Physician Assistant Studies Student Handbook

Revised April 2025

The student handbook informs students of program policies and procedures. The program updates the student handbook periodically. The university also publishes the Student Handbook: U.S. Edition, which covers college-wide policies, procedures, and other resources.

The Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program at New York Tech reserves the right to make changes to this document at any time. Changes are anticipated, and students will be notified of all updates through their New York Tech email account. A form will be distributed requiring students to sign off that they have read, understood, and had the opportunity to ask questions about the updated handbook's contents. Changes will also be announced through the program's CANVAS Commons.

Any statement in this document that refers to face-to-face interactions will also apply to virtual interactions should the need arise to convert to a virtual format.

Dear Students,

Welcome to New York Tech's Physician Assistant Program! We are thrilled to have you join our community of learners. As you embark on this rigorous and rewarding journey, we are committed to supporting you every step of the way.

Our program is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and compassion necessary to excel in your future career as a Physician Assistant. We pride ourselves on a curriculum that not only covers the essential medical sciences but also emphasizes patient-centered care, ethical practice, and lifelong learning.

You are entering a profession that is both challenging and deeply fulfilling. The path ahead will demand hard work, dedication, and resilience, but it will also offer you unparalleled opportunities to make a difference in the lives of your patients and the communities you serve.

We encourage you to take full advantage of the resources, experiences, and expertise available to you throughout your time here. Whether in the classroom, on clerkships, or beyond, we are here to guide and support you as you grow into a competent, confident, and compassionate healthcare professional.

We look forward to watching you thrive in this program and ultimately contribute to the health and well-being of our society.

Best regards,
Dr. Cotgreave and Dr. Wolf

Faculty

Anoma Zehra Ahmed, M.B.B.S., M.S.,PA-C, DFAAPA
Associate Professor; Director of Admissions

Yennie Armand, M.S., PA-C
Assistant Professor; Director of Clinical Education

Jaclyn Cotgreave, Ph.D., PA-C
Associate Professor; Program Director

Kathy Garcia, M.S., PA-C
Clinical Assistant Professor; Director of Student Activities

Shinu Kuriakose, DHSc, PA-C
Associate Professor

Daniel Moscato, M.S., PA-C
Assistant Professor

Kristine A. Prazak-Davoli, M.S., PA-C
Associate Professor

Sara Winter, M.S., PA-C
Associate Professor; Director of Didactic Education

Corri Wolf, Ph.D., PA-C, RDN
Associate Professor; Chair, Department of PA Studies; Assistant Dean, School of Health Professions

Timothy Robinson, D.O., M.B.A.
Medical Director

Staff

Catherine Tesoriero
Manager of Operations, Associate Director of Clinical Education

Stella Leandrou, M.Ed.
Physician Assistant Program Development Manager

Jeanne Renz
Senior Specialist

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

New York Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Email us at selfstudy@nyit.edu with any comments or questions.

Learn More About Our Middle States Accreditation

Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistance (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the New York Institute of Technology Physician Assistant Program sponsored by the New York Institute of Technology. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2029. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

The program's accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.

View New York Institute of Technology's mission, vision, and goals.

View the PA program's:

• Mission Statement
• Goals and Outcomes

Program admission and matriculation requirements are detailed in the Graduate Academic Catalog and the program's website.

The information detailed on the program website is to be considered the most up-to-date information. The MS-PA Program does not grant advanced placement to any applicant or student.

Candidates to the program are required to read and sign these technical standards, which reflect reasonable expectations for PA students and graduates in performing common functions, with emphasis on the safety and welfare of patients.

Program learning outcomes represent the knowledge, interpersonal, clinical, and technical skills, professional behaviors, and clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities that we believe are necessary for entry to clinical practice. To ensure the outcomes are achieved, students will undergo several evaluation methods throughout the curriculum and before graduation to confirm that they are competent in the areas listed below. Evaluation methods include written examinations, oral examinations, practical examinations, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), professionalism assessments, and faculty and clinical preceptor evaluations.

In developing our learning outcomes, we incorporated information from a variety of sources including the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and the nationally recognized Competencies for the PA Profession that was initially developed and adopted 2005 and revised and readopted in 2012 by the American Association of PAs (AAPA), ARC-PA, National Commission on Certification of PAs (NCCPA), and the PA Education Association (PAEA). Additional sources included our faculty's knowledge and input from our medical director, clinical preceptors, and advisory board members.

Upon completion of the New York Tech PA program, the student will have acquired the knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, clinical and technical skills, and professional behaviors to practice as an entry-level physician assistant.

1. Knowledge

1. Demonstrate the acquisition of broad-based medical knowledge to provide healthcare to patients across the lifespan in various healthcare settings.
2. Exhibit knowledge of health systems science that fosters the delivery of effective healthcare.

2. Interpersonal and Communication Skills

1. Accurately elicit a medical history.
2. Provide evidence-based counseling and patient education that is person-centered.
3. Accurately and concisely orally communicate a patient encounter or research outcomes.
4. Demonstrate accurate medical record documentation.
5. Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, their families, and other health professionals.

3. Clinical Reasoning and Problem-Solving

1. Recognize emergent and urgent conditions and/or the need for specialty referral and initiate care accordingly.
2. Select and interpret diagnostic studies necessary for the evaluation of common medical conditions.
3. Integrate findings from a medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic studies to develop and prioritize differential diagnoses.
4. Integrate findings from medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic studies to formulate patient-centered care plans, including health maintenance and preventative measures when appropriate.

4. Clinical and Technical Skills

1. Perform physical exams on patients across the lifespan in various healthcare settings.
2. Safely perform clinical procedures common to general medical practice.

5. Professional Behaviors

1. Display professional and ethical behaviors consistent with the PA profession.
2. Demonstrate professional behavior by critically evaluating the medical literature as a means of fostering lifelong learning.

The New York Tech PA program is a Master's degree program that prepares students academically and professionally to enter clinical practice as entry-level PAs. The program consists of 98 credit hours divided into two phases spanning three academic years (30 months). The professional program is divided into two didactic years and one clinical year. The Didactic Phase represents the preclinical phase and spans four semesters. The Clinical Phase, incorporating additional didactic training and a series of in-depth clinical clerkships in a variety of primary care and medical specialty fields, board review, and summative evaluations, spans three semesters. Each cohort progresses through the program as a group, with all courses required for all students in the same sequence, apart from supervised clinical practice experiences, which occur in various orders. Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded the Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies and will be eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Upon successful completion of the PANCE, individuals are then eligible to apply for state licensure and, upon receiving state licensure, can apply for facility credentialing if required.

Details of the program curriculum and course sequence can be found on New York Tech's website by using the following links: semester map and course descriptions.

The didactic curriculum is sixty (60) credits and will be completed face-to-face over four semesters: Fall Year 1, Spring Year 1, Fall Year 2, and Spring Year 2. Courses are held on-site on the Long Island campus. Students must successfully pass all coursework and have a cumulative 3.0 GPA to progress to the clinical phase of training. Coursework sequence and descriptions are available at the links noted above. See Appendix A for a sample schedule.

The New York Tech PA program's clinical clerkships are designed to provide students with educational and clinical training in the core areas of medicine. It is organized to permit the greatest degree of educational exposure in practical, clinical environments to develop general knowledge and critical thinking processes in patient diagnosis and management. Students receive supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in the following settings: inpatient, outpatient, emergency department, and the operating room. Supervised clinical practice experiences also provide students with patients seeking medical care across the lifespan. The clinical year faculty and administration will hold orientation sessions to review the Clinical Year Student Handbook policies, procedures, and additional technology requirements. Furthermore, students will complete a procedural skills course before their first clerkship.

The clinical year of the PA program consists of 48 weeks of supervised clinical practice experience. Students are assigned to designated preceptors at various clinical sites so that they may further their didactic knowledge with practical, hands-on clinical exposure. Rotations generally last for 4–8 weeks, each followed by 1–2 days of callback activities when students return to campus for post-SCPE examinations, presentations, and further didactic and lab training. The clinical component requires the student to complete the following clerkships:

• PHAS 701 Internal Medicine Supervised Clinical Practice Experience
• PHAS 702 Surgery Supervised Clinical Practice Experience
• PHAS 703 Emergency Medicine Supervised Clinical Practice Experience
• PHAS 704 Women's Health Supervised Clinical Practice Experience
• PHAS 706 Pediatrics Supervised Clinical Practice Experience
• PHAS 707 Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Supervised Clinical Practice Experience
• PHAS 708 Family Medicine Supervised Clinical Practice Experience
• PHAS 705 Orthopedics Supervised Clinical Practice Experience
• PHAS 711 Elective I Supervised Clinical Practice Experience
• PHAS 712 Elective II Supervised Clinical Practice Experience

Elective clerkships include a broad variety of medical specialties and settings. At the end of their second semester, students can note their preferences for elective clerkships. Rotations are dependent upon the sites and preceptors available to the program (i.e., not all preferences can be fulfilled due to site and preceptor limitations); the program reserves the right to require students to complete rotations in a non-preferential area to best meet the needs of the student or the needs of the program.

All of the program's SCPEs are located in the same region as the program, including the NY Metropolitan Area, with the vast majority of sites located within 60 miles of our campus. Unlike many other programs, students do not have to relocate for clerkships. By ARC-PA accreditation standards, the program must secure all clinical sites and preceptors in sufficient numbers to allow all students to meet learning outcomes (Accreditation Standard B3.01). However, there is an opportunity for students to suggest additional sites, and the policies and procedures for this are outlined elsewhere in this handbook under "clerkship schedules."

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clerkships and any related travel expenses (e.g., transportation, gas, tolls). If the student should lose their transportation before or during a clinical clerkship rotation (e.g., due to a disabled or lost vehicle), it is the student's responsibility to find alternate transportation. Although the program does attempt to place students in clerkships closer to their residence location, this cannot be guaranteed. Due to clinical rotation site limitations, the program is not able to accommodate students requesting specific commutes, locations, or environments for clinical clerkship rotations unless this is part of an approved disability services accommodation and it is feasible to do so.

Students must register and complete PHAS 754, Comprehensive Assessment for Clinical Practice. These courses will measure if the student has achieved the necessary medical knowledge, interpersonal skills, clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, clinical and technical skills, and professional behaviors to enter clinical practice.

The following information pertaining to Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs) is in addition to or an expansion of, and not a replacement for, policies outlined in the SCPE Course/Clerkship syllabi and Clinical Year Handbook.

• Clerkship Hours
  • Expectations for clerkship hours are an average of 40 hours per week, depending on the specialty and site (excluding days of required on-campus activities such as call-back sessions). Students are required to achieve a minimum of 1800 clinical hours before graduation, with most students completing up to 2300 hours during their clinical phase of training.
  • Clerkship hours include on-site training and education (e.g., grand rounds), meeting with preceptors and other healthcare team members, direct patient evaluation, development of treatment and management plans, routine activities related to patient care, documentation, etc.
  • SCPE Clerkship hours are dependent upon the clerkship and site. Some clerkships will include early morning, evening, overnight, and weekend hours.
• Clerkship Preferences
  • Specific to the program's elective clerkships, students can list preferences (i.e., specialty). Importantly, this only applies to the elective clerkships.
  • Although the program attempts to meet appropriate and feasible student preferences, preferences are not guaranteed. All clinical clerkship rotation placements depend upon available clinical sites and preceptors, and only sites that meet accreditation and program requirements will be utilized.
• Clerkship Schedules
  • By ARC-PA accreditation standards, the program must secure all clinical sites and preceptors in sufficient numbers to allow all students to meet learning outcomes (Accreditation Standard B3.01). Students are not required to secure clinical site placement, but can suggest a site for the program to explore by submitting this form at least four months in advance.
    • The program goes to great lengths to secure rotation sites and preceptors for all clinical clerkship rotations for all students. Securing sites and preceptors encompasses a great deal of work by the program and clinical team, including recruiting sites and preceptors, meeting with site coordinators, preceptors, and senior leadership of medical facilities, vetting sites to ensure they meet all requirements, vetting preceptors to ensure they meet all requirements (i.e.., unrestricted/ unencumbered license to practice and board certification), orienting preceptors on specific learning outcomes for SCPEs, and completing legal affiliation agreements. It generally takes 3–6 months to develop a site from first contract to the finalization of the affiliation agreement and subsequent student placement.
  • For the reasons noted above, once completed, all clinical clerkship rotation schedules are final.
    • Students cannot change or switch rotations with another student or decline rotation placements.
    • The clinical clerkship rotations are required curriculum in the program. As with required didactic courses, students cannot request to skip or change a course, course time, or course location.
  • Importantly, the clerkship schedule does not always follow the regular college academic calendar. Because of time constraints associated with the clerkships, some start and end outside the regular academic calendar. To ensure all students meet program expectations for all clerkships, scheduling clerkship activities on some state, federal, and religious holidays may be necessary. The general rule is that if the clinical site and preceptor are working, students are expected to be present at the clerkship.
    • Students who intend to observe a religious holiday should inform the clinical team as early as possible of an anticipated absence. Regardless of the reasons for the absence, students are required to make up any missed clinical clerkship time during the same rotation.

The PA program students have the same support services as other students of the college. For details on academic support and student services, please refer to the college's web pages at the following links:

• Student Support
• Counseling and Wellness
• Office of Accessibility Services
• Student Health Services
• Health Insurance
• The Learning Center
• Student Life
• Bear Bytes Food Pantry
• Student Veteran Services
• Career Services

The PA program faculty and staff are vested in the success of each student's educational process. To ensure that all students reach their greatest professional and academic potential, program personnel and students must communicate regularly with each other. Whenever a student has a concern, they should contact a staff or faculty member or department administration to resolve any problems as soon as possible. The faculty will refer the student to the professional counselors at the New York Tech Office of Counseling and Wellness as appropriate.

The program utilizes OneDrive, Zoom, VoiceThread, ExamSoft, Examplify, and other technologies for many of the courses. Posting of PowerPoint lectures and other resources is provided at the instructor's discretion and is for student use only. Unauthorized use of course materials is prohibited.

New York Institute of Technology utilizes Canvas as the Learning Management System (LMS).

ExamSoft's customer support line for the Examplify software provides assistance with their software platform for exam taking. Issues pertaining to their software should be referred to them first.

The Academic Technology Services (ATS) Team supports New York Tech students with all campus technology. You can visit the computing lab for assistance, or contact ITS on your campus:

Long Island
Harry Schure Hall
2nd Floor
516.686.1188
nyit.edu/itshelp

New York City
Edward Guiliano Global Center
1855 Broadway, Room 701C
212.261.1677
nyit.edu/itshelp

For internet connection problems on campus, the ITS Help Desk must be contacted from where the problem occurs. This will allow the technician to employ on-the-spot diagnostics to solve the issue.

Students have access to all New York Tech libraries. New York Tech has four libraries on two campuses: the Old Westbury Campus (Main Campus) has three libraries, including a medical library, and there is an additional library on the Manhattan Campus.

The NYITCOM and Health Sciences Medical Library offers a wide range of resources to support student learning, including subscriptions to essential and popular textbooks and journals such as ClinicalKey, AccessMedicine, Ovid, Thieme Ebook Collection, LWW HealthLibrary, and CINAHL. It provides copies of many of the textbooks used in courses, which students can search for in the library catalog. If a required book is not available, students may request it. The library also offers technological resources, including 40 laptops available for three-hour loans, as well as headphones and chargers for borrowing. Additionally, the library provides access to the point-of-care medical resource UpToDate, which can be accessed remotely, ensuring students have the necessary tools during clinical clerkships.

The library system's website provides access to all library services and resources. From the home page, students can access library resources and services, providing direct access to e-books, e-journals, and all databases. Library services, including online reference and live chat with a librarian, are available.

Research consultations and information literacy classes can be requested from the library's home page as well. In addition, there are video tutorials with step-by-step instructions and hints for searching the library's online resources, as well as links to information on writing and documenting papers, plagiarism, and research guides.

• Library homepage
• Medical Library homepage

Required and recommended course books are listed in the course syllabi. The program provides the university bookstore and medical library with a listing of course books prior to the start of each semester. To view your book list, log in to the bookstore portal.

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Tuition and fees are listed on the Estimated Program Cost page on our website.

The following should be noted when viewing the costs:

• New York Institute of Technology reserves the right to change or modify its schedule of tuition and fees.
• Professionalism and advocacy are key components to successful students and graduates. It is highly recommended that students become members of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) and the New York State Society of PAs (NYSSPA), both for professional reasons as well as to allow the opportunity for significant scholarships otherwise not available.

Information on Tuition Refunds

Refer to the Financial Aid section of the website for information about government sources of financial aid. Further advice may be obtained from counselors in the Office of Financial Aid.

Information regarding various scholarships and grants available to qualifying students can also be found on the New York Tech website. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for further information.

New York Institute of Technology has been recognized as one of the most diverse campuses in the U.S. The New York Tech Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and the Department of PA Studies are focused on advancing efforts to cultivate a safe, respectful, and accessible education community that welcomes and supports all individuals. These efforts can be found on New York Tech's website.

At the program level, the MS-PA program has holistic admissions processes and curricular content specifically focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion. The department is committed to fostering diversity in the PA profession by building strong partnerships with local colleges, high schools, and middle schools that serve underrepresented groups. We have welcomed students from these schools to our campus, where they learn about the PA profession, engage with our faculty and students, and gain firsthand exposure to the opportunities available in healthcare. Additionally, our faculty and students actively visit these schools to deliver presentations and engage directly with their students in their own learning environments. We aim to create a steady pipeline of diverse students into the PA profession through these targeted informational sessions. These initiatives align with our mission to promote equity and inclusivity while addressing workforce needs.

The New York Tech PA program has developed a proactive student mentoring process that requires students to meet at least once per semester with a faculty mentor to discuss the student's strengths and weaknesses and overall progress in the program. Areas for student improvement will be identified, and a summary of suggested actions recorded on the Student Assessment by Faculty Mentor report.

Degree audits, also referred to as Student Advisement Reports (STAR), can be accessed online through my.nyit.edu. Each student is required to submit their STAR reports to their faculty mentor and the department administrator at pas@nyit.edu at the beginning of each semester. Refer to the instructions on the student resource page on how to access the STAR report. The student should meet with their faculty mentor periodically during each semester to discuss their progress, especially when the student's progress is in question or in jeopardy. Students are strongly encouraged to speak with their faculty mentor should they encounter any academic or personal difficulties. The Program Director/Chair and Director of Didactic Education are also always available for counsel.

Faculty mentors who feel that a student is in need of professional or personal counseling or special services will make this concern known to the Program Director/Chair immediately. The faculty will refer the student to the Office of Counseling and Wellness, and the Program Director/Chair may make recommendations and referrals to other appropriate institutional services.

The Student Progression Committee (SPC) aids the PA program in dealing with student academic and disciplinary problems by making recommendations and providing guidance to the Program Director/Chair of the PA program regarding these matters. These recommendations may include dismissal, deceleration, or various forms of remediation. The SPC is composed of representatives of the program's principal faculty, faculty from other departments within the School of Health Professions, and other members as deemed appropriate by the chairperson. A student in jeopardy due to professional or academic issues will be given an opportunity to present their case and any mitigating circumstances to the committee. The date and time of the SPC meeting will be communicated to the student in advance. All documentation will be placed in the student's program file.

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All PA program policies apply to all students, the principal and adjunct faculty, the program director, and the medical director, regardless of location. The published policies are subject to change.

Attaining the MS-PA degree will require the successful completion of all didactic and clinical phase coursework and a cumulative GPA of ≥ 3.0. Specifics regarding course requirements are noted in course syllabi. Unless otherwise noted in the syllabi, failing to complete all required course assignments may result in a failing grade for that course and subsequently prevent the student from progressing to the next semester and may result in deceleration or dismissal.

The faculty will review the syllabus on the first day of class and clarify any questions the students may have. It is the student's responsibility to ask for clarification of any points during this time or within the first week of the course. Grades are also impacted by attendance and lateness, as detailed in course syllabi.

Performance in courses is commonly assessed by written and/or practical examinations, oral presentations, and/or research papers. In designated courses throughout the program, grades will be recorded as a percentage. At the end of each course, the percentage scores will be converted. Final course grades will be rounded up to the nearest whole number if they are within 0.5 points of the next integer grade. For example, a final score of 89.5% will be rounded up to 90% but a final score of 89.4% will not be rounded up.

A	≥ 90%
B+	85–89%
B	80–84%
C+	75–79%
C	70–74%
F	≤ 69%

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To maintain satisfactory academic standing as a PA student, a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 must be maintained. The college identifies students who fall below a 3.0 GPA and places them on academic probation until the GPA reaches 3.0 or above. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required to progress to the clinical phase and for graduation. Any student falling below a 3.0 GPA must meet with their faculty mentor and Director of Didactic Education for review and the development of a plan for success, as needed.

• A student with a first semester GPA of less than 2.7 will be dismissed from the program.
• A student with less than a 3.0 semester GPA will be placed on academic probation.
• A student on probation for a semester GPA below 3.0 who receives 3.0 or higher in the subsequent semester will no longer be on probation as long as their cumulative GPA is equal to or greater than 3.0.
• A student receiving a semester GPA less than 3.0 for two consecutive semesters, with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0, will be dismissed from the program.
• A student on academic probation is not eligible for a comprehensive exam and is dismissed from the program if they fail a course in any subsequent semester.
• A student failing a second course during the didactic phase of the program will not be eligible to take the cumulative comprehensive exam in that second didactic course and is automatically dismissed from the program.
• A student failing two courses in a single semester is not eligible to take a cumulative comprehensive exam and will be dismissed from the program.
• Students are required to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to progress to the clinical phase. If this is not achieved, they will be referred to an SPC for consideration for dismissal from the program.
• Failure is deemed any grade less than a C.
• Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout the clinical year. Failure to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 will result in a referral to an SPC.
• A student must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to graduate from New York Tech.

Note: All courses must be passed before a student may continue in the program or progress to the next semester.

The course instructor will contact any student who receives a failing grade (grade less than 70) on a written exam, practical, or clinical encounter within five business (5) days of releasing the grades to the class to set up an appointment to discuss the failure. A one-on-one examination review will be scheduled, and during this review, the Strengths and Improvement Opportunity Report (SIO report) may be made available to the student. This report will provide information about the student's exam and the topic/category/task area related to the incorrect questions.

The student will receive supplementary resources to facilitate proficiency in the information, and a remediation assignment to demonstrate proficiency. The student should contact the instructor for any additional clarification regarding the remediation plan, should they have questions. Remediation should be completed before the next assessment in that course is administered. The grade on the remediation assessment will not change from the original assessment grade. Quizzes are exempt from remediation. See course syllabi for course-specific details.

An academic contract that includes the remediation process and assignment will be conveyed to the student by the instructor via their New York Tech email or in person and documented on a remediation form for the student's record. This document will be shared with the student's faculty mentor and the Director of Didactic Education. A student must pass the remediation assignment or assessment to demonstrate proficiency. If the student does not demonstrate proficiency, the student may be given additional opportunities to remediate the material. A SPC meeting may be convened if such a situation should arise to determine the outcome and make recommendations to the Program Director/Chair. It may be determined that the student should decelerate or be dismissed from the program.

All students who received a grade between 70 to 79 should also meet with the instructor to discuss their performance. Remediation and reassessment are not required for these students. Students who receive a score below 80 on an assessment are encouraged to also meet with their faculty advisor and/or the Director of Didactic Education if different from the exam instructor.

Final course grades must be submitted to the registrar within 48 hours of course completion. If a remediation is required of a final examination or assessment (i.e. patient write-up, practical), the following process will be followed:

The student will receive the grade they have earned in the course. The remediation would not change the grade, as noted above. The remediation will take place within one week of the course's end. The student must meet with the instructor and verbally agree that they understand and accept that remediation must take place within the allotted time, even though a grade has been submitted to the registrar. The faculty will complete and submit a Remediation Report Form documenting this, and an electronic copy will be saved in the student's file. If the student does not comply with this policy and breaks the contract, it will be considered a breach of professionalism. Please refer to the section on PA Department Procedure and Outcomes on Breaches of Professionalism. A student must resolve all remediations from the didactic year before they can progress to the next semester.

If a student fails a course, they will receive a grade of incomplete. The student will undergo an instructor-led remediation of any failed assessment, followed by a cumulative comprehensive exam developed and administered by the course instructor(s). This exam must be scheduled within two weeks of the final grade notification unless the college is closed. Remediation for semester-end failures must be completed successfully to progress to the next semester. Upon passing the comprehensive assessment, the student will receive a grade of C and will be placed on academic probation. Failure to pass another course will result in automatic dismissal from the program regardless of cumulative GPA (see section on academic standing).

For Clinical Medicine I, II, and III sub-courses/modules, students must remediate and reassess failed sub-courses without changing the final exam grade. Repeated failure in remediation may lead to a recommendation for student progression committee (SPC) review.

A student must resolve any incomplete grades from the didactic year before they can progress to their clinical year.

If a student fails any component of their final grade (including professional behavior), they will be required to undergo remediation following procedures similar to those used during the didactic phase. Students who have failed a written or practical (e.g., OSCE, ICC encounter, etc.) or other required assessment during the clinical year will be contacted by the Director of Clinical Education (DCE) within five (5) days of releasing the grades to the class to set up an appointment to discuss the failure. The purpose of this meeting is to provide the student with a performance report on the assessment. In addition to the report, the student will receive supplementary resources to facilitate proficiency in the information. The student should contact the DCE for any additional clarification regarding the remediation plan should they have questions. The student must remediate the material they missed on the assessment.

Failure of two EOREs will result in the student forfeiting their elective rotation(s). In addition to remediation and demonstrating proficiency in the topics missed on the EORE, the student may be required to complete a rotation in one or two disciplines chosen by the program to improve their medical knowledge. Please note that this could result in a delay in graduation from the PA program, especially if the student has already completed an elective rotation. Furthermore, the student will be responsible for all financial costs incurred.

Failure of three EOREs, in addition to forfeiting their electives, will result in the student appearing before the Student Progression Committee and being placed on academic probation for the remainder of their studies in the New York Tech PA program; they will also be considered for deceleration or dismissal. Failure of four EOREs may result in dismissal from the program.

A student will fail their SCPE under any of the following circumstances:

1. Receiving a score below 70% on the Preceptor Evaluation of PA Student's Clinical Performance form
2. Being dismissed from a rotation site
3. Failing the end-of-rotation examination, defined as earning less than 70% on both the initial exam and the subsequent remediation assignment
4. Achieving a final rotation grade below 70%

Should a student fail a clerkship, the rotation must be repeated at the end of the clinical year or as directed by the Director of Clinical Education (DCE). The student is responsible for all costs associated with repeating the failed clerkship. This requirement will impact the student's anticipated graduation date and delay their eligibility to take the PANCE. Additionally, failing a rotation, whether for academic or professional reasons, will result in the student appearing before the Student Progression Committee and being placed on probation for the duration of their enrollment in the New York Tech PA program, including the possibility of dismissal from the program.

If a student fails two (2) clerkships, whether due to academic or professional issues, they will be required to appear before the Student Progression Committee again. All extenuating circumstances will be considered, and dismissal or deceleration from the program will be evaluated at that time.

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During the didactic phase, a student may miss no more than ten business days during the semester. A student requiring an absence over ten business days (consecutive or nonconsecutive) must request a leave of absence (LOA). If eligible, they may be allowed to decelerate to the following academic year (see section below: Deceleration Policy). If a student is granted a leave of absence mid-semester from the didactic phase, on their return, they must repeat all coursework pertaining to that semester's curriculum when they last attended.

Should a student miss two or more weeks from a clinical clerkship due to an excused absence, they will be required to repeat that clerkship prior to graduation. A student may request a maximum leave of absence of one year during the clinical phase and will decelerate to the subsequent cohort (see section below: Deceleration Policy).

In the event a deceleration or withdrawal from the program becomes necessary and is granted to the student, any tuition refund will be based on New York Tech's refund policy, and the student will provide all necessary paperwork and notifications in a timely manner.

ARC-PA defines deceleration as "The loss of a student from the entering cohort, who remains matriculated in the PA program." A student may request deceleration to the subsequent academic year/cohort, space permitting. The decision to grant the student's request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director/Chair and faculty. The student must be in good academic and professional standing at the time of the request. Formal documentation will be required before deceleration can be granted.

Students who are failing one or more courses at the time of the proposed deceleration are not considered in good academic standing and will not be considered for deceleration. A student will not be considered for deceleration if on academic probation or is in breach of professional conduct. The program grants no more than one approved deceleration.

Prior to Return:

The student must notify and confirm to the program of their intent to return three months before the agreed start date/semester. This must be done via email and/or certified mail and addressed to the program director/department chair of the Physician Assistant Studies program. Failure to comply with this procedure will result in the student forfeiting their seat. The student will be responsible for all financial obligations and or penalties resulting from this forfeiture.

If the program does grant the student's request to decelerate, the student must understand that returning to the program will be dependent on the following:

1. Depending on the individual's circumstance, they may be required to pass (score ≥ 70) a written comprehensive exam developed by the New York Tech faculty that includes select coursework from courses they took prior to decelerating. Based on the results, they may be required to audit certain courses or remediate certain material upon their return; in either case, the previous course grade will not change. There may be circumstances in which a condition of deceleration requires the student to repeat all courses taken prior to deceleration without the opportunity to take a comprehensive exam. In that case, a change in grade may occur based on the final course grade achieved upon return to the program. The student will be notified of any applicable examination or remediation requirements.
2. The student must pass a practical exam (with a score of 70 or above). This exam will require the student to successfully perform a history and physical examination based on the organ systems covered before the student decelerated.
3. If the student left mid-semester in the didactic phase, on their return, they must repeat all coursework pertaining to that semester and any new courses that may have been added to the curriculum since they last attended.
4. The student may be required to demonstrate proficiency in clinical or procedural skills if their deceleration occurred prior to the start of the clinical year.
5. A background check may be required at the expense of the student.
6. All immunizations, vaccinations, and healthcare forms must be updated as required by the PA program and New York Tech.
7. The student will be responsible for all financial obligations.
8. The student will be subject to the rules and regulations in effect as published in the Student Handbook at the time of their return to the program.

In the event the student was granted deceleration due to medical reasons, medical clearance is required by a licensed medical professional in accordance with program technical standards and university policies.

If a student misses four consecutive months during their clinical rotations, they may be subject to the same stipulations above at the discretion of the program (Items 1–8) prior to matriculation into the clinical year.

A student may withdraw from the program for medical or personal reasons or due to being dismissed for academic or professional reasons. It is strongly recommended for the student to consult with the Registrar, Financial Aid, and the Bursar's Office before initiating a withdrawal. Questions regarding financial liability should be explored before submitting paperwork to the PA program office. A student requesting a withdrawal from the program should notify the Program Director/Chair and Director of Didactic Education or Director of Clinical Education in writing, stating the reason(s) for their request. Further information regarding withdrawing can be found in the instructions of the Request to Withdraw from All Courses form.

Students should not assume that filing a withdrawal form implies that a Leave of Absence or deceleration has been granted. The student must receive official notification of approval from the Office of the Registrar for the withdrawal and the PA program for the LOA.

The date of withdrawal is computed from the date that both signatures are affixed to the withdrawal form. Depending upon the date of withdrawal, a student may be entitled to a refund of tuition. The refund policy is subject to change by the institution. Please see the Academic Catalog for the current policy.

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See the School of Health Profession's Grade Appeals Procedure.

A student will be notified by the program director/department chair or their designee regarding dismissal, either for academic, professional, or disciplinary reasons. The student may appeal the program director's/chair's decision in writing to the Dean of the School of Health Professions, outlining the reason for the appeal. The appeal must be submitted to the dean within five (5) business days of the Program Director/Chair's initial notification of dismissal.

New York Tech believes many complaints can be resolved through an open, honest dialogue between the persons involved. See Resolve a Problem: Student Complaint Policy.

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Attendance at all lectures, laboratories, medical facility assignments, and clinical clerkships is mandatory unless the student receives written permission from the course instructor and Program Director/Chair of the program. Student attendance during the didactic and clinical years will be recorded. Please refer to each syllabus for specific details on attendance. All scheduled classes follow Eastern Time (ET).

Vacations and time off are published in advance, and students are expected to utilize this time for personal commitments. All absences for any other reason, regardless of length of time, must have the prior written approval of the course instructor(s) and program director/department chair. Requests will be considered on an individual basis. An excused absence is granted only for one of the following reasons or at the discretion of the program director/department chair (acceptable written documentation should be provided):

• A personal illness requiring medical attention. A signed medical note from a healthcare provider (MD, DO, PA, NP) indicating their credentials is required.
• Illness of an immediate family member. A signed medical note from a healthcare provider (MD, DO, PA, NP), including their credentials, is required.
• Death of an immediate family member. A signed medical note or obituary notice may be required.
• Religious observance. Refer to the New York Tech policy regarding religious observances.

Any unreported absence or absence that does not fall into the above categories or is not otherwise excused at the Program Director/Chair's discretion will be considered unexcused and will be recorded in the student's file. Absences due to emergencies or illness must be reported within 24 hours in an email to the instructor(s) and the director/chair. The program admin must also be copied on the email (pas@nyit.edu).

Absences on the first or last day of a clerkship, course, lecture series, or before a scheduled examination, break, vacation, or weekend are considered unexcused unless prior written approval has been granted or fall into the categories listed above. Should such an absence occur because of a sudden, unavoidable event, the program director/department chair, course faculty, director of clinical/didactic education, and program admin must be notified as soon as possible and provided with an explanation for the absence. Documentation to verify the events may be requested.

Students are allowed three (3) unexcused absences per didactic year. If an absence is unexcused, the students should still inform the program that they will not be present. The student may be required to provide additional information where needed to evaluate the nature of the absence or in the case where more than three (3) unexcused absences in a didactic year have been reached. The faculty will then determine if the matter will be referred to a Student Progression Committee (SPC). The SPC will deliberate on what action should be taken in this matter and if the student should be placed on probation. Any subsequent unexcused absence may be grounds for dismissal from the program.

Students are responsible for all materials covered during class, regardless of the reason for their absence or lateness.

If a student anticipates a future period in which they may be late to class, the student is obligated to provide a written request or email to the Director of Didactic Education and course instructor(s) for the anticipated lateness. The anticipated lateness will not be considered excused unless the student receives written or emailed permission from the program chair and course instructor(s). Lateness is both a disturbance to the class and discourteous to the instructor and classmates and should be avoided whenever possible. The program director/department chair and Director of Didactic Education will be informed of the student's lateness, and the event will be noted in the student's file.

A student who is late more than eight times during the didactic phase of the program may be subject to probation, and subsequent lateness may be the reason for dismissal from the program. Please refer to each individual syllabus for more detailed information on the consequences of lateness.

Should a student be late or absent on the day of any examination, they must follow the absence policy described above. If a student arrives late for an assessment, the ending time for the assessment will not be extended, and the student will not receive any additional time to complete the assessment. The student will be required to stop all exam-taking activities at the same time as the rest of the class.

Each unexcused absence or partial absence of a callback day or of rotation activities will result in a grade reduction by one full grade i.e., A- » B+.

Unplanned Absences During Clerkships

There are no unexcused absences in the clinical year. If you are ill or have an emergency that prevents you from being at your rotation site, you must make two calls and send one email to your preceptor with the program copied on it.

1. The first call is to your on-site preceptor.
2. The second call is to the program at any of the following numbers:
   1. Associate Director of Clinical Education, Mrs. Catherine Tesoriero, may be reached at ctesorie@nyit.edu or their office at 516.686.4979.
   2. The Director of Clinical Education (DCE), Professor Yennie Armand, can be reached yarmand@nyit.edu or their office at 516.686.1319 or mobile at 516.807.1918.

On weekends or after 5 p.m., a message should be left on the provided numbers.

Planned Absences During Clerkships

1. First, email the Director of Clinical Education and the Associate Director of Clinical Education to receive permission to discuss the absence with their clinical preceptor.
2. Second, upon receiving permission from the clinical team, discuss with your clinical preceptor to plan for make-up time and activities.
3. Third, you must make up 100% of the missed time during the scheduled clerkship.

Addressing Personal Issues Which May Impact Student Progress in the MS-PA Program

The PA department is committed to the personal and academic success and well-being of all students. It is ideal for students to receive services outside of their classroom hours, and time is included in the schedule for such activities. However, given the course load in the program, this is not always possible. In such cases when access outside of class time is otherwise not possible due to severity or no after-hours availability, the PA program permits class release time to receive services from healthcare and wellness providers, including academic success services, medical, counseling, and disability support services. The student must make every effort to schedule appointments outside of scheduled class time.

The terms examination and assessment are used interchangeably throughout this document and within the program. Policies and procedures are subject to change; students will receive advance notice of changes.

• Examinations:
  • Administered as indicated in each course syllabus.
  • Exam format information will be provided to students via the syllabus
  • Date changes may occur; students will be notified as soon as possible.
• Quizzes:
  • May be announced or unannounced, and the course instructor may administer one or more quizzes as listed in the syllabus.
  • Used as a formative evaluation tool to assess students' understanding of course material, provide guidance to students on areas of weakness, and help them adjust study methods.
• Time Allotment and Scheduling:
  • Course instructors schedule the time allotted for each exam.
  • Final exams are held during the last week of the semester unless the course includes multiple modules.
  • Final exams for multi-module courses are administered at the end of each module.
• Passing Criteria:
  • A score of 70 or above is required to pass.
  • A score less than 70 on an exam requires remediation.
• Accommodations:
  • Students with extended time accommodations (per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)) take exams and quizzes at the Counseling and Wellness Center.
  • Students are responsible for informing the Counseling and Wellness Center of their exam schedules and keeping instructors and the department updated.
• Exam Protocol:
  • Students must stop all exam activities immediately when the allotted time ends.
  • Failure to comply may result in a grade of zero.
• Exam Administration:
  • Written exams are administered through ExamSoft (Examplify software).
  • Students must install Examplify software on their laptops/iPads and ensure compatibility, updates, and sufficient charge.
  • Training is provided, and a practice quiz is available on Examplify for students to practice login and submission procedures.
• Professionalism and Irregularities:
  • Any irregularities during an exam are recorded on a Breaches of Professionalism Form (BOP) by the instructor.
  • Incidents are brought to the attention of the course faculty and Program Director/Chair.
  • The student may be referred to the PA SPC or university student conduct panel for potential dismissal. A BOP form and incident report will added to the student's file in addition to other repercussions deemed appropriate by the SPC or conduct panel.

The following should be adhered to when taking an examination:

• The only items permitted on the table in front of you are the device you will use for Examplify and the provided mini-whiteboard or scrap paper.
• All personal belongings (including but not limited to: backpack/book bag; handbag; phones, water bottles, coffee mugs/cups) are to be placed on the side, back, or at the front of the classroom.
• All phones must be turned off (not merely placed on vibrate). Any sound or vibration from a phone will result in a zero score on the quiz or exam for the phone's owner.
• You may not wear any electronic/digital watches (e.g. Apple watch, Fitbit etc.)
• Other than religious headwear, you are not allowed to wear any hats, caps etc.
• There is no drinking or eating during an exam.
• You may only use the provided whiteboard or scrap paper.
• You may only use foam earplugs, no AirPods®, etc.
• During test-taking, please refrain from the habit of "mouthing" the words as you read. It will be considered suspicious behavior.

Students may not leave the room during an examination. If a student leaves the room, he/she must hand in/log out of their examination before leaving, and it will be considered completed. Whiteboards should be completely erased before returning to the cabinet.

As members of the New York Tech community, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity. This pledge is a solemn promise to ourselves, our peers, and the university community to act with honesty and integrity in all academic and personal endeavors and with the understanding that doing so will further our development as responsible members of our community and benefit our educational and career endeavors.

New York Tech Honor Code

Exam reviews with the class will be held at the instructor's discretion. Any attempts at unauthorized distributing or receiving of test questions, attempts to access the test or the exam review outside of the scheduled administration period, or any attempts to copy, photograph, or otherwise duplicate examination items, including distributing examination questions in any format, is considered a breach of academic integrity and a violation of the honor code.

Any student found to have violated the honor code will be brought up to the SPC and may be recommended for dismissal.

If a student is absent on the day of or the day before an examination due to illness or a personal event, an email must be sent to the course instructor, program administration, and Director of Didactic Education within 24 hours. Proper documentation may be requested for the absence to be considered excused, and a makeup exam may be administered. Makeup exams are administered at the course instructor's discretion for excused absences. The student will be given written notice of the date, location, and time of the makeup examination.

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On All New York Tech Campuses

New York Institute of Technology is committed to the safety of our entire campus community. Professional security teams are ready to protect you in any emergency. Visit Campus Safety and Security to familiarize yourself with the steps to take when encountering campus emergencies.

On Clinical Rotation Sites

Each clinical rotation site follows its own protocol and safety policies. This information is included in the orientation of students when they first report to the site. If the student feels unsafe at any time while on their clinical site, they must notify the preceptor, the security at the site, and the Director of Clinical Education and program immediately.

The Office of Campus Security on the Long Island and New York City campuses will coordinate a response to all emergencies, including fire, accident/illness, crime, hazardous spills/gas leaks, and bomb threats. All incidents and/or accidents on campus involving actual or potential danger to life or property should be communicated immediately to security. Threatening, irrational, or criminal behavior by a student should be communicated to the Office of Campus Security as soon as possible. Make sure to tell the dispatcher your name, location, and nature of the emergency.

In an emergency, call 911 first. Then call Campus Security at:

• Long Island: 516.686.7789
• New York City: 646.273.7789

Using the Tech Safe app, you can chat with Campus Security, use the mobile BlueLight system to report your location and reach out for emergency services. Download the app and learn more about keeping safe.

No form of gender-based misconduct will be tolerated at New York Institute of Technology. Please refer to the university's Gender-Based Misconduct and Title IX Policy for definitions and reporting procedures, as well as contact information for Title IX coordinators.

In addition to gender-based misconduct, New York Tech prohibits all forms of unlawful discrimination or harassment pursuant to its Non-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy. Any incidents of discrimination or harassment should be brought to the immediate attention of the Program Director/Chair.

Furthermore, persons who believe they have been subject to discrimination, harassment, and/or bias-related or hate crimes are encouraged to promptly report concerns or matters that could be in violation of this policy. Reports should be made to the Office of Campus Security or to New York Tech's Equity and Title IX Officer. Reports regarding students can also be made through submission of this Incident Report Form, or for gender-based misconduct through the Sexual Misconduct/Harassment Form. If a community member would prefer to submit an anonymous report in confidence, they may do so here; however, reporting anonymously may impact the institution's ability to respond.

ARC-PA defines mistreatment is any behavior that disrespects the dignity of others or interferes with the learning process. It can be intentional or unintentional.

Examples of mistreatment include:

• Discrimination: Denying opportunities based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected category
• Humiliation: Publicly belittling or humiliating someone
• Physical or psychological punishment: Threatening or actually inflicting physical harm
• Unfair treatment: Intentionally singling out someone for arbitrary treatment
• Exploitation: Requiring that someone perform personal errands or exploiting them in any other way

Student Mistreatment of Another Student(s)

Every student who accepts enrollment at New York Tech thereby agrees to abide by all policies, rules, and regulations published by the college. The Student Code of Conduct governs the conduct of all students generally. New York Tech also has policies specific to certain forms of misconduct by students, including its Gender-Based Misconduct and Title IX Policy and its Non-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy. These policies provide students with guidelines regarding the expectations for responsible participation in the educational community, as well as offer information regarding consequences for violating such expectations. Any person may make a complaint and request a review of the alleged actions of a student that may violate New York Tech policies, federal or state law, or local ordinances via the conduct process.

Student Mistreatment by a New York Tech Employee

Any incidents of mistreatment by PA department faculty or staff which do not fall under the Gender-Based Misconduct and Title IX Policy or the Non-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy should be brought to the immediate attention of the Program Director/Chair, who, in consultation with the Dean of the School of Health Professions, will initiate an investigation. Alternatively, the student(s) may elect to go straight to the Dean if the allegations are against the program director/department chair. Lastly, if not resolved after investigation within the School of Health Professions, the student should submit an incident form, which will result in the Dean of Students (or designee) initiating an investigation. This form may also be used for incidents involving New York Tech employees not associated with the department. A student may request an information meeting for any clarification needed in understanding the outcome of the investigation with the Dean of the School of Health Professions and/or the Office of the Dean of Students.

Student Identification Badges
A college photo identification (ID) card must be obtained from Campus Security as soon as possible after registration and arrival on campus. The ID card must be worn at all times while on campus and at clinical sites and must be presented on demand to any college official. The card can be used to check out library materials, enables the holder to receive a discount or free entry to campus events, and is needed to gain entry to all computer laboratories, the program classroom, the anatomy laboratory, residence halls, and some buildings after hours. Funds can be added to the card for food, copy services, and on-campus purchases. Visit the OneCard Account Portal for more information.

Students are required to wear these ID badges conspicuously at all times while at clinical clerkship sites. Some clerkship site policies may supersede these requirements, and the student is expected to follow the site's policy. Loss of the identification badge is to be reported as soon as possible so that a new one may be issued.

Personal appearance is extremely important in facilitating acceptance by patients, their families, and other health professionals. Students are expected to appear well-groomed at all times and observe customary standards of hygiene and professional attire. The program designates mandatory dress as follows for both the didactic and clinical years.

White Jackets and Identification Badges

• A clean, short, white consultation jacket.
• The New York Tech PA program arm patch will be affixed to the left sleeve of the jacket, centered, and 1½ inches below the shoulder/sleeve stitching seam. Two patches are initially supplied by the program, but additional patches can be provided at the student's expense.
• A New York Tech photo identification badge will be worn or accessible at all times while on New York Tech's campus and clinical clerkships. Some clerkship site policies may supersede these requirements, and the student is expected to follow the site's policy.
• Facilities may require additional site- or facility-specific identification to be worn.
• Students are to wear prominently displayed identification badges/cards in accordance with the program and facility rules.

Clothing

• Shoes must be clean and in good condition. Women's heels should be no higher than three inches. Open-toed shoes, Crocs™, sandals, or shoes that will slip off the feet pose a safety problem and are not acceptable in any setting. Male students must wear dress socks with shoes.
• Prescription glasses, protective eyewear, reading glasses, and contact lenses are the only eyewear permitted while in class or on rotation. Novelty contacts and sunglasses are not permitted.
• Hats, scarves, or head coverings of any type are not permitted unless necessary for medical or religious reasons.
• Extremely brief or revealing clothing is not permitted, and proper undergarments should be worn. Pants should be worn at the natural waistline, and undergarments should not be visible. Shirts, tops, blouses, and dresses should have sleeves and a collar (for male students) or a modest collar line that does not show shoulders or cleavage (for female students). The length of skirts, dresses, etc., must not be shorter than three inches above the top of the knee. All shirts, tops, and blouses must either overlap the bottom garment or be tucked inside the bottom garment.
• Sweatpants, shorts, capris, leggings, and yoga pants are not permitted at any time. Jeans are only permitted on assigned dress-down days, within strict guidelines.
• Business attire or clean navy blue, royal blue, or charcoal/grey scrubs are permitted to be worn (examples will be provided). Please refer to laboratory course syllabi for laboratory dress requirements.
• Dress-down days may be granted at the discretion of the Program Director/Chair.

General Items

• All students should consider the image projected to patients and others regarding hairstyle and length. Beards and mustaches may be worn trimmed. Long hair must be tied back neatly during laboratory classes and on clerkships.
• Excessive or loose jewelry, including piercings, is a safety risk for students as well as the patient, and their use is discouraged during any clinical site participation.
• Fingernails should be kept clean and trimmed and not exceed ¼ inch past the end of the finger, as appropriate for healthcare professionals. Artificial nails/wraps or acrylic overlays are not permitted. Polish may be worn if neat and not chipped unless otherwise noted on syllabi. Multicolored nail polish and designer paintings/decals are inappropriate.
• Tattoos of a nature that bring discredit to the program are prohibited. Tattoos that are obscene, sexually explicit, or advocate discrimination based on sex, race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin are prohibited. In addition, tattoos that symbolize affiliation with gangs, supremacist, or extremist groups, or advocate illegal drug use are prohibited.
• Students should not wear excessive perfume, cologne, aftershave, or powder.
• Hair longer than shoulder length for all students must be pulled back and contained in a suitable manner. Hair should be clean and always arranged so as not to interfere with patient care activities.
• Students should have good daily hygiene that includes clean teeth, hair, clothes, and body, including the use of deodorant. Clothing should be clean, pressed, and in good condition.

Students who do not comply with the dress code may face dismissal from the class or the clerkship site. They will be expected to return the same day with proper attire. All missed time must be made up.

NOTE: The faculty and clinical preceptors can dismiss students from clinic sites for failure to comply with this dress code.

Professional behavior reflects the core values and beliefs of the PA profession and the college. At all times, students are expected to uphold professional standards and adhere to the highest levels of academic honesty, ethics, and professional conduct.

Personal Hygiene, Grooming, and Timeliness

• Students must maintain high standards of personal and professional hygiene and cleanliness to safeguard patients and colleagues.
• Compliance with dress codes and grooming guidelines is mandatory.
• Students must be punctual, reliable, and timely in performing all tasks and responsibilities. Interpersonal Relations and Collegiality
• Students must consistently prioritize patients' needs over personal interests, demonstrating professional maturity.
• Students are expected to engage in self-assessment, employ metacognitive strategies, and exercise humility and compassion to provide patient-centered care in all circumstances.
• Students must maintain mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients, peers, faculty, staff, and other professionals, even under high-stress or uncertain conditions.
• Students must be willing to examine and modify behaviors that hinder productive individual or team relationships.
• Students must interact tactfully and congenially with patients, recognizing and adapting to various moods and behaviors, without causing alienation or antagonism.
• Students must collaborate effectively with diverse groups, demonstrating teamwork, team-building skills, and cooperative, collegial interactions regardless of differing personalities or backgrounds.
• Students must accept direction and supervision in the interest of patient well-being.
• Students must acknowledge personal limitations and establish healthy boundaries to maintain constructive partnerships.
• Students must possess the skills and experience necessary for effective, harmonious interaction in diverse academic and clinical environments.
• Patient confidentiality must be maintained at all times, including compliance with HIPAA standards.

Social Media

• Please refer to the department's Social Media Policy for guidelines.

Handling Stress, Setting Priorities, and Time Management

• Students must manage the inherent stress of a healthcare career effectively.
• Students must exhibit sound judgment throughout their educational experiences.
• Students must demonstrate the ability to set and adhere to priorities.
• Emotional maturity and stability are required to function effectively under stress and adapt to unpredictable or rapidly changing circumstances in healthcare.
• Students must display compassion, empathy, altruism, and tolerance.
• Students must possess the emotional health and resilience needed to fully utilize their intellectual abilities, make sound judgments, and complete all responsibilities related to patient care.
• Students must be able to prioritize patient management and all professional duties.
• Time management skills are essential; students must consistently meet deadlines.

Honesty and Integrity

• Students must demonstrate integrity, honesty, and responsibility.
• Students must be forthright about errors or uncertainties.
• Students are accountable to patients, society, and the profession.

Maturity and Dedication

• Students must be dedicated to pursuing excellence and acquiring the knowledge and skills required for professional practice.
• Students must possess the maturity and discipline necessary for competent healthcare delivery.
• If a student denies the existence of a problem, refuses to accept responsibility, or fails to show concern or effort to improve performance, faculty may expedite a decision regarding dismissal.

In summary, a PA student should consistently demonstrate:

• Ethical conduct, integrity, and honesty
• Concern for others, self-awareness, and respect for privacy
• A sense of responsibility and duty
• Professional appearance
• Recognition of personal limitations and openness to constructive criticism
• Punctual attendance at all program and clinical activities
• Adherence to all deadlines
• Respectful interpersonal relationships with patients, families, faculty, staff, and peers
• Strict maintenance of patient confidentiality

Any faculty, staff, or preceptor may initiate a discussion regarding professional behavior. Should concerns arise, they will be escalated through the appropriate departmental channels.

Use of Computers, Tablets, and Electronic Devices

• Classroom use of computers and other electronic devices is limited to note-taking, completing exams, or participating in instructor-approved activities.
• Non-academic uses such as web surfing, messaging, shopping, and similar activities are prohibited.
• Violations may result in loss of electronic device privileges for the individual student(s) and potentially the entire class.

Breaks

• Students are expected to remain in the classroom throughout the scheduled session.
• Formal breaks are provided during lengthy classes and should be used as needed.
• Leaving and re-entering the classroom during non-designated break times should be rare and only for exceptional circumstances.

Punctuality

• Arrive on time and stay for the full class session.
• If you will be late or must leave early, notify the instructor in advance.
• Refer to the absenteeism and lateness policy for additional details.

Cell Phones and Other Electronic Devices

• All devices must be turned off or set to vibrate/silent mode during classes and assessments.
• Texting, taking calls, or using unauthorized apps during class or clerkship assignments is prohibited.
• Certain apps may be used during clerkships with the preceptor’s permission.

Visitors

• No guests are allowed in the classroom.
• As per New York Tech policy, only enrolled students may attend classes.

Classroom Conversations

• Questions should be directed to the instructor at appropriate times.
• Avoid side conversations and other disruptive behaviors during class.

Recording Lectures

• Recording any class or lecture requires prior, written permission from the instructor (see Appendix B: Permission to Record Lectures.
• Requests should be made well in advance and must include a valid reason and any necessary documentation.
• Authorized recordings are for personal use by students enrolled in the class only.
• No copyright is transferred by granting permission to record.
• Recordings and related materials may not be reproduced, uploaded publicly, or used for commercial purposes.
• Unauthorized distribution or public posting may constitute copyright infringement and could lead to disciplinary action.
• Exceptions for Students with Disabilities:
  • Students with accommodations approved by the Office of Accessibility Services may record lectures or adapt materials as needed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA.
  • Even with accommodations, all restrictions against unauthorized distribution apply.

• Log in using your official New York Tech account. The instructor may remove participants who cannot be identified.
• Keep your camera on at all times unless instructed otherwise (blurred backgrounds are acceptable).
• Attend virtual sessions from a suitable workspace (e.g., a desk), not from bed.
• Dress and groom yourself as you would for an in-person class.
• Refrain from eating during the lecture; beverages are acceptable.
• Minimize background distractions.
• Use headphones to prevent audio interference.
• Mute your microphone unless you are speaking to the instructor or the class.

Any breach of professionalism, defined by the criteria above or otherwise, occurring during the student's didactic or clinical years will result in the following actions:

1. A meeting will be convened with the student, the complainant, and the student's faculty mentor or other designated faculty member.
   • If the faculty mentor is the complainant, an additional program faculty member will join the initial meeting.
   • The Program Director/Chair must be notified of the infraction and outcome of the meeting in writing (email acceptable).
2. For every infraction, a Breach of Professionalism (BOP) form will be completed and filed in the student's record.
3. Three documented breaches of professionalism will prompt a meeting with the Student Progression Committee (SPC).
4. If faculty and the mentor determine that an incident is sufficiently egregious, they may recommend an SPC meeting at any time (regardless of the number of prior infractions). They will consult the Program Director/Chair to make this determination.
5. The SPC will submit all recommended actions in writing (email acceptable) to the Program Director/Chair and the academic or clinical directors. A copy will be placed in the student's file.
6. If the charges are supported, the SPC may recommend one or more of the following actions (not limited to these):
   • A reflective presentation, essay, or other assignment to demonstrate understanding of the infraction(s).
   • Probation (due to lack of professionalism), suspension, or dismissal from the program.
7. After three documented infractions, or sooner if deemed appropriate by the SPC or Program Director/Chair, the student will be placed on professional probation. This probation may extend throughout the student's tenure in the program.
8. A fourth infraction will result in automatic dismissal from the program.
9. If the student demonstrates comprehension of the issues and meets the imposed requirements following a professionalism breach, the Program Director/Chair and principal faculty may remove the student from probation. A letter indicating this decision will be permanently added to the student's file.

For additional guidelines pertaining to clinical rotations, please refer to the Clinical Year Handbook.

If applicable, procedures outlined in the New York Tech Student Code of Conduct will be followed. Violations of professional conduct may also be addressed according to the Academic Integrity Policy.

The program chair/department chair, in consultation with the Student Progression Committee, reserves the right to dismiss students for reasons including, but not limited to:

• Inability to maintain good academic standing
• Academic dishonesty
• Behavior endangering others' safety or well-being
• Disrespectful behavior toward patients, faculty, staff, or other students
• Excessive unexcused absences or lateness
• Unprofessional behavior, including but not limited to:
  • Violation of patient confidentiality
  • Violation of AAPA Guidelines for Ethical Conduct
  • Violation of clinical clerkship policy and procedure
  • Violation of state and federal regulations

All PA students should create an email signature using the following example:

Jane S. Smith, PA-S
Physician Assistant Studies, M.S. (Class of 20XX)
New York Institute of Technology

All students, including students in their clinical year, must check their email at least twice a day to make sure any urgent correspondence from faculty/instructors/staff, or the institution is not missed. It is advised to have email checked by 8 a.m. and again at 8 p.m.

Because of the pace and rigor of the program, students are strongly discouraged from working while in the program. Experience has taught us that students holding employment during enrollment struggle significantly more than other students regarding academic success.

The following guidelines are meant to help the student in deciding about work during their participation in the PA program:

• Employment while enrolled is strongly discouraged.
• Students who work are encouraged to make this known to their academic advisor.
• Students who are working and find themselves in academic difficulty will be advised to consider terminating that work.
• Coursework and all required activity schedules will not be altered to conform to employment. Your education must remain your primary responsibility when balancing work and school.

Student Work Policy

Students are not required to work for the program in any capacity.

• The PA program does not allow students to substitute for instructional, clinical, or administrative staff at the clinical site or at the program, regardless of their prior knowledge, education, or experience.
• 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 instructors during didactic courses, labs, or supervised clinical practice experiences.
• Students cannot be used to substitute for clinical or administrative staff under any circumstances during clinical rotations.

If a student is required to work for the program in any capacity, they must contact the Director of Clinical Education or Program Director/Chair immediately.

Consistent with accreditation standards, the PA Program does not request or require present or future students to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors; the program has secured all supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) sites and preceptors for all matriculated students. At no time do students need to assist in finding their own SCPE preceptors or sites. All clinical sites for required clerkships are located in the United States, and all are within driving range from the campus. The vast majority of clinical sites are within a sixty-minute drive from the campus; students will not need to relocate for their SCPE clerkships.

Principal faculty, the program director, and the medical director are not permitted to participate as healthcare providers for students in the program except in an emergency situation.

Students will be required to successfully complete a criminal background check prior to matriculation in the program and periodically thereafter. This will be done at the student's expense. Additionally, students will be periodically required to pass a urine drug screen (UDS) successfully. This will also be at the student's expense and may include random UDS. Failure to comply may be interpreted by the program as equivalent to failing a UDS and may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal from the program.

Certain legal issues, professional reprimands, and/or criminal convictions may preclude a student from being accepted by clerkships and thus may impact the student's ability to successfully complete the program, delay their program completion date, and impede their ability to achieve certification and/or licensure.

While on clinical clerkship, students are covered under clinical, site-specific professional liability insurance provided by New York Institute of Technology. A student is covered by the college's malpractice insurance only if the student is enrolled and participating in a course or program approved or sponsored by the college.

Student records are retained by the college and the Department of PA Studies in accordance with college and ARC-PA policy. Student records are securely stored electronically in assigned drives on New York Tech servers and on CastleBranch. All FERPA policies are followed regarding student records, and only program faculty and staff with a legitimate educational need for such records have access to these records. Students may request access to their personal records by sending an email to their faculty mentor and copying (cc.) the Program Director/Chairperson. Students are prohibited from accessing academic records or other confidential information of other students or faculty. Furthermore, students are prohibited from viewing letters of recommendation in their CASPA application and other sources in which they have previously signed a letter of release.

Student medical records, health and immunization forms, and certificates are not kept by the program. All the above documents must be uploaded to each student's individual CastleBranch portal, and students are responsible for retaining their own physical and electronic copies. In accordance with the university's Record Retention Policy, student files will be retained for a total of seven (7) years after graduation.

The content of student files stored on New York Tech secured servers includes evidence that a student has met published admission criteria, as well as the institution's and program's health screening and immunization requirements, documents related to student performance while enrolled, remediation efforts and outcomes, summaries of any formal academic/behavioral disciplinary action taken, and documentation that the student has met requirements for program completion.

Specific to MS-PA program students, records are kept in electronic form in the following areas:

• Admissions materials: Housed in the college's SLATE system, including CASPA records, and in the Department of PA Studies X Drive
• Health screening, immunization documents, and certificates: CastleBranch
• Conformation met admissions criteria, and institution/program's health screening/immunization requirements, semester progression and graduation materials, remediation exams (if applicable), disciplinary action materials (if applicable), advising/encounter forms: Housed in the Department of PA Studies X Drive
• Course grades and GPAs: Housed in the college's registrar system and the Department of PA Studies X Drive

In the event of program closure and/or loss of accreditation, the college will either matriculate out the remaining students or assist students in obtaining matriculation at another institution. In the event that the Program needs to matriculate students, it is the Program Director/Chair's responsibility, with oversight from the Dean of the School of Health Professions, to ensure that the student's education is completed.

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Students must have a health insurance policy while enrolled at New York Tech. Verification of health insurance must be uploaded to the student's CastleBranch document tracker account annually.

Should a student be exposed to a bloodborne pathogen, the student is responsible for any and all of the costs associated with exposure. Students should, of course, utilize their health insurance for this purpose. However, students may elect to purchase health insurance that would not necessarily cover any or all of these costs, and would then be responsible for all costs personally.

All New York Tech School of Health Professions students must have health insurance beyond accidental coverage. The cost of the New York Tech insurance plan will automatically be charged to your student account each academic year upon registering for Fall classes. If a domestic student has comparable health insurance coverage available, such as through a parent's or spouse's plan, the student may be eligible to waive the coverage. For further information and the deadline for waiving, please view instructions on the Health Insurance.

Questions regarding New York Tech insurance plans should be directed to the Office of Counseling and Wellness.

The safety of students, staff, faculty, and patients is our highest priority. During orientations for both the didactic and clinical phases, PA students are presented with information on personal security, fire safety, infection control, HIPAA, and OSHA standards. In addition, they must complete any clinical site-specific safety or security requirements before beginning their supervised clinical practice experiences. Students should recognize the inherent risks of exposure to infection and environmental hazards throughout both phases of the program. All PA students, staff, and faculty are expected to adhere to established college safety protocols at all times.

• Didactic-phase students must notify their course director immediately of any exposure to bodily fluids, chemical hazards, or potentially serious infectious diseases.
• Clinical-phase students must notify their SCPE clerkship preceptor and the MS-PA Director of Clinical Education of any exposure to bodily fluids, chemical hazards, or potentially serious infectious diseases as soon as possible.
• All faculty, staff, and students will utilize Standard Precautions (Methods of Prevention as outlined below) during all activities that present a risk of exposure to blood/body fluids or chemical hazards. Failure to do so will be grounds for disciplinary action.
• Students must follow the exposure-response plan detailed below in the case of any exposure to blood/body fluids, chemical hazards, or potentially serious infectious diseases.

Standard Precautions

Definition: Standard precautions are the minimum safety and infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, laboratory, or technical skills training experiences in any setting where healthcare or healthcare training is delivered. These practices are designed to protect healthcare professionals (HCPs) and prevent them from spreading infections to others. Students will be instructed in Standard Precautions during didactic coursework and again in clinical preparation meetings.

Standard Precautions Include:

Good hand hygiene: Critical to reduce the risk of spreading infection. Current CDC guidelines recommend the use of alcohol-based hand rub for hand hygiene except when hands are visibly soiled (e.g., dirt, blood, body fluids) or after caring for patients with known or suspected infectious diarrhea, in which cases, soap and water should be used. Key situations where hand hygiene should be performed include:

• Before touching a patient, even if gloves will be worn.
• Before exiting the patient's care area, after touching the patient or the patient's immediate environment.
• After contact with blood, body fluids, or excretions, or wound dressings.
• Prior to performing an aseptic task (e.g., placing an IV, preparing an injection).
• If hands will be moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site during patient care.
• After glove removal.

Use of personal protective equipment (PPE):

• Exam gloves will be worn when there is a risk of contact with or when handling blood or body fluids, or when there is a potential for contact with mucous membranes, non-intact skin, or body orifice areas, or contaminated equipment.
• Facial masks, protective eyewear, and/or gowns (as well as gloves) will be worn when performing/assisting procedures with a risk of body fluid or other hazardous material splashes or sprays.

Safe injection practices:

• No recapping of needles unless required by the specific procedure being performed.
• Use self-sheathing needles and/or needleless systems when available.
• All needles and other disposable sharps will be placed in designated puncture-resistant containers as soon as possible after their use.

Safe handling of potentially contaminated surfaces or equipment:

• Environmental cleaning: Areas in which patient care activities are performed will be routinely cleaned and disinfected at the conclusion of the activity, as outlined by the laboratory course director/instructor.
• Medical equipment safety. Reusable medical equipment must be cleaned and disinfected (or sterilized) according to the manufacturer's instructions. If the manufacturer does not provide guidelines for this process, the device may not be suitable for multi-patient use.

Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette:

• Cover mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Use and dispose of tissues.
• Perform hand hygiene after hands have been in contact with respiratory secretions.
• Consider using a mask to prevent aerosol spread. Consult with your clinical preceptor regarding specific clinical policy on when masks must be used.
• Sit as far away from others as possible when ill with respiratory symptoms.

Compliance with all safety practices is not just good procedure—it is a mark of your professionalism. Persistent failure to observe and practice Standard Precautions may result in adverse/disciplinary action for unprofessional behavior and referral to the Student Progression Committee.

Post Exposure Protocol

Should an exposure to blood and/or other body fluid or a needle stick injury occur, the procedure for obtaining appropriate medical care is as follows:

1. When an exposure occurs: Wounds and skin sites that have been in contact with blood or body fluids should be washed with soap and water; mucous membranes should be flushed with water. There is no evidence that the use of antiseptics for wound care or expressing fluid by squeezing the wound further reduces the risk of HIV transmission. However, the use of antiseptics is not contraindicated. Use of caustic agents, e.g., bleach, is not recommended.
2. The student should notify their clinical supervisor immediately. The supervisor and student should fill out any Notice of Incident form in use by the clinical site as well as the form in use by the New York Tech Department of PA Studies (Appendix C). This department form should go with the student to their evaluation for treatment. When completing the exposure form, no health information about either the student or the patient should be included to ensure their privacy. The form must not contain the patient's name or any other identifying information. Email a copy of the form to the DCE within 24 hours.
3. Medical Evaluation: It is very important that medical evaluation takes place immediately because treatment decisions must be made within two hours of exposure. HIV prophylaxis for high-risk exposure appears most effective if started within 2–4 hours. It is also extremely important to evaluate the donor's risk status immediately.
4. Medical Evaluation Facilities: The student should report IMMEDIATELY to the W. Kenneth Riland Academic Health Care Center if exposure occurs on the New York Tech campus during regular working hours. If the exposure occurs at an off-campus clinical site, the student should follow the Infection Control policy of that facility. If campus services are closed or if they are in the outpatient setting, the student should go IMMEDIATELY to the nearest emergency room or their personal healthcare provider if available. Follow-up location and timing are individualized.
5. Program Participation: Continued participation in the activities of the PA program will not be affected by any injury or illness that occurs while enrolled, provided the student continues to meet all Technical Standards and fulfill all defined requirements for program progression and is not directly infectious by way of routine contact.
6. Insurance: The student's insurance identification card should be shown when a medical evaluation is needed. Students will be financially responsible for all costs incurred during compliance with this policy.

Upon admission, students will be required to submit proof of immunization for hepatitis B and MMR in accordance with college policy. Additionally, the program requires that all students maintain immunizations as recommended by the CDC for healthcare providers. Therefore, all PA students must have proof of immunization to the recommended CDC vaccines, including Hepatitis B, MMR, varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Immunizations and health screenings must be updated prior to direct patient contact, before starting the clinical year of the program, and yearly thereafter for any student extending enrollment in the program.

• Though not an immunization, students must have a two-step PPD (with negative results) within the last year; in addition, a negative PPD will need to be current for the entire duration of the program. This documentation OR a negative chest X-ray must be provided. The QuantiFERON Gold TB blood test may be used as an appropriate substitution in lieu of the two-step PPD (and annually thereafter) and for students having previously been vaccinated with BCG.
• Although the meningococcal (meningitis) vaccine is not required by the PA program, it is recommended by the State of New York. Therefore, students must either provide written documentation of meningitis immunization or sign a waiver to indicate they have been informed about this disease and vaccine and have chosen not to be immunized. Otherwise, the meningococcal vaccine is only for those who are routinely exposed to isolates of N. meningitidis.
• The PA program expects students to receive the influenza vaccine annually while enrolled, even though it is not currently required for healthcare workers in New York State, because some clinical sites may require the flu vaccine for student learners. Not being vaccinated may prevent a student from being assigned to that site. The program cannot guarantee that a student will satisfy the requirements for completion of the MS PA degree without this and other vaccinations.
• COVID-19 vaccines are strongly encouraged but are not currently mandated at New York Tech. However, our clinical partners may require students to be vaccinated. If you do not meet a clinical site's vaccine requirements, this may impact progression, and we cannot guarantee you will be able to fulfill the clinical requirements for graduation.*

All students of the PA program must understand and accept the following:

• If the student is unable to confirm immunization status or unable to obtain immunizations due to personal, religious, or medical* reasons, the New York Tech PA program cannot guarantee placement at a clinical site, and this may limit the student's ability to successfully complete and graduate from the program.
• Certain immunizations or screenings are required on an annual basis.
• The cost of all immunizations and health screenings is the sole responsibility of the student.

* In some situations, the clinical site might accept certain medical reasons for not receiving a vaccination, but this will be at the discretion of the site. The clinical site may require a waiver form to be signed by the student prior to starting the rotation.

Students in the PA Studies program will be required to upload all required documents to CastleBranch. The program will not have access to details of your health records, but will be informed that you have met the program, clerkship, and institutional requirements to matriculate and progress through the program. Students are responsible for their original documents and must keep digital copies of all lab reports and other documents that may be required by the program or a clerkship site.

Students will use the forms below:

1. Annual Health Assessment Form: This document must be updated annually.
2. Titers and Vaccination Form: This document must be submitted upon entering the program.
3. Non-Immune Status Form: Complete this if non-immunity is indicated on the Titers and Vaccination Form.
4. New York Tech Student Immunization form. This form is required to be filled out specifically for New York Tech. This is in addition to all other immunization documents required to be uploaded to CastleBranch.
5. COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements. Please follow the instructions for NYITCOM and the School of Health Professions on the page.
6. Annual Flu Vaccination Form: It is strongly recommended that each student receive a flu vaccine annually unless contraindicated.
7. Meningitis Response Form

It is recommended that all students have a personal healthcare provider in the area to provide basic medical needs. The principal faculty, Program Director/Chair, and medical director must not participate as healthcare providers for students in the program except in the case of emergencies.

During the clinical year, if a student chooses to partake in an international elective, the program will require the student to follow current CDC recommendations for international travel and the additional vaccinations therein.

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The PA program highly recommends that students become involved in the PA Student Society (PASS) at New York Tech. Students are also encouraged to become actively involved in the Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Associates (SAAAPA), the New York State Society of Physician Assistants (NYSSPA), and the American Academy of Physician Associates. (AAPA).

Students are the future of the profession, and it is through these organizations that students can remain apprised of the progress and current issues of their profession. Professional associations set standards for the profession and work for the practitioner in a number of ways: attendance at professional meetings, advocacy, lobbying activities, continuing education, information, consultation, publications, product discounts, grants, loans, scholarships, and the opportunity for professional growth and recognition. Students also benefit from receiving various professional publications, such as the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Associates, through their membership.

Scholarships are also available, on a competitive basis, through the New York State Society of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Associates, as well as a myriad of other professional organizations.

New York Tech Physician Assistant Student Society (PASS)

The Student Society serves multiple purposes aimed at fostering professional growth and community among Physician Assistant students. It provides a pre-professional organization designed to enhance professional development and offers a forum for students to share their views and ideas. The Society encourages active participation at both the state and national levels through involvement with the New York State Society of Physician Assistants (NYSSPA) and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). It offers students opportunities to collaboratively address broad-based issues, enhance their medical education, and enrich their clinical experiences. Additionally, the Society promotes leadership development within the PA community and facilitates the establishment of a professional network that students can carry into their careers after graduation.

The society stresses the importance of giving back at the community level by improving healthcare in the local community. This takes on many forms, such as fundraising, blood drives, and others. The society honors the academic traditions of medicine as well as affirms the sound and ethical responsibilities and practices of the PA profession.

Student society positions include:

• President
• President-Elect
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Communications
• Director of External Affairs
• AAPA Representative
• NYSSPA Representative
• Didactic Phase Class Representatives (2)
• Clinical Phase Class Representative (2)

American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)

Founded in 1968, the American Academy of Physician Associates is the national professional society for PAs. It represents all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the majority of the U.S. territories, and within the uniformed services. AAPA advocates and educates on behalf of the profession and the patients PAs serve. It works to ensure professional growth, personal excellence, and recognition of PAs, and to enhance their ability to improve the quality, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness of patient-centered healthcare. Visit AAPA to learn more about the profession.

AAPA's mission is to provide quality, cost-effective, and accessible healthcare as well as to support the professional and personal development of PAs. The AAPA pursues these goals through government relations and public education programs, research and data collection efforts, and continuing education activities. The Academy's policies are set by the House of Delegates, which meets once a year, and are implemented by its Board of Directors. The House of Delegates is made up of representatives from the chartered chapters, the Medical and Surgical Congresses, and the Association of PA programs.

AAPA maintains survival guides on its student resources page, and, as a student member, you are encouraged to take advantage of the guides to assist you in your education (member login required).

• Didactic Phase Survival Guide
• Clinical Phase Survival Guide

Contact AAPA for membership information or further information regarding the PA profession.

New York State Society of PAs (NYSSPA)

Student membership, and subsequently graduate membership, in The New York State Society of PAs (NYSSPA) is strongly recommended to keep you informed of New York State legislative issues regarding the PA profession.

For membership information and an application, go to the NYSSPA website.

Student Course and Student Faculty Evaluations

You are given the opportunity to provide ongoing anonymous feedback regarding your coursework and the faculty. Near the end of each didactic semester, you will receive electronic notifications from the Office of Institutional Research with instructions on how to complete end-of-semester, anonymous faculty evaluations. During the clinical year, students are required to electronically complete a Student Evaluation of Clinical Site and Preceptor at the end of each clinical rotation.

End of Program Student Evaluation

The Exit Survey is an important tool designed to gather your feedback on various aspects of the PA program, ensuring we continue to provide the best possible education and support to future students. As a graduating student, your input helps us evaluate institutional resources, program resources, the didactic curriculum, and the clinical phase. You'll have the opportunity to share your thoughts on the quality of facilities, learning spaces, and technology, as well as the effectiveness of academic advising, counseling, financial aid, and career services. We'll also ask about your experience with library and online resources, along with our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

The survey will also cover program-specific elements, including faculty accessibility, mentorship, and the availability of learning tools like simulation labs and standardized patient encounters. You'll provide feedback on the didactic curriculum, including how well it prepared you for clinical practice, the relevance of coursework, and the effectiveness of teaching and assessment methods. Additionally, we'll ask about your clinical phase experiences, focusing on the quality of clinical sites and preceptor support. Finally, the survey invites you to reflect on your overall program satisfaction, readiness for practice, and preparation for PANCE. Your feedback is critical in identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and we greatly appreciate your honest and thoughtful responses.

Graduate Evaluation of the Program

Approximately one year after graduation, you will receive a Graduate Survey designed to gather your reflections on the program now that you've had time to apply your education in the workplace. This survey is an opportunity for you to evaluate how well the PA program prepared you for your career, including your clinical and professional skills, and to share insights on your transition into practice.

Your feedback will help us assess the program's long-term impact and identify areas where we can further enhance the educational experience for future students. The survey will ask about your preparedness for various aspects of your role as a practicing PA, your satisfaction with the training you received, and any suggestions you may have for improvement. We value your perspective and encourage you to take the time to complete this survey, as your input is essential to maintaining the program's excellence and ensuring its continued success.

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New York Tech holds its commencement exercises in May of each academic year, and PA students are scheduled to complete the program prior to commencement. Students who do not complete the program until after commencement will be eligible for a subsequent graduation date. Graduation is dependent upon the successful completion of all the program coursework. It is the student's responsibility to review their degree audits each semester to ensure that all courses are completed and the appropriate grades have been documented on the degree audit. Degree audits—also referred to as Student Advisement Reports (STAR)—can be accessed online through my.nyit.edu.

Students are required to meet with their faculty mentor each semester to review their STAR reports. Each student must keep a hard copy of this report for each semester. The program and the Registrar review all student records prior to notifying the State Education Department of the student's graduation. Any deficiencies must be reconciled with New York Tech before any student records are forwarded to the State Education Department. The Registrar will not process any licensing/certification documents or confirm your graduation if there are outstanding coursework, fees, or bills in your bursar account.

To graduate, students must fulfill the following requirements:

• A cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0
• Successful completion of all didactic courses
• Successful completion of all clinical clerkships
• Completion and approval of master's project
• Satisfactory standard of professional conduct
• Successful completion of Summative Evaluation based on department-defined performance threshold
• Successful completion of PEP requirements (see below)
• An application for graduation must be completed on my.nyit.edu
• Bursar account clearance

It is expected that all students will complete the program within 30 months. In cases where a student takes a leave of absence or is approved to decelerate and join a subsequent cohort, the student must complete the entire curriculum within 12 months of their original graduation date.

The Office of the Registrar can provide further information regarding graduation procedures and policies.

The School of Health Professions believes in the importance of supporting the student in transitioning into the role of a professional. As such, students are expected to participate in relevant extracurricular activities. The school requires all students enrolled in the graduate professional programs to participate in six (6) professional activities throughout the course of their three years of professional-phase studies, and undergraduate students in the School of Health Professions are expected to participate in one activity per semester.* A list of appropriate activities will be available in each department and students will be notified as new activities arise.

* This statement applies to the undergraduate nursing and health sciences programs that are a part of SHP.

What Qualifies as a PEP Credit?
Specifically, what qualifies for PEP credit will be determined by each department, as opportunities differ depending on discipline. Specific to each discipline are activities such as continuing education, participation in professional association meetings, presentations at conferences, participation in fundraisers (MS Walk, etc.), and participation in community health fairs. There are more than enough activities available on campus and in the health professions that a student can meet the 1–2 required PEP activities/year.

If an activity is not a New York Tech-sponsored or campus event, it will need to be pre-approved and sent electronically to the Director of Student Activities and Community Outreach via email.

Generally, events deemed mandatory by the department, a clinical clerkship, or a part of the curriculum, will not be accepted for PEP. There may be some rare exceptions, and this will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Which course will these PEP credits be applied to in the PA program?
This requirement will be included as part of your PHAS 754 course requirements and will be listed in the syllabus. It will receive a Pass/Fail grade. You will NOT be able to complete the total number of PEP credits in one single semester. At least one PEP credit activity is reported each didactic semester, and at least two PEP credit activities are required for the clinical year. Six (6) PEP credit activities are required for PHAS 754 completion and graduation.

Tracking in the PA Department
Record keeping of PEP activity will be kept by the PA program administrator and made available to the PA faculty. Prior approval and proof of attendance will be required for each submission. PEP activity will be monitored and recorded using the department's CANVAS Commons. Students must also keep a copy of their participation for their own records.

Students who successfully graduate from New York Institute of Technology's Physician Assistant Studies, M.S. program are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) for certification. After passing the PANCE, PAs are issued NCCPA certification and can use the PA-C designation until the certification expiration date (approximately two years). This is an essential first step towards obtaining licensure to practice as a PA in one of the 50 United States and Territories.

New York Tech PA program graduates who pass the PANCE meet the education requirements stipulated by New York State and are thus eligible to apply for New York State Licensure.

Each of the other 49 U.S. States and Territories may have specific educational requirements for a certified PA to be eligible for licensure in that location. Although many states have similar requirements, the New York Tech PA Department is unable to determine whether graduates are eligible for licensure in states other than New York. A student seeking to practice in a state other than New York should review the educational requirements set by the state's licensing board.

After students have successfully completed all course requirements of the program, the program will assist in completing the required state licensing paperwork for the student's state of choice. It is the student's responsibility to provide such licensing paperwork to the program in a timely manner that takes into consideration the necessary processing time. It is also the student's responsibility to fully investigate their state licensing requirements (as outlined by that state's licensing board) and to complete such requirements.

To register for the PANCE, students must provide the following information to the Program Director/Chair and the program administrator: the student's name (exactly as indicated on the picture ID the student will be using for the board exam) and birthdate. Students will be notified if additional information is needed. Using the information provided, an account will be created by NCCPA that will allow the student to register for the PANCE.

The following constitutes general guidelines for letters of recommendation:

• Commonly, two (2) letters, including the Program Director/Chair's, is sufficient.
• Letters of recommendation are provided at the faculty and Program Director/Chair's discretion and permission.
• Letters from clinical site preceptors, section heads, and well-known attending physicians or PAs carry more weight. These should be pursued wherever possible.
• Please request permission from faculty and preceptors prior to listing them as a reference.
• After one year of employment, letters of recommendation should not be solicited from the program unless there are extenuating circumstances.

The program provides continuous and ongoing professional development. Prior to graduation and during the final year, the PA program will provide information to the students on career development, including items such as resume writing, job searching, interviewing skills, contract negotiations, and other issues impacting successful employment as a PA. New York Tech Office of Career Success and Experiential Education works closely with the department to offer their services.

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The Department of PA Studies suite is located in Room 352 on the third floor of the Riland Center. Due to privacy concerns, it is requested that students wait in the hallway if a faculty member is not immediately available. Waiting in the suite is not permitted, as faculty discussions may be overheard.

Messages for the PA department faculty should primarily be transmitted via email (preferred), phone, and voicemail. Contact information can be found on your course syllabi and in the faculty directory. As an added measure, emails may be copied to the program administrative specialist at pas@nyit.edu. Students may also call the department at 516.686.3881 to leave a message. Lastly, non-urgent and non-confidential documents may be left in faculty and staff mail slots located in Room 334 on the third floor of Riland Center.

Free parking is available on the New York Tech Long Island (Old Westbury, N.Y.) campus. A parking permit is required and must be obtained at the security office. When students are required to participate in activities at hospitals or clinical sites, the parking policies of the individual facilities will prevail. It is the student's responsibility to ask about the facility parking policies prior to going to the site, so that they will be prepared and on time for their site rotation.

For important information regarding parking, refer to Parking and Vehicle Policies.

Please refer to the university's Alcohol and Other Drug Policy.

Please refer to the department's Social Media Policy for guidelines.

Please refer to the Smoking Policy on New York Tech campuses.

Upon being summoned, your first action must be to immediately contact the program administrative staff, who will provide an official letter requesting postponement. The program letter will include your term of study and curriculum to obtain a postponement until after your anticipated graduation date. Failure to follow this procedure may jeopardize your ability to avoid jury duty during your studies, which may then affect your graduation date.

Students who are current residents of New York are allowed to postpone jury duty until after graduation. For further information, please refer to your current residence county's website, but do not request a postponement until you have received a letter from the program:

• Nassau County
• Suffolk County
• City of New York

If you are summoned to jury duty in your home state, it is your responsibility to inform them that you are currently residing in New York.

• Appendix A: Sample Didactic Schedule
• Appendix B: Permission to Record
• Appendix C: Post-Exposure Form