services & guidelines

Student Guidelines

Attendance Policy

To succeed at ASHA, regular attendance and class participation are required. We understand that students may occasionally be late for class or even miss class. Students are nevertheless expected to arrive for class on time, stay in class until it ends, and participate in the learning process. Hourly breaks will not exceed ten (10) minutes.

Absences

Students cannot be absent for more than ten (10) percent of the total classroom hours and not more than ten (10) percent of any individual course in the program. Students MUST notify the DSS and the instructor of the missed class. Students are required to make up work missed. Failure to do so will result in a zero grade for the work missed. Students are also required to make up hours missed above the ten (10) percent limit.

Unexcused Absences

If a student fails to notify the DSS and the instructor before missing a class, that absence is considered unexcused. Students will be allowed to make up missed work for unexcused absences at the discretion of the teacher.

Tardiness

A student is considered tardy if s/he arrives late for class. A grace period of five (5) minutes will be granted. Tardies will be computed in quarter-hour increments and added to the total hours of absence. 6-15 minutes tardy equals one quarter-hour; 16-30 minutes tardy equals one half-hour, etc.

Make-Up Hours

To make up hours, students must first talk with the DSS to determine which class can be attended and who is instructing the class. It is then the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to gain permission to attend.

Ways to Make-Up Hours

Attend an approved make-up class.  A $10.00 charge will be made for every additional hour required.

Receive tutoring by an ASHA-approved tutor. Tutoring must be completed by the closure class.

Make-Up Work

The student has two (2) weeks following an absence to complete all missed assignments and exams. It is the student’s responsibility to determine what was missed while absent.

Classroom Attire

Students must wear clean, neat, modest clothes to class. Socks and shoes must be worn at all times. Technique faculty will let students know of special clothing requirements for their class. Students dressed inappropriately may be sent home.

Clinic Attire, Blankets and Sheets

Students must wear an ASHA clinic black scrub top and pants, black socks, and black closed-toe comfortable shoes in clinic or at community events. Students may wear a black sweatband if needed.  Students must supply their own massage music (CDs) for student clinic.

ASHA will provide clinic attire, 4 sets of sheets, a mattress pad and a blanket.

Drug Policy

ASHA is a drug-free school and workplace. Anyone carrying illegal drugs on to school premises will be dismissed immediately. Anyone attending class under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs will be subject to suspension or dismissal.

Smoking Policy

ASHA and Gwinnett County do not permit smoking in the building, the classrooms, or near the entrances to the building. ASHA does not permit students to chew tobacco on school grounds.

Pregnancy

Please notify the DSS immediately if you should become pregnant during your massage training. With medical clearance and the approval of the Executive Director, you may continue the program.

Conduct

Students are expected to behave with courtesy and respect towards each other, the faculty, the staff and guests.

Grading System

ASHA uses the following grading scale:

A = 4.0 (100 - 90)      Excellent
B = 3.0 (89 - 80)        Good
C = 2.0 (79 - 75)        Average
F = 0.0 (74 or less)     Failing

Academic Probation

Any student who is not maintaining a ‘C’ average in any class will be put on academic probation. Under the instructor’s direction, the student will be given a reasonable amount of time to attain the ‘C’ level. If this level is not reached, the student will receive a failing grade. It is the responsibility of the STUDENT to contact the instructor to make arrangements to obtain a passing grade. Failed classes must be retaken in their entirety and all fees will apply.

Satisfactory Progress

Students are encouraged to confer with their instructors regarding their academic progress. Academic progress of each student will be monitored throughout the program. Students are notified in writing of their progress at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 90% completion of the program.

A minimum grade of 75 (C) must be achieved for each class. Students not achieving this standard will be required to  repeat. Grades achieved in courses that are repeated, if higher, will replace previous grades.

Students are expected to complete ASHA’s program within a maximum of one and a half (1.5) times the normal time-length stated in the school calendar. Students in a nine month program have four and one-half months to finish all incompletes or receive a failing grade.

Students failing to make satisfactory progress may be placed on academic probation, will be required to bring their performance level up to satisfactory, and may be dismissed from the program.

Students who withdraw from a program or take a leave of absence may return to the school if they are in good standing and continue a similar program within two years of the date of withdrawl.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for graduation the following requirements must be met:

• Compliance with all admission requirements
• Passing grade in each class
• Complete the program within one and a half (1.5) times the normal program length
• Compliance with all financial agreements with the school
• Current CPR certification
• Compliance with the school’s attendance policy

Transcripts

Transcripts of a student’s final grades will be available upon written request after graduation for a fee of $15.00 each, providing the student is in compliance with all graduation requirements.

Health and Hygiene Policy

All students are required to provide the school with a statement from their physician (M.D., D.O., or D.C.) certifying that they are free from contagious skin disorders or other physical conditions which could be transmitted by touch. Our policy is to consider each student individually, based on the merits of his or her application, and we would not exclude a student on the basis of illness or HIV status.

Students are responsible for exercising hygienic safeguards against the spread of infectious conditions. Anyone who has any highly-contagious infectious disease, such as hepatitis, chicken pox, strep-throat, etc., shall not participate in classes until the condition has passed the infectious stage. All members of the ASHA community – students, staff, and faculty – are asked to refrain from wearing fragrances of any kind on the premises. Many people are allergic to the oils and chemicals contained in these products. No fingernail polish is to be worn in class or clinic for hygienic reasons.

Refund Policy

The school requires written notice of intent to withdraw which is to be given to the DSS or the Executive Director. The official date of withdrawal is the day of the last class the student attended.  Refunds are calculated based on the date of withdrawal. For students who never start class, the official date of withdrawal is the program start date.

Withdrawal Before Class Starts

The application fee is non-refundable unless a refund is requested within three (3) days of applying or within three (3) days of signing the school’s enrollment agreement. Students who withdraw more than three (3) days after signing the enrollment agreement, but before class begins will be charged five (5) percent of the tuition ($450) plus an administration fee of $150.00. Total fee charged is $600.

Withdrawal After Class Starts

Students who withdraw after completing a specified number of hours in the program will be charged a percentage of the tuition plus an administrative fee. Listed below are the course hours completed and the total amount of tuition and fees to be charged.

Please note that no refunds will be given on massage tables and/or used supplies.  Appropriate refunds will be made in full within thirty (30) days of the date of withdrawal. If a student withdraws after transferring from one program to another, the refund will be based on the original enrollment or the hours completed in the current program, whichever is greater.

If a student withdraws because of a personal injury or prolonged illness or a death in the family that makes it impractical to complete the program, the school will make a settlement that is reasonable and fair to both. The school will propose a settlement within thirty (30) days of written notification of the situation.

For veterans receiving benefits, the school will refund the unused portion of prepaid tuition and fees on a pro rata basis. Any amount, in excess of $10.00 for an enrollment or registration fee, will also be prorated.

Dismissal After Class Starts

Students who are dismissed for cause after completing a specified number of hours in the program will be charged a percentage of the tuition plus an administrative fee. Listed below are the course hours completed and the total amount of tuition and fees to be charged.

Program Cancellation

ASHA reserves the right to cancel a scheduled program if minimum enrollment is not met and maintained. Students enrolled in a cancelled program may enroll in another scheduled program or obtain a refund.

Probation / Dismissal Policy

Failure to meet any of the standards set forth in the Student Handbook (including but not limited to those regarding academic progress, student conduct and attendance) may result in probation, suspension or dismissal. Suspension and dismissal are independent disciplinary actions and may or may not be preceded by probation. If extenuating circumstances exist, the student may petition the Executive Director for special consideration.

Reasons for probation, suspension, and/or dismissal, may include but are not limited to:

• Failure to meet the criteria of probation
• Attending class or any school-sponsored event under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any other non-prescription, mood-altering substance
• Failure to pay tuition on time
• Gross misconduct (cheating, stealing, destruction of property, physical or verbal abuse, sexual misconduct, classroom nudity, etc.)
• Recurrence of objectionable behavior or attitude
• Use of advanced techniques without permission
• Use of techniques beyond the scope of massage therapy

Withdrawal Policy / Leave of Absence

Regardless of the circumstances, a withdrawing student must notify the school of the intent to withdraw or take a leave of absence. The official withdrawal date will be the date the written notification is received by the DSS or the Executive Director. Academic progress will not be adversely affected by withdrawal from the program. Previously documented grades will remain in effect for a period of two (2) years beyond the withdrawal date.

After two (2) years of leave, students requesting re-entry will have to participate in the complete program or take the Exemption Test(s) to place out of a class. Students not earning satisfactory progress at the time of withdrawal may be re-enrolled if it is determined that mitigating circumstances existed at the time of withdrawal.

Student Complaint Policy

It is the intention of the Academy of Somatic Healing Arts to provide the best possible training in a supportive and nurturing environment. The satisfaction of our students is paramount. To that end, we strongly encourage any student with concerns or issues regarding any aspect of his/her training to submit these concerns in writing. Only signed complaints will be considered.

ASHA sets no time limitations restricting the submittal of a formal complaint. Once a complaint has been submitted, ASHA intends to resolve the complaint in 30 days or less. Upon review of this document, the Director will confer with the student to clarify and address the concerns as appropriate. If the issue is not resolved through this procedure, the student may then make an appeal to the other Director for resolution. The Directors reserve the right to make exceptions to stated policies under unusual or extenuating circumstances.

The Academy of Somatic Healing Arts is authorized by the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission of the State of Georgia. Complaints regarding the school may be addressed to this commission at:

                2189 Northlake Parkway, Building 10,
                Suite 100, Tucker, Georgia 30084
                The phone number is 770-414-3307.

Additional Fees

Auditing Classes

Students who exempt a class may audit the class for a fee of $5.00 per clock hour. Auditing is not available to anyone not enrolled in a regular program of study.

Course Exemption Process

Students may apply to exempt a course in the program if: (1) They have previous academic training in the course subject. (2) They document that training with transcripts. (3) They take and pass the written final exam in the subject. (4) They take and pass the practical final exam when indicated. (5) They pay an exemption test fee equal to $1/clock hour in the course.  For example, a 25-hour course would cost $25 to exempt. The exemption test fee is non-refundable.  If the student does not pass the test(s), s/he must take the course.

Make-Up Test Fees

A fee may be charged for make-up tests requiring the presence of an instructor or assistant. This fee is payable to the instructor or assistant at the time of the test. Make-up tests not requiring the presence of an instructor or assistant may be taken at the school during normal office hours (9:30am - 5:00pm) under proxy of a staff member at no additional charge. All make-up tests must be scheduled in advance, within two (2) weeks of the original test date.

Individual Class Fees

Classes may be taken or repeated on an individual basis upon approval of the Executive Director. Tuition for individual classes will be charged at a rate of $10.00 per scheduled clock hour.

Copy Fee

Students are responsible for securing any handouts distributed by the school or instructor. Additional copies may be made for a fee of $0.10 per page. Color copies are also available for $0.50 per page.

Late Fee

Tuition payment due dates are indicated in the student’s enrollment agreement. Payments not received within five (5) days after the due date will be assessed a late fee of thirty (30) dollars or 5% of the payment due whichever is greater.

Lost Key Card Fee

A fee of $20.00 will be charged for lost access key cards. This fee must be paid before a new key card will be issued.

Returned Check Fee

Returned checks will be assessed a fee of $30.00. Returned check fees are due immediately.

Transfer Fee

Students will be charged a fee of $150.00 for changing sessions (i.e. changing from day to night, etc.) after beginning a program. This fee applies each time such a change is made. Transfer fees are due at the time the transfer is made. Students should be in good standing in order to qualify for a transfer.

Transcript and Certificate Fees

Students may request transcripts or additional certificates. A fee of $15.00 per transcript and $15.00 per certificate will be charged. All orders for transcripts and certificates must be prepaid. Transcript requests will be filled within thirty (30) days of receipt of payment. Requests for certificates will be filled as soon as possible after receipt of payment but in no case will this time period exceed ninety (90) days.

Tutoring Fees

Students may elect to seek the aid of a tutor if they are having difficulty in a class. Time spent with a tutor authorized by ASHA can be applied toward a student’s attendance record to make up absence time. Tutors are not paid by ASHA and therefore set their own fees.