Academic and Professional Progress
A student’s progress through the Program is based upon successful demonstration of expected competencies and professional behaviors and attitudes. At the completion of the Spring, Summer II and Fall II modules of the didactic phase, the 3rd rotation of the clinical phase, and the end of the Program, the DPAS Academic and Professional Progress Committee (APPC) will review each student’s demonstration of the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional comportment necessary to progress to the next module and will make a decision regarding progression. A student whose cumulative GPA is less than 3.00 at any of the academic checkpoints listed above will be placed on Academic Probation. The student must raise their cumulative GPA to greater than or equal to 3.00 before the subsequent checkpoint, or that student will be subject to dismissal. In the execution of this policy, there is no formal or written Warning alert given prior to the Probation determination.
The DPAS Academic & Professional Progress Committee functions to uphold the academic, clinical education and professional conduct policies of the Elon University Department of Physician Assistant Studies. The committee approves students for advancement within the professional component of the curriculum and reviews the academic records of each student on a regular basis. In addition, the committee notes any exceptional or concerning professional behaviors including, but not limited to, those defined by the Department of Physician Assistant Studies as the Assessment of Professional Behaviors:
- Adheres to institutional policies and procedures
- Admits errors and assumes responsibility
- Advocates for the individual patient
- Arrives on time and prepared for scheduled activities and appointments
- Conveys information honestly and tactfully
- Demonstrates sensitivity to power inequalities in professional relationships
- Fulfills responsibilities, obligations, and commitments in a timely manner
- Maintains personal control and composure during difficult interactions
- Constructively approaches conflict resolution
- Maintains thoroughness and attention to detail
- Actively solicits and incorporates feedback
- Modifies behavior based on feedback in a timely manner
- Requests help when needed
- Takes initiative, perseveres, and prioritizes time effectively
- Responds promptly to communication requests
- Demonstrates respect for peers, professors, patients and their families, and clinical setting colleagues and supervisors in all specialties, disciplines, and professions
- Acknowledges limits of one's own knowledge
- Demonstrates sensitivity and responds receptively to diverse opinions and values
- Demonstrates humility
- Maintains the confidentiality of test material
Positive and negative feedback regarding academic progress and professional comportment are reported to the advisor or APPC Chair to aid in the professional development of individual students. The student advisor or APPC Chair may discuss and document feedback with the student prior to an APPC meeting. Persistent or extreme negative professional behaviors may result in a meeting with the APPC, professional probation, or failure to progress/be promoted. The committee reviews petitions for special consideration and hears student appeals. In special instances, the APPC may be convened at other than scheduled times to consider cases of unusual circumstances, such as those involving probation or dismissal. A student who is requested to appear before the APPC could be at academic, clinical, or professional risk of program completion.
Academic and Professional Progression Through the Clinical Year
In the clinical year, students complete Supervised Clinical Practicum Experiences (SCPEs, aka “rotations”). Each rotation is a course with corresponding course grades. The course grades include academics and professionalism. Student performance is monitored by the Director of Clinical Education, program director, and the Academic and Professional Progress Committee (APPC). At any time, a student can be referred to APPC due to concerns of underperformance related to academics or inability to meet technical standards or due to issues related to professional behaviors. Specifically, any student who scores less than 70% on an End of Rotation (EOR) exam OR who receives a SCPE course grade less than 79.5% will be given a written Academic Warning. Any student who repeats either of those infractions a 2nd time will be placed on Academic Probation. Any student who receives additional infractions while on probation (academic or professional) will be subject to dismissal from the Program. Any student who either receives a 3rd SCPE grade < 79.5% or scores < 70% a 3rd time on an EOR exam will also be subject to dismissal.
- The APPC role in the academic and clinical year is to evaluate students who are at academic or professional risk and to suggest and provide resources to these students to help ensure successful completion of the program.
Program completion is determined by students successfully completing and passing all requirements of the academic and clinical phases of the program. This includes successful completion of each clinical year course, SCPEs, and meeting program outcomes as determined by summative evaluation performance. Additionally, students must have documented clinical exposures (e.g., all ages and required settings) and meet program technical standards to complete the program. Once students are progressed to program completion, the program director can clear the students for Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) eligibility.