For the Spring 2021 term, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) will offer labs and hands-on skills reinforcement intensives for students in its master’s and doctoral programs in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology and Nursing starting February 8, 2021 on its Austin, Texas campus, as well as its Dallas, Texas campus, during designated hours each day for the duration of the Spring Term, which is scheduled to conclude April 24, 2021. Students will participate in lab and skills reinforcement activities in small groups for several hours in each session. To ensure distancing, lab and skills sessions will be staggered over 7 days per week throughout the Spring Term. Students will be accompanied by a faculty member at each session. Course instruction will remain fully online for the Spring 2021 Term. This means there will be no in-person lectures on campus during the term. Students, faculty and essential support staff will come to campus only for skills reinforcement intensives and lab-related activities, and to support virtual learning and some limited research activities.
USAHS will be in full compliance with gathering parameters (currently a maximum of 10 individuals), CDC social distancing requirements, and use of daily health screening and appropriate protective equipment that includes surgical masks, gloves and face shields. USAHS team members have developed a detailed plan to ensure that CDC, as well as other guidelines, are followed closely to protect students, faculty and staff. This plan can be accessed on our website at https://www.usa.edu/return-to-campus/. Please note that all our students are mature, graduate level students in health sciences who are thoroughly trained in protective procedures and patient care. USAHS does not have dorms, student centers or athletic activities, and no common areas such as the library are open. This approach allows USAHS to meet accreditation requirements and support student success while complying with the guidance of July 20, 2020 from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
