Policies

The DPA curriculum extends over a span of 28 months and begins annually in the fall semester. The curriculum is divided into approximately 16 months of didactic learning followed by 12 months of clinical experience and research work. The curriculum is a cohort system; students cannot choose which courses they take from semester to semester.   The following academic standards are required to maintain enrollment, progress in the curriculum, and requirements for completion of the program.

The following competencies must be met to progress from the didactic year to the clinical year:  

• Students must pass all didactic courses with a grade of 70 or higher. A grade of F is cause for immediate dismissal.
• Students receiving 9 semester credit hours of “C” grades in the didactic phase of the curriculum will be dismissed from the program.
• Students must pass all practicals and OSCEs for Patient Encounter and Clinical Clerkship, as defined in the course syllabus.
• Students must complete a comprehensive standardized exam. Students who do not meet the threshold will be required to successfully complete remediation before progression is allowed.
• Students must be in good professional standing.

 

The following competencies must be met to progress from the clinical year to graduation:

• All rotations must be passed with a grade of 70 or higher. A grade of F is cause for immediate dismissal.
• Students must complete a comprehensive standardized exam. Students who do not meet the threshold will be required to successfully complete remediation before progression is allowed.
• Students must have completed all items, demonstrating competence, listed in the clinical year passport.
• Students must be in good professional standing.
• Students must pass all components of the Summative Evaluation required for program completion prior to graduation.
• A minimum overall GPA of 3.0.

An academic deficiency occurs when, despite remediation efforts, a student has:

• Not completed/passed all courses with a grade of 70 or higher.
• Not maintained/achieved an overall GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Not passed all practicals and OSCES in Patient Encounter and Clinical Clerkship.
• Not met the threshold on the comprehensive standardized exams.
• Not passed a component of the Summative Evaluation required for program completion.

 

Deadlines for Completion of the Program

The maximum time to complete, for any student in the DPA, is one year beyond the originally scheduled graduation date.

The UTRGV PA Department remediation policy and procedures is the process and efforts of remedying a student’s academic or professional situation that is deficient. The purpose of the remediation and academic coaching action plan is to:

• Identify the reason for referral (specific criteria vary based on didactic and clinical phases of the curriculum)
• Identify actions and efforts (specifically to address deficiencies in a student’s knowledge and skills)
• Provide documented outcomes that resulte from the specific remediation and academic coaching action plan.

Remediation and academic coaching action plans are individualized and unique to each student’s situation. UTRGV’s remediation policies and procedures utilize a multi-modal approach and assessment methods that involve the development of an action/learning plan. The action plan(s) are derived around instruction and remediation activities that consist of deliberate practice, feedback, and reflection to ensure competency. Students can be placed on a remediation/academic coaching action plan during a semester or following a semester of low performance (whether or not the low performance resulted in academic probation). Reasons students are placed on remediation/academic coaching action plans include, but not limited to unsatisfactory grades, unsatisfactory performance on skills/OSCE assessments, and/or professional performance issues.

Students may be referred for implementation of a remediation/academic coaching plan in the didactic phase of the curriculum if they do not meet the minimum score (outlined in the syllabus) for the following assessments:

• Course/Module Examination,
• Practical Examination,
• OSCE Assessment, OR
• Professionalism Concern/Violation

Students may be referred for implementation of a remediation/academic coaching plan in the clinical phase of the curriculum if they do not meet the minimum score (outlined in the syllabus) for the following assessments:

• Preceptor Evaluation,
• End of Rotation Examination,
• OSCE Assessment,
• Preceptor Evaluation markings of “Disagree, Strongly Disagree, Unacceptable or Poor” on student performance,
• Summative Evaluation, OR
• Professionalism Concern/Violation

Any faculty (i.e., principal, instructional, clinical preceptor) member or departmental committee can recommend a student be placed on a remediation/academic coaching plan. 

Actions and efforts assigned and documented on the remediation/academic coaching action plans are co-designed between the designated remediation faculty member and student to specifically address the learning outcomes that correlate with the deficiencies in a student’s knowledge and/or skills. 

Failure to achieve competency after the remediation OR failure to comply with a remediation/academic coaching action plan, may result in a professionalism violation, referral to the Student Promotion Committee and/or Student Professionalism Committee, a course failure, graduation delay, or dismissal from the program.

Procedure/process of activating a remediation/academic coaching action plan for a student:

• The academic remediation referral and action plan process must be started as soon as possible after the evaluation/assessment/examination grade has been posted or concern has been reported (for professionalism issues).
• The course instructor or faculty member and the student will schedule a one-on-one meeting to co-design the action plan, set goals, benchmarks, and objectives of the plan. The remediation/academic coaching action plan will outline the prescribed actions to meet the student’s specific deficiencies in knowledge and skills. The action plan will be reviewed, signed, and date for the remediation learning/action plan.
• The action plan will be implemented and overseen by the course instructor or faculty member.
• At the completion of the remediation, outcomes are documented.
• A copy of all remediation/academic coaching documents (action plans, efforts, and outcomes) are placed in the student’s academic record.

For clinical end of rotation (EOR) exams, students with a failing grade are mandated to attend the remediation session and complete the assignment(s), as well as the retesting for the failed EOR exam. 

Summative Evaluation Remediation

The summative evaluation is a multifaceted final evaluation of student performance, and it must be passed to graduate from the program.  The summative evaluation will include a written academic-based End of Curriculum (EOC) exam and a clinical-based Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).  If the student fails the summative examination:

• The student will be notified of the summative OSCE and/or written examination grade.
• The student will then meet with the director of clinical education to formulate and implement a remediation/academic coaching action plan.
• Remediation must be completed within 42 days after the student’s first attempt/failure notification of the summative evaluation.
• The student may then be allowed one (1) opportunity to retake the summative clinical-based OSCE examination and/or the written summative EOC examination.

If the student fails to successfully remediate the components of the summative evaluation or is unsuccessful on the retest within the parameters established in the remediation plan, s/he will be dismissed from the program, regardless of GPA.

The Department of Physician Assistant does not offer waivers for any pre-requisite coursework. Additionally, the Department does not offer waivers, advanced placement, or proficiency exams for any coursework. All students must complete the entire professional curriculum while enrolled at UTRGV.

The Department of Physician Assistant does not admit students from other physician assistant programs. All currently or formerly enrolled physician assistant students at other physician assistant programs must participate in a competitive admissions process along with all other applicants.

Criminal record background checks (CBC) and drug screens are a standard part of the physician assistant profession. Successful completion of a criminal background check is required for admission to and continuation in the Program. Because many local hospitals affiliated with the university require a criminal background check and drug screen on all employees and anyone interacting with their patients, these are mandatory requirements of all students that must be updated annually. All students must comply with these requirements without regard to clinical assignments. Failure to successfully complete both the CBC and drug screen will affect your position in the program. 

Students with an approved non-academic leave of absence may be decelerated to the next cohort, depending on the length of leave. The DPA does not offer deceleration for academic, professionalism, or behavioral conduct issues. Students are expected to maintain the academic pace of their cohort. This does not allow students to drop classes or decelerate once matriculated. Dropping classes results in dismissal from the DPA. Students returning from an approved non-academic leave of absence may be required to meet the Proficiencies Required for Consideration of Reinstatement.

The DPA curriculum has been designed to be a full-time program. It consists of a very demanding course load with a great deal of time spent in class and in clinical experiences. There are also special seminars, guest lecturers, and community service-learning projects that may be scheduled on relatively short notice.

We encourage students to seek outside sources of support (scholarships, loans, grants, etc.) and to devote as much time as possible to their professional education. Employment while enrolled in the program is strongly discouraged.

PA students are not allowed/required to work for the DPA. Students may not serve as an instructional faculty and will not be substituted for regular staff. Students are prohibited from substituting for clerical and/or clinical personnel during first year clinical experiences and clinical rotations.

Immunizations and TB screening must be uploaded into the designated health and immunization record management system of the verification service through the online portal. Student compliance with the Program’s immunization policy (see below) will be reported to the Program by the designated health and immunization record management verification. Students will be expected to update their immunization and TB screening record and demonstrate compliance as required, during their tenure in the Program. Students who do not have an approved immunization and TB screening record on file with the designated health and immunization record management system of the verification service will not be assigned any patient contact responsibilities.

These requirements are also reviewed (and updated, if applicable) distant (outside for consistency with current scientific and clinical recommendations from federal (e.g. ACIP, CDC) and local health authorities as well as recommendations from a leading association of college health experts (e.g. AHCA).

Students must meet additional requirements to support their health and safety as well as comply with clearance requirements set forth by affiliated training sites (e.g. clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, clinical research facilities, etc.).

In accordance with state specific mandates and the most current CDC & Prevention recommendations for health professionals, the following immunizations are required for all students enrolled in health-related courses that will involve direct patient contact in medical or who come in contact with human biological fluids or tissue.

• Measles: Proof of two doses of measles vaccine administered on or after the first birthday and at least 30 days apart, or proof of immunity by quantitative titer.
• Mumps: Proof of one dose of mumps vaccine administered on or after the first birthday, or proof of immunity by quantitative titer.
• Rubella: Proof of one dose of rubella vaccine administered on or after the first birthday, or proof of immunity by quantitative titer.
• Tetanus/diphtheria: Proof of one “booster” dose of tetanus/diphtheria vaccine (within 10 years). Td vaccine is an acceptable substitute, if Tdap vaccine is medically contraindicated. Pregnant HCWs need to get a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy.
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV): Proof of serologic immunity to HBV by quantitative titer or certification of immunization with a complete series of Hepatitis B vaccine.
  • Meningococcus: Proof of one dose administered within the last 5 years if less than 22 years old.
  • Varicella: 2 doses or proof of immunity by quantitative titer.

Although not required by the University, the COVID vaccine may be required by the healthcare facility.  Students who refuse the vaccine may be denied admittance to a facility, which can result in delay of graduation.

Every student is required to receive an influenza vaccine each year in October or November. Any student who refuses the influenza vaccine may be required, by the healthcare facility, to always wear a mask or may be refused admittance by the facility. 

In addition to these immunizations, students are required to have a tuberculosis screening performed every 12 months, unless required at shorter intervals by clinical or hospital assignments.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the immunizations and screenings are up to date. Failure of the student to maintain the required immunizations and screenings will impact their ability to progress in the DPA and delay graduation.  Any clinical days missed due to failure to comply with this policy will be unexcused absences.

Students will assume the full cost of the immunizations and/or titer.

After the add/drop period has ended, students who no longer wish to remain enrolled in the PA program may withdraw from all courses. To withdraw from the University (drop all classes), a student must complete a formal withdrawal process through UCentral by the posted deadline for drops and withdrawals. A student withdrawing during the first 75% of each semester/term (refer to the university calendar or the Registration Bulletin for the deadline dates) will receive grades of W in the classes s/he was registered for in that term. After the deadline, the student remains on the class roster and receives the letter grade s/he earns. Refer to the UCentral website for refund periods. If the student wishes to return, they must competitively reapply to the Physician Assistant Program for admission to a future cohort unless the student requested and was granted a leave of absence from the PA program.

See the Graduate College Catalog for absence and withdrawal for active military service policy.

Detailed information regarding refunds of tuition and fees is available through Student Accounting Services.

Enrolled PA students may be recommended for dismissal from the MPAS program for failure to maintain the UTRGV Graduate College academic standards and/or not adhering to the UTRGV required student code of conduct (Vaquero's Honor Code) as noted in the student HOP STU 02-100 (https://www.utrgv.edu/hop/policies/stu-02-100.pdf).

For a degree-seeking student in a master's program to remain in good academic standing, the student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (3.0=B on a 4.0 scale) and meet the department's academic progress criteria toward degree completion. The minimum GPA of 3.0 is based on all coursework taken regardless of whether the courses are part of the student's degree plan. A student whose GPA falls below a 3.0 is placed on academic probation the next semester. Within the probationary semester, the student’s GPA must return to 3.0, or the student will be suspended.

A student who receives an F in any course is suspended without a probationary semester regardless of cumulative GPA.

Dismissal and Reinstatement Procedure

This process establishes a standardized, fair, and comprehensive method for evaluating a dismissed Physician Assistant student who petitions for reinstatement. A petition for reinstatement undergoes a thorough review through the PA Program/Department and appropriate College and Graduate College processes.

The review begins with the PA Department’s Student Promotion Committee (SPC), which evaluates the petition and relevant academic and professional records. The SPC will use established criteria to determine whether the student demonstrates the academic readiness, professionalism, and behavioral reliability required for progression in a graduate-level PA curriculum.

Following the SPC’s review and recommendation, the petition proceeds through the Department Chair, College Dean, and Graduate College for review and action in accordance with applicable university policies and procedures. Each level of review considers the student’s petition, relevant documentation, academic and professional performance, and recommendations from preceding levels of review.

This multi-level process is intended to ensure that petitions for reinstatement are evaluated consistently, comprehensively, and with appropriate consideration of academic standards, professional expectations, student circumstances, and the PA Program’s responsibility to ensure readiness for continued progression and clinical education.

A student with a complaint related to grades and academic expectations should refer to the UTRGV student academic appeals process.

A student with complaints against UTRGV faculty and staff related to matters other than discrimination or grade appeals should refer to the UTRGV http://www.utrgv.edu/hop/policies/stu-02-200.pdf policy.

All Vaqueros are encouraged to report sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and discrimination. If prior to making a report, the student would like to speak to someone confidentially, UTRGV confidential resources are available, such as, the Office for Advocacy & Violence Prevention (OAVP), the Vaqueros Crisis Line and the Counseling Center. The student can submit a report to the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED) using the OIED Report It form.

The faculty create the clinical rotation schedule for the clinical year.  Every effort is made to place students in a learning environment that best meets their needs.  Rotations sites are primarily assigned throughout South Texas, ranging from Brownsville to Laredo, and including the Corpus Christi area. However, students should anticipate at least one distant (outside the RGV) rotation. Students can also elect to complete rotations out of the RGV area, pending availability and affiliation. Students are responsible for their housing and travel costs and must return to campus for required activities.