NAMSS ISP ENROLLMENT AGREEMENT

Notice to the Student

  1. Do not acknowledge this agreement before you read it or if it contains blanks.
  2. This is a binding legal instrument.  Read carefully before you acknowledge it.
  3. You are entitled to a copy of this agreement and any disclosure pages you acknowledge as having reviewed.
  4. Every assignee of this contract is subject to all claims and defenses of the student or his successors in the interest arising under this agreement. 
  5. The Enrollment Agreement (contract) and the Course Catalog constitute the entire agreement between the student and the National Association Medical Staff Services (NAMSS). 
  6. Under the law, you have the right, among others, to pay the full amount and to obtain under certain conditions, a partial refund of any finance charge.
  7. This agreement is a legally binding instrument when signed by the student and accepted by the school.  Acceptance by the school is indicated when the school provides the student with a password. 
  8. The terms and conditions of this agreement are not subject to amendment of modifications by oral agreement.
  9. Any changes in the agreement shall not be binding on either the student or the school unless such changes have been approved in writing by an authorized official of the school and by the student or student guardian.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

  1. Students may request cancellation in any manner. Upon cancellation, all money due to the student must be refunded within 30 days.
  2. An enrollment may be cancelled by the student within five (5) business days or seven (7) calendar days after midnight of the day the enrollment agreement was signed.  The payee will receive a refund of all monies paid to the school.
    • After the fifth day (5), but before the first lesson is submitted, the school may keep the enrollment fee of $50.00 for a single course purchase or a non-refundable tuition fee of $150 with the purchase of the 6 course program.
    • Up to and including the completion of 10% of the course, the school shall retain the enrollment fee or the non-refundable tuition fee, as applicable, and 10% of the refundable tuition (total tuition charges remaining after subtracting the $50 enrollment fee or the $150 non-refundable tuition fee depending on the student's original purchase).
    • Up to and including the completion of 25% of the course, the school shall retain the enrollment fee or the non-refundable tuition fee of $150, as applicable, and 25% of the refundable tuition.
    • Up to and including the completion of 50% of the course, the school shall retain the enrollment fee or the non-refundable tuition fee of $150, as applicable, and 50% of the tuition.
  3. With the purchase of a single course, the refund policy will be calculated by the number of completed lessons divided by the number of lessons in a given course.  With the purchase of all courses, the refund policy will be calculated by the number of completed lessons divided by the total number of lessons in all six courses.

General Information

General Admission Policy
NAMSS open door admission policy ensures that any person with an interest in continuing education in healthcare has the opportunity to enroll. Upon acceptance to the NAMSS ISP, the student has the right/ability to print an Enrollment Application for his or her records.

The NAMSS Institute does not refuse admission to applicants based on race, religion, creed, sex, or physical/mental handicaps unrelated to ability.

Distance Learning - Online 
An online course is delivered using only computers and computer peripherals. You are required to have reliable Internet access and the latest version of an internet browser software. The online classroom is used to deliver instruction, facilitate interactions among students and course leaders, and more. 

Enrollment Process - New Students
Read the course catalog and complete an Enrollment Agreement either by submitting online or printing/mailing the Enrollment Agreement into the Executive Office. Forward the following documentation with your Enrollment Agreement:  

  • A high school transcript or diploma, GED certificate or college transcript or diploma* 
  • Enrollment fee of $50.00
  • Show proof of active membership in NAMSS
  • Payment for course(s)

The items marked with (*) are required to be submitted within 30 days of your Enrollment Agreement.  Failure to comply will result in the student being blocked from student records.

Once the Enrollment Application is received, NAMSS will promptly send you a copy of the Enrollment Agreement, the course ordered and a password to start the program.

The admission date is the date the NAMSS Institute receives and accepts the completed Enrollment Agreement. NAMSS reserves the right to block your enrollment into a course or student records if the Executive Office has not received your transcript and proof of active membership within 30 days of enrollment.

Enrollment Process - Currently Enrolled Students
Currently enrolled students are those who are actively enrolled in a course and would like to purchase additional courses.  Currently enrolled students are held to the same rights and standards as new students but will order additional courses utilizing the enrolled student order form within the secured site.  Utilizing the enrolled student order form, within 30 months of the approved Enrollment Agreement date, exempts the student from the enrollment fees and providing proof of education. Enrolled students must maintain active membership in NAMSS.

Enrollment Period and Disenrollment

  1. A student must complete the NAMSS ISP by completing every lesson and the monitored examination for each course, one at a time, within thirty months from the date of admission, notwithstanding any approved extensions. A student may receive an extension of three months up to the deadline date of the course completion.  The extension request must be written and accompanied with payment of the $50.00 extension fee per request.
  2. Applicant may be automatically disenrolled from the NAMSS ISP for any of the following reasons:
    • Failure to complete the NAMSS ISP within the enrollment period.
    • Failure to score a minimum grade of 80% on the monitored examination in any given course.
    • Failure to provide accurate enrollment information with the Enrollment Agreement.
    • Failure to follow the NAMSS Code of Ethics.
  3. A student who is disenrolled for cause may reapply for enrollment as a new student and must pay the total tuition for any enrollment.  With the exception of the registration fee, no credit will be given for any amount paid to school during a prior enrollment.

Proctored Examinations
In order to successfully complete each course, the student must earn a passing grade (80% of questions answered correctly) on the proctored examination.  Should a student fail the initial exam, a $50.00 fee will be assessed for the second attempt. The student will have 30 days to complete the second exam. The student will be responsible for obtaining a qualified proctor to supervise the examination, and to schedule the exam time and location. The form to request the exam and notify NAMSS Institute of the proctor's name and address is located on the public site under Enroll, titled Proctor Sign Up.

Certificate of Completion/Transcripts
To receive a Certificate of Completion and a Transcript, the student must successfully complete each course exam and fulfill all financial obligations.  The student will be responsible for obtaining college credit for the courses from the institution they are currently enrolled, if applicable.

Tuition 
Cost for the ISP is:

Single course: $250
Five-course program: $1,050

Payment
Tuition is to be paid in US funds, by check on a US Bank, US Postal money order, or billed to a credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express).

Financial Aid 
Scholarships are available by some NAMSS state associations for students within their states.

NAMSS has an annual Charlotte Cochrane Award, which provides financial assistance to persons planning to enter or are currently involved in the profession of medical services or provider credentialing. This award is to be applied to an educational activity that will foster personal and professional growth and enhance knowledge and competence in the field of medical services and provider credentialing.

Presently there are no scholarships available from NAMSS specifically for the ISP.

Placement Assistance
The NAMSS Institute does not have a placement service for students.  Members of NAMSS receive SYNERGY magazine.  This publication lists positions in medical services and provider credentialing across the country. Also, there are job postings on this Web site.

Accreditation 
The NAMSS Independent Study Program is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

Continuing Education Credits
For many medical services and provider credentialing professionals, continuing education credits are required to maintain their certification status. The Institute will provide a transcript and a certificate indicating the successful completion of each course and the number of CEUs awarded.

College Credit 
The American Council on Education Credit Registry (ACE) recommends each of the NAMSS Institute's courses for college credit. At the completion of all five courses, a college credit recommendation of 8 semester hours has been made.

Because many colleges and universities in the US have accepted transfer of ACE credits into their degree program, you may be able to apply these credit recommendations to a college degree.

The American Council on Education, founded in 1918, is the umbrella organization for the nation's colleges and universities.  In addition to the awarding of college credit recommendations, ACE provides a forum for discussion and decision-making on higher education issues of national importance.  The Center for Adult Learning and Educational Credentials is the ACE adult learning division. Founded in 1942, the Center pioneered the evaluation of education obtained outside a formal classroom.

For a list of colleges and universities that have accepted transfer of ACE Credit Registry recommendations, you may contact the American Council of Education at: One DuPont Circle, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20036-1193 Phone: 202/939-9431.

Transferring Credits 
The NAMSS Institute is not a degree granting program. Students must contact their college or university to ensure acceptance of these courses for college credit. A transcript will be sent to students upon successful completion of each course.  The transfer of credits is controlled by the receiving institution.  The NAMSS Institute cannot guarantee transferability.

Business Practice
It is unfair business practice for NAMSS Institute to sell, discount or otherwise transfer this installment contract without the signed written consent of all parties.

For general questions regarding NAMSS Institute Independent Study Program, contact info@namss.org

Mailing address
2025 M Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036