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UMSV 313 Deceleration

Policy Name: Deceleration

ARC-PA defines deceleration as: “The loss of a student from the entering cohort, who remains matriculated in the physician assistant program”.

As stated in UMSV 311 Policy and Procedure Manual-Section VIII: “A student who is decelerated will be required to repeat all or part of the didactic and/or clinical portion of the curriculum dependent on the recommendation from the Academic Performance Committee and approval by the program director.”

A student, who for the reasons clearly outlined, will be unable to continue with their present course of studies within the Master of Science Physician Assistant Program will be ‘decelerated’ to the next incoming cohort of program students. A student identified by program faculty as having a significant deficit in knowledge, skills, or professional behaviors at any point in the program may be subject upon an Academic Performance Committee (APC) review to sanctions which include remediation, deceleration, or dismissal from the program.

Deceleration may occur following failure of a course or following a requested leave of absence.

Deceleration Criteria
The criteria for deceleration include the following:

  • During the course of the didactic and/or clinical phase of study, the student develops a documented medical condition that precludes the student from completing their assigned course(s) of study. Final decision will rest with the program director.
  • A documented personal issue that precludes the student from completing their assigned course(s) of study. Final decision will rest with the program director.
  • Deceleration may occur as a result of an academic failure and the subsequent recommendation of the APC.
    • A student with a failing grade (less than “C-“) in any course during the didactic or clinical phase of the program will be referred to the APC, which will review the student’s performance in the course and the student’s entire record in the program.
    • The APC will make a recommendations regarding academic sanction to the program director, who will make a final decision regarding the student’s disposition.
    • Possible sanctions include deceleration and/or dismissal from the program.

Please note: Academic failure does not necessarily preclude that the student will be granted deceleration. The deceleration recommendation is made by the APC and forwarded to the program director for final determination of status.

Process of Applying for Deceleration Consideration Prior to an APC Recommendation
During the course of the didactic and/or clinical phase of study, as stated above, the student develops a documented medical condition or a personal issue that precludes the student from completing their assigned course(s) of study the student will make a formal request in writing o the UMSV-PA Program Director for a “Leave of Absence.” This request will be forwarded to the APC, who will review the student’s entire academic performance and will make a recommendation for consideration and disposition including deceleration or dismissal from the program.

The student requesting the leave of absence must also notify the University’s Dean of Students, in writing, of their desire to request an academic “Leave of Absence.”

Plan for Deceleration and Follow-up of Decelerated Students

  • In the event that a student is decelerated, the APC, along with the student’s faculty advisor, will provide a detailed plan for deceleration, which will include all courses to be completed and the timeframe for completion of all components of the program.
  • The plan for deceleration will be signed by the student and the program director, and will be maintained in the student’s permanent program record.
  • Students repeating any portion of the curriculum will be closely monitored by the student’s faculty advisor as well as the remediation team upon resuming their coursework.
  • The APC will evaluate all decelerated students upon completion of the course (or courses) within the plan for deceleration.
    • If a student fails to meet academic or professional standards while decelerated, the APC will review the student’s entire record in the program and make a recommendation to the program director regarding disposition.
    • Failure to meet academic and/or professional standards while decelerated will result in dismissal from the program.

Appeal of an Academic Sanction (Deceleration/Dismissal)

  • Students in the University’s program have the right to appeal an academic sanction, including deceleration/dismissal in accordance with the Graduate Academic Policies.
  • Further information about the process for appealing an academic sanction (including dismissal and deceleration from the program) for failure to meet academic requirements/standards can be found in the Graduate Student Catalog.