ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PROBATION

Probation is a designation that alerts the student that dismissal is possible should the conditions placing the student in this status not change. There are two types of probation: Academic Probation and Professional Probation. Academic Probation is often the result of a student not meeting the conditions of good academic standing, failure of more than one clinical year end of rotation examination, or if a student becomes eligible to take a comprehensive examination. Professional probation is a status designated by the ASC when a student violates one of the tenets of professional conduct or those set forth by Hofstra University. The student will remain on professional probation for the duration of the program curriculum. Any student placed on probation will be advised in writing by the chair and program director of the Academic Standing Committees decision. Deficiencies will be clearly outlined, and the student will be advised as to what course of action will be available to them to remedy the deficiency. Should a student not meet the conditions of probation, the student will be dismissed. Should a student qualify for a second academic probation at any time during the program, the student will be dismissed from the Program.

Progression From The Didactic To Clinical Year

Several conditions must be met in order to progress from the didactic to the clinical year:

1. Successful completion of all didactic year courses and summative and formative examinations

2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be earned

3. All incomplete grades, probationary issues or pending assignments must be resolved

4. A passing grade must be earned for the didactic year summative examinations

5. A faculty evaluation of professional behavior evaluation must be satisfactorily completed

Graduation Requirements

Graduation is dependent upon successful completion of the following:

1. All courses in the physician assistant curriculum including all clinical rotations

2. Completion of all research semester requirements

3. Completion of all formative examinations

4. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be earned

5. Successfully passing all summative examinations

6. Meeting all patient and procedural log requirements

7. Passing a faculty review of professional behavior throughout the entire program

8. Any student enrolled in the dual-degree Pre-PA program must also complete all Hofstra University requirements as published in the University Bulletin.

Eligibility to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination is contingent upon successful completion of all program requirements.

Course Failure

A final course grade below 70% will result in failure of that course. In addition, medicine courses have certain conditions that lead to course failure (see “Medicine Course Component Failure” below). Should a student receive a grade of less than 70% in any course, an Academic Standing Committee meeting will be scheduled. Students may be given the opportunity to make up a failing course grade by taking a comprehensive exam in that course. In all cases, students who achieve a passing grade on the comprehensive examination will receive a grade of “C” for the course. Students who receive a failing grade on the comprehensive examination will fail the course. Repeating a course is not possible, as the courses are offered only once a year, and are sequenced in such a fashion that basic material must be mastered before progressing to more advanced course work. Therefore, failure of a course in the didactic year will result in dismissal from the program.

A student can take only two (2) comprehensive exams during the entire didactic component. During the program, if a student qualifies to take a third comprehensive exam, the student will be dismissed from the program. Policies regarding clinical year course failure are outlined in the Clinical Handbook.

Medicine Course Unit Failure

Each of the medicine courses (PHA 224, 225, and 227) is comprised of multiple units representing various disciplines of medicine. A passing grade in each unit is required to pass the entire course. Unless students meet the conditions for dismissal as stated in handbook, students will have the opportunity to remediate a failed unit exam by taking a make-up examination covering material in the respective unit. Students who achieve a passing grade on the make-up examination will receive a 70% for that unit, which will is averaged with the remaining unit exams to calculate a new final course grade. Students who fail the make-up examination, will have the make-up grade placed in the gradebook, and will be offered a comprehensive examination for the entire course. The comprehensive exam will be inclusive of all medicine units covered through the end of that course. Students who achieve a passing grade on the comprehensive examination will receive a grade of “C” for the course. Students who receive a failing grade on the comprehensive examination will fail the course and be dismissed from the program.

Students who fail a medicine component may be required to take a comprehensive examination. Should a student be required to take a comprehensive exam during any of the 3 medicine courses, the highest grade they will receive for that course is a C. Eligibility for a comprehensive examination can occur in either of the following situations:

1) Failing 1 medicine unit exam AND Failing the corresponding make-up exam AND

No more than 1 other medicine unit exam failure (If student has only 1 other medicine exam unit failure, must have successfully passed make-up exam) in any single semester medicine course

2). Failed 2 medicine unit exams and successfully passed both make-up exams in any single semester medicine course

The following conditions will lead to ineligibility to take a comprehensive examination, course failure, and dismissal from the Program:

1) Failing 1 medicine unit exam, and the corresponding make-up exam, in conjunction with 1 other medicine unit exam failure in a single semester medicine course.

2) Failing 2 make-up exams at any point in a single semester medicine course or in the three-course sequence

3) Failing 3 medicine unit exams in any one single semester medicine course

4) Failing 4 medicine unit exams in the three-course medicine sequence

Grade Appeal

According to the University’s grade appeal policy (http://www.hofstra.edu/pdf/senate_fps_42.pdf ), it is the right and responsibility of the faculty to determine student grades at Hofstra University. An instructor’s right to determine the grades assigned in his or her classes shall be abrogated only if it is demonstrated (through the procedure below) that a course grade was based on factors other than the student’s academic performance in the course. To ensure a fair and expeditious processing of appeals, the following deadlines should guide the entire appeals process:

• Students must contact their instructor with a formal appeal in writing about their final grade no later than three (3) weeks into the subsequent semester following the issuance of the grade.

• The instructor must then reply in writing within two (2) weeks.

• If the student wishes to appeal to the Chair, he or she must submit a formal appeal within two (2) weeks of receiving the instructor’s reply. If the student does not get a response from the instructor within two (2) weeks, the student may proceed directly to the Chair, also within a two (2) week period.

• The Chair will have two (2) weeks to mediate a resolution.

• If the student wishes to appeal further, he or she must submit an appeal in writing to the Dean within two (2) weeks of hearing from the Chair.

• The Dean shall have three (3) weeks to dismiss, begin mediation or empanel an Ad Hoc Appeals Committee and investigate the appeal.

• By the end of the semester in which the appeal process began, the Ad Hoc Appeals Committee should notify the student, instructor, Chair, Dean, and Provost of its decision.

• The student and instructor then have two (2) weeks to ask for a review by the Provost.

If the appeal occurs during or upon completion of a semester, the student shall be permitted to continue coursework unless extenuating circumstances have been determined. Grades shall be withheld until the appeal process has been completed.

However, if a student is registered for a course that involves an outside internship (including but not limited to field experience, practicum, and student teaching), the student may not continue the course during the appeal process unless extenuating circumstances have been determined. In most cases, in the PA Program, the grade appeal process will delay the completion of clinical clerkships. Delaying clinical clerkships will likely affect a student’s full-time status and financial aid package. It is strongly suggested that a student consult a financial aid advisor. Schedules of tuition reimbursement are published in the Hofstra University Bulletin each year. It is the student’s responsibility should additional costs incur secondary to the grade appeal process. Delaying a clinical clerkship will likely affect the student’s University graduation date, and therefore their ability to begin working. Although the NCCPA allows students to take the PANCE examination once program requirements are complete, the University does not issue a diploma until after the specified University graduation date for that year.

POLICY FOR DISMISSAL Dismissal

After meeting with a student, the ASC may determine that academic or professional deficiencies are substantial enough to warrant dismissal. This decision will be forwarded to the director of the graduate program. The director of a graduate program shall notify a student of his/her dismissal from that program in writing (certified return receipt requested) within 7 days following the ASC meeting. The notification shall state the reasons for the dismissal and shall be as explicit as possible. The letter shall indicate the appeal procedures specified below. A copy of the letter shall be sent to the appropriate dean, the provost and the Office of Academic Records. If the student is an international student, a copy of the letter shall be sent to the director of the Multicultural & International Student Programs Office.

The student is given 7 days after receiving notification of dismissal to decide to appeal the dismissal. During that time, the student is permitted to continue course work in progress. If a student chooses not to appeal, 7 days after receiving notification of dismissal the student will no longer be permitted to continue course work in progress, to sit in on classes, or to register for additional classes.

Appeals

If dismissal occurs during the semester and the student appeals the decision, the student shall be permitted to continue coursework already in progress unless extenuating circumstances have been determined. Grades shall be withheld until the appeal process has been completed. Unless the appeal is successful, no grade or credit will be awarded.

However, if a student is registered for a course that involves an outside internship (including but not limited to field experience, practicum, and student teaching), the student may not continue the course during the appeal process unless extenuating circumstances have been determined.

If dismissal occurs at the completion of a semester and the student appeals the decision, the student may not register for or sit in on any courses unless extenuating circumstances have been determined.

Step 1:

The first appeal is at the program level. The student may appeal this decision in writing to the graduate program director within 7 days from the date of receipt of the letter of dismissal. The letter of appeal shall include the grounds for appealing the dismissal. If no letter is forthcoming, the right of the student to further appeal is waived. The graduate program director shall conduct a full review of the appeal and will inform the student in writing of the decision within 7 days from the date of the receipt of the appeal letter. (A copy of the letter shall be sent to the appropriate Dean, the Provost and the Office of Academic Records.) The student may appeal this decision in writing.

Step 2:

The second appeal is at the dean’s level. The student may appeal in writing to the dean within 7 days of the receipt of the graduate program director’s decision. If no letter is forthcoming, the right of the student to further appeal is waived.

The dean shall conduct a full review of the appeal, which may include independent research and/or discussion with the program’s Academic Standing Committee (ASC). The dean shall inform the student in writing (certified return receipt requested or confirmation of receipt via email) of his/her decision within 7 days from the date of receipt of the appeal letter. (A copy of the letter shall be sent to the graduate program director, the Provost and the Office of Academic Records.) The student may appeal this decision in writing.

Step 3:

The final appeal is at the provost’s level. The student may appeal in writing to the provost within 7 days of the receipt of the dean’s decision.

The provost shall inform the student in writing (certified return receipt requested or confirmation of receipt via email) of his/her decision within 14 days from the date of the receipt of the appeal letter. The provost’s decision is final. (A copy of the letter shall be sent to the graduate program director, the appropriate Dean and the Office of Academic Records. If the student is an international student, a copy of the letter shall be sent to the director of the Multicultural & International Student Programs Office.)

Leave Of Absence

A student may be granted a leave of absence only in the case of personal illness, family emergency or other circumstance beyond the student’s control. Students are not given the option to decelerate into the class behind them in the case of academic difficulty. Additionally, a student’s academic status will be reviewed and considered prior to granting a leave of absence. A request for leave must be made in writing to the program director. Once approved by the program director, all medical leaves will require a medical letter stating the student is under the care of a provider and must submit a new letter for return to the program. A leave taken without consent from the program director may result in dismissal from the program. Because the curriculum is “lock-step,” a leave of absence is strongly discouraged in the didactic phase of the program. A student will be forced to wait until the following academic year to resume study. A leave of absence is only granted until the following academic year. A student must complete the professional phase of the Physician Assistant Studies Program in 40 months including any leave of absence.

If the student takes a leave of absence in the didactic year and has already successfully completed one or more semesters of study, prior to returning to the program, student must pass a comprehensive examination covering all material up to and including the point at which the student left the program. In the clinical year, a comprehensive examination must be passed if a leave extends for more than two clerkships.

A leave of absence will affect a student’s full-time status and financial aid package. It is strongly suggested that a student consult a financial aid advisor when considering a leave of absence. Schedules of tuition reimbursement are published in the Hofstra University Bulletin each year. It is the student’s responsibility should additional costs incur secondary to a leave of absence.

A leave of absence, or if for any reason your graduation is delayed, will likely affect the student’s University graduation date, and therefore their ability to begin working. Although the NCCPA allows students to take the PANCE examination once program requirements are complete, the University does not issue a diploma until after the specified University graduation date for that year.

All students are required to remain in the cohort with whom they were admitted. Students are not given the option to decelerate into the class behind them in the case of academic difficulty. The only exception to this policy is if a student should be required to take a leave of absence.

Withdrawal From The Program

The program director must be notified in writing should a student decide to withdraw from the program. It is imperative that students follow Hofstra University Policy and Procedures for withdrawal from courses and/or the University. Please refer to the Hofstra University Bulletin and the Hofstra University Class Schedule for the most recent policies and procedures.

Physician Assistant Organizations

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and the New York State Society of Physician Assistants (NYSSPA) are instrumental in Physician Assistant Advocacy and are primary resources for information regarding the profession.

American Academy of Physician Assistants

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) is the national organization representing physician assistants. The AAPA provides leadership opportunities, works toward improving legislation on a national level, provides continuing medical education (CME) opportunities and has an abundance of additional resources. Students who join the AAPA are represented in the Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (SAAAPA), assuming that they establish a student society within their PA program. Charter societies are represented in two ways: The first is through their regional chairs serving the northeast, southeast, north central, south central and western regions of the country. The second way is through the Student Academy’s Assembly of Representatives (AOR) which is a two-day session held during AAPA’s annual conference. The AOR establishes Student Academy policy for the coming year by voting on resolutions submitted to the AOR. AOR representatives are responsible for discussing the resolutions with students from their program prior to the conference, debating and voicing the concerns of their fellow students during the conference, and voting on each resolution as the representatives from their PA Program.

In addition to discussing resolutions, the AOR representatives are also responsible for electing the Student Board of Directors (SBOD) for the following year. These student officers will direct the Student Academy activities for the year, based on the guidelines that have been provided to them by the resolutions.

American Academy of Physician Assistants

950 N. Washington St.

Alexandria, VA 22314-1552

(703) 836-2272 ext 3303. Fax: (703) 684-1924 www.aapa.org

New York State Society of Physician Assistants (NYSSPA)

The New York State Society of Physician Assistants (NYSSPA) is the state organization representing physician assistants. NYSSPA provides access to valuable resources, provides scholarship opportunities, sponsors continuing medical education (CME), lobbies to improve state law and regulation for PAs and much more. Students who join NYSSPA are full members and can vote for the student director at large.

New York State Society of Physician Assistants

100 North 20th Street, Suite 400

Philadelphia, PA 19103

(877) 769-7722. Fax: (212) 564-2175 www.nysspa.org

University Facilities And Support

Student Clubs

Hofstra University Chapter of the Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants

The Hofstra University Chapter of SAAAPA serves as the official organization for the students of the Hofstra University Physician Assistant Studies Program.

The mission of the organization is to encourage academic achievement and clinical excellence, to educate the public and promote the Physician Assistant (PA) as a member of the health care delivery team, and to demonstrate Hofstra University’s commitment to training future PA Providers.

The Hofstra University Chapter of SAAAPA operates in conjunction with the New York State Society of Physician Assistants (NYSSPA) and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). The organization values community involvement and participates in campus blood drives and hosts multiple fundraisers and food drives each year.

Global Medical Brigades

Global Medical Brigades, GMB, is a secular, non-profit, student run volunteer organization that aims to provide sustained health care to underserved communities all over the world. The GMB team recruit’s student volunteers and a variety of medical professionals, gathers medications, and travels to an underserved area in other countries to provide medical and dental care.

Library Resources

The Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library contains approximately one million print volumes and approximately 10,000 VHS and DVDs, and provides 24/7 online access from campus or home to 150 databases, more than 100,000 full-text electronic journals, approximately 15,000 streaming videos, and 115,000 electronic books via the Internet.

Newly renovated facilities provide modern spaces for group and individual study, along with a coffee bar and space for meeting friends.

Contact: Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, South Campus

Reference: (516) 463-5962

Many required textbooks students are provided to students via electronic resources (Access Medicine, Up to Date, NEJM and LLW resources). Other required texts will be housed in the main PA Program office. Students may have access to these texts during normal office hours. Other supplemental texts will also be available in the main PA Program office. The main office staff can assist with utilizing program textbooks as well as borrowing rules.

The program has a number of models, A/V aids, and computer programs available to students. Holdings include breast models, prostate exam models, foley catheter male and female models, IV and suture arms, and anatomy models. The main office staff can direct students to the location of an instructional aid as well as borrowing rules.

STUDENT HANDBOOK and GUIDE TO PRIDE AGREEMENT FORM

September 2022 Edition

The Physician Assistant Studies Program Student Handbook in conjunction with the University Handbook, Guide to Pride, outlines school-wide and program-specific policies and regulations for students enrolled in the physician assistant program. If the student is in doubt about the intent or content of any of the material in this handbook, it is their responsibility to initiate a discussion with their faculty advisor or the program director

I have read and understand the policies, rules and regulations as outlined within the Hofstra University Physician Assistant Studies Program Student Handbook and the Hofstra University Guide to Pride and agree, without reluctance, to abide by them.

In addition to reviewing the student handbook, I acknowledge that the Hofstra University Physician Assistant Studies Program has a remediation program for students who are struggling academically. This is a mandatory activity to further expand my fund of knowledge. The program DOES NOT offer a deceleration program.

NAME (Signature): ____________________________________________________________

NAME (Print): ____________________________________________________________

DATE: ____________________________________________________________

Hofstra University Physician Assistant Program Exposure Incident Investigation Form

Date of Report: __________________________ Time of Report: _____________

Date of Incident _________________________ Time of Incident ____________

Name and Hofstra ID# of Student(s) involved in incident:

Name of Preceptor/Instructor at time of incident:

Location of potential exposure (classroom, bioskills, or clinical clerkship):

If clinical clerkship, include specific site, discipline, and rotation number (ex: Woodhull, IM, rotation #4)

Exposure occurred as part of (check all that apply):

Supervised laboratory assignment

Patient care provided during clinical experience hours

Northwell Bioskills Lab

Other

Potentially Infectious Materials Involved: Type of body fluids, route, and source of exposure (ie. Needle stick, contact with open wound, etc)

Circumstance (Task being performed, where, how, and severity of the exposure):

How incident was caused? (Accident, equipment malfunction. if a device was being used include type and brand of device, whether or not it was a safety device, and when in the course of handling the device the incident occurred):

Personal protective equipment being used: (gloves, gown, etc.):

Actions taken (decontamination, clean-up, immediate referral, reporting, etc.):

Recommendations for avoiding repetition:

If at Northwell Bioskills Lab, a copy of the Anatomy Gifts Registry specimen data sheet is attached? YES NO

Student has the Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-Up Checklist? circle one: YES NO

Student Signature _____________________________________________________________________

Name and Title of Investigator (Academic Coordinator or Clinical Coordinator): Print and Sign _____________________________________________________________________

Hofstra University

Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-Up Checklist

Date of Report: __________________________

Name and Hofstra ID# of Student(s) involved in incident:____________________________

The following steps must be taken, and information transmitted, in the case of a student’s exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens: Activity Completion Date

The Exposure Incident Investigation Form was completed If applicable, source individual’s blood tested and result given to exposed student.

Consent was not obtained

Exposed Student’s Signature

If applicable, exposed student’s blood collected and tested. If refused, student must sign below.

Exposed Student’s Signature

If refused to see health care professional, then exposed student must sign below

Exposed Student’s Signature

Name of Hofstra Student Health Services Provider – Print and Signature: __________________________________________________________

Date:_____________