Graduation Requirements
Student Progress
To remain in good programmatic standing in the PA Program, the student must:
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3. 0. A cumulative GPA of less than 3. 0 will result in University Academic Probation according to the University’s standards for remaining in good academic standing.
- Earn a minimum grade of C in all courses and clinical rotations. Any final course grade below a C is considered failing and will result in dismissal from the program.
- Exhibit satisfactory evidence of professional behaviors, technical standards, and interpersonal skills as outlined in the PA Student Handbook.
- Have a passing grade on all proficiency exams (OSCEs, check sheets) as determined by the faculty instructor.
Failure to achieve the above criteria shall be grounds for action by the Student Evaluation and Progression Committee (SEPC). Actions can include probation, tutoring, remediation, or dismissal from the Program.
Cumulative GPA Below 3. 0-University Academic Probation
Any student with a cumulative GPA of less than 3. 0 at the end of a semester will be placed on University Academic Probation for the following semester. PA students are required to take more credits per semester than the number of maximum allowed course credits while on probation. The University’s policy only allows students on probation to enroll in a maximum of 12 credits per semester while on probation. Students on probation will need to submit a petition in order to be enrolled in the appropriate number of credits. The PA Program does not allow for deceleration for academic reasons, so deviation from the Plan of Study is not allowed.
A student is required to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3. 0 by the end of the semester after a student is placed on probation. For example, if a student is placed on probation for a cumulative GPA of 2. 9, the student will need to achieve a high enough GPA in the semester after being placed on probation in order to earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3. 0. Raising the cumulative GPA to 3. 0 will place the student back in good academic standing, and the student will be removed from University Academic Probation. Any student on probation must meet with their faculty advisor and may be referred to the Highlander Success Center.
Programmatic Professional Probation
A student will be placed on programmatic professional probation for the following:
- Unsatisfactory evidence of professional behaviors, lack of attention to technical standards, failure to adhere to the attendance policy, and poor interprofessional skills as outlined by the PA Student Handbook.
- Professional probation does not expire at the end of a semester. A student placed on professional probation will remain on probation until graduation, as long as the student is compliant with his or her probationary contract. Failure to adhere to the contract/requirements of probation may result in further disciplinary action up to dismissal from the program.
Failure to Achieve Course Outcomes
Students must achieve all competencies as incorporated in the plan of study. A student must earn a grade of C or better in each course to achieve the competencies mapped to the course. If the course instructor identifies that a student cannot pass the course with a grade of C or better, the student will be assigned an incomplete grade at the end of the course. The student will be placed on programmatic academic probation for the remainder of the program and will be required to remediate the course over a 2 to 3-week period. A student cannot progress to the next semester without proof of achievement of competencies according to the plan of study. Course remediation objectives and evaluation will be determined by the PA Program Curriculum Committee. By the conclusion of the remediation period, the student must demonstrate course competencies as determined by the Curriculum Committee. Successful remediation of the course requires at least a score of 70 percent. The official grade assigned to the course upon successful remediation will be a C. Unsuccessful remediation of the course will result in a course failure and dismissal from the program. Remediation is only allowed for a single course. If a student warrants remediation for a second course (in the same semester or subsequent semester) the student will be dismissed from the program.
Failing Course Grade
Any student who receives a course grade below a C will be placed on academic probation for the remainder of the program. A student cannot progress to the next semester without resolving a failing course grade. Students must enroll in and pay for PHA 575 Independent Study. Credit hours will vary, with objectives and evaluation determined by the faculty member responsible for the course. If the student successfully passes PHA 575 he/she will be allowed to progress to the next semester. If the student does not successfully pass PHA 575 it will be considered a second failing grade and it will result in dismissal from the program
Dismissal
A student will be dismissed from the program for any of the following:
- Failing a course.
- Earning a cumulative GPA below 3. 0 as calculated at the conclusion of a semester while on university or programmatic professional probation.
- Exhibiting unprofessional behavior.
Students who are dismissed from the Program may reapply in the future. Applicants must follow the University’s application procedures to be considered for readmission.
Summative Evaluation
When students are back on campus for the Masters Capstone course they will undergo a comprehensive Summative Evaluation process. The purpose of this is to ensure that the learner has the knowledge, interpersonal skills, patient care skills, and professionalism to enter into clinical practice and has met the published Programmatic Competencies.
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