Ashland University Physician Assistant Program Mission Statement:
Educate physician assistants based on a foundation of evidence-based medicine, to competently practice patient-centered care, exercise cultural humility and cultivate a team approach. Graduates will be prepared for the changing landscape of medicine to serve individuals locally, nationally and internationally. Physician assistants will be taught the Dwight Schar College Nursing and Health Science’s guiding values: integrity, caring, accountability, respect and excellence (ICARE), interprofessional collaboration and lifelong learning.
With a foundation of evidence-based medicine, the PA Studies program aims to:
Recruit and select diverse and highly qualified applicants for admission.
Provide a quality educational experience with an emphasis on patient-centered care, and produce practice-ready graduates.
Deliver a curriculum that integrates interprofessional teams, professionalism and self-assessment to prepare graduates for team integration and continued self-learning.
Graduate PA students who perform above the national average of first-time pass rates on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination.
Promote leadership and service of students and faculty.
Graduates will be prepared for the changing landscape of medicine and to serve individuals locally, nationally and globally. They will know how to:
Apply knowledge from basic, clinical and social sciences to the diagnosis and management of specific diagnoses across all ages and patient populations.
Use interpersonal skills to communicate clearly and effectively in verbal, nonverbal and written forms.
Elicit an accurate and pertinent medical history across the patient’s lifespan.
Perform a comprehensive and problem-focused physical exam.
Integrate age-related factors, growth and human development milestones into clinical reasoning and decision-making processes.
Order and interpret diagnostic studies to assist in the evaluation and treatment of the patient.
Formulate a differential diagnosis based upon historical information, physical exam, laboratory and diagnostic study findings.
Design personalized patient therapeutic management plans that consider cost, efficacy, possible adverse reactions and contraindications that include pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, monitoring and referrals.
Communicate the findings of a clinical encounter in written and verbal forms to all members of the healthcare team.
Deliver evidence-based education to patients and their families on the healthcare plan and clinical therapies and results, preventative health and public health.
Use clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to integrate up-to-date scientific evidence, patient preferences and clinical judgment to make informed decisions about the care of the patient.
Perform common medical and surgical procedures.
Demonstrate professionalism, including principles of integrity and ethical decision making, sensitivity and responsiveness in all interactions with patients, families and healthcare teams.
Admissions
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant studies at Ashland University is looking for students who demonstrate professionalism, dedication and commitment to patient care.
Apply early! Students will be accepted on a rolling admission cycle. Applications are processed and interviews are arranged* as applications are received, up to the application deadline of April 1. Students who meet the admission requirements but apply later in the process will be considered, but they may be placed on a waitlist.
*Applicants who have been selected for an interview will be notified via email with details for the interview day. Ashland University PA Program reserves the right to adjust the interview format based on local, regional, state and national restrictions.
Prerequisites must have been completed within the last 10 years from the date of matriculation (August 2026), from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants may apply with up to two “work in progress” prerequisites, provided they complete each with a “C” (2.0) or higher on a CASPA 4.0 GPA scale by June 1, 2026.
Prerequisite Course
Credit Hours
General Biology
4 credit hours
General Chemistry
4 credit hours
Upper Level Science of Applied Science
(Example: 300-400 level course taken in the Junior or Senior year of undergraduate program)
9 credit hours
Microbiology
(must have General Biology as a prerequisite)
4 credit hours
Human Anatomy & Physiology with lab
7 credit hours
Organic Chemistry
4 credit hours
Biochemistry
(must have General Chemistry as a prerequisite)
3 credit hours
Statistics
3 credit hours
Medical Terminology
1 credit hour
CASPA: Personal Statement
CASPA: Program Specific Essay
Three Letters of Reference: one must be from a Physician Assistant.
A CV/Resume uploaded into the Documents section of CASPA.
Applicants to the Ashland University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program who meet the minimum admission requirements are evaluated and scored based on selected minimum admission requirements and the interview process. The interview process includes individual interviews and a group activity that further evaluate the following attributes:
Reliability and dependability
Ethical responsibility to self and others
Resilience and adaptability
Cultural competence
Career development capacity for improvement
Service orientation
Fit with Ashland University’s PA program
Teamwork
Insight into the PA role
Social skills
Professionalism
Written communication
Scores are awarded on a graduated scale for the below items:
CASPA Calculated Cumulative undergraduate GPA
CASPA Calculated Science GPA
GRE verbal and quantitative score
Reference Letter Average Score
CASPer Overall Score
Written Samples: CASPA Personal Statement and program specific essay
Preference will be awarded to applicants based on the below categories:
Ashland University Alumni
Military Veteran, Active Duty or Reservist
First Generation College Student
Medical Training/Certification preferred and increasing levels of points are awarded for candidates with at least 1 certification or training.
PA Shadowing Hours preferred and increasing levels of points are awarded for candidates with at least 25 hours. Shadowing hours must be documented and submitted via CASPA on the Ashland University Shadowing Log Hours Form.
Direct Patient Care Hours preferred and increasing levels of points are awarded for candidates with at least 120 hours.
Service Experience preferred and increasing levels of points are awarded for candidates with at least 100 service hours.
Interviewees will be notified of admissions decisions within two weeks of their interview date. Applicants will be placed in one of three categories: Accepted, Waitlisted or Denied.
Students who are accepted into Ashland University’s Physician Assistant program will be notified of their acceptance and sent detailed instructions on next steps.
All candidates on the waitlist will be reviewed with each subsequent interview session and updated accordingly with admission status changes.
Cost & Financial Aid
Students who are accepted into Ashland University’s Physician Assistant program are responsible for a non-refundable deposit of $1000 to secure their seat. Based on rolling admission, $500 is required two weeks after an offer is extended and the remaining $500 is due June 1.
COSTS*
2025 Cohort
(Enrolls in August of 2025;
Graduation in August of 2027)
2026 Cohort
(Enrolls in August of 2026;
Graduation in August of 2028)
Total Program Tuition
$94,645
$97,220
Graduation Fee
$110
$115
Learning Technology Fee
$48/credit hour
$50/credit hour
Additional Costs
Health Insurance (Ashland University option)
$2,174/year
$2,200/year
Background Check & Drug Screen
$250
$250
Textbooks
$1,500
$1,500
Laptop (if purchased through Ashland University)
$1,500
$1,500
Professional Memberships
$125/2-year
$175/2-year
Personal Medical Equipment
$1,000
$1,000
Travel & Housing for Clinical Rotation(s) (estimated average)
$5,000
$5,000
Estimated Living & Transportation Expenses
University Housing (optional)
$8,320/year (CONHS 1081)
$10,800/year (CONHS 1071)
$8,530/year (CONHS 1081)
$11,100/year (CONHS 1071)
Personal Living Expenses
$3,020/semester
$3,110
Transportation (car insurance/car payment/gas)
$3,160/year
$3,250
Vehicle Permit
$105/year
$110/year
Eagle ID replacement card
$15
$20
*All costs are subject to annual adjustments.
Financial Aid
To learn more about AU’s policies governing Financial Aid, including the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, Refund Policy and Outside Scholarship Policy, visit Current Students Financial Aid.
The Financial Aid Office will begin packaging aid and generating offer letters in April each year for Physician Assistant students who submit a FAFSA and meet eligibility requirements. Students are encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before April 1. For more details, visit Graduate Student Financial Aid.
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Ashland University has been awarded a grant from the state of Ohio to provide Choose Ohio First Scholarships to outstanding students in a variety of majors. Our M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program is eligible for these scholarships which support academically strong students who plan to continue their education or seek employment in STEM industries after completing their degree. Students may receive Choose Ohio First scholarship funds for up to two (2) years while enrolled in the program.
In addition to providing the medical knowledge to graduate practice-ready physician assistants, the program is committed to providing training and certifications to enhance each student’s portfolio and prepare them for employment upon a successful first-time pass of their PANCE exam.
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies is a full-time, 24-month, year-round graduate program that consists of 103 semester credit hours completed over six consecutive semesters.
Curriculum Delivery Methods (A3.11d)
The curriculum is separated into didactic and clinical academic work. The didactic curriculum will be completed face-to-face with early integration of the state-of-the-art high-fidelity simulation lab. The clinical year curriculum is delivered primarily through Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (Clinical Rotations).
Clinical Rotation Disciplines (A3.11d)
Students will complete four-week rotations in the disciplines of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Women's Health, Pediatrics and Behavioral Health. Additionally, students have the opportunity to select two elective rotations.
Course #
Course Name
Credit Hours
Fall Semester
PAS 500
Anatomy
4
PAS 505
Basic Sciences I
3
PAS 520
Clinical Medicine I
6
PAS 535
Patient Assessment I
3
PAS 550
Clinical Skills I
2
PAS 565
Pharmacology and Therapeutics I
2
PAS 580
PA Practice and Professionalism I
1
Total Semester Credit Hours:
21
Spring Semester
PAS 510
Basic Sciences II
3
PAS 525
Clinical Medicine II
6
PAS 540
Patient Assessment II
3
PAS 555
Clinical Skills II
3
PAS 570
Pharmacology and Therapeutics II
3
PAS 581
PA Practice and Professionalism II
1
Total Semester Credit Hours
19
Summer Semester
PAS 515
Basic Sciences III
3
PAS 530
Clinical Medicine III
6
PAS 545
Patient Assessment III
3
PAS 560
Clinical Skills III
3
PAS 575
Pharmacology and Therapeutics III
3
PAS 582
PA Practice and Professionalism III
2
Total Semester Credit Hours
20
Total Didactic Year Credit Hours
60
Students complete Rotations 1 through 9 chronologically but are placed in different discipline-specific sections each rotation block:
Section A: Family Medicine
Section B: Internal Medicine
Section C: Surgery
Section D: Pediatrics
Section E: Women's Health
Section F: Behavioral Medicine
Section G: Emergency Medicine
Section H: Elective I
Section I: Elective II
The sequence of disciplines completed by individual students may vary. All students are required to complete rotations in the seven specified disciplines and two electives.
Course #
Course Name
Credit Hours
Fall Semester
PAS 601
Rotation I
4
PAS 602
Rotation II
4
PAS 603
Rotation III
4
PAS 583
PA Practice and Professionalism IV
1
PAS 680
Capstone Experience I
1
Total Semester Credit Hours
14
Spring Semester
PAS 604
Rotation IV
4
PAS 605
Rotation V
4
PAS 606
Rotation VI
4
PAS 584
PA Practice and Professionalism V
2
PAS 685
Capstone Experience II
1
Total Semester Credit Hours
15
Summer Semester
PAS 607
Rotation VII
4
PAS 608
Rotation VIII
4
PAS 609
Rotation IX
4
PAS 585
PA Practice and Professionalism VI
1
PAS 690
Capstone Experience III
1
Total Semester Credit Hours
14
Total Clinical Year Credit Hours
43
Total Program Credit Hours
103
Student Attrition
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) Student Attrition
Graduated Classes
Class of 2023
Class of 2024
Class of 2025
Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA)
24
30
36
Entering class size
24
30
30
Graduates
20
27
29
Attrition rate*
16%
10%
6.45%
Graduation rate**
84%
90%
93.55%
* Number of students who attritted from cohort (decelerated + withdrawals + dismissals) divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).
** Number of cohort graduates divided by the (entering class size + number joining class cohort).
Accreditation Statement
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Ashland University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program sponsored by Ashland University.
Accreditation-Provisional status is granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA standards. It may also be granted when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-ashland-university/.
PANCE Results
The first-time Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) pass rates for the five most recent graduating classes compared to the national average, as provided by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, are published once information becomes available for each class year.
Ashland University PA program does not allow students to work for the PA program in a paid or volunteer capacity under any circumstances. The PA Program does not allow students to substitute for clinical or administrative staff regardless of their prior knowledge, education or experiences. Students are not to be the primary instructor or instructor of record for any component of the curriculum under any circumstances. Students will not be permitted to serve as an instructor during courses, labs or Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences. Students cannot be used to substitute for regular or administrative staff under any circumstances during clinical rotations. If a student is asked to substitute for a staff person on a rotation, they must contact the Director of Clinical Education immediately.
Ashland University PA Program strongly discourages any form of employment during the duration of the program. The 24 months of the program are intensive and require full-time attendance in both didactic and clinical components. Outside work obligations will not be considered an acceptable excuse for poor performance or absence from any program-related activities and will follow the Excused Absence Policy.
Withdrawal Procedure (A3.14e)
Students who choose to withdraw from the University must go through the official withdrawal process which includes contacting their Professional Advisor and the Registrar's Office to complete the Ashland University Withdrawal Request and Information Form from Etrieve, “Withdrawal Request”. Failure to properly withdraw from the university may impact the student’s ability for re-enrollment.
Medical Withdrawal Procedure (A3.14e)
The PA program follows the university’s policy for medical withdrawal. All medical withdrawals need to be initiated by contacting the Office of Records and Registration within 60 days of the end of the grading period. Once the Office of Records and Registration has the documentation to support the withdrawal, a "W" will be assigned, and the faculty will be notified. Any refunds will be determined based on the effective date of withdrawal. Please refer to the refund policy in the Graduate Finance and Administration section of the Academic Catalog.
Readmittance After Medical Withdrawal Procedure (A3.14e)
A notice of "specific" diagnostic information, as stated above, including all recommendations as they apply to readmission must be sent to the Health Center Director or Director of Psychological Counseling Services, as warranted. This is to ensure confidentiality and to coordinate any recommended treatment or follow-up. A medical withdrawal may be no more than one year in length. In the event the medical withdrawal is greater than one year, the student must withdraw from the program and follow the standard admission process.
If the leave of absence is granted, a date will be established by the Program Director, which the student must notify the program in writing of their intent to resume the program. At the established date the student granted medical leave will be required to provide documentation from their medical provider documenting readiness to return to the program. Within six weeks of restarting the PA program the student will be required to complete a background check and drug screen as was required at the time of initial enrollment into the program. Students with medical withdrawal during the PA program will be reconsidered for the subsequent cohort. Following the program’s review the student must proceed with the University’s process for re-enrollment following a medical withdrawal.
Refund Policy (A1.02h)
Fees paid directly to the University are nonrefundable
100% of semester tuition and fees are due at the beginning of each semester
Students of the Ashland University Physician Assistant program must possess and demonstrate the capacity to complete the curriculum in its entirety to perform the essential functions required of practicing Physician Assistants upon graduation. Ashland University Physician Assistant program requires demonstration of the abilities in the categories of 1.) Observation, 2.) Communication, 3.) Motor, 4.) Intellectual, and 5.) Behavioral and Social Attributes. Students must be able to demonstrate competency in these categories with or without reasonable accommodation.
PA students must demonstrate the ability to acquire knowledge through a variety of observational methods, including classroom demonstrations, presentations in lectures, and laboratories.
PA students must demonstrate the ability to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand.
PA students are required to utilize their sense of sight, hearing, sensation, and smell as part of the observation process.
Communication
PA students must communicate sensitively and effectively with patients and families in a culturally competent manner.
PA students must communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written forms with all members of the healthcare team.
PA students must demonstrate the ability to elicit information from patients, perceive nonverbal communications, and describe changes in mood, activity, and posture.
PA students must demonstrate effective use of speech, reading, writing, and computers as part of the communication process.
PA students must demonstrate skills necessary to communicate effectively in small and large group discussions.
Motor
PA students must demonstrate the ability to execute the patient care necessary regarding diagnostic maneuvers including palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers.
PA students must demonstrate the ability to provide continuous general care and emergency treatment to patients.
PA students must demonstrate the ability to manipulate equipment and instruments without interruption necessary to perform basic laboratory tests and procedures required to attain curricular goals (needles, stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, tongue blades, intravenous equipment, gynecologic speculum, scalpel, etc.)
PA students must demonstrate the ability to transport instruments and equipment from one location to another in a timely fashion to facilitate patient care responsibilities and receive educational training.
Intellectual
PA students must demonstrate the ability to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and the spatial relationship of structures.
PA students must demonstrate the ability to collect, organize, prioritize, analyze, and assimilate large amounts of technically and complex information within a limited time frame and then present the information in a variety of educational settings, including lectures, small group discussions, and individual clinical settings.
PA students must demonstrate the ability to analyze, integrate, and apply information appropriately for problem-solving and decision making.
PA students must be alert and attentive at all times in clinical settings.
Behavioral and Social Attributes
PA students must demonstrate emotional health, maturity, sensitivity, intellectual ability, and good judgment needed to complete all responsibilities associated with the diagnosis and care of patients.
PA students must demonstrate tolerance towards physical, mental and emotional stress related to training and the profession.
PA students must demonstrate adaptability, flexibility and be able to function in the face of uncertainty.
PA students must demonstrate a high level of compassion for others, motivation to serve, integrity, and a consciousness of social values.
PA students must demonstrate sufficient interpersonal skills to interact positively and in a culturally competent manner with people from all levels of society, all ethnic backgrounds, and all belief systems.
PA students must demonstrate the ability to accept criticism and respond by appropriate modification of behavior.
The Ashland University PA Program believes that no person shall be denied admission to the program, or not be awarded the degree of Master of Science in Physician Assistant study on the basis of any disability, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, provided that the person demonstrates the ability to meet the minimum standards set forth herein. The Ashland University Physician Assistant program will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities, provided that the standards required by the program and the integrity of the curriculum are upheld. Mastery of essential skills is required of all students.
Advanced Placement (A3.12c)
Ashland University Physician Assistant program does not offer experiential credit towards the PA program curriculum. Students who may have been in a previous Health Science or Medical Science program are not eligible for credit transfer towards the PA program curriculum and are required to take all of the courses in the PA program curriculum in sequence.
Grading and Progression Policy (A3.14a, A3.14c)
Ashland University Physician Assistant students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale as documented on the official transcript from the Ashland University Registrar and must achieve a B- (80%) or higher in all courses per the PA program grade rounding policy. At the end of a didactic year semester, if the cumulative or semester GPA falls below 3.00 or a student earns a F (79.9%) or below in a course, the student will be placed on academic probation. Academic probation is recorded as a permanent entry on the student's official record. The student has one semester on academic probation to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.00 and obtain a semester GPA of 3.00 and achieve a B- (80%) or greater in coursework. If the student is on academic probation at the start of the semester, failure to meet the above criteria may result in academic dismissal based on the review and recommendation of the PA Program Academic and Professionalism Committee.
During the Clinical Year if a student earns a F (79.9%) or below in a course, or the cumulative GPA or semester GPA falls below a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale the student will be immediately placed on academic probation. Academic probation is recorded as a permanent entry on the student's official record. The student has one additional semester on academic probation to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.00 as well as obtain a semester GPA of 3.00 or greater and achieve a B- (80%) or greater in all remaining courses for the current semester and subsequent semester If the student is on academic probation at the start of a clinical rotation, failure to meet the above criteria may result in academic dismissal based on the review and recommendation of the PA Program Academic and Professionalism Committee.
For a PA student to progress from the didactic year to the clinical year, the individual must be recommended by the PA Program Academic & Professionalism Progress Committee upon review of their entire didactic year including cumulative GPA in the program, overall performance, professionalism, competencies, individual assessments, and assignments.
Completion Deadlines Requirement (A3.14b)
The individual course director(s) establish the due dates for all assignments in their course. In the case of an established due date change, the course director will communicate the change with students via BlackBoard. For all assignments submitted past the established deadline, a five percent penalty will be deducted from the total each day the assignment is late for up to three days, unless otherwise noted on the course syllabi. On the fourth day, the student will earn a zero on the assignment unless prior arrangements have been made with the course director and agreed upon in written communication. During Clinical Rotations late submissions past the established deadline will follow the penalty as outlined in the course syllabi.
PA students must maintain adherence to the program standards of academic performance. Due to the sequential nature of the curriculum, students must successfully complete all courses for a given semester with a B- or higher before becoming eligible to take courses in the subsequent semester. At the conclusion of each semester, the PA Program Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee reviews each student’s academic and professional performance. PA students must be recommended for progression by the PA Program Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee to be eligible to take courses in the subsequent semester and continue their progression through the program. In the event that a student is remediating a course or course component they may progress to the subsequent semester at the discretion of the PA Program Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee. The maximum time to complete the Ashland University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program is 48 months from the date of matriculation.
Graduation Requirements (A3.14b)
In order to graduate from Ashland University Physician Assistant Program and be awarded a Master of Science degree:
Students must successfully complete all coursework in sequence according to the program’s academic standards
Achieve a B- or higher in all courses and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0
Pass all components and items of the Summative Evaluation at the end of the clinical year with a B- or higher
Complete the AU graduation application and fees
It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that all degree requirements have been met to qualify for graduation. Graduating students must apply for their degree at the start of the Clinical year summer semester through the Registrar’s Office.
Ashland University Physician Assistant students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 as well as obtain a semester GPA of 3.00 or greater and achieve a B- or greater in all courses. If a cumulative GPA falls below 3.00 or the semester GPA falls below 3.00, or the student achieves a less than B- or below in any course, the student will immediately be placed on academic probation. Academic probation is recorded as a permanent entry on the student's official record. A didactic year student on academic probation has one semester to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.00, earn a semester GPA of 3.00 or greater, and earn a B- or above in all courses for the duration of that semester and subsequent semester. A clinical year student on academic probation must raise the cumulative GPA to 3.00, earn a semester GPA of 3.00 or greater and earn a B- or above in all remaining courses for the current and subsequent semester. Failure to meet this requirement may result in academic dismissal based on the review and recommendation of the PA Program Academic and Professionalism Committee.
While on Academic Probation, the student will meet with their PA Faculty Academic Advisor monthly, and documentation of these sessions will be shared with the PA Program Academic & Professionalism Progress Committee.
Remediation Policy (A3.14c)
Remediation refers to any additional training, supervision, or educative assistance beyond the required instruction and training provided to the cohort as a whole. The remediation process is designed to improve the individual PA student’s knowledge, skills, and professional attributes needed to successfully meet or exceed the graduation requirements. The goal of remediation is to promptly identify and address areas of academic, clinical, or professional deficiencies and collaborate with students for improved outcomes. Some assignments or formative assessments are for the purpose of student evaluation or for the program to gauge the student’s development and progression and therefore may not have the option for remediation, and will be denoted accordingly within the course syllabi.
The PA Program Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee will review students’ progress on an ongoing basis. The course directors will complete the Academic Progress Mid-Semester Evaluation to document student performance in each course, to identify student deficiencies early and report them to the PA Program Academic and Professionalism Committee. If there are deficiencies in any Mid-Semester Evaluations, supporting remediation documentation will be shared with the PA faculty academic advisor and the PA Program Academic and Professionalism Committee. A plan is created by the course director and is tailored to the individual needs of the student. This plan serves as a guide for improving the remainder of the semester. If a student earns a final course grade of less than 80% (B-) following course remediation, the student will be referred to the PA Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee for determination of required remediation and placed on academic probation.
Didactic Courses:
During the Didactic courses of the program, if a student earns a grade between 70-75% on an individual assessment (exam or practical) they are considered at academic risk and at risk for PANCE exam failure. The Course Director will initiate communication with the individual student. The student is not placed on Academic Probation, no assessment of at-risk support is required, and no grade adjustment is awarded. During the Didactic courses of the program, if a student earns less than 70% on an individual assessment (exam or practical), the student is required to participate in knowledge remediation plus reassessment. A student who earns a zero on any assessment due to an unexcused absence will be required to take the assessment at a later date following the absence policy in order to show knowledge attainment but will not be eligible for a grade adjustment on the missed assessment. If the student earns less than 70% on the assessment they will be required to participate in knowledge remediation and reassessment, to demonstrate mastery of content and will be awarded the original grade of “0”. During the duration of each semester, a student will be awarded one grade adjustment per course for the reassessment (exam or practical) for which they earned the largest overall assessment grade improvement. During knowledge remediation, a student must meet with the Course Director and may be required to meet with the Student Success Coordinator at the discretion of the Course Director, to identify the student’s individual needs and areas of deficiency. The mode and format of the reassessment will be determined by the Course Director and communicated directly to the student. The timing of the reassessment must take place within 10 business days from the date of the originally scheduled assessment. During reassessment, if a student fails to improve their grade a minimum of 70%, the student’s performance will be reviewed by the PA Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee for determination of the next steps regarding progression in the course, PA Program, or recommendation for Academic Probation or dismissal from the Ashland University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program. During the duration of the semester if a student’s Didactic Course grade is less than 80% the student must meet with the Course Director and PA Program Student Success Coordinator to identify the student’s individual needs and areas of deficiency. An individualized performance plan will be implemented by the Course Director in an effort for the student to improve their performance in the course. The mode, format, and timing of remediation will be determined by the Course Director and communicated directly to the student on the individualized performance plan. At the end of the semester if a final course grade is below an 80% the student will receive an incomplete for the course and the student must meet with the Course Director to implement an individualized performance plan for course grade improvement in which they will have six weeks to complete the plan and demonstrate improvement in deficits identified. The maximum course grade achievable during a course remediation is 80% (B-). At the conclusion of the five weeks, if the student’s individualized performance plan has not been successfully completed, the student’s will receive an F, and the student must repeat the course at the next course offering. The student will not be permitted to progress in the program and will follow the Ashland University PA Program Deceleration Policy.
Clinical Courses:
Clinical Rotation (SCPE):
At the end of a Discipline Specific Clinical Rotation (SCPE) if a final course grade is below an 80% (B-), the student will be required to repeat the course at a time determined by the program which may delay graduation, and/or add additional costs to the stated program tuition and expenses.
End of Rotation Exams: If a student earns less than 80% on the exam, knowledge remediation and reassessment as designed by the Course Director is required. The knowledge remediation and reassessment must be completed within 10 business days from the date of the originally scheduled exam. The maximum score possible on the reassessment is 80%. Failure to earn an 80% on the reassessment attempt will result in failure for the clinical rotation course. If a student receives a failing grade for a clinical rotation course, the PA Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee will review and recommend progression plans for the student related to this and other remaining clinical rotation courses.
A student may remediate a total of two End of Rotation exams but may only remediate a discipline specific End of Rotation Exam once. If a student fails a third End of Rotation Exam, the student will be reviewed by the PA Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee for determination of the next steps regarding progression in the course, PA Program, or recommendation for Academic Probation or dismissal from the Ashland University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program.
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS): This component cannot be remediated for a grade adjustment. If procedural skills are below the level of competency per the evaluation of the Preceptor or were not assessed during the clinical rotation the student must be reassessed. Reassessments will take place during the callback week following Rotation IV and rotation IX. Reassessments specific to Direct Observation of Procedural Skills in the Surgical Rotation will take place the subsequent callback week following their Surgical Rotation. During the assessment of the specific procedure, the student must demonstrate competency as determined by the Director of Clinical Education /Course Director. Failure to demonstrate competency in the skill will lead to remediation of knowledge and reassessment. If a student fails to improve the student’s performance will be reviewed by the PA Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee.
Preceptor Evaluation: This component cannot be remediated for a grade adjustment. A minimum average is required to pass. A score less than 3.00 on any single mark at the level of a “1” or “2” by the preceptor or a “no score” will be reviewed by the Director of Clinical Education/Course Director and may result in formal counseling or a personal improvement plan.
Patient Note Submissions: This component cannot be remediated for a grade adjustment. These submissions are for student self-assessment and for the Director of Clinical Education/Course Director to gauge student attainment of learning outcomes and program competencies. The student will receive individualized feedback and counseling if deficiencies are identified by the Director of Clinical Education/Course Director.
Patient Encounter Logs: This component cannot be remediated for a grade adjustment. These submissions are for student self-assessment and for the Director of Clinical Education/Course Director to gauge student attainment of learning outcomes and program competencies. The student will receive individualized feedback and counseling if deficiencies are identified by the Director of Clinical Education/Course Director.
Pharmacologic Application Assignments: This component cannot be remediated for a grade adjustment. These submissions are for student self-assessment and for the Director of Clinical Education/Course Director to gauge student attainment and application of learning outcomes and program competencies. The student will receive individualized feedback and counseling if deficiencies are identified by the Director of Clinical Education/Course Director.
Clinical Rotation Course remediation(s) may impact progress and the assignment of subsequent clinical rotations and may delay graduation, and/or add additional costs to the stated program tuition and expenses.
Summative Assessments:
During PAS 585 – PA Practice and Professionalism VI course, students will complete Summative OSCE, Final Clinical Skills Examinations, and Comprehensive Written Examinations. Students must pass each component of the summative assessments with a grade of 80% (B-) or greater. Students who earn a grade of less than 80% (B-) on the comprehensive written examination, Summative OSCE components or Final Clinical Skills components will be required to undergo an individualized improvement plan, designed by the Course Director. The student will be granted a maximum of two remediation attempts for each component of the summative assessments that they scored less than an 80% (B-). The maximum grade achievable during a remediation is 80% (B-). It is important to note that the timing of remediation for this process may delay graduation and may incur additional program costs (per Summative Evaluation Policy). Failure to demonstrate mastery of each component of the summative assessments with a grade of 80% or greater will lead to review by the PA Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee for determination of next steps regarding eligibility for graduation from the Ashland University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program.
Students may not appeal the decision by the Course Director for the student to complete remediation activities. Students who do not successfully complete remediation assessments and students with continued academic, clinical, or professional deficits who have exceeded the total number of remediation assessments allowed by the program are referred to the PA Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee for recommendations on progression which may include dismissal from the program, or may delay graduation, or add additional cost to stated program tuition and expenses, and/or repeat course work and/or clinical rotations.
Deceleration Policy (A3.14d)
The Ashland University Physician Assistant program is designed to be delivered in a lock step fashion over a continuous 24-month period. Physician Assistant Students may not elect to enter into a decelerated plan of study and are to complete the program with their entering cohort.
Under extenuating circumstances, deceleration may occur as a result of delayed academic or professionalism progression, following a voluntary leave of absence or readmittance after medical withdrawal (see each policy for details). Deceleration is a mechanism for allowing students in the Physician Assistant program an opportunity to complete the 24-month curriculum through required repetition of a portion of the curriculum as a result of failure to meet the program’s standards for progression. A student who is decelerated will be required to repeat all or part of the didactic and/or clinical portion of the curriculum and as a result may incur additional costs to the stated program tuition and expenses. The individualized student plan will be determined by the PA Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee and the recommendation will be communicated to the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences for a final decision.
Program Dismissal (A3.14f)
Grounds for dismissal from the Ashland University PA program include but are not limited to:
Failure to achieve and maintain academic progression
Violation of program policies (e.g. Attendance Policy)
Lapses in Professionalism
Academic Misconduct
A student who fails to meet the requirements of the program will be reviewed by the PA Program Academic and Professionalism Progress Committee. Based upon the review, if a student is deemed noncompliant, a recommendation will be shared with the Chair of
the Department of Medical Science/ Program Director for dismissal from the PA program. The Chair of the Department of Medical Science/ Program Director will review and make a recommendation to the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Science, who will notify the student of dismissal from the Ashland University PA program.
Academic Grievances (A3.14g, A3.14h)
In cases where a student believes his or her academic rights (non-grade appeal) have been infringed, the student should, if possible, discuss the matter with the course director involved. If the student wishes to appeal the case, the student must appeal in writing to the Department Chairperson and then to the Dean and the Provost, who may confer with the Student Senate President and the chairperson of the Judicial Board in order to assure that the problem is settled satisfactorily. The PA program follows the university’s policy found in the Ashland University Academic catalog.
Ashland University seeks in the student grade appeal process to foster amicable and equitable resolution of disputes after a fair and impartial exploration of the facts. The purpose of the student grade appeal process is to provide the framework and method to resolve student complaints concerning a final course grade. The PA program will follow Ashland University Grade Appeal policy and process in which the first level of appeal is reviewed by the Department Chair/Program Director, second level the Dean of CONHS and third level the Provost.
The Ashland University Student Complaint Policy is available to students who wish to have a concern resolved regarding a process or person of the university community not covered by existing policies (i.e., grade appeals and academic grievance procedure). The objective of the Ashland University Student Complaint Policy is to resolve concerns as quickly and efficiently as possible at the level closest to the student. This policy provides two avenues for pursuing a complaint: An Informal Resolution Procedure and a Formal Resolution Procedure. Students may utilize either or both procedures.
The Ashland University PA program follows the institutional academic student complaint policy that is posted on the student affairs site: Ashland University Student Complaint Policy.
Student Mistreatment (A1.02g)
Ashland University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program is committed to educating and mentoring students by providing a positive learning environment that exemplifies the ICARE values of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The PA program administration, principal faculty, instructional faculty, staff and students are expected to demonstrate respect and professionalism by holding each other to the highest standards in learning, without abuse, humiliation or harassment of any kind, by not exploiting a relationship for personal gain or advantage and by demonstrating the highest standards of ethical conduct in all learning environments. Mistreatment may be defined as “treatment of a person that is either emotionally or physically damaging; is from someone with power over the recipient; is not required or not desirable for proper training; could be reasonably expected to cause damage; and may be ongoing.” This includes offensive behaviors, overgeneralizations, personalization, frustrations, complaints, ignoring learners, or relying too heavily on humor.
Examples of conduct that is considered inappropriate includes, but is not limited to:
Offensive behaviors: Touching, vulgarity or personal errands
Overgeneralizations: Concluding that differences in perception mean someone will inevitably be offended, so why attend to words so closely
Personalization: Conveying the sentiment that mistreatment prepared you for life
Frustration: Sharing regrets that learners are simply oversensitive to any criticism
Complaints: Using generational differences or political correctness as a justification for mistreatment
Ignoring Learners: Sidestepping difficult feedback conversations, which is unhelpful and often viewed as dismissive
Relying too heavily on humor: Joking as a means to build camaraderie, but which may be misinterpreted, may be at another’s or a group’s expense, and may be offensive
If a student feels that they have been mistreated or experienced neglect during any point of the Physician Assistant program and is uncomfortable addressing the situation directly with their colleague involved, we urge the student to discuss their concerns as soon as possible through one of the options detailed below.
PA students during any phase of the PA program may address their concerns with:
PA Program Director
Didactic Coordinator or the Director of Clinical Education
PA Faculty Advisor or Professional Advisor
The Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Ashland University office of Student Conduct –online reporting form
Members of the Ashland University community, guests and visitors have the right to be free from harassment, sex-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. As a faith-based institution, Ashland University is committed to the respect and dignity of each individual. The PA program follows the university student conduct and Title IX policies and process related to harassment, sex-based discrimination and sexual misconduct.
Student Health and Immunization Records (A3.18, A3.09)
Each student is required to complete the following immunization requirements listed below prior to enrollment. A copy of immunizations must be supplied to the Hawkins Conard Student Center and uploaded into their student profile within the clinical management system, Exxat.. Clinical sites and preceptors may require additional vaccinations and documentation based on clinical placements.
Immunizations & Tests: Proof of each immunization must be dated and signed or stamped by a healthcare professional or office prior to submission.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): The student must provide documentation of two MMR vaccines given at least 28 days apart or a positive titer showing immunity. If the student has a negative titer, the student will need to repeat the two-shot series. Students with two documented doses of MMR are not recommended to be serologically tested for immunity.
Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis: The student must provide documentation of a single Tdap vaccination. If documentation of Tdap is not within the past 10 years; documentation of Tdap vaccine and current Td booster (within 10 years) is required.
Varicella (Chicken Pox): The student must provide evidence of varicella immunity in one of the following ways: 1) Documentation of two doses of varicella vaccine given at least 28 days apart; 2) Laboratory evidence of immunity through a qualitative titer; or 3) Verification of history of varicella or herpes zoster by a healthcare provider. If the student has a negative titer, the student will need to get two doses of varicella vaccine, four weeks apart.
Hepatitis B: The student must provide documentation of three doses of Hep B vaccine AND a quantitative antibody titer proving immunity. If the titer provided is negative, the student must repeat the three-shot series and repeat the testing one month after the second series. *Students repeating the Hep B series will be marked complete at the first shot, but with an expiration date set for one month later when the second shot is due. Once the second shot is provided it will be marked complete, but with an expiration date set for five months later when the third shot is due. Once the third shot has been provided the requirement will be marked complete and an expiration date will be set one month later when the final titer is due. Once a positive titer is provided an indefinite expiration date will be set. A vaccinee who still shows no immunity after six doses is considered a “nonresponder.”
TB Skin (PPD) Test: The student must provide documentation of a two Step PPD. The renewal one step PPD must be within 12 months, or else provide proof of two step PPD. If results are positive, a clear chest X-Ray must be provided (done within the past five years). Quantiferon TB Gold test is also accepted.
Influenza: The student must provide documentation of a flu shot administered during the current flu season. Renewal date for Influenza is November 1st annually.
*COVID-19- Clinical Agency Partners may require COVID Immunization for clinical rotation placement. Please submit documentation of COVID-19 vaccine(s) and booster administered.
Meningococcal meningitis: The student must provide documentation of Meningococcal meningitis (ACWY) vaccine at or after the age of 16 years old.
Poliovirus Vaccination- The student must provide documentation of three doses of IPV.
The immunizations and screenings outlined above are based on the guidelines for healthcare professionals by the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/hcw.html). It is important to note that clinical sites and preceptors may require additional vaccinations and documentation. * Ashland University and the Dwight Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences do not require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19; however, clinical partners may require students who participate in clinical experiences at their sites to provide documentation of COVID-19 vaccination. Unvaccinated students must understand there may be situations where the program cannot place an unvaccinated student in a required clinical experience, even if the student has requested an exemption. Some clinical partners may permit the program to submit a COVID-19 vaccination exemption request on behalf of the student or may offer the student an option to decline the vaccine. If a clinical partner permits the program to submit an exemption request or decline the vaccine, the unvaccinated student must contact the Program Director to receive directions for this process. The unvaccinated student must follow the guidelines to request a medical or religious exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine. An exemption request does not guarantee medical or religious exemption approval. Therefore, continued progression of an unvaccinated student through the required clinical experiences of the program is not guaranteed. The unvaccinated student may be deferred or may have to temporarily withdraw from the program.
Physician Assistant students will not be required to provide or solicit preceptors or clinical sites, but they may submit a request for the development of a new clinical site to the Director of Clinical Education. PA students who are interested in developing a new clinical site must complete the “Student Request for Preceptor Form.” This form is not a guarantee for placement and will be at the discretion of the PA Program. Based on the information provided by the student, the PA program staff and faculty will initiate formal contact representing the Ashland University PA program with the clinical agency. The proposed site must meet all the established educational goals for the clinical experience and agree to become legally affiliated with Ashland University College of Nursing and Health Science during the time that the student is on clinical rotation. Students may request up to two new clinical sites. Forms must be submitted to the Director of Clinical Education six months before the proposed clinical rotation. Further communication is the responsibility of the PA program. The majority of clinical sites will be located within a 100 mile radius of the program or a mutually agreed upon location. Students may be required to attend rotations at a site outside of this area and will be responsible for all expenses related to such assignments.
Travel to Clinical Sites (A3.14j):
Students are responsible for arranging room and board, travel to clinical sites, and any associated fees (i.e., parking). Ashland University Physician Assistant Program will assign students to clinical sites primarily within Ohio, but out of state assignments are possible, and any further expenses are the student’s responsibility.
Can You Give Me a Glimpse of My Future?
Explore Your Future
As a graduate, you'll join the ranks of highly skilled medical providers, equipped with the knowledge, clinical expertise, and compassion to make a tangible difference in the lives of patients. Whether you find yourself working in primary care, surgery, emergency medicine, or another specialized field, your role as a physician assistant will be vital in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a physician assistant is $126,010 per year.
Physician assistants examine, diagnose, and treat patients in collaboration with a physician.
The job outlook for physician assistants is growing much faster than average (27%), with an anticipated 39,300 openings through 2032. Graduates may work in physician’s offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare settings.
