Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS)  

​​Start Date: Cohorts begin each August
Program Length: 24 months
Class Size:  30-34 Students per Cohort

• Accreditation information 
• View Program in Catalog
• View Program Information eBook
• Apply Through CASPA

The U.S. Department of Labor projects demand for physician assistants will grow by 31%, much faster than average, by 2030. Physician assistants earn a median annual salary of $115,390 nationally and $113,240 in Nebraska.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration

A3.08

6.3 Clinical Year Schedule

All students must complete all assigned clinical rotations. Students may identify or suggest potential SCPE sites to the PA Program’s clinical team; however, current and prospective students, their families, and friends may not arrange student clinical experiences or solicit clinical sites or preceptors. Per ARC-PA, the program—not the student is responsible for securing clinical rotations. A reasonable effort will be made to accommodate student requests, but placements may be limited by site/preceptor availability. Each cohort will receive its rotation schedule as soon as it is confirmed by the PA clinical team.

A3.14a

5.3 Academic Progression  

Every student must meet all four of the following Standards of Academic Progress each semester and/or enrollment period to be designated as making satisfactory academic progress in the program and to be considered in good standing in the program. Failure to meet two or more of the following Standards in any semester will result in termination of enrollment.

A student will be allowed one academic probationary period in the didactic year or one academic probationary period in the clinical year. Once a student is placed on probation and successfully completes all the requirements for the probationary period, they are returned to “good standing” status in the program. Any occasion for a second probationary period (academic or professional) will result in dismissal from the PA program.

Standard I

Every student must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 or higher on a 4.00 scale throughout their entire enrollment in the program.

If a student achieves a GPA below 2.50 on a 4.00 scale, they will be placed on automatic academic probation for the following semester. If a student is unable to raise their GPA above 2.50, they will be dismissed from the program.

Standard II

Student performance in each didactic course is represented by a letter grade (A, B,

C, or F). Every student must attain a letter grade of “C” or higher in each didactic course to progress to the clinical year. Student performance in each clinical rotation course is represented by a rating of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory (U/S). Every student must attain a rating of “Satisfactory” in all clinical rotation courses to meet the clinical phase requirements for graduation.

If a student fails a course, her/his progression will be delayed until the course is offered again. Should the course failure occur during the didactic year, this will result in the student being decelerated to the next cohort.

If a student does not successfully complete a clinical course, her/his graduation will be delayed until all clinical phase requirements are met.

Standard III

Every student must maintain a “Satisfactory” rating in all categories of the Professional Evaluation Form on a continuing basis throughout the student’s enrollment in the program.

Standard IV

Every student must achieve a “Pass” or “Satisfactory” evaluation on all non-letter graded coursework. If a student does not complete all non-letter-graded coursework, they will not pass the course.

A3.14 b

4.6 Completion Timeline

All PA Program requirements must be completed within 5 years of the date of matriculation, not including any period of service in the Armed Forces

5.10 Academic Requirements for Graduation

It is the student’s responsibility to complete all the required coursework. “Satisfactory completion”

shall mean:

1. Completing all non-letter graded coursework with an instructor’s “pass” or “satisfactory.”

2. Completing each course with a minimum grade of “C” (in letter-graded courses) or “Satisfactory” (in clinical courses)

3. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 throughout the student’s entire enrollment in the program.

4. Achieve a “satisfactory” rating on all four components of their summative evaluation

 A3.14 c

5.4 Remediation Policy

Students with identified deficiencies are required to complete a remediation plan, developed in collaboration with the course instructor, DDE, DCE, and/or SSC. Students are responsible for actively engaging in the remediation process and seeking additional support if needed.

Remediation methods may include, but are not limited to:

• Focused reading or written topic reviews

• Exam or course material reviews

• Written self-evaluation

• Clinical skills practice

• Reassessment

Didactic Phase

• Students are limited to three remediations per course.

• Upon a third remediation, the student is referred to the Program Director for consideration of academic probation.

• If a course has fewer than three assessments, the course instructor determines when remediation should occur.

• Failure to successfully complete a remediation plan will result in course failure.

Clinical Phase

• Students must score ≥73% on End of Rotation Exams (EORs) to pass.

• Students who fail an EOR must meet with the DCE to develop a remediation plan and retake the exam within two weeks.

• Failure of the remediation exam results in clinical course failure, requiring the student to repeat the course and potentially delaying graduation at their expense.

• Students are limited to two clinical exam remediations during the clinical year. A third remediation results in a referral to the PD for discussion of academic probation.

A3.14 d

5.11 Deceleration

Deceleration is defined by the ARC-PA as “the loss of a student from the entering cohort, who remains matriculated in the physician assistant program.” Deceleration may occur when a student fails a course, necessitating an extension of the time required for the student’s program completion, which in turn affects the student’s cohort and graduation date. An approved leave of absence may also cause the student to become decelerated.

A student who has been decelerated is expected to participate in all program requirements along with their new cohort. Delayed graduation is when a student takes more than 24 months to complete the program but successfully completes the program before the next graduating class.

A3.14 e

5.6 Voluntary Withdrawal Process

1. Student to notify PA Program Director.

2. The student is required to schedule an appointment with the Express Center to discuss the impact on their financial record and financial aid.

A3.14 f

5.7 Academic Dismissal Process

1. Student meets with PA Program Director.

2. An official letter of Dismissal Was sent to the student via email.

3. Copy of Dismissal Letter sent to Assistant Dean of Graduate Health and Professional Studies, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the Registrar.

4. Student meets with the Financial Aid officer inside the Express Center to discuss the effects on the financial record and financial aid.

A3.14 g  Student Grievances

A3.14 h

5.8 Academic Appeal Policy

An academic appeal exists to provide students with a means to appeal a specific academic decision that they consider unwarranted, unjust, or capricious. If the matter is related to grades, only final course grades are subject to appeal.

The pre-appeal process for an Academic Appeal is as follows:

1. Discuss the appeal matter with the instructor.

2. Discuss the matter of the appeal with the appropriate Program Director.

3. Discuss the matter of appeal with the appropriate Assistant Dean.

If the matter of the appeal is not resolved to the student's satisfaction in the pre-appeal process, the student must submit an electronic appeal to the Office of Academic Affairs within seven (7) days of receiving the grade or rating. Submission forms are available on myCSM, Resources, the Division of Academic Affairs, and in the Academic Forms section.  It is the responsibility of the College of Saint Mary Appeals Committee to evaluate each case confidentially and fairly and to develop a course of action that will resolve the matter. The College of Saint Mary Appeals Committee will notify the party whose decision/action is being appealed and schedule a hearing in which both parties have an opportunity to state their side of the case. The committee may ask either or both parties to return for additional questions if necessary. The committee will decide within two weeks of the hearing date. The Appeals Committee will make a recommendation to the Dean of Students, who will implement the decision.

5.9 Academic Appeals for Dismissal

To contest a dismissal from a graduate program or College of Saint Mary, a student who has been dismissed from a graduate program and College of Saint Mary must file an appeal through the formal appeal process to request that the dismissal be overturned. An appeal for a dismissal must be filed within seven days (7) of the Dismissal. As part of the appeal process, students must submit a letter (electronic submissions are required) outlining the rationale for the appeal to the Office of Academic Affairs. The College of Saint Mary’s Appeals Committee will consider the appeal and make a recommendation to the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA). The VPAA will make the final decision and communicate with the student

A3.14i (A3.02-A3.03a-b))

8.3 Student Work and Participation Policy  -Put in the policy button and remove from admission requirements

The program strongly discourages any outside work during the first 12 months of study. Students are prohibited from working during clinical rotations. Program responsibilities are not negotiable and will not be altered due to student work obligations. The following apply to all students for the duration of the PA Program:

• Students may not be hired as employees for any private or public practice, clinic, or other institution to perform medical services during their participation in the Physician Assistant Program. College of Saint Mary holds no liability for services provided by the student in such capacity.
• Students may not be given any payments, stipends, or other remuneration for medical services performed as part of the physician assistant educational program.
• Students may not work or volunteer in any capacity that allows access to student files.
• Students may volunteer their medical services to charitable, humanitarian, or community service organizations only when such services are assigned or approved within the PA Program. All volunteer requests must be approved by the PA Program Director before the student can participate in the volunteer activity.
• Students may not substitute for regular clinical or administrative staff during the clinical phase. If you have concerns, contact the Clinical Coordinator immediately.
• Students may not act as instructional faculty for any component of the PA curriculum.
• Students should avoid any activity that might conflict with the professional and educational objectives of the College of Saint Mary Physician Assistant Program during their didactic and clinical phase of training. This policy protects students while they are learners.
• If the student chooses to continue to work during the didactic phase, there will be an academic requirement. • Students must maintain a minimum B average in all coursework throughout their PA school program.
• If a student's average falls below a B, they are required to discuss their academic progress with the PA Program Director.

A3.14 j

6.6 Transportation and Housing

All students will be expected to travel throughout their clinical year. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation and housing costs for clinical rotations. Students must also cover all costs incurred for returning to campus for exams, workshops, and graduation requirements.

Since CSM’s PA Program is in Nebraska, many of its clinical sites are also in Nebraska and the surrounding states. The clinical team will request information on where students will reside during the clinical year. Every effort will be made to secure placements in areas where students have housing. Local placements are considered anything within a 65-mile radius of an area where a student has designated housing availability