The appeal process is an avenue designed for students who wish to contest any adverse academic actions. Appeals must be submitted in writing. Reasons for an appeal include:
- The policies and procedures of the School of Physician Assistant Studies were not correctly applied
- Inaccurate data
- Provision of new relevant information that could be sufficient to alter the decision
Upon receiving notification of an adverse action, the student has 5 business days to appeal the decision to the School of PA Studies Program Director. Following review, the Program Director will issue a final determination. This decision is binding except in the case of a dismissal. In cases of dismissal, the student may further appeal the decision to the Senior Associate Dean for Educational Affairs; this appeal must occur within 5 business days of the Program Director’s decision. A committee consisting of the Senior Associate Dean for Educational Affairs (chair), the Associate Dean for Medical Education, and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs will consider the appeal. Reviewed appeals by this committee will be final and will constitute final agency action.
Probation for Students who Successfully Appeal Dismissal
Students whose dismissal is reversed by successful appeal and who are permitted to remediate deficiencies will be placed on probation. The Professional Standards and Promotions Committee (PSPC) will review the status of students on probation each semester and prior to graduation. The PSPC may remove students from probation upon successful remediation. Students will automatically be dismissed if they receive a grade of D, E, or unsatisfactory or an unsatisfactory competency evaluation in any course during the time on probation.