Student Policies

The academic policies on this webpage apply to all students at Park Manor Academy of Psychology (PMAP). It is the student's responsibility to be aware of, and follow, all Academy policies and procedures made known to them either on this website or from an Academy representative. Students must also know the requirements for their particular program, which are generally noted on the appropriate webpage. Academy representatives are available to clarify requirements, if necessary. However, in the end it is the student's responsibility to ensure they are fulfilling the requirements for their program, not the Academy.

Governing Policies
Policies and programs at PMAP may be continuously updated. Students must adhere to the policies and requirements in effect whenever they are in a PMAP program. Students are responsible for current policies and program requirements not those in effect at the time they registered or began their studies.

Ethics and Academic Integrity
PMAP takes ethical violations very seriously. By enrolling in PMAP, students pledge to follow the Academy's Academic Honor System. The foundation of any institution of higher learning is its students. The Academy strives to respect and honor students in their endeavors and promote intellectual freedom. This freedom rests on the foundation of honor. Through the use of distance education, the Academy is providing students with respect and a great deal of trust for academic integrity. Students complete assignments largely independently and with limited oversight. When students engage in activities which damage the academic process, institutional functioning, or damage the reputation of the Academy, they are violating the respect and trust which the Academy has extended. All students and staff are expected to act with integrity, honesty, responsibility, fairness, and respect in academic and other situations which might affect the reputation and functioning of the Academy.

Academic misconduct is defined as plagiarism, receiving assistance not permitted by the instructor on any academic assignment, cheating, providing or accepting any materials intended for academic evaluation (i.e., exams and papers) to or from anyone else without the consent of the instructor, turning in the same assignment for more than one class without permission of the instructor, falsifying data or providing misinformation on an assignment, using bribery or threats to attempt to influence or change an academic evaluation, lying, violating the rights of others or interfering with their learning. Students are also expected to report instances of academic misconduct of which they are aware. Because most examinations are online, attempts to gain access to examination material prior to exams, using any resources (such as notes or webpages) during exams, taking additional time to complete the exam without a written permission by the Academy, or otherwise cheating or gaining access to materials is considered as misconduct and will not be tolerated.

Handling and Consequences of Misconduct
Upon any report or suspicion of academic misconduct, the Academy will launch an investigation of the student. During the investigation, the student will not be allowed to complete examinations or graduate. The student will be made aware by email that she/he is under investigation.

If any evidence of misconduct is found in the course of the Academy's investigation, the consequences for the offense will depend upon its severity. If a small offense occurs, students will first be given a warning. Upon the second offense, harsher measures may be taken. If clear malice and premeditation is evident, harsher measures will be taken on the first offense. Specifically, the student may be expelled and not allowed to return to the Academy at any time in the future. Also a note may be made on the student's academic record (transcript) for any students' misconduct.

If the Academy finds evidence for premeditated cheating or plagiarism, expulsion will be the only response from the Academy. There are no appeals in such instances and no other recourse may be taken by the student. Students should not that the evidence need only be compelling, not necessarily definite, to be expelled for misconduct.

Transfer or Life Experience Credit
PMAP does not accept transfer credits or credit through life experience. To receive credit for all programs, students must pass the requirements set forth by the Academy.

Exams and Grades
In the event that a student does not pass an examination, the student may retake the exam once. Special fees apply. The student's final score on that exam will be the average of all the attempts. Due to the averaging of scores, mathematically, it rarely would benefit a student to intentionally fail an exam in order to retake it for a better score. The higher grade would be decreased by the failing grade when averaging. Students may not re-take exams they do not fail. The Academy advises all student to do their best and study prior to each exam.

Due to the rigor of our examinations, the minimum passing score for any module examination is 55%. This also includes final averaging if a student takes the exam multiple times due to failure. The following outlines our interpretation of scores:
85-100 - Superior (A); 75-84 - Meritorious (B); 65-74 - Adequate (C); 55-64 - Minimal (D); Below 55 - Fail (F).

Honors
Students who graduate with a cumulative score of 90% or above, will graduate with the distinction, Honors, which will be noted on the student's certificate.

Transcripts
Each student has an official academic record with the Academy called a transcript. The transcript notes modules taken and any certificates or diplomas earned. Any special remarks such as misconduct are also noted on the transcript.

Reinstatement
Students who have been expelled for academic misconduct are not eligible for reinstatement. All expulsions are permanent. Students who have been removed from programs because they did not achieve the minimum passing score for an exam (or average of scores in the situation of a retake), may re-apply to the Academy after a period of six months. Students removed for not attaining the required exam scores who would like to resume their studies must re-register with the academy and pay any course fees.