Program Essential Courses (.pdf file) The College of Health and Human Development (CHHD) acknowledges the valuable role academic advising plays in the retention of undergraduate students and views advising as an important aspect of the professional responsibilities of faculty and staff. The college also recognizes that many students entering the university are uncertain of career goals and the alternative avenues available to achieve those goals. The college advising system is designed to help students identify and achieve their academic goals, promote intellectual discovery, become self-directed learners and decision-makers, and encourage both in- and out-of-class educational experiences. The College of Health and Human Development provides academic advising for students enrolled in the college, as well as for undecided, exploratory, and prospective students.
In general, first-year students are admitted to the college rather than a major. The exceptions are Nursing and Professional Golf Management, which are first-year admission programs. Students in general college status retain this designation until the entrance requirements for the intended major are met (http://www.psu.edu/dus/cfe/etmindex.htm). At University Park, premajor students with academic goals are advised in the departments/schools. Exploratory and undecided students are advised through the Student Services Center. Prior to attaining fifth-semester classification, students enrolled in the college must gain entrance to a major in order to continue registration as degree candidates or be disenrolled (Senate Policy 54-56).
Advanced-standing transfer students may be admitted directly to a major (if entrance requirements have been met), or admitted to the college in premajor status (if transferring with less than 59.1 credits and can meet the entrance to major requirements prior to fifth-semester classification). Transfer students in pre-major status at University Park are advised in the departments/schools until they are eligible to enroll in a major.
http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in and out-of-class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, meet their educational goals, and develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources. The college or department also will monitor the progress of its advisees toward satisfactory completion of all graduation requirements and inform students of their status each semester. Advisees, in turn, will routinely contact their advisers each semester and will assume final responsibility for course scheduling, program planning, and the successful completion of graduation requirements.
A. Responsibilities of Advisers
The Academic Adviser’s Role is to:
B. Responsibilities of Advisees
The Advisee’s Role is to:
http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/
Senate Policy 32-40 specifies responsibilities for the Assignment of Advisers for various categories of students, including degree candidates, provisional students, and nondegree regular and conditional students.
The patterns of academic advising information and administrative support services provided to students are to be consistent across campuses and among colleges and be clearly visible to and easily accessible for both students and advisers (see Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures under D which contains rules on Entrance to College and Lower Division Location, Entrance to Major and Upper Division, and Change of Major). Regardless of campus, colleges are responsible for providing advising information and assessing the effectiveness of advising services provided to students enrolled in both the college common year and specific majors. Similarly, regardless of college or major, campuses are responsible for providing advising information and assessing effectiveness of advising services provided to students enrolled at their location. All student actions regarding college of admission, college common year designation, campus of enrollment, preferred major designation, course registrations, and actual major are recorded in the Integrated Student Information System (ISIS).
Access to advising information may be provided to students and advisers by campuses and colleges via advising centers and advising Web pages. College, campus, and university-wide administrative offices are responsible for identifying the persons whom students and advisers should contact if they wish to ask specific questions or if they want to implement academic actions regarding choice of major, course registrations, or change of campus.
Procedures:
The following procedures will guide the assignment of responsibilities among colleges, campuses, and administrative units for advising information and communications regarding admission to college and lower division campus, entrance to major and upper division, and change of major.
A listing of the names, telephone numbers and electronic mail addresses for all college representatives is provided in the handbook directory. The CCP for the College of Health and Human Development is Margaret Sebastianelli, Director, Student Services, 215 Henderson Building, University Park, PA 16802, (814)-865-2156, msebastianelli@psu.edu.
http://www.hhdev.psu.edu/studentservices/index.html
The center provides academic advising for exploratory students enrolled at University Park who are considering majors in health and human development and prospective students who are not yet enrolled at Penn State. On behalf of the dean’s office, the center provides consultation and “dean’s review” for University Faculty Senate policy exceptions for all exploratory health and human development students. Currently enrolled students wishing to apply to one of the nine undergraduate majors or eleven minors may be referred to the center to confirm their academic interest, schedule an appointment with the appropriate department/school adviser, and receive relevant information, forms, and a degree audit in preparation for the advising session. Additionally, the center's first-year honors adviser works in support of department/school honors advising. The center provides academic advising support to faculty, staff, families, and the university’s constituents system wide.
The center is responsible for coordinating the annual university/college sponsored recruitment and retention programs including (but not limited to) the following: First-Year Testing, Consulting and Advising Program (FTCAP), Spend A Summer Day, University Scholars Day, New Student Orientation, Fall Career Days at the Bryce Jordan Center, and campus Major Events and Dean’s Change of Campus Day. The annual Undergraduate Adviser’s Handbook for Baccalaureate Degree Programs and Associate Degree and Undergraduate Credit Certificate Programs is coordinated through the center. College representation as the College Contact Person (CCP) for the College Contact and Referral Representative (CCRR) network is provided through the center. In addition, the center coordinates the university’s annual Entrance to Major (ETM) process as well as all changes of campus, changes of major, leaves of absence, and re-enrollments and reinstatements. Management of active and 2 years of inactive college records, graduation check, grade changes and academic exceptions to degree requirements are functions of the center.
http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/
A degree candidate's semester classification is based upon the following table of total credits earned:
| Total Credits Earned* | Semester Classification |
|---|---|
| 13 or fewer | 1 |
| 13.1 to 27 | 2 |
| 27.1 to 43 | 3 |
| 43.1 to 59 | 4 |
| 59.1 to 75 | 5 |
| 75.1 to 91 | 6 |
| 91.1 to 107 | 7 |
| 107.1 to 123 | 8 |
| 123.1 to 139 | 9 |
| 139.1 to 155 | 10 |
| 155.1 or more | 11 |
| *Total credits earned equal the accumulation of all Penn State credits successfully completed by letter grades A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, D, or symbols SA, R, S; credits by examination as defined by Section 42-50; and credit granted by transfer from other colleges and universities as defined in Sections 42-80 and 42-90. | |
http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/
An academic drop is an official notification to a degree candidate that the person can no longer enroll in courses as a degree candidate.
Degree candidates who fail to meet academic entrance and retention standards in effect at the time of their most recent admission to a college or major may be disenrolled. (see Holds on Student Registration) Students should seek assistance from the appropriate academic advising and information center or the Division of Undergraduate Studies.
A student required to disenroll from a college or major may attempt to transfer directly to another college or major (Senate Policies 37-00, 39-00) or, if appropriate, to the Division of Undergraduate Studies.
Students disenrolled and not accepted for enrollment in another college or major, or the Division of Undergraduate Studies may be dropped from degree status.
http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/
A previous associate or baccalaureate degree candidate seeking re-enrollment as a degree candidate according to Section 58-50 or a non-degree or provisional student seeking re-enrollment to the University may request the Registrar to approve Academic Renewal. To be approved:
The University admits first-semester baccalaureate degree candidates to a campus that can provide at least 2 semesters of normal progress toward the program they have selected. Generally, students are expected to complete 2 full years of academic work at their initial campus. After 2 years, they may have to change to a university campus that offers the upper-level course work required in their major.
The dean for each college will be responsible for establishing procedures to accomplish each of the following objectives:
A student may request an early change of campus in order to maintain normal progress toward his/her preferred major. The student who is headed toward a major that requires early change of campus is expected to remain in that major and to schedule courses consistent with it. Under special circumstances, request for other reasons may be approved as exceptions. (See College of Health and Human Development Policy for Change of Campus).
The student must obtain approval from officials at his/her campus (first) and at the desired campus (second) in order for the change to be processed. The designated official at the student's campus determines if it is appropriate for the student to relocate. If the request seems appropriate, the official initiates the change by informing the appropriate dean at the other campus. He/she approves or denies the request. The student is notified of this decision. If the change is approved, the student receives instructions regarding registration for the subsequent semester at the new campus.
Note: Relocation to University Park during the first two years of academic work will be approved only under exceptional circumstances.
Change of campus to University Park should generally take place after a student has completed four full-time semesters (or equivalent) at another campus. There are two scenarios under which students can transfer to University Park prior to completing four semesters: 1) if a student is unable to make normal progress toward the degree because the requisite courses are not available at the student’s campus, and 2) if the vice-provost for undergraduate education has approved a policy exception for a given program (as is the case for nursing). Absent one of these circumstances, students should not be advised that the department recommends transfer to University Park prior to completion of the fourth semester.
DATE
FIELD(Name)
FIELD(Address1)
FIELD(Address2)
FIELD(City), FIELD(State) FIELD(Zip)
Dear FIELD(Sal):
The college received your request to change to University Park for FIELD(semester) FIELD(year). All early change requests are academic reviews to determine the appropriate time to be at University Park to make normal progress toward graduation. To help us in the review process, please take a few minutes to answer the following questions.
Please return your responses to Margaret Sebastianelli, Director, Student Services, 215 Henderson Building, University Park, PA 16802-6501. After receiving the information, an academic review will be completed and the campus Registrar's office will be electronically notified of the college’s decision.
I look forward to hearing from you. If I may be of help to you, please contact me at (814) 865-2156 or msebastianelli@psu.edu.
Sincerely,
Margaret Sebastianelli
Director, Student Services
The Pennsylvania State University collects and retains data and information about students for designated periods of time for the expressed purpose of facilitating the student's educational development. The University recognizes the privacy rights of individuals in exerting control over what information about themselves may be disclosed and, at the same time, attempts to balance that right with the institution's need for information relevant to the fulfillment of its educational missions. The University further recognizes its obligation to inform the student of his/her rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA); to inform the student of the existence and location of records as well as to define the purposes for which such information is obtained; to provide security for such material; to permit student access to, disclosure of, and challenge to this information as herein described; and to discontinue such information when compelling reasons for its retention no longer exit.
Directory Information http://www.registrar.psu.edu/confidentiality/confidentiality.cfm
Students have a right to know about the purposes, content and location of information kept as part of their educational records. They have a right to gain access to and challenge the content of their educational records. They have a right to expect the information in their educational records will be kept confidential, disclosed only with their permission or under provisions of the law. Students have a right to permit or prevent disclosure of certain information in their educational records. Parents have the right to expect confidentiality of certain information about them in student records and, under certain conditions, to gain access to information in student educational records.
To Withhold Directory Information
All students may request that directory information not be released publicly. This is an important student privilege that results in the following:
To Release Directory Information
http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies
College of Health and Human Development Policy for Entrance to Major/Change of Major
The College of Health and Human Development employs the university's Entrance to Major (ETM) mechanism to simplify the entrance to major process for all majors except Professional Golf Management and Nursing. The ETM procedure helps to evaluate students' eligibility for entrance to major, to notify students about their status, and to change students' major designation. The procedure is available only during the spring semester of the sophomore year. Students who are in the spring pool confirm their major choices through eLion and receive confirmation of their eligibility to enter the major through e-mail. The process begins in January and concludes in April each spring semester. Entrance to major decisions become effective for the following summer semester.
Early Change of Campus Request Procedure
Cancellation of an Approved Campus Change
The student may elect to cancel an approved change of campus. Upon notification by the student, the sending change of campus contact cancels the approved change using screen ARUSBC. The Registrar's office confirms this concellation by notifying the student.
If a student's schedule of courses is not consistent with the reason that an early change of campus was approved, the change of campus approval may be rescinded and the student may be required to return to his/her original campus for the semester immediately following.
Since the ETM mechanism is only available during the spring semester of the sophomore year, students who qualify may gain admission to a health and human development major at other times. Student enrolled at University Park should seek academic advising prior to applying to a major. To facilitate a change to a health and human development major, students should schedule an appointment with an academic adviser in the Student Services Center in 215 Henderson Building to review their educational plans. If appropriate, an appointment will be made with a department/school dean's designee to process the change of major. Students at other Penn State campuses will request a change of major through the campus Registrar. The college will review the electronic request and notify the campus official of its decision.
Note: Students who do not enter a major at the time specified by the college and in compliance with Faculty Senate Policy 54-56 may be disenrolled.
A student is expected to satisfy all University degree requirements (such as General Education, First-Year Seminar, Intercultural and International Competence or United States and International Cultures, Writing Across the Curriculum) that were in effect when the student first scheduled a class after his/her admission or most recent re-enrollment as a degree candidate. Requirements for a program (such as major, minor, option, honors) are those in effect at the time of the student's admission or most recent re-enrollment into that program.
Course substitution and exceptions to degree requirements do not require a petition to the University Faculty Senate. A petition is not required for correcting registration errors or changing a grade if the request is made before the deadline.
College of Health and Human Development Policy for Exception to Degree Requirements
College advisers are encouraged to initiate course substitution petitions when appropriate, by using the e-Petition for Course Substitution system. Effective August 30, 2005, the e-Petition System became the sole means for submitting course substitution petitions in CHHD. The e-Petition system can be used for adjusting General Education as well as for major and minor requirements. If students have course substitution petitions approved while enrolled at campuses other than University Park, the procedure may prevent taking unnecessary courses and aid in registration for appropriate course loads.
To submit a petition on behalf of a CHHD student, an adviser will log in to the e-Petition for Course Substitution system (contact Karen Craig 814-863-6446 for access to the system). Upon completion of the on-line form, the adviser will submit the request and the form will follow the pre-set approval path for authorization and ISIS entry. The student's reason for requesting the substitution and the adviser's rationale for supporting or denying support should be noted. Upon completion of the process, students are automatically, electronically notified of all final decisions.
Authorized University offices may place a hold on a student's record that will prevent registration. Because of the seriousness of this action, the office placing the hold is required to notify the student. Holds are placed because of:
http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/c-ugstu.html#Preamble
A student petition is a formal request for a waiver of a Senate Policy/Procedure. Waivers would include any Senate policy listed in Policies and Rules for Undergraduate Students.
http://senate.psu.edu/policies/index.html
Petition Types
The most common petition types are retroactive withdrawals, late course drops, late course adds, and corrected grades.
For students enrolled at University Park:
For students enrolled at a campus other than University Park:
Student petitions are always submitted through the college/campus in which the student is currently enrolled, no matter where the student attended during the time of the request. Students are responsible for obtaining documentation from another college/campus if applicable.
Students who are not currently enrolled will submit their petition through the college/campus in which they were enrolled while taking the course(s) in reference.
Review of Petitions
Senate Subcommittee on Academic Standards reviews petitions continuously throughout the academic year, including summer sessions, and petition reviewing is not coordinated with meetings of the University Faculty Senate.
Student petitions are reviewed at the college/campus level and submitters will make a recommendation of support or non-support to the Senate Committee. The petition will then be forwarded to the Senate Office where it will be reviewed by the Senate Subcommittee on Academic Standards.
Time Frame
After a petition is submitted, students can expect a decision within three to five weeks from the time the petition is received in the Senate Office.
Financial Issues
The student petition process does not include the handling of refunds or waivers of money owed to the University. These matters need to be addressed throught the Office of the Bursar.
University Faculty Senate Petition Cover Sheet:
http://senate.psu.edu/student_petitions/petitionform1.pdf
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING A PETITION
Students are responsible for preparing the student request, obtaining supporting documents, completing University forms, and obtaining a transcript and relevant registration records, as described below.
Trauma drop/withdrawal procedures (http://www.psu.edu/dus/handbook/trauma.html)should be followed when a student's circumstances require unusual confidentiality (e.g., the victim of a sexual assault or violent crime). This procedure is streamlined to reduce the number of people involved in processing.
Student Request
The student should prepare a brief, factual letter (see sample letter http://www.psu.edu/dus/handbook/sampleletters.html) that includes the following:
Supporting Documents
Along with the student's request, he/she should provide documentation of the circumstances that he/she claims justify an exception to University policy. Some examples are hospital records, a letter from a physician, a statement from a counselor, a statement from a student financial aid adviser, or court records.
If the student's justification is based on a significant, prolonged medical problem and the student received care at University Health Services (UHS), the student may request verification of his/her condition for a senate petition by contacting his/her UHS primary care clinician. The director of UHS reviews all requests and decides on the appropriate recommendation.
If the student is alleging that his/her extenuating circumstances is the result of one or more of the following problems: (a) unfair teaching practice; (b) misinformation from University personnel applying a University regulation, policy, or procedure; or (c) an administrative, advising, or clerical error then the student should provide documentation from the appropriate academic, administrative, or advising unit.
If the petition involves course work taken through the World Campus, a statement about the student's enrollment history in the course must be included in the supporting documents. The student should request this statement from a World Campus adviser.
Students who have been dropped from degree candidacy for unsatisfactory scholarship and who wish to return to degree status must request reinstatement unless they are following the procedures for academic renewal.
Program Essential Courses (.pdf file)
Recommended Courses by Major (.pdf file)
Minimum Course requirements for Admission to Health Professions Programs (.pdf file)
Health Professional School Requirements Worksheet (.pdf file)