The College of Nursing & Health Professions was constituted with the beginning of the academic year 1982, and came about as a result of the inclusion of three programs which had been offered in other units of the university. The undergraduate programs of the college are baccalaureate degree curricula in nursing, clinical laboratory sciences, communication disorders, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), dietetics, radiologic sciences, disaster preparedness and emergency management, and social work, and associate degree programs in clinical laboratory science, nursing, occupational therapy assistant, paramedic, disaster preparedness and emergency preparedness, and physical therapist assistant. Information on graduate programs in the college (communication disorders, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, athletic training, disaster preparedness and emergency management, and social work) can be found in the A-State Graduate Bulletin.

Accreditation and Registration

Both the associate degree and the baccalaureate degree programs in nursing are approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326; (404) 975-5000; www.acenursing.org/). Upon completion of these programs the student is eligible for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN), and after passing the examination, is licensed as a Registered Nurse by the state(s) to which application was made.

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist and Clinical Laboratory Technician programs are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, 773-714-8880. Graduates of these programs are eligible for the national certifying examinations in their specialty through the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

The baccalaureate degree in Communication Disorders is a preprofessional degree designed to prepare students for graduate study in speech-language pathology. Both curriculum and practicum experiences have been designed to partially fulfill requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.

The Coordinated Program in Dietetics at Arkansas State University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600 ext. 5400. http://www.eatrightpro.org/ACEND.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Both the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085.

The Radiography, Radiation Therapy, and MRI programs are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 900, Chicago, IL, 60606-2901. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certifying examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

The Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, CSWE, 1725 Duke Street, Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 22314-3457, 703-683-8099.
All degrees in the Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management program are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Emergency Management Education, 11589 Skeet Club Road, Suite 102-109, High Point, NC 27265. Its web address is www.caeme.edu.

Most state and national board application forms ask if the applicant has ever been convicted of a crime. Certain crimes (e.g., controlled substance use or sale) may make the applicant ineligible for the examination. If a student has any reason to believe that he/she may be ineligible for the state or national board examinations, he/she should discuss this with the program director or the respective licensing agency.

Application Policies and Procedures

Admission to Arkansas State University does not automatically admit one to the programs offered by the College of Nursing and Health Professions. The college has a selective admissions policy due to professional requirements and limited clinical sites for placement of students. All remediation requirements must be completed prior to beginning the professional component of any Nursing or Health Professions program.

For a listing of the criteria used by admission committees in selecting students for the various programs, contact the appropriate department chair or program director (Nursing 972-3074; Clinical Laboratory Sciences 680-8596; Radiologic Sciences 972-3073; Physical Therapy 972-3591; Communication Disorders 972-3106; Social Work 972-3984; Dietetics 680-8598; Occupational Therapy 972-2610; Health Studies 680-4863; Emergency Management and Occupational Health (680-8286) Courses in clinical laboratory sciences, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist assistant, radiologic sciences, nursing, and Dietetics (with the exception of NS 2203, NRS 3353, NRS 3333, NRS 4393, NRS 2392 and NRSP 2391), are open only to students admitted to the professional level of those respective programs. Some courses with an HP prefix are open to any student who meets the university admission requirements. Enrollment in certain 3000 and 4000 level CD courses requires admission to the undergraduate communication disorders program.

After being admitted to Arkansas State University, students should obtain an application form from the department or program office or website. The application, together with other required materials, must be submitted in accord with the deadlines listed below. All transcripts and documents submitted in support of an application become the property of the university and cannot be returned to the applicant or forwarded to another school or individual.

Students seeking admission to an A-State nursing program after withdrawing from or being dismissed from another nursing program must submit with their application a letter of good standing from each such nursing program attended. Students are ineligible for enrollment into the 4th/Final semester of the AASN program.

Deadline for Receiving Applications

Students will be notified in writing of the decision of the admissions committee. It is the responsibility of each student to see that all required documents have been received by the appropriate program in the College of Nursing and Health Professions by the deadline date. No student will be considered for admission until the file is complete and all requirements are met.

Clinical Laboratory Sciences - Bachelor of Science

April 15 of the sophomore year for the junior-senior clinical years. Prior to this time the student is enrolled in the clinical laboratory science program as a pre-clinical laboratory scientist major.

Clinical Laboratory Sciences - Associate of Applied Science

April 15 for official admission to the Fall semester. Prior to this time, the student is enrolled in the clinical laboratory science program as a pre-clinical laboratory technician major.

Communication Disorders - Bachelor of Science

No deadlines. Admission to the undergraduate communication disorders program requires the following: 3.2 or better GPA for BIO 2223  and BIO 2201 , PSY 2013 , CD 2653 , CD 3003 , CD 2103 , CD 2203 , and CHEM 1013  and CHEM 1011  (or other approved physical science options with lab.) Repeated courses will be included in the calculation of the GPA; “C” or better in ENG 1003 , ENG 1013 ; “B” or better in MATH 1023 ; 2.75 or better overall GPA; fifteen (15) clock-hours of documented, prescribed observation; a speech and hearing screening; and a minimum of 30 hours of earned academic credit.

Health Studies - Bachelor of Science

Students wishing to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (BSHS) program must apply to Arkansas State University and meet all admission requirements established by the university. Students must apply and be accepted into the program in order to begin upper level HP classes. Students must complete HP 2112 , Introduction to the US Healthcare System, with a grade of ‘C’ or better, have a GPA above 2.5 and a minimum of 45 credit hours completed. All general education and major requirements must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Radiography Component (Junior Year) of Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences

October 31 for admission to the Spring semester. Students are accepted based on 1) Prerequisite course GPA; 2) Entrance Exam scores; 3) interview scores. NOTE: Students completing prerequisite work or a Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences program at A-State receive extra points toward admission score.

Cardiovascular-Interventional Technology - Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences

April 1 for Fall enrollment. Students are accepted based on 1) cumulative GPA, 2) selected course grades, 3) interview, and 4) modality clinical evaluations. All categories are converted to a point system. Students wishing to apply must have completed all core requirements and an accredited radiography program. A-State radiography program students receive extra points when calculating total scores.

Mammography/Breast Sonography - Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences

April 1 for Summer I enrollment. Students are accepted based on 1) cumulative GPA, 2) selected course grades, 3) interview, and 4) modality clinical evaluations. All categories are converted to a point system. Students wishing to apply to the Mammography/Breast Sonography program must have completed all core requirements and the Radiography component prior to fall semester. Breast sonography is included in this track for a Women’s Health approach to patient care. A-State radiography program students receive extra points when calculating total scores.

Medical Imaging Informatics - Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences

April 1 for Fall enrollment. Students are accepted based on 1) cumulative GPA, 2) selected course grades, 3) interview, and 4) modality clinical evaluations. All categories are converted to a point system. Students wishing to apply to the Informatics program must have completed all core requirements and the Radiography component prior to fall semester. A-State radiography program students receive extra points when calculating total scores.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences

April 1 for Summer I enrollment. Students are accepted based on 1) cumulative GPA, 2) selected course grades, 3) interview, and 4) modality clinical evaluations. All categories are converted to a point system. Students wishing to apply to the MRI program must have completed all core requirements and the Radiography component prior to fall semester. A-State radiography program students receive extra points when calculating total scores.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences

April 1 for Summer I enrollment. Students are accepted based on 1) cumulative grade point average, 2) selected course grades, 3) interview, and 4) modality clinical evaluations. All categories are converted to a point system. Students wishing to apply to the Sonography program must have completed all core requirements and the Radiography component prior to fall semester. A-State radiography program students receive extra points when calculating total scores.

Radiation Therapy - Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences

April 1 for Fall enrollment. Students are accepted based on 1) cumulative GPA, 2) selected course grades, 3) interview, and 4) modality clinical evaluations. All categories are converted to a point system. Students wishing to apply to the Radiation Therapy program must be enrolled or have completed an accredited school of Radiologic Technology. A-State graduates receive extra points when calculating total scores.

Imaging Specialist (Bridge Program) - Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences

The “Bridge Program” offers the Imaging Specialist track of the BSRS in General Radiography. Admission is granted at the beginning of each semester. Only applicants who have 1) completed the associate degree in Radiologic Technology from a school approved by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists OR 2) passed the national certification boards through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists OR 3) completed curriculum reviewed and accepted by Dept. Chair will be considered.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

June 7 for Fall enrollment in sophomore nursing courses and the LPN to BSN track. November 15 and June 7 for transfer/admission/readmissions for subsequent semester. Applicants into the sophomore level must have at least 30 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and a prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or above completed by application deadline (June 7). Required prerequisite courses must be completed with a “C” or better by application deadline. Due to space availability, applicants for admission will be ranked based on GPA, successful completion of pre-requisites, and preadmission test scores. English Proficiency is required (see website for more detailed information). Consideration is given for Spanish Proficiency.

2nd Degree Accelerated BSN

March 15 for Summer First Session enrollment. A baccalaureate degree in another discipline plus all major required support courses must be completed by the end of the Spring semester. Students seeking readmission, advance standing or transfer credit for nursing courses must be aware that nursing knowledge changes rapidly. Therefore, if three or more years have elapsed since the previous education experience, students may be required to meet additional requirements before
progression in a specific nursing program.

RN to BSN Online

To facilitate movement through the BSN curriculum for students who have previously completed an AASN or Diploma program, a specially designed track has been developed for registered nurses who have demonstrated clinical proficiency. This track is fully online and may be completed part- or full-time. The clinical capstone component will be individualized based upon the applicant and will utilize a local clinical facilitator. The length of study depends upon previous college credits and the
courses needed to fulfill BSN requirements. Most RNs with an associate degree can complete the BSN program in two years or less of full-time study.

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

June 7 for admission to the Fall semester for LPN to AASN students at campus site and distance learning sites; October 1 and June 7 for transfer/readmission for subsequent semester. Deadline for traditional AASN program at the Mountain Home and West Memphis campuses is October 1st.  Deadline for the Paramedic to AASN program at the Jonesboro campus is October 1st.  Applicants must complete required prerequisite support courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. A “C” or better must be earned in ALL required courses. Applicants for admission will be ranked based upon prerequisites, admission testing scores, and overall GPA. All LPN to AASN applicants must have an unencumbered nursing license.  All Paramedic applicants must be eligible to sit for the National Registry Certification Exam or have an unencumbered Paramedic License.

Online LPN To Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

April 15 and October 1st for admission to the Fall and Spring semesters for admission to the Fall semester for Online LPN to AASN students. Applicants must complete required prerequisite support courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better. A “C” or better must be earned in ALL required courses. All Online LPN to AASN applicants must have an unencumbered PN nursing license.

Dietetics - Bachelor of Science

April 1 after sophomore year for admission in Fall semester. In order for students to apply for admission into the Coordinated Program in Dietetics, they must
meet the following conditions: cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale of all college work attempted; English proficiency requirements, if foreign born; completion of program prerequisites with a minimum grade of “C” required in all courses; complete HESI A2 admission exam. Class size is limited due to the availability of supervised practice sites. All applicants may not be accepted into the program.

Occupational Therapist Assistant - Associate of Applied Science

Students must apply for admission into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program by March 1 for Fall enrollment. Prior to admission into the program students must complete 28 prerequisite course hours with a minimum grade of “B” required in all prerequisite courses.

Physical Therapist Assistant - Associate of Applied Science

Students are encouraged to declare as Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) majors. Students may apply to the PTA program during the spring semester of the year in which they plan to start the program. Application deadline is March 1 of each year.

Doctor of Physical Therapy

A-State does offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT). Deadlines for application can be obtained by contacting the program office at (870) 972-3591.

Social Work - Bachelor of Social Work

Students must be admitted to the program before they will be allowed to take Social Work major courses. Students must have a minimum of 45 hours with a GPA of at least 2.75 overall. Generally, students will be admitted during the second semester of their sophomore year. Consideration for admission to the program will be in the spring semester. Specific due dates for materials will be posted on the notice board outside the departmental office. Students should follow the criteria in the Social Work Student Handbook available on the web.

Probation, Retention, and Readmission

All programs in the College of Nursing and Health Professions have policies governing probation, retention, and readmission.

Probation: When the cumulative, semester, or session grade point average falls below 2.00, the student in occupational therapist assistant, physical therapist assistant, radiologic technology, associate degree nursing, or baccalaureate degree nursing, or Dietetics will be placed on probation. At the end of the next semester or session of enrollment the cumulative grade point average must be at least 2.00 for the student to remain in his/her respective program.

Retention: A student may NOT continue in the following programs if the requirements (listed below) are not maintained:

1. Clinical laboratory sciences programs: if a grade lower than “C” is received in any biological, chemistry or CLS course, or the student fails to maintain an overall GPA of 2.00 in his/her respective program.
2. Any medical imaging and radiologic science program: if a grade of lower than a “C” is received in any MIRS degree course.
3. Associate degree nursing program: if a grade lower than “C” is received in a required nursing course, if the student withdraws from a nursing course to avoid a failing grade or if the GPA is less than 2.00 in the required support courses upon entry to the last semester of the program.
4. Baccalaureate degree nursing program: if a grade lower than “C” is received in a required nursing course, if the student withdraws from a nursing course to avoid a failing grade, or if the grade is less than “C” in the required laboratory sciences upon entry to the sophomore and junior level nursing courses.
5. Dietetics program: if a grade lower than “C” is received in any degree course.
6. Occupational therapist assistant program: if a grade lower than “C” is received in any OTA course.
7. Physical therapist assistant program: if a grade lower than “C” is received in any PTA course.
8. Baccalaureate degree social work program: if a grade lower than “C” is received in any social work course or if a student fails to maintain a 2.75 GPA in the program.

Readmission: If students are not allowed to continue in a program because of the above stipulations, readmission will be considered only after the student submits a formal application for readmission to the appropriate department or program.

1. Students are NOT eligible for readmission if:
   1. the cumulative grade point average is lower than 2.00. (2.75 for social work student) (3.0 for BSN students-if a student’s GPA falls below 3.0 after failure of a nursing course, the student will be allowed one academic semester in which to improve their cumulative GPA to 3.0 or better)
   2. the student has received a final grade lower than “C” twice in the same course, or has received a grade lower than “C” in professional courses in two separate semesters in the same program. [In Nursing, withdrawal from a nursing course to avoid a failing grade is considered the same as receiving a grade lower than “C.”]
   3. BSN: The student does not have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at time of application for readmission and/or does not achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 after provision of one academic semester to improve GPA following failure of a nursing course(s).
2. Procedures for application for readmission:
   1. A student must submit to:
      1. the CLS programs a completed application form obtainable from the program’s website, http://www.astate.edu/college/conhp/departments/clinical-laboratory-sciences/ by the deadline date for applications as noted under “Application Procedures.”
      2. the Radiography program a completed application form obtainable from the program director’s office sixty (60) days prior to the first day of registration of the semester for which readmission is sought.
      3. any MIRS program contact program director for readmission.
      4. the School of Nursing a completed Nursing application packet by the deadline date for applications as noted under “Application Process.” Students are required to pass a standardized readmission exam based on previous successful course work. Recommendation of faculty is required.
      5. the Dietetics Program a completed application form obtainable from the program’s website http://www.astate.edu/college/conhp/departments/dietetics/ by the deadline date noted under “Application Procedure.”
      6. the OTA program students must repeat the application process during the next cycle.
      7. the BSW program students must repeat the application process during the next cycle.
   2. All applications for readmission must include a current and complete official transcript.
   3. Readmission to any program will be dependent upon space available, regardless of student qualifications.

Disclaimer

Given the rapid changes in health care and technology, the programs in the College of Nursing and Health Professions reserve the right and responsibility to revise the curriculum to anticipate societal needs for health care. Therefore, students are strongly advised to contact the program directors for current requirements.

Vaccination and Skin Testing

Students ADMITTED to any program in the College of Nursing and Health Professions must present the following immunization and test documentation:

1. Rubella and rubeola (Arkansas statute).
2. Mumps and varicella vaccination or titer (clinical affiliate (hospital) requirements when working with infants and children).
3. If no hepatitis immunization or titer, then must begin the Hepatitis B vaccine series prior to enrolling in a clinical practicum class. All students except C.D. must have completed the Hepatitis B series before enrolling in the first practicum course of their program.
4. TB skin test each year that the student is enrolled in a clinical practicum. If skin test is positive, documentation of treatment status must be submitted.
5. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification is required before taking any practicum courses. Certification status must be maintained and documentation submitted to the appropriate department throughout enrollment in any program.
6. An annual influenza vaccine.
7. Urine drug screen.

Malpractice Insurance

Before being assigned to clinical practicums all students in College of Nursing and Health Professions’ programs are required to purchase malpractice/liability coverage. Assistance in arranging for coverage will be made through program directors.

Criminal Background Checks and Drug Testing

Some of the clinical agencies used by the programs in the College of Nursing and Health Professions require criminal background checks and/or drug testing prior to placement for assigned practicums. Information for obtaining the background check and drug testing is provided by the program. Costs are to be borne by the student.

In addition, the state of Arkansas requires criminal background checks for students seeking admission to some of the professional programs in the college. These costs are also to be borne by the student.

Student Employment

Programs in the College of Nursing and Health Professions require an unusual amount of the students’ time, and students should pay particular attention to the section on “Student Academic Load” in the Academic Regulations section in this Bulletin. Outside employment may need to be adjusted to course and clinical requirements scheduling.

Transportation

Students are required to provide their own transportation when assigned to all practicums, including field experience in surrounding counties or other states. When determining educational costs, consideration should be given to this additional expense.