Graduate Student Information

FREEDOM OF ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Immaculata seeks to admit those Students who appear best qualified to profit from the distinctive educational opportunities offered by the university. The committee on admissions endeavors to bring together a group of students whose intellectual ability, personal qualities, varied interests and talents, and diverse backgrounds provide a cultural and intellectual atmosphere in which each may become a well-rounded person.

Applications are processed without discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, religious belief or condition of handicap. Each applicant is considered as an individual and consideration is given to special cases. The university reserves the right to modify admission requirements at any time.

By virtue of matriculation, an Immaculata student indicates his/her willingness to abide by the regulations of the university as they may exist from time to time.

Statement of Student Responsibilities

Students must familiarize themselves and comply with policies and procedures listed in the catalog, Insight, Student Handbook, course listings, Student Code of Conduct, and other official publications of the university. The catalog provides information to guide students as they progress through their respective programs. By accepting admission to the university the student accepts responsibility for compliance with all policies and procedures set forth by the University.

CLERY ACT

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses.

The Annual Campus Security Report for Immaculata University is available at
immaculata.edu/campus-life/campus-safety-protection/. The website also provides information on campus safety and security measures and services.

General Information

ADVISEMENT

Each student is appointed an academic advisor at the time of admission to graduate study.  Questions pertaining to the academic program instruction and related concerns are discussed with the advisor.  At the time of registration, students should seek advisement regarding their program of study. Course registration is approved by the academic advisor.

ADMISSION TO CLASS

Instructors are required to admit to class only those students with appropriate documentation of enrollment as verified by the registrar.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students are expected to attend class. Students who miss four (4) instructional hours may be asked to withdraw from the course. Students regularly late for class may be asked to withdraw at the discretion of the instructor. Students need to be aware of course requirements with regards to attendance, lateness, and class participation.

CLASSROOM CONDUCT

Consistent with the University’s core values and as members of a community of scholars, Immaculata University expects students and faculty to treat one another with civility, mutual respect, and common courtesy, accept personal accountability, and willingly contribute to the effective functioning of the University. To this end, students are asked to comply with instructor request to silence cell phones and refrain from other distraction behaviors in the classroom. No Person (administrator staff, faculty, student, or visitor) shall be permitted to make an announcement during scheduled class time without the express consent of the instructor. Should a student become disruptive during class, the student shall be asked politely, but firmly, to leave the classroom by the instructor. If the student refuses to leave the classroom, the department of campus safety and protection and the vice president for academic affairs shall be notified.

COURSE SYLLABI

A copy of the syllabi (current and past), as well as course topics shall be available to students and the appropriate College offices at the beginning of each term. The offices of the appropriate College deans shall maintain permanent files of all course syllabi and class schedules. These files shall be available for inspection and comparison with the courses described in the catalogs of other institutions. It is the student’s responsibility to read, comprehend and act on the syllabus objectives, content and requirements. Should there be any question or need for reasonable interpretation or clarification of the syllabus, the student must contact the instructor. All Faculty shall follow the syllabi and outline for each course as closely as possible; students should recognize that adaptions/adjustments in syllabi may occur at the discretion of the instructor in order to create the most effective learning and teaching environment possible.

CHANGE OF NAME, ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Students are required to notify the graduate office in writing of any change of name, address or telephone number. This will facilitate receipt of necessary forms and other communications.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND WAIVER

Immaculata University is committed to ensuring that students have the ability to benefit from the education received at the University. Although it may not be required for initial admission to the University, certain affiliates associated with Immaculata University may require that students placed in their facility for internships or clinical experiences clear a criminal background check prior to placement. Students whose background check reveals a criminal history may be prevented access to the internship or clinical site, and as a result, the student may not have sufficient experience to successfully complete their program. Immaculata University and its staff and faculty are not responsible for finding internship or clinical placements for students who are rejected from potential opportunities due to criminal histories or drug use, and students are prohibited from engaging in internships or clinical experiences that have not been pre-approved by the University. Additionally, state licensing boards may deny the individual the opportunity to sit for an examination if an applicant has a criminal history. The student is responsible for the cost of the criminal background screen(s) at the time of the screening.

Additional Provisions:

1. Falsification of information, including omission of relevant information, may result in denial of admission or dismissal from the educational program or University.
2. Criminal activity that occurs while a student is in attendance at the University may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal, and will be addressed through the Code of Student Conduct and Student Disciplinary Procedures as outlined in Volume VI, Section X of the policy Manual.
3. Students should be aware that drug testing may also be required for clearance to internship and clinical placement sites.

CURRICULUM

Students are referred to the Graduate Catalog for an explanation of program curriculum and course descriptions. Graduate requirements are generally contingent upon the catalog effective at the time of admission.

LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES – DISABILITY SERVICES

Immaculata University is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all students. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the mission of the Disability Services Office is to ensure equal access to all educational programming and opportunities for qualified students with disabilities.  A disability is defined by the ADA as a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.”

The Disability Services Office works collaboratively with students, faculty, and administration to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students who have a disability that may interfere with their performance in a course or may require special and reasonable accommodation should complete the New Student Intake Form, located on MyIU under the Academic Resources Tab, or on the IU Disability Services webpage at https://www.immaculata.edu/academics/advising-support/disability-services/

Please contact the Disability Services Office at (484) 323-3900 or via email at jperuso@immaculata.edu if you have any questions or for additional information.

EXAMINATIONS – MAKE-UP 

Final Examinations generally take place at the last class meeting. Under unusual and unanticipated circumstances (death, serious illness, extraordinary job requirements), changes in an individual student’s examination schedule will be considered. All changes must be officially approved by the instructor.

Honor Societies

BETA MU CHAPTER – CHI SIGMA IOTA

Chi Sigma Iota is an honor society of counseling professionals and professionals-in-training dedicated to excellence in scholarship, research, and clinical practice.  The Beta Mu Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota was established at Immaculata in January 1987.  The purpose of Chi Sigma Iota is to promote and recognize exemplary attainment in the study and practice of counseling.

The purpose of Immaculata’s Beta Mu Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota is four fold:  1) the support of scholarship among its members, as well as Clinical Mental Health Counseling students through sponsored semester presentations; 2) the encouragement of new students through its CP mentoring program; 3) the outreach to Immaculata Alumni through the publication of Immaculata Counselors’ Connection, a biannual Newsnotes created and published by Beta Mu Members; and 4) the annual provision of an induction program for new members which features a formal reception with speaker, and refreshments to which new members’ family and friends are invited.

Students enrolled in Immaculata’s graduate Counseling programs, who have completed a minimum of 15 graduate credits with a minimum GPA of 3.5 are eligible to pick up an application of interest form in the Department of Psychology and Counseling.  Faculty, alumnae/i, and participating professional counselors who have given evidence of distinguished scholarship and professional service including professional credentials are also eligible.  More information may be found on www.csi-net.org

KAPPA OMICRON NU

Kappa Omicron Nu is a national honor society in the field of Family and Consumer Sciences, academic specialization of Nutrition and Dietetics, and related academic disciplines.  The purpose of Kappa Omicron Nu is to recognize and encourage excellence in scholarship, research, and leadership.  The honor society fosters the spirit of inquiry and promotes attitudes of professional responsibility.  Students who have completed a minimum of 30 graduate credits in Nutrition Education with a cumulative average of 3.7 are invited to membership.

PI KAPPA LAMBDA

The Pi Kappa Lambda honor society is the only music organization recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.  This honor society was dedicated by its founders to the fostering of scholarly interest in the theoretical and historical aspects of music, and to the stimulation of eminent achievements in performance, composition, music education, and research.  The local chapter, Delta Psi, was founded at Immaculata in April 1980.

The membership of the Society is open to eligible music faculty, junior, senior, and graduate students majoring in music; subject to the following regulations:

Any candidate for the degree of Master of Arts in Music (or its equivalent) considered by the faculty committee to be outstanding in scholarship and musicianship, satisfactorily completing requirements for that degree (though formal awarding of the degree need not take place at the time of the election), provided that grades for no fewer than two-thirds of the graduate credits required for the degree are the letter A, or equivalent when letter grades are nonexistent, may be eligible for membership in Pi Kappa Lambda.

SIGMA THETA TAU

Sigma Theta Tau, an international honor society of Nursing founded in 1922, provides leadership and scholarship in practice, education and research to enhance the health of all people.  Immaculata University jointed the Delta Tau Chapter at large in November 2005.  The honor society supports the learning and professional development of its members, who strive to improve nursing care worldwide.  To be eligible for membership graduate candidates are required to have completed at least one-half of the nursing curriculum, have at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, rank in the upper 35% of the graduating class and meet the standard of academic integrity.

INSURANCE COVERAGE

Students are responsible for contacting their department/division chair or program director in order to be apprised of procedures for securing malpractice liability insurance for practicum and internships. Students are expected to secure coverage well in advance of beginning field placement and risk being excluded from field placement experiences if appropriate coverage is not secured and maintained within the time frame established by the student’s academic program.

RESEARCH ASSISTANCE ON STUDENT PROJECTS

Graduate Students conducting research to meet the requirements of their degree (eg. dissertation research) must seek approval from their dissertation chair/faculty advisor to employ the use of a research assistant. Students must also follow any applicable procedures as required by their respective programs and the Research Ethics Review Board (RERB).

RESEARCH ETHICS REVIEW BOARD (RERB)

RERB is a committee of faculty members from various academic disciplines appointed by the President for the purpose of: ensuring the protection of human subjects involved in research and in reviewing research protocols submitted to the board for review by students, faculty, or community members seeking to conduct research under the auspices of Immaculata University or with Immaculata populations. (RERB guidelines are available through the Immaculata University portal MyIU).

RESEARCH PAPERS

Graduate Research papers in all areas of specialization are to be completed using the standardized format designated by the Graduate Academic Policy Committee. Currently, the American Psychological Association (APA) writing manual is the designated source.

RETURNING ASSIGNMENTS

Faculty members make available to students a procedure for returning final assignments. If the faculty member agrees to a mailing, the students are requested to supply the faculty member with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the returning of assignments at the end of the semester. It will be understood that students not providing the stamped envelope do not wish materials returned.

STUDENT HANDBOOK

The Immaculata University Student Handbook is a supplement to the current catalog and contains an overview of student services and university policies and procedures. The Code of Conduct can be accessed at immaculata.edu/campus-life/student-code-of-conduct/.

STUDENT RETENTION PROCEDURES

All professions charge their members with the responsibility of monitoring new members. This monitoring involves not only evaluation of potential new members’ cognitive (i.e. academic) abilities, but also their personal and professional behaviors. Faculty believe that this is an appropriate responsibility for members of professions, and therefore readily accept this charge. On rare occasions, faculty members become concerned about a student’s suitability for entry into a profession represented in programs even though the student may be evidencing satisfactory performance in academic course work. Therefore, faculty members have adopted these student retention procedures for such occasions in order to fulfill their professional responsibility and to protect the rights of the student.  

BEHAVIOR

If, in the professional judgment of a faculty member, a student’s behavior is deemed inappropriate and professionally unbecoming the following steps are taken (according to the students right to due process):

1. The faculty member who has become aware of a problem meets with the student and offers suggestions for possible changes in the student’s behavior.
2. If Deemed appropriate the faculty member also writes a letter to the department/division chair concerning the meeting with the student. The faculty member concurrently informs the student, in writing, that a letter has been sent to the department/division chair. The faculty member maintains ongoing communication with the chair.
3. If the chair deems the student’s problem to be serious enough in nature, a request is made to the dean to appoint a retention committee composed of three current faculty members to investigate all aspects of the situation and to make recommendations concerning the student to the chair and faculty. The student is always informed, in writing, of these proceedings and is always interviewed by the retention committee as one aspect of the investigation.
4. The retention committee’s report, including recommendations and /or requirements, is presented to the dean, chair and faculty in a “closed” meeting (i.e. a meeting of faculty members only; students are not permitted in this meeting).
5. At the conclusion of the retention committee’s report, the chair and the student’s faculty advisor meet with the student to convey the decision(s). The chair (and the student’s advisor) subsequently monitor the student’s progress in carrying out the recommendations for the student.
6. If the student is not satisfied with the committee’s decision, the student can subsequently follow the appeals procedures of the Immaculata University, which are printed in the Graduate Catalog.

UNIVERSITY GRIEVANCE POLICY
While it is hoped that most grievances will be resolved quickly through informal discussions with administrative officers, the University’s grievance policy (see Volume II, Section 2.8 of the Immaculata University Policy Manual) is available should informal discussions not succeed. The University Grievance Policy is not associated with the Grade Appeal Procedure for a course. Please see Grade Appeal Procedures for the procedures regarding a Grade Appeal.

WRITING AND MATHEMATICS CENTERS

It is required that graduate students are able to write clearly and coherently.  The quality of writing is considered in evaluating students’ work.  Students demonstrating deficiency in writing ability may be advised to rectify this through appropriate redemption procedures.  APA style is the required format.

The Writing and Mathematics Centers at Immaculata University are focused on enhancing the writing and mathematics skills of Immaculata students. The goal is to help students across the disciplines in all stages of mathematics and the writing process. While the Writing Center is supportive in developing writing skills of graduate students throughout their programs, it services may not be employed during the Comprehensive Examination process.

Lines of Communication

COURSE LISTING

Course offerings are published online each semester, listing the courses offered and the semester dates, as well as the days and the times of the instruction. It also gives information on dates for registration, holidays and dates on which tuition is due. This information can also be found though SSIU.

IU ALERT 

Immaculata University utilizes IU ALERT, a mass notification system, to send emergency notifications and timely alerts to the university community, including weather-related closing information. Campus community members may receive notifications by email and/or text message. Students are encouraged to sign up for IU ALERT through the Campus Applications section on the MyIU portal or at https://immaculata.omnilert.net/subscriber.php Students may register two email addresses and two cell phone numbers at which to receive the notifications.

STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD

This Graduate Student Advisory Board acts as a liaison between students and faculty. Members communicate to faculty student opinions and suggestions for improvement of the graduate programs.

Students interested in membership on this board should contact their faculty advisor or the dean.

Email

All students receive an email account automatically. The account is accessible on or off campus through the university Web portal, MyIU at myiu.immaculata.edu.

Username: firstinitiallastname (lowercase, no spaces, ex. kjohnson)

Students with a common name may have a numeral after their username (kjohnson2). If your birthdate was not given to us, your password is the last six digits of your student ID number. Your student e-mail address is firstinitiallastname@mail.immaculata.edu (ex. kjohnson@mail.immaculata.edu) For help with My IU, contact the Help Desk at 484-323-3282.

ACCESS TO GRADES, FINANCIAL ACCOUNT AND CLASS REGISTRATION

All students have access to their grades and financial records online. Students can also register online. The online service is called SSIU (Self-Service at Immaculata University). You can get to SSIU directly through MyIU, the Web portal. After logging on to the portal (see above), click on the SSIU logo that appears on the upper right side of the page, next to your email inbox.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION

A student’s name, address, and program enrollment are considered public or directory information. Other directory information is defined in the Student Handbook. Students may withhold “directory information” from certain third parties by completing a form available in the graduate office.

INSIGHT

Insight, the graduate newsletter, is published approximately four times each year. It informs students of important dates, activities and pertinent news concerning students enrolled in graduate studies and graduates of the programs. Insight is disseminated through the IU Portal, Moodle, on the Immaculata website or is available in the Graduate Office.