Program Policies and Procedures
Program policies and procedures apply to all faculty, staff, and students in the physician associate program. Program policies may differ from university policies. A thorough policy review is provided during the orientation to program process and every student will be provided with a student handbook and clinical year student handbook and sign an attestation statement indicating understanding of the policies and agreement to comply.
All students, faculty, and staff of the UNH PA Program are also responsible for being familiar with and complying with the current version of the University of New 51 Student Handbook. Please refer to the most current online editions which can be found here: .
Academic Standards & Classification
| Standard | Qualifying Circumstance(s) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Good Academic Standing | All Assessments Completed with a “PASS” score. | Progression to the next semester. |
| Academic Warning |
Any of the following:
|
Progression to the next semester. |
| Non-Academic Warning | Greater than 3 conduct violations. | Greater than 3 conduct violations result in referral to PPC for consideration of remediation of professional behaviors, deceleration if qualified by good academic standing, or dismissal. |
| Academic Probation |
|
Students on Academic Probation for 2 consecutive semesters will be referred to the PPC for review and consideration of dismissal. |
| Non-Academic (Professional) Probation | Referral to the PPC for professionalism issues. | If the PPC recommends the student remain in the program, the student is placed on probation for 1 semester. If the behavior(s) continue beyond 1 semester – the student reviewed by the PPC for dismissal |
*PPC - Progression and Promotion Committee
Didactic Phase:
Students must earn a “PASS” in all semester courses at the conclusion of semesters 1, 2 and 3 to maintain progression within the didactic year. Failure of one course negates the opportunity to progress to the next semester due to the lock-step scheduling of didactic courses.
To be promoted to Clinical Phase, students must have met the progression standards throughout the didactic year, gained approval of the PPC, pass the End-of-Didactic exam, successfully complete of all pre-clinical clearances, health, immunizations, criminal background check, urine drug screening and all required training.
Clinical Phase:
Progression through the Clinical Phase requires earning a score of “PASS” in the didactic courses delivered in the Clinical Year, passing all End of Rotation exams, passing all SCPEs and passing the summative evaluation process. In the event of a failed SCPE, students may be allowed to progress in the clinical year, but this will result in a delay of graduation and increased expense of extending duration of program beyond 24 months.
The summative evaluation begins during the last clinical phase semester and concludes with the Graduate Seminar. Students must pass all components; observed simulated clinical experiences (OSCE’s), skill checkoffs, and a professionalism evaluation. To be promoted to graduation, a student must demonstrate, through this summative experience, the ability to meet the program outcomes and the competencies required to enter the profession as a new graduate.
Failure to meet the requirements of the summative evaluation will result in referral to the PPC for a holistic review of performance throughout the program and a determination of remediation, or recommendation for dismissal.
Students must complete the program within five years after matriculation.
Students are contacted within three days post score release if there is a need to remediate a skill or assessment of content knowledge. A score of less than 70% 0n didactic course exams, midterm exams, OSCE’s, end of rotation exams (EORs limited to two remediations total per clinical year), learning outcomes, below benchmark scoring on preceptor evaluation, end of didactic exam and the summative evaluation results in required remediation. A score of less than 80% on these assessments requires the student to complete a self-analysis of the examination.
Process – students must contact the Remediation Coordinator (RC) within three business days to set up remediation. Typically, remediation activities involve an assignment developed based upon the outcomes/learning objectives of which the student failed to demonstrate competency. Students are given two weeks to complete this assignment. If satisfactorily completed per evaluation by the RC and the course director – this is deemed a completed remediation. Individuals failing to successfully remediate undergo a holistic review of academic performance by the PPC who will then recommend further remediation, or consideration of dismissal.
Once referred to the RC for remediation, students are placed in academic surveillance. Academic surveillance is a non-punitive status designed to allow for frequent supportive meetings between the RC and student and provide ongoing support for the student.
Deceleration represents the loss of a student from the cohort in which he/she matriculated. Deceleration is not an option for students to avoid disciplinary action of poor academic performance or professionalism deficits. This process is in place to afford the program to allow students who are experiencing a stressful life event or ongoing issues impacting their ability to meet the demands of the program, an opportunity to leave the program and return as a member of a future cohort. This option is only available if there exists reasonable belief that the causative situation is temporary, and the resolution will afford the student to be successful upon return. All students in the deceleration process must commit to a mandatory self-study program while away.
**Students who decelerate during the didactic year will incur greater expense and a significant delay in graduation due to the lock-step nature of the didactic year. Students in this situation typically return to the program 9-12 months after leaving.
**Students who decelerate during the clinical year will experience a delay in graduation and added expense – this will vary based on individual factors.
**Financial aid is also affected by deceleration.
Dismissal - The table of academic standards depicts how academic status and deficiencies in professionalism can result in dismissal. Other circumstances that may lead to dismissal include:
- Criminal infraction
- Professional issue unresolved
- Repeated conduct issues
- Unethical conduct
- Inability to demonstrate ability to meet skill requirements.
- Inability to meet technical standards.
- Integrity concerns
Withdrawal – Students may withdraw from the program at any time. Students should be aware of possible financial ramifications surrounding withdrawal and must follow the policies and procedures of the University of New 51.
Student employment while enrolled in the program
The program highly encourages students to refrain from working while the program is in session due to the pace and time commitment required.
Policies and procedures for student mistreatment, grievances, and appeals
The program adheres to the University of West 51’s policy for student grievances which is located here
Students within the physician associate program are encouraged to bring any concern regarding a faculty member or any aspect of the program to the Program Director. Reporting of such concerns to the Program Director may be done via email or via a scheduled meeting. Anonymity of students reporting concerns is strictly protected.
Program Attendance Policy
Regular attendance is imperative to a student’s success. Unexcused absences result in loss of personal day benefit and assignment of a grade of zero for any graded assignment or exam missed. Students may be approved for excused absences for unforeseen medical or personal circumstances via submission of request to the Academic Coordinator.
Personal Day Policy
Students may take two personal days off during both the didactic and clinical phases (4 total). These days are provided to allow for students to meet personal commitments that cannot be scheduled outside of program hours. These days are non-transferrable. Additional days may be approved and will be determined by the request's details.
Dress Code
Business casual/professional attire is required when the program hosts a guest lecturer or speaker, during unique events, or when students are attending an off-site program related activity.
Otherwise, students are expected to follow the following guidelines.
- No leggings, no pajama wear, shorts, T-shirts, sneakers, hats, hoods, sunglasses, head coverings (other than in religious observance), flip-flops, tank tops, ripped clothing, shirts with potentially offensive slogans, beach, or gym attire, etc. are always considered unacceptable for the classroom.
- Jeans may be worn if they are free of stains and rips.
- Collared shirts (such as a dress or polo shirt) are acceptable.
- Shorts and/or special athletic wear may be worn for procedures and physical diagnosis labs only and may not be worn to other classes.
- Athletic and yoga attire may be worn on designated wellness days and activities as outlined on the cohort calendar.
Graduate matriculated students may interrupt continuous enrollment by electing to take a leave of absence from the University for medical or personal reasons. Before taking a leave of absence, students must discuss their situation with the Program Director for approval. The policies regarding leaves of absence are as follows:
- Only students in good academic standing may be approved for a leave of absence.
- Students on university disciplinary probation are not eligible for a leave of absence.
- Once a student has received approval from the UNHPA Program Director for a LOA, the student must file for a leave of absence through the Registrar's Office.
Taking a leave of absence may affect a student's financial aid. Students receiving financial aid are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office before taking a leave of absence.
As a cohort-based curriculum, students must complete components of the program, in sequence, as full-time students. Therefore, a student in the didactic phase must return by the start of the term in which the leave of absence was sought and will join the next cohort. Students in the clinical phase should consult with the program director to determine the most appropriate action plan.
The program recognizes the stress that graduate students experience during their education. The program has included several supportive policies and procedures that are meant to minimize unnecessary stress and build cohesion within our student body. We believe in educating the “whole student” which includes building healthy habits, fostering the mentor relationship, utilizing restorative mental health practices and physical exercise to maintain balance and reduce burnout.
Students are encouraged to utilize the open-door policy regarding student access to faculty during office hours. We encourage you to speak with your advisor or any program faculty member regarding any concerns, stressors, workload balance difficulties etc. We encourage vulnerability, recognition, and discussion of the difficulties that all students and healthcare professionals experience.
Students experiencing personal issues that may impact their progress or success in the program are encouraged to contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Program faculty encourages the use of CAPS services and workshops. Program faculty and advisors will recommend and refer students to CAPS.
Use this link to explore support services available at the University of New 51.
In a mental health emergency, students are encouraged to contact any faculty member to help obtain support. The following are resources for such support.
-
Counseling Center: (203) 932-7333
- Available for walk-in hours M-F 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Available for phone support 24/7
- University Police: (203) 932-7070, for emergencies
- Dial 911 for emergencies when you are away from campus or visit your nearest hospital.
- Yale-New 51 Hospital - Saint Raphael Campus: (203) 789-3464
- Yale-New 51 Hospital - 51 Campus: (203) 688-2222
At times of distress that do not reach the level of a crisis or emergency, students may speak with a clinician 24/7 at (203) 932-7333.
Clinical Site and Preceptor Procurement
Students are not required to solicit nor secure clinical sites or preceptors. Students desiring to complete a supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) (clinical rotation) in a particular practice/preceptor they may have gained familiarity with during their pre-matriculation phase, they may make a recommendation to the Clinical Coordinator.
Student Role
Students are not required, nor allowed to work for the program. Students are not permitted to provide any instruction within the program.
Student Identification
Students are required to wear a university provided, easy-to read identification tag the includes the student’s name and identifies the student as a “Physician Associate Student” while participating in SCPEs (clinical rotations). Also, students must wear a white clinical coat with the same identification embroidered on it at sites which allow such attire.
Faculty as Medical Providers
Faculty members, including the program director and medical director are prohibited from providing medical care to students except in emergency situations. This includes the provision of medical advice and opinions.
Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogen Policy
- Students will receive training in the prevention of environmental exposure of blood borne pathogens and preventive measures are outlined in detail in the student handbook, clinical year handbook and the preceptor handbook.
- If exposed to a blood borne pathogen, the student must notify the Clinical Coordinator and his/her/they clinical preceptor as soon as possible and follow the processes as outlined in the student handbook, clinical year handbook, and the preceptor handbook.
- Students are responsible for any costs associated with environmental exposure to a blood borne pathogen not covered by the required student health insurance.