The Medical University of South Carolina's James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine in Charleston offers an academically rigorous dental program. The dental college's research opportunities and community-based clinical programs provide students with both the theoretical and practical training they need for successful dental careers. The Commission on Dental Accreditation accredits the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine not only for the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (D.M.D.) degree but also for programs in advanced education in general dentistry, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, orthodontics, and oral and maxillofacial surgery.
You made a wise choice and earned a special opportunity when enrolling in the dental medicine program at the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine. But dental programs must maintain high standards to protect patients and ensure their graduates' competency. If school officials believe that you are not making satisfactory academic progress or not meeting clinical, professional, or behavioral standards, then the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine may dismiss you for those dental student issues. Retain the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team and Student Defense Attorney Advisor Joseph D. Lento to help you defend and overcome dismissal at the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine.
Reasons for James B. Edwards Dental College Dismissal
Dental students are generally highly disciplined and academically well-prepared. But life and its circumstances can intervene to distract and derail even the best-prepared dental students. And the challenges and pressures of dental studies can lead students to engage in uncharacteristic behaviors. Poor grades or clinical practice, drug or alcohol abuse, criminal convictions, and disrespect toward supervisors or colleagues can lead to disciplinary charges and dismissal. The James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine maintains policies providing for the dismissal of students for failing to meet any of these standards:
- satisfactory academic progress, including maintaining at least a 2.40 cumulative grade point average in the first year, 2.50 GPA in the second year, 2.80 GPA in the third year, and 3.00 GPA in the fourth year;
- professionalism, including compassion, collaboration, respect, integrity, and innovation in the program of dental medicine; and
- behavioral standards not to disrupt college education, to avoid drug and alcohol abuse affecting studies or clinical practice, and to comply with Title IX and other conduct policies.
James B. Edwards Dental College Adjudication Process
If you face academic progression or disciplinary issues at the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, dental school officials may first try to resolve those issues with you informally. They may propose your voluntary withdrawal. But if you did not do as school officials allege, or if you believe your withdrawal and dismissal to be unnecessary and inappropriate, you may contest the issue through university procedures. Your appeal outside the College of Dental Medicine removes the decision in your matter from dental school officials to university officials.
Like other colleges within the university, the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine relies on the Medical University of South Carolina's Academic and Professionalism Appeal Policy for contested hearings and appeals. The Medical University of South Carolina's complaint process guarantees you due process when disputing an allegation that could result in your dismissal. That process includes written notice of the charges, the official or committee who will decide your matter, and the outcome of your matter. If you wish for a hearing on your dental student issues, you must request that hearing from the university's dean. You will ordinarily remain in school while disputing the issues. The dean may decide your matter or may refer your request to another official or committee.
Medical University of South Carolina Appeal Process
The Medical University of South Carolina dean or the dean's designated official or committee must hold a meeting with you to decide your appeal outside of the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine. You may present your evidence and arguments at the meeting while challenging the dental school's allegations. The hearing official or committee recommends the outcome of your matter to the dean for review and approval. If the recommendation is for a mandatory leave of absence, suspension, or dismissal, the dean must review the recommendation with the university's Office of General Counsel. Dismissal is only one of several possible outcomes. Other potential outcomes include dismissal of the charges, oral or written reprimand, remedial education, repeated coursework or clinical rotations, and suspension.
Retaining a Student Defense Attorney Advisor
If you face dismissal from the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, then you have at stake everything for which you have worked in your dental education. Don't underestimate those stakes. Dismissal from one dental school may mean you cannot transfer credits to another dental school and may not gain admission to restart elsewhere. Academic administrative procedures at the Medical University of South Carolina are complex. They certainly differ from criminal and civil court procedures.
You, therefore, need an attorney advisor skilled and experienced in professional school defense. Your retained student defense attorney advisor can help you answer your dental school's charges, respond to investigation requests, and invoke school procedures. Your retained attorney advisor can also help prepare you to propose and negotiate creative solutions that may lead to early voluntary dismissal of the charges. If you have already exhausted all procedures, national student defense attorney advisor Joseph D. Lento can reach out to the university's Office of General Counsel and other oversight officials to explore alternative special relief.
Premier Education Law Team Available in South Carolina
Don't go without the skilled representation you need for your best possible outcome. Retain the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team and Student Defense Attorney Advisor Joseph D. Lento to help you defend your dismissal from the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine. Call 888.535.3686 or go online now.
