ACADEMIC POLICIES

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Student Handbook

The PA Program publishes a Student Handbook each year. This document includes the specific policies, rules and regulations of the PA Program, as well as additional information of use to the student. Students should read and use this handbook as a primary reference for their day-to-day activities. In addition, the program publishes a Clinical Handbook that contains detailed information regarding the clinical rotations and the rules and regulations pertaining to the clinical phase of the curriculum.

Evaluation of Student Learning

Ongoing formative evaluation of student learning takes place frequently during the didactic and clinical phases of the program. Various modalities of evaluation are utilized to assess a student’s acquisition of knowledge, problem-solving skills, clinical competencies, and professional development. During the didactic phase, students are evaluated via objective written exams using mainly multiple-choice questions, and also via case presentations, graded lab work, and practica. Evaluations may also be based on class attendance, class participation and class presentations.

It is the prerogative of the instructor to determine the specific balance of evaluation methods for a particular course. Evaluation and grading methods are clearly articulated in the course syllabi. The course instructor develops exams that include content related to the course learning objectives.

While on rotations during the clinical phase of the program, students are evaluated on their oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, medical knowledge, correlative abilities, technical skills and PA role performance. Students are evaluated by their preceptor, the clinical coordination faculty, and through written exam.

Summative evaluation of each student is conducted prior to program completion to assure that the program’s expectations for clinical knowledge and technical skills have been met. The summative evaluation consists of a comprehensive objective multiple-choice examination and objective structured clinical exams. A student must successfully complete both components in order to graduate.

Research and scholarship skills are evaluated via the capstone Master’s project required for graduation.

Student Advisement

Upon admission to the program, each student is assigned an advisor from the core faculty. Students and advisors are required to meet a minimum of one time per semester. When necessary, due to poor grades or other problems, students must meet with advisors more frequently. The main purpose of academic advisement is to help students achieve their educational goals. Specifically, advisors assist students with the following:

monitoring academic progress and reviewing study habits
solving problems encountered in particular courses
monitoring professional development
referring to other support services within the College and the School of Health Sciences
informing students about academic and professional rules and regulations
informing students about graduation requirements

In addition to advisors, course instructors and adjunct faculty are invaluable resources for students. They are available outside of class for student questions and guidance. Information on instructor availability is included in the course syllabus given to students the first week of class. It is advisable for students to seek assistance from instructors as a given course proceeds rather than wait until examination time. Although good study habits and sufficient self-discipline should have been developed before entrance into the PA Program, there are instances in which a student may need help in understanding a certain concept or making up work missed due to illness or another valid reason.

Note: The faculty is not equipped, and feels that it is inappropriate for them, to do counseling for emotional problems of students. Advisors who assess that a student is in need of professional counseling and/or special services, e.g., testing for learning disabilities, must make this concern known to the Program Director immediately. The Director and/or the Dean will then make recommendations and referrals to outside agencies.

Attendance

It is the responsibility of the program to communicate to students the elements of professional behavior, one of which is embodied in consistent class attendance and accountability. Therefore, attendance is mandatory.

Students are expected to attend all lectures, laboratory sessions, fieldwork assignments, and rotations on a regular and punctual basis and to complete assignments in a timely fashion. The faculty regularly monitors attendance, and it is factored into the grade in many classes. Students who are absent from class will be asked to meet with their advisors to explain the reasons for their absence. Students are also expected to notify the program office prior to class if they will be unable to attend. Repeated absences may lead to a reduction in the grade for a course and/or to disciplinary actions such as Professional Probation.

Lateness

Coming to class late is disrespectful to the instructor, disruptive for fellow students, and unprofessional. The faculty regularly monitors punctuality. If a student arrives more than 10 minutes after the start of class, admittance will be denied until a break. Consistent lateness may result in Professional Probation.

Academic Progress Policy

Medical knowledge and competencies are learned, developed, and nurtured continuously and progressively. The PA training program demands the academic ability and the rigor to take a full course load and manage multiple courses at the same time. Core knowledge of the basic medical sciences must be mastered in order to progress to the application of this knowledge in the clinical medicine courses. Knowledge of the clinical preparatory sciences, in all their breadth and depth, must be demonstrated in order to progress to the supervised clinical practice phase of the program. This phase entails applying the concepts of medical decision-making and problem-solving to real patients, while on rotations. All aspects of the curriculum, including courses, rotations, and capstone Master’s project, must be passed in order to qualify for graduation. Students who do not pass PAM 636, Clinical Skills/Summative Evaluation, will be required to complete five weeks of testing done on Exammaster.

The PA Program has established standards for academic performance and professional conduct in order for students to successfully progress through the program and graduate. The Academic Progress Committee (APC) makes decisions regarding student progression in the program. The APC is a standing committee comprised of PA Program faculty representatives and chaired by the program director that monitors student progress. The Committee is empowered to apply the regulations set forth in student handbooks. Decisions regarding unacceptable academic performance and violations of professional conduct are made by the APC.

If a student does not initially pass a course, a comprehensive make-up exam may be offered to allow the student to demonstrate proficiency in the course material. The APC determines whether to offer a make-up, based on the instructor’s evaluation of the student’s performance throughout the course, and on the APC’s evaluation of the student’s general academic standing. The highest grade a student can attain on a make-up exam is a 70% or C-.

If a student ultimately fails one or more courses during a semester, the APC will determine whether the student should be dismissed from the program or whether he/she can be remediated. Among the factors the APC takes into consideration are: the number of failures, the point in the program at which the failure(s) occurred, any extenuating circumstances, and the academic and clinical potential of the student. Remediation entails repeating the failed course(s). If, in the judgment of the APC, the requisite comprehensive medical knowledge has not been attained, or foundation courses have not been mastered, remediation may be accompanied by deceleration. In such a case, the student will not be permitted to begin any new coursework, thereby delaying his/her progression through the program curriculum. The student will be required to repeat the failed course(s), as well as other courses already passed, as determined by the APC. In some case, the APC may mandate repeating an entire semester’s coursework.

During the clinical phase, if a student fails a single rotation, the APC will determine the student’s suitability to continue in the program. If allowed to continue, the student will have to repeat the failed rotation, at additional time and expense. Failure of a second rotation generally results in dismissal from the program.

Professional Conduct

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the function of an institution of higher education and to abide by the highest standards of academic honesty, ethics, and professional conduct.

Students are professional trainees and representatives of Touro College. They come into contact with patients, families, and a variety of healthcare professionals during their education. The faculty monitors the professional development of all students as well as their academic development. Students are expected to maintain patient confidentiality, safety, and dignity, as set forth in the American Academy of Physician Assistants’ Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is expected of all students throughout their course of study at Touro College. Academic integrity is the foundation of a supportive learning environment and a credible educational process. It enables students to develop a strong sense of self-esteem, self-confidence, and pride in accomplishment, which are integral to educational and professional growth.

Because intellectual integrity is the hallmark of academic inquiry, students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty in study and preparation for, and presentation, of examinations, term papers and research projects.

Therefore, academic dishonesty is one of the most serious offenses a student can commit. Academic dishonesty entails intentional cheating, fabrication, or plagiarism, as well as knowingly facilitating the dishonesty of others. Academic dishonesty lowers scholastic quality, and defrauds those who will eventually depend on the knowledge and integrity of program graduates.

The program’s obligation is to preserve the integrity of the processes utilized in evaluating student learning, and to ensure that graduating students are knowledgeable in medicine and can safely and competently provide healthcare.