Southern Vermont College

Across America, students are struggling to pass Anatomy & Physiology. This is the gateway course into a wide range of healthcare careers, and the failure rates in A & P I – particularly among first generation students — are distressing.  Studies show that if students can pass the Anatomy and Physiology I, they are likely to pass Anatomy and Physiology II. 

With a growing shortage of healthcare professionals, we need to find a way to enable more students to progress into employment in health-related fields.  Our collective well-being depends on it.  To that end, we have decided to initiate a Pilot Program commencing in August 2010, designed to help students pass this critically important course — without lowering standards.   Indeed, at Southern Vermont College, receiving a grade of 77 or better is needed to progress from Anatomy and Physiology I into Anatomy and Physiology II.

Major features of the Pilot Program: The Anatomy and Physiology I course will run for two semesters instead of the usual one semester.  Based on successful research in graduate education, stretching this course will give students more time to assimilate the material while adding in new teaching and learning strategies while shoring up basic science knowledge.  Students who successfully complete this course will be entitled to take Anatomy and Physiology II at SVC in the summer of 2011(which also has a minimum pass rate of 77), without paying tuition for this course or cost of summer on-campus housing.  And, students will be on track to enter their professional program (nursing, radiologic technology) in Fall 2011.

Here are other key features of this Pilot Program:

• 12 students maximum;
• Multiple opportunities for learning while doing, including patient visits;
• Peer tutor and Success Center support;
• New clicker technology to help instructors assess and understand student learning and progress; and
• Foundational skill-building in Chemistry and Biology.

We will be studying the success of this Pilot Program, and look forward to sharing our results. If the course approach improves pass rates, we hope that other schools can adapt this initiative for their own institutions.

If you are interested in enrolling in the Pilot Program, details are provided in the attached flyer. 

An opportunity to succeed in a healthcare career awaits you!