The school establishes its evaluations based on the results of theoretical and practical examinations. The following grading scale will be used:
| Grade | Scores | Description | Grade Points Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90-100 | Excellent | 4.0 |
| B | 80-89 | Very Good | 3.0 |
| C | 75-79 | Satisfactory | 2.0 |
| F | <= 74 | Failure | No Credit |
| P | Passing (Clinical) | ||
| F | Failure (Clinical) | No Credit | |
| W | Withdraw | No Credit | |
| I | Incomplete | No Credit |
| Grade | Scores | Description | Grade Points Earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90-100 | Excellent | 4.0 |
| B | 80-89 | Very Good | 3.0 |
| C | 75-79 | Satisfactory | 2.0 |
| D | 60-74 | Unsatisfactory | No Credit |
| F | <= 59 | Failure | No Credit |
| W | Withdraw | No Credit | |
| I | Incomplete | No Credit |
The credit system utilized at Riggs College is the semester credit for degree granting programs, and clock hours for diploma granting programs.
The institution uses semester credits for degree granting programs. A semester credit hour is equivalent to 15 hours of lecture; 30 hours of lab; or 45 hours of clinical or externship work.
A semester is defined as a period of 12 to 16 weeks.
The contact/clock hour is defined as a period of 60 minutes with a minimum of 50 minutes of instruction in the presence of an instructor.
A period of enrollment or payment obligation is a semester.
An academic year is defined as four quarters.
The course numbers are based on course codes established by the institution and do not relate to state common course numbering systems. The course numbering system consists of an alpha prefix followed by a digit course number. The Alpha Prefix identifies the academic discipline, and the first digit specifies if the course belongs to an upper or lower division. The numbers indicate the level of the course.
| BA | Business Administration |
|---|---|
| BS | Biology |
| CH | Chemistry |
| CJ | Criminal Justice |
| DE | Growth and Development |
| EN | English Composition |
| HA | HIV/AIDS |
| MA | College Algebra |
| MC | Microbiology |
| NU | Nursing |
| PH | Pharmacology |
| PN | Practical Nursing |
| PS | Psychology |
| SP | Oral Communications |
| ST | Statistics |
To graduate from a program, all students must complete required examinations, hours, and services, in which the minimum passing score achieved must be no less than 75% (CGPA of 2.5). In addition to this, the student must fulfill all financial obligations as stated in the Enrollment Agreement. After satisfying all requirements, the student will be awarded a diploma or degree depending on the program completed.
The institution’s academic advisor is available to provide assistance and orientation to all students. Students are also free to direct any questions to appropriate staff members.
The course syllabus will be provided to each student upon the start of a course. Students should review the syllabus carefully to understand weekly expectations of course requirements. The syllabus contains all information concerning the course including learning objectives, midterm, and final examination. All the contact information pertaining to the instructor will be listed on the syllabus.
If a student does not complete the required work of a component that is in progress, they may receive a grade of incomplete (I). The method and time for completion of the work must be agreed upon in writing, by the student and instructor. If work has not been completed by the end of the agreed upon time, the grade of (I) will automatically change to a grade of F. No time frame shall exceed a period of four weeks into the next semester.
Clinical and Laboratory courses are measured on a PASS or FAIL basis. Students who PASS a clinical or laboratory class will receive a grade of P on a 4.0 grade scale.
A "W" or Withdrawal is awarded to a student who has dropped a course during the program. A "W" does not affect the student’s GPA.
Students must repeat any course in which a passing grade is not earned. Students only have a total of two (2) chances to fail any general education or nursing course with Riggs College and only the final grade is considered in the computation of the student’s GPA and credited towards graduation requirements. The student will be required to pay tuition for a repeated course. If a student fails any general education or nursing course with the second attempt, they will be academically dismissed from the nursing program.
Students must submit work that represents their original words or ideas. Students must clearly cite all resources used. Words or ideas that require citation include, but are not limited to, all hard copy or electronic publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communication when content of such communication clearly originates from an identifiable source. The School’s Director of Education may expel a student for cheating or plagiarism. No credit will be given for homework that is not the original work of the submitting student. Students will receive credit only for original work.
For a student to make up a class, lab or a clinical missed prior to finishing and taking the final test, the student must make arrangements with their instructor. The same rule applies for missed exams and these will be scheduled at the discretion of the instructor. Make-up exams are a privilege – not a right! Students should be in attendance on examination days. Students will be charged a nonrefundable fee of $75.00 to retake any exam following arrangements made with the instructor.
Riggs College reserves the right to conduct any national final comprehensive exam. For a student to graduate and take the NCLEX at the end of the program, the student must achieve a passing score according to the given national exam’s passing recommendation. Riggs College uses ATI, HESI, Kaplan, UWorld to administer the Final Comprehensive Exam. According to the policy of Riggs College, the minimum passing score for the final comprehensive exams are listed below:
The ATI exam is broken into 2 parts, critical thinking, worth 40% of the final score, and general questions, worth 60%. The minimum passing score for the ATI is 75%. The minimum passing score for HESI is 950 out of 1500, while the minimum passing score for Kaplan is 1000.
Students are permitted to take the final comprehensive exam three times on the school campus. If a student does not pass the final comprehensive exam on the first attempt, the student must remediate using a comprehensive review identified by the school’s administration. After submitting their certificate of completion for the comprehensive review, the student is eligible to take the final comprehensive exam a second time. If a student does not pass the final comprehensive exam on the second attempt, the student must repay course fees and retake Medical Surgical I and Medical Surgical II including the clinical components to be permitted to take the comprehensive exam a third time. If a student is unsuccessful on the third attempt after repeating Medical Surgical I and Medical Surgical II including the clinical components, the student will be administratively dismissed from the current program.
Note: Each student must pay an examination fee of $150.00 for each attempt.
Note: Upon successful completion of your Final Comprehensive Examination, you must register with the Florida Board of Nursing and take your NCLEX within 180 days. Failure to comply with the policy of the college will result in retaking the Final Comprehensive Examination before you can be authorized to take the NCLEX.
Satisfactory progress is defined by the average attendance and academic progress maintained by the student. The institution requires that all students enrolled be evaluated academically and attendance-wise in evaluation periods as follows:
Students enrolled in this program are evaluated for SAP at the end of each semester.
1st SAP evaluation at 450 hours attempted 2nd SAP evaluation at 900 hours attempted 3rd SAP evaluation at 1350 hours attempted
Students enrolled in this program are evaluated for SAP at the end of each semester.
Students are required to meet the standards of academic progress that are outlined in the sections below to determine that the standards are met. These standards have multiple components (qualitative and quantitative measurements) that include a minimum cumulative grade point average requirement (CGPA); a minimum successful completion rate based on all clock hours attempted; and a maximum time frame requirement.
Students must complete at least 85% of the attempted clock hours of the corresponding evaluation period to remain in compliance with the institution’s SAP Policy. Clock hour progression will be based on a cumulative total of attempted hours to earned hours. For example, a student who is in an SAP evaluation period of 450 clock hours is required to successfully complete a minimum of 382.5 clock hours (450 x 85% = 382.5).
Under the qualitative criteria, to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), the student must demonstrate a minimum overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 at the end of the SAP evaluation period to be considered.
A student who fails to establish or maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (fails to meet SAP Quantitative criteria or SAP Qualitative criteria) will be placed on academic probation and maintain this status of academic probation during the following SAP evaluation period. At the end of the period in which the student is on probation, the student’s overall GPA and clock hours completion percentage will be recalculated. A student will be removed from academic probation only if the student completes the appropriate percentage of coursework and earns a "C" or better in all courses attempted during the corresponding period in which he or she is on academic probation and earns a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
The maximum allowable time frame for students to remain active in a program of enrollment is equal to 150% of the total length of the program. A student who reaches the total hours attempted must be equal to the program’s maximum timeframe or they will be automatically withdrawn.
Any student who has been placed on academic probation but feels there were mitigating circumstances that caused them to fail the SAP standard, may file a written appeal with supporting documentation to the School’s President. The President will make the final decision regarding the student’s appeal within 5 business days. If the student’s appeal is granted, the status will be changed to satisfactory academic progress.
Any student who has been academically dismissed will not be considered for readmission to the institution until six (6) months have passed. The student will have to reapply for admission, satisfy all admissions criteria in effect at the time, and satisfy any outstanding financial obligations to the institution.
In the event of non-compliance with School rules and regulations, academic attendance or professional image, a student will be issued a written warning from his or her instructor. The instructor will advise the student of the non-compliance issue and proceed to identify a corrective action.
Per institution policy, the maximum probation for a student is defined by SAP’s evaluation period for program of study. Within that period, the student should improve his/her satisfactory progress by completing additional hours and taking additional examinations provided by the instructor, and by completing those examinations with a minimum grade average of "C" (2.75). Meanwhile, the student should be fulfilling the minimum attendance requirements. If a student does not make satisfactory progress up to the time of completing each evaluation period of the program, the institution places him/her on probation. If a student restores his/her satisfactory progress, but does not maintain satisfactory progress status, then he/she will be removed from the program.
The policy of the institution indicates that all students should have the right to an appeal. Appeals must be received within 10 days of dismissal. A student may appeal against the school’s determination of unsatisfactory progress by submitting a written explanation of their reasoning to the Student Services Department. The Student Services Department will confer with the School’s Director of Education, who will determine, in this case, the final decision. The student will be notified of the final determination within 10 business days.
A student who withdraws from their respective program, due to unsatisfactory progress, may be re- admitted to the school on probation status. All former students may apply for readmission to the institution until six (6) months have passed (or at the discretion of administration) after the effective date of their withdrawal. A student seeking readmission will be required to submit and complete the application process and pay a readmission fee of $50.00.
To prepare students for high ethical standards, the college expects absolute integrity both in the classroom and the clinical setting. Therefore, cheating, plagiarizing, stealing academic work, including tests and related materials, submitting papers written by others, or failing to report an occurrence of academic dishonesty will make the student subject to the college’s disciplinary procedures. The student’s case will be referred to the academic committee. Students who are found to have breached the honor code may be expelled from the program.
Cheating in the instructional setting is intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. Copying from another student’s examination; submitting work for an in-class examination that has been prepared in advance; representing material prepared by another as one’s own work; submitting the same work in more than one course without prior permission of both instructors; violating rules governing administration of examinations; violating any rules relating to academic conduct of a course or program.
Plagiarism is the act of submitting a paper in which the language, ideas or thoughts are identical to published or unpublished material from another without correctly giving credit to that source.
Engaging in forms of dishonesty, such as cheating, and plagiarism are prohibited. The term ‘cheating’ includes but is not limited to:
The term ‘plagiarism’ includes but is not limited to the use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.
Any evidence of dishonesty on the part of a student or aiding (defined by Webster’s dictionary as "to render assistance or help") or abetting (defined by Webster’s dictionary as "to encourage and support especially a wrongdoing or wrongdoer") on the part of another student in the clinical or academic area will result in a hearing for consideration of dismissal from the nursing program.
Additionally, any student found to have had knowledge of actual or potential dishonesty and who fails to report it will be required to attend a departmental hearing for consideration of dismissal from the program. Any exam material disclosure by students including the nature or content of examination items, before, during, or after the examination is prohibited and considered academic dishonesty.
An audiotape recording of the lecture is acceptable. Reproduction and/or distribution of recorded lectures via social media e.g. Facebook, YouTube is prohibited. All media/communication devices other than audio tape recording devices, e.g. cameras, video players, etc. are prohibited during class and scheduled lab sessions. Cell phones are to be powered off during class and scheduled lab sessions.
Cell phone use for students is permitted during assigned break/lunch periods outside of patient care areas while in the clinical area. Cell phones are to be powered off during all interactions with faculty i.e. pre and post conferences while in the clinical setting unless instructed by the faculty member. Students will follow the assigned clinical facility’s policy regarding the use of electronic devices while in the clinical area.
Sanctions for the first-time violation of the Academic Integrity Policy are at the discretion of the professor up to and including no credit for an assignment or assessment.
Notification of violation will be sent to the Dean who may impose additional sanctions.
Students who violate academic integrity shall, after due process, be subject to college sanctions that may include failure on assignments and examinations, failure in courses, and suspension or expulsion. Established Academic Integrity policies, procedures, and sanctions are communicated in classes and Student Handbook.
Faculty members/Staff are available for student advisement five hours per week, with open office hours from 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM daily as well as at other times by appointment. The Dean & Chief Operating Officer are also available for student guidance and advisement.
The college will assist students for job placement but does not guarantee job placement to graduates upon program completion or upon graduation.
Riggs College is committed to providing all students with a wide array of services and support to help them succeed academically. Faculty members are available from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM daily to all students enrolled in the College, and the college offers some programs to assist students with academic difficulties. These services and programs include, but are not limited to, help with: study skills, test-taking skills, testing anxiety, and student life planning. The college also offers support services for students with disabilities and one-to-one tutoring.
Students are expected to attend class and complete all grading activities in the learning platform to receive attendance. Students who do not submit course work as established in the course syllabus for a period of 14 days will automatically be withdrawn from the program of enrollment. Students may request a Leave of Absence (LOA) when absence is greater than 14 days, due to reasonable circumstances such as family illness, disability, or emergency. Please refer to the policy on Leave of Absence for details.
Attendance to laboratory and clinicals is recorded on assigned days.
Attendance to online classes is recorded.
Students who miss greater than two (2) days of class within a specified course will be given a grade of “W” and the course must be repeated at student’s expense. The only exception to this policy will be a reasonable excuse for which student must present proper documentation for approval (doctor’s note, hospital note, etc.). The note must be presented to the instructor. Students will be advised if an excuse has been approved in a period no longer than two (2) business days.
A Leave of Absence (LOA) may be granted for reasonable causes like personal and family illness, disability, or emergency for students with a reasonable expectation to return and resume their program of study. An LOA must be requested in writing using the school’s Leave of Absence Form prior to the beginning of the proposed requested leave. The request must include the reason for the request, the student signature as well as the date.
A LOA must be approved by Student Services and may not exceed 90 days. The number of days of a LOA are calculated as continuous calendar days including weekends, holidays, and breaks.
If a student fails to return from the LOA as scheduled, he/she will be considered withdrawn with the date being the last day of attendance before starting the LOA.
The institution may grant a student multiple LOA if the total number of days for all leaves does not exceed 90 days within a 12-month period. The first day of the LOA starts when the LOA is granted.
In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the institution may grant a LOA without having the request form in advance. The student would need to complete the request form before the end of the LOA granting period.
Students who are not in regular attendance jeopardize the quality of their education. Therefore, a LOA is discouraged.
Students are advised to attend classes and participate as directed by their instructor to assure program completion within the scheduled duration (see program duration specified in catalog and enrollment agreement).
For diploma programs, students who remain in the program beyond the allocated scheduled hours for their program of study will be required to pay for each additional hour beyond the set schedule of completion. (See the enrollment agreement.) Each hour is divided by the program tuition cost.
For degree programs, students must pay for each course that needs to be retaken. The cost to retake a course is equivalent to the initial cost of the course.
Students who do not successfully complete their program before reaching 150% of total hours will be automatically withdrawn per the Satisfactory Academic Policy included in the school catalog.
Possession of any weapons on campus is expressly forbidden. Weapons of any nature are prohibited in the classroom, lab, externship, and on any school grounds. Individuals with weapons in their possession will be immediately dismissed without recourse or appeal. Threats of violence against students, staff or faculty will be reported to local authorities.
Theft of school property is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action including suspension or dismissal from the school. Local law enforcement may be called to escort students from the premises. Students may be prosecuted and held liable for restoration, attorney, and court fees.
Vandalizing school property is prohibited. Vandalism of any school property may result in disciplinary action including suspension or dismissal from the school. Local law enforcement may be called to escort students from the premises. Students may be prosecuted and held liable for restoration, attorney, and court fees.
Riggs College provides a drug-free institution as required by the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, and implemented at 34 CFR Part 85, Subpart F, and defined at 34 CFR Part 85, Sections 85.605 and 85.610. Students may not manufacture, possess, use, dispense, or distribute illicit drugs and alcohol on school’s property, or a part of its off-campus student activities. All students must follow the substance abuse policy. Any student who violates this policy will be disciplined, suspended, or released. Students upon admission agree to random and for-cause drug testing. Random drug testing may occur on site or may require going to an independent lab. For-cause drug testing may require immediate sojourn to an independent lab. Students who test positive and cannot produce evidence of legitimate prescription will be subject to dismissal or expulsion.
Prior to entering the nursing program, background checks are required. Riggs College students have been informed that having a criminal record decreases probability of employment opportunities, certifications, or licenses. Riggs College is not responsible for students or graduates’ who are not successful in obtaining employment, certification, or licensing.
Registered Nursing graduates are prepared to function in beginning staff-level registered nurse positions in institutions that might include hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, clinics, and comparable health care facilities.
Information regarding registered sexual offenders in the area may be obtained through the county website. Students are encouraged to register for alert bulletins through the Orange County Sheriff’s Office website to receive current information on sex offenders who are moving in and out of the area.
The institution reserves the right to suspend any student for lack of payment, and/or breach of rules and regulations of the school.