NLU PA Program — Didactic Year Handbook
Academic Policies
The policies below govern the didactic year and are drawn from and consistent with the applicable ARC- PA Standard A3 requirements. Full text of several policies referenced below is reproduced in the Appendices. New policies approved after publication of this handbook may add to or supersede those contained herein; students will be notified in writing of any such changes.
Attendance
Regular attendance is essential to successful completion of the didactic year given the pace and volume of material covered. Students are expected to attend all scheduled lectures, laboratories, small-group sessions, simulations, and examinations, whether delivered on campus or online synchronously. ● Attendance is taken at every session. Course-specific attendance requirements and consequences for non-attendance are detailed in each course syllabus. ● Attendance at all examinations (written, practical, and OSCE) is mandatory. Students arriving after an examination has begun may be refused admission; requests for any deviation from the regular examination schedule must be approved in advance by the Didactic Education Director. ● Students who anticipate an absence must notify the Didactic Education Director in advance, by email whenever possible. Absences of more than 48 hours due to illness require a signed provider’s note. ● Tardiness is treated as a professionalism issue in the didactic year and is addressed through the same escalation pathway as other professionalism concerns (see Standards of Professionalism, below). ● Students with anticipated conflicts due to religious observance should notify the Didactic Education Director as early as possible, and no later than 15 calendar days before the anticipated conflict, so that reasonable accommodation can be arranged.
Evaluation of Students / Grading Scale
Students are required to pass all didactic coursework with a minimum grade of C for courses using letter grading, or Pass for courses using Pass/Fail grading. No student may advance to the clinical phase of the program without satisfactorily completing all required didactic year courses.
Percentage
Letter Grade
100 – 90
A
89 – 80
B
< 80
C – Remediation Required
Pass/Fail courses require a numerical average of 80% or higher to receive a grade of Pass. Course-specific grading breakdowns (examinations, quizzes, laboratory practicals, OSCEs, participation, etc.) are provided in each course syllabus.
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