The purpose of probation is to formally notify a student that they may not be making satisfactory progress. The conditions of probation aim to specify the achievement standards required to progress, facilitate early identification of unsatisfactory academic or professional performance, provide opportunities for counseling and support, and give students whose ultimate success is in question further opportunity to demonstrate their ability to meet program expectations.
Probation may occur for the following reasons:
Didactic Year
- Trajectory for unsatisfactory (failing) performance at midpoint in a course
- Failure of 2 “must pass” exams within one half year (see Exam Failure Policy- Didactic Year)
Clinical Year
- Failure of End of Rotation (EOR) Exams (inclusive of EOR retakes)
- Demonstration of unsatisfactory performance in 2 or more competency areas on a preceptor evaluation or unsatisfactory performance on 2 or more preceptor evaluations in the same competency area
Unprofessional Behavior
- Documentation of an egregious or second unprofessional behavior concern
A student may be placed on probation at any point if the Professional Standards and Promotion Committee (PSPC) determines it is necessary. A student may be placed on probation before final grades are assigned in any class. A student placed on probationary status is deemed to be not in good standing with the University of Florida School of PA Studies. Students will remain on probation until review by the PSPC determines probationary status is no longer needed based on adequate student performance.
Delay is defined as remediation coursework that necessitates a delayed graduation with the graduation date occurring with the student’s original cohort.
Delay in the didactic year for remediation efforts may be offered for a maximum of 2 months, to be added to the end of the didactic year. Remediation efforts requiring a period beyond 2 months will result in deceleration or dismissal.
Deceleration is defined as remediation requiring a student to join another cohort either at the beginning of a curricular year or a cohort in progress. Deceleration results in a student graduating with a cohort other than the student’s original cohort.
Dismissal is defined as removal from the program. Students who are dismissed will not be permitted to enroll again unless they complete an application for readmission by the application deadline and the School of Physician Assistant Studies approves readmission.
Decisions for adverse action are based on multiple factors and are specific to each student’s situation. Decisions regarding the type of adverse action (probation, delay, deceleration or dismissal) are based on a comprehensive review of factors including the number of course failures, professionalism concerns, and failure to meet technical standards.
Possible reasons for students to be delayed, decelerated, or dismissed in Didactic Year:
- Course grade of Unsatisfactory (<69.5) will result in an adverse action of deceleration or dismissal
- Failure of 3 “must pass” exams within one half year or 4 in one year (see Exam Failure Policy- Didactic Year)
- Documentation of an egregious or persisting unprofessional behavior concern
- Composite academic performance indicates that student is not prepared to assume patient care responsibilities in a clinical rotation setting
Possible reasons for students to be delayed, decelerated, or dismissed in Clinical Year:
- Failure of 2 End of Rotation (EOR) Exams (inclusive of EOR retakes)
- For students entering clinical year on probation, delay may be considered with an initial End of Rotation (EOR) Exam failure
- Documentation of an egregious or persisting unprofessional behavior concern
Students who have been delayed and have further instances of unsatisfactory performance may be subject to additional delay, deceleration or dismissal. Students may only be offered the option of remediating an entire year’s worth of courses one time.