Policies related to deceleration and remediation

Deceleration Policies

The program defines deceleration as a student who matriculates into the program but does not graduate from the Master of Health Services — Physician Assistant Studies Degree Program within that same student cohort (delayed program completion).

The program allows deceleration under certain circumstances.

Part-time enrollment is not an option. The program is only approved for full-time enrollment.

Deceleration occurs through two mechanisms: UC Davis Planned Educational Leave Program and additional quarters. 

Planned Educational Leave Program (PELP) is a leave of absence. Information and policies about PELP may be found on the Graduate Studies website.

Students may request PELP for the following reasons:

1. Personal circumstances that lead to a need for a break from academics, or
2. Following course failure that impacts program progress.

Every course must be successfully completed to complete the program. If a student fails a course, the student is required to repeat the course at the next available offering of the course. Most didactic courses are only offered once per year. Overall standards for passing courses and consequences of not passing courses may be found in the program’s degree requirements, specifically Section No 3. Course Requirements, and No. 4. Special Requirements: of the degree requirements document. Additional information about satisfactory academic progress standards may be found in the Student Handbooks. Course-level grading rubrics may be found in course syllabi.

To decelerate, a student must request by email and be granted program approval for PELP. PELP is limited — by UC Davis policy — to three quarters or one full academic year (summer quarter not included).

To give students every chance to be successful upon return, the program provides significant support for students returning from yearlong PELP following academic difficulties. These supports include:

• Referral to Learner Performance Team (LPT), a committee of dedicated educational experts
• Collaboration with LPT on development of an individualized learning plan and individualized learner success course
• Guidance from faculty and staff during individualized learner success course
• Referral to other resources such as alumni facilitated study groups, wellness supports, etc.

Students who repeat coursework must extend their program by one or more quarters as required by coursework. Any additional quarters require full-time enrollment and fees. Students should contact student services to find out further details about this topic.

Students who have questions about PELP policies should contact the student services team. Students who are considering PELP or otherwise evaluating their educational options should reach out to their program director for guidance and advice.

Remediation policies

The program defines remediation as the process for addressing deficiencies in a student’s knowledge and skills and working toward the correction of these deficiencies with the student which is measurable.  

The program policy requires remediation for all failed exams, preceptor evaluation of student, comprehensive examinations (summative evaluations) and courses. The procedure for remediation of a failed exam, preceptor evaluation of student and comprehensive examinations (summative evaluations) is to complete a remediation and learning plan and measurable reassessment that is assigned by the course instructor of record. Failure to successfully complete the reassessment will result in a score of zero for the exam, preceptor evaluation of student and comprehensive examinations (summative evaluations). The procedure for remediation of a failed course is to repeat the course during the next available offering.

These program policies and procedures for remediation are also readily available to current students in the student handbooks and we refer to remediation as learning plans.