Acceptance
Acceptance:
Notification of acceptance into the Bethel University Physician Assistant Program will be provided within thirty days of the interview. Applicants offered a seat in the next matriculating class are expected to acknowledge acceptance within two weeks of notification and forward a signed acceptance letter and a non-refundable acceptance deposit of $500 (which will be applied toward tuition) to hold a seat in the class. Exceptions are considered on an individual basis. All others are placed on an alternate list unless interview deems them unqualified for potential placement in our program.
Acceptance is provisional pending the following:
Completion of all application requirements.
Completion of all outstanding prerequisite coursework with a grade of "B" or better.
Attended a personal interview. (By invitation only)
Receipt of acceptance letter and non-refundable acceptance deposit.
All students are required to maintain health insurance for the duration of the program. Proof of health insurance should be provided after acceptance into our program.
Receipt of negative drug screen and a background check indicating no prior convictions that would result in failure to obtain medical licensure.
Completion of physical examination (click to download form) and immunizations (click to download form) prior to matriculation.
No history of dismissal from another PA, medical, or nursing program for academic or disciplinary reasons.
Academic Standards:
Students in the BUPA graduate program must maintain at least a B average (80%) in each course during their didactic year in order to progress to their clinical year. Any clinical rotation with a final grade below 80% will result in the student being referred to the promotion/retention/disciplinary committee. Actions of the committee may result in deceleration or dismissal. A deceleration would include academic probation for the duration of the program and the rotation would need to be repeated at the conclusion of the clinical year resulting in a delayed graduation.
Students must act professionally at all times maintaining patient and practice confidentiality. Breeches of professional conduct may result in dismissal from the program. During clinical rotations, preceptors involved in the training are to be viewed as adjunct faculty and will therefore have a role in determining the professional behavior of the students.
Grading System:
4.0….. A- Excellent (90-100)
3.0….. B - Good (80-89)
Any grade below 80% (3.0) received by a student of the Bethel University PA Program is considered a failing grade.
Student Load:
Physician Assistant education is a full-time endeavor. Although the credit hours per semester vary, students enrolled in the PA Program are required to participate in all of the scheduled courses.
Work Policy:
Students enrolled in the MSPAS Program are not prohibited, but are strongly discouraged from working during the didactic year due to the intense and rigorous nature of the program. Students are not required to work for the program. If you choose to work and are unable to fulfill program requirements due to a work conflict you will be dismissed from the program.
Students enrolled in the BUPAP are prohibited from working during the clinical year due to the interse and vigorous nature of the program. Students are not required to work for the program. Students are not to receive or accept compensation for any work performed within the preceptor's clinical site or practice. Students may only render services as part of the clinical phase of their education. If you choose to disregard the work policy and are unable to attend scheduled clinical rotations due to a work conflict you will be dismissed from the program.
Attendance Policy:
Class and rotation attendance is required except for emergencies.
The final determination of true emergency will be at the discretion of the program director and/or the medical director.
The penalty for excessive absences will be determined by the program director and the promotion, retention, disciplinary committee.
The responsibility for notifying the program of anticipated absences, reasons for emergency absences, and fulfilling all assignments, rests entirely on the student.
PA Program faculty are not expected to give make-up exams for unauthorized absences.
The program director will report in writing to the Office of the Academic Dean all students having excessive absences.
Progression and Graduation Requirements:
To qualify for progression and graduation students must:
Follow the approved course of study, satisfactorily completing all courses
Complete all courses with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 with no course or rotation grade below 80%
Demonstrate adequate history taking, physical examination, and other various clinical skills (this pertains to first and second year students)
Settle all financial accounts with the university
Successfully complete the Senior Summative Evaluation upon completion of the clinical year
Physician Assistant education is more than the sum of the individual course grades. Faculty members are responsible for determining the readiness of students for graduation not only by measuring knowledge but by assessing clinical skills and determining the student’s ability to apply knowledge and skills in the workplace. This is determined by regular assessments of knowledge and clinical skills check-offs throughout and at anytime during training. Repeated failure to demonstrate competency on practical tests or check-offs is evidence of significant deficiencies in the student’s ability to function competently as a physician assistant. In addition, all components of the summative evaluation (PAS 815) must be passed. Any student failing any portion of the summative evaluation will be required to retake the summative evaluation. Upon successful completion of PAS 815, the student will then be approved to graduate