Administrative Policies

Attendance

American University emphasizes the need for all students to attend classes on a regular basis in order to develop the skills and attitudes necessary to compete in the labor market.  Any absences except those necessitated by death of an immediate family member, documented illness, verified court appearance, military duty, or other legal requirements are discouraged and unexcused.

To maintain satisfactory attendance, students are required to be punctual, alert and prepared for all classes.  Students are required by State law to complete a minimum of 500-in-class hours in order to complete the program and receive a diploma.  All missed class make-up time must be made up by attending additional classes.  Students may miss up to 16 hours of class time without charge.  After 16 hours, all class time must be made up at a rate of $10.00 per hour.  The maximum absent class time allowed is 20 hours.  If the student misses 20 or more hours, the student will be placed on attendance probation and required to meet with the University’s Registrar to develop an acceptable plan.  

Changes in programs or student guidelines

The University has the right, at its discretion, to make reasonable changes in program content, materials, schedules, or locations in the interest of improving the student’s training, or where deemed feasible due to industry changes, academic scheduling, or professional requirements.

When ongoing, state, or professional changes take place that affect students currently in attendance, the school is required to make appropriate changes.

Required study time

Outside study, apart from regular classroom work, is required in order to successfully complete the required course assignments.  The amount of time will vary according to the individual student’s abilities.  All assignments must be turned in at the designated time.  Students are responsible for reading any study materials issued by their instructors and can expect such assignments to average approximately two hours for each hour of class time over the total length of the program.

Tardiness

Students are expected to be prepared and attend every class on time.  Tardiness is unprofessional, disrespectful to instructors and classmates, and disruptive of a good learning environment and is to be discouraged.  Students are considered tardy if they arrive to class at any point past the scheduled starting time.  Student is responsible for making up any and all time missed in class due to being tardy.  All time missed due to being tardy will count towards the 16 hours allowed for make-up time without charge.  Once the student exceeds the 16 hour quota a charge of $10.00 will be charged for any missed clock hours.  Under unusual circumstances and where warranted, the University Director may waive the stipulations in the attendance policy.

Behavior & Conduct

Students are expected to maintain high standards of academic and personal character, including treating all members of the University and other students with respect.  The University holds the right to dismiss any student who violates school policy.

Dress Code

Students are required to adhere to the American University of Healing Arts dress code while on campus and in the assigned clinical or externship sites.  The student should show concern for the appropriateness of dress while attending the University and be guided by what is appropriate for work site is appropriate for school.

All students are expected to appear for class in navy blue scrubs, or slacks (navy, tan or black), and a white short sleeve polo shirt.  For clinical and outreach programs the student is required to wear slacks and short sleeve polo shirt.  White sweaters may be worn on top of the uniform.  Make-up, jewelry and hairstyles must be moderate and understated, all students are expected to practice good personal hygiene habits and maintain a clean, neat and professional appearance at all times.  Clothing must be modest, no jeans, shorts, sweats, t-shirts, hats, nose rings, tongue studs, or other body/face accessories.  Students should not wear jewelry, including watches, rings and bracelets, during hands-on training.  Clothing should not restrict movement or hang/drag against clients.  Footwear should be closed toe, clean and comfortable. 

Administration and faculty are responsible for enforcing the dress code.  Any students reporting to class inappropriately dressed will be sent home and time missed will be recorded as an absence.

Academic Standards (Grades & Evaluations)

Examinations will be given on a regular basis in order to assist students in successfully passing the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards and the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Examinations.

According to Arkansas state law all students must pass each exam taken with at least seventy-five (75) percent or above.  If a student fails any one exam twice, then he/she must retake that portion of the course and schedule tutorial session determined through the Director.  Students are not eligible to take the federation or national examinations unless all test have been passed with a minimum of seventy-five (75) percent.

Class attendance/participation, written exams, practical evaluations and quizzes are included in the grading scale below:

Class Attendance = 10% of final grade

Written Exams = 30% of final grade

Practical Evaluations = 50% of final grade

Quizzes = 10% of final grade

*All incompletes must be made-up with-in one (1) years time according to Arkansas State Massage Therapy board.
 

Academic Probation

The initial probationary period covers the course that starts immediately after the student has been placed on academic probation.  The student is required to repeat the failed course during the probationary period unless the course is not offered at that time.  The failed course must be repeated at the earliest possible time.

When, by the end of the probationary period, a student has achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 75 percent the probation is removed.  If the student has not achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 75% but has achieved a GPA of at least 75% for the course currently completed, the student may continue on the program for a second probationary period.  A student who does not achieve a GPA of at least 75 percent for the course will be withdrawn from the program by the school.

Satisfactory Progress

Progress reports will be issued to all students every two months providing satisfactory or unsatisfactory evaluations based on academics, attendance, behavior, dress code and appearance or any other school requirement.  Students that are deficient in any areas listed will be placed on probation and reevaluated in 30 days.  Students who do not show satisfactory improvement will be withdrawn from the program by the school.  The school maintains all academic reports, which include tests and evaluations, these are accessible to the student by request.  Student records remain on file at the University indefinitely.

Student/Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is no more than 16:1 for lecture or technique.  Additional attendance over this ratio may include instructor assistance.

Completion Requirement

Students will be awarded a diploma and transcript after successful completion of 502 in-class clock hours of course work and fulfillment of all financial agreements, including tuition and fees.  All students must complete the entire course within one of year of the signed enrollment agreement or beginning of class unless a leave of absence is submitted in writing and has been approved by the Director. 

Clinical Internship

A fifty (50) hour clinical internship is required to complete the clock hour fulfillment.  A student is considered eligible for clinic rotation after completion of 200 clock hours.  This is when academic skills and  competencies of the program are strong enough to allow the student to  administer a massage treatment. 

Conditions for Dismissal

The University holds the right to dismiss any student who violates school policy.  Students may be dismissed from the program for:

· Presenting misleading information to the University.

· Unlawful possession, use or distribution of illegal drugs and/or alcohol on school premises or in connection with any school event.

· Behavior that may be harmful to the learning environment or reputation of the University.

· Exhibits conduct which is found by the administration to be detrimental to fellow students, other individuals, the community, or the University.

· Unprofessional dress, hygiene or conduct.

· Promoting the practice of massage therapy unprofessionally.

· Excessive tardiness or absences from class.

· Two consecutively missed tuition payments (Students may be reinstated once tuition is current if they are still under the completion date requirement).  Students will be responsible for making up missed hours and paying make-up fees if applicable.

· Unsatisfactory progress reports not showing improvement within 60 days.

Suspension

Students may be suspended from the University based upon unsatisfactory academic progress or misconduct.  If a student is suspended based upon unsatisfactory academic progress, and he or she can show good cause as to why the suspension should be lifted, the student will be reinstated.  If the student has been suspended because of misconduct, he or she may be considered for re-entry into the University upon successful demonstration of a change in attitude or circumstance, which caused or lead to the suspension. 

The final decision to suspend a student is made by the University Director.  Reports regarding suspension are maintained and will be available to the student.

Reinstatement policy

Students who have been terminated for failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress may be reinstated at the beginning of the next available course through the appeal process.  The appeals will be considered by the University Director and is at the discretion of the AUOHA administration.

If students are readmitted, they must achieve a minimum of seventy five  (75) percent per course to be considered making satisfactory academic progress and gain reinstatement. 

Student Appeal Process

Students whose training programs are terminated by the University will be informed of the right to appeal.  Students must initiate the process by submitting, in writing, a request for re-administration to the schools director.

Students will not be eligible to appeal if they are terminated for exceeding the maximum program time limit.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act was legislated by Congress in 1974 and is also known as the Buckley Amendment.  The following list covers the basic highlights of the act:

You have the right to inspect your academic, financial, or general records, by appointment, during normal school hours.  The only exception is the confidential student guidance notes maintained by faculty members, or the Director.

The College may not release or disclose academic, personal, or financial information to outsiders (employers, agencies, or individuals) without first securing a written release from you, the student.

You may not have access to financial data separately submitted by your parents or guardians.

If you are a dependent student, your parents or guardian (those who contribute to your direct or indirect cost of education) are permitted to receive information about your academic and general performance.

Leave of Absence

Current students may request, in writing, a leave of absence.  Eligibility for request of a leave of absence will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  In order for the student to be eligible to return to the program, all tuition must be paid in full or be up-to-date based on the financial agreement.  The student retains hours previously earned in the program unless the time limit for completion has been exceeded.  Students approved for a leave of absence will be reevaluated on basic competency skills for technique and lecture courses once they are reinstated.  Students requesting a leave of absence exceeding ninety days may be required to retake a portion or the entire program.

Withdrawal Policy

Students who request to withdraw from the program may not be eligible to reenter.  Tuition refund policies are under section “Refund Policy”.  Students may also be withdrawn by dismissal, as discussed under section “Conditions for Dismissal”.

Transfer of Classes

Any student currently enrolled in one class session, may transfer to another session only one (1) time, this session maybe of choice.  The student must continue to uphold his/her monthly payment agreement and complete the program one year from the date of initial enrollment.

Transfer of Credit for Previous Training

Students applying for advanced standing must submit official transcripts to the admissions department.  Upon evaluation of the transcript, credit may be given for courses successfully completed with a grade of 75% or better from another accredited institution where course and credit values are comparable to those offered by American University of Healing Arts.  Students may also be required to pass a challenge exam which may consist of a written, practical   or   oral   practicum   examination.   The  length  of  time intervening will also be considered.  Transfer of credits for Massage Therapy is subject to the discretion of the Director and on staff Instructors and Faculty.

Transfer of Credits to other Schools

It is the responsibility of students who plan to transfer to other institutions to acquaint themselves with the requirements of the selected institution.  Institutions of higher learning vary in nature and number of credits which are acceptable, and it is at the discretion of that institution  to accept credits earned at American University of Healing Arts. This is a standard transfer-of-credit procedure.

Refund Policy

Students who withdraw or are dismissed from the University will be entitled to a refund of tuition (less $250 withdrawal fee) according to the following schedule:

  100% Refund                          Before start of school

  75% Refund (less $250 fee)    Within 21 days from the start of school

  50% Refund (less $250 fee)    Within 45 days from the start of school

  25% Refund (less $250 fee)     Within 60 days from the start of school

No refunds are given after 60 days has lapsed from the date of initial enrollment.  Any student with a payment plan is responsible for the remaining balance as agreed to on the loan contract.

Complaint  Policy

The complaints and grievances policies are explained in the student and instructor handbooks.  The Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy may be notified at 501-520-0555 regarding any legal offences involving students, instructors or the school.

Inclement Weather Policy

AUOHA follows the inclement weather policy of the Little Rock Public School system.  If the Little Rock Public School system is closed for inclement weather conditions, then AUOHA will be closed.  Announcements for LRPS system appear on the local television stations and are heard on many of the local radio stations.  All schedules will be revised in order for students to obtain the hourly requirement for completion.