Failure of a Course: in the event a student receives a failing (F) grade for a course, they will be offered an individualized remediation plan specific to the deficient areas and designed to support the student in successfully meeting course requirements. A student may retake a failed course one (1) time only.
Determinations of when the student may complete remediation plans are made by the Student Assessment and Promotions Committee (SAPC) and include the following:
Remediation with Progression: A determination made when, in the opinion of the SAPC, the failure may be rectified through minimal remediation that will support the student’s success in the subsequent semester.
Examples of when the determination of Remediation with Progression may be made include, but are not limited to:
- Not meeting expected level of performance in a single competency (e.g. "taking a history" or "performing a physical exam")
- Receiving a failing grade in a single course due to knowledge gaps (e.g. falling below the passing criteria for the course)
Remediation with Progression will require an individualized remediation plan which may include, but is not limited to:
- Enrollment in an individual study course
- Tuition will be charged for all individual study courses and is the responsibility of the student
- Working one-on-one with a faculty member or Program-approved tutor;
- Additional review of course material;
- Additional practice with multiple choice exams via testing software;
- Re-testing;
- Simulations;
- Additional weeks of supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs); and/or
- Any combination of the above listed items.
Additionally, the Student Assessment & Promotions Committee may recommend to the Program Director deceleration (Remediation without Progression), which may result in an extended program and a delayed graduation.
Remediation without Progression: A recommendation made to the Program Director when, in the opinion of the SAPC, remediation will place a substantial burden on the student if conducted while the student is attempting new coursework. The student will be offered deceleration and re-matriculation into the next cohort. The student may or may not be refunded any tuition for the current year, in accordance with university policies.
Examples of when the determination of Remediation without Progression may be made include, but are not limited to:
- Not meeting expected level of performance in more than one competency (e.g., “taking a history”, “performing a physical examination”, “prioritizing a differential diagnosis”, “developing a plan”);
- Receiving a failing grade in more than one course due to knowledge gaps (e.g. falling below the 70% cut off); and/or
- Demonstrating inappropriate professional behavior for which the student has been notified, but has not corrected.
If after reviewing the recommendations of the SAPC, the Program Director concurs with the recommendation, the student will be notified and required to meet with the Program Director and the student’s advisor to review the status and recommendations.
Due to this outcome posing a significant financial impact on the student, a subsequent meeting with the Office of Student Financial Services will be recommended. Per University policy, the student will be placed on an Official Leave of Absence (LOA).
Prior to the student re-matriculating, the SAPC will meet with the student to review requirements for matriculation and provide an overview of the required remediation plan.
Remediation without Progression will require an individualized plan which may include, but is not limited to:
- Enrollment in courses for which the student received a failing grade (F),
- Enrollment in independent study course(s) in course(s) for which the student received a passing grade (P),
- Tuition will be charged for each course in which registration is required and is the responsibility of the student
- Pre-testing to ensure competency progression was maintained throughout the duration of the Leave of Absence, and
- Auditing of previously passed courses to ensure that earlier acquired knowledge and skills are maintained and strengthened.
Eligibility for graduation will be determined upon successful completion of remediation in the case of Remediation with or without Progression.
Regardless of the type of remediation, students in the Physician Assistant Program must meet academic, clinical, and professional milestones in order to progress through the program toward graduation. The normal timeframe for completion of required coursework for the MPAS degree is 27 consecutive months. The student must complete all program requirements within a maximum of 40.5 months from the time of the original matriculation date or risk dismissal from the program.