Faculty/Staff Recommendations and References

For all requested recommendations and references, regardless of written or verbal form, students must complete and sign the appropriate College/School/Department release form before any such recommendations or reference can be completed. A separate form must be completed for each written and/or verbal reference.

References for Fellowships and Residencies

The MPAS Program recognizes some students will want to advance their training by completing a post-graduate fellowship/residency. Most of these require a letter of reference be completed well prior to a student’s MPAS Program graduation date. In such cases, principal and full-time program faculty are happy to complete such references that, due to their uniqueness, differ from the policy regarding letters of recommendation/references for employment and credentialing.

References for Post-Graduate Employment, Licensing, and Credentialing

Employers and credentialing agencies have been requiring more and more specific and comprehensive information detailed on program and faculty references. In response to this, the E&H MPAS Program will include any pertinent information as requested by the credentialing agency or employer.

Appeals Policy and Process for the Program’s Letter of Reference Question Answers

All students can request to receive a copy of their final letter of reference before it is sent out to any outside individual/entity. Students have the final say in whether the program submits the letter of reference, which cannot be sent out unless students complete and submit the release from.

If a student takes issue with an answer to any of the Specific Questions noted on the form, or explanations for ‘yes’ answers on the form, the student may request reconsideration for the answer to that specific question/explanation by submitting an appeal to the Program Director. Appeals must be submitted for the first Letter of Reference Form completed by the MPAS Program. Appeals will not be accepted for any subsequently completed forms. Appeals will not be accepted after the students submits the release form for the first Program’s Letter of Reference. The Program Director will then submit the appeal request to the Student Progression Committee (SPC) chairperson who will call for an SPC meeting to discuss the appeal. The SPC decision, reached by consensus among SPC committee members, is final and not open to any further appeals from the student.