Welcome to the Office of the Registrar

The Office of the Registrar is here to serve students, alumni, faculty, and staff from registration, graduation, and beyond.  Our mission to support our medical student in their learning and development into world-class osteopathic physicians.

Academic Calendars

Academic Year 2021-2022

COM2025 Four Year Overview

Catalog and Handbook 2021-2022

Click the links below for the individual catalog sections

About

Academic Calendar

Admissions

Student Accounts

Office of Financial Aid

Student Academic Services and Policies

Office of Assessment

Osteopathic Medicine: General Information

Osteopathic Medicine: Program of Study

Osteopathic Medicine: Tracks and Fellowships

Student Services and Campus Life

Student Health and Wellness

Title IX Policy and Process

Campus Safety and Facilities

Faculty

Course Information

General Registration

Unlike traditional undergraduate and graduate institutions where students individually register for courses, Noorda-COM engages in block registration for each student cohort (with the exception of course electives). The Office of the Registrar registers all students for their core requirements.  Consequently, first- and second-year students are required to report on the orientation/registration date as specified in the Academic Calendar.

First-year students who fail to appear within the first hour of orientation risk losing their seat. All students failing to appear at the beginning of the term and for the first class may be required to pay the late registration fee.

Third- and fourth-year students must complete registration materials, including financial aid arrangements, by the specified date, prior to participating in clerkships.

All outstanding financial obligations to the College or College-affiliated clerkship sites must be cleared to be registered. Students who are not in College compliance may not attend classes or participate in clerkships.

Elective Registration

The Office of the Registrar works with the Docent team and the Track Administrators to enroll students in elective coursework.  Please work with your Docent if you are interested in any electives and/or a track–Military Medicine, Research, or Rural Medicine.

Add/Drop Deadline

Add/Drop date is end of business on the first Friday of the first week of classes.

Academic Load

Fall and Spring

• Full-time 9+ units
• Halftime 4.5 to 8.5 units
• Less than halftime Less than 4.5 units

Summer

• Full-time 6+ units
• Halftime 3.5 to 5.5 units
• Less than halftime Less than 3 units

Academic Progress

Students are expected to make satisfactory progress toward their degree each academic year. Students must compete the DO program within six academic years from the date of matriculation.

Leave of Absence
A leave of absence (LOA) is a period of non-enrollment during which students are not considered to be working toward their degree. An LOA can also be used to accommodate students experiencing situations that significantly affect their ability to fully participate in the requirements of the degree program or to accommodate students who wishes to interrupt the normal course of study for the purpose of engaging in research, fellowship, and/or creative scholarship.

A leave of absence may be granted for several reasons. Reasons may include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Medical emergency or illness
• Personal emergency
• Military service
• Maternity/Paternity leave
• Academic endeavors, on or off campus that benefit the overall education pursuit of the student in becoming a physician (e.g. fellowships, research, dual degree)

The Associate Dean for Student Affairs may grant a leave of absence for a designated time period with or without conditions. Conditions are commonly prescribed in cases of academic deficiency or medically related issues.

Students granted a medical leave of absence must have a licensed physician, approved by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, certify in writing that their physical and/or mental health is sufficient to continue in a rigorous educational program before they may return to the College.

All leaves requests should be requested in writing to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, who is responsible for approving or denying requests for leaves of absence. If circumstances prevent a student from providing a prior written request, the request may be made through the Associate Dean by exception.

Short-term Leave

Students requesting a leave of less 180 days will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the circumstances, a leave may require a student to be reported the U.S. Department of Education through the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) as withdrawn. Leaves have a significant impact on a student’s federal financial aid status. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid regarding the implication related to your leave of absence.

Long-term Leave

Student placed on a leave greater than 180 days will be withdrawn from their coursework and must repeat the semester or year based on direction from Student Progress Committee and/or the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. Students granted a leave of absence must follow the checkout process detailed in the Catalog under the Withdrawal policies. Student will be reported to the U.S. Department of Education through the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) as withdrawn. Leaves have a significant impact on a student’s federal financial aid status. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid regarding the implication related to your leave of absence.

Students approved for a leave of absence will retain their Noorda-COM email account and have access to eNCOMpass, but all other access to electronic services will be suspended until such a time that the student is officially reinstated to active status.

Students on a leave of absence must check-in every thirty (30) days with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, and/or his/her designee, during the period of leave. Students must request reinstatement in writing to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs thirty (30) days prior to their scheduled return.

Withdrawal (Unofficial and Official)

Official Withdrawal

Withdrawal is a voluntary action by a student who chooses to leave Noorda-COM. Any student who leaves for any reason must complete the checkout process. Failure to complete the checkout process will cause the College to put a hold on release of student records.
The checkout process is as follows:

• The student must contact the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and/or the Office of the Registrar and notify of intent to withdraw.
• The Associate Dean of Student Affairs, and/or their designee, will send a checkout form to all administrative offices for checkout directions and signatures.
• The student must make an appointment with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, and/or their designee, to review and sign the checkout form.

The Associate Dean of Student Affairs and/or their designee, will conduct the exit interview. For the convenience of the student, this will be handled in a single office but include professional from various office to ensure all outstanding issues/needs are resolved. The completed checkout form will be submitted to the Office of the Registrar and will become a part of the permanent record. Once the student completes all obligations, including payment of all outstanding balances, the Office of the Registrar will release student records upon receiving signed consent.

Unofficial Withdrawal

Students who begin coursework at Noorda-Com but stop attending all courses during the term may be considered unofficially withdrawn. The offices of Financial Aid and the Registrar will review students at the end of each academic term to determine if the student unofficially withdrew. A student receiving all grades of fail (F), withdrawal (W) or administrative withdrawal (AW) in any combination may be subject to the Return of Title IV funds calculation (R2T4) if it is determined that the student unofficially withdrew.

The offices of Financial Aid and Registrar will contact instructors and request confirmation of the date the student ceased attending courses through graded class assignments, documented group project work, or other documentation from the instructor. If and/or when instructors provide confirmation of the last date of attendance, documented group project work, or coursework completions, the date will be used to calculate the R2T4 and federal funds to return.

If a last date of attendance cannot be confirmed, the half-way point of the semester may be used and 50 percent of the aid used to pay direct education costs (tuition and fees) must be returned to the U.S. Department of Education on the student’s behalf. The Office of Financial Aid will use the policy for Return to Title IV Aid to return the funds.

Change of Personal Information

If you are a currently enrolled student and require a change to your personal information, please log into the Office of the Registrar Canvas Resources under the Student Affairs course or join the Office of the Registrar in eNCOMpass for the personal information update form.  For non-students/graduates, please contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@noordacom.org.

Name

Students must submit a request along with legal documentation to the Office of the Registrar for a change to their legal name. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that records are current.

Legal documentation for a name change includes the following:

1. Certified copy of a marriage certificate, court order, or dissolution decree reflecting the new name in full; AND,
2. At least one government-issued official proof of identity. [Driver’s License, State Identification, Passport, etc.]

Preferred Name Policy

Noorda-COM is committed to fostering an environment of inclusiveness and supporting students’ form of self-identification. Noorda-COM recognizes that some students prefer to identify themselves by a first and/or middle name other than their legal name, and as long the use of a different name is not for the purposes of misrepresentation, Noorda-COM permits students to use a preferred name where possible in the course of Noorda-COM education and business.

Any student may choose to identify a preferred first and/or middle name in addition to the legal name. Students may request this service via the COMmons. The student’s preferred name may be used in many contexts including class rosters, Canvas, ID Cards, etc. The student’s preferred name will appear in the Noorda-COM directory unless a FERPA block is requested. There are certain Noorda-COM records that require a legal name; however, wherever reasonably possible, a student’s preferred name will be used. University administrators, Campus Safety, and your supervisor (if you are employed on campus) will have access to your Legal and Preferred Names.

The legal name is required for, but not limited to just, the following:

• Student Information System
• Student Financial Services documentation
• Financial Aid
• Federal Requests for Information
• Immigration Documents
• Medical Documents
• National Student Clearinghouse
• Official correspondence with external entities
• Official and unofficial Transcripts
• Academic Certifications and Verifications
• Clinical Rotation Applications and Communications
• Diplomas
• Paychecks/W-2/1098-T
• Campus Safety

Student may designate (or remove) a first and/or middle preferred name through the Office of the Registrar. The Office of the Registrar will review and respond to all requests. Noorda-COM reserves the right to not accept a preferred name if it is deemed inappropriate, including a preferred name that is vulgar, offensive, fanciful, or creates confusion with another person. Allowable name formats include (but are not limited to):

• A shortened derivative of a name (e.g. “Katie” for “Katherine”)
• A middle name instead of a first name
• First and middle initials (e.g. “M.J.” for “Mary Jane”)
• An anglicized name (e.g. “Simon” for “Bao”)
• A name that better represents the individual’s gender identity
• A name to which the individual is in the process of legally changing

An approved preferred name does not affect your legal name. Please note that it may take up to seven (7) business days for the request to completed through all Noorda-COM systems.

Reports of misuse and abuse of both preferred name and legal names in accordance with existing policies and procedures will be reported to Student Affairs. Depending on the individual and circumstances involved, this could include Human Resources, Academic Affairs, General Counsel, and/or appropriate law enforcement agencies. Noorda-COM reserves the right to remove preferred names that are deemed misrepresentative and to suspend the individual’s privilege to update a preferred name.

Address and Telephone Number

Student will have access to update their personal address information in the COMmons. Noorda-COM requires students to keep their permanent home address and telephone number on file with the Office of the Registrar. Permanent address information is required by the Department of Education for enrollment reporting.

A campus (local) address, where you are located when you matriculate and attend, and your mobile telephone number can be kept on file as your preferred address. Students are responsible for keeping their address information current.

Coming Soon!

Pursuant to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, this information has been provided to you with the understanding that it will be used for the purposes for which it has been provided and that it will be related to other parties without the written consent of the student.

Transcript Key PDF

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT VALIDATION

This transcript is not official unless printed on Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine security paper and validated with the registrar’s signature and issue date.  The transcript should be in a sealed Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine validated envelope.  Facsimiles and photocopies are considered unofficial.

The information on the stock paper is subject to change.  The most updated Transcript Key will be available online.  Please submit additional inquiries to registrar@noordacom.org.

ACCREDITATION

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine has been granted pre-accreditation status by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Noorda-COM operates on a semester basis [Fall/Spring/Summer].

ACADEMIC GOOD STANDING

Student who are successfully completing all medical school requirements with no missing grades are considered in good standing.  Students must be currently enrolled or eligible to be enrolled.

CLASS RANK

The Offices of the Registrar and Assessment will calculate class rank at the end of the first two years—OMSI and OMSII.  Class Rank for graduation is based on the student’s cumulative overall performance. Class rank is calculated only for the top quartile of the COM class.  Class Rank is noted on the Official Transcript for the top quartile of the COM class at the end of the first two years.

CLINICAL CLASS RANK

Clinical Class Ranks are based on individual student scores for first attempts on each of the six core clerkships.  If any component of the clerkship is repeated, the first attempt is used for ranking purposes.  The core clerkships include Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery.

CORE CLERKSHIP HONORS

The Core Clerkship Honors will be calculated after the conclusion of the OMSIII.  The Core Clerkship Honors is comprised of the top quartile for each core clerkship.  The Core Clerkship Honors notation will be listed after the Spring OMSIII term on the official transcript.

COURSE NUMBERING

**Course Numbers with an s denote sub-internships and course numbers with an e denotes electives – both clinical and non-clinical.

DEAN’S LIST

The Dean’s list will be calculated at the end of each term (Fall and Spring) in years OMSI and OMSII.  The Dean’s list if comprised of the top quartile of the OMSI and OMSII class.  The Dean’s List notation will be listed after each term on the official transcript.  The notation will read:  Dean’s List.

GRADING SYSTEM

Noorda-COM utilizes a combination of letter and pass/fail grades in their grading system.  The symbol # indicates a pass/fail course on the transcript.

Courses accepted in transfer toward the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program are marked as TR for Transfer.  Transfer coursework is not utilized in determining honors or awards.

LATIN HONORS

Latin Honors are calculated on the first two years (core curriculum) and core rotations.

• Summa Cum Laude | Top three (3) or no less than three (3) percent
• Magna Cum Laude | Next four (4) or no less than four (4) percent of class
• Cum Laude | Next five (5) or no less than five (5) percent of class

PRESIDENTIAL CLINICAL SCHOLARS

Students who receive Honors in four (4) disciplines during third-year core clinical rotations receive the Presidential Clinical Scholar designation.  Student will receive an Honor Cord at graduation.  The transcript notation will read:  Presidential Clinical Scholar.

REPEATS

** Indicates Retaken Course

All course enrollment and earned grades will remain on a student’s official transcript.  Once a student successfully repeats a course, the most recent grade will replace the former grade.  The maximum grade permitted for a repeat is a pass / C-.

Enrollment Verifications

If you are in need of an enrollment verification, please log into the Office of the Registrar Canvas Resources under the Student Affairs course or join the Office of the Registrar in eNCOMpass for the academic request form.

Historical Verification Dates

*Will be updated upon completion

Degree Verifications

COMING SOONish!  In about 3.5 years!

Student Privacy and Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, or FERPA, governs privacy for students who are or have attended Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine. Students have the right to request, inspect, review, and challenge the records maintained by the institution under the provisions of FERPA.

Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine does not permit access to, or the release of, student’s education records or personally identifiable information (PII) outside of directory information without the student’s written consent, except to those with an education need-to-know and entities granted access per FERPA.

Student may review the complete text of FERPA at the Office of the Registrar. Questions regarding FERPA should be directed to the Office of the Registrar.

Notification of Rights Under FERPA

FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education record. Noorda-COM defines student as any student who is, or has been enrolled, at Noorda-COM. FERPA application begins on the first day of classes of the first term of attendance.
The Right to Review and Inspect

Currently enrolled and former students have the right to inspect and review the student’s education record within 45 days after the request is received by the institution. A written request must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar identifying the records the student wishes to inspect. The Registrar, and/or the Registrar’s designee, will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

Please note the following:

• This right does not extend to the financial records, including any information those records contain, of the student’s parents. Also, certain restrictions apply to a student’s access to confidential letters and confidential statements of recommendation placed in a student’s education records. Additionally, certain records may not be accessed by the student because they are excluded from FERPA’s definition of “education records.”
• If circumstances effectively prevent the student from exercising this right to inspect and review his/her education records, Noorda-COM will either provide the student a copy of the requested records or make other arrangements for the student to inspect and review them.
• Noorda-COM does not charge a fee to search for or to retrieve a student’s education records but may charge a fee for a copy of those records, unless doing so would in some way effectively prevent the student from exercising this right.

The Right to Seek an Amendment of a Student’s Education Record

A student has the right to request an amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.

A student requesting an amendment must submit a written request to the Office of the Registrar clearly identifying the specific part of the record the student wants amended along with justification for the amendment request. Justification can include inaccurate, misleading information, or in violation of a student’s privacy rights. Noorda-COM will follow its internal process to review any request for an amendment. Noorda-COM will respond to an amendment request within ten (10) business days of the receipt of the request. At times, depending on the complexity of the information, it may take longer than ten (10) business days. A student will be notified of timelines. The student requesting the amendment will receive a written response indicating the decision.

The Right to a Hearing Regarding the Request for an Amendment

If Noorda-COM decides an amendment is not warranted, the student will be notified of the decision and advised of the student’s right to a hearing regarding the denial of the amendment request.

If, as a result of the hearing, Noorda-COM decides an amendment is warranted, the Registrar will amend the record and will inform the student of the amendment.

If, as a result of the hearing, Noorda-COM decides an amendment is not warranted, the student will be informed of the right to place a statement in the record commenting on the contested information or stating why the student disagrees with the decision of the College, or both. Any such statement placed in the student’s education record will be maintained and will be disclosed whenever Noorda-COM discloses the portion of the record pertinent to the statement.

The Right to Prevent Disclosure of Personally Identifiable Information

Students have the right to prevent the disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) from their education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. Unless authorized by FERPA exception, Noorda-COM must obtain written consent from a student prior to disclosing PII contained in the student’s records. Per requirement, a student’s consent must specify the records to be disclosed, state the purpose of the disclosure, and identify the party or class of parties to whom disclosure may be made.

FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, regulations require the institution to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A postsecondary institution may disclose PII from the education records without obtaining prior written consent of the student. Non-consensual disclosure includes but is not limited to the following:

• Legitimate Educational Interests. To school officials with whom Noorda-COM has determined to have legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by Noorda-COM in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support staff position (including law enforcement personnel and health staff). It also includes a person serving on Noorda-COM’s governing board; a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing tasks. Additionally included are contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties (such as attorneys, auditors, or collection agents) to whom Noorda-COM has outsourced institutional services or functions that it would otherwise use employees to perform provided that this outside party is under the direct control of Noorda-COM with respect to the use and maintenance of education records and is subject to FERPA restrictions governing the use and re-disclosure of PII.
• Postgraduate Training Applications. Student education records along with supporting documents relevant to application services used to deliver postgraduate training applications, with whom students are registered, may be disclosed to the application services without the student’s prior written consent.
• Judicial Order. Student education records may be released if properly subpoenaed pursuant to a judicial, legislative, or administrative proceeding. In all such cases, reasonable attempts will be made to notify the student of the judicial order in advance of compliance, as permitted by law.
• Financial Aid. Student education records relevant to the student’s application for, or receipt of, financial aid may be disclosed without the student’s prior written consent.
• Federal and State Authorities. Authorized federal and state official may have access to student education records as required by the audit and evaluation of state and federally supported education programs, or in connection with the enforcement of federal legal requirements which relate to such programs.
• Accrediting or Professional Associations. Designated representatives of accrediting and other professional organizations affiliated with Noorda-COM may have access to student education records to he extent necessary to fulfill the obligation of that affiliation.
• Payment Delinquency. Student education records may be disclosed as necessary to effect collection of a student’s financial obligations to the College.
• Student Transfer. Noorda-COM may disclose personally identifiable information from a student’s educational records without consent if the disclosure is to another institution for which the student has applied for admission, under the conditions described in 99.31 and 99.34 of the regulations.
• Litigation. Student education records deemed necessary for the defense in a suit filed by a student may be disclosed to attorney’s representing Noorda-COM.

Non-consensual disclosures are permitted to parents in the following circumstances:

• Disclosure of a student’s personally identifiable information to parents is permitted without a student’s written consent if the University determines that there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of the student or other individuals.
• Such disclosure is permitted to parents of the student if the parent provides documentation that the student is a dependent pursuant to Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and notice is given to the student that a parent has requested such information.
• Such disclosure is permitted if the student is under 21 at the time of the disclosure and the University has determined that the student has committed a disciplinary violation of any federal, state or local law, or of any rule or policy of the University governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance.
• Disclosure pursuant to the Wetterling Act, 42 U.S.C. 14071. Noorda-COM may disclose without consent information received under the Wetterling Act about a student who is required to register as a sex offender.

Student education records disclosed to a third party are subject to the condition that the third party will not permit any other party to have access to the records without prior approval from the College or the students.

The Right to File a Complaint with the Department of Education

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the [School] to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Student Privacy Policy Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202

Notice of Directory Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that Noorda-COM, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. However, Noorda-COM may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised Noorda-COM to the contrary in accordance with Noorda-COM’s procedures. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow Noorda-COM to include information from your education records in certain institutional publications. Examples include:

• Dean’s Lists and/or other academic honors awarded by Noorda-COM; and/or,
• Graduation programs; and/or,
• Residency Placement information.

Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that process transcripts, diplomas, etc. FERPA permits Noorda-COM to limit the disclosure of directory information to specific parties, for specific purposes, or both. In the exercise of that authority, Noorda-COM may release all directory information to school officials as defined above. Other releases will be limited to those situations where Noorda-COM believes the release would recognize a student for academic or co-curricular achievement or otherwise advance the student’s career interests. Examples of such releases would be the disclosure of directory information to prospective employers, financial aid and scholarship agencies or to registry, licensure or certification services. Another example would be the release of directory information in connection with Noorda-COM-sanctioned alumni affairs unless a restriction requested by the student continues to be in force.

Noorda-COM has designated the following information as directory information:

• Student Name
• Campus Address
• Telephone Listing
• Noorda-COM Email Address
• Photograph
• Date of birth (Month and Day)*
• Program of Study
• Dates of Attendance
• COM Level
• Participation in officially recognized activities
• Degrees, honors, and awards received
• Location, Training Institution, and Medical Specialty Identified for Postdoctoral Education

*Noorda-COM designates Date of Birth as limited directory information.  Date of birth (with or without year) is only released to official agencies as required for matching student records.

Student ID number, user ID, or other unique personal identifier used to communicate in electronic systems but only if the identifier cannot be used to gain access to education records except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that authenticate the user’s identity, such as a PIN, password, or other factor known or possessed only by the authorized user.

Students who wish to opt out of the release of their directory information may log into the COMmons and update their directory information release on the student profile.

Noorda-COM will honor all requests to withhold any of the categories of directory information listed in the written request, but will not assume any responsibility to contact the student for subsequent permission to release that information. Nondisclosure will be enforced until the student subsequently authorizes its release. A student may not, however, opt out of the disclosure of the student’s name, identifier or Noorda-COM email address in a class in which the student is enrolled.

Coming Soon!