w&j graduate & continuing studies catalog · associate dean of graduate studies &...
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W&J Graduate & Continuing Studies Catalog
20162017 Academic Year
This online catalog represents the most accurate information on the Graduate & Continuing
Studies Program at Washington & Jefferson College available at the time of posting. The
College reserves the right to make alterations in its programs, regulations, fees and other
policies as warranted.
Requests for information should be directed to the following Office:
Graduate & Continuing Studies
Washington & Jefferson College
60 South Lincoln Street
Washington, Pennsylvania 15301
For questions, call: 7242236170
Point of Contact
Dr. Michael R. Shaughnessy
Associate Dean of Graduate Studies & International Programs
www.washjeff.edu/gcs/
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About W&J
Washington & Jefferson College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher
Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, 2672845000. The Middle
States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by
the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Washington & Jefferson College (W&J) is committed to increasing diversity in our community
and actively pursues individuals from all backgrounds. Additionally, W&J complies with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and provides equal opportunity in all educational
programs and activities, admission of students and conditions of employment for all qualified
individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or
national origin. For more information about W&J’s Title IX compliance, please visit Title IX
Compliance at W&J.
W&J Mission Statement
The College's mission is to graduate people of uncommon integrity, competence, and
maturity who are effective lifelong learners and responsible citizens, and who are prepared to
contribute substantially to the world in which they live. To this end, the College promotes the
development of skills, knowledge, personal qualities, and a worldview that characterize a
welleducated person.
All components of the living and learning environment at W&J are designed and intended to
support this mission. This catalog and the Student Handbook describe the expectations of
W&J students and resources available to support their development.
Graduate & Continuing Studies Mission Statement
The Office of Graduate & Continuing Studies’ mission is to graduate students who
engage in innovative research and praxis, master current developments and
technologies in their fields, and embody the commitment to sophisticated critical
thinking, intellectual curiosity and responsible citizenship that marks a liberal arts
education.
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Student Outcomes
W&J students, faculty, and staff are liberated by our experiences at the College. We
understand that our values as a community of learners are a shared responsibility,
strengthened through practice across the full range of our activities. In the classroom, on the
athletic field, in clubs and professional activities, in the residence halls, we are committed to
connecting formal learning experiences to our everyday engagements with the world. We
ground this commitment in the language we use to express our principles and aspirations:
W&J graduates demonstrate intellectual curiosity, grounded in interdisciplinary thinking;
lifelong learning; connecting natural and social sciences, arts, humanities, to make meaning
from experiences in the world
“we explore beyond boundaries”
informed analysis and decision making; finding, evaluating, using information appropriately;
effective reasoning; independence of thought; depth of knowledge; innovation
“we think carefully”
integrity; ethical reasoning; accepting responsibility; taking failure as opportunity; courage to
lead; teamwork; empathy
“we teach the whole student”
and individual agency; initiative; selfawareness; motivation; selfdirection; taking
responsibility for physical and emotional health
“we own our experiences”
the ability to communicate ideas; quantitative reasoning; oral and written communication;
critical and creative thinking; adaptability; textual, visual, and artistic literacies; information
technologies; the study of languages
“we practice the liberal arts”
and a commitment to local and national communities, juncta juvant; respectful of diversity;
spirit of service; responsibility; knowledge of community expectations; political and social
engagement; environmental conscience; civility in discourse
“we give back”
paired with responsible global citizenship. understanding difference and commonality, at
home and abroad; seeing one’s place in the larger world; able to practice everyday diplomacy
“we engage with the world”
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Summary of Degree Requirements
Master’s Degree: A course of study, typically 8–10 courses beyond the undergraduate degree, with a prerequisite that students pursuing this degree have completed a bachelor’s degree
from an accredited institution.
A Master's degree represents a rigorous exploration of a field of study covering the
foundations of the field, relevant history, and current developments. Similar in course load to
an undergraduate major, a master's degree involves a greater degree of rigor and equips
students to actively contribute to the broader body of knowledge or content of their
discipline. In addition to any traditional coursework, the ability for independent thinking and
substantive contribution to the field will be exhibited through one or more culminating
experiences, such as a final project, internship, exam, thesis, portfolio, or performance.
Certificate Degree: A course of study, typically 3–5 courses beyond the undergraduate degree, with a prerequisite that students enrolling in these programs have completed a
bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
A postgraduate certificate represents a targeted or specialized course of study beyond the
bachelor’s degree, generally focused on specific professional training or recent developments,
techniques, or tools in a field of study. A certificate is usually more limited in scope or depth
than a Master’s degree.
Additional Courses of Study
Nondegree Continuing Studies:
May be any number of courses not associated with a degree program. These courses may be
credit or noncredit courses; courses for credit may be for bachelor level credit or graduate
level credit. Courses may have a prerequisite of a completed bachelor’s degree. Courses may
not be used to satisfy any course requirement for any bachelorlevel or graduatelevel course
of study at W&J.
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How Courses are Counted
Typically, creditbearing courses offering in the graduate & continuing studies program are
4credit courses unless otherwise noted.
Catalog of Entry
The catalog in effect when the student first completes coursework in a specific course of
study in Graduate & Continuing Studies becomes the student's catalog of entry. The catalog
of entry defines the program requirements and is in effect for the next five years from the
point of entry.
Changes in requirements that are made necessary by altered or discontinued courses or by
requirements imposed by external accrediting or certification agencies will be resolved on an
individual basis by the Dean of Graduate & Continuing studies. Whenever possible, new
requirements are implemented with a beginning class.
Statement of Responsibility
It is the responsibility of each student to know the requirements of the course of study and to
meet all requirements satisfactorily for program completion. Students have the assistance of
W&J personnel who will help them understand these requirements. The Office Graduate &
Continuing Studies and the Registrar are the first resources each student should turn to when
questions arise.
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Library Services
U. Grant Miller Library
The Library is a great place to study, but it has a lot more than peace and quiet to offer. The
Library welcomes socializing and collaborating among faculty and students. The Library
supports uptodate technology and allows remote access for students not on campus..
The Library staff is happy to assist you with all your information needs. From selecting a topic
and starting your research to helping you sort through the hundreds of thousands of print and
electronic resources available inhouse and online, the U. Grant Miller Library staff is there.
They offer an online information literacy module and all students benefit from the
individualized attention of facetoface reference assistance each evening. Database or
subject focused help guides are also available.
Library hours are affected by Holidays and Term Breaks. See their Website for details
www.washjeff.edu/library .
Regular hours (not during the summer terms) are as follows:
Monday Thursday 8:00am to 2:00am
Friday 8:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday 9:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday 11:00am to 2:00am
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Academic Regulations
College Calendar
Courses of study administered by the Office of Graduate & Continuing Studies have
individually determined term dates and lengths. Consult each program directly for details.
Academic Status
FullTime and PartTime Status
A student attains fulltime status by being enrolled in a minimum of 8 CREDIT HOURS during
an 8week term, or two courses during summer session, except under conditions to be determined by the Office Graduate & Continuing Studies.
Students enrolled in fewer than 8 CREDIT HOURS are considered parttime. Parttime
students do not have access to the full range of College resources.
Students enrolled in non credit bearing or special programs may receive designation as “full
time participants” and be eligible for full access to college resources.
Special Status
Students who wish to take one or more courses at the College, but who are not seeking a
degree, may apply as special students.
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Registering for Classes
Course registration is typically conducted in conjunction with the individual program director.
Consult the program director for details on the particulars of course registration in your area.
Changes to a Schedule (AddDrop)
The add/drop period is determined based on the individual program term length. Consult the
academic calendar for individual programs for specific dates.
Course changes made before this add/drop deadline do not appear as course registrations,
and no record of the transaction will appear on the student's transcript. After the add/drop
period ends, a student may withdraw from one or more courses, but may not add a course.
Withdrawing from a course after the add/drop period and before the last day of course
withdrawals will result in a designation of that withdrawal on the student's transcript (in the
form of a W).
Add/drop transactions can be processed as follows: Students wishing to add or drop courses
must email the program director who will process the add / drop. If the program director is
unavailable, students should consult with the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Course Auditing
Auditing of a course, for no credit, is permitted upon the payment of tuition incurred and the
written consent of the program director. Permission must be obtained from the program
director by the end of the add/drop period as described in the Changes to a Schedule
(Add/Drop) section.
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Class Attendance
Students are expected to attend all scheduled meetings, lectures, discussions, diagnostic
exercises, and laboratory periods that constitute the course in which they are enrolled.
Absences which, in the opinion of the professor, are damaging to a student's academic work
will be reported to the Office Graduate & Continuing Studies. Continued absence may result
in the dismissal of a student from the course with a grade of F.
Students will be disenrolled from any courses they are registered for at the start of the
semester but fail to attend at least once before the end of the add/drop period.
In all cases of absence, it is the student's responsibility to notify his or her course instructors
of the situation, either directly or through the Graduate & Continuing Studies Office. Students
may be asked to provide documentation supporting the reason for their absence, and should
be aware that faculty attendance policies remain in effect even in cases of illness.
Student Learning Outcomes, Examinations, and Assignments
At the beginning of each term, instructors will distribute a course syllabus that indicates the
student learning outcomes for that course. Assignments & Examinations in the course will be
connected to these student learning outcomes. Assignments may include announced and
unannounced quizzes, examinations, papers, and oral presentations.
Attendance at all scheduled and announced examinations is required. Unauthorized absence
from an examination may result in a grade of F on the examination. Students who must, for
whatever reason, be absent from a test or presentation may be required by the instructor to
obtain an excuse in writing from the Office Graduate & Continuing Studies.
Withdrawing from a Course
After the add/drop period, students may officially withdraw from a course until midterm.
Note that the class attendance policy is in effect until the student officially withdraws from
the course. Students will be given the grade of W (withdrawal). Courses for which a student
has received a grade of W do not count as completed courses, nor are these grades
considered in determining a student's grade point average. If a student withdraws from a
course that he or she is repeating (See Repeat of a Course), the original course grade will
continue to be applied. Students may not withdraw from a course to avoid the penalties of a
case of academic misconduct.
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Repeating / Successfully Completing a Course
Any course successfully completed at W&J may be repeated once.
Successful completion implies a C or better for all courses required for a degree and a D or
better for all other courses. The original course (and grade) and the repeat of the course (and
grade) will appear on the student’s transcript; however, only the second course (and grade)
are counted towards graduation requirements and the grade point average. If a student
withdraws from a course that he or she is repeating (See Withdrawing from a Course), the
original course grade will continue to be applied. Courses successfully completed at W&J
cannot subsequently be repeated at other institutions under this policy.
Financial Aid may not be available to cover the cost of repeated courses. Consult the Office of
Financial Aid for more information.
Obtaining Course Credit from Other Colleges
Individual Courses of Study in the Graduate & Continuing Studies program determine the
course transfer limit limit. Consult individual programs for the limit of course transferability
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Grading System
At the close of a session or upon completion of a class, the instructor reports a final grade
indicating the quality of the student's work in the class. Grade reports are available after the
close of each session. Official copies of grade reports and transcripts are available to you
through the registrar. Gradepoint values are assigned for each credit according to the
grading system below.
LETTER GRADE POINT VALUE
A 4.00
A 3.67
B+ 3.33
B 3.00
B 2.67
C+ 2.33
C 2.00
C 1.67
D+ 1.33
D 1.00
D .67
F 0.00 (No Credit Earned)
W, course
withdrawal
No credit
AU, Audit No credit
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The basis for determining the student's overall scholastic standing is the grade point average.
This average is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total
number of courses attempted. For example, if the student earns a C (2.00) in each of two full
courses, and a B (3.00) in each of two halfcourses, first multiply the course units by the point
value of the grade (grade of 2.00 X 1 course = 2.00 grade points and grade of 3.00 X ½ course
= 1.5 grade points) and add the grade point values for each course together to find the total
number of grade points (2+2+1.5+1.5=7). Then add the course units together to find the
courses attempted (1+1+½ +½=3). Finally, divide the grade points by the courses attempted to
find the grade point average (7 / 3 = 2.33, or C+ average). The grade point average is figured
only on hours attempted courses in which you receive letter grade (A through F).
Incomplete Grades and Grade Changes
Failure to satisfy minimum course requirements shall result in a grade of F, unless the Office
Graduate & Continuing Studies approves a student's request with the program director for an
incomplete grade change. Generally, the granting of Incompletes is limited to students with
family or medical emergencies that prevent them from completing a final paper or project or
taking a final exam. They are not granted to students who are struggling in a course and want
a little more time to complete their assignments. The grade earned at the time of the request
shall be recorded, and only changed if the work is successfully completed by the first quarter
of the following term.
Student Grade Grievances
Any student wishing to dispute a final course grade should first contact the course instructor
to resolve the grievance. It is the student's responsibility to review grades and initiate any
grievance process as soon as final course grades are posted. If the grievance remains
unresolved after discussion with the course instructor, the student may submit a written
appeal to the Office Graduate & Continuing Studies. This appeal must be submitted no later
than the end of the first week of the succeeding session. For grievances during summer, the
appeal deadline is extended to the first week of the fall semester.
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Academic Honesty Policy
The Principle of Academic Honesty
Violations of Academic Honesty (Academic Misconduct)
Procedures for Cases of Academic Misconduct
The Principle of Academic Honesty
Washington & Jefferson College is a community dedicated to the intellectual and personal
development of its students. Such development may be achieved in many ways, including
creating original works of writing, art, and music; conducting research; engaging in
discussions; taking examinations; and participation in cocurricular activities. Central to such
developmental activities is that whatever a student represents as being the fruit of his or her
own intellectual labor is indeed his or her own. Otherwise the student will not only have
acted dishonestly, but will also have wasted the developmental opportunities afforded by the
College.
W&J upholds academic honesty in the College community by pursuing cases of academic
misconduct. When such academic misconduct is discovered, the College will ensure through
the imposition of appropriate penalties that the student does not gain unfair advantage
through his or her dishonesty, and will help the student address the concerns that led to the
offense. If the nature of the intellectual dishonesty is determined to be conscious, calculated
and/or intentional, or if academic misconduct occurs, the student may be judged to be
incapable of benefiting to a satisfactory degree from the developmental opportunities
afforded by the College, and may then be permanently dismissed so that the College's
resources may be directed to deserving students.
Violations of Academic Honesty (Academic Misconduct)
The Washington & Jefferson College community requires its students to create and submit
their own work in every setting at the College, including classes, laboratories, and
cocurricular endeavors. A violation of this principle constitutes academic misconduct.
Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to:
Plagiarism, which is representing the fruits of another's intellectual labor as one's own,
whether this is done with the intention to deceive or is the result of incompetence. Examples
include using someone else's ideas, research results, sentence structure, or phrasing without
properly crediting the author, thus leading the reader to assume that they are the student's
own creation. Note that quotation marks, in addition to appropriate citation, must always be
used to signal the borrowing of another person's exact language.
Fabricating material and representing it as genuine. This includes falsifying research
results for a laboratory report or falsifying information for a written essay.
Misrepresenting one's contributions to a group project. Examples include having one's
name on a project to which one did not contribute in a meaningful manner, or providing
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grossly inaccurate assessment of one's own or a teammate's contributions.
Submitting papers or other academic work in two different classes or other academic
setting without full knowledge of the instructors involved and written permission from both
instructors. When an assignment asks for original work, the presumption is that the work has
not been submitted in a different class or another academic setting.
Knowingly giving or receiving unauthorized aid on a piece of academic work (including
tests, papers, research, artwork, etc.). For example, a person knowingly giving answers to
another person during a test is as guilty of academic misconduct as the person receiving the
answers.
Misconduct in a testing situation, including copying answers from another student's
test, using electronic devices or other unauthorized sources of information during a test, or
illicitly collaborating on tests taken outside of the classroom.
Students are responsible for adhering to academic honesty policies specific to each of their
classes. Such policies are in addition to the College's general policy, and are communicated by
the instructor.
Procedures for Cases of Academic Misconduct
If a course instructor suspects that a student has committed plagiarism or another form of
academic misconduct, the instructor must first notify the student or students involved. If the
academic misconduct has taken place outside of a classroom setting, the supervising person
responsible should contact the Office Graduate & Continuing Studies for advice on how to
proceed.
If a course instructor believes that the case of academic misconduct is minor (for example,
the student may simply have misunderstood how to cite a source), the instructor is not
required to impose a specific penalty on the student, and the case need not be reported to
the Office Graduate & Continuing Studies.
If a course instructor believes that the student is guilty of intentional or major academic
misconduct, the instructor may give the student an "F" for the course, or impose other
penalties consistent with the instructor's academic honesty policy. The instructor must send
written documentation of the violation and the penalty to the student and to the Program
Director, who will keep a record of the offense. The Program Director will send a letter to the
student and to the faculty member indicating that a charge of academic misconduct has been
received, affirming the penalty imposed by the faculty member, and informing the student of
the appeal process. If the Program Director has a record of previous academic misconduct, or
if a single infraction is judged to be sufficiently serious, the Program Director may impose an
additional penalty, up to and including dismissal from the Program. The letter to the student
will include a description of this additional penalty and a rationale for imposing that penalty.
A student contesting the decision of the faculty member or the Program Director has the right
to appeal in writing to the Dean of Graduate & Continuing Studies within 10 business days of
the date of the letter from the Program Director. Students who intend to appeal a charge of
academic misconduct should notify their instructor of that intent in writing; such students
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have the right to continue to attend class until the appeal process has concluded. The Dean of
Graduate & Continuing Studies will review the student's appeal, and if needed, contact the
student, faculty member, the Program Director, and any other parties that may be involved,
for further information. The decision of the Dean of Graduate & Continuing Studies will be
sent in written form to the Program Director, to the student, and to the faculty member,
along with a final decision on the matter.
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Leaving the College
Voluntary Leave or Withdrawal and Return to School
In order to withdraw from the College or pursue a temporary leave of absence, students must
file an official written statement of leave/withdrawal with the Office of Graduate &
Continuing Studies.
Sunset Policy
Students are expected to complete their degree requirements within ten years of
matriculation at W&J.
Refund Policy
The amount of refund is dependent on the date of withdrawal.
● Before Final Registration (Up to ten days before classes begin): Full refund (including
any deposit)
● After final registration & before classes begin: Full refund, less $250 course
registration fee.
● During Drop/Add period: 90% refund, less $250 course registration fee (No
room/board refunds)
● After Drop / Add but before the first third of classes: 50% refund, less $250 course
registration fee (No room/board refunds)
● After first third of classes* and before Midterm 25% refund, less $250 course
registration deposit.
● After midterm*: No refunds
* For Applied Healthcare Economics, no refunds can be granted after the first onsite
intensive week
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Admission
Washington & Jefferson College is a member of the National Association of College Admission
Counselors and abides by its Statement of Admission Practices and Procedures. The College
admits students regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability,
national origin, or any other legally protected status.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements vary according to the individual course of study requirements. Part
time admission for non degree students may be granted through the Office of Graduate &
Continuing Studies.
Application Procedures
Application materials are available online through the Office of AGraduate & Continuing
Studies at www.washjeff.edu/gcs
Interviews and Campus Visits
The Office of Graduate & Continuing Studies strongly recommends that prospective students
visit W&J and take the time to get to know the students, faculty, and administrators, as well
as the campus facilities.
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Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students are expected to maintain a certain level of academic progress that will enable them
to successfully complete the requirements in a timely manner. Students who are not meeting
academic standards will be notified in writing. Students may be warned, placed on probation,
continued on probation, or dismissed from the College.
The Office of Financial Aid is required to monitor academic progress in regard to financial aid
eligibility. The Federal Higher Education Amendments mandate that institutions of higher
education establish and enforce standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress. This helps to
ensure that students are moving toward successfully completing the program of study for
which they are receiving financial aid in a timely manner. Washington & Jefferson College
applies these standards to all institutionally awarded funds and all Federal Title IV programs
(including all grants and loans). Some lenders require satisfactory academic progress for
private loans as well.
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Financial Aid for Graduate Programs The availability of financial aid and the type of aid available will vary by program. This is because federal regulations specify criteria that educational programs must meet in order for enrolled students to receive financial assistance to pay for their educational costs. Each graduate program at W&J will be evaluated individually to determine program eligibility for aid and subsequently, the types of aid available. Financial aid availability will be listed on the individual program’s website after the evaluation of the program has been completed. Application Procedures All students wanting to be considered for financial aid must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.gov. All financial aid awards are processed for a oneyear period. Changes in a student's situation with respect to any of the criteria used for awarding financial aid may result in an increase, decrease, or withdrawal of aid. Students selected for the verification review must complete this process before financial aid will be awarded. Students interested in applying for financial aid for the summer term should also complete a Summer Student Aid Request Form in addition to filing the FAFSA. Sources of Financial Aid Financial assistance is available in the form of loans and outside scholarships. Federal and private funds are the basic sources of this financial assistance. Funding can be used to cover the direct costs (tuition and fees) and/or indirect costs (living expenses, travel, books, etc.) of program attendance. The federal government provides assistance through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, which includes the Federal Direct Loan and the Direct PLUS Loan. For all federal programs, the Title IV academic year spans a minimum of 30 weeks. Financial assistance through federal programs is administered in accordance with government regulations and availability of funds. Changes in federal regulations or funding levels may result in a change to a student's financial aid package. Additional information on the federal financial aid programs is available by contacting the Office of Financial Aid, or visiting www.studentaid.ed.gov Private education loans are available from lending institutions. Since the loan is borrowed directly through a bank, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or have a U.S. citizen as a cosigner. Loan approval and interest rates are based on the applicant and/or cosigner’s credit history.
Students should also investigate private grants or scholarships that they may be eligible to receive, specifically from their employers or foundations. The Office of Financial Aid must be notified of any outside assistance received. Please refer to the financial aid section on the College’s website for additional information.
Washington & Jefferson College – Office of Financial Aid Verification Policy for Graduate Students
GENERAL INFORMATION
Any student who files a FAFSA may be chosen for a verification review. This process is
required by federal regulation and the College is mandated by this regulation to adhere to the
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procedures explained below.
The verification process entails the review of tax documents and household information to
ensure the accuracy of the FAFSA application. The selection of an application for verification
does not mean that the College believes that a student’s information is incorrect. Some
applications are selected for review on a random sample basis. Some are selected upon a set
of common edits developed by the U.S. Department of Education which check data for
consistency and logic. Others are checked against prior year applications that students have
submitted.
For graduate students selected for verification, financial aid award letters will not be
processed until the review process is complete. Lack of payment to the Business Office by
their required deadlines can result in late fees and loss of permission to register for upcoming
semesters.
NOTIFICATION OF SELECTION
Students selected for verification review will be notified via mail at their home address
beginning in April for the upcoming academic year. A student may be selected during the
academic year as well. Letters sent will indicate the documents required and students are
given three weeks to submit the information. Three reminder letters will be sent via mail four
weeks apart. After the fourth and final notification letter, the Office of Financial Aid will not
communicate with students again about this process.
DOCUMENTATION NEEDED TO COMPLETE VERIFICATION
1. Federal tax return transcript for the student and his/her spouse. Transcripts can be
obtained by calling the IRS at 18009089946 or requesting online at www.irs.gov. Instead of a tax transcript, students can also submit a correction to the FAFSA at
www.fafsa.gov using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. This will confirm/update the income
information originally submitted on the FAFSA and is acceptable documentation for
verification ONLY IF THE INFORMATION RETRIEVED IS NOT CHANGED BY THE FAMILY.
2. Copies of all W2s. This is required regardless of whether or not the IRS Data Retrieval
Tool is used.
3. Full completion of an Independent Supplement Form, which can be found in the
Forms section of the Office of Financial Aid’s website. A worksheet will also be sent
via mail with the notification letter. Be sure to follow all instructions on the form and
make sure all signatures are present. This form is required regardless of whether or
not the IRS Data Retrieval Tool is used.
4. Additional documentation may be requested at the discretion of the Financial Aid
Director. For example, students who own a business will have to complete a Business
Value Verification Form and students who receive Social Security Income will need to
submit a 1099.
NONCOMPLIANCE
If the required documentation is not submitted, the following may occur:
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1. No financial aid will be processed for the semester or academic year.
2. The financial aid application material may be forwarded to the U.S. Department of
Education for their review.
TIME PERIOD
Following is the length of time you have to provide the requested documentation to the
Office of Financial Aid:
Federal Direct Loan:
Verification must be complete before the Office of Financial Aid will originate a Direct loan
and the origination must be processed prior to students’ last date of enrollment.
Federal Work Study:
Students who are eligible to work on campus through the work study program will not be
allowed to work until the verification process is complete and eligibility for this program is
confirmed.
CORRECTION INFORMATION
When possible, the Financial Aid Office will make electronic corrections to students’ FAFSA
applications. These corrections will generate an updated Student Aid Report sent via paper or
electronic means. The estimated family contribution may change based on the corrections
made.
COMPLETION OF THE VERIFICATION PROCESS
When the verification process is complete, students will immediately receive:
1. A letter confirming that the verification review is finished.
2. An initial financial aid award letter will be processed and mailed.
REFERRALS
If it is determined that a student has received funds which they were not eligible to receive,
the student must repay the amount. If a repayment is not made, the overpayment must be
referred to the U.S. Department of Education. No further applications for financial aid will be
processed by the U.S. Department of Education or W&J’s Office of Financial Aid.
Washington & Jefferson College Return of Title IV Funds Policy
The Financial Aid Office is required by federal statute to recalculate federal financial aid
eligibility for students who withdraw, drop out, are dismissed, or take a leave of absence prior
to completing 60% of a payment period or term. The federal Title IV financial aid programs
must be recalculated in these situations.
If a student leaves the institution prior to completing 60% of a payment period or term, the
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financial aid office recalculates eligibility for Title IV funds. Recalculation is based on the
percentage of earned aid using the following Federal Return of Title IV funds formula:
Percentage of payment period or term completed = the number of days completed up to the
withdrawal date divided by the total days in the payment period or term. (Any break of five
days or more is not counted as part of the days in the term.) This percentage is also the
percentage of earned aid.
Funds are returned to the appropriate federal program based on the percentage of unearned
aid using the following formula:
Aid to be returned = (100% of the aid that could be disbursed minus the percentage of earned
aid) multiplied by the total amount of aid that could have been disbursed during the payment
period or term.
If a student earned less aid than was disbursed, the institution would be required to return a
portion of the funds and the student would be required to return a portion of the funds. Keep
in mind that when Title IV funds are returned, the student borrower may owe a debit balance
to the institution.
If a student earned more aid than was disbursed to him/her, the institution would owe the
student a postwithdrawal disbursement which must be paid within 120 days of the student's
withdrawal.
The institution must return the amount of Title IV funds for which it is responsible no later
than 45 days after the date of the determination of the date of the student’s withdrawal.
Refunds are allocated in the following order:
· Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans
· Subsidized Federal Direct Loans
· Federal Perkins Loans
· Federal (PLUS) Loans
· Federal Pell Grants for which a Return of funds is required
· Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants for which a Return of funds is required
· Other assistance under this Title for which a Return of funds is required (e.g., LEAP)
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Courses of Study
Professional Writing
The Graduate Program in Professional Writing at Washington & Jefferson College is a
classroombased course of study that trains individuals as communication specialists and
information managers and prepares them for flexible careers in the workplace. Students who
complete the certificate or master’s degree will gain skills in writing, editing, research, layout
and design, as well as learn how to prepare professional documents and presentations for
different audiences and purposes. The program is open to students who possess an
undergraduate degree in any field of study.
Graduate Certificate
This fivecourse certificate gives students a solid grounding in professional writing, research
and editing relevant to any field. Students will take two required courses, then choose three
electives. This certificate would be appropriate for individuals looking to be promoted, change
careers or to increase their existing skill set. Students who complete the certificate may then
use those courses to complete the master’s degree.
Master’s Degree
This tencourse degree gives students knowledge and experience across several fields in
professional writing, as well as indepth experience researching, editing and designing.
Students will take two required courses, then choose eight electives from two categories.
Students will also be required to complete a professional writing project.
Academic Regulations
Students applying for admission to the Graduate Program in Professional Writing must
possess a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution with a minimum overall
GPA of 2.5. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each course applied toward the
certificate or master’s degree. With regard to all other academic regulations, the policies of
Washington & Jefferson College will be observed.
Assessment
Student performance will be assessed by exams, presentations and professional documents
and projects.
Upon completion of the certificate or master’s degree, students will be able to:
● Identify target audiences and write to that audience
● Write in multiple genres (reports, brochures, proposals, oral presentations) and write
for multiple platforms (print, web, social media)
● Manage and use social media in a professional context
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● Conduct research in both print and electronic sources
● Understand professional ethics and best practices in the field
● Write grammatically and mechanically correct English
● Incorporate visual design to deliver a message
In addition, the master’s degree will enable students to:
● Enhance their rhetorical and technical skills
● Write in one or more specialized professional writing fields
● Edit and critique other writers
● Manage writing projects
Required Courses
Students pursuing either the certificate or the master’s must take the following two courses.
Writing and Grammar (PRWR 601) helps students perfect their writing and grammar.
Students learn to craft prose that is clear, concise and correct, and to apply their knowledge
to a variety of professional writing situations. Students will learn how to perfect their
onthejob writing, in projects such as recommendation reports, proposal, employee and
project evaluations, etc.
Research Methods (PRWR 605) teaches students how to conduct research using both print
and electronic sources, as well as how to evaluate that research and integrate it effectively
into their work. Students will learn how to thoroughly investigate a problem or question, how
to effectively formulate a solution or answer, and how to present their findings through
writing and speaking.
General Elective Courses
Students pursuing either the certificate or master’s must take at least two of the following
courses.
Knowing Your Audience (PRWR 611) teaches students to conduct intensive audience analyses
and to craft their work accordingly. Students receive a solid grounding in the theory of
audience analysis and practice evaluating and writing to realworld audiences.
Ethics and Professionalism (PRWR 612) introduces students to the ethical issues related to
professional writing, including issues of mass media law. Students also learn the professional
expectations required of writing professionals.
Layout and Design (PRWR 613) teaches students the basics of print and online layout and
design. Students gain experience in using software programs such as InDesign, Photoshop and
DreamWeaver.
Social Media (PRWR 614) introduces students to the features of various forms of social media,
including Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and Pinterest. Students learn how to mine them for
news and contact information, as well as how to create effective content, use
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management/scheduling tools, develop a consistent voice across various platforms, measure
impact and connections through analytics, and avoid controversy.
Proposal Writing (PRWR 615) introduces students to the theory and practice of writing
solicited and unsolicited proposals. Students learn to locate opportunities, conduct
appropriate research, organize their documents and format and present their works. Students
also learn a variety of persuasive techniques relevant to proposal writing.
Collaboration and Project Management (PRWR 616) introduces students to the logistics of
writing collaborative documents and managing workflows for projects. Students learn how to
work with other writers, maintain version control and use electronic document and project
management systems such as Microsoft Project, Huddle, Basecamp, Google Docs, and
Dropbox.
Specialized Elective Courses
Students pursuing the certificate may take one of the following courses. Students pursuing
the master’s may take six.
Advertising and Marketing (PRWR 621) introduces students to the fields of advertising and
marketing. Students learn about advertising and marketing strategy, research, design and
implementation, as well as issues such as branding and globalization. Students also examine
legal and ethical issues that impact advertising and marketing.
Visual Communication (PRWR 622) introduces students to the field of visual rhetoric.
Students learn to analyze and interpret images, to locate images available for public use, to
create their own images, and to successfully integrate images into professional documents.
Students also learn about the legal issues governing visual communication (such as copyright).
Web Design (PRWR 623) teaches students to build and edit websites and widgets using basic
HTML web coding. Students also learn to write specifically for online publications, as well as
to design for portable devices such as cell phones and to convert a web design for portable
devices.
Writing for the Health Professions (PRWR 624) introduces students to professional writing in
the various health professions. Students learn how to communicate clearly in a variety of
settings and for multiple audiences, including the public, patients, caregivers and other
healthcare professionals.
Writing for Small Businesses (PRWR 625) introduces students to writing for small business,
including creating a business plan, developing a marketing strategy and writing grant
proposals for small businesses. Students also learn effective strategies for communicating
with employees, clients, potential clients and governmental agencies.
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Post baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting
The Certificate in Professional Accounting is designed to assist students in preparing for the
CPA exam, developing analytical thinking skills and developing professional communication
skills, both oral and written.
The program is open to students who have an undergraduate degree with a major or its
equivalent in accounting. Credits earned through this course of study (up to 16 semester
hours) may be used by students to help satisfy the 150 hour education requirement necessary
to obtain a license as a certified public accountant (CPA).
Requirements
In order to earn a certificate, students in this course of study will complete four
courses:
● Advanced Problems and Cases in Financial Accounting and Reporting (PACC 601): A
study of generally accepted accounting principles for both business and nonbusiness
entities using the context of advanced problems and cases.
● Advanced Problems and Cases in Auditing and Attestation Services (PACC 602): A
study of auditing and attestation services using the context of advanced problems and
cases.
● Advanced Problems and Cases in Taxation and Business Regulation (PACC 603): A
study of federal tax law and other laws regulating business entities using the context
of advanced problems and cases.
● Advanced Problems and Cases in Financial Management and Administration (PACC
604): A study of financial management and related administrative functions of
business entities using the context of advanced problems and cases.
Students will be required to purchase the Surgent CPA Review course and complete, primarily
outside of class, the modules of the course (videos, text, multiple choice questions and
simulation questions) applicable to the program course. The actual “review” of the topical
content will be substantially accomplished through this outofclass completion of the CPA
review course material and will include the students completing online tests for each topic.
Thus, the student’s advance preparation for each class will be substantial.
The classroom sessions will not consist of instructor lectures, but rather, instructor responses
to specific questions arising from the CPA review course, advanced problems and cases
completed in class either individually or in groups, and student presentations of these
advanced problems and cases. Additionally, students will also be required to complete
professional writing assignments regarding the application of accounting and auditing
standards to specific situations.
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Student Learning Outcomes
Student performance will be assessed by exams, presentations and papers. Students who
successfully complete this course of study will:
● Strengthen their understanding of generally accepted accounting principles for both
business and non‐business entities ● Strengthen their understanding of generally accepted auditing standards
● Strengthen their understanding of theory and practice of financial management and
related areas of organizational administration
● Strengthen their understanding of both federal taxation of business entities and laws
regulating business activity
● Gain additional experience in researching authoritative accounting and auditing
standards in the context of specific advanced problems and cases
● Gain additional experience in professional writing
● Gain additional experience in professional presentation
● Develop analytic thinking skills
Admission Requirement and Academic Regulations
Students applying for admission to the Certificate in Professional Accounting course
of study must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least 24
semester hours in accounting and a GPA of at least 2.8, both overall and in accounting
courses. No courses may be transferred to satisfy course of study requirements. To receive a
certificate, students must complete all of the four courses offered by the course of study with
grade of at least a “C” in each course. With regard to all other academic regulations, the
policies of Washington & Jefferson College will be observed.
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Masters in Applied Health Care Economics & Outcomes Management
The master’s degree in Applied Health Care Economics and Outcomes Management (AHCE) at
Washington & Jefferson College is designed to provide midcareer health care professionals
with the essential economic skills, knowledge of multidisciplinary health services and
understanding of data analysis necessary to advance their careers.
Students will learn valuable skills from expert faculty with substantial practical experience.
Topics of study include population health outcomes management, health
technology/costeffectiveness assessment, health care financing and behavioral economics,
”Big Data”, ACO’s and Provider Risk Contracts, pharmaceutical drug utilization, and reducing
“highrisk” consumer health behavior.
The AHCE is a blended learning program. Students will complete four weeklong residential
teaching modules over 20 months, supplemented by online learning. The program is designed
to accommodate students' fulltime employment.
At W&J, we have a long record of success in the health professions including the following
alumni: Tom Priselac, president and CEO of the CedarsSinai Health System; Dick Clark, former
CEO and chairman of Merck Pharmaceuticals; Dr. Dennis Slamon, director of
clinical/translational research and director of the Revlon/UCLA Women's Cancer Research
Program at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA; Lyn Dyster, cofounder and
former senior vice president of operations at Kinex Pharmaceutics; Keith Ghezzi, managing
director with Alvarez & Marsal Healthcare Industry Group; and Pete Mooney, managing
director for global life sciences and healthcare industry group of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Limited.
Key Features
● Twenty month degree completion
● Four intensive learning weeks with nationally prominent faculty
● Multidisciplinary focus on health technology assessment and health outcomes
measures
● Highvalue information and contacts with industry experts
AHCE REQUIREMENTS
Students must successfully complete ten courses, including a case study. These courses will
be offered in a lowresidency format, where students will take two courses each fourmonth
term, typically meeting onsite for one week per term. Course time between facetoface
teaching weeks will be devoted to additional study, online interaction through a course
management system, and the completion of course requirements including research papers
and final examinations. It is expected that students will enter as a cohort and complete the
program in a 20 month time period.
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ACADEMIC REGULATIONS
● Students admitted to this program must have an earned bachelor’s degree from an
accredited college or university and a minimum of 25 years fulltime work experience
in some segment of the health care industry. Employment can include direct and
indirect clinical care, research, sales, administrative services and manufacturing.
● No more than two courses will be permitted as transfer courses.
● Familiarity with basics statistical principles and economic terms is necessary and
proficiency may be satisfied by submitting current work experience or completing a
brief online noncredit course prior to beginning the master's degree.
● No GRE or GMAT is required for this program.
Course: AHCE 601 Health Economics
The objective of this course is to provide the student with a basic grounding in the key
concepts and techniques needed to understand and analyze economic behavior. Concepts
applicable to microeconomic and macroeconomic effects in healthcare such as financing
mechanisms, perverse outcomes, moral hazard, health insurance and effect of regulation will
be covered.
Course: AHCE 602 Economic Concepts in Healthcare
This course covers mathematical techniques utilized in economic analysis. Topics will include
understanding and constructing economic models, static (or equilibrium) analysis,
comparativestatic analysis, dynamic analysis, and various types of optimization. Students will
learn the fundamentals of building economic models and will gain the tools required to
critically assess different functional forms and model components. Prerequisite: AHCE 603
Course: AHCE 603 Research Methods for Healthcare Economics I
This course focuses on mathematical statistics utilized in healthcare analysis. Topics will
include probability theory, joint and conditional probability theory, expected value
calculation, probability distributions (discrete variables), probability density functions
(continuous variables), and linear regression. Applications and examples will be focused on
topics relevant to healthcare practice and topics specific to healthcare will include survival
analysis for health outcomes and treatments and evaluation of clinical trials. Students will
spend a considerable portion of the course analyzing relevant data sets.
Course: AHCE 604 Research Methods for Healthcare Economics II
This course focuses on mathematical statistics utilized in healthcare analysis. Topics will
include probability theory, joint and conditional probability theory, expected value
calculation, probability distributions (discrete variables), probability density functions
(continuous variables), and linear regression. Applications and examples will be focused on
topics relevant to healthcare practice and topics specific to healthcare will include survival
analysis for health outcomes and treatments and evaluation of clinical trials. Students will
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spend a considerable portion of the course analyzing relevant data sets.
Course: AHCE 605 United States and International Healthcare Financing
The objective of this course will be to provide an overview of the evolution of global health
care systems with particular emphasis on differing perspectives of social obligation,
commitment to human health and system economics. This course will begin by highlighting
how a country's history has influenced the development of its health care system to reach its
present day structure. This will include an overview of key health system models including the
Beveridge (UK), Bismarck (Germany), National Health Insurance (Canada, Taiwan), and
OutofPocket (many developing world countries) models.
Course: AHCE 606 Behavioral Economics in Healthcare
The objective of this course will be an introduction to the underlying psychological concepts
challenging the classical economic approach of perfect rationality and selfinterest using
Prospect Theory. It will discuss and describe the impact of heuristics and biases in human
decisionmaking, for example the concepts of loss aversion and time preferences, as they
apply to individual and group healthcare outcomes. Students will be exposed to research
describing seemingly irrational economic decisions resulting from the operation of behavioral
aspects of individuals. Implications for the design and implementation of improved processes
for healthcare services, programs and treatments will be emphasized in order to achieve
better outcomes from the use of healthcare resources.
Course: AHCE 607 Pharmacoeconomics
The objective of this course will be an introduction to the process of scientific development,
clinical trials, manufacturing, adoption of, distribution, pricing and overall economics of drug
availability from the pharmaceutical industry. Issues related to orphan drugs (low use, high
cost), patent regulations, biological drug development, (new pathways), different drug types
and handling/storage requirements, understanding efficacy and efficiency reporting,
formulary decisions to adopt or deny coverage, patient compliance and the cost impact of
drug use on disease process will be covered.
Course: AHCE 608 Clinical Outcomes and Performance Measurement
This course is designed to be overview of the fundamentals of evidencebase medicine
including the exploration of topics such as evidence hierarchy, systematic reviews, clinical
trials, cohort studies, case control studies, case series, case reporting and expert opinion.
Main outcome measures such as HrQoL, OALY, mortality and morbidity scales will be
examined. Calculation of QALY’s will be discussed (SF36, EQ5D). Patient reported outcomes
studies and their methodology will be evaluated. Performance improvement techniques will
also be covered including current approaches such as PDSA, Lean, Microsystems, and Six
Sigma plus relevant quality control reporting techniques like Run Charts.
Course: AHCE609 CostEffectiveness Research and Health Technology Assessment
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This course will cover an introduction to the process, challenges and utility of
CostEffectiveness Research (CER) and Health Technology Assessment (HTA). Students will
gain an understanding of how different health technology assessment methodologies are
implemented and they will consider various goals of the methodologies including productivity
gains, cost minimization, cost effectiveness, and budget impacts among others. The
applicability of assessment methodologies with respect to different drug types (biological
agents, vaccines, orphan drugs, end of life care) or different devices (imaging, surgical,
diagnostic) or services (endoflife care, home care, rehabilitation, chronic disease support,
wellness testing) will be examined along with the pricing and reimbursement structures in
place domestically and internationally.
Course: AHCE 610 Capstone Project
This course is designed as a capstone seminar to the Health Care Economics Masters
program. It is expected that the student will have completed all relevant course work prior to
enrollment. The course will be a final researchoriented paper on a health care problem of
interest to them. Final topic will be subject to instructor approval. This course will require the
student to apply health economic principles to their chosen topic. Students will be expected
to understand and evaluate different health care financing models and their impact on health
care expenditure, health care insurance, equity and health behavior. The course will also
examine the development and implementation of health policy including theories of planning
for setting priorities in healthcare.
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Certificate in Thanatology (Death & Bereavement Counseling)
The Graduate Certificate in Thanatology is designed to enrich and strengthen the skills of the
professional working in the field of Dying, Death and Bereavement. The program is open to
those who already have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and have an
interest in the field of Thanatology, including those working in professional fields as funeral
directors, clergy, counseling, school personnel, social workers or hospice workers.
Requirements
The course of study will include three basic components:
Understanding Dying, Death and Bereavement (THAN 601): This course will examine the
sociological, psychological, and philosophical foundations of the topic, as well as an
examination of dying, death and the grief process across the age span and how it affects the
grief process.
The Cultural and Spiritual Concerns of the Dying and Bereaved (THAN 602): This unit will
look at the impact of culture, customs and the spiritual dynamics in the dying and grieving
process. The effects of the cause of death will be examined in relationship to the age in the
grieving process.
Practicum on Assisting Those Who are Dying and Those Who are Grieving (THAN 603): This section will be an opportunity to examine case studies as well as developing and practicing
several models of conducting grief support groups.
Academic Regulations
Student performance will be assessed through quizzes and exams, research papers, and class
participation. Students also will be required to compile a professional journal throughout the
course of the program.
To receive a certificate, students must complete all three courses offered by the program
with grade of at least a “C +” in each course. With regard to all other academic regulations,
the policies of Washington & Jefferson College will be observed.