USAHS is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for pregnant and postpartum students and ensures compliance with Title IX which outlines accommodations for students because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.   Student Welfare and Accessibility engages in an interactive process with each student and reviews requests for accommodations on a case-by-case basis. 

Accommodation Information:

Reasonable accommodations vary based on the student’s circumstances and program of study, but may include academic accommodations, such as breaks during class, excused absences, rescheduling of tests, and alternatives to make up missed work. Other accommodations include access to campus lactation rooms and leave of absence for childbirth.

Note regarding leave for childbirth: Students are eligible for a leave of absence in accordance with the university’s Leave of Absence Policy at the time of childbirth with appropriate documentation. The leave will begin when the student goes into labor. Students are responsible for notifying faculty and Student Welfare and Accessibility at the time of labor if it defers from the original due date provided. Students are to resume their coursework with the support of faculty and/or the program director when they return from the leave. Arrangements acceptable to both parties must be made to complete exams and all remaining coursework prior to the beginning of the subsequent trimester.

If coursework is not able to be completed by the end of the term, Student Welfare and Accessibility will work with the student and the program to determine what alternative accommodations may be appropriate given the medical documentation received, course sequencing, and program requirements.

Accommodation Process: 

STEP 1. Provide documentation by email to accommodations@usa.edu. If you are unsure of the documentation needed, please see the Medical Provider Verification of Pregnancy/Postpartum Needs document on pg. 6-7 of the Pregnancy Accommodation Request Packet (see below). 

STEP 2. Student Accessibility and Welfare will send confirmation of receipt of the documentation and Student Request Form to the student's USAHS email. Student Accessibility and Welfare staff will review the documentation within 10 business days of receipt.

STEP 3. Student Accessibility and Welfare will contact the student to notify of the outcome of the review. If documentation is sufficient, the student will be asked to set up an intake appointment.  If declined or if more documentation is needed, the student will be notified and provided an opportunity to resubmit documentation.

STEP 4. If approved for accommodations, Student Accessibility and Welfare will provide an Accommodation Notice to Instructors to the student. It is the student's responsibility to send the notice to their faculty for accommodation implementation. 

Appeal Process: If a student wishes to appeal a decision, either qualification for services or a specific accommodation, a written appeal should be emailed to the Director of Student Welfare at cvasquez@usa.edu as promptly as possible.  All available information including any additional information submitted by the student during appeal will be considered. The Director of Student Welfare will provide a written response within 5 business days of receipt of the appeal.