Attendance Policy

(SCU Policy 5.7.1)

Southern California University of Health Sciences is an attendance taking institution as defined by the Department of Education. In order to obtain credit for a course, a student shall have been present in class at least 90% of the time.* The 10% absence allowance exists to provide students the flexibility to manage life events (e.g. car trouble, childcare, family issues and minor illnesses) that may arise during a class. If the time missed of a class exceeds 10% of the total class time, for any reason, the student will be automatically withdrawn from the class and receive a grade of W if the 10% absence is reached before the final add/drop period has ended.

If the time missed of a class exceeds 10% of total class time, for any reason, and the add/drop period has passed:

Students in good academic standing (a grade of C minus or better per assessments submitted as of that date) will be automatically withdrawn from the class and receive a grade of W.
Students not in good academic standing (below a grade of C minus per assessments submitted as of that date) will be automatically withdrawn from the class and receive a grade of WF.

Exceptions to the Attendance Policy:

In cases of extreme health issues (such as hospitalization) or family emergencies (such as death in the family) students may petition the programmatic Dean with supporting official documentation for an exception to this policy. Signature of the Dean is required for exception to this policy. Notification of need for an exception to the policy must be made to the Dean as soon as possible following the qualifying event (ideally within 24 hours of the event) but must occur no later than one week following event.
1. Students granted these exceptions must have at least 75% attendance in the class and will be required to make up and document, with the instructor, the attendance time to the 90% threshold through instructor approved activities.
2. Students in clinical must have at least 75% attendance and will be required to make up and document, with the supervisor, the attendance time to the 100% threshold through instructor approved clinical activities.

Students May Also Petition for Exception to the Attendance Policy in other instances. Examples may include:

Jury duty
Military duty such as deployment or Reserve activity

Reasons for exception to this policy that are known in advance should be petitioned to the programmatic Dean no later than 1 week before the event

Exceptions to this policy must be made in writing to the programmatic dean using the Exception to Attendance Policy Form.

Definition of Attendance: In face to face classes, attendance is defined as seat time in lecture and laboratory by the registered student. In online classes, attendance is defined as active participation in the course as described in the syllabus. Examples of activities could include, but are not limited to:

Weekly online chat or discussions
Submitting or completing assignments
Commenting on other student contributions In order to obtain credit for a course, a student shall have been present in class at least 90% of the time. If the total class time missed exceeds 10% the student will be dropped from the class unless they qualify for a make-up assignment. Make up assignments will only be allowed for excused absences. The first time a student exceeds 10% absence, they will be notified and given a make-up assignment that will bring their absenteeism under 10%. Students who must be absent may request that the absence be excused by the Dean. Absences deemed acceptable by the Dean will be counted as excused absences. Only those absences which meet the “Make-up Examination” criteria will be deemed acceptable. (i.e., illness, car problems, religious holidays, death in family, etc.). Documentation must be provided for an excused absence to be approved. All forms must be completed within seven calendar days upon returning to the campus. Excuses which are presented after seven days will not be approved by the Dean or forwarded to the faculty.

If excessive absence of a student is established in a class at any time, that student will be withdrawn from the class and assigned a grade of “WF” in that class. At the discretion of the Program Dean, and if excessive absences are classified as “excused”, a grade of “W” may be issued for students who are withdrawn due to excessive absence before the end of week ten (10) of the trimester. If three or more courses are assigned “WF” as a result of excessive absences, the student may be subject to suspension or dismissal from the college. The Dean’s Office shall make notification of such action in writing. In exceptional circumstances, the Dean shall have the authority to make a recommendation for exception to enforcement of the guidelines for suspension or dismissal.