Syllabus
Graduate Programs in Public Health
GPH 702 Public Health Policy and Management – Spring B 2016
Credits - 3
Description
Course Description
This course provides students an opportunity to learn about the health policy making process in the US, with a particular focus on factors that drive the development and implementation of health policy at the state and national levels. Additionally, part of the course will address how management influences policy development, implementation and change. We will focus the course on recent federal health reform, especially the Affordable Care Act, to illustrate many aspects of policy development and implementation. Indeed if you gain an understanding of even a quarter of this landmark legislation, its antecedents and current developments you will have mastered key aspects of this course. We will also review the policy process for promoting and protecting public health via population health policy and legislative approaches. As a graduate course, it will be demanding and intensive; but if you like learning it will be fun. Please be prepared to work hard to complete the requirements.
The goal of this course is for students to gain an understanding of how health policy is developed and implemented in the US. Students will learn what shapes health policy in the US, key drivers of policy such as cost, quality and access and how the culture of medicine, views of human rights and the economy shape efforts to protect and promote the health of the US population. To illustrate these issues we will use examples from recently passed federal health reform and the work of states prior to this landmark legislation, these are for illustrative purposes. We will also review how public policy may be utilized to promote health and protect the public from public health risks. The course competencies covered could just as well be applied to any health policy domain, for example environmental policy.
Course Format
This course is facilitated through Blackboard, UNE’s online learning management system. The course will be delivered in 8 weekly online modules, with each module beginning on Wednesday at 12:01 am ET and ending the following Wednesday at 11:59 pm ET, except for the last week (Week 8), which will begin on Wednesday and end on Sunday. Note all times are Eastern Time. Students will watch online lectures produced by the course instructor and field experts, engage in readings and other media provided by instructors, and will learn from one another through the discussion board and written assignments. Each section of this course will be facilitated by an instructor with significant professional and academic expertise in the area of study. Individual meetings with the course instructor will be up to the student to schedule.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes:
- Discuss policy making processes in the US, both federal and in states; and describe and analyze
US government (state and national) role in major health policy initiatives. - Describe why and how the government has a role in promoting/implementing changes in population health and provider practices through public policies focused on changes in the health care delivery system.
- Discuss and analyze complex health policy issues and follow the impact of policy development and implementation.
- Identify and analyze ethical, human rights and private market considerations in the development and implementation of health policy, including the potential ethical implications of US health policy on these areas.
- Identify constitutional authorities and limits on governmental intervention in public health (individual rights vs. society’s rights); to analyze functions and interactions between courts, legislatures and regulators, to recognize the role of courts in health policy and health care delivery, to identify potential limitations and barriers in public health strategies as they apply to law, statutes and regulations.
Assignments
Position Paper: In Module 2 you chose an issue and an associated policy, now it is time to take a stance. In this assignment you will write a 2-3 page (not including the reference page) Position Paper. This paper will need to state your position on the policy you wrote about in Module 2. Make sure to include the following:
- Clearly state issue your chosen policy is addressing.
- Describe the magnitude of the issue.
- State and describe your chosen policy.
- State who is impacted by the policy.
- State your position in relation to the policy.
- Support your position on the policy and state why you believe it would be effective or ineffective.
- Make sure to support all your ideas with reputable resources.
Policy Analysis Paper Outline: In this assignment you will draft a detailed outline of your policy evaluation paper. Here are the requirements for your submission:
- The outline should be 2 pages in length
- Provide the organizational structure of the paper
- Provide the key points/content you will include to address the components listed in the Policy Paper Prompt (listed below)
- Include an initial bibliography. The bibliography can be expanded as you continue to develop the paper.
The outline will be reviewed by your instructor and returned to you with comments. Make sure to incorporate the feedback into your final submission.
Policy Analysis Paper: In this assignment you will analyze the policy you have worked with throughout the term. It is time to take a step back and evaluate your policy as a whole. This is a skill you will utilize throughout your Public Health career.
Make sure to address the following questions:
- What are the arguments for and against this policy? Do you feel as though these arguments are valid? Why or why not?
- What are the challenges or barriers regarding the implementation or current status of this policy? How would address these?
- How is the policy currently being evaluated and is this evaluation effective? Why or why not?
- How would you modify or improve the policy to make it more impactful? Be specific and comprehensive.
- Support all your ideas with course materials and other reputable resources.
The final paper is due in week 7. The paper must follow AMA format and have proper and thorough references. The paper will be limited to no more than 10 pages including bibliography.
Advocacy Letter: Prepare an advocacy letter for your chosen policy. This could be to promote your policy or to suggest improvements. Consider who you would like to send the letter/correspondence to and WHY you chose this person. The submission will be a copy of the letter that would be sent to the appropriate legislative body or agency (addressed to a real particular person) with the specifics of the issue outlined.
The paper must follow the template provided (see the readings this week) and all references should be in AMA format. The letter must be in 12-point font, double-spaced and no more than 2 pages long.
Do not actually send the letter until the course instructor has reviewed it. It will be graded based on:
- Ability to analyze and select who the letter will be sent to and include the reasons why
- The accuracy of the facts of the issue presented
- The persuasiveness of the argument
- The ability to articulate the message clearly, succinctly and professionally
- Support your thoughts throughout the letter with scholarly resources.
Once the letter is graded you will be expected to make the changes noted. You may then send a revised copy to the person it is addressed to, if you wish to do so.
Discussion Forum. The discussion forum is meant to encourage dialogue, inquiry and scholarship and to deepen your engagement in the course materials. All students are expected to contribute an initial post and a response to a classmate’s post. Please make sure that all posts are thoughtful, clear, and concise. You are encouraged to use outside resources for the forum questions; please reference any materials used. Posts may be stronger if supported by references as appropriate.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Position Paper | 20 points |
| Policy Analysis Paper Outline | 10 points |
| Policy Analysis Paper | 31 points |
| Advocacy Letter | 15 points |
| Discussion Forum | 6 discussions at 4 points each = 24 points |
| Total: | 100 points |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course Weeks:
Each week opens on Wednesday at 12:01 AM Eastern Time. Each week closes on Wednesday at 11:59 pm ET, with the exception of Week 8, which ends on Sunday.
| Week 1: | March 2 – March 9 |
| Week 2: | March 9 – March 16 |
| Week 3: | March 16 – March 23 |
| Week 4: | March 23 – March 30 |
| Week 5: | March 30 – April 6 |
| Week 6: | April 6 – April 13 |
| Week 7: | April 13 – April 20 |
| Week 8: | April 20 – April 24 |
Weekly Schedule:
Week 1: Overview: Law, Public Policy, Public Health and American Health Care
Learning Outcomes:
- Define health policy and the role of law in promoting and protecting the public’s health.
- Examine the role of government in health policy to determine one’s own views.
Readings:
- Minkler M. (1999). Personal responsibility for health? A review of the arguments and the evidence at century’s end. Health Education & Behavior: the Official Publication of the Society for Public Health Education. 26(1), 121-40 http://heb.sagepub.com/content/26/1/121.long
- Cairney, P. “Policy Concepts in 1000 Words: The Policy Cycle and its Stages” Paul Cairney: Politics & Public Policy, 2013, November 11. Please read or view the podcast. Link: https://paulcairney.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/policy-concepts-in-1000-words-the-policy-cycle-and-its-stages/
- Kaiser Family Foundation video, U.S. Congress and Health Policy (note: although some of the names of U.S. Senators and Representatives and committee appointments may have changed, the basic information on process remains the same) http://kff.org/interactive/the-u-s-congress-and-health-policy-tutorial/
Assignment:
- Forum Question 1: What should be the role of government in health policy in industrialized, democratic country? Please address this question from both individual (behavior) and societal perspectives. Initial posts are due Sunday by 11:59pm and responses are due Wednesday at 11:59pm.
Week 2: Overview of the Health Care System and Federal Health Reform
Learning Outcomes:
- Examine how federal health reform impacts national, state, and local health policy in the United States.
- Evaluate a chosen policy issue to understand policy cycle.
Readings:
- Reid, T.R. The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care. Chapters: 1, 2, 3, & 12.
- “Statement of Policy: Health in All Policies” National Association of County & City Health Officials. Available at: http://www.naccho.org/uploads/downloadable-resources/Policy-and-Advocacy/12-01-health-in-all-policies.pdf
- World Health Organization. “Health Impact Assessment: The determinants of health” Available at: http://www.who.int/hia/evidence/doh/en/
Read over weeks 2 and 3:
- Staff of the Washington Post Landmark: The Inside Story of America’s New Health-Care Law- The Affordable Care Act-and What It Means for Us All (Publicaffairs Reports) [Paperback] ISBN-10: 1586489348 | ISBN-13: 978-1586489342
- Kaiser Family Foundation, Summaries of the Affordable Care Act, Available at:
Assignment:
- Forum Question 2: Your final project in this course is a Policy Analysis Paper (due in Week 7). This week choose any major policy that addresses a public health issue. Submit a description of the issue and a summary of the principle policy on the issue. The principle policy that you choose to write about here will be the focus for your Policy Analysis Paper. Much of this course focuses on health access and health care issues. Do not feel like you are limited only to issues and policies related to these topics. There are many policies that impact health in some way: immigration, housing, equal pay, food, energy policies, etc… Peer responses should raise any potential issues. If it is an issue that you are unfamiliar with, what more would you like to learn about it? Your initial post is due Sunday at 11:59 pm and responses are due Wednesday, end of Week 2, at 11:59 pm.
Week 3: Health Care Reform – Affordable Care Act
Learning Outcomes:
- Discuss Medicaid expansions under the ACA and prior expansions.
- Identify components of the ACA that provide preventive services, and support population health.
- Construct an argument regarding a position on a chosen policy issue.
Readings:
- Finish Landmark book by Washington Post
- Kaiser Family Foundation: A Guide to the Supreme Court’s Affordable Care Act Decision, available at: https://kaiserfamilyfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/8332.pdf
- Kaiser Family Foundation: A Guide to the Supreme Court’s Decision on the ACA’s Medicaid Expansion, available at: https://kaiserfamilyfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/8347.pdf
Assignment:
- Position Paper: Please review the prompt above or in the module for a full description of the assignment requirements. This assignment is due Wednesday, 11:59pm. (20 points)
Week 4: Policy Processes: Legislation, Regulation, Coalitions and Advocacy
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify policy processes including legislative, regulatory and other means.
- Describe policy, systems and environmental change strategies for public health interventions.
- Describe the role of coalitions in supporting and achieving policy outcomes.
Readings:
- Nguyen LM, Eyler AA, Kong J, Brownson, RC. State legislation savvy: a primer and tools for online legislative research in the United States. Prev Chronic Dis 2012;9:100298. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd9.100298
- Hill A, Guernsey De Zapien J, Staten LK, McClelland DJ, Garza R, Moore-Monroy M, et al. From program to policy: expanding the role of community coalitions. Prev Chronic Dis 2007;4(4). http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2007/oct/07_0112.htm
- Meister JS, Guernsey de Zapien J. Bringing health policy issues front and center in the community: expanding the role of community health coalitions. Prev Chronic Dis [serial online] 2005 Jan [date cited]. Available from: URL:
http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/jan/04_0080.htm. - NACCHO, Issue Brief: Healthy Communities, Healthy Behaviors: Using Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change to Combat Chronic Disease, 2011, available at: http://www.naccho.org/topics/HPDP/mcah/upload/issuebrief_pse_webfinal.pdf
Assignment:
- Forum Question 3: This week’s readings focused on bringing health policy issues front and center. Think about your chosen policy. Briefly describe how the related issue gained ground and eventually lead to the creation of the policy. What sorts of coalitions or other groups were involved in bringing your issue front and center? Include any major legislation, executive orders/decisions, judicial rulings, etc…that lead to the development of your policy. Initial post due Sunday by 11:59pm and responses are due Wednesday, end of Week 4, by11:59pm ET.
Week 5: Health Policy for Promoting the Public Health and Health Protection
Learning Outcome:
- Identify key strategies for impacting public health through policy and environmental change strategies for key issues such as tobacco, obesity and others.
Readings:
- World Health Organization: MPower, available at : http://www.who.int/tobacco/mpower/en/
- Scan & Review: : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs — 2014.Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2014. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/stateandcommunity/best_practices/index.htm?s_cid=cs_3281
- Scan & review: Kahn, et al, Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports; July 24, 2009 / Vol. 58 / No. RR-7 available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5807.pdf
- Scan & Review: CDC, Healthy Communities: What Local Governments Can Do To Reduce and Prevent Obesity, available at: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/downloads/CDC_Healthy_Communities.pdf
- Beyond Health Care, New Directions to a Healthier America, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America, April 2009, available at:
http://www.rwjf.org/content/dam/farm/reports/reports/2009/rwjf40483/subassets/rwjf40483_1
Assignment:
- Forum Question 4: Identify a public health issue and policy strategies that may be used to address it. Where might opposition come from? What allies might be engaged. What policy approach would work well for this issue? Initial post is due Sunday by 11:59pm and responses are due Wednesday by 11:59pm.
- Policy Analysis Paper Outline: This week you will be creating an outline of your Policy Analysis Paper that is due in Module 7. Please review the assignment prompt above and in the module for a full description of the requirements and expectations. This assignment is due Wednesday, end of Week 5, by 11:59pm ET.
Week 6: Health in All Policies
Learning Outcome:
- Identify policy and health planning approaches to influencing the health impact and outcomes of all sectors via Health in All Policies approaches.
Readings:
- IOM (Institute of Medicine) Improving Health in the United States: The Role of Health Impact Assessment (2011), Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Available at:
http://www.nap.edu/download.php?record_id=13229 Chapter 1, 4,5 (you will need to create a log in to be able to download the file)
Assignment:
- Forum Question 5: Identify an opportunity for a Health Impact Assessment that may lead to a Health in All Policies initiative (May be from the literature or hypothetical), discuss why Health In All Policies may apply, what outcomes may be desirable, how citizen engagement may be important, and what unintended consequences may occur. Due for posting on Sunday at 11:59pm. Responses due by Wednesday at 11:59pm.
- Final Project Reminder: Next week your final project (Policy Analysis Paper) is due. Make sure to review the prompt for this assignment (included above and in the module) and review all the instructor feedback you have received thus far.
Week 7: New Models for an Emerging Health Care System
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify new and innovative trends and models in health care systems that have the potential for improving health and health care.
- Discuss differences in state approaches and perceptions of responsibility.
Readings:
- Donald M. Berwick, Thomas W. Nolan and John Whittington, The Triple Aim: Care, Health, And Cost, Health Affairs, 27, no.3 (2008):759-769 Link:
http://search.ebscohost.com.une.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=31967836&site=ehost-live&scope=site - Arend J1, Tsang-Quinn J, Levine C, Thomas D., The patient-centered medical home: history, components, and review of the evidence. Mt Sinai J Med. 2012 Jul-Aug;79(4):433-50. doi: 10.1002/msj.2132 Link:
http://search.ebscohost.com.une.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=77656257&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Assignments:
- Forum Question 6: Federal health reforms (even the recent federal health reform) rely a great deal on state actions to implement. Identify a key emerging model and/or change in the health care delivery system and describe how it will improve cost, quality or health. Due for posting on Sunday at 11:59pm. Responses due by Wednesday, 11:59pm.
- Policy Analysis Paper: Review the assignment prompt above or in the module for a full description of the requirements and expectations. This assignment is due Wednesday, end of Week 7, by 11:59pm ET.
Week 8: Disparities, Ethics, Community Engagement and Public Policy
Learning Outcomes:
- Examine cultural context and ethical issues used in promoting healthy public policy
- Identify current and future trends as we move a culture of health agenda forward in the US
Readings:
- Knight EK, Shifting Public Health Practice to Advance Health Equity: Recommendations From Experts and Community Leaders J Public Health Management Practice, 2014, 20(2), 188–196 Link: http://ovidsp.ovid.com.une.idm.oclc.org/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&CSC=Y&NEWS=N&PAGE=fulltext&AN=00124784-201403000-00005&D=ovft&PDF=y
- ArtsEd Washington. “Advocacy Tip: Write a Letter.” Accessed at: http://artsedwashington.org/advocacy-tools/advocacy-tip-of-the-month-write-a-letter This resource includes two sample advocacy letters.
- Template: Kansas Library. “Advocacy Written Letter Template” Asscessed at: http://kslibassoc.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Advocacy-Written-Letter-Template.pdf
Assignments:
- Advocacy Letter: Review the assignment prompt above or in the module for a full description of the requirements and expectations. This assignment is due Sunday, end of Week 8, by 11:59pm ET.
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Public Health page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Public Health Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/public-health/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. The SASC also offers tutoring for GPH 712 Epidemiology, GPH 716 Biostatistics, GPH 717 Applied Epidemiology, GPH 718 Biostatistics II, and GPH 719 Research Methods. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:
Information Technology Services (ITS)
- ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
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The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
AMA Writing Style Statement
The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.
Online resources: AMA Style Guide
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Late Policy
Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.
Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.
Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.
Attendance Policy
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.