Academic Progress and Review Board Process Overview

Academic Progress and Review Board (APRB) Process Overview The Academic Progress and Review Board for the Master’s Programs (APRB) is a subcommittee of the HMS Committee on Governance and Oversight of Master’s Degree Programs (the Governance committee) co-chaired by the Dean and Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Education. Membership includes the current master’s program directors, or their approved designees; the Director of Administration and Student Affairs, serving ex officio; and the Master’s designee of the registrar’s office, also serving ex officio. The charge to the APRB is to provide periodic review of student academic progress and to hear and adjudicate both progress and conduct issues. The APRB reviews student performance to ensure that each HMS student meets HMS's standards of academic standing, professional conduct and responsibility, and is on track to meet the requirements for graduation. University counsel and HMS Advising Resources faculty also may consult the APRB. The APRB will determine whether a conflict of interest would preclude any member from participating in discussion or decision-making. Purpose and Frequency of Review • Reviews student grades, evaluations, and academic performance reports at least twice per year. • May also convene additional reviews when: o Issues are identified in routine reviews, or o Concerns are referred by the HMS Registrar, Office for Graduate Education, or program directors. Scope of APRB Oversight • Academic performance issues (e.g., failing or marginal performance, concerning evaluations). • Professionalism and conduct related to academic or extracurricular activities. • May consider behavior both within and, in some cases, outside the Medical School community. Examples of Unprofessional, Inappropriate, or Irresponsible Conduct • Academic integrity violations, including: o Cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized use of materials in exams or academic exercises. o Misrepresentation, distortion, or serious omission of data in mentored research or capstone projects. • Professional misconduct in academic settings, including: o Abuse, misrepresentation, or other improper conduct toward colleagues. o Repeated failures to meet obligations in professional or research training programs. o Lapses in professional conduct and responsibility. • Conduct Outside HMS (Professional and clinical roles) o Illegal, unethical, or otherwise inappropriate behavior for medical, clinical, or scientific professionals may be reviewed by the APRB, including conduct occurring outside HMS. o Although HMS Master’s students do not have clinical responsibilities under the auspices of the Medical School, some are licensed clinicians in affiliated hospitals or other clinical settings. o The APRB may consider allegations of unprofessional, inappropriate, or irresponsible conduct arising in those external clinical environments. Standards, Expectations, and Degree Conferral • Not all forms of misconduct can be explicitly listed; students are expected to use good judgment and common sense. • Evidence of performance is reviewed in collaboration with program directors and in the context of the student’s specific issues or needs. • Students must comply with all disciplinary rules from matriculation through degree conferral. • A degree will not be granted: o If a student is not in good standing, or o If a disciplinary charge is pending. Review Process • Program director is the first level of review for academic performance and/or conduct issues. • For issues within the program director’s authority: