The following criteria are requirements for graduation from the PA program:

• Fulfill each of the requirements for advancement outlined above.
• Achieve a passing grade of C or better in all courses and clinical rotations.
• Cannot have a failing grade in two clinical rotations or fail the same clinical rotation twice during the academic year of graduation
• Fulfill all requirements established by the faculty of each course within the clinical year (to include all remediation assignments).
• Successfully complete the program’s summative evaluation
• Be in good standing as defined by the USF Regulation 3.009 – Graduate Degree Requirements (See Graduate School Catalog – Academic Standards and Grades):
  • Maintain an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in all courses taken as a graduate student, and
  • Maintain an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in all courses taken in each of the student's degree-seeking programs.
  • Only courses with grades of “C” (2.00) or better will be accepted toward a graduate degree; no grade of C- or below will be accepted. Students must meet the requirements to be in good standing to graduate. All "I" (incomplete) and "M" (missing) grades must be cleared up for graduation to be certified.
• Satisfactory demonstration of Professionalism. Professionalism is one of the core competencies of a physician assistant. A student who fails to demonstrate an attitude of professionalism or is not prepared to assume patient care responsibilities based on faculty and/or APPC evaluations, may be dismissed from the PA Program at any time prior to promotion or graduation.
• Please see student handbook sections regarding Professionalism.
• Students must make the appropriate arrangements to discharge all financial obligations to the university. The only exception is the repayment of loans that have a specified maturity date.

Transfer credit or Admission with Advanced Standing from another PA or MD program is not accepted. All program curriculum requirements are required for graduation and must be completed at the USF PA program.

The PA Program curriculum is a rigorous and time-intensive program.

Due to the nature of the PA Program, students are strongly discouraged from working while enrolled. Students who choose to work must attend all scheduled classes and complete all required program activities. Work schedules may not interfere with academic or clinical responsibilities. Students may not miss or change classes, labs, assignments, or clinical rotations to accommodate employment.

If a student’s academic or clinical performance falls below program standards, the student’s performance will be evaluated by the program’s Academic Performance and Professionalism Committee (APPC). Decisions regarding needs for remediation, academic deceleration, or program dismissal will be provided to the student in writing and placed in the student's file. APPC decisions are made independent of the student’s employment status.

PA students are not required to work for the program, substitute, or function as instructional faculty and must not substitute for clinical or administrative staff during supervised clinical practice experience.

Students are not required to provide or solicit for clinical sites or preceptors.

Students may make suggestions to the Clinical Director for sites and preceptors but are not required to do so. Student suggested sites and preceptors will be reviewed and evaluated for educational suitability by the program.

Students with personal issues impacting their progress in the PA Program should notify the program via email of these issues to their advisor, Program Director and Program Administrator. Within 24 hours of receipt of that notification, the student will be referred to the most appropriate resource. For issues that are deemed emergent by the student, the student should contact 911. A list of USF and USF Health resources can be reviewed at:

Student Resources

Students are required to adhere to immunization and health screening procedures upon matriculation and for clinical rotations that are in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation.

• USF Health Medical Health Administration
• Medical and Immunizations

Health policies for International Elective rotations

Students engaging in International elective rotations are to adhere to the USF Health International for pre-travel requirements and international health. Please review the CDC for traveler’s health:

CDC Travelers HealthUSF Health Students Travel