ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.14a
The sequential nature of the curriculum mandates that students must pass all courses in a given semester before advancing to the next semester. Students must complete the didactic courses before progressing to the clinical phase and SCPEs. Should a student enter the clinical year not in good academic standing, that student will face limited SCPE placement options due to stakeholder policies.
Because the department curriculum is built in a lock-step progression, 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/or deceleration should apply based on the student’s specific circumstances. Students must adhere to all University withdrawal policies and procedures and be aware that significant tuition and/or loan implications may be associated with their actions.
ARC-PA 6th ed Standards A3.14 a,f
As members of a graduate medical program, PA students are held to the academic standards required by the Gayle Bolt Price School of Graduate Studies. Satisfactory academic progress must be evident and demonstrated by students to continue in the program. It is the responsibility of students to know their academic status. Students whose cumulative program GPA drops below 3.0 may not hold elected or appointed student leadership positions.
The Academic Progression Committee (APC) will assess all students’ academic performance and make determinations of academic standing at the end of each semester. The APC will evaluate academic standing related to egregious professionalism violations concurrently with notification of each violation.
The status of a student who has satisfactorily met course and clinical requirements and has demonstrated appropriate professional behavior. The student has a minimum semester and cumulative program GPA of ≥3.0.
An action whereby a student is dismissed from the GWU Department of PA Studies due to failure to adhere to program standards, including but not limited to academic, clinical, and/or professional standards. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:
ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.14h
Should an academic grievance or egregious professionalism violation (see Part II, section 14) result in a PA student’s dismissal, 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.
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, a refund of tuition and fees, if any, will be per university policy.
Because the department curriculum is built in a lock-step progression, 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/or deceleration should apply based on the student’s specific circumstances. Students must adhere to all University withdrawal policies and procedures (Part II, Sections 16-17) and be aware that significant tuition and/or loan implications may be associated with their actions.
All students are expected to complete the program within seven (7) consecutive semesters; however, students will have a maximum of seven (7) academic years, including any leave(s)-of-absence (deceleration or parental leave), from the time of matriculation to complete the program. Any student unable to complete the program within the seven-year limit will not be retained in the program.
ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.14b
To graduate from the GWU Department of PA Studies and be awarded the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree, students must:
More information regarding graduation, including the application deadline, fees, and participation policy, is found in the Graduate Studies Academic Catalog.
ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A2.05f, A3.14c, A3.16
Student progress is monitored and documented in a manner that promptly identifies deficiencies in knowledge or skills and establishes a means for remediation, as described herein. This policy aims to help the student master the material, not to improve the numerical grade.
For any student earning a grade in any didactic or SCPE course of 70% to <80% (grade of “C”), course-level remediation will be conducted. The student will be provided keyword feedback of course deficiencies to re-learn, and a remediation re-assessment will be conducted covering these key course topics. Students must earn >80% cumulative score across remediation assessment(s) in order to successfully pass remediation. Students will be given one (1) remediation attempt. If the student is unsuccessful in a remediation attempt, it will be documented and the remediation study plan will be made available for the student for future self-assessment.
The following assessments will be used to determine deficient course topics and keyword feedback for the individual student requiring remediation:
For each of the above assessments, all students will be given keyword or rubric-guided feedback to use for self-assessment.
Course-level remediation must occur within 30 days of the time of notification to the student by the course director (or designee). Course directors will make every effort to notify students in a timely manner upon conclusion of a course.
Professionalism is a core tenet of the Standards of Conduct. The Department of PA Studies has zero tolerance for violations of professionalism. Failure to adhere to the professionalism policy will result in a professionalism violation. Should the student be placed on Good Academic Standing with Warning or Probation due to professionalism violation(s), remediation of professionalism is mandatory and will be based on the egregious nature of the violation.
ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.14d
A student who requires a leave of absence may proactively request deceleration when personal (non-academic) circumstances arise, jeopardizing their chances of completing their studies. All requests are considered by the Academic Progression Committee (APC) and the Department Director.
When granted, deceleration is extended for up to one (1) year. Beyond the one-year deadline, the student will be required to reapply to be considered for re-matriculation.
ARC-PA 6th ed Standards A3.14d
The GWU Department of PA Studies recognizes that all aspects of pregnancy and parental planning are unique, even more so for the PA student. Therefore, the program is committed to supporting students during all aspects of their education. The department will support and accommodate the birth or adoption of a child while providing realistic options for the student to complete the program.
A student who is due to deliver or expecting a child during the didactic phase may discuss a parental leave of absence with the Director of Didactic Education and Department Director, who will work to negotiate a detailed plan of return.
A student who is due to deliver or expecting a child during the clinical phase is encouraged to notify the student’s academic advisor, the clinical team, and the Department Director or Associate Director to optimize the time available for planning an altered clinical phase. Additionally, it is strongly recommended that the student consult with an obstetrician to prevent potentially harmful exposures in clinical training environments.
Considering the complex decision-making surrounding having a baby while completing graduate medical education, no written policy can cover all contingencies and unique circumstances. Therefore, the student must maintain open communication with the program to advocate and plan for the best outcomes for the student and the student’s baby.
All parties should complete and approve this plan at least three (3) months before the due date.
ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.14e
Students are permitted to withdraw from the program at their discretion, following the University defined procedure found in the Graduate Studies Academic Catalog.
NOTE: Unless deceleration is offered, withdrawal from any individual course will not allow a student to progress and will result in dismissal from the program. Withdrawal is not the same as requesting a leave of absence or deceleration.
ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.14g,h
The GWU Department of PA Studies adheres to the Academic Grievance & Appeals Process outlined by the Gayle Bolt Price School of Graduate Studies. Further information can also be found in the Graduate Student Handbook.
A student who believes they have been discriminated against by a faculty member, an employee of the University, or a fellow student is encouraged to file a complaint. More information, including the types of grievances and steps a student should take to report grievances, can be found in the Gardner-Webb University Student Grievance Policy.
ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.14j
Students are responsible for arranging their SCPE accommodations during the clinical year. Some SCPE sites may provide student housing for a fee, and some NC AHEC regions make housing options available at the student’s own expense.
We partner with state AHEC organizations and other resources to offer students multiple housing options during their rotations. GWU does not evaluate, endorse, or benefit from any housing resources shared with students; this information is provided strictly as a courtesy.
Students are strongly discouraged from staying with preceptors as a housing option.
Students are encouraged to review the “Housing” section in the online SCPE course for more information on potential housing. However, there is no guarantee that housing information will be provided.
Our primary goal in assigning clinical rotations is to ensure that every student meets all clinical-year educational objectives without delaying program completion. Clinical rotations are scheduled randomly and are based solely on required learning objectives.
The GWU PA Program partners with high-quality health systems, practices, and preceptors to provide students with exceptional, clinically robust learning experiences—this remains our top priority. Distances to clinical sites are measured from the campus building. Many of our established clinical sites are located within a 50-mile radius, with additional sites ranging from 50 to 200 miles away. Other high-quality sites are located beyond 200 miles, including locations in states such as South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, New York, Ohio, Utah, Texas, and others.
Students should anticipate traveling away from campus for multiple clinical rotations during the clinical phase of the program. To assist with this, the program provides information on various travel and housing options for both local and distant rotation sites.
We recognize that travel and relocation may create additional financial and personal stress. However, students are responsible for being emotionally, physically, and financially prepared for relocation to different geographic areas for each clinical experience. Students are also responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical sites, as well as housing and all related living expenses during the nine supervised clinical practice experiences.
While attending SCPEs as assigned, the student must have reliable transportation. Failure to attend a SCPE due to lack of transport is not an excused absence and will require the student to make up the missed time and may contribute to significant delays in completing the program.
The student is responsible for all housing and transportation expenses related to the SCPE location and mandatory callback day on-campus activities.
ARC-PA 6th ed Standards A3.02, A3.03, A3.14i
The Gardner-Webb University Department of PA Studies policy on employment is listed below:
ARC-PA 6th ed Standards A3.02, A3.03, A3.04, A3.14i
ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.04
Students must ALWAYS introduce themselves to patients and their family members and clinical site staff by stating their full name and title of “PA student.”
Students will wear the Gardner-Webb University Department of PA Studies student identification badge (proper photo identification issued by the university) whenever they are in their official capacity in a healthcare facility as a student of the Department of PA Studies. The identification name badge must be affixed to attire on the upper chest and not below the chest area (e.g., not on the belt, pants, or skirt).
Student ID badges must always be available while in the classroom.
ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.05 Enrollment in a medical education program often yields unintentional exposure to unavoidable diseases such as viruses. Should the need arise, the student’s responsibility is to pursue healthcare and treatment advice, including a timeframe for safe return to class or SCPE site from their medical provider.
It is the policy of the GWU Department of PA Studies to follow the guidelines made by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding the use of Standard/Universal Precautions to prevent the spread of infection and reduce occupational exposure to blood and body fluid pathogens.
Students MUST undergo training on potential hazards, standard precautions, and safety procedures related to exposure to chemical and bloodborne pathogens before or at enrollment. NOTE: As part of the supervised clinical practice experience, students may be required to complete additional site-specific safety or security training.
In all exposure instances, medical evaluation, treatment of injuries, and evaluation focused on risk limits should be conducted immediately by:
Accidental Exposure to Infectious Diseases Incident Reporting The procedures for care and treatment after exposure to infectious or potentially infectious blood and/or body fluid remain the student’s financial responsibility.
GWU PA students exposed to blood or body fluids (e.g., from a needle stick or scalpel injury or splashing of body fluids in the eye, the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, or on non-intact skin) must adhere to the following exposure protocol for proper workup, counseling, and follow-up. In the event of accidental exposure (needle stick, splash, TB exposure, etc.), students should follow these basic principles:
Note: neither the clinical agency nor GWU is responsible for the cost of the care involved in the treatment, maintenance, or surveillance of exposure to blood or body fluids. Per the Health Insurance Policy: Students are responsible for all individual healthcare costs incurred while enrolled in the PA Studies program. These costs may include but are not limited to immunizations, illness, PPD testing, health evaluation post-exposure to an infectious disease, or other accidental injuries sustained during program-mandated training activities.
Students should follow the guidance of their evaluating clinician based on established guidelines and have appropriate interval follow-ups.
OSHA standards 1910-1030 require the record of the exposed student to be kept for the duration of the status as a student plus 30 years. These copies reside with the student and the healthcare provider.
Effects of Infectious/Environmental Disease or Disability: Students who contract infectious/environmental diseases or disabilities will be reviewed individually based on the status of their individual cases. Students whose disease/disability necessitates an extended leave will require a medical deceleration granted by the APC and Executive Committees.
The CDC provides a wealth of guidelines embraced by the Department of PA Studies. Please review each below: Standard Precautions Hand Hygiene Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safe Injection Practices Reduce Risk from Surfaces/Equipment Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
Compliance with all safety practices is not just proper procedure but is also a mark of professionalism. Failure to observe and practice Standard/Universal Precautions will result in adverse/disciplinary action for unprofessional behavior.
ARC-PA 6th ed Standards A1.10, A2.15, A2.16, A2.17, B3.01
In compliance with the ARC-PA Standards, the department:
GWU PA students are not permitted to recruit preceptors or SCPE sites through direct communication. Students may suggest potential SCPE preceptors or sites be used by the program by electronically submitting the internal Potential Preceptor/Site Development form (link in Blackboard). This form should never be sent directly to a preceptor or site. Submission of the Potential SCPE Preceptor/Site Affiliation Development form does not guarantee placement at the requested site.
To provide PA students with excellent learning experiences, the program considers the student and the clinical site preceptor(s) when planning and scheduling SCPEs. Additionally, SCPE assignments are based on preceptor and clinical site availability
Once SCPE sites and preceptor(s) are confirmed, the online scheduling system will be updated, and no further changes will be made without significant extenuating circumstances. However, if circumstances arise with the site or preceptor necessitating a change to an assignment, the clinical team will notify the student as soon as possible to allow sufficient time to make any necessary living/transportation arrangements.
Release of Schedule
The SCPE schedule is released to students in blocks as the assignments are finalized with external partners. The SCPE site assignment is confirmed when it appears in the student Typhon schedule online. There are no auto-generated reminders or notifications. It is the responsibility of the student to check the schedule weekly for any changes or updates! The clinical team will communicate schedule releases to students well in advance via email or Blackboard announcement.
Students are assigned a PA faculty advisor for their time at Gardner-Webb. Advisors serve as mentors and advocates who follow their advisees’ academic progress and serve as a resource for students throughout their educational journey.
The academic advising policy mandates that each student meets with their faculty advisor at least once each semester. The purpose of the meeting is to review the student’s progress and discuss any concerns the student may be experiencing. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisors more frequently should they experience issues that impact their ability to meet the program’s academic or professional standards.
The advisor is a critical support and primary contact during academic training. The faculty advisor will:
POLICY: All faculty members, the program director, and the medical director are prohibited from acting as medical providers or professional counselors for the Department of PA Studies students.
ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.06
Office Hours: The Department of Gardner-Webb University PA Studies faculty has an open-door policy but is also available by appointment. Students are urged to provide the faculty member with the purpose of the meeting when making an appointment. While it is the intention of the PA program to be available to the students, it is professional for students to respect the workload demand of the PA faculty.
NOTE: The department director will not be assigned advisees except under special circumstances.
Mental Health & Counseling Services
ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.07
Any student experiencing symptoms related to stress, anxiety, or other mental health issues after matriculation in the Department of PA Studies is strongly encouraged to contact the University’s Counseling Services at (704) 406-4563. Additional information can be found under Counseling Services on the Gardner-Webb University webpage.
