Dismissal

Clear Academic Standing for Credential Candidates

Clear Academic Standing for graduate students is defined by Dominican University policy and by Liberal Studies Program policy as the condition of maintaining a minimum overall cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in graduate programs.  Since credential courses are graded using a “Pass” or “Fail” metric and for Liberal Studies undergraduates a letter grade of B or better, all credential candidates must earn a minimum grade of B or “Pass” for each course in the program.  A grade of “Pass” will constitute at least a grade equivalent of “B” for all graduate courses.  The first time that a candidate fails a course, the Program Coordinator is notified and the candidate may be placed on Academic Probation.  If, at the end of the semester on Academic Probation, all courses are not passed, the candidate is dismissed.  In rare cases, at the discretion of the Program Coordinator, a graduate candidate may continue for an additional semester on Academic Probation if he/she has improved his/her pass rate during the probationary semester.

Professional Conduct for Credential Candidates

In addition to requiring that all teacher candidates adhere to all University policies set forth in the Student Handbook, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the Dominican University School of Education hold high standards for those wishing to earn a teaching credential.  Standards specific to professional conduct appear in Program Standard 10 and in the California Teacher Performance Expectation 13:  Professional Growth, as follows:
Program Standard 10:  “Each candidate demonstrates knowledge of ethical standards, professional practices, and laws and regulations related to the provision of services to individuals with disabilities and their families. Each candidate applies the highest standards to his or her professional conduct.”
Teacher Performance Expectation 13: Professional Growth states, “Candidates for the Teaching Credential evaluate their own teaching practices and subject matter knowledge in light of information about state-adopted academic content standards for students and student learning. They improve their teaching practices by soliciting feedback and engaging in cycles of planning, teaching, reflecting, discerning problems, and applying new strategies. Candidates use reflection and feedback to formulate and prioritize goals for increasing subject matter knowledge and teaching effectiveness.” This statement is also included as a Student Learning Outcome in the Teacher Candidate Handbook.

Further, the Professional Conduct and Obligations section in the Teacher Candidate Handbook includes among other criteria:

• Be a good listener
• Actively support colleagues and contribute to department and program
• Contribute to a positive school culture
• Demonstrate sound judgment in dealing with people and issues
• Act as a positive role model for students and colleagues
• Respond productively to constructive criticism

These standards and expectations are applied in credential classes, field experiences, and teaching assignments. These standards must be met, or progress made toward fulfilling these standards made, in order for a candidate to continue in the credential program.  Candidates’ progress toward meeting standards related to professional conduct is determined by faculty based on their professional judgment. 

If faculty members have concerns about a candidate’s professional conduct and determine that remediation is appropriate, they will tell the candidate about specific areas of concern, offer suggestions about how to meet his/her performance expectations, and set specific goals and a timeline in which the candidate can demonstrate improved performance.  This written statement is known as an “INDIVIDUAL PLAN AND AGREEMENT” 

If a candidate’s performance does not meet expectations at the end of the given timeline, he/she will be dismissed from the program.   The dismissal notice will be delivered to the candidate either by email notification or by letter.  Candidates in danger of not meeting these expectations may be given the opportunity to formally withdraw from the University by completing the appropriate Withdrawal form from the Registrar’s Office in lieu of dismissal.

Under certain circumstances, a program coordinator may determine that a candidate’s professional conduct is of such a serious nature that the intervention action plan is not an appropriate solution.  In these rare cases, a candidate will be dismissed forthwith.

If a candidate is dismissed from the program and wishes to appeal this decision, he/she is required to adhere to the following appeals process:

• Submit a formal written statement of appeal to the Dean of the School of Education and Counseling Psychology within 10 working days of the receipt of a dismissal notice, including a copy to the appropriate Program Coordinator;
• The Dean of the School will consider any additional material presented by either the program coordinator or the candidate and then prepare a statement, with copies to the program coordinator and candidate, regarding his/her assessment.  If, in the judgment of the Dean, the dismissal is inappropriate, the Dean will ask the program coordinator to re-evaluate the dismissal decision.  In every case, the burden of proof remains with the candidate.
• If the program coordinator determines there has been an error in the determination to dismiss, he/she will notify the Registrar’s Office of the decision if necessary.
• If the candidate wishes to appeal the decision of the Dean of the School, he/she must file a formal written statement to the Chief Academic Officer within 10 working days of the Dean’s decision.  The complaint should contain reasons why the Dean’s decision should be reconsidered.  The Chief Academic Officer or his/her designee (typically the Dean of Students or the Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs) will provide a formal written response within 10 working days of receiving the formal complaint.  This decision is final.
• Tuition refunds are only made in accordance with regular University policy.