Withdrawal & Dismissal Policy

The Physician Assistant Studies Program recognizes that students may voluntarily withdraw from the Program or may be dismissed when they fail to meet the academic, professional, or ethical standards required for progression and graduation. The following policies establish the procedures governing withdrawal and dismissal and are applied consistently to ensure fairness, due process, and protection of academic standards.

Voluntary Withdrawal

A student may voluntarily withdraw from the Physician Assistant Studies Program at any time by submitting a written request to the Program Director. Prior to withdrawal, the student will meet with the Program Director or designee to discuss the reason for withdrawal, available academic support resources, the potential impact on financial aid, tuition and fees, future readmission eligibility, and the student's academic record. The effective date of withdrawal will be determined in accordance with University policies and applicable academic deadlines.

Students who voluntarily withdraw are not guaranteed readmission to the Physician Assistant Studies Program. Individuals seeking to return after withdrawal must reapply through the Program's standard admissions process unless otherwise approved through an official Program deceleration or leave of absence process. Voluntary withdrawal does not negate any pending academic or professionalism actions that occurred prior to the date of withdrawal, and all withdrawals will be documented in the student's academic record.

A student may not voluntarily withdraw from the Physician Assistant Studies Program in lieu of, or after the initiation of, academic dismissal, professionalism dismissal, or other disciplinary proceedings. This also applies to any student withdrawing at any point in a semester who is not meeting performance thresholds. Once the Academic Student Progress Committee (ASPC) has initiated formal review for potential dismissal or the Program has notified the student of pending dismissal proceedings, the withdrawal process will be suspended until the matter is resolved. Any resulting dismissal action will become part of the student's official academic record in accordance with University policies. This provision preserves the integrity of the Program's academic standards, student record, and accreditation documentation by ensuring that students cannot avoid documented academic or professionalism actions through voluntary withdrawal.

Students requesting voluntary withdrawal are responsible for complying with all applicable University of Texas at Tyler withdrawal procedures and deadlines. The effective date of withdrawal is the date the withdrawal is officially processed by the University. Withdrawal may have significant academic, financial, and financial aid implications, including the possible return of Title IV federal financial aid funds. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with the One- Stop Service Center and the Office of Financial Aid prior to submitting a withdrawal request. Tuition and fee refunds, financial aid adjustments, and the return of unearned Title IV funds are governed by current University of Texas at Tyler policies and applicable federal and state regulations.

Dismissal Policy

Dismissal decisions are based on documented academic performance, professional conduct, and consistent application of program policies, and are not made solely on the basis of a single assessment unless otherwise stated in policy.

General Statement

Dismissal from the Physician Assistant Studies Program is an academic and professional action taken when a student is unable to meet the academic or professional standards required for progression and/or graduation. Dismissal decisions are based on documented performance, consistent application of program policies, and review by the Academic Student Progress Committee (ASPC).

Dismissal is considered a final action after appropriate academic advising and remediation. Unless immediate dismissal is warranted due to serious violations of professional or ethical standards such as:

• Serious breaches of professional ethics
• Academic dishonesty
• Threats to faculty, preceptors, students, patients or public safety

Dismissal decisions are based on a holistic review of the student’s academic and professional performance and are not solely dependent on a single data point unless explicitly stated in program policy.

A student may be recommended for dismissal from the program, including but not limited to the following circumstances:

1. Inability to raise the cumulative PA GPA to 3.0 or higher by the end of the probationary period.
2. A second failure of the same didactic course or clinical rotation.
3. Failure of a second didactic course or clinical rotation.
4. Failure of the fourth EOR exam after three prior retakes have been exhausted
5. Placement on academic or professionalism probation for a second time. Students are allowed one semester to remediate academic or professionalism issues.
6. Having a cumulative GPA less than 3.0 at the end of the Didactic phase. Students cannot enter the clinical phase with a GPA less than 3.0.
7. Failure to pass any component of the summative evaluation on the second attempt.

Recommendations for dismissal by the ASPC will be referred to the PA Program Director. Following review, the Program Director will make the final determination for program dismissal. If the decision for dismissal is made by the Program Director, the student will receive further communication from the Program Director within 72 hours.

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