Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Academic Programs
Innovative Simulation and Practice Center
Decker Academic Policies

About

The Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences is comprised of the Decker School of Nursing, the School of Applied Health Sciences, and the School of Rehabilitation Sciences. The mission of the College is to disseminate and advance knowledge in human healthcare, health promotion, and disease prevention, as well as the provision of healthcare and treatment of illness in individuals, families, and communities, with an emphasis on underserved, rural, and vulnerable populations.

To support this mission, students may enroll in programs offered by each of the College’s schools:

Decker School of Nursing offers undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, as well as an undergraduate minor in forensic health.
School of Applied Health Sciences offers a Master of Public Health (MPH), an undergraduate minor in public health, and an undergraduate minor in health and wellness studies.
School of Rehabilitation Sciences offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), a Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), an Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS), an undergraduate minor in speech and hearing science, and an undergraduate minor in arts in healthcare.

Innovative Simulation and Practice Center

The Innovative Simulation and Practice Center (ISPC) offers state-of-the-art equipment and technology to support experiential and competency-based education. The ISPC is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) and includes a number of faculty and staff certified in healthcare simulation education and simulation operations, ensuring simulation-based activities are engaging and beneficial to all students in Decker College.

The full Binghamton University Simulation Centers for Experiential Learning Policy and Procedure Manual can be found here.

Binghamton University Simulation Participation Acknowledgement

All students attending simulation activities in the ISPC are required to read and acknowledge the participation policy. This policy details the use of media in simulation and the requirements for confidentiality related to simulation-based activities. Video recordings of graded activities will be kept in a secure server for 2 years following the end of the course per Binghamton University policy. All others are deleted after the activity is complete unless specific consent is obtained from all participants.

Decker Academic Policies

Uniform Policy

Unless otherwise specified, students will follow their program’s uniform policy or dress code when attending ISPC or clinical activities.

Academic Honesty Code

The Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences (DCNHS) maintains a rigorous Academic Honesty Code that applies to all divisions and cross-listed courses led by Decker faculty. This policy is built on the principle that academic integrity is essential to Binghamton University’s mission, as any breach of trust compromises the evaluation of student work and the reputation of the institution. While the university encourages collaboration, the code emphasized that students must adhere to faculty guidelines regarding when teamwork is appropriate versus when individual effort is required.

The code classifies academic dishonesty into several categories, including plagiarism, cheating on exams, unauthorized collaboration, fabrication, and sabotage. These violations are further divided into two levels of severity:

Category I: Less severe or isolated incidents (e.g., minor plagiarism or unauthorized collaboration on a small assignment) that are typically handled directly between the instructor and the student.
Category II: Major or premeditated offenses (e.g., significant cheating, forgery, or bribery) and repeat violations, which are referred to the school’s academic Honesty Committee for formal adjudication.

Serious violations can lead to severe consequences, including suspension, expulsion, or degree revocation. Students are entitled to a discussion with their instructor regarding any charges and have a formal right to appeal decisions through the college’s grievance process. For the complete policy and procedures, please refer to the link below:

DCNHS Academic Honesty Code

Grievance Code

The Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences (DCNHS) Grievance Policy provides a roadmap for resolving academic disputes, such as grade disagreements or program requirement issues. It applies to all Decker courses but excludes personal conflicts that don’t affect academic standing.

The informal path (required)

Before going through the formal process, a student must try to resolve the issue through the chain of command:

Talk to the person involved first
If unresolved, meet with the course coordinator, then the program director.
The Dean’s designee can step in to mediate if a student is uncomfortable or if talks stall.

The formal process

If informal steps fail, a student must submit a written chronology of the incident to the Dean’s Designee by the end of the following semester (Fall or Spring). A grievance committee composed of three faculty members and two students will hold a hearing. A student has the right to 7 days’ notice, a support person, and the ability to present witnesses.

Final decision and appeals

The committee is advisory; they suggest a resolution, but the Dean holds the final authority to make a decision. If a student is not satisfied with the outcomes, they maintain the right to a formal appeal or can contact external accrediting bodies.

For full details on the grievance process and appeal procedures, please refer to the policy below:

DCNHS Grievance Policy

Felony/Child Abuse Conviction

Students who have a previous felony or child abuse conviction are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or meet the licensure requirements of certain professions. Students with a prior criminal history should also be aware that agencies for clinical, field or internship experiences may require a background check. A prior criminal history may preclude participation in such experiences at these agencies. Students concerned about these restrictions are advised to contact the program director of their intended academic program.

Nursing students who are convicted of a felony or child abuse while enrolled in Decker College must report those convictions to their academic program director, as it may change their progression and ability to be placed in a clinical agency. Nursing students who wish to learn if felony/child abuse convictions will negatively impact their ability for licensure should check with the State Board of Nursing in the state where they plan to practice.