The process for this committee includes first a review by each Course Director or Clinical Preceptor, then review by the Faculty Advisor, then review by the Director of Academic or Clinical Services, and finally by the Program Director. The findings of these reviews are then presented to the Committee by the Director of Academic or Clinical services. The Student Progress Committee consists of the core faculty in the Physician Assistant Program. If a student fails to meet academic, clinical, and/or professional standards, the committee will meet with the student in question.

Depending on the nature of the academic, clinical, and/or professional deficiency, the committee will determine the status of the student's academic/clinical learning standing, which may include: warning, probation, or dismissal from the program.

Categories of Academic/Clinical Learning Standing are:

1. Good Standing: Status of a student who has met course requirements in a satisfactory manner and has demonstrated good professional behavior.
2. Warning: Status of a student whose performance in an academic course or clinical rotation places him/her in jeopardy of falling below the minimum stated standards, or who has exhibited questionable professional behavior.
3. Probation: Status of a student whose performance in an academic course or clinical rotation has fallen below the minimum stated standards, or has exhibited unacceptable professional behavior.
4. Dismissal: Action, whereby a student will be dismissed from the Physician Assistant Program or South College due to failure to adhere to academic, clinical, and/or professional standards. Dismissal will occur after review of the student's academic, clinical and/or professional deficiency by the Program Director, by the PA faculty, and following approval by the South College Executive Vice President.

Warning

A student who receives a grade of less than 70% on any quiz, exam, or other individual assessment tool in a course or clinical rotation will receive a warning and must meet with the Course Director or Clinical Preceptor for Academic Deficiency Counseling. A student may also receive a warning for questionable professional behavior.

Academic Deficiency Counseling. The Course Director or Clinical Preceptor will ask the student to fill out a self-assessment form (Appendix VIII, Form I). The Course Director or Clinical Preceptor and student will review the questions and answers that the student missed on the exam or other assessment tool. The Course Director or Clinical Preceptor will ensure that the student understands the material and will make recommendations to the student for satisfactory performance on future exams/assessments (Appendix VIII, Form II). Copies of the forms will be made for the Course Director or Clinical Preceptor, the Director of Academic or Clinical Services, the student's faculty advisor, and the student's file.

Probation

Students will be placed on Probation if: (1) their cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale during any quarter, (2) they fail any didactic course, (3) they fail any clinical rotation, or (4) they fail to exhibit appropriate professional behavior.

1. Remediation of Cumulative GPA below 3.0. A student with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 in any quarter will receive notification from the Student Progress Committee that he/she is on Probation. If the student fails to raise the cumulative GPA to a minimum of 3.0 by the end of the next quarter, he/she is liable for dismissal from the Physician Assistant program. Students must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA in order to progress from the didactic phase to the clinical learning phase, and to qualify for graduation.
2. Remediation of Didactic Course or Clinical Rotation Failure. A student who fails a didactic course or clinical rotation must first meet with his/her Course Director or Clinical Preceptor to define a plan for remediation. The remediation plan will be presented to the student’s faculty advisor, to the Director or Academic or Clinical Services, and to the Student Progress Committee. The student, the Course Director or Clinical Preceptor, the Director or Academic or Clinical Services, and the Program Director must sign the remediation plan. If the student fails to fulfill or achieve the minimum outcomes described in his/her remediation plan, he/she is liable for dismissal from the Physician Assistant Program. The maximum grade a student can receive upon remediation is a "C”. It is at the discretion of every Course Director and Clinical Preceptor whether or not a student can remediate a failing grade in a didactic course or clinical rotation.
   A student who fails a didactic course or clinical rotation that is not remediated is liable for dismissal from the Physician Assistant program.
3. Remediation of Professional Behavior. A student who fails to exhibit appropriate professional behavior must meet with the Student Progress Committee to define a plan for remediation. The student and the Program Director must sign the remediation plan. If the student fails to fulfill or achieve the minimum outcomes described in his/her remediation plan, he/she is liable for dismissal from the Physician Assistant Program.

Dismissal

Students may be dismissed for failure to comply with academic, clinical, or professional standards.

1. A student is on probation for one quarter because the cumulative GPA is less than 3.0, and he/she fails to raise the cumulative GPA to a minimum of 3.0 at the end of the following quarter.
2. A student receives one or more F grades (below a 70%) in any didactic course or clinical rotation.
3. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is not earned by the end of the didactic phase of the program.
4. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is not earned by the end of the clinical phase of the program.
5. A student fails to achieve the plans and outcomes listed in a remediation worksheet.
6. A student’s professional conduct violates the performance standards set forth in the Physician Assistant Program’s Honor Code, the South College Student Honor Code, state or federal law, or for moral turpitude, unprofessional behavior, criminal activity, or other reasons as defined by the college.
7. South College reserves the right to dismiss at any time a student who, in its judgment, is undesirable and whose continued enrollment is detrimental to him/herself or his/her fellow students or whose presence is disruptive to the learning environment or the orderly operation of the college.

Grading

Course Directors (in concert with the Course Instructors) and Clinical Preceptors will determine the means by which the final grade will be computed, which may include exam scores, oral presentations, written assignments, laboratory exercises, practical examinations, class participation, clinical participation, clinical performance, and other means of evaluation. Except in the case of an error on the part of faculty, preceptors, or administration, no grade changes will be honored after the end of the course. All didactic courses and clinical rotations will be graded with a letter grade of A, B, C, or F. All courses and clinical rotations will be assigned appropriate credit hours. One credit hour is equal to approximately 10 hours of lecture, small group conference, and required practice session (laboratory session credit hours are determined separately).

Course Directors also determine grade adjustments for the purpose of standardization with the A-F scale. Where objective testing is used, scores and grades will be correlated as follows:

Students enrolled in the Masters of Health Science Physician Assistant Studies Program at South College must successfully complete all didactic courses with a cumulative GPA or 3.0 in order to proceed to the clinical learning phase of the program. In addition, in order to graduate and be awarded a Masters of Health Science, students must have a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 at the end of the clinical learning phase. Successful completion of the program is defined as having a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for the entire program.

Attendance and Testing

The PA curriculum requires students to master a large amount of information and skills in a very short period of time. Excused absences must be obtained from the Course Instructor or Course Director, in person or by phone, not by e-mail. The Physician Assistant program utilizes the following attendance and testing policies:

Attendance:

1. Attendance for all scheduled lectures, laboratory sessions, and student meetings is mandatory for all didactic students.
2. Call Back Clinical Learning Days are mandatory for all clinical learning students.
3. Didactic courses and Call Back Clinical Learning Days may utilize an attendance and grade reduction policy that may result in a failing course grade (F) for unexcused absences. Course Directors will outline and discuss their attendance and grade reduction policies in their course syllabi.

Testing:

1. Absence will typically be defined as being 15 or more minutes late for a scheduled class or laboratory session.
2. Instructors may offer “make up exams” in the event of an “Excused Absence” with the permission of the Director of Academic Services, within a reasonable period of time.
3. Make-up exams will not be given in the case of an “Unexcused Absence.”
4. Students who are late for a scheduled exam will not be allowed additional time to complete the exam and will not be allowed to enter the classroom and initiate the exam if another student has already completed the exam and left the room.

Course Syllabi and Objectives

For every course and clinical learning rotation, students are provided with a complete syllabus, which includes specific, measurable, course goals and learning objectives, outlining the intended scope of the course. Course descriptions and course schedules are also included. Students are expected to learn all information identified in the course goals and learning objectives, and should expect to be tested on such material.

Each instructor, in concert with the Course Director, reserves the right to alter the syllabus as time, teaching materials, new clinical and scientific information, or the necessity of a sequenced integrated PA curriculum dictate. Any altered materials will be made available to the student at lecture time. If there are questions regarding course goals, course objectives, learning objectives, or expected course outcomes the student is expected to direct his/her questions first to the Course Instructor, then the Course Director, and if needed to the Director of Academic Services.

Food and Beverages

The eating and drinking of foods and beverages is prohibited in all college buildings except in the student break areas. Receptacles for trash are provided in these areas. Food and drink cannot be consumed in the classrooms, labs, hallways, or libraries. Food and beverages with secured screw-on tops may be taken in these areas but must not be left on desktops, tabletops, counters, or any location including floors where they are visible. In other words, they must be placed where they are out-of-sight (in back packs, duffel bags, insulated lunch bags, purses, briefcases, and other appropriate carry-in bags).

Dress Code

The South College Physician Assistant program strives to prepare students to become assimilated into the professional medical and health science communities. Student’s general attire and general appearance should reflect an attitude for their future professional role and function. Student’s professional appearance and demeanor are a demonstration of self-respect, respect for their patients, and respect for their profession. From the outset, students will be viewed by the public as representatives of the Physician Assistant profession. Students may be asked to leave class because of inappropriate attire. They will not be permitted to return unless they are properly dressed.

The following standards of dress and appearance are to be observed by students at all times:

1. Students are expected to look professional and wear appropriate professional attire at all times. During the didactic year faculty may allow for casual dress in the classroom.
2. Jeans, hats, exercise clothing, sleeveless T-shirts or shirts with obscenities, mini skirts/mini shorts, crop tops, and bare feet are never permitted.
3. When students are in clinical laboratories, appropriate dress will be discussed by faculty.
4. Men should wear slacks and dress shirts. Women should wear dresses or skirts/slacks and blouses. Dress length should be appropriate for a dignified and professional appearance.
5. Shoes should be clean. Athletic shoes, open toed shoes (men and women) and/or sandals, shorts, mini-skirts, and denim jeans are not appropriate and should never be worn.
6. While present in any clinical setting or facility, students are subject to rules and regulations established by that facility and South College concerning professional behavior.

Evaluation of Professional Conduct

In concert with the core competencies for the PA profession, the faculty of the Masters of Health Science Physician Assistant Studies Program at South College has established standards for evaluating the professional and behavioral conduct of all students. This evaluation of professional conduct is in direct compliance with the core competency of professionalism that will be required of practicing PAs in their daily clinical life. At the end of every quarter, the core faculty will conduct a professional review of students.

Professional conduct evaluations will include the components of the Physician Assistant Program Honor Code and the following considerations:

1. Concern for the welfare of patients as evidenced by thoughtful and professional attitude in obtaining history and physical examinations; avoidance of foul language, offensive gestures, inappropriate remarks, or remarks with sexual overtones; treatment of patients with respect and dignity both in their presence and in discussions with peers; and manifestation of concern for the total patient.
2. Concern for the rights of others, behavior with professional and staff personnel, and with peer members of the PA class and health care team in a considerate manner and with a spirit of cooperation; acting with an egalitarian spirit towards all persons encountered in a classroom setting or a professional capacity regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or disability; and assuming an appropriate and equitable concern of duties among peers.
3. Responsibility to duty which involves effectively undertaking duties with alacrity and persevering until complete or notifying responsible persons of problems; punctual attendance of classes, rounds, conferences, and other clinical duties or offering appropriate explanation when unable to be present; notifying Course Directors and supervising MDs on academic health care teams of absence or inability to carry out duties; seeing patients regularly, and assuming responsibility for their care with appropriate supervision; identifying emergencies and responding appropriately; and ensuring that he/she can be located when on duty by faculty or staff personnel.
4. Trustworthiness that is being truthful and intellectually honest in communication with others; acceptance of responsibility for meeting multiple demands by establishing proper priorities and by completing work necessary for the optimal care of patients; discerning accurately when supervision or advice is needed before acting; and maintaining confidentiality of information concerning patients.
5. Professional demeanor which means a neat and clean appearance in attire that appears professional to the patient population; maintaining equilibrium under pressures of fatigue, professional stress, or personal problems; and avoidance of the use or effects of alcohol or drugs while on duty or attending class.

The results of this review are shared with and signed by each student; any student requiring additional counseling or professional development will meet with both his/her academic advisor, and the Director of Academic Services. If a student receives an unsatisfactory evaluation regarding professional conduct, written notification to the student by the faculty is required together with written documentation of the events leading to the unsatisfactory evaluation. This notification also must be forwarded to the Student Progress Committee and the Program Director. If the documented event involves a serious offense, the student may be liable for dismissal from the Physician Assistant program regardless of previous academic record. If a student receives an unsatisfactory evaluation of professional conduct, or a violation of the Honor Code, the student may be issued a letter of warning or placed on professional probation, or depending on the violation, liable for dismissal from the program. This recommendation will be made to the Program Director of the Physician Assistant program and then to the Executive Vice President.