Academic Bulletin

SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH STUDIES - UNDERGRADUATE

DEPARTMENT CODE: NUR

www.miami.edu/nursing

• Academic Policies | Requirements for Graduation | Academic Programs | Bachelor of Science in Health Science

Please consult your 2009-10 Student Handbook for the applicable curriculum and progression policies.

The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies (SONHS) offers courses leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Baccalaureate education is the primary foundation for professional nursing, as well as for graduate education; students who successfully complete the baccalaureate program are eligible to sit for the licensure examination to practice professional nursing. Graduates of diploma and associate nursing degree programs are admitted as transfer students to get their BSN degree.  Students that hold a baccalaureate degree in other fields and would like to pursue their BSN in Nursing are admitted in the Accelerated Program

The School of Nursing and Health Studies is committed to academic excellence, the advancement of nursing as a discipline, and service to society. Opportunities are available for students to study and earn course credit in a variety of international settings.

MISSION

The mission of the School of Nursing and Health Studies is to educate students and support faculty committed to excellence in the art and science of nursing and health studies through creating and disseminating health knowledge and developing culturally competent leaders to provide service to our community, the nation, and the world.

ACCREDITATION

The nursing baccalaureate program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One DuPont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 887-6791 

FACILITIES

The School of Nursing and Health Studies is located on the Coral Gables Campus. The four-story Jerusalem-stone and stucco Schwartz Center features classrooms and clinical practice labs, seminar and conference rooms, two computer labs, and a simulation academy, all equipped with the latest technology. The spacious 53,000-square-foot facility supports the work of more than 40 nurse scientists and clinical educators and our 500 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the school’s nursing and health science programs annually. The building opened in fall 2006.Library resources for nursing students are at the Otto G. Richter Library on the Coral Gables Campus and the Calder Medical Library on the Medical Center Campus. Clinical experiences are offered in a variety of hospitals and health related agencies in the community.

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ACADEMIC POLICIES

ADMISSION

Admission to the BSN Program is open to individuals who have demonstrated that they have the intellectual ability and the personal qualifications necessary for the profession of nursing. All applicants must meet the requirements for admission to the University of Miami; requests for admission should be directed to the Office of Admissions on the Coral Gables Campus.

Transfer students from accredited universities, colleges, or junior colleges may be admitted with advanced standing as space allows provided they have completed courses comparable to those required by the University of Miami. Transfer students are advised to contact the office of Student Services at School of Nursing and Health Studies concerning prerequisites.

An RN transition option is offered which allows Associate degree diplomas and Prepared RNs to earn the BSN Degree Academic transcripts are evaluated to determine that the 60 credits of transferable course work has been successfully completed.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENROLLMENT INTO CLINICAL COURSES

To be eligible to enroll, a student must have achieved junior standing with an overall grade point average of no less than 3.0

Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 and a prerequisite GPA of 3.00.

Accelerated Option students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 with a 3.00 for prerequisite courses.

To be considered for progression or admission to clinical coursework, students are allowed to repeat only 1 prerequisite course.

Students are required to have a health examination prior to enrollment in clinical nursing courses. All students must provide evidence of a current TB screening test, hepatitis B vaccination, MMR vaccination, tetanus vaccination, polio vaccination, and certification in Basic Life Support. Students must submit to drug screening and background checks. See the School of Nursing and Health Studies Student Handbook 2008-2009 for further information on these or other requirements.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS

To be assured of uninterrupted progression through the program, students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better. 

Student records are reviewed at the close of each semester, and those students with a cumulative average of less than 2.0 are subject to being placed on academic probation according to the University of Miami Policy on Academic Probation and Dismissal. A grade of C- is not an acceptable passing grade on any nursing course within the BSN program.
When a clinical nursing course is repeated both theoretical and clinical components must be repeated. When a course must be repeated the progression in the nursing program will be altered in order for prerequisites to be met. Such alteration will in all likelihood lengthen the time required to complete the nursing program.  Students will be required to fulfill the requirements that are in effect at the time of the current program.  No special courses will be created for students that are repeating the same course.

Students are allowed to repeat only one failed nursing course.  Failure of the same course again or any other nursing course will be grounds for dismissal from SONHS.

REGISTERED NURSE LICENSURE

Graduates of the BSN program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) registered nursing licensure examination after the student passes all the courses, completes the credit hours and completes the requirements for the HESI exit exam.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION POLICY

It is the policy of the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies to adhere to Standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any students needing special accommodations to complete a course must submit written documentation to the Office of Disability Services (ODS).  This office is the primary source responsible for the coordination of auxiliary aids and services for students with disabilities.  Information and/or services are available to prospective and enrolled students, their parents and/or sponsors.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Students interested in obtaining financial aid in the form of student loans and grants should contact the Office of Financial Assistance Services. Limited scholarships are available through the School of Nursing and Health Studies. The qualifications for these scholarships vary; further information is available from the School of Nursing and Health Studies, Student Services Office, and in the SONHS website (www.miami.edu/sohn).

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REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

1. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Students in the School of Nursing and Health Studies are responsible for meeting the degree requirements. It is the student's responsibility to understand fully, and comply with all the provisions of the Bulletin. Changes to academic requirements and policies are transmitted by written notice to the School of Nursing and Health Studies Undergraduate Handbook.

The general requirements for graduation from the University of Miami are further described in the GENERAL INFORMATION section of the Bulletin.

General Education Requirements

AREAS OF PROFICIENCY

Proficiency requirements are intended to ensure that students either already possess, or will develop at the University, the ability to express themselves effectively, to use mathematics with facility, and to reason cogently.

1. English Composition 6 credits

English 105 and English 106 or the equivalent

2. Writing Across the Curriculum (W) 5 courses
In addition to English 105/106, students must complete five (5) courses designated as
Writing Across the Curriculum (W) courses. Courses designated as writing courses (“W” courses) require a substantial amount of writing and the preparation of papers that are corrected for diction, syntax, style, and content. Some courses satisfying this Writing Across the Curriculum requirement may simultaneously fulfill Areas of Knowledge requirements (described below).

3. Mathematics
Students fulfill this requirement by satisfactorily completing a course in mathematics numbered above MTH 101 (excluding MTH 107), or MAS 110, or an approved course in statistics.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

These requirements are designed to help students understand and appreciate the intellectual achievements in major areas of human inquiry and creative endeavor.

1. Natural World (formerly Natural Sciences) - 6 credits
a. Biology 150/151
b. Chemistry 103/105

2. People and Society (formerly Social Sciences) - 6 credits
a. Psychology 110
b. 3 additional credits

Courses in the following areas may be used to fulfill this requirement:

Africana Studies (AAS);
American Studies (AMS);
Anthropology (except APY 203);
Economics (ECO);
Education and Psychological Studies (EPS);
Geography and Regional
Studies (except GEG 120);
International Studies (INS);
Judaic Studies (JUS);
History (HIS);
Political Sciences (POL);
Psychology (PSY);
Sociology (SOC);
Teaching and Learning (TAL);
Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS),

and the following courses:
Broadcasting and Broadcast Journalism (CBR 102);
Mass Media Communication in Society (COM 101);
Communication Theory (COM 110);
Interpersonal Communication (COS 112);
Nonverbal Communication (COS 118);
Political Communication (COS 336);
Persuasion (COS 472);
Freshman Seminars in the Social Sciences (FSS 190-199).

3. Arts and Humanities - 12 credits

Courses in the following areas may be used to fulfill this requirement:
Architecture;
Music;
Art and Art History;
Theatre Arts;
Motion Pictures and Photography;
English (200-level or above);
Modern Languages and Literature (300-level or above);
Philosophy;
Religious Studies;

and the following courses:
Public Speaking (COS 211);
World History of the Dance (DAN 250);
Freshman Seminars in the Arts and Humanities (FLT, FPR 190-199).

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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

BSN Traditional Program of Study
Lower Division Nursing Major (Approved 2008)

These are intended as examples only.  Students have several options for completing the first two years of study. The Office of Student Services will assist students to select specific courses which most accurately reflect the student's interests, abilities, and career goals.  Students must complete all prerequisite requirements prior to entering junior year of clinical coursework.

Prerequisites in Bold

BSN TRADITIONAL PROGRAM OF STUDY
UPPER DIVISION NURSING MAJOR* (Approved 2008)

(W) Indicates Writing Intensive Course
*Nursing elective may be taken fall or spring

BSN ACCELERATED PROGRAM OF STUDY
NURSING MAJOR (APPROVED 2008)

RN to BSN
PROGRAM OF STUDY
(May 2008)

Summer Semester

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

CREDIT TOTALS

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UNDERGRADUATE HEALTH SCIENCE

The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies offers courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Health Science. Baccalaureate education provides the foundation for further education in specialized health professional fields. Pre-professional tracks include Pre-physical Therapy, Pre-pharmacy, Pre-forensics, Health Science/Business Administration, Pre-physician Assistant and Health Science General.

ACADEMIC POLICIES

ADMISSION

In accepting students into the Health Science program, the University does not in any way assure admittance into any professional graduate programs. Admission to any of these programs is dependent upon the academic performance in the pre-clinical course-work and is determined independently by the faculty of the school or program involved.

Because of the increasingly sophisticated skills necessary in the health sciences, to be accepted into the program, entering freshmen must have a minimum SAT score of 1100 or an ACT score of 24. Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for the pre-physical therapy track or a 2.8 for the other tracks. The program director may drop from, or refuse to accept into, the program any student who falls below these minimum cumulative grade point averages.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMITTED STUDENTS

The Health Science degree requires courses in biology, chemistry and health science with a minimum grade of C- in each course.  Students must satisfy both the general degree requirements listed below and the requirements of a specific track, to be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree. Students must maintain at least a 2.8 GPA in the courses listed under the track requirements with no grade below a C-.

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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

The Pre-Physical Therapy track is a program developed in conjunction with the Physical Therapy Program of the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation in the Miller School of Medicine. The School of Nursing and Health Studies will award a Bachelor of Science in Health Science after completion of the requirements listed below.
The Health Science Program also offers curricula that are designed to prepare students for other health professional or graduate education programs. Also available is a pre-pharmacy track for students wishing to attend a graduate pharmacy program, a pre-forensics track for students interested in attending a forensics graduate program, and a program of study for students wishing to enroll in a physician assistant program. Programs of study can also be tailored for students wishing other health occupation options. Students are encouraged to contact graduate programs directly to ascertain if there are specific course requirements that might differ from health science track requirements. Any course requirements may be added to a student’s undergraduate curriculum track.

No minor is offered in Health Science. Health Science students may not minor in biology.

GENERAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

1. English Composition 3-6 credits

Except as indicated below, students must take English 105 and 106 (or its equivalent) during the first year of enrollment. Admission to ENG 105 requires a placement score acceptable to the Department of English. Students whose placement scores are deemed unacceptably low will be required to take the non-credit course, ENG 103, before taking ENG 105 and 106. Such students must fulfill the English Composition requirement within the first three semesters. Students whose placement scores are high may be exempted from ENG 105 but not from ENG 106 or its equivalent.

2. Mathematics - 4 credits

a. MTH 111 or equivalent

3. Statistics and Computer Programming - 6-7 credits

a. MTH 224 or PSY 204 (MAS 201 for Bus. Admin. Track)

b. EEN 118, IEN 124, CSC or CIS

4. Arts and Humanities - 12 credits

B.S.H.S. degree candidates must earn twelve credits in the three areas listed below. At least three credits must be earned in each area.

a. Fine Arts: courses in the departments of Art and Art History, Dance (DAN 250 only), Musicology (only the following: either MCY 131 or MCY 132, but not both, MCY 325, MCY 361 and MCY 362), Music Theory (MTC 125 only), and Theatre Arts (THA 101 only) count toward this requirement.

b. Literature: courses in the departments of English (200-level and higher) and Foreign Languages and Literatures (300-level and higher) count toward this requirement.

c. Philosophy and Religious Studies: courses in the departments of Philosophy and Religious Studies count toward this requirement.

d. An additional 3 credits from a, b, or c above or 3 credits in a foreign language other than ones native language.  A Freshman Seminar in the Arts and Humanities (FLT, FPR 190-199) may count towards this requirement.

5. (People and Society) Social Science - 6 credits

B.S.H.S. degree candidates must earn six credits in the following social science disciplines: African-American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology (except APY 203), Economics, Geography and Regional Studies (except GEG 120), History, International Studies, a Judaic Studies Social Science course, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Women's Studies. No more than three credits may be earned in any one discipline.

A Freshman Seminar in the Social Sciences (FSS 190-199 may count towards this requirement).

6. Writing - 15 credits

May include any of the courses listed above except ENG 105 and ENG 106.

TRACK REQUIREMENTS

1. Pre-Physical Therapy Track

Biology 150/151, 160/161, 250, 255 and three credits of electives in biology or health science above 100 level.
Health Science 212, 213, 215
Chemistry - two semesters with lab, must include104/106 or 201/205.
Physics - two semesters with lab.
Psychology 203 or 352
A minor in a discipline accepted by the School of Nursing and Health Studies.

2. Pre-Pharmacy Track

Biology 150/151, 160/161, 250, 255 and three credits of electives in biology or health science above the 100 level.
Health Science 212, 213, 215.
Chemistry minor - 111/113, 112/114, 201/205, 202/206.
Physics - two semesters with lab.
Economics 211, 212.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 401.
Communication 211.
(Transfer students who do not complete the chemistry minor at the University of Miami must choose another minor accepted by the School of Nursing and Health Studies.)

3. Pre-Forensics Track

Biology 150/151, 160/161, 250, 255 and three credits of electives in biology or health science above the 100 level.
Health Science 212, 213, 215, 216, and BIL 251 or BIL 252.
Chemistry minor - 111/113, 112/114, 201/205, 202/206.
Sociology 101, 271, 371, 372, 373, 470.
Psychology 110 and 352.
(Transfer students who do not complete the chemistry minor at the University of Miami must choose another minor accepted by the School of Nursing and Health Studies.)

4. Health Science/Business Administration Track

Biology 150/151, 160/161, and 12 credits of electives in biology or health science above the 100 level.
Health Science 212, 213, 215.
Chemistry - two semesters with lab, must include 104/106 or 201/205.
Physics - two semesters with lab.
Business Administration minor including ACC 211, 212, CIS , MAS 201, MGT 304, MKT 301, and FIN 300.

5. Pre-Physicians Assistant Track

Biology 150/151, 160/161, 250, 255 and three credits of electives in biology or health science above the 100 level.
Health Science 212, 213, 215, 216.
Chemistry minor - 111/113, 112/114, 201/205, 202/206.
Physics - two semesters with lab.
Microbiology 301.
Psychology 110 and 3 additional credits in PSY.
Sociology 101.
Communication 211.
(Transfer students who do not complete the chemistry minor at the University of Miami must choose another minor accepted by the School of Nursing and Health Studies.)

6. Health Science General Track

Biology 150/151, 160/161, 250, 255 and three credits of electives in biology or health science above 100 level.
Health Science 212, 213, 215.
Chemistry - two semesters with lab must include 104/106 or 201/205.
Physics - two semesters with lab.
A minor in a discipline accepted by the School of Nursing and Health Studies. 
This program may be modified to meet the needs of various students. See the Program Director for more details.

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