CMSV 317 Academic Dismissal

Policy Name: Academic Dismissal

The process of an academic dismissal from the College of Mount Saint Vincent Master of Science Physician Assistant Program is a serious consideration and not one taken lightly by the administration and faculty within the PA Program. Students who are experiencing difficulties within the program, whether academic or personal, are strongly advised to contact their principal faculty advisor at the earliest possible instance.

Early identification and intervention are essential and vital to the success of the student. Academic advisement and referral to student counseling services, if started early, can greatly mitigate problems in the future.

In most cases, a student in danger of academic dismissal will have previously been placed on academic or professional probation, thus being well-aware of the consequences if academic or professional improvement is not forthcoming. There are times, however, when an individual may dismissed from the program in light of the fact that they have never been placed on academic or professional probation in the past. Circumstances that could lead to a student being dismissed from the program include, but are not limited to:

  • The student had previously been placed under academic or professional probation and now qualified for academic/professional probation a second time.
  • Failed to satisfy the conditions of the initial academic/professional probation within the time permitted.
  • Received two or more grades below a “C-” in a program letter-graded courses and/or an “F” in a program pass/fail graded courses in a single semester.
  • The student’s cumulative GPA fell below a 3.00 and it is mathematically impossible for the student to achieve a 3.00 GPA within the following semester.
  • Committed a serious violation of the standards of professional conduct. Examples of conduct that will result in dismissal include, but are not limited to:
    • Violated the academic honesty/integrity standards of the program.
    • Was caught cheating on any program examinations or OSCE’s.
    • Knowingly forged another person’s signature on any document related to the program.
    • Misrepresented one’s physician assistant student status as, for example, a physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, a physician, or a medical resident.
    • Falsified a clinical log.
    • Altered in anyway a preceptor’s clinical end of rotation evaluation.
    • Knowingly violated HIPPA guidelines by posting patient information or picture to an online social media platform.

Academic Dismissal Process
As soon as practicable after the conclusion of each semester the status of each student who was on academic/professional warning or probation during that semester will be reviewed by the Academic Performance Committee (APC).

  • It is the function of the APC to determine whether the student in question has satisfied the conditions of their academic/professional warning or probation within the timeframe outlined.
  • Students who satisfied the conditions of academic/professional warning or probation within the time permitted will be restored to good academic standing.
    • Students who did not satisfy the conditions of academic/professional probation within the time permitted will be dismissed automatically from the program.
      • Another failing grade within the didactic year will be grounds for dismissal regardless of course remediation.

Please note: Students can be placed on ‘Academic Warning’ as per CMSV 311 (sub-paragraph III) due to achieving a grade below a “C-” in any program course of study with successful remediation of the course material.

  • A student who fails to satisfy the conditions of academic/professional warning or probation or otherwise qualifies for dismissal from the program ordinarily shall be notified in writing as soon as practicable that he or she has been dismissed.
    • Dismissal is automatic if a student fails to satisfy the conditions of academic/professional warning or probation or otherwise qualifies for dismissal, and therefore is not contingent upon receipt of such notification.
    • It is the student’s responsibility to verify his or her academic standing before each semester and seek clarification if needed from the student’s academic advisor.
  • Any student dismissed from the program has the right to appeal the dismissal.
  • Please refer to the Appeal of Academic Dismissal policy (CMSV 318).