Curriculum

Course semester credit hours are the recognized units for academic work in the PA Program. All courses are required, no transfer credit is accepted, and no credit is granted for past clinical learning. Each course offered carries an approved number of semester hours credit. A semester hour is generally equivalent to one or two lectures per week or two or three hours of laboratory work per week.

Students will be evaluated both formatively and summatively for these competencies. These evaluations will occur throughout the didactic phase, on each rotation, and with the final summative exam.

1. Demonstrate core medical knowledge needed to care for patients.
2. Effectively complete an appropriate medical history and physical exam for patients across the lifespan.
3. Accurately analyze the results of appropriately selected clinical and diagnostic tests.
4. Develop an accurate differential and final diagnosis.
5. Correctly perform appropriately selected medical procedures.
6. Given a diagnosis (and other pertinent patient information), design an appropriate management plan.
7. Develop clean and concise medical records.
8. Demonstrate the professionalism of a health care provider.
9. Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals.

A student must earn a Pass or grade of B- or better AND complete any assigned remediations to be considered “successfully completed.” Per University policy, graduate students must earn a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to be eligible to graduate.

Remediation is a structured, supportive process designed to help students who have encountered academic or performance difficulties meet all program competencies. Remediation is not a punitive measure. It is a formal framework for identifying deficiencies early, providing targeted support, and ensuring every graduate meets the standards required for safe and effective practice. The program’s remediation process is also required to comply with Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) standards.

Criteria for remediation

A student will be placed in the formal remediation process upon meeting one or more of the following criteria.

• Cumulative final examination failure
• Cumulative GPA below 3.0
• PACKRAT score below programmatic threshold
• Faculty or preceptor-identified competency deficiency

Remediation process

1. Initiation: When a triggering criterion is identified, the professors and/or student’s academic advisor will be notified, and the remediation process will be formally initiated. The student will be contacted within a reasonable timeframe to schedule a meeting to review the concern and the proposed remediation plan.
2. Remediation Plan Development: A written Remediation Plan (also referred to as the Remediation Contract) will be developed collaboratively between the program and the student. The plan will include:
   • The specific criterion or criteria triggering remediation
   • Clearly defined, measurable goals and benchmarks for successful remediation
   • Prescribed activities, assignments, or interventions
   • Timeline and deadlines for completion
   • Criteria by which successful completion will be evaluated
   • Consequences for non-completion or continued deficiency
3. Acknowledgement and Documentation: The student will be asked to sign the Remediation Plan acknowledging receipt and understanding of its contents.
   • Important Notice Regarding the Acknowledgment Signature: The student’s signature on the Remediation Plan is an acknowledgment of receipt and understanding only. It is not an admission of fault, wrongdoing, or academic misconduct. Signing the plan does not constitute agreement that the triggering event was the result of the student’s negligence or error; it confirms only that the student has received the plan, understands its terms, and is aware of the remediation requirements. Refusal to sign the Remediation Plan does not void the plan or its requirements. A notation will be made in the student’s file that the plan was presented and declined. The remediation requirements remain in effect regardless of whether the student signs.
4. Completion of Remediation Activities: The student is responsible for completing all required remediation activities within the timeframe specified in the plan. Students are expected to engage actively and in good faith with all assigned activities.
5. Evaluation of Successful Remediation: Upon completion of assigned activities, the program will evaluate whether the student has met the established benchmarks. If successful, the remediation will be documented as complete, and a resolution date will be recorded. If the student has not met the benchmarks, the program will determine next steps, which may include a revised plan, continuation of remediation, or initiation of academic dismissal proceedings in accordance with program policy.

Academic progression following course failure

The PA Program is designed to integrate classroom and clinical learning experiences considered necessary for competency as health care providers. Therefore, students failing a course will be placed on academic probation for the remainder of the Program.

A student who receives a failing grade in any course will not be allowed to progress within the curriculum until that course is successfully passed. Provided that the student has not failed any other courses, s/he may be given one opportunity to retake the failed course when it is offered next. Didactic courses are only offered one time per year; therefore, the student may be required to take a leave of absence for one year and repeat the failed course at that time. If the student successfully completes the failed course s/he will progress.

A student is financially responsible for any tuition and/or fees associated with taking additional courses due to failure, remediation, or deceleration in the Program for any reason. Cost of additional tuition and fees will be established by the University.

Academic progression and GPA requirements

In accordance with University policy requiring all graduate students to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to graduate, the PA Program has established the following procedures:

1. When a student fails a course in a given semester, the Academic Progression Committee will conduct a comprehensive review of the student’s academic performance.
2. If the student received a grade of B- in any other courses during the same semester as the failed course, the Academic Progression Committee may, at its discretion, require the student to retake these courses when they are next offered, even if the student achieved a passing grade.
   • Note: For both summer terms, if the student received a grade of B- in any other courses during the same semester as the failed course, the Academic Progression Committee will require the student to retake these courses when they are next offered, even if the student achieved a passing grade or has a cumulative GPA at or above a 3.0.
3. This determination will be based on the calculated impact of these grades on the student’s ability to achieve the required 3.0 cumulative GPA by graduation and the student’s overall academic performance.
4. The student will be notified in writing of any additional course retake requirements within 10 business days following the Academic Progression Committee’s review.
5. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that students maintain satisfactory academic progress toward meeting graduation requirements and develop the competencies necessary for clinical practice.

Academic dismissal

A student who fails the same course more than one time or who fails two different courses across the curriculum, either didactic or clinical courses, will be dismissed from the Program regardless of overall GPA.

Financial implications

Any student required to repeat a course or rotation must anticipate a delay in the timing of his/her graduation and will incur additional tuition and fees necessary to repeat coursework. Further, there may be implications associated with financial aid. The student should contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Competency maintenance

A student who is decelerated due to a failed course must maintain competency for coursework previously completed to progress through his/her program of study.

All exams within the Program, didactic and clinical, including but not limited to tests, quizzes, End of Rotation exams, PACKRATs, and Summative Practicum are closed resources, unless otherwise stated. If there are reported irregularities noted during or after any examination, students will be required to submit personal electronic devices used in testing for electronic evaluation.

General policy

Generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and similar platforms) may be used to support your learning when employed ethically and transparently. AI use is permitted only for assignments that explicitly allow it in the instructions OR with prior written approval from your instructor. If you are unsure whether AI use is appropriate for a specific assignment, contact your instructor before proceeding. When in doubt, ask for clarification rather than assume permission.

Prohibited uses

Generative AI tools are strictly prohibited for:

• Any component of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), including but not limited to history and physical examinations, diagnostic study selection, case presentations and staffing, patient education components, and clinical documentation or notes
• Medical documentation submitted for evaluation, including patient notes, case write-ups, and clinical assessments
• Any assignment or assessment not explicitly designated as AI-permitted

Prohibited devices/technologies in a clinical environment

Students may not independently use any audio, video, or AI-enabled recording technologies in clinical settings without explicit institutional approval and patient consent. This includes but is not limited to the following:

• Personal smartphones or apps used for recording or AI transcription
• Wearable devices (e.g., smart glasses, AI pins, smartwatches, earbuds) capable of recording
• Third-party AI medical scribe tools not approved by the clinical site
• Any device or software that captures, transmits, or stores patient conversations

Only institution-approved ambient AI or documentation tools may be used, and only under supervision and in compliance with HIPAA and site-specific policies.

When AI use is permitted

For assignments that explicitly allow AI tools or when you have received instructor approval, follow these guidelines:

Required disclosure

You must include a brief statement with your submission specifying which AI tool(s) you used, how you used them (e.g., “Used ChatGPT to help organize my outline and improve sentence clarity”), and what portions of your work involved AI assistance.

Appropriate use examples

• Brainstorming ideas or study approaches
• Creating study schedules or organizing materials
• Improving writing clarity and organization
• Generating practice questions for self-study
• Explaining complex concepts to check your understanding

Inappropriate use examples

• Having AI write substantial portions of your assignments
• Using AI to complete clinical reasoning without demonstrating one’s own analysis
• Copying AI-generated content without significant modification and understanding
• Using AI as a substitute for learning course material

AI academic integrity

A student’s final submission must reflect their own personal work, understanding, analysis, and effort. Work that relies heavily on AI-generated content without proper acknowledgment constitutes plagiarism.

Consequences: Violations of this policy will be treated as academic misconduct and may result in assignment failure, course failure, referral to the Student Professional Conduct Committee, and/or academic probation, suspension, dismissal, or termination.

The PA Program requires that all students complete the final steps of BLS for the American Heart Association Provider certification during orientation. This allows students to participate in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training in the didactic spring semester. Recertification compliance must be maintained during the entirety of the Program and is required for the clinical year. This BLS certification online portion is the financial responsibility of the student. If the student takes the skills portion during the orientation week, the Program will provide the training. ACLS certification is provided by the Program.