Policies & Procedures

The following policies and procedures apply to student's enrolled in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program:

Program Policies (A3.01)

Current Program policies are published each year and can be found in the Student Handbook and TUN University Catalog.

Estimates of the Total Cost and Refunds (A3.11f)

For a detailed breakdown of costs associated with the Program and procedures for refunds, please see the Tuition and Aid page. Additionally, students are responsible for all financial costs associated with travel and/or relocation, including accommodations associated with clinical rotation site placement.

Student Employment (A3.14i)

The program strongly discourages outside employment while enrolled in the program, as outside employment may interfere with the quality of a student’s academic performance. Students may work within the institution through participation in the Federal Work Study Program as long as such work will not interfere with their academic pursuits. PA students with specific prior knowledge, experiences, and skills may volunteer to assist faculty in didactic and laboratory terms to share their knowledge and skills but must not substitute for or function as: a) instructional faculty and b) clinical or administrative staff.

Student Identification (A3.04)

Students should wear their TUN- issued nametag/badge at all times in the classroom and clinical environment. Additionally, the institution requires that all students wear their TUN name tag readily visible while in any institutional facility (see the TUN University Catalog, section titled ‘Name Tags”).

Infectious and Environmental Hazards (A3.05a-c)

In an effort to prevent infectious or environmental exposure, students will receive an orientation regarding infectious control and universal precautions. Additionally, students are obligated to adhere to the “Occupational Exposure Policy” as written in the TUN University Catalog which includes accidental needle sticks. Students will be financially responsible (i.e., student health insurance) for emergency treatment, prophylaxis and all follow-up care resulting from the incident. Do not claim workers’ compensation as this is not a workers compensation matter.

Student Health Care (A3.06)

The PA program principal faculty, program director, and medical director cannot participate in the health care of the students in the program, except in emergency situations.

Referral to Student Counseling Services (A3.07)

Each student is assigned a PA faculty advisor. Individual advisor meetings are scheduled at least once per term and on an as-needed basis thereafter. It is the expectation of the faculty advisor acquaints the student to available institutional resources and student services and, when appropriate, refer the student to specific services, to include student counseling. Students have access to counseling through the institution by licensed mental health professionals. Contact information for these services, and additional resources are available on the Student Counseling Services page.

Soliciting Clinical Sites (A3.08)

Students are not required to identify, arrange, assign, or solicit their own clinical sites or preceptors. This is the sole responsibility of the PA program. Students will, however, have the opportunity to suggest sites and/or preceptors to the program. It should be noted that such suggestion does not guarantee student placement in the requested site.

Health Screening and Immunization Requirements (A3.09a-b)

The TUN PA program requires students to provide proof of immunizations that align current Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for healthcare professionals CDC recommendations for health professionals and meet all applicable state requirements. 

Students who participate in an international clinical rotation elective will be required to follow CDC recommended guidelines for immunization. Students who travel for an international clinical rotation elective are required to sign an acknowledgement of understanding of CDC recommendations for travel to their selected country.

Academic Standards and Timeline of Completion (A3.14a-b)

The curriculum is lockstep. The student must pass all semester courses in order to progress from the first through the final semester. Any failure to progress professionally or academically may be cause for referral to the PA Progress and Advancement (P&A) Committee. The P&A Committee reserves the right to determine a student’s status in the program based on academics, attendance, and/or professional conduct.

A students academic standing is an indication of current progress toward completion of the program and is determined at the end of each term. Good Academic Standing is defined as a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better in term one (1) and a 3.00 or better in term two (2) thru seven ( 7), which must be maintained throughout the curriculum. 

A student must fulfill all academic and professionalism requirements to progress term per term through the program, which includes:

At the end of the didactic phase (term 4) If a student is not in good academic standing, they may not be able to progress to the clinical phase and will be referred to the P&A committee.

In accordance with ARC-PA standards, the summative evaluation and assessment of program-defined competencies must occur within four months of the student’s anticipated program completion date. Students who do not pass the summative evaluation will be referred to the P&A Committee and may be required to repeat the evaluation and/or be delayed in graduation from the program until further review by the P&A Committee.

All components of the Program must be completed within four years of the student’s original matriculation date.

Remediation (A3.14c)

Remediation is the opportunity to correct unsatisfactory performance, progress, and/or professional conduct. Decisions regarding remediation will be made on an individual case-by-case basis after considering all pertinent circumstances, review of the cumulative academic record, professionalism, and consultation with the student’s instructor and advisor. Remediation is a privilege, not automatic or guaranteed.

Only one (1) remediation attempt may be granted during the didactic phase. Failure of a didactic phase remediation will result in an automatic failure of the course and will be referred to by the P&A committee.

During the clinical phase, remediation of an End of Rotation (EOR) exam may be granted through completion of a 5-topic High Yield Outline based on the areas of poor performance or a retake of the exam. Failure of a clinical phase remediation will result in an automatic failure of the course and will be referred to by the P&A committee.

A Remediation Plan is designed to notify faculty and students of program expectations established to provide the greatest opportunity to achieve success in meeting a course's learning outcomes when an assessment attempt indicates the student has been unsuccessful. The Director of Academic Education (didactic phase) and/or Director of Clinical Education (clinical phase) will develop the remediation plan and the plan will be presented to and reviewed by the P&A committee. 

Deceleration (A3.14d)

A matriculated student who chooses to interrupt their attendance due to exceptional life events but intends to return and continue their study may request a Deceleration/Leave of Absence (LOA). The amount of leave time granted depends on the personal needs of the student and the timing of the leave within the academic program. The restart date for that student will be determined by the Program and may require the student to repeat prior courses to ensure proficiency and readiness to join the cohort.

The program may also recommend a student Deceleration/LOA based on academic and/or professional performance. Deceleration, defined by the ARC-PA, is the loss of a student from the entering cohort, who remains matriculated in the PA program. The decision to grant deceleration is made on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director with the input of the P&A Committee.

Withdrawal (A3.14e)

Withdrawal from a course, the Program, and/or the University is addressed in the current TUN University Catalog within the section titled ‘Registration and Enrollment Policies.’  The need to withdraw should be discussed with the school director or college dean to determine the best option for the student. Before withdrawing, students must discuss the issue with their school Director, Office of the Registrar, Office of Financial Aid, Office of the Bursar, and the Dean of Students. In addition, the student must submit the Request for Withdrawal form with all required signatures to the Office of the Registrar. Additionally, the program may also recommend a student withdraw from the program based on academic and/or professional performance.  

Dismissal (A3.14f)

Students who demonstrate a pattern of repeated failures, unprofessional behavior or other inappropriate conduct, will be subject to review by the P&A Committee and consequences may include dismissal from the program. 

A student is subject to dismissal if they have failed to meet the minimum standards of academic performance and satisfactory progress in professional development, behaviors and attitudes as defined by the program and as stipulated in the academic regulations of the School and University. The School and University may require dismissal at any time it deems necessary to safeguard its standards of scholarship, to conduct orderly operations, to ensure the safety of fellow students, and to ensure a foundation of medical knowledge necessary for safe and effective patient care.

Student Appeal (A3.14h)

The Program follows the procedures and protocols outlined in the Grade Appeal Policy and Academic Standards Policy section’s of the TUN University Catalog. Any student making an appeal during the didactic phase of their education must continue to meet all requirements of the program, including attending all classes/rotations, submitting all assignments, attending callback sessions, and taking all exams, until the appeal decision has been rendered. 

Harassment and Mistreatment (A1.02g, A3.14g) 

Harassment and mistreatment of any kind should be reported immediately. Violations of the Code of Responsibilities and Rights of the Students of Touro University Nevada should be addressed using the policies outlined in the current TUN University Catalog. Please refer to the following catalog appendices: 

Student Grievance (A3.14g)

There may be an occasion when a student has a grievance against a faculty member, the School of PA Studies, or the administration of TUN. These grievances must be addressed. 

Grievances against Faculty Member(s) 

When a student has a grievance against a faculty member, the student is encouraged to communicate directly with the specific faculty member. Should this prove to be unsuccessful, or the student does not feel comfortable in doing so, the student should present the grievance to their faculty advisor. The faculty advisor will then confer with the faculty member and Program Director. A final decision on the resolution of grievance will be made by the Program Director. Should the student not be satisfied with the decision the next level is an appeal to the Dean of the College of Health and Human Services. 

Grievance against the School of Physician Assistant Studies

 If a student has a grievance against the School of PA studies or the Program Director, the student is to confer directly with the Program Director. Should this prove to be unsuccessful, or the student does not feel comfortable in doing so, the student should present grievance to the Dean of the College of Health and Human Services.

Grievance against TUN Administration 

Should a student have a grievance against the administration (Bursar, Registrar, Financial Aid and Admissions), the student should discuss the problem with the individual administration member. The student should also notify the Program Director to help facilitate communication to the appropriate administrative level.