Academic Policy
Graduation and the awarding of a degree from the University are contingent upon the satisfactory completion of both academic and behavioral requirements. All students must demonstrate the emotional maturity, stability and professional attributes desirable for the practice of their profession, must be of good moral character and must have demonstrated integrity and honesty in their personal behavior.
Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Doctor of Optometry (Traditional)
All required and elective curricula must be completed with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.
Honors for exceptional work after completion of the academic and clinical program are designated by the awarding of the OD degree with:
- summa cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.75-4.00)
- magna cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.50–3.74)
- Cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.25-3.49)
In addition to the stated grade point averages for academic performance, to receive the above designations, students must have also demonstrated superior clinical performance by having received a grade of Honors (H) in four (4) of seven (7) Professional Practices/Externships, beginning with the summer term of the third year.
Under normal circumstances all didactic/module/block work must be completed in no more than five (5) years. A student must complete the entire program within seven (7) years (not including approved leaves of absence), and must present evidence of continuing to make satisfactory academic progress at all times. The Dean must approve any exception to this total length of program.
Additional academic requirements to graduate are outlined in the program's academic policy on the Salus University website.
Doctor of Optometry (Scholars)
All required and elective curricula must be completed with a cumulative grade point average of 2.3 or better.
Honors for exceptional work after completion of the academic and clinical program are designated by the awarding of the OD degree with:
- summa cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.75–4.00)
- magna cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.50–3.74)
- cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.25–3.49)
In addition, to receive the above designations, students also must have demonstrated superior clinical performance by receiving a grade of Honors (H) in the majority of the Professional Practices/Externships, beginning with the second professional year.
Under normal circumstances, all Scholars Program course/block and clinical requirements will be completed in 36 months and no more than 48 months, inclusive of potential approved leaves of absence. A course of study longer than 48 months must be approved by the Associate Dean of the Scholars Program, in consultation with the Dean and the APSC, as deemed appropriate.
Additional academic requirements to graduate are outlined in the program's academic policy on the Salus University website.
Osborne College of Audiology
Doctor of Audiology
All required and elective curricula must be completed with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.
Honors for exceptional work after completion of the academic and clinical program are designated by the awarding of the AuD degree with:
- summa cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.75–4.00)
- magna cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.50–3.74)
- cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.25–3.49)
In addition to the stated grade point averages for academic performance, to receive the above designations, students must have also demonstrated superior clinical performance as evidenced having received a grade of Honors (H) in four (4) of eight (8) Professional Practices/Externships, beginning with the spring term of the second year.
Under normal circumstances all didactic coursework (except fourth-year course work) must be completed in no more than five (5) years. A student must complete the entire program within seven (7) years (not including approved leaves of absence), and must present evidence of continuing to make satisfactory academic progress at all times. The Dean of the Osborne College of Audiology and the Vice President of Academic Affairs must approve any exception to this total length of program.
Additional academic requirements to graduate are outlined in the program's academic policy on the Salus University website.
College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation
Occupational Therapy Programs, Speech-Language Pathology Program, and Orthotics & Prosthetics Program
The student must successfully complete the entire required curriculum with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better.
Honors for exceptional work after the completion of academic and direct service programs for all programs are indicated by the following awards:
- summa cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.90-4.00)
- magna cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.70-3.89)
- cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.50-3.69)
Under normal circumstances all didactic coursework must be completed in no more than five (5) years (not including leaves of absence) and must present evidence of continuing to make satisfactory academic progress at all times. The Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation or his/her designee, in conjunction with the appropriate Program Director, must approve any exceptions to this total length of program.
Additional academic requirements to graduate are outlined in the program's academic policy on the Salus University website.
Physician Assistant Studies
For the Master of Medical Science (MMS) degree, graduates of the Physician Assistant program must complete all required and elective curriculum with a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or better.
Additionally, Physician Assistant students must maintain the required technical standards of the program for its duration. The Salus Physician Assistant handbook is available on the Salus University website.
Honors for exceptional work after completion of the academic and clinical program for the Physician Assistant program are indicated by the award of the MMS degree with:
- summa cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.90-4.00)
- magna cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.70-3.89)
- cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.50-3.69)
A student must complete the entire program within four (4) years (not including approved leaves of absence) and must present evidence of continuing to make satisfactory academic progress at all times.
The Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs must approve any exceptions to this total length of program.
Additional academic requirements to graduate are outlined in the program's academic policy on the Salus University website.
Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Science in Biomedicine
All required and elective curricula must be completed with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better. Additional academic requirements to graduate are outlined in the program’s academic policy on the Salus University website.
Honors for exceptional work after completion of the program are designated by the awarding of the Master of Science (MSc) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree with:
- summa cum laude (cumulative GPA 4.0 GPA)
- magna cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.7 - 3.9 GPA)
Under normal circumstances, MSc degree students will have research completed in 18 full-time months, with an additional six months for completion of the dissertation. Part-time programs also are permitted.
Under normal circumstances, PhD degree students will have research completed in three full-time years and have one additional year for completion of the dissertation and passing of the Oral
Defense (viva) examination for the PhD program. A part-time program is allowed and will generally consist of six years of research and six months for the writing of the dissertation and oral defense (viva) examination.
Additional academic requirements to graduate are outlined in the program's academic policy on the Salus University website.
Post-baccalaureate Program in Health Sciences
All required curricula must be completed with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.
Normally, coursework and clinical observations are completed in two consecutive semesters. A matriculated student may complete the didactic coursework in no more than two years. Students must, at all times, demonstrate satisfactory academic progress. Individual exceptions to the total length of the program must be approved by the Program Director.
Additional academic requirements to graduate are outlined in the program's academic policy on the Salus University website.
Academic Affairs Division of Global, Interprofessional, and Specialized Programming
Master of Science in Clinical Optometry
The student must successfully complete the entire curriculum with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.
Blindness and Low Vision Studies Programs
The student must successfully complete the entire required curriculum with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better.
Honors for exceptional work after the completion of academic and direct service programs for all programs are indicated by the following awards:
- summa cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.90-4.00)
- magna cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.70-3.89)
- cum laude (cumulative GPA 3.50-3.69)
Under normal circumstances all didactic coursework must be completed in no more than five (5) years (not including leaves of absence) and must present evidence of continuing to make satisfactory academic progress at all times. The Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation or his/her designee, in conjunction with the appropriate Program Director, must approve any exceptions to this total length of program.
Additional academic requirements to graduate are outlined in the program's academic policy on the Salus University website.
For all Salus University students:
The University reserves the right to place on probation, suspend or expel from the institution any student who willfully violates any rule or regulation of the University or the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or other state, federal or local governments, whether or not convicted in criminal court.
Misconduct such as cheating on examinations, falsifying clinical data, improper patient care in the clinical setting, or activities constituting criminal behavior may result in the denial of any degree or certificate offered at Salus University, even though the individual has completed the academic program.
Each student is given a copy of the complete Academic Policy at orientation, and additional copies may be found in the Offices of Student Affairs and the University’s website.