Nurse-Midwifery Program

Tuition and Fees Information

In compliance with federal and state laws, the program will follow the policy of the University of Arizona to prohibit unlawful harassment and sexual misconduct by any person and in any form.  It is committed to providing equal access to its educational programs, activities and facilities to all otherwise qualified as without discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable state or federal law. An equal opportunity employer, the University of Arizona affirms its commitment to nondiscrimination in its employment policies and practices. In compliance with Title IX (20 U.S.C Sec.1681 et seq.) The University of Arizona prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment. For student-related disability discrimination concerns, contact the Office of Institutional Equity at 520-621-9449. For all other concerns, including any arising under Title IX, contact the Title IX Coordinator at 520-621-9449 or submit a report at equity.arizona.edu.

The University of Arizona takes these complaints very seriously. If an employee supervises others, including contractors, agents or students; teaches or advises students; or has management authority related to a U of A-sponsored program or activity, they have certain responsibilities under the U of A’s Nondiscrimination and Anti-harassment Policy. Therefore, university employees are responsible for promptly reporting any concern of sex discrimination (including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, and stalking) related to a student to the Office of Institutional Equity, the Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Coordinators, the U of A Police Department, or staff in the Dean of Students Office. The Office of Institutional Equity leads response for all non-emergency reports of sex discrimination impacting students and is generally the most direct reporting option; a crime/crisis/emergency can be reported on-campus to UAPD by dialing 9-1-1.

The University of Arizona Bursar’s Office is responsible for the processing of student tuition and fee refunds. All U of A students are subject to the institutional tuition refund policies and timelines established by the Bursar’s Office. These policies apply to all U of A students, programs, and degrees, and ensure consistency, fairness, and transparency across the institution.

Students may be eligible for a full or partial refund of tuition and fees if they drop courses or officially withdraw from the University by the published refund deadlines. These deadlines are available on the Bursar’s Office website at: Students can review refund policies

Refunds are processed automatically based on enrollment status and the date of withdrawal. After the refund deadline has passed, tuition and fees will not be recalculated or reversed, and students remain financially responsible for all charges on their account.

Students can review refund policies on the following webpages: Bursar’s Office website

All program policies apply equally to all students enrolled in the University of Arizona M.S. Nurse-Midwifery Program, regardless of instructional location. All program personnel, including the Program Director, core faculty, clinical faculty, students, and staff are expected to uphold and apply these policies uniformly.

Securing clinical sites or preceptors is not a requirement of the U of A M.S. Nurse-Midwifery program. Preceptor and clinical site evaluation are the responsibility of the Program Director and core faculty. Each student has unique learning needs and that is the rationale for faculty to make the appropriate match for each student. In the event that a clinical site is not available in the student’s home community, they may need to travel to surrounding communities and/or Arizona.

Students in the M.S. Nurse-Midwifery Program will be working in clinical sites both full and part time. All students must meet the mandatory medical vaccination requirements as listed on the campus health medicine pharmacy and nursing expanded immunization requirements https://health.arizona.edu/comcopimmunizationuploads

Compliance with all immunizations is the responsibility of the student and failure to ensure up to date paperwork can result in a student being withdrawn from clinical experiences.

A further implication of being a nurse-midwifery student is the risk of occupational exposure to body fluids or blood. The University of Arizona has a strict policy that must be followed for any student accidentally exposed to body fluids or blood either in academic, research or clinical settings. Please see the link below for full details of what to do in the event of body fluid or blood exposure.

We recommend reporting an incident as soon as possible after occurrence.

UA Student Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids
https://health.arizona.edu/student-exposure-bloodbody-fluids

University of Arizona Campus Health
http://www.health.arizona.edu/

University of Arizona Risk Management Services
https://risk.arizona.edu/

University of Arizona Non-Employee Incident Report Form: claims

Course grades will be determined by the following scale: 

Letter Grade: Pass | 80%-100%
Letter Grade: Fail | Less than 80%

The grades in this course are numerical in nature and will add to a final percentage for the course based on weighted grades. Students must receive a 80% or higher to pass this course.  Please note that course grades are not rounded up (e.g. 69.8 is a failing course grade). 

Our goal is to support each student’s mastery of essential knowledge and skills. In addition to achieving a passing score for the course, students must demonstrate successful achievement of all Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the course. If a student does not fully meet one or more SLOs, they will be provided with a targeted learning enrichment activity designed to support their continued growth and ensure competence in those specific areas.

We are committed to helping students succeed, and learning enrichment is offered as an opportunity to reinforce learning. However, failure to meet course requirements or successfully complete assigned learning enrichment activities may result in a course failure and referral to the Program Director for further review, guidance, and other action plans.

The Program is responsible for preparing students to practice safely as members of the interprofessional healthcare team. The program has responsibilities to the student, the public, and the profession. The program maintains academic standards, competencies, and professional ethics that the student is expected to adhere to throughout the program. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.  

Students are considered in good academic standing if all the following are met:    

• Pass all didactic and clinical courses
• Maintain acceptable academic standards, ethics, or professional behavior
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress

Early Indicators of Students at Risk of Not Progressing: 

• Failing course assessments
• Poor attendance, including but not limited to unexcused absences from mandatory teaching or meetings.
• Unprofessional behavior, including but not limited to failing to communicate with faculty or preceptors, ignoring emails, displaying an adversarial attitude, failing to comply with policies as stated in the program’s Student Handbook, or legal issues. 

At-Risk Criteria (Low Risk)

• Scoring < 80% on one or more assessments
• Below benchmark scores on mid-point preceptor evaluation of student
• Scoring a low pass on end-of-rotation exam
• Repeated minor concerns related to attendance, or professional behavior, even if individual incidents do not meet Level II thresholds
• Failing to meet all Student Learning Outcomes in a course

Actions Taken: 

• Notification: The faculty informs the student and their advisor via email of Low Risk identification and action plan. Students will not be required to meet with the Program Director for Low Risk concerns.
• Action Plan: May include but not limited to:  
  • Mandatory advisor meeting(s)
  • Any learning enrichment activity or assignments related to academic or professionalism concerns
  • Repeat or retake of an examination or assessment
  • Referral to Academic and Student Affairs or tutoring for additional support
• Standing: The student remains in Good Academic Standing but is monitored for further issues.
• Documentation: The completed action plan is stored in the student’s file and shared with their advisor and Program Director respectively.  

At Risk Level (High Risk)

• Failing two or more assessments in a single course or across multiple courses
• Receiving two or more “low pass” (80%) course scores across different courses
• Receiving a failing score on a Preceptor end-of-rotation evaluation
• Failing a course
• Failing a remediation plan
• Meeting multiple and continued early risk indicators (e.g., poor attendance, professional misconduct, academic deficiencies)

Actions Taken: 

• Notification: The faculty informs the student, advisor, and the Program Director via email.  
• Student Success Coach (SCC) Mandatory Meeting: The student must meet with the SSC (in person or virtually) to discuss challenges, prior interventions, and required steps for improvement.
• Formal Action Plan: The SSC drafts a summary of the meeting and a required action plan, which is:  
  • Sent to the student, their advisor, and Program Director respectively
  • Stored in the student’s record
• Standing: Student remains in good academic standing unless they have met one of the indicators as outlined in Academic Probation language.  
• Follow-Up & Compliance: The student must complete the action plan within the specified timeframe and meet regularly with their advisor to track progress.
• Potential Consequences: Failure to comply with the action plan may result in further review by the SSC, which could lead to academic probation, additional remediation, or other interventions. 

Progression and continuance in the program are based on academic achievement, professional performance and the ability to meet all requirements of the M.S. Nurse-Midwifery program. The program-specific standards are rigorous due to the responsibilities and professional conduct expected from healthcare providers in society.

All students must achieve: 

• Successful completion of all didactic and clinical courses with a grade of 80% or higher
• Be in good academic and professional standing.  

If students receive a course grade below 80% they must complete the program’s remediation assessment. Please see the remediation policy. Students who fall below the minimum standards of progress are subject to the following actions: academic probation, deceleration or dismissal from the program. 

Degree Completion and Graduation

Students will be awarded the Master of Science in Nurse-Midwifery degree if they satisfactorily complete all program student learning outcomes and graduate competencies:

• Satisfactory completion of all didactic and clinical courses with a score of 80% within five (5) consecutive years of commencing the program.
• Satisfactory completion of the comprehensive exam at the end of the curriculum
• Satisfactory completion of the Midwifery Integration HP 722.  
• Satisfactory completion of the scholarly project.
• Remain in good academic and professional standing.

Withdrawal  

Withdrawal from the M.S. Nurse-Midwifery Program should only be considered after a careful and thorough assessment of the academic, financial and personal implications. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with appropriate program and university representatives prior to making this decision.

Once an official withdrawal request is submitted, the student is required to complete exit interviews with both the School of Health Professions (SHP) Financial Aid Office and the Registrar’s Office. Documentation of these meetings and related advisement will be recorded in the student’s contact management file.

Students may voluntarily withdraw from the program at their discretion and at any time; however, unless a Leave of Absence is formally requested and approved (see LOA policy), any course withdrawal constitutes a full withdrawal from the program. The University of Arizona Midwifery Program does not offer “partial withdrawal” or part-time enrollment status.

To initiate official withdrawal from the program, the following steps must be completed:

• Submit a written withdrawal letter to both the Program Director and the SHP Student Affairs Office.
• Schedule and complete exit interviews with the SHP Financial Aid Office and the Registrar’s Office.

Dismissal 

Students dismissed from the program for academic or conduct-related reasons will receive written notification sent to their official arizona.edu email address. This notification will include information regarding their right to appeal the decision in accordance with the SHP’s student grievance and appeal process. Appeals must be submitted to the office of student and academic affairs within 10 business days of receiving the dismissal notice. (See Student Grievance Policy for additional details.)

Academic Dismissal 

A student is subject to academic dismissal if they meet any of the following: 

• Failing three courses across the program.
• Unsatisfactorily progression through the curriculum.
• Failure to meet academic or programmatic requirements.   
• Inability to complete all requirements for the Master of Science in Nurse-Midwifery degree within five years.   

Conduct Dismissal  

A student who meets any of the following conditions may be subject to conduct dismissal from the M.S. Nurse-Midwifery program:  

• Violations of the program’s professionalism and integrity expectations.
• Unprofessional behavior during classroom or clinical activities or interactions.
• Violations of clinical site policies, including HIPAA.  
• Violations of the Arizona Board of Regents Student Code of Conduct (ABOR Policy 5-308).

ABOR: https://public.powerdms.com/ABOR/documents/1491970 
UA Dean of Students: https://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/policies/code-academic-integrity  

Mistreatment is defined as any behavior—intentional or unintentional—that disrespects the dignity of others or interferes with the learning process. Examples include, but are not limited to, discrimination, sexual harassment, unprofessional relationships, abuse of authority, and abusive or intimidating conduct.

A grievance may arise when a student believes they have been subjected to mistreatment or inappropriate behavior by a University or School of Health Professions representative (e.g., faculty, staff, or preceptors) acting within the scope of their official duties, or by an individual affiliated with the University acting outside of their professional role.

Informal Mistreatment and Grievance Resolution

Prior to bringing a grievance forward against a university office or representative acting within their role or duty, students are encouraged to attempt a good-faith resolution of the grievance.

This attempt may be made with the party directly involved with the disputed matter, or with the head of the department or unit in which the grievance arises. Please note that there are cases when it is appropriate to go directly to the formal grievance resolution process. Attempts at information resolution should be initiated within 30 days of the incident in dispute.

Formal Mistreatment and Grievance Resolution
Should a situation arise in which a student is unable to resolve their grievance informally, the University’s formal grievance process may be employed. This process, outlined below, should also be initiated within 30 days of the failed informal resolution if applicable.

Step I
A formal grievance is presented in writing to the Program Director. This written grievance must include the following:

• The name, address, and phone number of the individual submitting the grievance
• The name and title of the office, program, or individual against whom the grievance is directed
• A detailed description of the specific action, decision, or behavior that led to the grievance
• The date(s), time(s), and location(s) of the incident(s) in question
• A list of individuals who witnessed or have direct knowledge of the incident(s)

Step II
Upon receipt of the formal grievance, the Program Director or their designee will investigate the dispute. Investigation will be initiated within 1 (one) week of receiving the formal grievance. Length of investigation is dependent on the complexity and nature of the grievance.

If the grievance involves a university office or representative acting within their role or duty, the investigator will determine the involvement of pertinent supervisors, School of Health Professions (SHP) leadership in the investigation. Depending upon the grievance, pertinent data (interviews, etc.) will be gathered by the investigator or the University office involved in the grievance. This data is then presented to the department for resolution. If the complainant and the respondent do not agree through informal resolution, a formal hearing becomes necessary. In a formal hearing, Vice-Dean of the School of Health Professions will be consulted to determine if a panel or administrator should be appointed for further investigation and/or recommendations to the appropriate parties.

If the grievance is based on personal misconduct by a faculty member or other University employee, the investigator gathers pertinent information and presents it to either the Senior Director for Faculty Affairs and Engagement (faculty complaint) or the Office of Human Resources (staff complaint).

If the grievance is with the Program Director, the grievance should be presented in writing to the Vice-Dean of the SHP. The Vice-Dean or their designee will investigate the grievance.

Student Grievance

Grievance Policy
Should a SHP student feel that they have been treated unfairly and have a grievance, there are several resources available. Most concerns can be resolved through direct communication with the course/clerkship director, curriculum lead, or program director, particularly those related to grades or academic progress.

For other grievances, the office of student affairs in the SHP can help direct the student to the appropriate resource such as the Office of Institutional Equity, Human Resources, or the Disabilities Resource Center, depending on the nature of the grievance. The SHP Student Appeals Committee (SAC) exists to review the specific formal grievances described below.

Student Appeals Committee
The Student Appeals Committee (SAC) is an ad hoc committee established by Faculty Affairs through a governance process to review and resolve appeals made by students regarding academic or disciplinary decisions as per the grievance policy below. Its primary purpose is to ensure fairness, transparency, and adherence to institutional policies in decision-making processes. The SAC is a group of faculty members and student representatives tasked with evaluating appeals submitted by students who believe they have been unfairly treated or wish to contest a decision that impacts their academic or professional progression.

Student Appeals Committee Participation
The SAC will meet once at the beginning of the academic year to review and accept responsibilities. After this initial meeting they will only meet ad-hoc based-on need. The membership of the SAC is specified in the Bylaws of the Faculty of the University of Arizona SHP.

Grievances Reviewed by the SHP Student Appeals Committee
While the office of student affairs is available to discuss any academic or professional concerns, only grievances meeting specific criteria will be considered for formal review by the SAC. These include grievances resulting in academic or conduct dismissal, requiring the repetition of an academic year, or alleging violations of a specific SHP or University rule, regulation, policy, or practice that are not remediable by other SHP or university grievance policies/procedures and are within the decision-making jurisdiction of the COHS will be considered for formal review.

The Vice-Dean of the SHP or a designated representative of the Vice-Dean of the SHP shall determine whether a complaint falls within the decision-making jurisdiction of the SHP. 

Examples of complaints not suitable for formal grievance review by the SAC include:

• Allegations of harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information, which are handled by the Office of Institutional Equity.
• Grade appeals, which are handled directly by the course instructors, curriculum leads, and program directors. Please see section 3.11 in this handbook.
• Complaints against University employees or students that are covered by provisions of the University Handbook for Appointed Personnel, the Staff Personnel Policy Manual, and the Student Code of Conduct.
• Requests of waivers of specific program policies.

Examples of complaints that are suitable for formal grievance review by the SAC include:

Academic Dismissal Appeal Procedures

• The student must submit a written appeal to the SAC Chair outlining their position and explaining why they should not be dismissed.
• The appeal must be submitted within 10 business days of receiving the Notice of Dismissal from the SHP.
• Along with the written statement the student is responsible for providing the SAC with any supporting documents that the student believes supports the appeal, including the student’s transcript, correspondence with faculty and administrators, and communication from any SHP administrators.
• The student’s written statement must identify one or both of the following grounds as the basis for the appeal:
  • The specific program policies do not require or support the academic dismissal.
  • The academic dismissal process was inconsistent with University or COHS policies and procedures, requiring correction through reversal or repetition of the process.
• If the SAC Chair determines the student’s written appeal does not meet the required ground, the Chair will reject the appeal and notify the student of the deficiency. The student will have one opportunity to resubmit the appeal within seven (7) business days of receiving this notice. 

If the SAC requires additional information before rendering a decision, they may request it from the student or College administration. The information must be directly relevant to the stated grounds for the appeal. Any information obtained directly from the College must be shared with the student, who will have two (2) business days to respond.

Conduct Dismissal Appeal Procedures

The student must submit a written appeal to the SAC Chair outlining their position and explaining why they should not be dismissed

• The appeal must be submitted within 10 business days of the Notice of Dismissal from the SHP.
• The appeal must be submitted within 10 business days of the Notice of Dismissal from the SHP.

The student’s written appeal must identify one or more of the following grounds:

• The finding of a policy violation is not supported by a preponderance of the evidence or is contrary to law or policy.
• The student’s conduct does not constitute a violation of University or the SHP policies or standards.
• The dismissal is excessively severe under the circumstances.

If the SAC Chair determines the appeal does not meet the required grounds, the Chair will reject the appeal and notify the student of the deficiency. The student will have one opportunity to resubmit the appeal within seven (7) business days of receiving this notice. 

Requirement to Repeat an Academic Year Appeal Procedures

The student must submit a written appeal to the SAC Chair explaining why they should not be required to pause and repeat the academic year. 

• The appeal must be submitted within 10 business days of receiving the Notice to Repeat an Academic Year from the Program Director.

Along with the written statement the student is responsible for providing supporting documents, including their transcript and correspondence with faculty and administrators. These documents must be submitted with the written appeal.

The student’s written appeal must identify one or both of the following grounds: 

• The program’s policies do not require or support the decision to terminate and repeat the academic year.
• The decision-making process was inconsistent with University or SHP policies and procedures, requiring correction through reversal or repetition of the process.

If the SAC Chair determines the appeal does not meet the required grounds, the Chair will reject the appeal and notify the student of the deficiency. The student will have one opportunity to resubmit the appeal within seven (7) business days of receiving this notice.

Appeal Procedures: Alleged Violation of a Specific SHP or University Rule, Regulation, or Policy

The student must submit a written appeal to the SAC Chair explaining why they should not be held accountable to the specific rule, regulation, or policy that is in question. 

The appeal must be submitted within 10 business days of the Notice of Alleged Violation.

Along with the written appeal the student is responsible for providing the SAC with any supporting documents, including correspondence with faculty, administrators, and communication from any SHP administrators.  

If a student believes an error has been made regarding a failing grade on a major unit or assessment or course, the student should contact the faculty within 10 business days of the grade being posted to set up a meeting (in-person or virtual) to discuss the grade. It is the student’s responsibility to demonstrate that the appeal has merit; therefore, the student should bring to the meeting with the course director any evidence that the grade was assigned incorrectly.

At the meeting, the course director will:

• Review the evidence the student has submitted
• Discuss student’s appeal with the content instructor or preceptor, if applicable
• Present any of the student’s work that remains in the faculty’s possession (e.g., papers, examinations, etc.)
• Explain how the student’s grade was determined based on the guidelines presented at the beginning of the course and in the course syllabus
• Recalculate the numerical computation of the grade to determine if there has been a clerical error

If a resolution is not met, the student should submit their grievance in writing to the SSC chair within three (3) business days of receiving the faculty’s final response. The grievance will be reviewed by the faculty and  advisor. The student will receive a written response within seven (7) business days.

If a resolution is not met, the student should submit their grievance in writing to the Program Director within three (3) business days. The grievance will be reviewed, and the student will receive a written response within seven (7) business days. The decision from the Program Director is final and not subject to appeal.

• Completion of a Graduate College application
• Applicants must have an active unencumbered RN license
• GPA greater than or equal to a 3.0
• Personal Statement
• Letter of Recommendation
• Interview