NLU PA Program — Didactic Year Handbook
The NLU MSPAS Program operates within the policies and procedures of National Louis University. This policy does not replace University-wide policies. Where a matter falls within a University-wide policy or procedure, the University policy shall control. In addition to this policy, students are subject to: • NLU Academic Progress Policies and NLU Standards for Academic Review, as published in the NLU Academic Catalog; • The NLU Student Guidebook and Student Code of Conduct; • The NLU Policy on Academic Appeals; • The NLU Withdrawal from the University and Refund Policy and the NLU Policy on Appeals for Refund of Tuition Charges; • The NLU Anti-Discrimination Policy and related Student Rights and Information; and • The NLU FERPA Notification. Where a PA Program requirement is more specific than a general University policy, the Program will apply the program-specific requirement, provided that it is consistent with NLU policy and applicable law. A student who is academically dismissed by the University under NLU institutional academic progress standards is also dismissed from the PA Program. VI. RELATIONSHIP TO THE ACADEMIC PROGRESSION AND REMEDIATION POLICY The NLU MSPAS Academic Progression and Remediation Policy defines Satisfactory Academic Progression and the circumstances that activate remediation. This dismissal policy is read together with that policy and is incorporated into it by reference. Key provisions of the Academic Progression and Remediation Policy that bear on dismissal include: • Progression in the didactic terms depends on passing each required course in the term before advancing to the next term. • In the clinical terms, Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs) are not dependent on each other for progression; however, a failure of any component of a clinical rotation must be remediated. • A successful remediation results in a final course grade of B or Pass, as applicable. Failure to earn ≥80% on the remediation assessment results in a failing grade. • Failure to fulfill all the terms of a remediation plan will result in dismissal from the PA Program. • Students must complete all requirements for graduation within four (4) years of the original date of matriculation, including any leave of absence periods. No deceleration. The NLU MSPAS Program does not offer deceleration or a decelerated curriculum option in the didactic or clinical phases. A student who cannot progress with the cohort after unsuccessful remediation therefore cannot be placed into a later cohort as an alternative to dismissal. A student facing circumstances that prevent continued progression may request a Leave of Absence or may withdraw under applicable Program and University policy. The following table summarizes how the Program responds to common performance concerns.
When Dismissal Review Is Initiated
Performance Concern
Initial Program Response
Formative or summative grade (assignment, exam, etc.) < 80%
Remediation plan not fulfilled or remediation assessment < 80%
Remediation plan
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