School of Health Sciences

Athletic Training Department | Exercise Physiology Department | Healthcare Informatics and Information Management Department | Occupational Therapy Department | Occupational Therapy Five Year + Fieldwork Master's Program | Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy | Physical Therapy Department | Social Work Department

Department of Athletic Training

Athletic trainers are allied health/sports medicine professionals responsible for the prevention, recognition, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation/ reconditioning of the physically active population. Athletic trainers perform under a physician's supervision and are typically employed by professional teams, colleges and universities, high schools, clinics and hospitals, industry, and other various settings.

The program of study is an entry-levelMA program. It is intended for students seeking certification and registration or licensure as an athletic trainer. Students must successfully complete 72-76 graduate credits over 24 consecutive months, including clinical experiences, and other requirements to be awarded the Master of Arts in Athletic Training degree.

Students interested in athletic training should be aware that enrollment is competitive and limited to a maximum 14 students per year. Fulfillment of requirements does not guarantee admission. Students apply and are admitted directly to the Athletic Training Program. Selection for admission is based on several elements including academic record, professional exploration, essay, recommendations, and interviews. Students must have evidence of a completed bachelor's degree as well as fulfillment of the health/prerequisite requirements upon matriculation. However, there are no requirements in terms of the prospective student's undergraduate major.

General Information

The program is seeking accreditation by the CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education). The program will apply for accreditation in fall 2010 for an anticipated spring 2011 site visit. The College of St. Scholastica cannot guarantee it will attain CAATE accreditation. Students should be aware they must be a graduate of an accredited program in order to be eligible for the BOC, Inc. (Board of Certification, Inc.) certification exam and that they can take the exam only after the program attains accreditation. Students who complete the exam would also be eligible for licensure/registration in any state throughout the country.

Students should anticipate two academic years and two summers of study, the first of two occurring prior to the first academic year. The first summer session will involve academic coursework, while the second summer session consists of an internship which must be secured by the student. Required clinical experiences are completed during the two academic years and second summer. These experiences frequently require commitments outside of the normal academic day and semester, including evenings and weekends, and, in some instances, necessitate personal transportation to clinical sites off campus. Students should keep these realities in mind when considering employment and other extracurricular obligations. They should also anticipate purchasing appropriate clothing for various clinical settings.

Admissions

Admissions decisions are based on assessment of the student application and previously completed work. To be considered for admission to the program, students must:

1. Submit a completed Graduate Admissions Application form and nonrefundable fee of US $50.
2. Provide evidence of at least a 2.8 cumulative and composite prerequisite GPA.
3. Submit official transcript(s) of all previous graduate and undergraduate work confirming grades of C (C-/CD not acceptable) or higher in all individual prerequisite courses. These courses must be completed prior to matriculation.
4. Provide evidence of professional exploration that reflects the breadth and depth of practice settings for athletic trainers (a minimum of two athletic training practice settings addressing the needs of distinct patient populations).
5. Complete a Master's of Athletic Training essay.
6. Submit a minimum of three Graduate Recommendation forms, at least two of which must come from athletic trainers.
7. An interview with member(s) of the admissions committee may be requested.

Applications will be reviewed beginning November 15 and on a rolling basis thereafter. Upon acceptance, entry into the program begins in June. Once in the program, students must be enrolled full time, and all courses and clinical experiences must be successfully completed in the required sequence. Alterations in progression may be considered on an individual basis.

Applications for the program may be obtained by contacting:

The College of St. Scholastica
Graduate Studies Office
Athletic Training Admissions
1200 Kenwood Ave.
Duluth, MN 55811-4199

Options for admission are as follows:

1. Athletic Training Guaranteed Admission Program(ATGAP): Students may be conditionally admitted at the conclusion of their initial semester of baccalaureate study contingent upon meeting the GPA requirements, eventual completion of all prerequisite courses with minimum "C" grades, evidence of professional exploration, a completed essay and an interview. The evidence of professional exploration and interview must be completed prior to matriculation in the graduate program at The College of St. Scholastica.
2. Regular/Transfer Admissions: Students apply directly to the master's program. Requirements outlined above must be completed accordingly.
3. Provisional Admission: Students in category two may be considered if they fall below minimum requirements in one or more categories and show evidence of extenuating circumstances as well as potential for satisfactory performance in the graduate program.

Prerequisites: Students must present evidence of successful completion of the following St. Scholastica courses (or equivalencies subject to consideration by the St. Scholastica Athletic Training Admissions Committee).

Required

• BIO 2110 Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
• BIO 2120 Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
• CHEM1020 General and Organic Chemistry for Health ScienceMajors (4)
• EXP 3323 Sports Nutrition (4)
• EXP 3331 Exercise Physiology (4)
• HSC 2209Medical Terminology (2)
• PSC 2001 Physics I (4)
• PSY 3331 Statistics (4)
  NOTE: Equivalencies of 2110, 2120, 1020 and 2001 must include laboratory components

Recommended

• BIO 3020 Pathophysiology (4)
• HSC 2203 Intro to US Healthcare System(4)
• PSC 2002 Physics II (4)
• PSY 2208 Lifespan Developmental Psychology (4)
• PSY 3341 Introduction to Counseling (2)
• PSY 3423 Abnormal Psychology

Please see the graduate catalog for additional information.

Exercise Physiology Department

Exercise Physiology is the study of physiological mechanisms underlying physical activity, the comprehensive delivery of treatment services concerned with the analysis, improvement and maintenance of health and fitness, rehabilitation of heart disease and other chronic diseases and/or disabilities, and the professional guidance and counsel of athletes and others interested in athletics, sports training and human adaptability to acute and chronic exercise. Scientific results from exercise physiology research help to understand the physiological effects of systematic exercise, and the extent to which exercise helps in developing and maintaining cardiovascular and musculoskeletal integrity.

The Department of Exercise Physiology offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology. During the spring semester of the senior year, students choose to do internship (EXP 4555).

Larry Birnbaum, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair

Entrance requirements:

Students should apply for admission to the department at the beginning of the fall semester of their third year in college. Applicants must have at minimum a 2.7 cumulative grade point average. Application and information about the interview can be obtained from the chair of the department.

Upon completion of the academic degree in Exercise Physiology, the student will:

1. Assess and communicate the role of nutrition in health and athletics.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and competencies fundamental to understanding and communicating advanced physiology concepts and laboratory skills.
3. Compare and contrast health, fitness and exercise-related research methods, designs, statistics, and implications for a healthy lifestyle.
4. Employ professional knowledge and competencies required for assuming different exercise physiology jobs in the public sector.
5. Exhibit anatomical knowledge and cardiovascular physiology competencies fundamental to the exercise physiology profession.
6. Apply stress management interventions in promoting healthy lifestyles.
7. Develop professional attitudes and value driven responses to disciplinary connections between relevant content areas from liberal arts (psychology),biology and chemistry to research application, scope of practice and career opportunities in exercise physiology.
8. Demonstrate communication skills fundamental to leadership positions in the profession of exercise physiology.
9. Practice critical thinking skills needed for interpreting data, critiquing research articles, and analyzing and solving problems that occur in professional settings.

Exercise Physiology major

All Exercise Physiology majors take the following prerequisite courses: CHM 1020*, CHM 1035, BIO/CHM 1036, MTH 1111, BIO 2110, 2120, PSY 2208,PSC 2001 and the following departmental core courses: EXP 1110, EXP 3321, EXP 3322, EXP 3323, EXP 3330, EXP 3331, EXP 3332, EXP 3334, EXP 4431, EXP 4436, EXP 4438, EXP 4555, PSY 3331.

*Students interested in DPT need CHM 1110 and CHM 1120 instead of CHM 1020, CHM 1035, and CHM/BIO 1036. They also need PSC 2001 and PSC 2002 as well as HSC 2209 and PSY 3423.

Healthcare Informatics and Information Management Department

The major in Health Information Management is housed in the Department of Healthcare Informatics and Information Management. It provides students with professional knowledge necessary to assume management responsibility for health records and health information systems in a variety of health related settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-termcare settings, consulting firms, government agencies, insurance companies and software vendors. It is ideal for the person who likes the healthcare environment but does not want direct patient contact.

In 1934 The College of St. Scholastica became the first college in the U.S. to offer amajor in this field. The programis accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. Graduates are eligible to sit for the AHIMA national registration examination. Passing this examination entitles one to use the designation RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator) after his/her name.

A professional practice internship consisting of three weeks experience in a regional hospital, two weeks in a large medical center or specialized healthcare facility and oneweek in an alternative career setting is required in the spring semester of the senior year. The student provides travel and living expenses during this time.

A distance-based program has been designed for registered health information technicians (RHITs) and others with healthcare experience which enables them to earn a baccalaureate degree in Health InformationManagement. This Progression Program incorporates a three day orientation in a variety of locations as well as an intensive, one-week, on-campus capstone seminar. Web-based distance learning courses, transfer of equivalent course work in basic health information management subjects, challenge exams as needed and transfer of general education credits taken at the student's local college/university comprise the remainder of the program. The professional practice experience, which is adapted to individual student needs, has three components for RHITs: clinical visits, an administrative project and a two- to three-week management affiliation in a health care facility. Progression students who are not RHITs must do an additional directed practice internship that is designed to meet their specific needs.

A post-baccalaureate certificate option is available to students who enter the program with a previously earned baccalaureate degree. The certificate program requires completion of all Health Information Management course requirements as outlined for the major. The certificate, in combination with the student's prior bachelor's degree, qualifies the student to sit for the American Health Information Management Association's national registration examination.

A graduate program leading to a Master of Arts in Health Information Management was established in 1997. Students interested in the master's degree should refer to the Graduate Program section of this catalog.

Chair: Kathleen M. LaTour, M.A., R.H.I.A., F.A.H.I.M.A.

A student applies to the Health Information Management Program during spring semester of his/her sophomore year or at the time of transfer to the College. The Health Information Management Program follows the admission and retention policies of the School of Health Sciences. Those policies are delineated in the School of Health Sciences section of the catalog. A student graduating with a major in Health Information Management from The College of St. Scholastica is well prepared to assume an entry-level position in this professional field. Specifically, program outcomes are designed to assure that graduates of the programwill be prepared to demonstrate:

1. Requisite professional knowledge, skills and competencies fundamental to the health information management profession.
2. Self-directed learning skills using a variety of resources and technology.
3. Critical thinking and systems thinking skills.
4. Effective communication skills.
5. Personal attitudes and attributes critical to professional leadership.

Health Information Management major

BIO 1110 or BIO 1035 and CHM 1035; BIO 2110, 2120, and 3020; CIS 1007 and 1008, 3105, 3107, and 3108;HIM 2101-4556 (HIM Progression students substitute HIM 4530, 4540 and 4550 for HIM 4555); HSC 2203, 4423; PSY 3331; TRS 3311. Admission and retention policies for the Health Information Management Department are consistent with those listed in the Health Sciences section. The Health Information Management major is a Bachelor of Science degree program.

Health Sciences major

The Health Sciences major includes two choices:

1. The Health Sciences School concentration is intended for the student who has an interest in health care, but has not fulfilled all the requirements for a specific program within the school. This major requires at least 36 credits in allied fields, with 16 credits in HSC-designated courses or other courses approved by the Dean of the School of Health Sciences. A clinical experience is highly recommended. Students with a departmental major within the health sciences are ineligible for this option. A student interested in this concentration must apply for an upper-division Health Sciences major through the school dean. There is no Health Sciences minor.
2. The Occupational Therapy concentration requires admission to the Occupational Therapy Program and satisfactory completion of the first year of the professional program. See the Occupational Therapy Program description for further details.

The Health Sciences major is a Bachelor of Arts degree program. A student graduating with a Health Sciences major from The College of St. Scholastica will:

1. Understand the broad relationships and connections among the disciplines studied within the school.
2. Understand the most basic and essential principles of at least one school discipline.
3. Knowledgeably analyze a problem germane to the school disciplines or critically evaluate a proposition pertinent to the fields of study.
4. Articulately communicate his/her analysis of a problemor evaluation of a proposition.

Health Sciences major admissions and retention policies minimum admission requirements:

1. Junior level standing.
2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
3. C (2.0) in all courses required by the major department.
4. A set of professional goals, developed by the student.
5. Personal interview, health examination and/or psychological testing may be required.
6. Each department reserves the right to set more rigorous selection criteria than those stated above as appropriate to students' academic and personal suitability for entry into professional practice. If such criteria are set, the department will make them available to students interested in seeking admission to the department.
7. Each department reserves the right to select the applicants with the best qualifications from those who meet minimum criteria.

Retention requirements:

1. C (2.0) in each major course. In the case of sequential courses, it is necessary to obtain the grade before proceeding to the next level course.
2. A major course (one required by department) may be repeated once.
3. Each department reserves the right of retaining in the major only those students who satisfy requirements of scholarship, health and personal suitability for the profession.

Student alternatives:

1. If a student fails to meet standards as set forth above for admission or retention, the student may request probationary status from the department chair.
2. A student may appeal through the College academic grievance procedure.

Occupational Therapy Department

Occupational therapists work primarily in schools, skilled nursing facilities, clinics and hospitals, as well as community settings, to help individuals achieve a maximum level of independent living. Occupational therapy is needed when an individual's ability to live independently, to care for personal needs, and to participate inwork, school, family and community life is disrupted by illness or injury. Occupational therapists also provide support for wellness and prevention concerns. Program faculty have a keen interest in responding to the needs unique to rural practice and exploring alternative service delivery models (i.e., collaboration with other service providers, prisons, community mental health agencies and business/industry.)

State credentialing for occupational therapists is based on graduation froman occupational therapy education program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), and passing the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. (For more information, see the Masters section.)

Occupational Therapy Five Year + Fieldwork Master's Program

The necessary liberal arts and the prerequisites for the Occupational Therapy Program are included in the first three years of undergraduate study. During the final year of undergraduate study, the student completes the first year of the professional program leading to a baccalaureate degree (B.A.) in Health Sciences. Subsequently, as a graduate student, the student completes the second year of professional preparation, including the graduate research project and the required fieldwork experiences, for an entry-level Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree in Occupational Therapy. The program is also offered on a part-time basis.

Department Chair: Diane Anderson, MPH, OTR/L

Prerequisites for admission

Both undergraduates and applicants with degreesmust take the following prerequisites (or their approved transfer equivalents) for admission into theOccupationalTherapy Program: BIO1110- General Biology, BIO 2110 and BIO 2120 - Anatomy Physiology I & II, BIO 3020 - Pathophysiology; HSC 2209 - Medical Terminology; *PSC 1501 - Physics (or PSC 1201); PSY 1105 - General Psychology, PSY 2208 - Life Span Developmental Psychology, PSY 3330 - PSY/SOC Research Methods, PSY 3331 - Statistics, PSY 3423 - Abnormal Psychology; choice of SOC 1125 - Basic Concepts and Principles of Sociology, SOC 2433 - The Family and Society, HON 2125 - Global Sociology or HIS/WGS 2231 - Cultural Anthropology.
(*preferred)

Admission

There are two methods of acceptance into the program, the First-Year Admission Criteria Track (FACT) or the Standard Admissions Track.

FACT Admission(First-Year Admission Criteria Track)

First-year (non-transfer) students at The College of St. Scholastica may apply for FACT. FACT is a criterion-based early admission program for the graduate Occupational Therapy Program. Students who declare their intent to pursue an M.A. degree in Occupational Therapy by the end of fall semester of their first yearwill be guaranteed admission to the program after three years of undergraduate work, if theymeet the plan criteria. FACT is available for up to 20 first-year students at The College of St. Scholastica on a first-come first-serve basis.

First-year students who have enough credits (when they arrive at college) to make them sophomores (or higher)may apply as early FACT applicants only if there are less than 20 FACT applicants in the future Occupational Therapy class with whom they apply.

Guaranteed admission tasks include the following:

1. Complete a FACT (Graduate Admissions) Application formby the end of fall semester of the first year. The form will be a working document as the student progresses through the three years preceding entry into the professional Occupational Therapy Program. (Initially, complete only pages 1 and 2.)
2. Complete 96 semester credits prior to entry into the professional Occupational Therapy Program; including aminimumof 16 upper division credits.
3. Complete all general education requirements.
4. Complete all prerequisite courses for the Occupational Therapy Program.
5. Maintain an overall and prerequisite grade point average of 3.0 or better in all prerequisite courses.
6. Obtain a minimum grade of 3.0 on the first year English composition course.
7. Complete aminimumof two Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy Observation Forms detailing work or volunteer experiences (20 hours each) that contribute to the understanding of occupational therapy. Both experiencesmust be in a setting that allows observation of a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) or Registered OccupationalTherapist (OTR). Clinical observations should be completed in the 24 months previous toNovember 15 of the year of application.
8. Submit three Graduate Recommendation forms, one from an occupational therapy practitioner and two froma reference of the student's choosing. References from family members will not be accepted.
9. Complete a Student Health Immunization form, including a physical examination form and proof of immunizations.
10. Pass state and federal mandated criminal background checks prior to fieldwork experience.
11. Meet minimally one time per semester with an assigned member of the Occupational
    Therapy faculty.

Students who do not meet the above criteria will be removed from the accelerated admission track, but may still be able to apply to the Occupational Therapy Program through the standard application process.

Benefits of the FACT include: exemption of the graduate application fee; continuous access and interaction with Occupational Therapy Program faculty; exemption from the application essay; exemption from the application interview; and guaranteed admission, if plan criteria are met.

Standard admission

Students apply directly to Graduate Admissions. Preference is given to applications submitted by November 15 (of the junior year for those following the St. Scholastica schema). Applicants will be considered after the submission date if there are spaces available. The initial acceptance pool consists of up to 20 qualified FACT students and the remainder of qualified St. Scholastica and transfer students for a class of 32. Applicants are considered individually through a process that reviews each applicant on the basis of his/her individual merits. Criteria used in consideration for admission include official copies of all transcripts which include GPA, clinical observations, letters of recommendation, interviews, an on-site essay and an application autobiography. Students must have a 3.0 GPA (overall and prerequisite) and complete all prerequisites prior to beginning the Occupational Therapy classes. Applicants must submit two Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy Observation Forms detailing work/volunteer experiences (20 hours each, at two different sites) that contribute to the understanding of occupational therapy. Both experiences must be in a setting that allows observation of a COTA or OTR in an occupational therapy setting. The clinical experiences must have been completed within the two years prior to application. The letters of recommendation need to be from an occupational therapy practitioner and from a reference who is not a family member. A $50 processing fee must accompany the application for students who are not qualified FACT students. Applicants will complete an on-site essay. St. Scholastica applicants' transcripts will be obtained by Graduate Admissions. Members of the Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee, from Occupational Therapy and other programs, will review files, interview applicants and approve applications.

Students are notified in writing of their acceptance or non-acceptance into the entry-level Masters Occupational Therapy Program. Accepted students have 30 days fromthe time of their notification of acceptance tomake a non-refundable fall tuition deposit of $250 for securing the offered position. Upon accepting 32 students, a waiting list is established. If vacancies occur,wait listed students are notified and have ten business days fromthe time of notification of acceptance to pay the deposit for securing the offered position. The Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee will considerwritten one-year admission deferral requests based upon significant extenuating circumstances.

Applications and observation forms may be obtained by contacting: Graduate Admissions, The College of St. Scholastica, 1200 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth,MN 55811, by calling (218) 723- 6285, or by going online to the Graduate Admissions Program Offerings Web site.

Admission requirements upon entry

Prior to entry into the Occupational Therapy Program, all students must submit the following documentation to the Department of Occupational Therapy:

• Proof of current certification in CPR ("CPR for the Professional Rescuer"through the American Red Cross or "Healthcare Provider BLS" through the American Heart Association).
• Proof of current certification in First Aid for adults and pediatrics.
• Health screen either through the College's Student Health Services or the student's own physician, including proof of immunizations, Varicella titer, Rubella titer, and Tdap. The Occupational Therapy Health Screen formis available at www.resources.css.edu/shs/docs/othealthscreen.pdf.
• Annual MN background study. The study must be completed and returned with a "clear" status before the student may participate in clinical/fieldwork. Students will be notified in September to submit the appropriate forms for the Minnesota Background Study and for a background study
  in student's home state if other than MN.
• Annual background studies completed and returned with a"clear"status before the student may participate in clinical/fieldwork:
  • MN background study, regardless of state of residency, for all occupational therapy students.
  • Background study in student's home state, if other than MN.
  • Federal criminal background study, for all occupational therapy students.

NOTE: Students should be aware that if they have a criminal record, theymay not be able to participate in fieldwork, obtain certification by NBCOT, or become registered or licensed by individual states to practice as an occupational therapist.

• Additional requirements for participation in fieldworkmay include a drug test or screen, fingerprinting, and additional immunizations or titers, which are specific to the assigned fieldwork site.
• Students will be notified in September to submit the appropriate forms. The cost of the Federal study is about $50.

Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy

General information

The Occupational Therapy Programis accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. AOTA's phone number is (301)-652-AOTA and their Web site is www.aota.org.

Upon completion of all academic and fieldwork requirements of the entry-level Occupational Therapy Program, students are awarded a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree. Graduates of the Program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam for licensure as occupational therapists. The exam is administered by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT),whose Web site is www.nbcot.org. (Note: a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.) After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a registered (licensed) occupational therapist (OTR or OTR/L). Most states require licensure to practice; state licenses are usually based on graduation from an accredited occupational therapy education programand successful completion of the NBCOT exam.

The College of St. Scholastica Entry-level Masters Occupational Therapy Program NBCOT Exam Pass Rates

(to date of catalog publication)

Graduate pass rate	2006	2007	2008
1st time test takers	9/9	11/11	12/15
1st time pass rate	9/9	11/11	11/12
1st time pass percentage	100%	100%	92%

Fees and expenses

Course fees are assessed each semester for course materials and other expenses. The amount is determined from actual costs each year. Students can anticipate total charges of approximately $1,100 for course fees and approximately $1,900 for textbooks and resources, during the course of the 2 1/2 year program.During the time a student is completing fieldwork, the student is responsible for living expenses, transportation to and from the site, and other related costs. Level II Fieldwork experiences are full-time (40 hours/week) work experiences that often require homework assignments and outside responsibilities.

Additional information

Student handbooks are provided to all accepted applicants for specific policies and procedures related to academics and fieldwork. Students must complete all Level II Fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.

Occupational Therapy curriculum

These are the first-year graduate Occupational Therapy courses that also serve as the final year of the undergraduate Health Science major or first year of the graduate program. The complete Occupational Therapy curriculum is detailed on the CollegeWeb site and in the graduate catalog.

OTH 5331	Research I:Design and Proposal 1 cr.
OTH 5501	Foundations of Occupational Therapy 4 cr.
OTH 5502	Life Span Occupational Performance:Task Analysis and Media 4 cr.
OTH 5503	Motor Functioning Across the Life Span 2 cr.
OTH 5505	Functional Anatomy 4 cr.
OTH 5515	Neuroscience 5 cr. (Cross-listed as PTH 5511)
OTH 5521	Biomechanical Practice in Occupational Therapy 6 cr.
OTH 5522	Psychosocial Occupational Therapy 4 cr.
OTH 5544	Documentation 2 cr.
OTH 5552	Level I Fieldwork - A 1 cr.
OTH 5553	Level I Fieldwork - B 1 cr.

Physical Therapy Department

The program in Physical Therapy (PTH) is a fulltime day program of entry-level professional education leading to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The DPT program is a postbaccalaureate program, which requires completion of a bachelor's degree and program specific prerequisites prior tomatriculation. Students accepted into and enrolled in the professional program take only physical therapy courses. The first year begins in July and continues through the next July. The second year begins in August and continues through June. The third year consists of internships beginning in July and terminating in the following spring semester with an on-campus capstone course required prior to graduation from the program in May. The program is designed to provide the students with learning opportunities that develop the intellectual, affective, and psychomotor skills required for physical therapy practice. Content is progressed fromsimple, single system impairments/limitations to complex, multi-system impairments. Throughout the program, students are increasingly held responsible for independent learning and are expected to assume responsibility for their professional development.

1. Eligibility

1. St. Scholastica Applicants: In order to apply as a St. Scholastica applicant, the student must be registered as a full-time student at St. Scholastica for two consecutive semesters immediately preceding the application, not including the semester in which they are they are applying.
2. Transfer applicants: Transfer applicants are those who meet the physical therapy admissions criteria but have attended classes and completed a bachelor's degree elsewhere.
3. Credits: all St. Scholastica and transfer students must complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution prior to enrollment in the professional program.
4. Grade Point Average: All applicants must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above based on all coursework and a prerequisite grade point average of 3.0 or above. A grade of C or better in all physical therapy prerequisite courses is required in order to apply to and be admitted into the St. Scholastica DPT program.
5. Prerequisite completion: All applicants must have completed the Anatomy, Physiology, and Chemistry prerequisites before applying to the program. If accepted, students must complete all remaining prerequisites prior to beginning the DPT programin late June or early July. Prerequisites are:
   • Full-year, full sequence of chemistry with labs
   • Full-year, full sequence of human/vertebrate anatomy-physiology with labs.
   • Full-year, full sequence of college physics with labs.
   • Course or courses in:
     • Medical terminology.
     • Lifespan developmental psychology.
     • Abnormal psychology.
     • Statistics.
6. Graduate Record Examination: All applicants must have completed the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). GRE scores are highly correlated with success in physical therapy programs and passing the national licensure examination. Based on the evidence, the St. Scholastica physical therapy program established the following for application to the program:
   1. Absolute minimum of 3.5 on the writing analytical section.
   2. Absolute minimum combined score of 870 for the verbal and quantitative sections.
   3. Preferred minimum scores of:
      1. 1000 for the combined verbal and quantitative sections.
      2. 400 on the verbal section.
      3. 500 on the quantitative section.
7. Professional exploration: Applicants must explore the profession and observe physical therapy in a variety of practice settings. At least two different clinical settings that address the needs of distinct patient/client populations are required along with a minimum of 100 combined hours.
8. Letters of recommendation: A minimum of two and maximum of four letters of recommendation must be submitted. One letter must be from a currently licensed physical therapist in a United States jurisdiction.
9. Waivers: Waivers for admissions requirements are considered on an individual basis. To request a waiver, the student must submit awritten request to the chair of the Physical Therapy Admissions Committee prior to the first meeting of the committee in late October. The student will be notified in writing by the chair of the committee if the waiver was granted or not.

2. Technical Standards for Admission to and Progression in the Physical Therapy Program

Success in the Physical Therapy Program is dependent on a number of functions deemed essential for the practice of physical therapy. Applicantsmustmeet these essential functions and students must continue to demonstrate compliance with these essential functions throughout the program.

1. Essential Functions: Critical thinking, problems solving capabilities, sound judgment, emotional stability and maturity, and ability to learn and function in awide variety of didactic and clinical settings to be able to:
   • Develop, monitor and manage individual patient/client plan of care.
   • Perform and interpret physical examinations.
   • Perform physical therapy procedures.
   • Communicate effectively in oral and written formats.
   • Direct and supervise support personnel.
   • Maintain professional demeanor.
   • Demonstrate problem solving, critical thinking and sound judgment.
   • Learn in a wide variety of didactic and clinical settings.
   • Demonstrate empathy, integrity, flexibility, responsibility and effective stress management.
2. Critical Demands: Physical demands are listed below anda re based on the following time percentages of an eight (8) hour work day:

0-33 percent = occasionally
34-66 percent = frequently
67-100 percent =continuously

• Firm grip strength - occasionally
• Carry - frequently
• Gross hand coordination - continuously
• Vision - corrected or non-corrected
• Fine hand coordination - continuously
• Sit - occasionally
• Stand - frequently
• Walk - frequently
• Work with variety of therapeutic and daptive devices including but not limited o wheelchairs, crutches, canes, lectric stimulation, etc. - continuously
• Stoop/squat - frequently
• Push/pull - occasionally
• Kneel - occasionally
• Reach - frequently
• Lift up to 50 lbs. - occasionally
• Communication:
  • Listen /hear
  • Read English
  • Speak English
  • Write legibly in English

Students needing reasonable accommodations o meet the essential functions nd critical demands should notify the College's coordinator for Students with Disabilities and the chair of the physical therapy program of their request.
In addition, once enrolled in the program, students are required to complete a physical examination and a criminal background check on an annual basis.

3. Re-applicants

1. Applicants who were not accepted, including students placed on the alternate list but not enrolled in the program in previous years, are eligible to reapply as long as all admissions criteria are met:
   1. All applicants who have previously applied must complete a new application form.
   2. Re-applicants may forward previous letters of recommendation.
   3. The GRE may be retaken at the applicant's option.
   4. The interviews will be repeated.
   5. Re-applicants must meet all application requirements in effect the year in which they apply.
2. St. Scholastica re-applicants: Only those applicants who have attended St. Scholastica as a full-time student for six quarters or four semesters over the past ten years or who hold a bachelor's degree from St. Scholastica are eligible to reapply as a St. Scholastica student.
3. Transfer re-applicants: Applicants who do not meet these eligiblity requirements to be a St. Scholastica re-applicant must reapply as a transfer student.

4. Application Deadline

1. Applicants must submit all application materials to Graduate Studies by November 15. If the situation arises where application numbers are low and the class is not filled, the application period will remain open until March 1 or the class is filled, whichever comes first.

5. Advertising Information/Suggestions

1. The programis competitive due to limited enrollment (up to 36 students per class).
2. Studentsmust explore the profession and observe physical therapy in a variety of practice settings. At least two different clinical settings that address the needs of distinct patient/client populations are required with a minimum of 100 combined hours.
3. Applicants enrolled in the College must make adequate progress toward an undergraduate major while completing physical therapy prerequisites and application/admission requirements.
4. The PTH faculty members consider good written and verbal communication skills essential for success in the program and the profession. St. Scholastica students should seek helpwith these skills through the Student Development Center and/or the Writing Center.

6. Applying to the PTH Program

The PTH Admissions Committee recognizes that entrance of under-represented ethnic minorities to the profession of PTH is a priority. Therefore, the Committee, while ensuring that all applicants possess the qualifications necessary for success in the program and the profession,will carefully consider the admissions application materials of ethnic minority applicants.

1. Criteria for Selection
   The following are the major criteria used by the PTH Admissions Committee members in determining a candidate's suitability for admission. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their academic record, performance in individual interviewswith two committeemembers, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and evidence of their exposure to the profession. Admission files are property of The College of St. Scholastica. Once materials are submitted, applicants are not granted access to the file unless admitted to the program. Questions regarding the admission process may be directed to the chair of the PTH Admissions Committee, the Graduate Studies Office, or the chair of the Physical Therapy Department. Factors considered during the admissions process include:
   1. Academic record.
      1. Cumulative GPA - minimum of 3.0
      2. Prerequisite GPA- minimum of 3.0.
      3. Grades from the year of application are included in the calculations.
      4. Grade of C or better in all physical therapy prerequisite courses.
   2. Interviews.
      Applicants will have two individual interviews with members of the PTH Admissions Committee. The interview will provide the applicant an opportunity to demonstrate interpersonal skills, knowledge of the profession, and global awareness. In person interviews are preferred; however in cases where a phone interview is necessary the applicant must place the call to each interviewer at his/her own cost.
   3. GRE Scores.
      1. Absolute minimum of 3.5 on the writing analytical section.
      2. Absolute minimum combined score of 870 for verbal and quantitative sections.
      3. Preferred minimum scores of:
         1. 1000 for the combined verbal and quantitative sections.
         2. 400 for the verbal section.
         3. 500 for the quantitative section.
   4. Recommendations/References: The applicant is responsible to solicit a minimum of two and maximum of four recommendations/references for the file,one of which must be from a currently licensed physical therapist in a United States jurisdiction. Only materials received by the application deadline will be included in the file. The recommendation/reference form found in the application material must be completed by each person the student asks. A lettermay accompany this completed form if the reference so chooses. Applicants should use this method to demonstrate their exposure to the profession, academic promise, character, and maturity. St. Scholastica applicants are encouraged to have their advisor or an instructor complete a recommendation/reference form.
   5. Professional Exploration. Applicants are required to demonstrate an awareness of the diversity and specificity of the profession by performing volunteer hours, by conducting observations, or by working in physical therapy settings. Exposure to physical therapy in a variety of settings is required: at least two different clinical settings that address the needs of distinct patient/client populations. A minimum of 100 combined hours is required for professional exploration. Applicants will be asked to verify the amount of professional exploration hours completed.

2. Steps in the Selection Processes:

   1. Apply: The applicant must turn in a completed application along with all supporting materials (i.e., transcripts, application fee) on or before the November 15 deadline. Applicants must have made arrangements to have recommendation/reference forms and GRE scores sent to the St. Scholastica Office of Graduate Studies by the November 15 deadline. Late applications or files with incomplete application materials (for example, missing information such as GRE scores or letters of reference)will not be considered. If the class is not filled, applicant files received or completed after the deadline will be reviewed. Application materials and supporting documents are available from the Office of Graduate Studies or on the Web at www.css.edu/depts/grad/gradpt.htm. There is a $50 nonrefundable application fee.
   2. Receipt Letter: After the application deadline, applicants will receive communication from the Office of Graduate Studies. This communication will either inform students of ineligibility to continue the application process due to an incomplete application or failure to meet the admissions requirements or it will inform them of the procedures to schedule the interviews.
   3. Interviews: Applicants are responsible to schedule and attend both interviews using information provided in the communications.
   4. Portfolios Reviewed. Members of the admissions committee individually review each applicant's portfolio. This review is a component of the final committee decision.
   5. Decision: Acceptance decisions are made by the committee based on the applicant's overall ranking, which is determined by the individual portfolio review. If necessary, the committee will meet to make the final acceptance decisions and to develop an alternate wait list. Depending upon the number of applicants and qualifications, up to 24 St. Scholastica students and up to 6 transfer students will be accepted on the first review. (A minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 transfer students will be accepted.). The next six students will be accepted based on the overall score and strength of the application file regardless if a St. Scholastica or transfer applicant. A maximum of 15 students will be placed on an alternate list with the first 5 positions ranked.

7. Notification of Decision.

1. Timeline: Applicants are notified of the decision of the committee by mail in late January or early February.
2. Conditions of acceptance. To reserve a position in the program, accepted candidates must make payment of a $250 non-refundable deposit by the date stated in the letter of acceptance. All accepted students who enroll in the program must complete the following by June 15 of the year of entry:
   1. Completion of all remaining prerequisite courses with at least a C grade while maintaining at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA prior to entering the DPT program.
   2. Completion of a bachelor's degree.
   3. Conversion of any incomplete (I) or in progress (IP)courses to an A-D, F letter grade or P/NP. Please note: All prerequisites must have a letter grade; P/NP is not accepted for prerequisites courses. This information must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office by June 15 of the year of entry.
3. Invalidation of acceptance. Enrollment in a physical therapy program other than that at The College of St. Scholastica invalidates acceptance into the program at The College of St. Scholastica.
4. Deferment. Deferment requests for enrollment into the program after acceptance will be considered on a case by case basis.

8. Appeals of the Physical Therapy Admissions Committee Decisions.

1. Any and all appeals (regardless of level, items b-e below) must be submitted within 20 calendar days of the dated letter indicating the decision to be appealed.
2. Appeals of the Admissions Committee decisions shall first be made to the Admissions Committee.
   1. A written letter must be submitted and addressed to the chair of the Physical Therapy Admissions Committee indicating the reasons for the appeal.
   2. The chair will covene a quorum of the committee within 15 calendar days to consider the appeal and make a decision.
      1. The applicant may attend this meeting; however, attendance is not mandatory.
      2. If the applicant attends the meeting, s/he will have an opportunity to give voice to his/her appeal and respond to questions posed by the committee members and will then be dismissed.
      3. The committee will meet in closed session to decide upon the appeal.
   3. The chair will inform the applicant making the appeal of the committee's decision.
      1. If the applicant attened the meeting, the applicant may be verbally informed of the committee's decision.
      2. A formal written letter will serve as official notification of the committee's decision. The letter shall be postmarked within 24 hours of the decision.
3. Appeal of the Admissions Committee's decision may be made to the dean, School of Health Sciences.
   1. A written letter must be submitted and addressed to the dean, School of Health Sciences indicating the reasons for appeal.
   2. The dean will act on the appeal within 15 days from the receipt.
   3. The dean will inform the applicant making the appeal of his/her decision. A formal written letter to the applicant will serve as official notifiation of the dean's decision.
4. Appeal of the dean's decision may be made to the vice president for Academic Affairs (VPAA).
   1. A written letter must be submitted and addressed to the VPAA indicating the reasons for the appeal.
   2. The vice president will act on the appeal.
   3. The vice president will inform the applicant making the appeal of his/her decision. A formal written letter to the applicant will serve as official notification of the vice president's decision.
5. Appeal of the vice president's decision may be made to the Graduate Council.
   1. A written letter must be submitted and addressed to the chair of the Graduate Council.
   2. The council chair will convene an appeal panel to hear the appeal.
      1. The applicant may attend this meeting; however, attendance is not mandatory.
      2. If the applicant attends the meeting, s/he will have an opportunity to give voice to his/her appeal and resond to questions posed by the panel members and will then be dismissed.
      3. The committee will meet in closed session to decide upon the appeal.
   3. The council chair will inform the applicant making the appeal of the appeal panel's decision.
      1. If the applicant attended the meeting, the applicant may be verbally informed of the panel's decision.
      2. A formal written letter to the applicant will serve as official notification of the panel's decision. The letter shall be postmarked within 24 hours of the decision.
      3. The decision of the appeal panel is final and binding.

Physical Therapy curriculum

These are the first-year graduate Physical Therapy courses that also serve as the final year of the undergraduate Health Science major. The complete PT curriculum is detailed on the College Web site.

PTH 5000	Electronic Documentation (0 cr.)
PTH 5405	Professional Issues I (2 cr.)
PTH 5410	Physical Therapy Administration I (1 cr.)
PTH 5480	Critical Inquiry I (1 cr.)
PTH 5505	Kinesiology/Biomechanics (2 cr.)
PTH 5510	Functional Anatomy (4 cr,)
PTH 5511	Neuroscience (5 cr.)
PTH 5513	Lifespan Motor Development (3 cr.)
PTH 5517	Systems Screening and Management I (3 cr.)
PTH 5520	Physical Therapy Examination and Evaluation I (4 cr.)
PTH 5521	Physical Therapy Examination and Evaluation II (4 cr.)
PTH 5530	Interventions I: Electrotherapeutic, Physical Agents, and Mechanical Modalities (4 cr.)
PTH 5531	Interventions II:Therapeutic Exercise (4 cr.)
PTH 5535	Physiological Response to Exercise and Injury (3cr.)
PTH 5901	Clinical Internship Preparation (0 cr.)
PTH 5910	Patient/Client Management I (2 cr.)
PTH 5950	Clinical Internship I (4 cr.)

Social Work Department

The mission of the social work profession is to prepare social work practitioners who demonstrate entry level competence, practice ethical behavior, promote social justice and serve diverse communities in the Benedictine tradition, which includes the values of community, hospitality, stewardship, and love of learning. Social work addresses the needs of individuals, families, groups and communities. The core values of the profession are service, social justice, dignity and worth of the individual, importance of values of the profession are service, social justice, dignity and worth of the individual, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence. The College of St. Scholastica's Social Work Program embraces the mission of the social work profession in the context of the College's Benedictine tradition. The program requires graduates to be well prepared for beginning generalist professional practice.

The St. Scholastica Social Work Program is accredited by The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE is recognized by the Commission for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting body for social work education in the United States. All accredited programs must comply with CSWE established policies and program standards. CSWE states:

The purpose of the social work profession is to promote human and community well-being. Guided by a person and environment construct, a global perspective, respect for human diversity, and knowledge based on scientific inquiry, social work's purpose is actualized through its quest for social and economic justice, the prevention of conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the quality of life for all persons (CSWE, 2008. Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards).

Generalist socialwork practice is grounded in the liberal arts and the person and environment construct. To promote human and social well-being, generalist practitioners use a range of prevention and intervention methods in their practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The generalist practitioner identifies with the social work profession and applies ethical principles and critical thinking in practice. Generalist practitioners incorporate diversity in their practice and advocate for human rights and social and economic justice. They recognize, support, and build on the strengths and resiliency of all human beings. They engage in research informed practice and are proactive in responding to the impact of context on professional practice. Baccalaureate social work practice incorporates all of the core competencies.

Graduates find employment in a variety of settings, some of which include: child and family service agencies, hospitals and other health care facilities, community action agencies, schools, child and adult protection, residential treatment programs, tribal social service agencies, gerontological services, mental health settings, criminal justice, developmental/mental disability programs, and international social work.

St. Scholastica graduates also may enter most MSW programs with advanced standing, requiring only 12 months of graduate study. For students who care about people and want tomake a difference, social work may be the appropriate major.

Department Chair/Program Director: Lee Gustafson, Ph.D.,MSSW, LISW

The St. Scholastica Social Work Program has three goals and eleven specified educational outcomes that are used to assess program effectiveness. Students who graduate from this program have had courses grounded in the liberal arts and a successively more advanced set of professional learning experiences that lead to readiness for entry-level practice, community service and graduate education. The mission, goals, and outcomes specified by the program are the same for both themain campus and distance sites as follows:

Goal One

The College of St.Scholastica Social Work Program will prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups,organizations and communities.

Outcomes

Students will:

1. Apply the NASWCode of Ethics in academic and professional practice settings with an understanding of and respect for the positive value of diversity.
2. Understand the forms and mechanisms of discrimination and oppression and, with this understanding, participate in activities that promote social and economic justice.
3. Demonstrate the professional use of self.
4. Understand the bio-psycho-social-spiritual variables that affect individual development and behavior, and apply theoretical frameworks to understand the interactions among individuals and between individuals and their social environment.
5. Understand the development of social policies; analyze the effects social policies have on client systems, workers, and agencies; and develop advocacy skills to promote socially just policy development.
6. Demonstrate the ability to produce and effectively use social science research and, with supervision, evaluate their practice interventions.
7. Demonstrate effective use of communication skills with varied and diverse client populations, colleagues and members of the community.

Goal Two

The Social Work Program will foster themission of the College and the values from the Benedictine heritage: community, hospitality, respect, stewardship, and the love of learning.

Outcomes

Students will:

1. Examine Benedictine values, personal beliefs and social work values, and develop an integrated personal and professional value statement.
2. Demonstrate personal and beginning professional contributions to the community through direct service, research, and modeling ethical behavior.
3. Engage in the political process by creating a sense of community while valuing the uniqueness of the individual.

Goal Three

The Social Work Program will prepare students for lifelong learning.

Outcome

Students will demonstrate the ability to develop andmaintain professional relationships, and continue professional growth and development.

The College of St. Scholastica undergraduate Social Work Education Program prepares students in the generalist social work practice model, with emphasis on acquisition of basic knowledge, values and skills essential to beginning level professional practice with individuals, families, groups and communities. The program is guided by the liberal arts tradition of the College and integrates a humanistic, egalitarian educational philosophy with rigorous, sequential academic programming. Students completing the program are prepared to work in rural, urban, and international areas with diverse populations.

Core Competencies

Accreditation standards require that the baccalaureate socialwork curriculumprepares graduates for generalist practice through mastery of a set of core competencies. These core competencies are measurable practice behaviors that are comprised of knowledge, values, and skills. St. Scholastica Social Work students demonstrate specific competencies that serve to aid evaluation of those students' preparation for generalist social work practice. These competencies serve as a link between what may be observed or demonstrated in student knowledge, value and skill performance, and the program's curriculum expectations. In a general way, these competencies and accepted practice standards operationalize the educational objectives for students, faculty, and administration and provide a common set of definitions to gauge performance and behavior. The ten core competencies are listed below.

1. Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.
2. Apply socialwork ethical principles to guide professional practice.
3. Apply critical thinking to form and communicate professional judgments.
4. Engage diversity and difference in practice.
5. Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
6. Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
7. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
8. Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
9. Respond to contexts that shape practice.
10. Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Social Work Licensure

The College of St. Scholastica Social Work Program enables graduates to sit for licensure as a Licensed SocialWorker (LSW) by the Minnesota Board of Social Work. Additionally, the curriculum is approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching for School Social Worker Licensure. Students seeking licensure as a school socialworker are required to complete the social work major coursework and SWK 4555 Senior Field Practicumin a school setting under the supervision of a licensed school social worker, consisting of at least 400 contact hours during one school year.

Social Work major

The Social Work major is a Bachelor of Arts degree program.

General education requirements:

• BIO 1102 or BIO 2110 and 2120
• PSY 1105 or PSY 2208
• SOC 2265 or SOC 4405 or INS 4410 or INS 4415 or INS 4420 orWGS 1011
• SOC 1125 or HIS/WGS 2231 or SOC 2433 - Social/Behavior Science elective (4 cr.)
• - RES elective (4 cr.)

Social work core requirements:

SWK 2240, 3000, 3339, 3360, 3362, 3370, 3383, 3385; 3315 or 3380 or 3390 or 3395 or 4777; SWK 3500, 3555, 4000, 4440, 4441, 4449, 4470, 4500, 4555.

Other requirements

Students provide their own transportation to community learning experiences such as their field practicum during the junior and senior years. Students are required to obtain professional liability insurance and submit a criminal background check before beginning field experiences. Students first become members of NASW at the beginning of their junior year and maintainmembership through graduation. Students planning to attend graduate school (including programs offering advanced standing in social work) are strongly recommended to take PSY 3331 - Statistics.

Admission and retention procedure and policy

All entering students are encouraged to submit their application for the SocialWork major with the Registrar Office once they are an intended major. Social Work majors apply for formal admission to the Social Work Program during the spring semester of the sophomore year. For fall junior-status priority admission, students transferring from a community college with an A.A.degree should make application to both the College and the SocialWork Programby April 15.

Admission to the Social Work Program is a prerequisite condition for registration in SWK 3370. Application to the Social Work Program includes the following:

1. Written application from the student.
2. One recommendation from a non-Social Work faculty member.
3. One recommendation from an agency supervisor who has observed the student in relationship to a client population.
4. One recommendation from a community member.
5. A structured writing sample.
6. Possible interview by the Social Work Program Admissions Committee.

The Social Work Program director/chair informs the student of the decision inwriting by June 15. Possible actions include:

• Acceptance of application.
• Provisional acceptance of application.
• Denial of application. Students who are denied admission to the Social Work Program have the right to appeal the decision to the Social Work Advisory Council Grievance Committee.

Admission and retention criteria for the program are:

• Student must maintain acceptable academic standing.For admission this includes: junior standing; a 2.5 overall GPA (on a 4.0 scale);and 3.0 cumulative GPA in psychology, sociology and social work courses.All social work courses must be passed with a minimumgrade of C. Retention requires continuation of these minimum grades. Students who earn a grade below C in any required social work course must retake the course prior to enrollment in the next course in the professional practice sequence.
• Students are expected to exhibit commitment to the profession through attendance and active participation in classes.

Other evaluative criteria used by the program include:

• Ability to demonstrate increasingly more advanced writing skills.
• Demonstration of growth and maturity as a person and as a professional.
• Willingness to give and receive honest and respectful feedback.
• Increased growth in self-awareness.
• Satisfactory performance in prerequisite courses, as well as in seminar and field experiences.
• Positive references fromacademic and field representatives throughout the student's education.
• Proper use of supervisory and collegial resources.
• Ability to uphold the NASWCode of Ethics.

Many students enter St. Scholastica having first completed a portion of their education through a community college or other academic institution. In some cases, students complete associate degrees in human service or through other degree programs. St. Scholastica acknowledges previous academic work through recognition of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. Additionally,the Social Work Program maintains strong reciprocal relationships with a number of community colleges, using specific Articulation agreements between the community college program and the St. Scholastica Social Work Department. These articulation agreements specify transfer course equivalencies and other conditions to help transfer studentsmeet necessary prerequisites, program admission requirements, and enter St. Scholastica "seamlessly." Fulfilling the terms of an articulation agreement is necessary in order for a student to receive full credit of transferred coursework to be applied for St. Scholastica graduation. Please feel free to contact one of the Social Work Program distance site coordinators or the Department Chair if you have questions about an articulation agreement.

The Social Work Program reserves the privilege of accepting and retaining in the program only those students who, in the judgment of the faculty, Admission Committee and Grievance Committee, satisfy the requirements of scholarship and the integrity of the socialwork profession as set forth in the NASW Code of Ethics. No academic credit is awarded for life or previous work experiences in this degree program.

Social Work Diversity Statement

The Social Work Program encourages all students to learn about the diversity in their communities. Program activities are dedicated to expanding students' experiences with diversity and to assist them in developing cultural competency. The Social Work Program conducts all of its activities without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age,marital status, local commission status, or status with regard to public assistance.