Syllabus
Graduate Programs in Public Health
GPH 702 Public Health Policy and Management – Fall 2015
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
The following competencies are linked to the coursework for this course and are based on the Core Competency model developed by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH):
- D.1. Identify the main components and issues of the organization, financing and delivery of health services and public health systems in the US.
- D.2. Describe the legal and ethical bases for public health and health services.
- D.4. Discuss the policy process for improving the health status of populations.
- D.7. Apply quality and performance improvement concepts to address organizational performance issues.
- D.9. Communicate health policy and management issues using appropriate channels and technologies.
- D.10. Demonstrate leadership skills for building partnerships.
- G.1. Describe the roles of, history, power, privilege and structural inequality in producing health disparities.
- H.1 Describe the attributes of leadership in public health.
- H.2 Describe alternative strategies for collaboration and partnership among organizations, focused on public health goals.
- J.3. Apply evidence-based principles and the scientific knowledge base to critical evaluation and decision-making in public health.
- J.8. Distinguish between population and individual ethical considerations in relation to the benefits, costs, and burdens of public health programs.
- L.2. Identify unintended consequences produced by changes made to a public health system.
- L.9. Analyze the effects of political, social and economic policies on public health systems at the local, state, national and international levels.
Course Learning Objectives:
- 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. Select a policy issue that will be reviewed and approved by your instructor and write a 2-3 page paper (not including your page for references) that states your position on the chosen policy.
Policy Paper. This assignment should be 5-7 pages in length (not including your page for references). Using multiple references, draw from the material in your position paper. The policy paper should expand on your work, not simply reuse the same content. Critical thinking is imperative for this assignment; do not feel constrained when offering alternatives and modifications to the policy.
Advocacy Letter. Prepare an advocacy letter on the issue chosen for your Position and Policy Papers. Consider who you would like to send the letter/correspondence to and why you chose this person. The final project 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.
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 to the written forum responses with an initial contribution and a response to a classmate. 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. Weeks, 3, 4, and 8 will not have Forum Questions to allow students to dedicate adequate time to other course assignments.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Position Paper | 20 points |
| Policy Paper | 40 points |
| Advocacy Letter | 20 points |
| Discussion Forum | 20 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: | Sept. 2 – Sept. 9 |
| Week 2: | Sept. 9 – Sept. 16 |
| Week 3: | Sept. 16 – Sept. 23 |
| Week 4: | Sept. 23 – Sept. 30 |
| Week 5: | Sept. 30 – Oct. 7 |
| Week 6: | Oct. 7 – Oct. 14 |
| Week 7: | Oct. 14 – Oct. 21 |
| Week 8: | Oct. 21 – Oct. 25 |
Weekly Schedule:
Week 1:
Overview: Law, Public Policy, Public Health and the American Health Care System
Learning Objectives:
- Define health policy and the role of law in promoting and protecting the public’s health.
- List types of policies.
- Discuss policy formation.
- Describe the U.S. Healthcare system.
- Discuss the Congressional Policy Process
Readings:
- IOM (Institute of Medicine). 2011. For the Public’s Health: Revitalizing Law and Policy to Meet New Challenges. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Available at: http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/For-the-Publics-Health-Revitalizing-Law-and-Policy-to-Meet- New-Challenges.aspx
- Ogden, LL, “How Federalism Shapes Public Health Financing, Policy, and Program Options “J Public Health Management Practice, 2012, 18(4), 317–322 Link: http://ovidsp.ovid.com.une.idm.oclc.org/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&CSC=Y&NEWS=N&PAG E=fulltext&AN=00124784-201207000-00006&D=ovft&PDF=y
- 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
Video:
- 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 the U.S. as an industrialized, democratic country? Please address this question from both individual (behavior) and societal perspectives. Due for posting on Sunday at 11:59pm. Responses due by Wednesday at 11:59pm.
Week 2:
Overview of the Health Care System and Federal Health Reform
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the drivers of Federal Health Reform
- Discuss how federal health reform impacts national, state and local health policy in this country (insurance coverage, access to care, organization of health delivery systems, prevention and management of chronic disease, health workforce, state Medicaid policy)
- Discuss the breadth and depth of Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Readings:
- Reid, T.R. The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care. Chapters 1, 2, 3, 12.
Read over next two weeks: - 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: http://kff.org/health-reform/fact-sheet/summary-of-new-health-reform-law
http://kff.org/health-reform/video/health-insurance-explained-youtoons/
Resource: please review for key concepts:
- Kaiser Family Foundation, Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and The Uninsured, MEDICAID: A PRIMER Key Information on the Nation’s Health Coverage Program for Low-Income People March 2013 Available at: http://kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/medicaid-a-primer/
Assignment:
Forum Question 2: Select a policy issue that you would like to explore over the next several weeks of this course. The issue should be something that is prominent enough in public health that you will be able to locate a clearly articulated policy on the issue as well as credible information, data and resources that explore the policy from both sides. Submit a brief description of the issue (a paragraph) and a link or summary of the related policy to the discussion board. Your instructor will review your topic, and provide feedback about its suitability to the other assignments in the course. Peer responses should provide additional perspective on the proposed issue, based on your own experience and understanding of the issue. If it is an issue that you are unfamiliar with, what more would you like to learn about it? Due on Sunday at 11:59 pm. Responses due by Wednesday at 11:59 pm.
Week 3:
Health Care Reform – Affordable Care Act- Part 2, Population Health and Other Components
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss differences in state approaches and perceptions of responsibility.
- Discuss Medicaid expansions under the ACA and prior expansions.
- Identify components of the ACA that provide preventive services, and support population health.
Readings:
- Finish Landmark book by Washington Post
- IOM (Institute of Medicine). 2014. Population health implications of the Affordable Care Act: Workshop summary. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. (free download available at: http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2013/Population-Health-Implications-of-the-Affordable-Care- Act.aspx
- James A. Hester, Commentary, Paying for Population Health: A View of the Opportunity and Challenges in Health Care Reform. Institute of Medicine, Roundtable on Population Health Improvement, Available at: http://www.iom.edu/Home/Global/Perspectives/2013/PayingForPopulationHealth.aspx
- Kemp CB. Public Health in the Age of Health Care Reform. Prev Chronic Dis 2012;9:120151. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd9.120151
- Kaiser Family Foundation, A Guide to the Supreme Court’s Affordable Care Act Decision, available at: http://kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/a-guide-to-the-supreme-courts-affordable/
- Kaiser Family Foundation, A Guide to the Supreme Court’s Decision on the ACA’s Medicaid Expansion, available at: http://kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/a-guide-to-the-supreme-courts- decision/
Assignment:
Position Paper due Wednesday, 11:59pm. (20 points)
Week 4:
Policy Processes: Legislation, Regulation, coalitions and advocacy, etc. (federal restrictions, etc.). The model of policy, systems and environmental change in public health.
Learning Objectives:
- 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:
Policy Paper: Detailed outline due by Wednesday, 11:59pm.
Week 5:
Health Policy for Promoting the Public Health and Health Protection… Food and Drug Safety, Environment, Fluoridation, Immunization, Tobacco, Obesity, etc.
Learning Objectives:
- 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 3: 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? Due for posting on Sunday at 11:59pm. Responses due by Wednesday, 11:59pm.
Week 6:
Health in All Policies
Learning Objective:
- Identify policy and health planning approaches to influencing the health impact and outcomes of all sectors via Health in All Policies approaches.
Readings:
- Scan & Review: 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 - Rudolph, L., J. Caplan, C. Mitchell, K. Ben-Moshe, and L. Dillon. 2013. Health in All Policies: Improving Health Through Intersectoral Collaboration. Discussion Paper, Institute of Medicine, Washington, DC. http://iom.edu/Global/Perspectives/2013/HealthInAllPolicies
- Health in All Policies: A Guide for State and Local Governments, to download, visit one of these websites:
Assignment:
Forum Question 4: 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.
Week 7
New Models for an Emerging Health Care System- Quality, New Opportunities Triple Aim and Applicability to Public Health.. PCMH, ACOs etc.
Learning Objective:
- Identify new and innovative trends and models in health care systems that have the potential for improving health and health care.
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 5: 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.
Final Policy Paper due by Wednesday, 11:59 pm.
Week 8
Issues: Disparities, Ethics, Community Engagement and Public Policy
Learning Objectives:
- Understand cultural context and ethical issues 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
Assignments:
Advocacy Letter due Friday, 11:59 pm
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
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
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.