Students are selected for admission to the Pharm. D. program because they have shown academic potential and readiness to handle the curriculum in a satisfactory manner, and because they are motivated to pursue that goal. Once admitted, students who experience persistent academic difficulties are encouraged to determine the nature and extent of the underlying problem(s) so that appropriate remedial steps can be taken as early as possible. 

Rank

The College of Pharmacy advances students in rank according to the part of the curriculum they have completed. It is necessary for a student to have completed all of the courses for the P1 and P2 years to proceed to the P3 year, except in the case of the rare special exemption granted by the Student Affairs Committee for situations beyond the student’s control. In order to proceed into the clerkship year, every student must pass all required didactic and other requirements, including the Capstone course and the comprehensive examination given as part of that course. A complete inventory of a student’s academic performance will be undertaken before progressing to the P3 and P6 years in order to verify eligibility to progress.

An academic progress review conducted at the end of each semester will identify and assist students whose grade records reveal a pattern of academic problems. Directed counseling involving academic advisors and/or the Assistant/Associate Dean for Internal Affairs assures that these particular students take steps to evaluate their problems and formulate plans for remedial action. Students are encouraged to evaluate academic progress, seek out help for any developing problems, and develop self-discipline. 

Grade Point Averages

The College of Pharmacy identifies a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (2.0/4.0) or grade of "C" as the minimal acceptable grade in any course used to fulfill the requirements of the Pharm.D. degree. Subsequently, any course used to fulfill the requirements of the Pharm.D. degree in which the student receives a grade below 2.0 must be retaken.

Any course in which a grade less than 2.0 is received must be repeated in order to achieve an acceptable grade, but only a maximum of two times. If the student is unsuccessful after the second retake, the student is subject to suspension from the College of Pharmacy. In the case of general education requirements ("gen. eds."), the student may substitute another course that satisfies a requirement rather than repeat a course; however, the grade of the original course remains in the calculation of the GPA. For the purposes of the College of Pharmacy, the student’s GPA is recalculated upon receipt of documentation of successful completion (e.g. an official transcript) of an equivalent course at another institution used to satisfy the requirements of the Pharm.D. degree.

Each student will be required to maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0. (an Ohio Board of Regents requirement for graduate programs) and a minimum GPA of 2.0/4.0 each semester (a College of Pharmacy requirement). In addition, students must obtain a grade of 2.0/4.0 in any course used to fulfill the requirements of the Pharm.D. degree. Successful completion (grade of 2.0/4.0 or better) of a course approved for transfer credit from another university only results in transfer of the credit hours, but the grade is not calculated in The University of Findlay GPA. Likewise, successful completion of a course approved for transfer credit from another university results in removal of any previous lower grade for an equivalent course on the student’s The University of Findlay record, and therefore is not calculated in the GPA.

Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 to enter the P3 or P6 years, in addition to completing all other requirements. Additionally, please note that it is necessary to separately have a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 for both undergraduate (course numbers <500) and graduate (course numbers >500) courses in order to graduate.

Probation, Suspension, Dismissal

Definitions

Probation and suspension may be of two types: 

    1. Academic- failure to meet the academic standards as set forth by the College of Pharmacy. 
    2. Professional- failure to meet the professional standards as set forth by the College of Pharmacy.

Probation is an official notice to a student that they have failed to meet the standards set forth by the College or University. The student will be subject to and must complete additional corrective action (i.e. remediation) in order to prevent suspension from the program. The student retains their academic rank.

Students on probation that successfully comply with the prescribed plan of remediation may be removed from probation status without further penalty, but continue to be subject to the policies of the College or University. Failure to comply successfully with the plan of remediation is grounds for suspension from the College of Pharmacy. In addition, other requirements set forth by the University may be grounds for suspension and/or dismissal.

Remediation is the plan of corrective action to be followed by the student in order to meet again the academic and professional standards of the College. This plan is initially developed by the student, but subject to revision and approval by the student's academic advisor.

Suspension herein is defined as when a student is no longer recognized as a Pharmacy major. The student then is subject to University policies regarding changing majors. The student may reapply for admission through the usual admission process of the College, provided that he or she is not suspended or dismissed by the University, but is not afforded any special consideration for readmission.

Dismissal herein is defined as when a student is disqualified from the College or University and is not eligible to be readmitted nor reapply in the future to the College. Dismissal is a terminal action.

Reasons for academic probation include: 

    -A semester GPA below a 2.0/4.0; 
    -A cumulative GPA below 3.0/4.0 at the end of any semester.

Please note: The University of Findlay treats graduate and undergraduate courses and programs separately. Therefore, the College also separately evaluates the above for graduate and undergraduate classes. For example, a student may have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in undergraduate courses, but a graduate course GPA of 2.95 in the first semester of the P5 year would result in College probation, in addition to any probation or suspension by the University. 

Reasons for academic suspension include: 

    1. Two consecutive semesters with a cumulative GPA below 3.0/4.0;     
    2. Three unsuccessful attempts to receive a 2.0/4.0 in any course used to fulfill the requirements of the Pharm.D. degree; 
    3. Suspension or dismissal from The University, regardless of academic status in the College of Pharmacy; 
    4. Failure to satisfy prescribed terms of probation in appeal of a previous suspension; 
    5. Failure to register as or remain a full-time student (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, excluding Summer semesters) without the permission of the Student Affairs Committee.

Appeals

Any student who is suspended from the College (Note: Consult the University Undergraduate and/or Graduate Catalogs for information regarding University suspension) may immediately appeal their suspension in writing (typed hard copy or e-mail) to the Assistant/Associate Dean for Internal Affairs. The appeal and supporting documents must be received no later than the close of business – 4:00 PM Eastern Time– on the tenth calendar day after the first notification to the student of the suspension [by either registered mail or official University e-mail account (_@findlay.edu)]. It is solely the student's responsibility to insure that the request for appeal and any supporting materials are received on time. Failure to comply within this period is considered a waiving of appeal.

Students who wish to appeal should contact their advisor (or the person who may be fulfilling that function during a time the student's advisor is unavailable) for information and advice prior to submitting an appeal. The request for appeal must include a rational defense as to why the appeal should be granted, a self-assessment as to why the student did not meet the prescribed standards of the College of Pharmacy (including the likelihood that those standards will be met by the student in the future), any supporting evidence, documentation, or relevant information to the appeal, and a suggested plan by the student to remediate the student's standing in the College.

The written appeal and supporting documentation will be provided to the College of Pharmacy Student Affairs Committee (SAC), which will reach a decision regarding the suspension and any prescribed terms of probation (if applicable) by the close of business on the Wednesday of the first week of the immediately following semester. Students who have submitted an appeal may contact the College of Pharmacy office for the determination after that time, however, the student will be officially notified of the Committee's determination by mail and e-mail.

In appeal, the student may only request reconsideration of the suspension and to be placed on probation for the following relevant semester subject to terms defined by the SAC. Any determination requires a simple majority vote of those voting members present.

If the appeal is granted, the student will be able to continue in the pharmacy program without interruption for that semester, but remains subject to the terms of the probation as well as all other policies and procedures of the University and College of Pharmacy. The student would be provided with the terms of the probation. The student will be asked to sign a document regarding these terms; however, failure to sign the document for whatever reason does not absolve the student, wholly or in part, from the responsibility and consequences pursuant to the terms of the probation. The student could refuse the terms, in which case, the suspension would stand regardless of the Committee's determination.

If the appeal is denied by the SAC, the student may appeal to the full faculty. The appeal will be heard as an agenda item at the next meeting of the faculty. The same materials provided to the SAC for appeal will be provided to a committee of the full faculty. No other materials may be offered, unless it relates to a breach of policy regarding the initial appeal decision. The student will be afforded 5 minutes to provide an oral presentation followed by a question and answer period afforded to the faculty. The student will be excused for faculty deliberations and vote. Again, any determination requires a simple majority vote of those voting members present. The student will be notified of the full faculty's decision immediately after the conclusion of the meeting, but will receive official notification by mail and e-mail.

Students suspended from the College in accordance with these policies (and who remain in good academic standing per University's standards) may apply for transfer to another academic program. Students who are suspended may contact their pharmacy academic advisor for assistance with the procedure for changing majors within the University.

Readmission

Students who are suspended no more than one time may reapply for readmission through the usual admission process of the College, provided that they are not suspended or dismissed by the University. Suspended students may be required to be disenrolled from the College of Pharmacy for a designated period of time prior to readmission. Suspended students who do reapply will not be afforded any special consideration for readmission; however, in its readmission decision, the Student Affairs Committee and Deans may take into account any positive evidence of corrective measures completed and/or planned by the student.

Students who reapply following suspension must submit a thoughtfully prepared pharmacy readmissions application, including a plan on how the student plans to address the deficiencies that lead to suspension. After reapplication, members of the Student Affairs Committee, faculty, or administration may request additional interviews with suspended students before readmission.

During the period of suspension, students planning to apply for readmission to the pharmacy program are advised to take courses at The University of Findlay or at another institution in order to remedy academic deficiencies to improve their status for readmission. Although suspended students cannot normally take courses taught within the College of Pharmacy, they may take equivalent courses (approved by the established College procedure) at other institutions and receive credit in the College of Pharmacy should they be readmitted.

Students who are suspended from the College and are readmitted may have stipulations placed upon their readmission. These stipulations may include a requirement that a student repeat courses previously taken, regardless of the grades earned in the course(s). Other stipulations may include, but are not limited to regular follow-up with an advisor or faculty member, specific medical or psychological care, or participation in specified study or support groups.

Dismissal

Reasons for dismissal: 

    1. Dismissal from the University regardless of academic standing in the College of Pharmacy. 
    2. Two suspensions from the College of Pharmacy. 
    3. Any criminal or civil judgment or other professional misconduct that disqualifies a student from obtaining a State license to practice pharmacy.

Dismissal is a terminal action and not subject to appeal.

Graduation

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 in both undergraduate and graduate courses independently will be required of each student to be certified for graduation in the College. 

Notification

Students placed on probation or subject to suspension or dismissal in accordance with these policies will be notified promptly in writing from the Dean's Office with copies sent to the appropriate academic advisors. These students are encouraged to utilize counseling services from the College and The University of Findlay.

Appeals

In administering the Academic Standards Policies, student appeals relating to grades received in a required course will be handled in accordance with the University Grade Appeal System; student appeals relating to administration of the policies themselves will be referred to the Office of the Assistant/Associate Dean for Internal Affairs, who will be guided by The University of Findlay Faculty Handbook.