Program Policy Information

Go to: Registration | Classroom and Laboratory Participation | Clinical Practicum Attendance | Performance of Patient Care Related Activities | Off-Campus Educational Activities | Employment While Enrolled as a Student | Excused Absences | Holidays and Religious Holy Days | Leave of Absence | Evaluation of Student Performance | Recording Grades

Notice: This page does not include a complete listing of all academic and administrative policies applying to enrolled students. Other policies are contained in the college catalog and in official health science center documents and publications. The information provided here is intended to assist potential applicants who are considering application to the program. Complete information on academic and administrative policies may be obtained by contacting the Division of PA Studies at the university. The health science center reserves the right to amend or add academic policies and scholastic regulations at any time during a 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 with appropriate notice provided to all students affected by the changes.

Registration

Registration is conducted at the beginning of each semester for the students enrolled in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Registration consists of paying tuition and fees and completing registration forms for the Office of the Registrar, Financial Aid Office, and the Office of Student Affairs. Students are permitted to attend only those courses and clinical practica listed on their official academic schedules and approved by the director of the PA program. Students may not enroll in two or more courses scheduled to meet at the same time.

Classroom and Laboratory Participation

Participation in class and laboratory sessions is essential to good academic performance. Enrolled students are expected to participate in all scheduled activities. Participation may be considered when assigning grades. Individual course and practicum syllabi specify expectations for participation and grading policy.

Classes and practica are typically offered only once during a student s enrollment period, therefore students are expected to attend all educational activities. Attendance is usually required at laboratories, small group, and clinical experiences. Excessive absences could contribute to a failing grade and lead to dismissal from the program.

Clinical Practicum Attendance

During Year 3 of the curriculum, clinical practicum experiences generally require attendance of 40 or more hours per week. Some clinical experiences may require students to be available for more 8 hours in a day or more than 40 hours in a week to meet all educational and performance objectives. Taking call and other experiences are considered to enhance the educational experience and may be required to obtain a passing grade. Examples of other activities that may require attendance include attending rounds, attending continuing medical education activities, researching assignments and presenting case studies. Some clinical practica may require a student to attend on weekends or on holidays when their clinical preceptor is working.

Performance of Patient Care Related Activities

Student involvement in patient care is permitted only when authorized or by an assigned clinical preceptor or faculty member. Achieving educational goals of the program calls for students to become involved in activities at medical clinics and hospital settings where patient care is provided; this includes supervised direct patient care and provides students with access to confidential patient care information. Students are expected to follow all policies, regulations, and laws related to maintaining patient confidentiality. Students also are not permitted take the responsibility or place of qualified professional staff. Under no circumstances are students permitted to write patient care orders independently.

Off-Campus Educational Activities

Some educational experiences take place off-campus and outside the immediate vicinity of Fort Worth. Attempt is made to assist students in obtaining reduced-cost housing; however students are not guaranteed its availability.

Employment While Enrolled as a Student

Students are not prohibited from employment while enrolled, however they typically cannot be afforded special consideration during academic and clinical courses due to employment reasons. Assistance with obtaining financial aid is available through the Financial Aid Office.

Excused Absences

Excused absences may be granted for emergencies (i.e., death in the family), personal illness, or other special circumstances. Unexcused absences can adversely affect a student s grade in a course. Patterns of repeated unexcused absences may be considered unprofessional behavior under the Student Code of Conduct. Under certain circumstances, absences for special activities may be approved by the Program Director. Requests for extra days off that are scheduled while the clinical preceptor is working must be approved by the Clinical Education Coordinator.

Holidays and Religious Holy Days

Consult the official academic calendar for school-approved holidays. Students may request excused absences to observe religious holy days by submitting a request within 14 days of the first day of the semester the holy day falls within. A letter of verification may be required from the religious institution. Reasonable attempts are made to accommodate all requests. Please refer to Section 51.911 of the Texas Education Code to see other applicable guidelines for this policy.

Leaves of Absence

A student in good academic standing may request a leave of absence due to a prolonged medical problem or condition, or a serious personal problem. Requests for Leave of Absence must be submitted in writing. Requests for a leave of absence due to a medical problem must be accompanied by documentation from a physician or licensed professional and describe the nature of the disability and the estimated length of time needed for recovery. A request for a leave of absence due to personal reasons also requires substantiating documentation. Requests for leave for personal reasons are considered on a case-by-case basis. Requests for readmission must also be accompanied by information substantiating the student s recovery (such as a letter from a physician if the leave was granted for medical reasons) and the student s ability to participate in a full academic program. Leaves can not extend beyond one calendar year from their effective date.

Evaluation of Student Performance

The primary method used for evaluating student performance is by direct observation and through the administration of practical and written assignments. Evaluation of student performance occurs in small group, classroom, laboratory, and individual settings, where students are required to demonstrate visual, somatic, communicative, analytical and behavioral discriminatory skills. Student behavior and professionalism is also assessed.

Methods used include asking students to correctly respond both orally and in writing to questions; asking students to identify and name anatomic structures; asking students to set up and use properly use medical equipment and instruments; asking students to properly demonstrate manual skills, to conduct medical interviews, and to perform physical examinations; and asking students to demonstrate proficiency in problem-solving, by participating in group discussions, and by making entries on official documents.

Recording Grades

All course and practicum grades are recorded on transcripts, including repeated courses if applicable. Grade point averages are determined using a 4.0 scale. The academic standards for successful completion of the program include a minimum requirement to obtain letter grade of C or pass or better in each course and clinical practicum.