Master of Health Informatics

Preceptor Mid-Practicum and Final Evaluation of Student Performance: The student is to remind and encourage the preceptor to perform a mid-practicum evaluation to point out strengths and weaknesses that the student has demonstrated during the first-half of the practicum. In this way, students are able to work on those areas of weakness for the remainder of the practicum. The preceptor is responsible for evaluating student performance during the practicum, at the end of the practicum as well and is encouraged (but not required) to discuss this evaluation with the student prior to the completion of the practicum. Students are evaluated on their informatics skills as well as interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, practice-based learning and systems-based learning.

Grading of practicum:  Students are expected to maintain their overall GPA minimum of 3.0 to remain in good academic standing in the MHI Program. If a student receives a final grade that is below 80%, the student must repeat the practicum. The final grade is determined by multiple factors including the preceptor evaluations, attendance, professionalism, and completion of required assignments (see individual syllabi).

If the student is not performing at an acceptable academic and professional level at the practicum site, and is either removed or dismissed from the site prior to the end of the practicum due to poor performance or unprofessional behavior, an investigatory process will be completed by the Program and Fieldwork Coordinator. If it is determined that the student earned a less than satisfactory grade for that practicum, the student will have to repeat the practicum in its entirety. Once again, depending on the academic standing of the student, he/she may be subject to suspension or dismissal from the program.

Students are expected to behave in a professional manner. Behaviors indicating difficulty in displaying responsible learning, such as failure to attend class regularly, chronic tardiness, unsatisfactory work, difficulty with interpersonal communication, etc., normally require the student to delineate professional development goals and strategies as a part of the plan for professional development to resolve these problems. Failure to improve or achieve competency in professional behavior may lead to sanctions.

Students will be closely monitored throughout their practicum experience. Preceptors are required to notify the Program and Fieldwork Coordinator immediately upon having concerns about a student in order that necessary remedial work can begin as soon as possible.

Academic Probation

Students are placed on academic probation if:

• A grade of C- or less has been earned in a course or
• The overall GPA is less than 3.0

Students are notified in writing by the program director that they have been placed on academic probation. Students may be required to take a reduced credit load during the probationary semester. This determination will be made by the program director in consultation with the student's advisor.

If students receive an unacceptable grade, they may repeat the course once. The original grade will remain on the transcript, but only the replacement grade will be calculated in the GPA. The program director maintains the right to deny registration to any student who is not progressing satisfactorily.

Students must repeat any course in which they have earned a final grade lower than a C.

Removal from Probation

Students are removed from academic probation by:

• Earning a grade of B or better in two or more courses in the following semester
• Achieving a grade point of 3.0
• Completing all required course assignments

Students will be notified by letter from the program director that they have been removed from academic probation

Students may be offered a second semester of extended probation if substantial progress is made towards improving grades but conditions have not been fully met. The program director approves extended probation in consultation with the faculty and faculty advisor.

Conditions for Professional Behaviors Probation

Professional attitudes and behaviors will be considered in the student's overall evaluation and progress in the program. Students may be placed on probation for demonstration of unprofessional behavior(s). Failure to improve specific behaviors identified by the faculty as problematic will result in suspension or dismissal from the program.

Conditions for Program Suspension

If conditions for removal from probation or extended probation have not been met, the student will be suspended or dismissed from the program. The program director will notify the student in writing. In addition to academic reasons, students may be suspended or dismissed from the program for:

• Violation of the Institution's policy on academic integrity
• Violation of the Institution's policy on student conduct

 (The complete document on student conduct, including the process for implementation, may be found on Kateway under St. Catherine University's Student Policies.) Students may appeal an academic probation or suspension from the MHI program by following the Student Complaint Process outlined in St. Catherine University's Student Policies on Kateway.

Readmission to the Program after Suspension

Readmission to the program is based on appeal to and approval from the program director in consultation with the faculty. Students may be readmitted to the program on a provisional acceptance basis after one semester if they have a clear plan and have satisfactorily corrected all the terms of the suspension. The decision to re-admit students to a full admission status will be made in collaboration between their advisor and the program director.