Spring I Term 2015 Addendum

MSOT Accreditation Addendum

Effective December 11, 2014, the Occupational Therapy program has received an updated status of
accreditation. 

The entry-level MSOT Program at WCU received accreditation in December 11, 2014 from the
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE's telephone number c/o AOTA is 301-652-2682, and their web address is Acoteonline.org. Program graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licensure is usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Institutional Learning Outcomes

Effective January 12, 2015, the institutional learning outcomes have been updated.

Institutional learning outcomes are designed by the University as a whole, taking into account the role that both instruction and student services play in contributing to a student’s success. Institutional
learning outcomes assume achievement of the stated programmatic learning outcomes of one’s
discipline.

Upon graduating from a degree program offered by West Coast University, students should be able to:

1. Implement intellectual and practical problem solving skills through information assessment and
critical thinking.

2. Demonstrate effective written communication skills.

3. Demonstrate effective oral communication skills.

4. Demonstrate computer proficiency and information literacy.

5. Describe ethical standards and legal guidelines associated with one’s chosen career field.

6. Explain why knowledge of and respect for the societal contributions of diverse cultures and
perspectives is an important quality in one’s discipline.

7. Articulate the importance of working collaboratively with other healthcare providers in support of the client/patient.

Tuition and Fees Addendum

Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF)

Effective January 1, 2015, the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) will be zero ($0) per $1,000.  Therefore, all institutions (including West Coast University) required to collect STRF assessments must stop collecting STRF assessments from students.   The STRF rates are subject to change.  

NURS 495H Course Description Addendum

Effective January 25, 2015, the NURS 495H course description has been updated and the previous corequisites have been removed. 

This course examines core concepts of international service, poverty and disparity in a health continuum; including diversity, foreign aid, alternative healthcare delivery systems and strategies for providing nursing care through a world view. Determinants of health in an alternative healthcare system will be experienced. Students will develop on expanded knowledge base of the core concepts in order to become engaged leaders in the healthcare profession while practicing within a global context. This is a Pass/No Pass course.
Note:  Students are required to apply to enter the course.

Credits

2.0

Prerequisites

None.

MSN Progression Requirements Addendum

Effective January 25, 2015, the MSN Progression Requirements have been updated to reflect prerequisite grades that are required to progress in the program.

Students in the Masters of Science Nursing are required, as prerequisite, the following grades in order to progress in the program.

Foreign Transcript Evaluation

Effective for students enrolling in the Summer I 2015 term (June 14, 2015) and thereafter, foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluator (AICE) approved organization.

The University requires all transcripts from institutions outside the United States, submitted for
admissions purposes or transfer credit review, to be evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluator (AICE) approved organization. A list of available services is available from the Admissions Department.  Students are responsible for all fees associates with this evaluation.

Master of Health Administration-Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Health Administration program applying to start in the Fall I 2015 semester (August 2015) and thereafter are required to follow the admission requirements below. 

Applicants for the Master of Health Administration Program must:

1. Have a baccalaureate degree from an institution that is nationally or regionally accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education  with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher,

2. Submit a $75 non-refundable application fee,  

3. Provide official transcripts verifying baccalaureate degree prior to the first day of the first term.  These transcripts must also demonstrate completion of the following program
prerequisites:

•  MATH 108 (College Mathematics) and
•  MATH 211 (Statistics) or approved equivalent courses with a grade of “C” or higher (note: except for WCU graduates, an official transcript must be provided to evaluate course content and credit hour equivalency) OR
•  Complete MATH 108 and MATH 211 at West Coast University within the first two terms of enrollment with a grade of “C” or higher.

4. Complete supplemental application forms, inclusive of:

•  Written Essays (on-site)
•  Two letters of recommendation
•  Interview with Program Chair

5. Proficiency in English is mandatory.  All applicants whose first language is not English will be required to either complete the  Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) http://www.toefl.org), or meet one of the criteria shown below.

•  Note:  A minimum TOEFL score of 66 (internet based) to be reviewed for the Master of Health Administration Program.

West Coast University will also consider proof of English Proficiency established if official documentation of one of the following is provided:

a) Graduation from an accredited high school program where English is the language of instruction and examination, achieving a minimum GPA of 3.0 in a minimum of three English courses.

b) Within the last five years, successfully completed at least three years of instruction from an accredited  high school where English is the language of instruction and examination, including three years of English (not ESL) courses with a grade of “B” or higher.

c) Within the last three years, successfully completed at least two years of full-time coursework at the post-secondary level (accredited college or University) where English is the language of instruction and examination, including two English courses (one course must be a 200 level course or higher) with a grade of “B” or higher.

d) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination (academic modules) taken within the last twelve months, results must be sent by paper to the University campus Registrar office, with a score of 6.5 of better

6. Conditional Admission:

•  Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 2.7 to 2.99 may be considered for conditional admission. Conditionally admitted students must satisfy program prerequisites and achieve a grade of “B” (3.0) or higher on all first semester (two terms) course work attempted. If the student does not achieve the required course grades, the student will be dismissed from the program.
•  Admission into the MHA Program with a GPA less than a 2.7, but not lower than 2.5 is at the discretion of the Program Chair.

Health Administration Transfer Credit Evaluation

Only graduate level courses in which a grade of B (3.0) or better was received, taken in a program similar to the Master’s in Health Administration will be evaluated for transfer credit. A maximum of 6 credit hours will be considered for transfer, and must reflect the same content and course credit as the course for which transfer credit is requested.