UMSV 320a-c Rules of Progression

UMSV 320a-Rules of Progression 1^st Semester Students

SPECIAL NOTE: This specific policy is in effect for first semester students only. This policy does not include students who were decelerated from the 2^nd semester into the first semester where auditing of course work was required.

First Semester Incoming Students

1. All freshman (1^st year didactic students) are allowed only one (1) make-up examination for failed course work. A second (2^nd) failure will result in dismissal from the program with no makeup examination offered.
   1. The above stated specific requirement pertains only to 1^st semester students.
   2. Beginning with the advent of the 2^nd semester, in the event the student fails one (1) course in the 1^st semester, only one (1) additional makeup examination will remain for the entire didactic year course of study.
      • Under the normal pathway of progression, an incoming student is allowed two course failures within the entire didactic year of study, except for the 1^st semester, which carries its own specific rules of progression.
      • This will include any 1^st semester course failures. As an example, if a student fails one course in the 1^st semester the failure WILL COUNT toward the 2-failure limit and the student will only have 1-makeup examination remaining in the entire didactic year course of study.
      • Beginning with the advent of the 2^nd semester, in the event the student fails one (1) course in the 1^st semester, only one (1) additional makeup examination will remain for the entire didactic year course of study.
   3. The 1^st year didactic student must maintain a GPA of at least 2.775/4.00
      • Failure to maintain a GPA of at least 2.775/4.00 will result in the student being brought in front of the Academic Performance Committee and dismissed from the program.

UMSV 320b-Rules of Progression UMSV PA Didactic Program

1. UMSV Schedule 320b-1
   1. In semester I, if a student fails one course, they will be placed on academic probation, and a cumulative make-up exam may be afforded. If the student passes the make-up exam, he/she will progress to the next semester on academic probation standing. If the student fails the cumulative make-up exam/course project, the course grade will be recorded as an F. The student will be called before the APC and may be dismissed from the program.
2. UMSV Schedule 320b-2
   1. In semester I, if a student fails two or more courses, they will not be afforded make-up opportunities, and they will be dismissed from the program.
3. UMSV Schedule 320b-3
   1. The maximum number of comprehensive make-up exams that may be afforded a student during the entire didactic phase is two (2) and in addition, students are allowed one (1) non- comprehensive makeup exam in PD Lab.
      • Please note there are no comprehensive make-up examinations given in the Physical Diagnosis Lab.
4. UMSV Schedule 320b-4
   1. If a student has one (1) failure in semesters 2-4 and subsequently passed the make-up examination along with maintaining a CUM GPA of 2.775, this student will be placed on academic warning following a review by the Academic Performance Committee.
      • If a student has two (2) failures in semesters 2-4 and subsequently passed the make-up examinations, they will be placed on Academic Probation following a review by the Academic Performance Committee.
5. UMSV Schedule 320b-5
   1. If a student fails to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above upon completion of the didactic year of study, then that student will be dismissed and or decelerated from the program based upon the recommendation of the Academic Performance Committee.
6. UMSV Schedule 320b-6
   1. If a student fails to achieve a fourth semester GPA of 3.00, but their cumulative GPA is above 3.00, the student will be placed on academic warning based upon the recommendation of the academic performance committee.
7. UMSV Schedule 320b-7
   1. If a student during the course of studies has two (2) semesters with a semester GPA below 3.00, the student may be dismissed from the program. These semesters do not have to run concurrently.

UMSV 320c-Rules of Progression UMSV PA Clinical Program

Progression through the Program-Successful Completion of the Clinical Year

1. Follow all policies (rules) and regulations published by the UMSV Physician Assistant Program.
2. Always maintain professional behavior within the UMSV PA Program and show respect toward all faculty members and administrative staff of the UMSV PA Program.
3. Successfully pass the Clinical Year Summative examination.
4. Successfully pass all End-of-Rotation-Examinations (EORE).
   1. Note: Only 2 make-up examinations of a failed EORE are permitted during the clinical year of study with successful remediation of the EORE (Make-up Exam).
      • Any student who fails an EORE will have to appear in front of the APC for academic review and possible sanctions which may include:
        • Placement on Academic Warning/Probation
        • Clinical Remediation
      • Failure of the EORE make-up examination will result in student failing the entire clinical clerkship thus necessitating a repeat of the clinical clerkship and appearance before the APC.
        • As noted below (section-d) only 1-Clinical clerkship failure is allowable during the clinical year of study.
      • No make-up examination will be allowed following a Failure of a third EORE within the clinical year.
        • Student may be dismissed from the UMSV PA program.
5. Successfully pass all Clinical Rotations and preceptor evaluations.
   1. Note: Failure of one (1) Clinical Clerkship Preceptor Evaluation will result in the following actions:
      • Student will have to repeat the failed clinical clerkship along with the EORE.
        • Repeating of the clinical clerkship will result in a delay of graduation along with possible placement in the clinical remediation program, incurring additional tuition and fees.
      • Student will appear in front of the APC for a review of the clinical rotation difficulties and possible remediation.

Failure of a Clinical Clerkship

1. Any student who fails a clinical clerkship will be required to repeat the clinical clerkship at a different facility, NO EXCEPTIONS.
2. Failure of a second clinical clerkship may result in the student being dismissed from the UMSV PA Program.

Professional Development Assessment Tool (P-DAT) Evaluation

1. At the end of the clinical year (2-months prior to graduation) all students will be evaluated via the use of a “Professional Development Performance Evaluation Form.”
   1. The Professional Development Performance Evaluation Form grades a student based on “Outstanding,” “Satisfactory,” “Needs Improvement,” and “Unsatisfactory.” Students must achieve a rating of “Needs Improvement” or better in ALL categories.
      • Failure to satisfactorily pass the Professional Development Performance Evaluation review will result in the student being placed within the clinical remediation program where the deficiencies noted on the Professional Performance Evaluation Form will be addressed.
        • Upon successful completion of the above clinical remediation, the student will be allowed to graduate from the program.
        • If the student progress as evaluated within the clinical remediation program shows no improvement in outlined deficiencies, that student will not be given clearance to graduate from the program.

Granting of Permission to Sit for the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE)

1. Following successful completion of the entire 28-month course of study within the UMSV Physician Assistant Program, all students will be reviewed and evaluated by the Program Director and members of the Academic Performance Committee, which will include both the Director of Medical Education, the Director of Clinical Education, and their respective faculty and staff.
   1. The sole purpose of this review process is to determine the academic preparedness of the student to take the PA National Board Certification Examination (PANCE) as well as completion of all program requirements.