Curriculum

The Butler University PA Program has always focused on providing an understanding of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes used as a clinically practicing Physician Assistant. The requirements are as follows (Accreditation Standards A3.11, A3.12d, A3.15a and b):

Course of Instruction

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. (Accreditation Standard A3.13c) 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.

Curricular Competencies

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. (Accreditation Standard B3.03)

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

Examination Resource Use

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.

BLS and ACLS Training

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.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

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

Note: Open Evidence and other pre-approved clinical resources remain permitted during OSCEs and clinical work.

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 your own analysis
  • Copying AI-generated content without significant modification and understanding
  • Using AI as a substitute for learning course material

Academic Integrity

Your final submission must reflect your 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.

Thank You Notes and/or Gifts to Instructors/Preceptors

Students are encouraged to give professors, staff, and preceptors thank you notes. However, the giving of gifts to individual professors, staff, or preceptors while in the PA Program is prohibited.

Successful Completion of a Course

A student must earn a Pass or grade of B- or better in any course within the PA Program to be considered “successfully completed.” (Accreditation Standard A3.15b)  Per University policy, graduate students must earn a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to be eligible to graduate.

Course Remediation and Academic Progression 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. (Accreditation Standards A3.15 c and d)

A student who receives a failing grade in any course will not be allowed to progress within the curriculum until that course is satisfactorily remediated. Provided that the student has not failed any other courses and is not currently on probation, s/he may be given one opportunity to retake the failed course when it is offered next. Most 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 may be given permission to progress.

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.
  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.

Withdrawal

Voluntary withdrawals are initiated at the request of the student. (Accreditation Standard A3.15d) Working with the Program Director, a mutual decision is reached with regard to the effective date of the withdrawal and any academic penalty to be assessed. Per letter, the Program Director will notify the offices of the College, Registrar, and Financial Aid. The Office of the Registrar will process the withdrawal and remove the student from any current and/or future enrollments when the appropriate paperwork is submitted. The Office of Financial Aid may revoke any financial aid that has been disbursed. The student should also contact these offices to ensure that he/she has fulfilled any responsibilities with regard to this process.

If a student withdraws, including involuntary withdrawal for academic reasons, tuition may or may not be refunded. Questions regarding tuition refunds should be directed to the Office of Student Accounts.

Leave of Absence

A PA student, after presenting a written request to the Dean of the College (with a copy to the PA Program Director), may be granted an official leave of absence for personal, medical, or academic reasons for a period not to exceed one calendar year. If the leave of absence is approved, the Dean provides written notification including applicable beginning and ending dates to the student, the University Registrar, and the director of the Office of Financial Aid. The student must notify the Program Director in writing of his or her wish to return to the PA Program or to extend the personal leave at least sixty calendar days prior to the anticipated date of reentry. The student desiring an extension beyond one calendar year may be required to apply for readmission to the PA Program. When a leave of absence is taken, the Program Director may require the student to repeat some or all of the courses completed prior to the leave of absence. In all cases of leave of absence, the student is required to complete the full curriculum to be eligible to earn the MPAS degree. Any identification provided to the student, must be returned to the Program during leave.

Any student who is absent from clinical rotations for three months or more must perform and pass an observed history and physical examination (on a real or simulated patient) before being allowed to return to clinical rotations. The student will have two opportunities, evenly spaced over a two-month period, to pass this assessment. If unsuccessful, the student will be dismissed from COPHS.

For purposes of deferring repayment of student loans during a school-approved leave of absence, federal regulations limit the leave to six months. All questions regarding financial aid or student loans should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid.

Requirements for Graduation

If there are any question regarding a student’s completion of all degree requirements, the student should consult with his or her academic adviser. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the student to make sure all degree requirements have been met to qualify for graduation. Graduating students must apply for their degree at the time they register for their final semester through the Office of Registration and Records.