Each student enrolled at the UNT Health Science Center (UNTHSC) is responsible for knowing current academic and administrative policies and procedures that apply to enrollment in their chosen degree program. This section of the catalog provides selected academic and administrative policies unique to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree program. Other UNTHSC policies also apply to PA students and are contained elsewhere in this catalog, student handbooks, or in official UNTHSC publications. The UNTHSC reserves the right to amend or add to these policies and scholastic regulations at any time during an individual student’s enrollment period provided that such changes or additions are intended to improve the quality of education and are introduced in a fair and deliberate manner.
Registration
Registration is conducted each semester and consists of paying tuition and fees as well as completing the appropriate registration forms and submitting them to the offices of the Registrar, Financial Aid and Student Affairs. Late fees are assessed for late registration for each day following the designated registration date. PA students are only permitted to attend courses and clinical practica listed on their official schedules and/or otherwise approved by the Director of PA Studies. Students are not permitted to enroll in two or more courses scheduled to meet at the same time. Only properly enrolled students will be permitted to attend classes. A check returned because of insufficient funds will incur a penalty and may also result in additional charges for late registration.
Health and Technical Standards
All candidates must meet certain health and technical standards to participate in the physician assistant educational programs. Graduation signifies the graduate is prepared for entry into the practice of medicine as a physician assistant with the requisite knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and provide a wide spectrum of patient care.
A candidate for the physician assistant degree must have abilities and skills in five areas: Observation, Communication, Motor, Intellectual, and Behavioral. Technological compensation can be made for some disabilities in certain areas, but for the majority, the candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. The use of a trained intermediary requires a candidate’s judgment to be mediated by someone else’s power of selection and observation and is not a permissible accommodation.
- Observation: Observation requires the functional use of vision and somatic sensations. The candidate must be able to observe demonstrations and experience lessons in the basic sciences including, but not limited to, anatomical, physiological and pharmacological demonstrations, microbiologic cultures, and microscopic studies of tissues in normal and pathologic states. A candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. Observation is enhanced by functional use of the sense of smell.
- Communication: A candidate should be able to speak, hear and observe in order to elicit information, describe changes in moods, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with patients and all members of the health care team.
- Motor: Candidates should have sufficient motor function to elicit information by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers. This includes performance of basic laboratory tests (urinalysis, CBC, etc.) and may also include diagnostic procedures (proctoscopy, paracentesis, etc.) and reading EKGs and X-rays. A candidate should be able to execute movements which are reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of reasonably required emergency treatment include the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, and the performance of simple obstetrical maneuvers. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
- Intellectual: Candidates should possess Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities. These include obtaining measurements and performing calculations, reasoning, analysis and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of physician assistants, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, candidates should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand spatial relationships of structure.
- Behavioral: Candidates must have sufficient emotional health required for full use of their intellectual abilities in the exercise of good judgment and prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients in a mature, sensitive and effective relationship to patients. Candidates must be able to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities which are assessed during the admission and education process.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classroom and laboratory sessions. Course directors reserve the right to take attendance through electronic and other means. Students may be asked to sign attendance sheets to verify their attendance. No student may register or record the attendance of another student. Excessive absences are considered unprofessional conduct, which can contribute to a failing grade or dismissal from the program. Each student is responsible for obtaining and learning subject materials presented during their absence. Full attendance policy is listed in the Student Handbook.
Clinical practicum experiences generally require more than 40 hours per week to meet educational goals and objectives. Some activities require the student to attend educational activities during non-business hours, including taking call, attending patient rounds, and providing patient care at off-campus sites. Students who become ill, have a medical emergency or have some other reason that causes them to be absent from any portion of a clinical practicum are required to notify the Director of Clinical Education (DCE) as soon as possible. The DCE (or designee) is the only person authorized to approve excused absences from clinical practicum experiences. Students who become absent from these experiences can be required to repeat any or all of the practicum experience.
Leave of Absence
Students are permitted to request leave of absence because of a serious medical condition or for personal reasons. Leave of absence cannot be granted for more than one calendar year or if the student is not in good academic standing at the time. The Dean must approve any exceptions. Requests for leave because of a medical condition must be accompanied by documentation from a physician or licensed professional. This documentation should describe the nature of the functional disability and the estimated length of time for recovery. Leave of absence for personal reasons may not be granted if the student is not in good standing at the time of the request. Leave of absence for personal reasons cannot be granted if the sole purpose for taking leave is to avoid a failing grade or placement onto academic probation. Leave of absence requires approval by the program director and/or Dean.
Upon return from leave of absence, the student may be required to document continued compliance with health and technical standards of the program. Prior to readmission, the student must submit a request in writing. When leave of absence is for medical reasons, the request for readmission must be accompanied by documentation (such as a letter from a physician) substantiating the student’s ability to participate fully in the academic program. A student returning from leave of absence due to personal reasons may also be required to provide documentation substantiating their readiness to return to full-time enrollment in the program.
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