Deceleration Policy

The UT Tyler PA Studies Program maintains rigorous academic, behavioral, and professional standards. All students must comply with these standards to remain eligible for progression in the program. Failure to meet foundational academic, behavioral, and/or professional requirements may render a student ineligible for deceleration and may instead result in dismissal, in accordance with program policies.

Deceleration is not an entitlement and is not guaranteed upon request. Each request for deceleration is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by:

• Program Faculty
• Program Director
• Dean of the School of Medicine (or designee)

Leave of Absence

1. When a documented medical or personal circumstance requires extended absence and a reasonable recovery period is expected to support future success.
2. Students must remain in good academic and professional standing and complete all program requirements within a maximum of 39 months from the date of initial matriculation, including any approved leave of absence or deceleration. Students are permitted only one deceleration during the program.
3. Students are subject to meeting program technical standards and meeting reentry requirements based on the timing of the deceleration of the program.

Deceleration Request Process

1. A student seeking deceleration must submit a written request to their assigned Academic Advisor. The request must include the reason for the request and any relevant supporting documentation.
2. The Academic Advisor will review the request and present the request to the full faculty. Based on entire faculty consensus, final program-level decisions regarding deceleration are issued by the Program Director, with institutional approval by the Dean of the School of Medicine (or designee). The student will receive written notification of the final decision from the Office of the Program Director.

Institutional Appeal Rights

1. Students who are subject to a program-level decision regarding deceleration retain the right to appeal through the University of Texas at Tyler’s official academic appeals process, in accordance with University’s policy and timelines.
2. The PA Program does not conduct separate appeal procedures outside of institutional processes. Program-level decisions remain in effect during the pendency of any institutional appeal unless otherwise directed by the University.
3. All deceleration requests and outcomes will be documented in the student’s academic file.

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