ARC-PA Standard A3.14d
Academic Deceleration
Academic Deceleration is a loss of a student from their entering cohort (class) due to academic insufficiencies or leave of absence but remains matriculated in a different cohort (class). All decelerated candidates are held to the standards of the cohort they are joining.
Academic Deceleration is an option for the Academic Progress Committee (APC) to consider which may include, but is not limited to, retaking the failed course the next time it is offered. A student may be offered an option to decelerate into a different cohort to continue in their PA Educational Program if the APC determines the student’s deficits are remediable (refer to considerations for deceleration.
Consideration for Deceleration/Remediation
The following considerations must be met in order to be eligible for deceleration /remediation:
- The student has only one failure with a SEMESTER GPA greater than or equal to a 2.333.
- The Academic Progress Committee (APC) determines that the student’s deficiencies are rectifiable without dismissal.
- Students on Conditional Academic Standing (CAS) will not be afforded the opportunity of an Academic Deceleration or Academic Remediation Program/Project unless determined by the APC and/or the Program Director.
Deceleration Requirements
If it is decided that the student will be decelerated due to a failed course, the grade the student must obtain is an 80% (B-) or higher, unless otherwise stated. Failure to do so, will result in a course failure and dismissal from the program.
- As part of deceleration, the student may be required to audit and pass courses which they already passed
- In order to retake a failed course, the student will be required to register for the repeat course and this will result in additional student financial obligations
- Students may be asked to audit courses that they have received a C+ or lower
- Decelerated students will enter the new cohort on Conditional Academic Standing unless otherwise specified by the APC and/or Program Director
- PA Physical Diagnosis I & II will always be audited in their entirety whenever a student is placed on probationary leave or offered deceleration regardless of the previous grade in these courses. The student must demonstrate proficiency in the audited lab and lecture components by passing regularly scheduled exams in both lab & lecture.
Once deceleration is determined, the student receives procedural information in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the details of the deceleration and the student academic requirements. The student is advised to review the MOU and provide a notarized signature within 2 weeks of its receipt that they agree and accept the deceleration plan. Once this occurs, the student is decelerated and joins a new cohort.
Deceleration may be appealed in accordance with the appeals policy described in Policies and Procedures for Student Appeals.
