College of Health Science

1. History

Arising from the vision of Pepperdine President Jim Gash in fulfillment of a strategic objective in the University's 2030 Ascend Together strategic plan, conceptual development of the College of Health Science (CHS) began during the 2022-2023 academic year. Planning and development efforts intensified in August, 2023 when Michael Feltner was appointed the Dean of Academic Initiatives and tasked with developing a proposal for the college. On February 19, 2024, the Board of Regents formally approved the establishment of the College of Health Science.

The first two schools in the CHS, the School of Nursing and the School of Speech Language Pathology, were approved in December 2023. Both schools are slated to begin operation in August, 2025.

As the CHS remains in development, much of its history has not yet been written. This section of the Handbook will be updated continually to capture the evolution of the CHS.

2. Founding Statement

The initial draft of the founding statement for the CHS rightly centers our efforts in Jesus Christ and is presented as a foundation for further refinement.

The foundation of Pepperdine University's College of Health Science is firmly rooted in our Christian faith. As faithful followers of the great physician, Jesus Christ, Pepperdine is called to do God's redemptive work in the world. This call requires us to use our collective gifts and talents to educate and train like-minded servants to continue the healing mission begun by Jesus. Grounded in the love of Jesus and abiding in the glory of God's grace, we establish the College of Health Science as a symbol of our faith and a gift to the world.

3. Vision & Mission

The mission of the CHS is derived from the University's mission statement.

Pepperdine University's College of Health Science commits itself to the highest standards of academic excellence, clinical preparation, and Christian values to develop skilled and caring healthcare professionals who seek to lead while serving our communities and the world.

Similarly, the vision statement for the CHS also is derived from the University's vision.

The College of Health Science will be a preeminent healthcare college known for the integration of faith and the development of skilled and caring healthcare professionals who will serve our communities and the world as servant-minded leaders.

4. Structure

As of the time of drafting the initial version of this Handbook (June, 2024), the CHS consisted of two schools, the School of Nursing and the School of Speech Language Pathology, and had six employees (Founding Dean, Manager of Academic Development, Dean of the School of Nursing, Dean of the School of Speech Language Pathology, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Admission, and the Executive Assistant to the Dean).

As the CHS continues to grow and evolve, organization charts will be added in Appendix ___ to detail the organizational structure of the college.

5. Degree Programs

As of June, 2024, the following degree programs have been approved for the CHS

5.1 School of Nursing

5.1.1. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- 5.1.1.1. Four-Year Pathway
- 5.1.1.2. Two-Year Pathway
5.1.2. Entry Level Master's in Nursing (ELM)

5.2 School of Speech Language Pathology

5.2.1. Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology (MSLP)

A foundations program, consisting of seven courses, is also planned for the School of Speech Language Pathology to enable students to complete prerequisite courses for the MSLP program prior to enrollment.

Also as of June, 2024, the following CHS degree programs were in the initial stages of development and consideration.

5.3. Doctorate of Nursing Practice in the School of Nursing

5.4. Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies in a proposed School of Physician Assistant Studies

5.5. Occupational Therapy Doctorate in a proposed School of Occupational Therapy

6. University Administration

The College of Health Science is one of the six schools of Pepperdine University. The others are the Graduate School of Education and Psychology, the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, the Caruso School of Law, the School of Public Policy, and Seaver College. The Provost, the chief academic ofﬁcer, has the overall responsibility for the academic activities of the University, and is the principal link between the central administration and the academic areas.

7. University Faculty Council

Chartered in 2001, the University Faculty Council (UFC) is a twelve-member body with elected representatives from all schools of Pepperdine University. The CHS's representation on the UFC will be determined during the 2024-2025 academic year and begin in the 2025-2026 academic year. The primary purpose of the UFC is to establish a formal relationship between and among faculties of the six schools of the University and the University administration.

For further details, please consult the UFC charter which is found on the UFC website.

8. Shared Governance

A great institution of higher learning is the product of the shared wisdom of multiple constituencies, all dedicated to academic excellence and to the proper and effective functioning of the institution.

Pepperdine University's philosophy of institutional governance is grounded in the mission of the University, in the biblical mandate to treat others as we wish to be treated, in the very deﬁnition of the university as a "collegium" — that is, a society of colleagues, a fellowship — and in the ethical expectations expressed in the University Code of Ethics.

The Code states that: "We value integrity, honesty, and fairness and strive to integrate these values into our daily practices We seek to be people who are honorable, forthright, and upright at all times. We value people; we speak the truth; we have the courage of our convictions."

Thus, transparency, collaboration, a shared sense of responsibility, and the free expression of ideas and concerns are intrinsic to our institutional culture. In brief, while our decision-making practices are complex and evolving, nonetheless, they are carried out within a particular Pepperdine culture founded on enduring values. That culture is shaped by the Christian faith, which inspires an ethos of care, respect, and the welcoming of vigorous debate. It is supported by the University's esteemed tradition of, and aspiration to, collegiality, open communication, mutual trust, and shared participation in a common life.

A vision of shared governance for Pepperdine University is found on the Provost's website.

9. Tenured and Promotion

The policies and procedures governing the tenure and promotion process follow.

9.1. University Tenure Policy

The University Tenure Policy is available on the Provost's website.

9.2. Guide to the Tenure Review Process

An overview guide of the tenure review process, including: eligibility, when to apply, and the steps in the review process are provided in this document, which is also available on the Provost's website.

9.3. Best Practices for Tenure and Promotion Review

A list of recommendations intended to put applicants' portfolios in the best possible light and to clarify expectations is also provided on the Provost's website.

9.4. College of Health Science Rank, Tenure, and Promotion for Tenure-Line Faculty

The CHS Rank, Tenure, and Promotion (RTP) Committee was established to develop procedures and make recommendations to the college and University administration concerning initial rank, step advancement, tenure, promotion, and five-year review of CHS tenure-line faculty members. The procedures and policies governing the operation of the CHS RTP Committee and the RTP process are detailed in the CHS RTP Handbook available on the CHS RTP website.

9.5. College of Health Science Rank and Promotion for Clinical and Teaching Series Faculty

The CHS Rank and Promotion (RP) Committee was established to develop procedures and make recommendations to the college and University administration concerning initial rank, step advancement, promotion, and five-year review of CHS clinical and teaching series faculty members. The procedures and policies governing the operation of the CHS RP Committee and the RP process are detailed in the CHS RP Handbook available on the CHS RP website.

9.6. Academic Freedom

The Provost's statement on academic freedom, reiterating a portion of the tenure policy, is available on the Provost's website.

9.7. Access to Personal Records

Faculty members have a right to inspect, at reasonable intervals and times, personnel records which relate to their performance, including the supervisor's evaluation.

9.5.1. Annual Reviews

The annual review process is both formative and evaluative and is conducted primarily to aid the faculty member in his/her professional development. Consequently, faculty members should receive a copy of their supervisor's evaluation at the conclusion of the annual assessment process performed in each school or academic program. Faculty members should contact their dean/program director to inspect their annual review if it is not received by August 1 annually.
9.5.2. Rank, Tenure and Promotion (RTP) & Step Advancement Reviews

Faculty members may inspect, upon request, their personnel records at the conclusion of all RTP review (tenure, pre-tenure, promotions in rank, and ﬁve-year evaluations) and step advancement processes.
9.5.3. Grievance

The rules governing the grievance procedure are found in the University Tenure Policy. Faculty members ﬁling a grievance may inspect, upon request, the supervisor evaluation and conﬁdential internal and external peer reviews in summary or redacted form so as to preserve the anonymity of the author.