and professional responsibility, each clinical dental student should be available for emergency treatment of assigned patients during regular hours. Students are encouraged to live in the area.
Examinations
The COD will follow the examination policy as described below for the first and second semester. Final examinations in summer are generally held during the last regular class or by mutual agreement of course directors and administration.
- The fall and spring final exam schedule is set by the Office of Academic Affairs with input from faculty and approved by the SEC. Any requests to change the approved schedule must be presented to the SEC for consideration and approval if deemed appropriate.
- Final Examinations are to be given only at the approved scheduled time as published by the College.
- Projects, papers, and presentations scheduled for completion during the last week of classes must have been assigned in writing by the end of the eighth week of the first or second semester or the first week of the summer semester. This refers to the project and its scope, but not the topic.
- Failure to follow the above-outlined procedures may be the basis for a complaint to the Associate Dean for Education.
- The maximum time for a written final examination may be equal to the hours of credit for the course with no written final examination exceeding three hours duration.
Requirements for Graduation
Candidates must have:
- Passed all required classes.
- Discharged all indebtedness to the University of Nebraska.
- Challenged the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE).
All students must complete an Application for Degree; instructions for this process will be provided to eligible students by the COD's Office of Academic Affairs.
Dismissal
If by the end of academic probation, the student does not:
- Achieve a semester/session G.P.A. of 2.0, and
- Maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0, and
- Pass the course the next time it is offered, or remove the deficiency,
the student may not be eligible for registration and may be dismissed from the College. In general, academic probation will not last longer than three semesters/sessions.
Dental Hygiene students must pass the Preclinical Techniques course DHYG 309 to continue in the program. Failure of this course results in dismissal from the dental hygiene program.
A student will be warned of an impending Academic Dismissal. The rationale for and policies relevant to the proposed Academic Dismissal will be given.
In situations of compromised safety in a clinical setting, the Associate Dean for Education may issue an academic suspension. All clinical activities will be suspended pending a decision on the appropriate action.
The College reserves the right to dismiss a student from the COD whenever the student does not, in the judgment of the College, show sufficient promise to justify allowing them to continue studies regardless of grades. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Misconduct, either in or out of the College, will not be tolerated or may serve as grounds for dismissal.
Dismissed is a final status mandated by the program for unsatisfactory academic performance and does not require student assent. A student may appeal this action, as outlined in the Appeal Process (Section 11). Notation of Dismissed will appear on the student's transcript along with the effective date of the dismissal.
A student who has failed the same subject twice, here or elsewhere, or who fails more than one course in any semester/session or has a cumulative GPA below 2.0 for two (2) consecutive semesters/sessions or does not resolve probation within the time limits as specified, may be dismissed from the COD after due hearing by the SEC.
Any student dismissed for academic reasons may reapply for admission through the Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (ADSAS) or Dental Hygiene Centralized Application Service (DHCAS).
The Associate Dean for Education and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs should meet jointly with any student being informed of academic dismissal. At that time, the student will be given written notice of the dismissal, including reasons for dismissal and any relevant policy citation.
The Associate Dean for Education or the Associate Dean for Student Affairs will meet with the student to advise the student of the appeal process. A Change of Status will be filed for the student with the UNMC Registrar, and the student will be advised to consult with financial aid.
Course Withdrawal
A request for, or notice of, withdrawal from a course must be:
- made in writing to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs
- accompanied by supporting reasons
- specific as to the desired date of effect
- specific as to re-registration for the course
- approved in writing by the Office of Academic and Student Affairs.
Students who drop a course during the first seven calendar days of the term will not receive a grade and the course will not appear on their transcript. Students who drop a course after the first seven calendar days of the term will receive a grade of W on their transcript. Any withdrawal after 70% completion of the course will result in a student receiving the letter grade earned for the work completed. Any withdrawals after 70% completion of the course, or adjustments to an effective date of withdrawal are only granted in the case of unforeseen extenuating circumstances.
Upon approval, the Office of Academic Affairs shall inform the registrar that withdrawal has been approved.
College Withdrawal
A request for notice of withdrawal from the College of Dentistry must:
- be made in writing to the Office of Academic Affairs
- be specific as to the desired date of effect
- be accompanied by proof that all obligations to the University have been satisfied
- be approved in writing by the Dean
The Office of Academic and Student Affairs shall inform the registrar that withdrawal has been approved.
Any matriculated student who withdraws from the College of Dentistry may petition for readmission. It shall be the responsibility of the Student Evaluation Committee to recommend to the Dean the granting of readmission and the academic level of readmission.
Access to Student Records
In accordance with federal law as established in 1974 by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the University of Nebraska Medical Center maintains the confidentiality of student records and allows students to inspect and review information in their educational records at the College of Dentistry. The UNMC policy statement concerning student records may be found in the current Student Handbook or in the Office of Student Services at UNMC.
The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) defines student rights relative to student information. FERPA requires that we notify you of your rights under this act.
FERPA grants you the right to:
- Inspect and review your educational record.
- Seek to amend incorrect educational records.
- Provide written consent before the university discloses personally identifiable information from your record except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
- Limit the disclosure of directory information.
Please see http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html to read and learn more.