Communication Policy

When communicating directly with instructors or others representing the MBKU DMSc program, our preferred method of communication is email or through the Blackboard Learning Management System. Students are expected to check both the Blackboard Learning Management System and their email daily program related communications.

• For messages received on normal workdays (weekdays), we will typically respond within 24 hours, time-zones permitting.
• For messages received on weekends, holidays, or other non-workdays, we will respond within 48 hours of the start of the next workday.
• If you have technology issues, please contact our 24/7 Help Link at ITsupport@ketchum.edu. IT support is available from 7:30 AM to 11:00 PM (PT) Monday through Friday and 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturdays.

Grading Criteria

DMSc courses will be graded based on the following general criteria:

The specific grading criteria for each course will be summarized in a table like the one below. The specific components and their weight will vary from course to course.

To successfully pass a course in the DMSc program, the student must earn at least 73% cumulatively on all graded assignments and activities. Students are expected to complete all required reading, video, and other media-based assignments, and turn in all written assignments, including discussion-board posts by the posted deadlines. Failure to do so may result in a lower grade.

Student Requirements/Expectations

Students are expected to:

1. Complete all required activities by the posted deadlines.
2. Actively participate and contribute to Discussion Board conversations.
3. Purchase required textbooks, if not available electronically through the MBKU Library, and complete reading assignments in the week they are assigned.
4. Treat classmates and faculty with dignity and respect.
    

Incomplete Assignments

Any student who receives an incomplete grade in a course will meet with the course instructor to develop an Action Plan to guide the student and spell out terms of how and when the course work will be completed. In general, a student has three weeks following the end of the quarter to complete missed coursework. In rare circumstances, the Program Director may authorize a longer period for missing coursework to be completed for an incomplete (I) course. If the student fails to meet the terms of the Action Plan, the student will receive a failing grade for the course. Any incomplete course may affect financial aid eligibility, and the student may incur additional tuition and/or costs.

Discussion Boards

To ensure academic engagement and regular and substantive interactions with faculty and fellow students, many courses will have a discussion board (DB). The DB is an asynchronous written electronic discussion that will occur each week when other major assignments are not due. The faculty will initiate these discussions by posting a question or statement relevant to that week’s lessons that require a response from each student by 11:59 PM on Wednesday (Pacific Time). Once a student has posted their response to the instructor prompt, they will then be able to see what their classmates have posted. Students will then be required to respond to at least two of their classmates’ posts by 11:59 PM (Pacific Time) on the Sunday before the next week begins.

• The initial post should be 300 to 500 words and be supported by two references in the AMA 11^th edition style
• The two subsequent responses to classmates’ initial post should each be 200-to-300-words and contain at least one reference using AMA 11^th edition style.

Discussion board posts will be graded as part of the overall grade for each course and are worth 10 points each. There will be no graded DB posts required during weeks when other assignments are due.

Written Assignments

Written assignments will be due by 11:59 PM Pacific (2:59 AM Eastern) on Sunday at the end of the week in which it is due. Students may negotiate an extension directly with the instructor if extenuating circumstances prevent them from meeting this deadline. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate this communication.

Late assignments will incur a 10% grade reduction and must be submitted within seven calendar days of the original due date or by a mutually agreed upon due date approved by the course instructor.

Assignments will be submitted in a format that is compatible across both Mac and PC systems. All assignments should be in 12-point Times New Roman Font and double spaced. Assignments should be organized, clearly written within assigned word-count limits, and free from grammatical or spelling errors. Use of spell/grammar check, Grammarly, reading aloud for clarity, and seeking additional proofreaders are encouraged. Assignments should include high-quality references in AMA 11th Edition style that are:

• The original primary source of the information
• Peer-reviewed through a journal, professional organization, or the government
• The most current for the given topic and ideally within the last 5 years, unless cited for historical purposes.

Attendance

All students are expected to participate and engage in all required parts of the courses they are enrolled in. Active participation on discussion boards is encouraged to foster learning and growth through interaction with classmates.

Time to Complete Program

Students are required to complete the doctoral program within three years of matriculation. Students with extenuating circumstances may petition the Program Director for consideration of longer timeframes.

Part-Time Status/Deceleration

The DMSc program at MBKU does not permit students to matriculate on a part-time basis, nor does the curriculum lend itself to a decelerated learning schedule. Deceleration is not an option for academic reasons.

Transfer Policy

The DMSc program at MBKU does not accept transfer students or transfer credits from other schools. All students are required to complete the entire DMSc curriculum. Admission to advanced standing is not considered or accepted. The DMSc program does not allow students to take proficiency exams to test out of any course within the DMSc curriculum.  

Advanced Placement

The DMSc program does not consider prior experience, medical training, or other qualifications for advanced placement. All students are expected to complete every component of the program. Respect for Diversity: It is our intent that students from all backgrounds and perspectives be well served by this course, that student learning needs to be addressed, and that the diversity that students bring to this class be viewed as a resource, strength, and benefit. It is our intent to present materials and activities that are respectful of all kinds of people: gender, sexuality, ability status, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and culture. Your suggestions are encouraged and appreciated. Please let us know ways to improve the effectiveness of the course for you personally or for other students. In addition, if any of our class requirements conflict with your religious events, please let us know and as always, please inform University Student Affairs of any accommodation needs.

Student Work Policy

Students are not permitted to serve as faculty or staff unless authorized by the Program Director. Students with specific prior knowledge, experiences, or skills may assist faculty in select sessions to share their expertise. While the program accommodates students working part-time or full-time, DMSc candidates must manage their time effectively to engage in instructional activities and meet educational requirements.