Doctorate and Ph.D
DOCTORATE AND Ph.D Academic Policies
The current Five Branches’ Student Handbook gives a comprehensive description of student services, academic counseling, student activities, student rights, privileges, and responsibilities, as well as the policies governing disciplinary actions, grievances, and policies for obtaining student views and input into institutional decision making. Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) students are required to be familiar with, and to follow these policies.
Academic and Clinical Class Attendance
DAOM students are required to attend all scheduled classes and clinical training in the program. If a DAOM candidate misses a class due to an emergency, he/she is responsible for obtaining all the notes for the class lecture and must meet with the DAOM coordinator to arrange a make-up assignment. Students can make-up no more than 2 missed modules in a year. In the event of a 3rd missed module, the student will have to repeat the module when it is offered in the next year. No make-up assignment will be given for a 3rd missed module. In the event of a foreseen absence, the DAOM candidate is expected to notify the dean or coordinator.
Grading System and Assessment Method
Grades are awarded as an assessment of the student’s progress in achieving the educational goals of each module according to the syllabus and the policies of the Institute. Five Branches University uses the letter grading system (A, B, C, F) for all didactic courses and the grades of credit/no credit (CR, NC) for all clinic hours.
The methods of assessing a student’s academic achievement include: A written case presentation/clinical analytic chart after each clinic core module The Capstone Project after the specialization module An Exit questionnaire and Follow-up evaluation Progress will be determined by the student’s performance on the assessment methods above, participation in class, and attendance.
Academic Probation and Dismissal
Doctoral students must maintain a cumulative B average as well as receive a Semester GPA of 3.00 or better to be in good academic standing. If they do not meet these requirements, students will be placed on academic probation. Failure to achieve good academic standing in the following 6-month period will result in academic suspension. The Doctoral Academic Committee (DAC) supervises this process. Doctoral students who do not maintain good academic standing are required to meet with the DAC to devise a plan to improve their academic performance.
Time Limit for Degree Completion
The program must be completed in no more than 4 years. DAOM candidates will not be able to complete the program in less than 24 months.
Professional Conduct
Students must maintain appropriate professional standards of conduct and appearance at the University. The Student Handbook and Clinic Manual contain specific regulations regarding conduct at the University and in clinic.
Grievance Procedure
Students who have complaints concerning administrative or academic policies may submit their written concerns to the Dean for review.
Non-discrimination Policy
Five Branches University is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation in the administration of admission and educational policies. The University abides by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against any “qualified individual with a disability.”
Graduation and Granting of Degree
A DAOM candidate is eligible for graduation when he or she has satisfactorily completed all didactic and clinical courses, submitted all requirements, and obtained a passing mark at the final Capstone Project/Oral Defense. Upon graduation, students will be awarded a doctoral (DAOM) degree.