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school of health professions - Student Handbook 2024-2025


PA Academic Policies, Progression, and Graduation

Academic Policies, Progression, and Graduation
Registration
Students must register for all coursework prior to the start of each semester. Clerkship year students must register for clerkship courses prior to the start date of the first clerkship of each semester. CRN numbers will be sent to students by the program staff prior to registration dates.
Tuition and fees are due at the time of registration. For further information concerning registration procedures, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs at (806)743-3220. Failure to register and pay all tuition and fees will result in administrative dismissal from the program.

Academic Advising
Upon enrollment, each student is assigned a faculty advisor to assist in understanding and abiding by PA Program policy and practice. Advisors must provide timely access for assistance and counseling regarding academic, professional, or behavioral concerns or problems.
Each student should meet with his/her academic advisor as needed for academic or professional concerns. It is advisable to meet with the academic advisor at the beginning of the program to provide background information to your advisor to best help assist during the program. Additional meetings with a student’s academic advisor will be scheduled on an as-needed basis. If the student fails a written or practical examination or other assessment, it is the student’s responsibility to meet with the course instructor and academic advisor. Counseling sessions may be documented and placed in the student’s file.
The student’s responsibilities as an advisee in the advising process are:
  • To give thoughtful consideration to personal career goals so academic and professional goals can be coordinated and discussed with an advisor (or another faculty member) as appropriate.
  • To be responsible for monitoring progress toward graduation and the requirements for certification and licensure.
  • To understand the basic structure of the curriculum and its requirements in order to ask meaningful questions.
  • To become familiar with the class schedule for each term to plan semester schedules.
  • To attend pre-registration meetings or make appointments with an advisor for registration counseling.
  • To be responsible for maintaining academic and clinical performance in accordance with University and Departmental requirements.
  • Title IX: While maintaining HIPAA and FERPA confidentiality, students are encouraged to notify the academic advisor or program director in the event of an illness, medical condition, or family condition (Title IX) that could potentially negatively impact the student’s ability to remain academically successful. Accommodations will only be provided as recommended and approved through Disability Services.
The School of Health Professions does not grade replace.

Academic Standing Definition
To remain in good standing, a student must meet the academic progression requirements of the PA program. If the criteria for good standing is not met, the student will be considered “not in good standing” and will be placed on probation. It is the responsibility of the student to know his/her academic status and progression standards.

Semester Grade Reports
Grade reports are posted on the TTUHSC website each semester and can be accessed using the student’s eRaider account.

Credit By Examination
Credit by examination is not offered for courses in the PA program.

Academic Progression Standards
To progress in and graduate from the PA Program, a student must successfully:
  • Maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of 2.8.
  • Earn a grade of “C” or higher or “P” in all courses.
  • Satisfactorily complete the didactic curriculum coursework to progress to the clinical year.
  • Satisfactorily complete all requirements of the clinical curriculum, including courses and summative examination requirements.
  • Maintain satisfactory Professional Development Evaluations and adhere to all program, school, and institutional policies.
Any student who does not satisfactorily meet the preceding standards will be referred to the Student Progression Committee (SPC), which will evaluate the student's academic and professional performance and make recommendations to the Program Director, which may include Academic Warning, Probation, Remediation, or Dismissal from the program.

Adverse Actions (Academic Warning, Probation, Remediation, Dismissal)
In accordance with TTUHSC School of Health Professions Policy and the Standards established by the Accreditation Review Commission for the Education of Physician Assistants (ARC-PA), the PA Program recognizes certain didactic coursework and clerkships as fundamental for competency in clinical practice. Students who do not successfully complete all the requirements of a didactic course or clinical clerkship as listed in this handbook under Academic Progression Standards, are subject to Academic Dismissal in compliance with SHP Policy.
Academic Warning (Students at Academic Risk)
The course instructor, faculty member, or Program Director will identify the student at risk for failing based on course performance or other academic, behavioral, or professional concerns. An academic warning is a written notification provided to students because of unsatisfactory cognitive or non-cognitive performance. The academic warning is not part of the student's permanent University transcript.
Mid-semester warning for at-risk students per SHP policy.
In addition, Academic Warnings occur in, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Behavioral or Professionalism Concerns.
Students who repeat or fail to correct the deficiency noted in the Academic Warning, or continue a pattern of unsatisfactory academic performance, will be referred to the SPC for review and recommendation to include further remediation and/or academic probation or dismissal.
Remediation
Students identified as academic or professionalism risk may be required to remediate as described below.
Failure to Meet Standards: Cognitive
  1. Student initiates a meeting with their advisor.
  2. Student is given cognitive self-assessment to determine causation by advisor.
  3. Student to be given self-directed learning plan form by advisor and resubmit a completed plan to advisor. Remediation efforts to be discussed with advisor. Advisor, course director, and preceptor have the option of referral for further resources as needed.
  4. For test failures, student is to be retested on failed material, per syllabus policy.
  5. If a re-test is failed, student will fail the course.
  6. All students presenting for remediation, whether cognitive or noncognitive, will be given a listing of institutional and community wellness resources.

First Course Failure
  1. Student will be recommended by the course director to the Program Director to be placed on academic probation as defined in the program's student handbook policy.
  2. Student will be offered to take the failed course again at the course's next offering. 
  3. Academic probation may affect clinical assignments in the clinical year.

Second Course Failure
  1. Student will be referred to the SPC.
  2. The SPC will evaluate the student's performance and their entire academic and professional record. The SPC will make recommendations to the program director up to and including dismissal.

Clinical Year End of Rotation Examination Failures
Concerning all end of rotation examination failures at any point in the clinical curriculum, and regardless of previous successful remediation status:
  1. The first end of rotation examination attempt resulting in failure will require remediation of the examination.
  2. The second end of rotation examination attempt resulting in failure, the student will be placed on academic probation. If the failure results in a failed course, the student will need to re-take the course. If the second failure results from a different EOR exam discipline, the student will still be required to successfully remediate the failed examination.
  3. The third end of rotation examination failure results in automatic failure of the course and referral to the SPC for dismissal from the program. 
  4. All other academic progression standards also apply.

Failure to Meet Standards: Noncognitive
  1. Advisor will initiate a meeting with student.
  2. Student is given a noncognitive interview to determine causation by advisor.
  3. Student to be given self-directed learning plan form by advisor and to resubmit a completed plan to advisor. Student's remediation efforts will be discussed with their advisor and applicable parties, which could include the course director or preceptor, who have the option of referral for further resources as needed.
  4. For a subsequent noncognitive issue, student will be given a noncognitive warning letter with stipulations included. Failure to comply with the noncognitive warning letter's stipulations will result in the student being referred to the SPC. SPC will review the student's entire academic and professionalism records from matriculation and make recommendations to the program director, up to and including dismissal.
  5. All students presenting for remediation, whether cognitive or noncognitive, will be given a listing of institutional and community wellness resources.

Remediation plans may include:
  • A one-time opportunity to repeat the failed course during the following semester by independent study (if instruction is available).
  • A one-time opportunity to repeat the course(s) at the next available offering, which may be the next year (recycle). If the course is a clerkship course, the next opportunity will be subject to scheduling and preceptor availability which will delay graduation.
  • Required student advisement and/or evaluation.
  • Additional required study in a specific subject.
  • Additional required testing to demonstrate acquisition of learning outcomes. Maximum score on the re-test is a 70%.
A maximum of two courses may be remediated during the didactic curriculum.
A maximum of one clerkship course may be remediated during the clinical curriculum.
A maximum of one re-take may be offered for either portion of the Program Summative Examination.
Behavioral or Professionalism Concerns
  • A student identified with behavioral or professionalism concerns will have documented behavioral counseling with the academic advisor and/or program director.
If agreed upon remediation efforts are unsuccessful, or a student has multiple academic concerns, the student may be referred to the SPC for additional review and recommendations to be forwarded to the Program Director.
A remediation plan in conjunction with probation or an academic warning must be completed within the time frame designated and presented within the letter.
Academic Probation
Academic Probation is a designation for students who fail to demonstrate satisfactory academic improvement after an academic warning. Students receiving Academic Probation will meet with their faculty advisor or academic director to develop a plan for improvement. Academic Probation is recorded on the student's permanent University transcript and must be reported to the Texas Medical Board (TMB) upon graduation.
Academic Probation occurs in, but is not limited to, the following:
  • Failure to successfully remediate any clinical end-of-rotation examination.
  • Failure to successfully remediate any course examination.
  • Failure to successfully remediate any skills assessment.
  • Failure to correct any academic deficiencies identified on a previous Academic Warning.
  • Failure to maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of 2.8.
Students may be placed on academic probation for a maximum of one semester during the PA program (including both the didactic and clinical phases of training). If a student meets the condition for academic probation a second time, this will result in dismissal from the program.
Students will be notified they are being placed on academic probation in accordance with the SHP Academic Probation Policy.
A student on probation is considered "not in good standing" per university standards and may have difficulty being placed in clerkship course sites based on clinical site affiliation agreements. This may limit the ability of the program to schedule clerkship course sites and therefore delay a student’s graduation.
A student on academic probation may not hold elected or student leadership positions in the student society.
To return to good standing following placement on Academic Probation, students must correct the identified academic deficiencies during the probationary semester and prove completion of the improvement plan recommended by the SPC.
Students on Academic Probation will not transition from the didactic to the clinical phase or from the clinical phase to graduation until all the conditions of Academic Progression Standards have been met.
Dismissal
A student may be dismissed from the PA program if:
  • The student acts in a manner detrimental to the safety or well-being of a client, patient, another student, or faculty.
  • Violation of the academic and non-academic policies of, TTUHSC, the SHP, or the PA Program.?
  • The student does not maintain the minimum academic performance standards of the PA program.
  • The student receives a failing grade on any professionalism evaluation in the Professional Development series of courses. 
  • The student fails three total End of Rotation examination attempts. 
  • The student does not meet the provisions of academic probation.
  • The student meets the criteria for academic probation a second time during the program.
In the event of a student offense for which dismissal is warranted, the Program Director will be notified. The Program Director will call a meeting of the SPC who are tasked with reviewing the case. The SPC may make a recommendation for the student's dismissal and forward it to the Program Director.
Dismissal will occur in compliance with the SHP Academic Dismissal policy.
Students may appeal the program dismissal as outlined in the Student Grievance Policy.
Deceleration
Deceleration is the loss of a student from their current cohort, who remains matriculated in the program.
1. Non-cognitive deceleration (Leave of Absence)
a. In extreme circumstances, it may be necessary for a student to be absent from class for an extended time. The Program Director may grant leave with the approval of the Department Chair and the consent of the Dean.
b. For information concerning a leave of absence, contact the School of Health Professions Office of Admissions and Student Affairs, shp.studentaffairs@ttuhsc.edu
2. Cognitive deceleration (recycle): Didactic-Phase
a. A student not meeting the academic progression standards during the didactic phase of the program will be placed on Academic Probation and, if recommended by the SPC, may be allowed to decelerate and repeat the course.
b. If it is determined if remediation is possible, the student will enroll in the repeat course the next time it is offered and must be able to meet standards upon completion.
c. Students are responsible for any additional tuition and fees caused by the failure and repeating of a didactic course.
d. The student must pass the repeat course with a minimum grade of "C" or higher and maintain a semester GPA of 2.8 or above; otherwise, the student may be subject to dismissal from the program. Cumulative GPA requirements for the semester on probation do not apply.
e. Repeating a course does not replace the original grade on your transcript. For calculating GPA, the grade obtained when a course is retaken is averaged with previous grades.
3. Cognitive deceleration (recycle): Clinical Phase
a. A student who fails a clinical rotation will be placed on Academic Probation and, if recommended by the SPC, may be allowed to decelerate and repeat the rotation.
b. The student would make up the failed clinical rotation at a time convenient for the program and preceptor(s) as determined by the Director of Clinical Education (DOCE) and the clinical team.
c. Students are responsible for any additional tuition and fees caused by the failure and repeating of a clinical rotation.
d. The student must pass the repeat rotation/course with a minimum grade of "C" or higher and maintain a semester GPA of 2.8 or above; otherwise, the student may be subject to dismissal from the program.
e. Repeating a course does not replace the original grade on your transcript. For calculating GPA, the grade obtained when a course is retaken is averaged with previous grades.
f. Deceleration during the clinical phase of the program will delay student graduation.
Degree Completion Deadline
All requirements for the MPAS program must be completed within a period of 51 consecutive months from the time of matriculation.

Curriculum Graduation Requirements
At the end of the PA program professional curriculum, each student record will be reviewed by the faculty and Program Director to determine if the student has satisfactorily completed and achieved the standards and requirements of the PA program and each course. If the student has met all requirements for completion of the professional curriculum, he/she is then recommended for graduation from the PA program. The Program Director submits these names to the Department Chair for approval and forwards them to the Dean, SHP, and the TTUHSC Registrar for graduation and the granting of a degree.
Graduation under a Particular Catalog
A student is expected to complete the degree requirements set forth in a particular School of Health Professions SHP catalog. This will be the catalog in effect at the time the student enters the program. Its provisions are applicable during the following school year, September through August. However, a student who registers for the first time or is re-admitted during a summer session, is subject to the degree requirements set forth in the catalog effective for the fall semester immediately following the initial enrollment. A catalog issued later than the student’s first registration may be selected by the Chairperson in conference with the students.
PACKRAT Examinations
The PACKRAT is an assessment tool that is administered to help the student evaluate their academic progress and Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) preparation needs. Completion of the PACKRAT is a required component of the clinical year. The PACKRAT will be administered at the end of the didactic year and during the final phases of the clinical year. Students performing below the defined benchmark on the PACKRAT exams may be required to complete additional study.
Summative Clinical Skills Practical and Written Examination
Prior to completion of the clinical year, a summative evaluation consisting of a summative written and clinical skills evaluation will be administered. These exams are part of HPPA 6196 Professional Development V. Passage of both the summative clinical skills practicum and the summative written examination are required components for successful completion of the program.
Both the clinical skills practicum and the written summative examination will be administered within the last four (4) months of the clinical year.
Failure to pass either the clinical skills practicum or the written summative examination after two attempts will result in a recommendation for dismissal.
Convocation and Commencement
The SHP convocation and commencement ceremony are held in Lubbock, Texas on the campus of Texas Tech University. Although the PA students take part in this ceremony held during May, they do not officially graduate or receive their diplomas until the following August. Each student is highly encouraged to attend the ceremony. Graduation regalia is paid for by the student at the time of order.
Certification and Licensure
Students who complete the graduate program in PA studies will meet the academic and clinical requirements for certification by the NCCPA and state licensure. The Program Director verifies satisfactory completion of academic course work, clinical practicum, and knowledge of skills requirements.
NCCPA Certification:
The program will forward eligibility to the NCCPA for the PANCE examination. Students are permitted to take the exam 7 days after the official diploma as defined on the published SHP academic calendar.
State Licensure:
All transactions with state licensure boards are strictly the student’s responsibility. The program director will provide appropriate paperwork, upon request, to forward to the state board. Contents of the student file including official student advising/counseling documentation, professionalism evaluations, academic progression communications, and overall academic performance will be utilized for reporting.
Credentialing and privileges requests:
Should be directed to the Program Director. Requests will be completed within 10 business days. Please allow additional time for requests for malpractice insurance coverage or claims.