5. Student Performance Expectations and Progression in the Program
Academic policies of the Institute require students to pass all courses with a C+ or better and maintain an overall GPA of 3.0. Additionally, students must achieve the following in order to progress in the Program:
- Demonstrate consistent professional conduct (see Section 10: Professionalism).
- A passing grade on the pre-clinical Comprehensive Written and Practical Examinations administered at the end of the didactic portion of the Program.
- A passing grade on the end-of-program Summative Written and Practical Examinations administered prior to graduation.
Assessments will be based on the Graduate Competencies. The expected level of competency for each practical examination will be assessed using the developmental models noted below.
Using the Pangaro model of the Clinical Learning Role and Dreyfus’ Levels of Skill Acquisition model, the Program will ensure that students are progressing toward acquisition of the graduate competencies and the skills necessary for practice as a PA using the following definitions of developmental models for clinical skills acquisition.
Student Development Committee (SDC) Referrals may be prompted by the following:
- Failure of a CAT, EOR, or course.
- Significant professionalism concern raised by faculty/preceptor.
- Any other significant concern raised by faculty, staff, preceptors, or others throughout progression of the program.