Nov 11, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Academic Support



Student Academic Support Services

The AHU Student Academic Support Services team includes the Academic Success Office, the University Tutoring Center and the University Testing Center. The team is a part of the Student Affairs division, which provides exceptional, compassionate services to students to aid in their academic success.

University Tutoring Center (UTC)

The University Tutoring Center at AdventHealth University is a learning center that provides free tutoring to all AHU students.  Whether its reviewing material previously discussed in class, understanding a concept, or even reviewing for a test, the Tutoring Center has peer and professional tutors on staff who help students become confident, capable, independent learners.  Services include individual tutoring, and small to large group tutoring.  Sessions are available in-person and online.

Visit https://my.ahu.edu/tutoringcenter to learn more or you can call the office at (407) 303-8575.

Writing Center

The University Writing Center is here to help you communicate your ideas, whether they are in the form of a well-designed poster, a sharply edited video, a carefully crafted speech, or a clearly written paper. We invite you to come to the Writing Center to talk with our consultants as you plan, draft, and revise communication in any form. 

To schedule a conversation with one of our consultants, visit the Writing Center course in Canvas. If the course is not currently on your Canvas dashboard, place this link in your browser (https://ahu.instructure.com/enroll/G4P6P8) and login using your regular Canvas (or my.ahu.edu) credentials. This will enroll you in the Writing Center course. Once you are enrolled, select the course home page to find information about how to schedule an appointment. The course modules also include helpful resources related to everything from using APA formatting to creating a strong resume. 

University Testing Center

The University Testing Center is in the Campus Center Building, 2nd floor, Room 255. For more info, see https://www.ahu.edu/academics/university-testing-center.

ACCUPLACER CollegeBoard Placement test for Math is designed to help a student succeed academically by placing a student in an appropriate Math level course. Students must schedule by emailing deena.weiss@ahu.edu. Placement exams can only be taken once.

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is an admission application requirement for the Nursing program. The TEAS measures basic essential skills in the areas of Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language usage. Students may register and schedule at www.atitesting.com; the exam is offered on computer. If a student is applying to get into a professional program, it is the responsibility of the student to take note of professional program deadlines and take the TEAS in adequate time.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests are examinations that are computerized, comprehensive assessments that demonstrate college-level achievement in specific content areas. By achieving a passing American Council on Education (ACE) score of 50 or higher, students will receive college credit for the equivalent AdventHealth University course. For more information, including which courses have an equivalent CLEP Exam or for purchasing study materials, see https://clep.collegeboard.org/. To schedule a test at AHU, see https://www.ahu.edu/academics/university-testing-center. CLEP exams cannot be repeated, if failed.

Counseling

Counseling assists students in resolving personal difficulties and in acquiring the necessary skills and resources to both succeed in the University environment and pursue productive and satisfying lives. Counseling can help clarify concerns, gain insight into self and others, and teach new ways to most effectively cope and/or resolve issues. Counseling can offer emotional support, new perspectives, and help in considering possible solutions. Other reasons to see a counselor may include academic, career direction/concerns, self-esteem issues, relationship issues, grief and loss, family, communication, stress management, anger management, and physical, sexual, or substance abuse. Counseling is free to all students, and students are encouraged to seek counseling assistance proactively. For appointments, please call 407-303-1870 or email counseling@my.ahu.edu.

Online counseling (e-Therapy) is available to both on-campus and distance students. Counseling is offered via email and real-time chat. For more information or to set up an appointment, please send an email to counseling@my.ahu.edu. Please keep in mind that online counseling is not appropriate for all kinds of problems; students should speak to the counselor to determine if e-Therapy would be a good fit.

Disability Services

The faculty and staff of AdventHealth University are dedicated to an equitable and exemplary education for all students. They believe that equal education is not limited to a physically accessible campus for its students. It also strives to provide necessary accommodations to those students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who succeed at AHU demonstrate self-reliance, advocate for their needs, and anticipate challenges in a new environment, as well as address those needs well in advance.

Once you have been accepted to the university you can register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) which is located in the Campus Center. To be eligible for disability-related services, students must have a documented disability as defined by the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). A person with a disability is an individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Accommodations are decided on a case-by-case basis, using the documentation submitted. All accommodation requests may not be granted. Programs will not be fundamentally altered to accommodate a student.

If a student requests accommodation, the student must provide the OSD the requested current, official documentation related to his or her disability along with the Voluntary Declaration of Disability Form. That documentation will be used to determine the type and extent of accommodation that is most reasonable and effective for that student. The review process typically can take up to ten business days. In particularly busy times, such as the start of a new trimester, this process may take longer. You will be notified by email once documentation has been reviewed.

If criteria have been met and accommodations are granted, the student must submit a Trimester Accommodation Request Form. The student’s instructors will be notified of the student’s needs once the student has completed the Release of Information Form (available in available in Student Affairs Office https://my.ahu.edu/university-services/student-services/disabilities). The instructor will receive an Academic Accommodation letter explaining the accommodations necessary for that student.

For each subsequent trimester, it is the student’s responsibility to complete the Trimester Accommodations Request Form and submit it to the OSD. It may take seven or more business days to notify instructors. Forms should be submitted 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the trimester. This recommendation will ensure timely implementation of accommodations, but accommodation requests will be accepted throughout the trimester.

At any time, students may request in writing to discontinue any information-sharing related to their disability. Students may request to discontinue their accommodations at any time. Questions or concerns should be brought to the attention of the OSD.

Please note that school plans, such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plans, are not sufficient documentation to establish the rationale for accommodations in a university setting. Original documents are not necessary. A fax or email attachment of the material is sufficient. If documentation is incomplete or otherwise inadequate to determine the disability and/or reasonable accommodations, the OSD will require additional documentation. Documentation costs are to be paid by the student.

If you would like OSD to be able to discuss your disability or accommodations with persons or agencies outside of AHU (including your parents if you are over the age of 18), you must complete a Release of Information Form. 

Denied accommodation requests may be appealed in writing by a student to the Senior Vice President of Student Affairs. Such appeals must be filed within ten calendar days of the receipt of the denial of accommodation request.

For more information regarding Academic Accommodations, please contact Betty Varghese at 407-303-1870. 

Academic Advising

All new incoming, non-professional program students will be assigned an Academic Advisor. The Advisor helps students through the registration process as well as developing a course schedule that will enable students to continue working towards entrance into a professional program.

Academic Success Early Alert Program

The role of the Academic Success Director is to assist AHU students in their academic needs, either by self-referral or instructor referral.  An Early Alert form is available at https://my.ahu.edu/academic-early-alert-form for faculty to refer any students who are not performing well in their courses.  Students who are referred to the Academic Success Office will be encouraged by their professors to make an appointment.  Also, proactive students may choose to make an appointment without a referral.  During the meeting, areas for improvement may be identified such as study skills, organization and time management, test anxiety, learning styles, distractions, mindset, or life/school balance to improve overall academic performance of the student.

Philosophy of Healthcare

This introductory and interdisciplinary course is aimed at helping students understand who they are in relation to faith-based care at AdventHealth and introducing them to the resources and relationships that will make them successful students at AHU.  

The course’s aim is to gently and meaningfully challenge students to recognize how they look at faith-based care without assumptions, judgment, or fear, but to choose instead the lens of compassion and understanding. Therefore, the topics of the course are organized around the AdventHealth Service Standards and are tied to Biblical principles and the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ, bringing humanity back to wholeness. 

Library

The Robert A. Williams Library offers instruction and resource materials that support the educational programs and goals of AdventHealth University. Our librarians provide an outstanding collection of resources and instructional assistance to enhance student success. 

Library resources and services are available from the library website at https://library.ahu.edu. Cutting-edge technologies, such as OneSearch, are used to enhance discovery and quick access to library resources. Most of the library’s collection of videos, books, and journal articles are accessible electronically. The library website provides contact information, hours of operation, tutorials, subject guides, workshops schedule, and virtual individual assistance using LibAnswers, chat, email, and texting. Online request forms are available for Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery services.

At the AHU Orlando campus, the library is located on the first and second floors of the General Education Building.  Seating is available for group and individual study. The first floor provides access to copying/printing/scanning services, anatomical models, and a designated area for quiet study. During all library hours of operation, librarians are available to assist students with their research needs.