Grading System and Promotion Guidelines

The practice of medicine is a continual test of a person’s will and ability to perform at the highest level.  Students are expected to develop a habit of excellence and set personal standards of achievement that will bring credit to themselves, their alma mater, and their profession.

Students shall be evaluated by the faculty on a continuous basis for both cognitive and non-cognitive performance, and a grade will be assigned according to the principles of criterion-referenced grading.  The course director has ultimate decision making authority concerning course grades.

Grade Categories/Scale
     Honors (H) – awarded to students who distinguish themselves from their peers.  Mastery and professionalism is clearly outstanding, with students exhibiting nearly flawless performance on a consistent basis.  Extraordinary commitment to studies is exhibited.  Final course grade ranges between 95 -100%.

     Competent (CP) – received by students whose performance falls within the wide realm of solid, acceptable skills and attitudes that are expected for competent practice as a PA.  The student performs at a level consistent with the stage of training.  Final course grade ranges between 80-94%.

     Concern (CN) – assigned to students whose performance falls within the overall acceptable range, but exhibits deficits in certain areas within the execution and application of skills, and/or effective communication skills or professionalism for a second time.  Final course grade ranges between 71-79%.

     Failure (F) – assigned to students unable to master curriculum objectives.  Work habits, attitude, and/or professionalism are suspect for the level of training.  Final course grade falls at 70% or below.

     Incomplete (I) – failure to complete course requirements for assessment or participation.

     Complete (C) – applied to work that is not evaluated for quality, but for completion and/or participation.  It is frequently applied to completion of milestones or formative steps in progress.

Pre-Clinical Year
     Each component of the course is multiplied by the weight or percent of course grade.  Course components and their weights will be specified in the syllabus for each course.

Clinical Year
     Refer to the Grading Policies in the Clinical Year Online Manual located on the reference tab of the Ewake Clinical Year.

Mechanics of Handling Grades
     Final grades will be distributed to the student and recorded in the Office of the Registrar. 
Promotion Guidelines
Promotions are based on the overall conduct of the student and maintenance of acceptable academic and professional achievement determined by the overall performance.

Students will be notified in writing of performance deficiencies by the Registrar with notification to the Chair of the Department of PA Studies (Department Chair) and the Chair of the PA Academic Affairs Committee. 

The PA Academic Affairs Committee has access to all grades and meets as needed to review student progress which is below the acceptable level.  The PA Academic Affairs Committee makes recommendations for student promotion, probation, special requirements or dismissal.  Advice of the faculty is sought.  The recommendations of the PA Academic Affairs Committee will be forwarded to the Department Chair and the Registrar.  The Department Chair can accept the recommendations or adjust at his discretion.  The Department Chair will then convey the final decision to the student and Academic Affairs Committee in writing.

Please note:  Although periodic progress reports are built into the system so the students have a good idea of their individual strengths and weaknesses, it is strongly recommended that if students feel uncertain about their progress in a given area, they should contact the Course Director.  If satisfactory resolution is not reached, the student should contact either the Department Chair or PA Academic Affairs Committee Chair.

 Updated 5/08*