Deceleration Policy

Physician Assistant Studies

Deceleration Policy

(ARC-PA 5th Edition Standards A3.15c)

Effective: 5/16/2023

Physician Assistant Studies Deceleration Policy

To Whom This Policy Applies

Physician Assistant (PA) students

Who Needs to Know This Policy

PA students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

Purpose/background

The UNR Med PA Studies curriculum is designed to be delivered and completed on a full-time basis over 25 months. Deceleration is a mechanism for allowing students in the PA Program an opportunity to complete the 25-month curriculum through required repetition of either the didactic or clinical phase of the curriculum. The maximum time to complete the UNR Med PA Studies Program is four (4) years from initial matriculation. Deceleration may be considered when a student submits a request to decelerate, or a recommendation is made by the Student Progress Committee (SPC) to decelerate. This policy applies to either type of deceleration request.

Policy

Deceleration is defined by the ARC-PA as "the loss of a student from the cohort, who remains matriculated in the physician assistant program.

Deceleration may occur either through a student request or SPC recommendation.

Student Request

• • Students must submit a written request to the PA Program Director to decelerate voluntarily. Reasons for deceleration may include but are not limited to personal, family, health, or academic concerns that will impact successful progress through the curriculum. Voluntary deceleration is considered a proactive decision on the part of the student before experiencing academic difficulty.
  • The program director determines the final decision for deceleration, which may be contingent upon ARC-PA approval of a class size increase.

SPC Recommendation

• • The SPC may recommend deceleration to the PA Program Director when a student fails to progress as required in the Program Progression section of the Academic Progress Policy. The program director determines the final decision for deceleration, which may be contingent upon ARC-PA approval of a class size increase.

The maximum entering class size is approved by the ARC-PA. Any increase above the ARC-PA approved maximum entering class size for any reason (including a decelerated student) requires program notification to the ARC-PA and may also require approval by the ARC-PA using the Exceeding Approved Class Size required report. Approval of deceleration may be subject to approval from ARC-PA for a class size increase.

Deceleration is permitted only once during the program.

If the student decelerates at any point in the didactic phase, they will reenter with the next incoming cohort of program students at the beginning of the next didactic phase and will be required to successfully repeat all of the didactic curriculum and program requirements before progressing to the clinical phase. If the student decelerates at any point in the clinical phase, they will reenter at the beginning of the next clinical phase and must successfully repeat all of the clinical curriculum and program requirements before completing the program.

Upon deceleration, students must comply with any revisions in curriculum requirements and policies of their new graduating class.

Upon deceleration, the student will be placed on Academic Monitoring Status permanently, without the opportunity to be removed from this status, for the program's remainder.

Any potential refund is subject to the Tuition and Fees Refund Policy.

Deceleration automatically results in delayed graduation and additional financial burdens to the student and will affect financial aid processes. Students are fully responsible for any additional tuition and fees, including changes in tuition and fees resulting from deceleration. Students are advised to discuss these issues with the university financial aid office prior to making any decisions regarding requesting deceleration and/or returning to the program if granted the option of deceleration.

Students must advise the program director in writing within seven (7) calendar days of the offer of deceleration whether they accept the terms of deceleration. If the student does not accept the option of deceleration, procedures for dismissal pursuant to the Academic Progression Policy, with accompanying appeal rights, may begin. The student will also have the option to withdraw from the program.

The option for deceleration will include a reentry plan determined by the SPC. Reentry plans are determined on a case-by-case basis and will define the student's responsibilities while decelerated and may include, but not be limited to, a written comprehensive examination, a practical examination, and/or completing a learning contract while on leave. Additionally, the student must meet with the SPC monthly to check-in and for the SPC to monitor the progress of the plan.

Failure to meet the terms of the reentry plan or to maintain the standards outlined in the reentry plan while decelerated may result in withdrawal of deceleration and notification of immediate dismissal from the program. Dismissal under these circumstances is not subject to appeal.

If the student has yet to reenter the PA Program at the time specified by the SPC, their opportunity to return from the deceleration will be withdrawn, resulting in dismissal from the PA Program. Dismissal under these circumstances is not subject to appeal.

Decelerated students who return to the program and subsequently fail a course, fail to maintain academic progression, and/or fail to meet all technical standards will be notified of dismissal from the program. Decelerated students who fail a course will not be offered course remediation. Dismissal under these circumstances is not subject to appeal.

Reviewed. 5/23/23