ARC-PA 5th ed Standard A3.15d
Should an academic grievance or egregious professionalism violation occur resulting in the dismissal of a PA student, the Department of PA Studies adheres to the Gardner-Webb University dismissal process. Students wishing to appeal the program decision of dismissal should refer to the Academic Grievance and Appeals Process in Part II, Section 4, page 22 of this handbook or directly to the section on Academic Grievance and Appeals Procedure of the 2021-2022 Academic Catalog.
Per university policy, absent the applicability of other university policies or circumstances requiring suspension of registration, such as disciplinary suspension, students with active appeals may continue to be registered and attend classes until the conclusion of their appeal. If a student who remains registered loses their appeal and is subsequently dismissed or suspended, refund of tuition and fees, if any, shall be per university policy.
ARC-PA 5th ed Standards A3.15b
The Department of GWU PA Studies program is a “lock-step” curriculum with subsequent components building upon early elements. Upon enrollment in the PA program, students must progress throughout all aspects of the program in a sequential process (matriculation in Spring I → Summer I → Fall I → Spring II → Summer II → Fall II → Spring III, followed by graduation in May).
It is impossible to step out of one portion of the program and continue with other parts. Should a student fail to progress from one semester to the next, policies of dismissal, withdrawal, and deceleration should apply, based on the student’s specific circumstances. Students must adhere to all University withdrawal policies and procedures (Part II, Section 17, page 33) and be aware that significant tuition and/or loan implications may be associated with their actions.
Students are expected to follow all attendance policies, as described in course syllabi, to acquire the material and skills required for future healthcare delivery.
Attendance and punctuality are reflections of professionalism, especially in a professional graduate medical education program. During the didactic year, the program endorses the University’s Attendance Policy, which follows:
Absence from class does not excuse the student from responsibility for classwork. Planned class absences for foreseeable personal circumstances or official University business must be negotiated with the instructor before the absence.
All absences, regardless of reason, apply toward the 25% threshold.
The course director may elect to further reinforce the importance of class attendance through specific policies involving grade-related consequences for missed classes. These expectations will be articulated in the individual course syllabus.
Punctual, mandatory attendance is required for the following:
