Didactic Phase Attendance Policy

Effective Date: 7/1/2017

Statement of Expectations

Student are required to attend all scheduled classes. The Course Director may elect to reinforce the importance of class attendance through specific policies involving grade-related consequences for missed classes. These expectations will be outlined in the syllabus for every course. This information will be posted for every course in Canvas under Course Policies. An unexcused absence from class or repeated tardiness is considered unprofessional conduct. At the discretion of the Course Director, the student's professionalism assessment for that course may be affected and/or the student may be referred to the Student Progress Committee (SPC) for discussion and action. Consequences for unprofessional conduct may result in remediation, course failure, delay of program completion or other disciplinary action up to and including program dismissal. In all situations, students are responsible for the material presented during the time of absence. Approval for each leave request will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Types of Absence Requests

1. Emergency/Unexpected Absence

Absences or tardiness due to unexpected medical and/or personal issues are often unavoidable. Didactic phase students must notify the Academic Coordinator as soon as possible and no longer than 24 hours following an unexpected absence. Within 48 hours following a return from an unexpected absence, the student must complete the Excused Absence Request Form, which can be found on EXXAT. Absences greater than 3 days due to illness or injury will require a statement from the student's healthcare provider (not a family member or friend). This statement must be delivered to the Academic Coordinator within 48 hours of the student returning to class. Failure to notify the program in a timely manner may result in the absence being deemed "unexcused" and may result in disciplinary action.

2. Expected/Planned Absence

The program policy requires students to attend all scheduled classes, however the program understands that there may be exceptional circumstances for which class or scheduled activity may be excused. Requests for vacation trips, weddings of friends, and graduations of friends are generally not approved.

a. Less than or equal to 1-day Leave Request: Students must obtain written permission from the Course Director(s) and Academic Coordinator by completing the Excused Absence Request Form.

b. Greater than 1-day Leave Request: Students must complete a Leave Request Form. This form must be submitted to the Academic Coordinator 30 days in advance of the intended absence or as soon as the intended leave is known to the student. Notification of approval will be returned to the student within 3 working days.

c. Student absence greater than 7 days in one semester will require the student to meet with the SPC to address plans for success progression in the program. See Leave of Absence below.

3. Religious Observation and Practice

UNR Med PA Studies Program follows NSHE policy on religious observation and practice. This policy can be found here: https://www.unr.edu/administrative-manual/3000-3999-students/3020-class-absence-policy. Students must submit this request 30 days ahead of the requested time off.

4. Leave of Absence

The UNR Med PA Studies Program requires that students be enrolled in classes on a continuous basis for the entire duration of the program. Exceptions to this must be formally approved by the Program Director and the SPC. Students who request leave greater than 7 days must complete a Leave of Absence Request Form.  

Absence and Leave Approval Process

  1. The student will complete the appropriate form.
  2. The student will submit the form to the Course Director(s) and Academic Coordinator in the timeframe outlined under "Types of Absence Requests".
  3. The Academic Coordinator will notify the student as soon as possible (but within 3 working days) of the decision regarding the approval of the absence request and/or will provide the student with further information regarding next steps to discuss the request for absence.
  4. The absence form and the approval or denial decision will be placed in the student's file.
  5. Any denial of leave decisions may be submitted to the SPC for reconsideration.

Rev. 6/21/19