NLU PA Program — Didactic Year Handbook
All grievance and appeal processes are guided by: Fairness (students may present their concerns before a final determination, when applicable); Consistency (published policies applied consistently to similarly situated students); Transparency (students informed of the process, decision-maker, deadlines, and appeal rights); Non-Retaliation (no student subject to retaliation for a good-faith complaint, grievance, report, or appeal); Confidentiality (information handled as confidentially as reasonably possible); Impartiality (individuals with a conflict of interest do not participate in the decision); Educational Continuity (interim steps taken to minimize disruption where appropriate); and Due Process (procedural protections established by NLU policy, the Academic Catalog, the Student Guidebook, and applicable law).
IV. Definitions
Academic Grievance — a concern alleging that an academic decision was made incorrectly, inconsistently, contrary to published policy, or without following established procedures (e.g., course grades, academic evaluation, progression, remediation, clinical evaluation, standing, dismissal where appealable, or program completion decisions). Appeal — a formal request for reconsideration of an eligible decision. Complaint — a concern regarding an action, practice, decision, service, or experience a student believes should be addressed. Grievance — a formal matter requiring investigation or review under an applicable process. Harassment and Discrimination — conduct prohibited by applicable University policy or law, including conduct based on a protected characteristic or covered by NLU’s harassment, discrimination, sexual respect, or Title IX policies. Retaliation — adverse or threatened adverse action taken because an individual made a good-faith complaint, grievance, report, or appeal, or participated in an investigation. Responding Party — the individual or entity whose action, decision, conduct, or omission is the subject of a complaint or grievance.
V. Relationship to NLU University Policies
The NLU MSPAS Program operates within the policies and procedures of National Louis University. This policy does not replace University-wide policies; where a matter falls within a University-wide policy or procedure, the University policy controls. Students should consult the current NLU Academic Catalog and Student Guidebook in addition to this policy. Relevant University resources include NLU Student Complaints and Grievances, the Student Guidebook, Student Rights and Information, the Anti- Discrimination Policy, FERPA Notification, and the Academic Catalog and Policies.
VI. Types of Student Concerns
Academic Concerns include course grades, examination or assessment procedures, clinical rotation evaluations, academic progression, remediation, deceleration, academic standing or dismissal, graduation or program completion, and application of published academic requirements. Academic appeals are handled under the applicable NLU academic appeal process, which recognizes four bases for appeal: unpublished criteria or procedures; criteria inconsistent with University/program policy or a violation of student rights; failure to follow published procedures; or a decision substantially influenced by factors other than published criteria.
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