5.4. Course-Failure

The program has established definitions and quantitative measures for what constitutes a pass or failure in a PA program course. Given these measures are more stringent than the Institute’s overall standards, they are detailed below. In the PA program, the following constitute a course failure:

  • Preclinical course: overall course grade of <77%; a CAT failure (grade <77%) or failure to achieve a passing score on reflexive CAT [refer to section 11.2.4 under Exam Failures]
  • Clinical year clerkships: score of <67% on an EOR or Clerkship final evaluation of Unsatisfactory
  • Clinical year seminar courses: overall performance <77%

No more than two failed preclinical courses may be considered for remediation as outlined in section 5.4.1. Failure of a third didactic course will result in a referral to the Student Development Committee for Program and grounds for dismissal.


One failed clinical year course may be considered for remediated as outlined in section 5.4.1. Failure of a second clinical year course will result in referral to the Student Development Committee and grounds for dismissal.

Refer to sections 5.4.1 for the program remediation policy for course failures.