COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES Student Guide to Success
Table of Contents Letter from the Academic Program Director.........1 Checklist...2 Who you gonna call?...3-4 Instructor...3 Academic Advisor... 3 Tech Support.....3 Financial Aid.....4 Student Accounts.... 4 Registrar...4 Software...4 Reminders from your Academic Advisor........5-9 Communicating with your instructors.... 5 Attendance.....5 Add/Drop Week......5 Class structure.....5 Syllabus......6 Discussion Threads....6 Seminar Sessions....6 Software Requirements.....7 APA Style Guidelines...7 KU Resources...7 How to make the Dean s/president s List..8 University Policies..... 8 Degree Sequencing...8 What makes a successful Kaplan student..8 The Road to Graduation....9 Contingency Plan (What to do if )......10 Top Ten Tips for Success!...13
Welcome Health Sciences Students! I would like to congratulate you on your decision to pursue a Degree in the Health Sciences from Kaplan University! We live in exciting times! With the current shortage of health care professionals you will be well positioned to find meaningful employment upon graduation. The diversity and flexibility of the health science degree allows you the opportunity to select from a number of different career paths. Health Science students can pursue a career in medical transcription, medical office management or medical assisting. Each career path has it s own unique challenges and rewards. If you are looking to enhance your current position, or if you looking for a new career, the degree in health sciences will help your achieve your dreams. I wish you all the best as you continue your educational journey toward the path of future success! Best wishes, Ginger Cameron Ginger Cameron, Academic Program Director Kaplan University 1
A Note From Your Advisor - Don t Forget the Following Checklist... To Do List: Log into KU Campus from www.kaplanuniversity.edu Verify your information on the KU Campus User Info link Send official transcripts for potential transfer credit. Find the link on the KU Campus Prior Learning tab. Complete the New Student Orientation course. Review all University policies and procedures on KU Campus. Verify that you have the correct software according to Kaplan s software policy. A few tips for you: Any changes to your schedule need to be completed before the end of Add/Drop week to avoid charges. The academic week begins every Wednesday at 12:00am ET and ends Tuesday at 11:59pm ET. All assignments are due before the end of the week. Each course requires classroom interaction/attendance at least three times per week. If you do not participate in classes for 21 consecutive days, you will be withdrawn from Kaplan (see the Catalog for financial implications). Read your email regularly. This is the primary method of direct communication with your instructors and classmates. Keep an open door of communication with your academic advisor and instructors. We urge you to contact us directly any time you need support or advice. We re all here to help you and are dedicated to your success! Call 866-522-7747 to make an appointment! 2
Who you gonna call? During the term, questions will arise on any number of university-related topics. Here are some tips on who to contact and when contact is appropriate. Contact Instructors when: You have questions about the syllabus or class policies You will be late or absent from a class You have questions about the course content or an assignment Instructor contact information will be listed in the course syllabus. You will usually find their username as well as their AOL Instant Messenger screen name. All Instructors are required to have at least 2 hours of office hours via AIM. It is also advisable to post general questions in the class Discussion Thread or to ask questions during the weekly Seminar session. Contact your Academic Advisor when: It is time to register for classes You need to add or drop a class You need to discuss program or course requirements You need to discuss academic and professional goals You need to request tutoring or special services You have questions about a transfer credit evaluation You are experiencing issues with time or stress management and study skills You have questions regarding college policies and procedures You have questions regarding textbooks. For book returns, send to: MBS Direct Returns Attn: Order # 2711 W. Ash Street Columbia, MO 65203-4613 You can reach your advisor by email (you can find this on your Degree Plan page on KU Campus), calling your advisor directly (866-522-7747, or setting up a phone appointment for your advisor to call you at a specific time (866-522-7747. Contact Kaplan Technical Support when: You have technical issues with KU Campus, KU ACE, or your student email Call 866-522-7747 or you may use Live Chat (found on KU Campus under the Help tab). 3
Contact the Financial Aid Office when: You are missing Documents for your file You have questions regarding Living Expenses You have questions regarding credit load- increase or decrease You have questions regarding monies owed You need to withdraw from school For all questions, call 866-522-7747. Contact Student Accounts when: You have questions about your tuition bill or any other payments You need to pay a registration fee for a Challenge Exam or Experiential Learning Portfolio (ELP) You need to withdraw from school For all questions, call 866-522-7747. Contact the Registrar's Office when: You need to request your transcripts You need to verify your enrollment for your job You need to officially change your name For all questions, call 866-522-7747. Contact for Software needs: To purchase software, contact CCV Software at http://kaplan.ccvsoftware.com. They offer discounted software to students. You can find more information in the Student Store on KU Campus. To purchase a new computer, contact Dell regarding the Discount Program offering up to 12% off the purchase of a computer. The link to the program information can be found at the bottom of KU Campus and in the Student Store. Contact you Academic Program Director when: You have contacted one of the above people but continue to have concerns. 4
Fifteen REMINDERS from Your Academic Advisor! 1. Communicating Effectively with Your Instructor As a first term student at Kaplan University, it is easy to forget that your instructors are a huge resource to you, the student. The Advising team would like to encourage all students to communicate with your instructors throughout each term. If you are struggling through the course, or even one lesson in the course, ask your instructor for assistance as early as possible via AIM office hours or email. They may suggest you request a tutor this would serve you better earlier in the term, rather than after all of your exams have been completed! Every instructor is required to have office hours (two hours per week). The office hours will be listed in the course syllabus, along with your instructor s AIM screen name. 2. What is the Attendance Policy? The academic week begins Wednesdays at 12:00 am ET and ends Tuesdays at 11:59 pm ET. Weekly assignments are due by the close of each academic week. Each course requires classroom interaction at least three times during the academic week. If you do not log into your classes for 21 consecutive days, you will be administratively withdrawn from Kaplan University (please see the catalog for the financial implications of withdrawal). Logging into KU Campus does not count towards your weekly attendance. 3. What is Add/Drop Week? Add/Drop Week is the first week of classes. This is the last chance you have to make any schedule changes for the term; however, if you think that a change should be made, do your best to notify your academic advisor prior to the start of the term. Here is some information to keep in mind during Add/Drop Week: Add/Drop week begins on the first day of the term and ends 7 days later. If you can t reach your assigned advisor, contact any Academic Advisor to make changes to your schedule during this time. If you need to change or drop any of your classes, this must be completed prior to the first Tuesday of the term at 11:59 pm ET (in writing to your Academic Advisor) or there will be financial penalties. Academic Advisors are the only ones with the ability to help you with your schedule. Print out the Academic Calendar on KU Campus for further term specific information. 4. How are classes structured at Kaplan University? All Arts and Sciences 100- and 200-level courses offer two options for the seminar in each of the 10 units. Students can either attend a seminar via Seminar during the regularly scheduled chat hour previously chosen with their advisor OR students may participate in a specific threaded discussion question related to the same seminar topic. To get to the seminar, KHE Seminar link found on your Remote window. Each week, there are synchronous and asynchronous components to your classes. The synchronous portion is the Seminar which meets at a set time each week and you must log in at that time to 5
take part in the seminar. The asynchronous portion is the threaded discussion which takes place at your own pace throughout each unit week. * Note: Each type of class requires students to post on the unit threaded discussion as this is separate from the seminar options. 5. Understanding the Syllabus On your first day of class, you will have access to each course s syllabus on the class homepage. You should print out your syllabus for each course or save it to your hard drive and keep it handy for reference as it contains valuable information, such as: Instructor contact information and office hours Course objectives Weekly lessons Grading scales/guidelines Discussion Threads and Seminar expectations If you have a question about anything specific to your class, your instructor can answer questions about grading, assignments, Discussion Threads, Seminar sessions, and course requirements. 6. Excelling in the Discussion Threads Much of your interaction with instructors and fellow students, as well as a substantial portion of your course grade, depends on your involvement on the discussion threads. Your syllabus will tell you specifically how long and detailed each post should be and the percentage of your grade that your discussion thread posts comprise. Most importantly, you need to be aware of the mechanics of the discussion threads. Here are some general tips for posting to the discussion threads: Respond to all points within each unit question Use proper grammar and spelling; i.e. utilize spell check and grammar check features when posting Make sure you are meeting the minimum length requirements (as outlined in the syllabus) Remember to respond to your classmate s discussion thread postings. Use the discussion threads to your advantage. A college classroom offers many opportunities for learning and engagement. The discussion thread is one place where you can learn from your fellow students and they can learn from you! 7. Participating in Weekly Seminar Sessions and Chat Netiquette Typing is an uphill battle for a number of students, but with a little preparation, you can excel in your course Seminars. Read through your course materials and assigned readings prior to attending the chat session. Key in on the pertinent chat information and questions. Anticipate and type some answers to possible questions in Microsoft Word, and copy and paste them into the chat window when applicable. This ensures your participation in the chat session and allows you more of an opportunity to be engaged in the class. 6
8. What are the Software Requirements? Since you will be attending your courses online, it is important to make sure that you have the appropriate software to enhance your academic experience. Please take note of the minimum system requirements to succeed in your academic goals at Kaplan. Be sure to complete the Software Compatibility quiz in the New Student Orientation (NSO). Microsoft Windows Operating System (2000 or higher) Microsoft Office 2000 or higher A current anti-virus application Internet Explorer 5.0 (or higher) Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download on the Internet) AOL Instant Messenger (free download on the Internet) Should you need to purchase any software, you can purchase it at a discount through CCV Software, accessible via 800-843-5576 (Toll Free) or kaplan.ccvsoftware.com. 9. Writing Style Guidelines One of the hallmarks of a college education is the amount of writing you will do. At Kaplan University, it is common for you to write weekly essays and multiple Discussion Thread posts. Here are some tips on writing and editing your work. For additional assistance, visit the Writing Center under the Academic Support tab on KU Campus. The general format of a paper includes the following: A title page with a header, the paper s title, your name, and your course and section number An abstract (this varies by instructor; please check your syllabus) The paper A references page, if appropriate 10. Kaplan Website Resources Here are some of the resources available on the University website: Academic Success Center offers tutoring, math, and writing labs Career Services offers help with job searches, and will help equip you with the tools necessary to land that job Student Life offers information about Clubs and Organizations UAH Library you can access collections of course reserves, electronic books, traditional books, electronic articles, and dissertations. 7
11. How to make the Dean s List or President s List. There are rewards for studying hard, including personal satisfaction, and f your grades are high enough, the possibility of making the Dean s or President s List each term. Dean s List requires a term GPA of 3.4 3.95 President s List requires a term GPA of 3.96 4.0 You must be registered for at least 10 credits per term to be eligible For study tips, contact your Academic Advisor and look under Academic Support on KU Campus. 12. University Policies To learn more about Kaplan University policies, much of what you need can be located on KU Campus and especially in the Catalog. The University Catalog and Catalog Addendum are located under Documents and Forms, below your classroom links. The Academic Calendar is located under Special Highlights, below your classroom links. For transfer credit and Experiential Learning Portfolio information, view the Prior Credit tab at the top of KU Campus. Library expectations can be found at the top right of KU Campus when you select the Library link. Complete the New Student Orientation to learn more about Kaplan. 13. Degree Sequencing For questions on course registration or choosing electives, contact your Academic Advisor. You can learn more about your Degree Plan by clicking on the link from KU Campus. Click the View by Recommended Sequence tab to see the suggested order for course registration. You can select any course or elective area to read descriptions of your classes. 14. What makes a successful Kaplan student? As you embark on your educational journey with Kaplan University, it is important to consider what it will take for you to be a successful student. Beginning a term with the right attitude and good habits will go a long way toward feeling a strong sense of accomplishment at the end of the term. With that in mind, here are some guidelines that have been suggested by some successful students here at Kaplan: Set up a system of goals and rewards Print out important materials Keep up with the Discussion Threads Organize yourself Be an active Seminar participant Maintain communication with your instructor Have a backup plan Avoid distractions Utilize all review material Keep a positive attitude 8
15. The Road to Graduation Congratulations! You are beginning a journey at Kaplan University. Each day puts you closer to achieving your academic goals and closer to graduation! Sometimes school can be overwhelming but it is so important that you continuously remind yourself of your goals. Sometimes it's easy to lose sight of those goals, no matter how clear they may have seemed as school was starting. It is important, though, to never lose sight of what you are trying to achieve in life. Why have you chosen to enroll at Kaplan? What do you hope to achieve with your education? The stresses of class, work, and family life can be overwhelming, so I'd encourage you to step back, take a deep breath, and refocus yourself for each term. Write down your goals and stick them on the refrigerator, in your wallet, on your nightstand, or on the visor of your car. Tell your friends and family what you hope to gain from your education, and ask them to remind you of this from time to time. Ask yourself these questions whenever you are feeling stressed, and take a moment to close your eyes and visualize yourself attaining your goals. Each day puts you closer to GRADUATION! 9
A Contingency Plan for Your Success (What to do if ) How can you be prepared for an unexpected situation? Here are some tips to help you create a personalized contingency plan: 1. Know your public library hours and internet availability. Make sure they are aware that you are a college student. You should have your Student ID available if you do not have one, contact your Academic Advisor. 2. Is there a local community college in your area? If so, visit the college library and computer labs. Find out if they allow local residents to use their computers. Make a note of their hours as they are usually more extensive than a public library s hours. 3. Did you know that some rental companies will rent computers? Search your local yellow pages to find such companies and keep their number handy perhaps they have a nice refrigerator magnet you could use. 4. Work with your supervisor or employer. Let them know that you are attempting to further your education. Ask them if it would be possible to use their internet access in case of emergency. Perhaps you can arrive to work early or leave late so that your class work does not interfere with your job duties. 5. If a major storm is on the horizon, be sure that your syllabus and at least two weeks of assignments have been printed out. If you need to leave your home, take your books, assignments, and our phone number with you. We can communicate with your instructors if you are unable to get online. We can be reached at 866-522-7747. 6. You should always save your class work to an external device such as a zip drive, A drive, quick drive, CDR, or other similar device. This way, should you ever have any computer problems, your class work is portable. * Student suggestion: One KU student suggested sending your assignments to your email as an additional storage location. 7. If you have requested a tutor for your class and are waiting to hear if someone is available, what do you do? You should already be attending your instructor s office hours by this point. Work with your instructor on your immediate concerns. If SmarThinking is available in the classroom, work with them as well. If your concern is related to writing or math, access the Writing Center and Math Center from the Academic Support tab on KU Campus. If additional assistance is needed, post a request in the Discussion Thread. Perhaps you will find a study buddy in class. Do not let yourself fall farther behind while you wait for a tutor as not all classes have tutors readily available. Follow these tips and you will be prepared to take on the world as you race for the finish line to graduation! We are here to assist you if any of the above situations do occur, and can also help you develop a personalized contingency plan just call to make an appointment. 10
TOP TEN TIPS FOR SUCCESS! A degree in Health Sciences will open the doors of opportunity. There are some simple things that will help you succeed as your work your way through the program. 1. Use green highlighters as often as possible. Your brain likes the color green and you are more likely to remember things that are in green. 2. Get a good medical dictionary. Taber s is a great one, but you may have some difficulty understanding it before you get a good grasp on medical terminology. Mosby s also has a good one that is more entry level friendly. There are also lots of great medical dictionaries available online, links to many of them can be found in the resource section of the student website. 3. Set aside a designated time to study and do homework, preferably when the kids are napping or occupied. 4. Stay organized. All three degrees within the Health Sciences have national tests. Although these tests are optional, if you decide to take them it will help if you can find your notes from each of your courses to help you prepare. 5. Maintain contact with your instructor. Things happen and there may be a time when you find you have gotten behind in a course. It is crucial at these times to contact your instructor right away to see what you can do. 6. Attend NSO. Students who attend NSO are more successful! 7. Think about getting a good set of white shoes in time for your externship. In the medical field white shoes are a staple so start planning now. 8. If you are studying medical assisting, you will need to think about buying a watch with a second hand if you don t have one. This is critical to take vital signs. 9. Visit the student website often. It is updated regularly and will contain pertinent information regarding your chosen profession and your program. 10. Learn to let some things go. Going to school is time consuming, so some things will have to be done slightly differently than you are doing them now. Learn to delegate chores to family members and realize that you may have to leave dirty dishes in the sink until morning while you work on homework, and that s ok. 11