College of Nursing and Allied Health
Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Curriculum/Academic Standards


Dismissal Policy
Students may be dismissed for reasons other than academic deficiency. Causes for non-academic dismissal may include violation of University rules or state or federal law, moral turpitude, unprofessional behavior, criminal activity, or other reasons as defined by the University. Students will be liable for dismissal when:

  1. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is not earned by the end of the didactic phase or at the end of the clinical learning year.
  2. A grade lower than (70%) are earned in any two courses during the didactic and/or clinical learning year.
  3. A student fails to achieve the plans and outcomes listed in a remediation worksheet.
  4. A student’s professional conduct violates the performance standards set forth in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies “Codes and Standards of Professional Behavior”

Student Grievance Policy

Grievance Procedure/Appeals Process:

When a student has a complaint about a grade, remediation plan or other issues directly related to a Course, the following procedure will be followed when the problem cannot be resolved by the student and/or course instructor (this procedure can also be found in greater detail in the USF Graduate Academic Catalog):

Step I
Within two-weeks following the assignment of the grade or remediation plan, the student should request an appointment with the class instructor/course director responsible for the matter under appeal. This appointment will occur within that two-week period.  The results of the meeting will be indicated in a letter at the conclusion of the meeting (Step 1 Letter), signed by both parties, and forwarded to the program director and Dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health. If the meeting does not result in the resolution of the grievance or if the request for a meeting is not recognized within two week’s time, the student may initiate the next step.

Step II
If the complaint is not resolved in Step 1, the student may request that the program director review the grievance. The program director will request the student and faculty member to submit material within 14 calendar days after the Step 1 decision has been received. The Step II review may be conducted as a as a meeting of the Committee on Academic Standards and a representative selected by the student. Students can receive assistance or advice during these procedures from persons of their choosing. The committee decision will be provided in writing, to the student within 7 calendar days after the meeting. Results of the Step II meeting will be indicated on the Step II form and the entire package will be filed in the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Step III
If the grievance is not resolved in Step II, the student can request that the appropriate college dean review the grievance. The dean will request the student and the faculty member to submit material within 14 calendar days after the Step I decision has been received. The Step II review may be conducted as a meeting of members of the Committee on Academic Standards and will include the dean, members of the committee, the student and a representative selected by the student. The dean’s written decision will be provided to the student within 7 calendar days after the meeting. The decision of the dean is final. Results of the Step III meeting will be indicated on the Step III form and the entire packet will be filed in the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Forms are available in the Registrar’s Office.