Probation, Deceleration and Dismissal

Deceleration and Dismissal

For the purposes of this handbook, deceleration is defined as halting progression in the program while awaiting the start of a future semester to retake coursework, and dismissal is defined as being dismissed from the program without opportunity to return or continue later. Specific to the clinical phase of the program, failing a supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) and repeating that course at the end of the clinical phase of the program, is considered ‘course remediation’ rather than deceleration. 

The following policies apply to deceleration and dismissal:

• Failure to receive a grade of ‘C’ (≥70%) in any course is considered course failure and, in the case of didactic phase coursework, will prevent the student from progressing to the next semester. Depending on the course, course exams may be able to be remediated for grade change, as noted in course syllabi. However, course grades cannot be remediated or changed once finalized by the course director.
  • In the case of a didactic phase course failure, a student will be eligible for dismissal. 
• Failure or remediation of more than two Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE) courses in the clinical phase of the program will make the student eligible for dismissal. 
• Deceleration in the clinical phase automatically results in delay of graduation and additional financial burdens to the student and may affect financial aid processes.
  • Students are fully responsible for any additional tuition and fees, including changes in tuition and fees resulting from deceleration. 
  • Students are advised to discuss these issues with the College’s financial aid personnel prior to making any decisions regarding returning to the program if granted the option of deceleration. 
• If decelerating, the student can miss no more than two consecutive semesters from continuing in the program (i.e., from the time of course failure to the time of reattempt of course). At the end of this time if the student has not re-entered the PA Program, their opportunity to return from the deceleration will be withdrawn resulting in permanent removal from the PA Program. 

Academic Probation/Academic Deceleration/Academic Dismissal

These policies apply to academic performance only, academic infractions (e.g., honor code violations etc.) are addressed under the Professional Policy section below.

• The following students are automatically placed on academic probation and may be subject to deceleration or dismissal:
  • Any student who fails to attain and/or maintain a 3.0000 cumulative semester GPA. 
• Students on probation or at risk for probation, may be required to meet with the following individuals/centers by the Course & Standing Committee:
  • Academic Advisor 
  • Course & Standing Committee
  • CUNY School of Medicine Learning Resource Center
  • Counseling and Wellness Office
• In the didactic phase of the program, a course failure will make a student eligible for dismissal from the program. 
• Students cannot be on academic probation for more than two consecutive semesters.
• Students placed on academic and/or professional probation may be removed from any program, school, and/or college student leadership roles and student committee participation as students must be in good academic standing to be in these roles.
• If a professionalism issue is involved along with academic, the policies governing professional probation and dismissal will be applied at the discretion of the Course & Standing Committee. 

Professional Probation/Professional Dismissal

A student, faculty member, administrative officer, or employee of the School may charge a student with a conduct violation. Further, complaints from SCPE sites or the community, at the discretion of the Program Director, will be investigated thoroughly by the Course & Standing Committee as the program expects student professionalism to be maintained at all times.

Students found to be in violation of the student conduct policies/standards and/or unable to meet the Program defined technical standards are subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the program. Students placed on professional probation are immediately removed from any program, school, and/or college student leadership roles and student committee participation and are not able to serve as mentors to other students. 

Depending on the violation, and at the discretion of the Associate Dean/Program Director, students may be referred to the Course & Standing Committee for determination of recommended disposition (i.e., probation vs. deceleration vs. dismissal). Egregious violations, including, but not limited to, issues of cheating and/or plagiarism (also termed an academic infraction), and issues adversely affecting the safety and welfare of others involved in the college and/or clinical sites (e.g., classmates, principal faculty, instructional faculty, staff, patients, campus/clinical site visitors) may result in consequences up to and including immediate dismissal at the discretion of the Course & Standing Committee.

Student rights regarding a required meeting with the Course and Standing Committee:

• Students will be notified by the Course & Standing Committee Chair in writing, of their required attendance at the committee meeting, no less than 24 hours in advance of the required meeting. 
• Students will be advised that the committee meeting is considered confidential and is not to be discussed with other students. 
• Students may request a CUNY School of Medicine advocate** to accompany them to the C&SC Committee meeting, but the advocate must be approved or confirmed by the Program Director and remain silent during the meeting. 
• Students are not allowed to bring any outside advocates to any program related meetings. 

• If students continue to exhibit professional issues while on professional probation, they will be automatically considered for a leave or dismissal by the Course & Standing Committee called at the discretion of the Program Director. 
• If students are placed on professional probation on more than one occasion, consecutive or nonconsecutive, they will automatically be considered for a leave or dismissal at the discretion of the Course & Standing Committee. 
• In addition to the above, a notation that the student had professionalism and/or conduct issues during their enrollment in the program, including but not limited to that the student was placed on Professional Probation, will be noted in any Program and/or faculty letters of reference/recommendation. 

**The CUNY School of Medicine PA Program has defined advocate as a member of the medical school faculty and/or Student Affairs Office, excluding the program director, who functions to ensure that the student understands the allegation and the policies to which the allegation pertains. The advocate role is to ensure the student receives due process. If a faculty member called to serve as a student advocate is recused from the decision-making process of the Course & Standing Committee. 

***Course & Standing Committee meetings are considered confidential and may not be discussed with other students