Academic Promotion
Students must meet all minimum standards set by the PA Studies Program and the University of North Texas Health Science Center to remain in good standing. The program does not guarantee that any student will accomplish all degree requirements once they have been enrolled. Good standing in the program requires satisfactory completion of all required courses and maintenance of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in the curriculum. Students who do not meet standards for promotion and graduation may be offered opportunities to correct academic deficiencies according to university guidelines and/or program policy.
Non-Academic Probation
Enrollment at the UNTHSC is considered implicit acceptance of the rules, regulations, and guidelines governing student behavior and promulgated by the institution. The student is responsible for being aware of these requirements and posted changes. In addition, all students are expected to know and obey the requirements of federal, state, and local laws. Any student who violates a provision of those laws is subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion, notwithstanding any action taken by civil authorities on account of the violation. PA students may be subject to misconduct penalties and placed on non-academic probation for breaches of conduct contained in the Student Code of Conduct and/or a course syllabus.
Academic Probation
Placement on academic probation serves as notice to the student that their continued enrollment is in jeopardy due to poor academic performance. Failure of any required course in the curriculum is cause for dismissal, unless the student is granted opportunity for remediation. A student enrolled in academic remediation activities will automatically be placed into academic probation status. Students on academic probation are not eligible to graduate. Academic probation status is indicated on the student’s official transcript. Removal from academic probation requires successful completion of any assigned remediation activities and satisfactorily meeting any remaining program requirements.
Dismissal
Students enrolled in the MPAS curriculum must meet minimum standards established by the Program and the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) to remain in good standing. Students who do not meet these standards are subject to dismissal. Any student who fails any course in the curriculum or whose academic performance falls below minimum standards will into be permitted to graduate. A student may be dismissed for reasons of unprofessional behavior, failure to comply with the Student Code of Conduct, or failure to meet additional requirements outlined in an approved remediation plan.
Failure to meet minimum requirements is considered grounds for automatic dismissal. A dismissed student may appeal for reinstatement. The appeal for reinstatement must be mad in writing and must address the cause for dismissal. The appeal should provide support for the request. Students who do not meet minimum requirements specified for promotion and/or graduation may, after careful consideration, be offered opportunities to correct or remediate those deficiencies. Remediation activities are subject to approval by the Chair of Physician Assistant Studies. Reinstatement is not automatic. Reinstatement of enrollment under an approved remediation plan is subject to approval by the Dean.
Re-Admission after Dismissal
Any student seeking re-admission after dismissal from the PA program must apply through the normal admissions process. The academic record of any student who applies for re-admission will automatically become a part of the data considered by the admissions committee. Any student who is re-admitted and subsequently receives a failing grade in any course will be automatically recommended for dismissal without an opportunity for subsequent re-admission.
Requirements for Graduation: *
Graduation requirements are listed in the catalog at the time of the student’s entry into the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program. Normally, these requirements can be satisfied within 36 consecutive months. Students may be required to meet additional requirements in order to meet other Health Science Center, accreditation, state or national standards and/or regulations. Students who have met all requirements and been recommended for graduation may be awarded the MPAS degree provided they meet the conditions listed below:
- Have satisfactorily completed all academic requirements of the program.
- Have completed six academic years of credit at an accredited college or university, of which at least three were completed at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.
- Have complied with all legal and financial requirements of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.
- Have exhibited the ethical, professional, behavioral, and personal characteristics necessary for practice as a physician assistant.
- Have completed an exit questionnaire and returned to the Office of the Registrar a clearance check form.
- Have attended the commencement ceremony at which the degree is to be awarded.
- Have met the following requisites and time limits: If a student withdraws, decelerates, or is dismissed and later re-enters the program, or if a student is granted an extension beyond 36 months, that student must meet the requirements listed for the class with whom he or she will graduate. A student who has been dismissed due to poor academic progress, and later is readmitted to the program, has no more than 36 months from the date of re-entry to pass any academic course(s) that was (were) failed and must also complete any subsequent incomplete courses. A student dismissed due to a failing grade in a clinical practicum course, who later is re-admitted to the program, has not more than 12 months from the date of re-entry to successfully complete the course that was failed and any subsequent incomplete courses. The maximum time limit for completing all graduation requirements is 72 months.
* Students who do not fulfill all graduation requirements by the day of graduation will not be allowed to participate in commencement ceremonies without permission of the Dean (or designee). Students will not be considered graduates in any capacity until they have successfully completed all graduation requirements.
Withdrawal
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program adheres to the UNTHSC policy on course withdrawals. A student who withdraws from a course or fails to complete it within specified time periods will not be permitted to progress in the curriculum or to graduate.
Application for voluntary withdrawal must be made in writing. Except in rare and unusual circumstances, the application for withdrawal will be accompanied by a personal interview with the Chair of PA Studies, the Vice President for Student Affairs, and the Dean. Students who withdraw or fail to attend classes or clinical experiences without notifying the Registrar and/or without completing the established withdrawal procedures within 30 days, will be administratively withdrawn.
At the time withdrawal is made, an entry will be made on the official permanent record indicating the academic standing of the student. “Withdrawal in good standing” will be recorded if the student is not on academic probation during the semester in which the withdrawal is requested. “Withdrawal not in good academic standing” will be recorded if the student is on academic probation or has maintained a cumulative grade below passing in enrolled courses during the semester in which the withdrawal is made.
Students must complete a withdrawal form obtained from the Registrar before they can officially withdraw. Students who do not complete the withdrawal process will not be entitled to an official withdrawal and consequently, cannot be considered for readmission at a later date. Readmission is not assured unless it is a part of the final decision and/or agreement made by the withdrawing student, the Chair of the PA Department and the Dean. This final decision and/or agreement will be in writing.Students who are granted readmission following withdrawal in good academic standing usually will reenter at the beginning of the next academic year and must register for all courses scheduled during that academic year, including those previously completed and passed, unless stipulated otherwise in a written agreement with the Dean.
Students who withdraw, who are not in good academic standing may request readmission through regular the admissions process. The admissions committee will evaluate the student’s entire academic record prior to making an admission recommendation. Any student who withdraws due to poor academic progress, reenters the Health Science Center and receives a failing grade in any course will be recommended for dismissal without opportunity for readmission.
Supervision of Medical Services
PA students are prohibited from performing any medical services or function without appropriate supervision.
Employment
Students are expected to give attendance to completion of assignments and rotation requirements priority over employment. Some assignments may call for the student to attend patient care activities at unusual or irregular hours or at places that are geographically separate from the main campus and/or their primary residence. Failure to meet course expectations due to employment conflicts may be cause for dismissal from the program.
Weekends and Nights
Class learning activities during the didactic phase of PA education are typically conducted Monday through Friday during normal business hours. However, the program reserves the right schedule course activities that may require attendance during the evening hours or on weekends. The nature of clinical practica (rotations) will at times require attendance on weekends, at night, and on holidays.
Off-Campus Educational Activities
Some clinical practica and educational experiences take place off-campus and outside the immediate vicinity of Fort Worth. Attempt is made to assist students in obtaining housing; however, students are not guaranteed its availability and cannot be afforded special consideration due to housing or employment concerns. Students should recognize that securing housing and transportation to off-campus clinical educational activities at remote clinical sites is a student responsibility. Assistance with locating housing is a service provided for students and is not a program obligation. At no time should the university or PA program be considered responsible for paying student housing costs at any time during off campus educational activities.
Course/Instructor Evaluation
Each student must provide a written evaluation of each course and/or clinical practicum taken during the semester and for each instructor who provided them instruction during the semester. These evaluations must be completed within five (5) class days after each course ends. This responsibility is met by participation in the course evaluations and as defined in administrative policy. All evaluations must be current before students can register for the next semester or graduate. |