Academic and Professional Standards with Grading Requirements
Academic Standards
Students enrolled in the Master of Health Science Physician Assistant Studies Program at South College must successfully complete all didactic quarters with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and earn a minimum final grade of 79.5% in the Didactic Summative Evaluation course to proceed to the clinical learning phase of the program. Students who qualify for remediation after failing two (2) final examinations in any didactic course may result in dismissal from the program.
In the clinical phase of the program, students must continue earning a minimum GPA of 3.0 and earn a minimum grade of 79.5% in Capstone and Clinical Summative Review courses. Students who do not initially pass and do not successfully remediate two (2) PAEA End of Rotation exams may result in dismissal from the program. Successful completion of the program is defined as achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, meeting benchmarks for all program competencies, and completing the community service requirement.
Students are also required to successfully meet objectives for clinical skill testing during the didactic and clinical learning phase of the program. OSLERs have the following criteria for passing:
- Grades needed to pass OSLER testing in:
- Quarters 1 – 4 = 75%
- Quarter 5 = 80%
- Clinical Year = 80%
- Failure of the first attempt at the OSLER- the original grade will be recorded/remain the same- and a remediation of OSLER is scheduled with a minimum of two (2) faculty members present.
- The remediation may or may not be video recorded, and a passing grade as listed above must be achieved.
Failure of OSLER remediation may result in dismissal from the program.
Academic Progression
Graduate on Time
A student who progresses through the PA Program with their original cohort, completes all didactic and clinical requirements on the standard program timeline, and meets all graduation requirements without interruption, delay, or modification to their academic progression.
| Other Status | Enrollment Status | Returns How |
| Withdrawal | No longer enrolled | Readmission/Reentry |
| Dismissal | Permanently separated | May or may not be eligible for readmission |
| Delayed Graduation | Remains enrolled clinically | Completes remaining rotations |
| Deceleration | Temporarily inactive but approved to restart the program | Automatic return if conditions met |
*For details relating to the Academic Progression Policies, see the campus-specific Policies webpage.
Grading
Course Directors (in concert with Didactic/Clinical Directors and Clinical Preceptors) will determine how the final grade will be computed, which may include exam scores, oral presentations, written assignments, laboratory exercises, practical examinations, clinical participation, clinical performance, homework, and other means of evaluation. Except in the case of an error on the part of faculty, preceptors, or administration, no grade changes will be honored after the end of the course. Most didactic courses and clinical rotations/courses will be graded on a letter grade scale of A, B, C, or F; exceptions are Didactic Summative Review, Capstone Research Project, and Clinical Summative Review courses, which are graded on a scale of A, B, or F.
Students are also required to successfully meet objectives for clinical skill testing during the didactic and clinical learning phase of the program. OSLERs have the following criteria for passing:
- Grades needed to pass OSLER testing in:
- Quarters 1 – 4 = 75%
- Quarter 5 = 80%
- Clinical Year = 80%
Course Grading Scales
A, B, C, F grading scale
| Letter Grade | Quality Points | Percentage Score Range |
| A | 4.00 | 89.50 – 100 % |
| B | 3.00 | 79.50 – 89.49 % |
| C | 2.00 | 69.50 – 79.49 % |
| F | 0.00 | 0 – 69.49 % |
A, B, F scale (Didactic Summative Evaluation, Capstone Research Project, and Clinical Summative Review):
| Letter Grade | Quality Points | Percentage Score Range |
| A | 4.00 | 89.50 – 100 % |
| B | 3.00 | 79.50 – 89.49 % |
| F | 0.00 | 0 – 79.49 % |
Final course grade determination: The final course grade is based on assignments and assessments completed during the quarter. Individual assessment grades in Canvas are carried to 2 decimal places (i.e. 89.12) and the final grade for the course is rounded to the whole number (i.e. 89). Final grade rounding is done to the nearest 10th. As an illustration, 0.00 – 0.49 rounds to the whole number (80.49 rounds to 80) and 0.50 to 0.99 rounds up to the next whole number (80.50 rounds to 81).
Professional Standards
In concert with the core competencies for the PA profession, the faculty of the Master of Health Science, Physician Assistant Studies Program at South College has established standards for evaluating the professional conduct of all students. This evaluation of professional conduct is in direct compliance with the core competency of professionalism required of practicing PAs in their daily clinical practice.
State licensing and employers will ask about professionalism while attending this program.
Professional conduct evaluations will include the components of the Physician Assistant Studies Program Honor Code, the South College Student Conduct Standards and Regulations, and the following considerations:
- Concern for the welfare of patients as evidenced by thoughtful and professional attitude in obtaining history and physical examinations; avoidance of privacy violations; avoidance of foul language, offensive gestures, inappropriate remarks, or remarks with sexual overtones; treatment of patients with respect and dignity both in their presence and in discussions with peers; and manifestation of concern for the total patient.
- Concern for the rights of others, shown by treating professional and staff personnel, peer members of the PA class, and members of the health care team in a considerate manner and with a spirit of cooperation; acting with an egalitarian spirit towards all persons encountered in a classroom setting or a professional capacity regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or disability; and assuming an appropriate and equitable concern of duties among peers.
- Responsibility to duty, which involves effectively undertaking duties with alacrity and persevering until complete or notifying responsible persons of problems; mandatory and punctual attendance of classes, rounds, conferences, and other clinical duties, or offering an appropriate explanation when unable to be present; notifying course directors and
- Regularly, assuming responsibility for their care with appropriate supervision; identifying emergencies and responding appropriately; and ensuring that he/she can be located when on duty by faculty or staff personnel.
- Trustworthiness, that is: being truthful and intellectually honest in communication with others; acceptance of responsibility for meeting multiple demands by establishing proper priorities and by completing work necessary for the optimal care of patients; discerning accurately when supervision or advice is needed before acting; and maintaining confidentiality of information concerning patients.
- Professional demeanor, which means: a neat and clean appearance in attire that is professional to the patient population; maintaining equilibrium under pressures of fatigue, professional stress, or personal problems; and refraining from the use of drugs or alcohol on campus, during clinical rotations, and during any South College meeting or activity. Professionalism includes respect for faculty, staff, institutional employees, and fellow students. Avoiding disruption during classes or assessment activities.
- Attendance includes arriving on time for class, testing, or clinical rotations and any program-related function as required.
Attendance
As a student entering the PA Profession, mastery of foundational education material is essential. Subsequently, attendance at all scheduled program classes, activities, laboratory sessions, and rotations is mandatory. The mark of a professional is being in the right place at the right time, prepared to participate. Therefore, it is also your responsibility to be not only present but also on time. To meet this obligation, time management and prioritization are essential qualities. It is incumbent that you, the student, accept this responsibility fully and serve as your most outstanding advocate. Your future success as a South College PA student and future practicing physician assistant is largely based on your commitment.
Testing
The format may include multiple-choice examinations, OSLERs, or image identification, as determined by the Course Director and Program. Test items will come from lectures, case studies, activities, learning objectives, handouts, required readings, and course textbooks.
Multiple-Choice Examination Protocol:
- An approved, secured lockdown browser MUST be downloaded on all students’ computers before students can take computerized exams.
- All students MUST have a well-fitting, working, undamaged privacy screen installed on their computer and MUST use the privacy screen for ALL computerized examinations.
- All software updates should be completed prior to examinations. Students should limit additional software, music, games, or other app downloads, as this may prevent the exam platform or lockdown browser from working properly.
- Students should be seated for each examination at least FIVE MINUTES before the designated test time.