College of Health Sciences- Physician Assistant Studies

Program Accreditation

Program Accreditation

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Charleston Southern University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Charleston Southern University.

Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the standards.

The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2032. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.

The Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program is approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement:

The Charleston Southern University Physician Assistant Program is an Accreditation Review Commission on Education (ARC-PA) Accredited program.

All 50 states require graduation from an ARC-PA-accredited program and National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certification following successful completion of the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) as conditions for initial PA licensure. Successful completion of the CSU PA Program affords our PA graduates the opportunity to sit for the PANCE.

Successfully passing the NCCPA PANCE exam meets all 50 state licensure requirements. Additional licensure information for each state may be found on the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) website: https://www.aapa.org/download/19739/.

Students are responsible for investigating the specific requirements of the state in which they are planning to practice following graduation.

For additional information on accreditation affiliations and disclosures at CSU, please visit: hhttps://www.charlestonsouthern.edu/about/accreditation-disclosures/.

PA Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Charleston Southern University Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program is to educate compassionate and highly motivated individuals in a Christian environment who excel in providing patient-centered care, practicing as an inter-professional team, serving as leaders in their communities, and advancing the PA profession.

PA Program Goals

• Recruit highly capable students to the program.
• Deliver an outstanding curriculum that prepares students to provide patient-centered medical care upon graduation.
• Foster a healthy and supportive Christian learning environment that prepares students appropriately to transition from student to clinician.
• Engage faculty and students in opportunities for service, leadership, and scholarly activities in the school, our community, and the profession.

PA Program Learning Competencies

Upon completion of the program, students will have acquired the knowledge, interpersonal skills, clinical reasoning & problem-solving abilities, clinical & technical skills, and professional behaviors required for entry into PA practice:

Knowledge

PLC-1   Demonstrate an understanding of the medical, behavioral, and social knowledge necessary to evaluate patients across all ages and patient populations in both primary care and specialty settings.               

PLC-2   Demonstrate an ability to make informed decisions about patient care consistent with up-to-date scientific evidence and sound clinical judgment.

Interpersonal Skills

PLC-3   Demonstrate an ability to elicit an accurate medical history from patients.

PCL-4   Demonstrate the ability to deliver accurate patient education that encompasses verbal, non-verbal, and written forms of information to the patient, their family, and their care team that considers disease prevention and health awareness.

PLC-5   Demonstrate excellent communication skills with patients, their caregivers, and all health care members, while adapting communication to meet each individual’s needs.

Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving Abilities

PLC-6   Demonstrate the ability to formulate a differential diagnosis relevant to the history and physical exam findings.    

PLC-7   Demonstrate the ability to recommend appropriate diagnostic studies to assist in evaluating and treating the patient.

PLC-8   Demonstrate the ability to develop and implement an appropriate therapeutic management plan, either pharmacologic or nonpharmacological, based on the patient’s medical history, physical exam, and diagnostic study findings.

Clinical and Technical Skills

PLC-9   Demonstrate the ability to perform an accurate, detailed physical exam relevant to the patient’s medical history.

PLC-10 Demonstrate the ability to perform clinical procedures encountered in the practice of general medicine, including surgical wound management (e.g. staple, suture, drain placement/removal, basic skin biopsy, incision and drainage), administration of topical and local anesthesia, simple laceration repair with suturing, injections and aspirations (e.g. trigger point, cyst, bursa, and joint injections), peripheral intravenous access and venipuncture, nasopharyngeal swabs, bladder catheterization, and Papanicolaou test.

PLC-11 Demonstrate the ability to perform clinical skills relevant to general medical practice, including interpreting diagnostic tests and imaging studies.

Professional Behaviors

PLC-12 Demonstrate professionalism with high ethical principles, sensitivity, and responsiveness to all patients, their caregivers, and all health care team members.

Curriculum Outline

Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies (102 hours)  

Admissions

Centralized Application Service for PAs (CASPA)

The Charleston Southern University Physician Assistant Program utilizes the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) for application processing.

• All applications and supporting documents must be submitted directly to CASPA.
• Only verified CASPA applications are considered.
• Applicants are solely responsible for confirming that all application materials have been submitted to and received by CASPA. The PA Program and the University are not responsible for notifying applicants of incomplete applications.
• All required materials must be received by the specified deadlines. No exceptions will be made. Applicants are encouraged to ensure their application is submitted and verified before the September 1 deadline.
• Applicants may apply with two (2) remaining prerequisites, provided each is completed with a B (3.0) or higher before September 1. Official transcripts reflecting the grades and completion of outstanding prerequisites must be received at the University by October 1, or a selected candidate will relinquish their seat.

CSU’s Application Opens: April 30, 2026

CSU’s Application Deadline: September 1, 2026*

*Applications must be verified by this date

CSU Supplemental Application & Fee

The Charleston Southern University Physician Assistant Program requires a supplemental application.  Once the verified CASPA application is visible to PA Admissions, applicants will receive an email with instructions for completing the supplemental application and submitting the non-refundable $75 supplemental application fee.

CSU PA Supplemental Application & Fee Deadline: 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 5, 2026

CSU PA Classes Begin: January 4, 2027

Baccalaureate Degree with Official Transcripts

Applicants must obtain a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent from a foreign institution.

• The degree must be conferred by September 1, 2026.
• The degree earned can be from any field of study, provided all CSU PA Program prerequisite coursework requirements are met.
• NOTE:  All prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. institution. No foreign equivalent courses will be accepted for prerequisites.
• CASPA must receive all official transcripts (or equivalency reports, when applicable) for the application to be considered complete.
• Transcripts sent directly to the University will not be accepted.
• Transcripts submitted without reflecting degree conferral may delay the review process.

Minimum Cumulative and Science Grade Point Averages (GPA)

• The minimum requirement for the cumulative GPA and science GPA is 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of application. NOTE: While 3.0 is the minimum requirement, accepted students typically have a higher GPA to be competitive.
• The Program relies solely on the CASPA-calculated GPAs for admissions scoring and ranking.
• Please see the CASPA website for detailed information on course grade reporting and GPA calculations.

Prerequisite Course Work

• All prerequisite coursework must be awarded a grade of B (3.0) or higher on a 4.0 scale.
  • Classes taken between January 1, 2020, and September 1, 2022, and awarded satisfactory completion (P) will be accepted for the prerequisite requirements.
• All prerequisite coursework must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
• Applicants may have up to two (2) prerequisite courses in progress at the time of application, provided they are completed with a grade of B (3.0) or higher by September 1. Official transcripts for these courses must be submitted to the university by October 1, or the selected candidate will forfeit their seat.
• Prerequisite coursework has no expiration date, except for Human Anatomy and Physiology, which must be completed within the past seven (7) years. 
• All prerequisite course hour requirements are in semester hours.
• Online courses and lab work are accepted. 
• The following will not be accepted to satisfy prerequisite requirements:

• Survey Courses
• Advanced Placement (AP) Credit
• CLEP Credit
• Exam Credits
• Competency Testing
• Work Experience
• Prerequisite coursework completed at foreign institutions
• International Baccalaureate (IB) credit

Total Prerequisite Semester Credit Hours: 29

*Human Anatomy/Physiology: Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2 sequences with Lab are also acceptable for a total of 8 semester credit hours. Animal, mammalian, or specific body system (e.g., vertebral) anatomy will not satisfy the prerequisite of Human Anatomy and Physiology.

**General Chemistry may consist of any chemistry course.

NOTE: A course may not be used more than once to fulfill a prerequisite.

If you are interested in taking prerequisite courses at CSU please contact our Enrollment Services Office at 843-863-7050.  

Patient Care Experience (PCE)

Direct patient care experience (PCE) involves actively providing health care services to patients. While this experience is often “hands-on,” not all hands-on work qualifies—what matters is the direct provision of medical care or treatment. Health-related experience refers to the healthcare environment, patients, and healthcare professionals without direct participation in patient care. While this experience provides valuable insight into several aspects of healthcare, it does not involve providing medical care or treatment for patients. Commonly included in this category are shadowing clinicians, transporting patients, providing patient education, assisting with clinical research or trials (not involving direct patient care), working in a laboratory, managing medical records or electronic medical systems, or performing administrative and clerical duties in healthcare settings. Internships and other forms of academic or educational training are also considered health-related experiences.

Qualifying examples of direct PCE activities include taking vital signs, assisting patients with bathing, mobility, or transfers, collecting specimens or drawing blood, performing diagnostic tests, administering prescribed treatments or therapies, and providing patient education or counseling. Licensed or certified health professionals (e.g., nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists) applying may use their professional practice experience to fulfill this requirement. Entry-level clinical roles, such as medical assistant, nursing assistant, or patient care aide, often provide appropriate direct PCE exposure. Note that medical scribe experience is an acceptable exception to direct patient care provision due to its unique and meaningful demand for medical terminology application,  documentation, and clinical reasoning. Medical scribes working in a virtual environment (e.g., telemedicine/telehealth) may count for up to 200 hours of direct PCE hours.

Valuable direct PCE can be gained in physician offices, community clinics, and various therapy settings, while hospitals and hospital-affiliated clinics offer broad exposure to patient populations and opportunities for interprofessional collaboration. Applicants must maintain a detailed record of their clinical duties, procedures, and the types of patients they serve to support accurate documentation of direct PCE hours.

· A minimum of 1000 hours of direct patient care experience (PCE) is required at the time of application submission.

· Acceptable means of direct PCE that involve providing healthcare or treatment include:

• Acupuncturist
• Athletic Trainer
• Behavioral Therapist (ABT)
• Chiropractor
• Clinical Medical Research Assistant (direct patient care required)
• Dental Hygienist/Assisting
• Dietician
• Doula
• Emergency Medical Technician
• Emergency Room Technician
• Exercise Physiologist
• Home Health Aide
• Laboratory Technician/Technologist
• Medical Assistant
• Medical Scribe
• Military Corpsman / Combat Medic
• Nursing (CNA, LPN, RN, MSN)
• Occupational Therapist / Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Paramedic
• Patient Care Technician
• Pharmacy Technician
• Phlebotomist
• Physical Therapist / Physical Therapy Assistant
• Radiology Technician
• Respiratory Therpist
• Surgical Technician

Unacceptable Health-Related Experience or Forms of PCE include:

• Administrator or Business Manager for a Medical Office
• Aesthetician
• CPR/BLS/ACLS Instructor
• Hospital Patient Transport or Orderly
• Lifeguard
• Medical Interpreter
• Medical Secretary/Receptionist
• Medical Transcriptionist
• Nanny or Babysitter
• Personal/Group Fitness Trainer
• Pharmaceutical Representative
• Non-Clinical Research Assistant
• Veterinarian Assistant

• Shadowing a PA, NP, MD, or DO and/or telehealth experience will count for a maximum of 200 direct PCE hours.
• The acceptability or lack thereof of potential patient care experience hours is at the sole discretion of the CSU PA program.

Foreign Applications

• A bachelor’s degree must be completed from a regionally accredited institution or an equivalent from a foreign institution.
• CSU requires that all official transcripts be submitted, including foreign, study abroad, and overseas U.S. transcripts.
• All foreign transcripts must be submitted to a U.S.-based evaluation service for a U.S. equivalency report. The equivalency report must then be submitted directly to CASPA from the evaluation service. Please refer to the CASPA Applicant Help Center website for a list of suggested evaluation services and detailed instructions on submitting study abroad, U.S. overseas, and foreign transcripts.
• CSU PA program requires international applicants or those who have foreign transcripts to complete the 29-semester prerequisite credit hours at a regionally accredited U.S. institution before applying to the CSU PA program.
• Transcripts sent directly to the university will not be accepted.
• All financial burdens incurred in the foregoing processes are the sole responsibility of the applicant.

English Language Proficiency Policy

The CSU PA Program defines primary language as the language predominantly spoken and used in your home and educational environment before college admission. To ensure that all students have the English language proficiency required for academic success in our program, applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test (iBT).  This policy applies to all non-primary English-speaking applicants, regardless of citizenship or residence.

The financial burdens encumbered by the foregoing processes are the applicant’s sole responsibility.

Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all applicants for whom English is not their primary language. Exceptions or accommodations to this policy are granted only in rare circumstances and at the discretion of the admissions committee. The program reserves the right to require an objective assessment of English proficiency at any time during the admissions process.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

The Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL-iBT) is required of all CSU PA applicants whose primary language is not English.

TOEFL iBT Score Minimums

Applicants must achieve the following minimum scores:

Reading - 22

Listening - 22

Speaking - 26

Writing - 24

TOTAL - 94

Official TOEFL scores are submitted electronically to CASPA directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS) using TOEFL code #3709.

Course-by-course transcript review by one of the following approved US-based equivalence services, such as World Education Services (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE), for those courses completed outside of a US regionally accredited school.

 Questions? 

If you have specific questions about applying to the PA Program as an international student, please contact CSU’s International Student Enrollment Counselor for more information at  international@csuniv.edu. 

Recommendation Letters

• Two (2) letters of recommendation are required for an application to be considered complete.
• One letter of recommendation must be from a medical provider.*
• Letters may not be from a family member or friend.
• The CSU PA Program strongly recommends choosing references who have known the applicant in a professional setting for at least six (6) months.  
• All recommendation letters must be complete or in process at the time of application submission in CASPA.

*Acceptable “medical provider” includes an MD, DO, PA, NP, or an individual in a healthcare supervisory role (e.g., charge nurse, EMT supervisor, pharmacist) who has observed the applicant interacting with patients.

Interview

• Interview invitations are extended to the most competitive applicants for admission.
• While considering interview invitation options, applicants should note that CSU PA uses a rolling admissions process. With this approach, the program can fill all available seats before the September 1 application deadline.
• Applicants invited for the interview portion of the selection process must participate in the interview to be considered for a seat in the program.
• Interviews are primarily conducted in person.
• At least one (1) virtual interview day is offered for applicants who prefer this option, and the virtual interview slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis for all invited applicants. Once the virtual interview slots are filled, the remaining applicants will be offered in-person interviews only.
• Interviewees will be notified of their post-interview status within one (1) month of the interview. The decision will be one of the following: accepted to the program, placed on the waitlist, or declined.
• The program uses a rolling admissions process, and with this approach, it is possible for the program to fill all available seats before the September 1 application deadline.

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed as they are received once they are CASPA-verified and the CSU PA Supplemental Application is submitted. PA Admissions reviews and scores of completed, verified CASPA applications that meet the minimum admissions requirements.  Scoring is based on cognitive and non-cognitive factors to provide a balanced, holistic evaluation.  Cognitive factors include cumulative, overall science, and prerequisite GPAs. Points are awarded to applicants with the following non-cognitive qualities:  CSU alumni, military service, secondary language fluency, additional medical training/licenses/certifications, completion of an advanced degree, first-generation college students, collegiate athlete experience, and leadership and volunteer experience. Finally, preference is given to candidates who have completed a greater number of patient care experience (PCE) hours.

Based upon these factors, the Admissions Coordinator will invite qualified individuals for interviews. These interviews will be conducted using a multiple mini interview approach to assess the following:

• Communication Skills (Written and Verbal)
• Compassion
• Cultural Awareness
• Ethics
• Leadership and Service
• Maturity
• Passion, Motivation, and Understanding of the Profession
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills
• Teamwork
• Understanding of the Program’s Mission Statement

Post-Acceptance Requirements

Following completion of each interview session, the rankings and recommendations are reviewed by the Program Director, who approves final offers of admission, waitlist* placements, or denials. Applicants are typically notified of their admission status within one month after their interview date. Notification is delivered electronically via the email address listed in the applicant’s CAPSA file.

*Waitlist: These candidates will initially be notified within one month of completing their interview. All candidates on this list will be reviewed during each subsequent interview selection process. At that time, their status will be updated to one of the following: Admit Now, Continue Waitlist, or Declined.

Admission Offers

Applicants offered admission receive an official offer letter and instructions for submitting a non-refundable seat deposit to secure their position in the entering cohort. The seat deposit confirms the applicant’s intent to enroll and is applied toward the first semester’s tuition.

Seat Acceptance Process

Applicants offered admission must formally accept their offer by the designated deadline stated in the official offer letter. To secure a seat in the program, the accepted applicant must submit a non-refundable $1,000 seat deposit to the Charleston Southern University Office of Enrollment Services (OES) by the stated deadline via the link provided in the offer letter that is sent through CSU’s SLATE.

Applicants who accept an offer from another program are asked to notify the CSU PA program promptly, as a professional courtesy, so that other qualified candidates may be considered for admission.

Pre-Matriculation Requirements

Candidates accepting an offer of admission must complete the following before matriculation:

1. Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities for any in-progress courses, due by October 1.

2. Proof of current health insurance (maintained throughout the program)

3. Signed Technical Standards Attestation Form for the CSU PA Program Technical Standards (see Program website) in My Record Tracker (MRT) or another program-designated vendor.

4. Signed Program Compliance Forms as outlined in MRT or another program-designated vendor

5. Immunization records meeting program and university health requirements in MRT or another program-designated vendor.

6. Background check through a program-designated vendor.

7. Urine drug screen through a program-designated vendor.

Detailed instructions for completing these requirements are provided to admitted candidates following acceptance of the offer of admission.

My Record Tracker (MRT) is the third-party designated vendor that all CSU PA admitted candidates and enrolled PA students use to maintain matriculation documents throughout enrollment in the CSU PA Program. The program reserves the right to change the designated third-party vendor at any time, with prompt notification to all students impacted by such a change.

Admission Policies

Advanced Placement

Advanced placement is defined as a waiver of required coursework in the program curriculum.  The CSU PA Program does not accept any advanced placement under any circumstances and no course waivers will be provided for pre-admission experiential learning or credit transfers from another university in lieu of completing the required curriculum.   The program’s curriculum presents all of the medical and clinical science content that students are expected to acquire in order to achieve the program’s Student Learning Outcomes. Each student must attend the program full-time and complete mandatory course requirements.

Student Employment

The CSU PA Program will not allow students to work for the PA Program, in a paid or volunteer capacity, under any circumstances.

During clinical rotations, CSU PA students are prohibited from being used to replace or substitute for regular clinical or administrative staff under any circumstances. If a student is asked to do so, they must contact the Director of Clinical Education, who will collaborate with the Program Director to assess the suitability of continued use of the preceptor. In response, the program may initiate a site visit, communicate directly with the preceptor (and office manager, if appropriate), or remove the clinical site and preceptor from future student placements.  Assignment of preceptors will be adjusted as necessary to ensure that each student meets the expected program learning competencies by program completion.

The PA Program strongly discourages any form of employment while enrolled as a PA student. This intensive graduate-level training requires full-time attendance during both the didactic and clinical years. Outside work obligations will not be considered an acceptable excuse for poor performance or absence from any scheduled course activities.

Special Accomodations

Students accepted into the CSU PA program who require accommodations should review the requirements and procedures outlined on the CSU Accessibility Services website. Only the CSU Office of Accessibility Services is authorized to approve accommodation requests. Students may contact the office at (843) 863-7159 or email awatson@csuniv.edu for assistance. Once approved, students must meet with each course director to notify and discuss their approved accommodations.

Clinical Rotation Experiences

Neither prospective nor enrolled students will be required to provide or solicit preceptors or clinical sites for the program-mandated clinical rotation experience component of the curriculum. Students may voluntarily submit to the Director of Clinical Education the name(s) of potential preceptors and/or clinical sites not already affiliated with the CSU PA Program by completing a Request for New Rotation Development Form. A student may request the development of a maximum of two new rotation sites. There is no direct or implied guarantee by the program that the student will be assigned a rotation with any requested clinical site or preceptor, including those already affiliated with the program. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the Director of Clinical Education to determine whether the clinical site and preceptor are deemed suitable for use in clinical rotations.

The CSU PA Program aims to maintain most clinical sites within a 60-mile radius of Charleston Southern University. However, students may be required to attend rotations at a site outside of this area and will be responsible for all expenses related to such assignments.

Progression Requirements

Given the sequential nature of the curriculum, students are expected to complete each unit/semester on time as a cohort. Progression is a function of successfully passing all required coursework in a unit, and the coursework for the unit will serve as the prerequisite requirement for the following unit.

Students may progress within the PA program when in good academic standing. The ability to progress in the program is subject to the discretion of the Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee (APPC).

If a student is remediating a course or component, they may progress to the next unit at the APPC’s discretion.

If a student is subject to disciplinary action under the professionalism policy, their status is reviewed at the conclusion of each academic unit by the APPC, which will determine whether the student should be placed on academic probation or permitted to progress in the program.

For a student to progress from the didactic year into the clinical year, they must meet both of the following:

1. Be in good academic standing, defined as achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of Unit 5.
2. Be recommended for advancement by the APPC.

*A student who is denied progression may appeal the denial by submitting a written letter of appeal to the Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee (APPC) within seven (7) business days of receiving written notification of the denial.

The program director is responsible for confirming a student’s eligibility to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) following graduation. Such eligibility is based on successfully completing the program’s curricular requirements and the Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee’s positive recommendation on such student’s preparedness for the exam.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the CSU PA Program and be awarded a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies, a student must:

1. Successfully complete all coursework within five academic years according to university and program-defined academic standards.
2. Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at program completion.
3. Successfully pass all components of the Summative Evaluation within four months of graduation, demonstrating all Program Learning Competencies (PLCs) have been mastered.
4. Be in good professional standing with the program.
5. Complete the CSU graduation application process.
6. Complete the payments of tuition, program fees, graduation fees, and outstanding university fees or library charges.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all degree requirements have been met to qualify for graduation. A graduating student must apply for their degree through the Registrar’s Office no later than the start of their final semester preceding said graduation.

Deceleration Policy

The CSU PA program curriculum is designed to be delivered on a full-time basis to students in a cohort.  The program must be completed on a full-time basis, and students are not eligible to opt into deceleration. Program policies may result in program-required deceleration for an approved leave of absence, as outlined below.

Leave of Absence

Students seeking a leave of absence from the CSU PA Program must submit a written request to the Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee (APPC) and the Program Director to obtain permission.  Acceptable leave of absence requests are considered for personal, financial, or medical reasons and are not typically granted for academic reasons. The timeline for returning to the program is at the discretion of the APPC and Program Director, based on the student’s progress in the program.

Academic Standing & Adverse Academic Actions

Good Academic Standing

The CSU PA Program defines good academic standing as earning a semester GPA of 3.0 or above.

Academic Probation

A student is subject to academic probation for the following reasons:

1. Earning one (1) final course grade of “C”.
2. Earning a semester GPA less than 3.0.
3. Receiving one (1) professionalism violation.
4. Egregious professional behavior, as deemed by the Academic & Professionalism Progress Committee (APC).
5. Earning below 70% on any clinical year assessment (Preceptor Evaluation of Student, EOR exam).

Academic Dismissal

A student is subject to academic dismissal from the program for the following reasons:

1. Earning one (1) final course grade of “F,” defined as earning less than 70%.
2. Failing to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of the didactic year (Unit 5).
3. Being placed on academic probation for two semesters.
4. Receiving three (3) professionalism violations.
5. Egregious professionalism behavior, as deemed by the Academic & Professionalism Progress Committee (APPC).
6. Earning below 70% on a second Preceptor Evaluation of the Student.
7. Failing to achieve a score of 75% or higher on the Summative Evaluation after the maximum allocated remediation attempts.

*NOTE: Some professional policy violations may be so egregious that citation/violation, or probation will be skipped in lieu of program dismissal.  Examples may include:

1. Conviction of a crime that precludes the student from participating in clinical education.
2. Falsifying admissions documents.
3. Blatant HIPAA violation.
4. Attending to patient care while impaired/under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
5. Dismissal from a clinical practicum experience by a preceptor or healthcare system.

All PA students have the right to appeal decisions related to academic or professional performance.