Academic Progress: Students are expected to achieve competency in all classes and clinic and pass all comprehensive exams in order to proceed in the program. Any student receiving a PC or NC will be placed on academic probation. The terms and length of academic probation are decided on an individual basis.  If a student is not able to maintain successful academic progress after being placed on probation, he or she will be dismissed from the program. Decisions regarding academic probation and dismissal are made by the Academic Dean, in conjunction with the President. Refer to the Student Handbook for more information.

Attendance Policy: Students who miss more than 20% of class time in a course will not be given credit for the course and will be expected to retake the class and pay additional tuition for the course.  The school has additional attendance policies for special circumstances.  Please see the school handbook for a complete description of these policies.

Attendance Time Frame:  The minimum time for completing the program is 36 months.  The maximum time for completion of the program is six years from the date of original entry.

Credit to Hour Ratio: SIOM operates on a trimester system with 15-week trimesters. Each trimester credit is 15 hours of academic class time or 30 hours of clinical training.

Grading Procedures: Students are evaluated on a competency basis. Evaluation levels are:

AC - Achieved Competency

Indicates the student has demonstrated adequate skill in course or clinical objectives as described in course syllabi and clinic guidelines.

PC - Partial Competency

Indicates further makeup work is needed to demonstrate adequate skill in course objectives. This evaluation does not deter the student from proceeding in the program as long as there are not several PCs at once and the student has a faculty-approved plan for remedying the deficiency.

NC - No Competency

Indicates the student will need to retake the course or clinical component in order to demonstrate competency.

I - Incomplete

Used only in times of medical or personal emergency. A faculty-approved plan for completion of the course or clinical requirements is required.

W – Withdrawal

Used when the student withdraws from the course or program.

Second and Third Year Comprehensive Exams: Students take a series of comprehensive written and practical exams in their second and third year to evaluate their readiness to continue in the program. All components of these comprehensive exams must be successfully passed in order to continue and graduate. Graduation Requirements: The Master's degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (M.Ac.O.M.) is awarded upon the accomplishment of the following:

• Successful completion of clinical and academic course work.
• Certification by the faculty for all clinical competencies.
• Fulfillment of all financial obligations with the Institute.

Student Conduct: Any student who behaves in an unprofessional manner will be placed on academic probation and, if the behavior continues, could be dismissed from the program by a decision of the Academic Dean in conjunction with the President. Certain behavior, such as cheating, intoxication or violent behavior at school will result in immediate dismissal. See the Student Handbook for details.

Probation and/or Dismissal from the Program: Insufficient academic performance or unprofessional behavior at the Institute are grounds for academic probation and if uncorrected, dismissal from the program.  The student is normally first given verbal warning regarding the concern with a description of appropriate behavior and potential consequences. Further problems would result in written warning regarding the performance or behavior. If the area of concern with the student continues the student will be placed on probation and if there is still no resolution, dismissed from the program.  There are certain situations (violence, drug use, misconduct regarding responsibilities to patient care, financial misconduct, etc.) that could result in immediate probation or dismissal from the program.  In cases of probation a clear written plan for behavior and/or any remedial work will be developed by the Academic Dean and communicated to the individual.  Once there is clear demonstration that the academic or professional conduct issue has been remedied, the academic probationary status will be lifted.

Grievance Procedure:

Any student, faculty or staff person may use the following grievance procedure to address concerns that they believe have not been handled fairly by the administration or other parties at the school.

1) The individual with the grievance should first attempt to resolve the issue directly with the other individual or parties concerned (with or without counseling support).

2) In cases where this is insufficient, not possible, or inappropriate; the grievance should be put in writing and sent to the Academic Dean.  The Academic Dean shall review the grievance, often in consultation with other administrators, and respond in writing to the grievance within two weeks with a decision regarding the concern.

3) If the individual is dissatisfied with the written response from the Academic Dean, he or she may request a hearing with the Grievance Committee within two weeks of receiving the response from the Dean.  This request must be in writing and submitted to the President of the Institute.  The President will select the Grievance Committee composed of     an Advisory Board member, a faculty person and an administrator.  This committee will review the written documentation, meet with the interested parties and make a decision within six weeks of the receipt of the letter of appeal sent to the President.

After the decision of the Grievance Committee, if the individual believes the ruling is unfair, he or she may choose to contact the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) at the following address:

Maryland Trade Center #3, 7501 Greenway Center Drive,
Suite 760, Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: 301-313-0855   Fax: 301-313-0912

Leave of Absence and Withdrawal: The Seattle Institute does not have a leave of absence policy. If a student cannot maintain a full-time academic load in good standing at the school, he or she must withdraw from the program. If at a later date the student is again able to begin full-time study, application may be made for re-entry into the program. Reacceptance in the program will be based on the student's preparedness for further study, academic record and demonstration of competence in the subjects required at the point of re-entry. Tuition will be based on the tuition set for the class the student joins at re-entry.

Transfer Credit to Other Institutions: Credit earned at the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine may be transferable to other academic institutions. This determination is made at the discretion of the school considering accepting transfer credits. Course descriptions are made available to other institutions upon request.

Transcript Issuance to Students: Official transcripts are issued upon request to students and other institutions. A $5 fee is assessed per copy.