Graduate Outcomes (GOs)
Specific knowledge, skills, and values inherent as outcomes in Alvernia Graduate programs are organized into five competency areas:
Interprofessional collaboration
- Relationship management
- Decision making based upon theoretical concepts
Knowledge of discipline
- Evidence based knowledge and practice
- Continuous quality improvement to achieve outcomes
- Professional behaviors
Effective communication
- Advanced scholarly writing and oral communication
- Information management and technology skills
- Information literacy
Ethical considerations and leadership
- Advocacy - individual, organization, community, global
- Ethical and moral leadership
- Social justice
Research Skills
- Quantitative and/or qualitative methods
Student Responsibilities
Students are solely responsible for assuring that their academic program complies with the policies of the university. Advisors are provided to assist students in planning their academic program. Advisors are not authorized to change the established policy of the university. Alvernia University students should be familiar with and comply with all policies and procedures listed in their catalog and the appropriate student/program handbook.
The Alvernia University email system is the official communication channel for important information issued to students; students are responsible to check their Alvernia University email account on a regular basis. Failure to check this account is not an acceptable excuse for missing important information/deadlines that may be communicated by faculty or staff of Alvernia University.
Computation of Grades
At the completion of a course, each student is assigned a letter grade based upon the appropriate scale below:
| Grade |
Grade Points |
Range |
| A |
4.0 |
94-100 |
| A- |
3.7 |
90-93 |
| B+ |
3.3 |
97-89 |
| B |
3.0* |
83-86 |
| B- |
2.7 |
80-82 |
| C |
2.0 |
73-79 |
| F |
0.0 Failure |
72 and below |
*Less than 3.0 may = academic notice or dismissal.
Refer to program Handbook/Departmental Syllabi for possible approved adjustments related to the letter scale/grade computation.
Graduate Status
Alvernia will assess the candidate’s strengths and academic potential using information provided by the student. Applicants for degree programs will be admitted to full, pending, or non-degree status as described below:
Full Graduate Status
Full graduate status includes submission of all required documentation, including official documents verifying the earned baccalaureate degree is from an accredited college or university. Application materials are reviewed, and program acceptance granted by the Dean of the appropriate College and the faculty in the selected program. Students may opt for full-time or part-time enrollment.
Students with full graduate status must respond to a written offer of admission that specifies the date of entrance into one of the graduate programs. Students must notify the Graduate and Adult Education Office of their intent to accept, reject, or change the effective date of entrance. The admission letter will serve as a permit to register for courses. In most cases, students will be offered admission for a five-year period.
Non-Degree Status
Non-degree graduate student status allows enrollment in graduate courses to earn graduate credit for professional certifications or professional development activities in their chosen field. These students must have earned a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from an accredited college or university. Students may be admitted with non-degree status with the approval of the Dean of the College in which the program is housed. Students granted non-degree graduate student status are not eligible for Stafford Loans.
Applying Graduate Credits from an Undergraduate Transcript
Alvernia alumni who completed graduate work while completing their undergraduate degree may request to have up to six credits of graduate courses earned while an undergraduate student applied to their graduate transcript provided such courses did not fulfill a general education requirement or major requirement for their undergraduate degree. Dual degree programs that result in licensure are exempt from the six-credit maximum specified above. Students in such dual degree programs resulting in licensure should refer to the Alvernia Graduate Catalog should refer to the academic completion plan.
Students who completed Alvernia doctoral course work while completing their master’s degree may request to have up to six credits of master’s course credit earned while a graduate student applied to their doctoral transcript. Only six credits of graduate degree course work may be shared between programs at the same degree level.
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Re-entry Admissions Process
Students who have attended Alvernia previously and have left the University for at least one academic year but within five years of last enrollment must submit a Re-entry request form through Graduate and Adult Education. Students who have left the University beyond five years or who wish to change programs, must re-apply for admission. Students who attended another institution during their leave must submit official transcripts to the University. Re-entry students should be in good standing to be considered for re-admission. Students will be readmitted under the curriculum in the current catalog. Students wishing to return to the University must submit the following:
- Re-entry request form or Application for admission
- Official transcripts of all colleges and universities attended since Alvernia. Credit may be given for coursework in which the student has earned “B” or higher.
Notification of Re-Entry Admission Process
Applicants are notified of an admission decision once all required credentials have been received and evaluated. All acceptances are contingent upon the satisfactory completion of all college coursework and maintaining the minimum GPA requirements.
Academic Notice/Academic Dismissal
Students enrolled in Graduate Programs must maintain a 3.0 grade point average throughout their program in order to remain in good academic standing as an Alvernia Graduate Student. Students who fall below a 3.0 grade point average after 6 attempted credits will be placed on Academic Notice and must meet with their advisor to select the appropriate courses to improve their academic standing. A student who has been on Academic Notice previously and falls below a 3.0 grade point average again after at least 6 more attempted credits will be Academically Dismissed. A student who has been Academically Dismissed from the university may appeal in accordance with the procedure outlined in the Catalog.
Additional standards and processes may apply for progression within, and dismissal from, specific graduate programs. In addition to this Catalog, refer to Program Handbooks or Policy Manuals for possible adjustments to the Academic Notice/Academic Dismissal policies as approved for specific programs of study as well as specific information on health checks and clearance requirements.
Dismissal for Non-Academic Reasons
Students may be dismissed from the graduate program for the following non-academic reasons:
- Failure to respect the rights of others as evidenced by verbal, physical or mental abuse of others, harassment of any kind, assault, or any action, which endangers the rights of others.
- Failure to abide by federal, state, and local laws, which prohibit the use, possession, and sale of illegal substances.
- Failure to adhere to the various professional codes of ethics related to the student’s program.
- Failure to function appropriately within any site placement settings, internships, or practicums, as documented through evaluations by on-site supervisor and academic adviser.
ADA Accommodations
In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act and Amendments Act (ADAAA), the university offers accommodations to students with documented learning, physical and/or psychological disabilities. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Accessibility Office for Academic Intervention, preferably prior to the beginning of each semester, to initiate the accommodation process so accommodations can be determined early in the semester. Academic accommodations are not retroactive. It is the responsibility of students to provide each of their professors with their letters of academic accommodations at the start of each semester/mod. Students needing assistance should visit the Academic Success Center (ASC) in BH 105c or call 610-568-1499.
Institutional Review Board
Graduate students wishing to conduct research involving human participants are required to abide by the policies and procedures of the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Please refer to the IRB Policy Manual for details. Research Projects must be submitted by the Primary Investigator via IRB Net. The IRBNet User Guide provides detailed instructions for online submissions of research projects. The materials required for submission include the completed Research Determination Tool, the completed Application, the full research proposal, a complete participant packet (includes detailed participation procedures, informed consent document, questionnaires and assessment instruments with permission to use as needed, and recruitment materials), current CITI certificates for all research personnel (see IRB Policy Manual for details on required CITI certificates).
All applications are first reviewed for completeness, and the Principal Investigator is notified if any additional information is required. Once an application is deemed complete, those qualifying for Expedited review will be assessed on a rolling basis. If the project requires Full Review by the convened IRB, it will be added to the agenda for the next scheduled monthly meeting (refer to the IRB webpage on the Alvernia website for posted dates). To be considered at an IRB meeting, applications must be finalized at least 10 business days in advance of such meeting.
Research is approved for one year. Extensions may be requested. Any deviations from the approved research must be approved by the IRB. The IRB has the authority to stop any research that violates any IRB policies and procedures. Upon completion of the project, the researcher must submit a Study Completion form indicating the research has been completed.
Approval of the research by the IRB does not absolve the researcher from the responsibility to abide by the principles of Beneficence, Autonomy/Respect, Autonomy/Respect for Persons, and Justice or any federal, state, or local laws regarding research with human participants.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships are contractual student employment positions within the University. These roles provide graduate students with opportunities to work alongside professionals across a variety of disciplines and assignments. In addition to gaining valuable professional experience and engaging in enriching coursework, graduate assistants contribute meaningfully to their own intellectual growth as well as to the University community.
Assistantships are offered as both full-time and part-time contracts:
- Full-time appointments require 20 hours of work per week and include a full tuition waiver for up to 18 credits per academic year.
- Part-time appointments are prorated based on both hours worked and the number of credits in each contracted semester.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be considered for a graduate assistantship, students must:
- Be accepted into a graduate program at Alvernia University.
- Have a valid FAFSA on file.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Meet enrollment requirements.
- Make satisfactory academic progress toward their degree, as defined by University policy.
- Meet all requirements for employment eligibility in the United States.
Current Graduate Assistantship openings are posted on the University website on the Graduate and Adult Education page in the Graduate Assistantships tab. Questions regarding graduate assistantships should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Services at (610) 568-1554.
Alumni Association
All graduates of Alvernia University automatically become members of the Alumni Association and are encouraged to stay involved. There are more than 9,000 Alvernia alumni throughout the country. The Association promotes the interest of the University by organizing programs for alumni, informing them of changes on campus, and providing them with benefits and services. The Alumni Office enjoys connecting with alumni and hearing their stories, in addition to providing the services that allow them to stay connected to Alvernia even after graduation. Many events are held on and off campus for the continued engagement of Alvernia alumni. It is the Alvernia Alumni Association’s mission to cultivate a sense of pride and lifetime commitment to the Alvernia community: http://alumni.alvernia.edu
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