Introduction

This Handbook is designed to provide important information. Students are required to read the entire document and abide by the policies herein.

Mission Statement

Adventist University of Health Sciences, a Seventh-day Adventist institution, specializes in the education of professionals in healthcare. Service-oriented and guided by the values of nurture, excellence, spirituality, and stewardship, the University seeks to develop leaders who will practice healthcare as a ministry.

Vision Statement

The four words and their accompanying definitions are an identification and explanation of the values underlying the University Mission Statement. They play a vital role in the fulfillment of this Mission.

Nurture

Adventist University will be an institution that encourages the personal and professional growth of its students, faculty, and staff by nourishing their spiritual development, fostering their self-understanding, and encouraging a zeal for knowledge and service.

Excellence

Adventist University will be an institution whose programs are built upon an optimal blend of superior pedagogy, technology, and spiritual values, a blend designed to lead to the highest level of professional practice by its graduates.

Spirituality

Adventist University will be an institution where Christian professionalism is such an integral part of its programs and practices that it becomes the distinguishing characteristic of the organization.

Stewardship

Adventist University will be an institution where the wise stewardship of its human, intellectual, financial, and physical resources enables the University to achieve outcomes consistent with its mission.

Spiritual Foundation

Students at Adventist University are encouraged to take the opportunity to explore the spiritual dimensions of their lives. The faculty, staff, and administration are committed to providing a spiritual environment. This commitment grows out of beliefs and values, some of which are held in common with other Christian organizations and some that are unique to this institution.

At the core of who we are is the belief in a loving, creating, redeeming God. As His children, we are all the recipients of His care and are the objects of His saving power. This fact gives great value to each of us. It is out of this knowledge that self-worth grows and is the basis for the respect extended to every person. This value also calls each of us to a high level of integrity and honesty in our dealings with self and others.

These beliefs manifest themselves in several important ways in a Seventh-day Adventist university. In honor of God’s finished work of creation, we celebrate the Sabbath as a weekly reminder of that act of love. School facilities are closed from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday to allow those who wish to enjoy a weekly Sabbath. In honor of God’s finished work of salvation at the cross, we encourage you to find your spiritual rest in Him.

Out of respect for our bodies, minds, and spirits as wonders of God’s creation, Adventist University of Health Sciences promotes a positive, balanced lifestyle. This includes encouraging regular exercise, a healthy diet, and the avoidance of substances which impair the optimal functioning of body, mind, and spirit.

Finally, the faculty, staff, and administration of Adventist University believe that God has a plan for your life. We are committed to helping you find and fulfill that plan. As you do so, join us in becoming instruments of God’s love. Let’s make a difference in our world!

Nondiscrimination Statement

Adventist University of Health Sciences maintains a policy of equal education opportunity for all applicants without regard to sex, race, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, color, or national or ethnic origin. Adventist University does not discriminate in its educational or admission policies, financial affairs, employment programs, student life, or services in any University-administered program.

This notice is provided as required by the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions, complaints, or requests for additional information regarding these laws may be forward to the Title IX Coordinator, Starr Bender at:

Adventist University of Health Sciences
Compliance/Human Resources
Attn: Starr Bender
671 Winyah Drive
Orlando, FL 32803
Ph. (407) 303-5765
starr.bender@adu.edu

Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Associates of Science Programs

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Pre-Professional Studies

Radiography

Bachelor of Science Programs

Biomedical Sciences

Health Sciences

Nuclear Medicine Technology

Nursing

Graduate Programs

Master of Healthcare Administration

Master of Occupational Therapy

MS Nurse Anesthesia

MS Physician Assistant Studies

Doctor of Physical Therapy*

Learning Outcomes

Adventist University strives to create an educational environment that fosters the inculcation of its four core values: Nurture, Excellence, Spirituality, and Stewardship. From those four ideals the University has identified seven learning outcomes which inform its curricular and extracurricular endeavors with the goal that they be manifested in the lives of its graduates.

Caring

The ADU graduate will be a caring professional who possesses a willingness to nurture other individuals in the context of healthcare as a ministry.

A caring individual:

1. Defines the concept of caring.
2. Identifies the principles of caring.
3. Engages in caring behaviors.
4. Analyzes the impact of caring behaviors in healthcare.
5. Evaluates caring behaviors of one’s self and others in healthcare.
6. Constructs new caring strategies for quality improvement in healthcare.

Communication

The ADU graduate will be an effective communicator who possesses appropriate verbal, nonverbal and written skills in the practice of healthcare as a ministry.

The effective communicator:

1. Employs appropriate mechanics, grammar, and word usage based on American Standard English.
2. Organizes and presents thoughts in a coherent form.
3. Adapts both written and oral communication to the target audience.
4. Analyzes and critiques the communication of oneself and/or others.
5. Reads and evaluates research reports within the healthcare field.
6. Designs and presents scholarly activity.

Critical Thinking

The ADU graduate will be a critical thinker who gathers relevant information and analyzes and uses that knowledge in practicing healthcare as a ministry.

The critical thinker:

1. Identifies critical thinking strategies.
2. Interprets meaning using critical thinking strategies.
3. Classifies information using critical thinking strategies.
4. Develops solutions for complex problems.
5. Evaluates solutions for complex problems.
6. Uses critical thinking strategies in the design and implementation of scholarly activities.

Ethical/Moral

The ADU graduate will exhibit the characteristics of a Christian professional: treating everyone with respect and dignity in the context of healthcare as a ministry.

The ethical/moral individual:

1. Identifies the principles of moral/ethical behavior.
2. Illustrates principles of ethical/moral behavior.
3. Rates or ranks the importance of ethical/moral principles.
4. Applies ethical/moral principles in decision making.
5. Evaluates the ethical/moral principles in healthcare practice.
6. Integrates ethical/moral principles in healthcare practice.

Professional Expertise

The ADU graduate will demonstrate professional expertise by passing appropriate professional examinations and exhibiting proficiencies within the context of healthcare as a ministry.

The professional:

1. Demonstrates an adequate knowledge base of profession.
2. Performs skills appropriate to the clinical environment.
3. Advocates for the patients.
4. Examines the impact and effectiveness of the profession.
5. Supports the profession within the arena of healthcare.
6. Constructs new ideas and/or practices for improvement in the profession.

Service to the Community

The ADU graduate will be one who fulfills their social, civic and environmental responsibilities in their involvement of healthcare as a ministry.

The serving individual:

1. Identifies the needs of underserved populations.
2. Explains the importance of participating in a professional community.
3. Examines strategies to provide service to the community.
4. Engages with civic entities.
5. Evaluates service opportunities completed through self-reflection and peer evaluations.
6. Designs solutions to assist populations in need.

Lifelong Learning

The ADU graduate will be a lifelong learner who pursues excellence and the ongoing acquisition of knowledge and professional expertise.

The lifelong learner:

1. Defines the principles of lifelong learning.
2. Reflects on learning strategies.
3. Engages in a variety of learning opportunities.
4. Demonstrates information fluency.
5. Examines growth and improvement in learning experiences.
6. Develops a personal plan for lifelong learning.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Adventist University of Health Sciences believes that assessment of learning outcomes and general education competencies should include:

• Both direct and indirect measures
• Assessments at the class level where a variety of techniques can be employed
• Student self-assessment
• Alumni self-assessment
• Use of nationally normed instruments where appropriate and available.

Accreditation

Accrediting Bodies

Inquiries about Adventist University of Health Sciences accreditation* should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

*Effective November 11, 2015, Adventist University of Health Sciences has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates that the program is progressing toward accreditation and may matriculate students in professional courses. Candidate for Accreditation is not an accreditation status nor does it assure eventual accreditation.