Academic Calendar

We invite admitted students to review our academic calendar outlining the general sequence of program deadlines, transitions, and milestones for each class and year in our program. If you would like more specific information regarding program timeline and deadlines, please consult our Student Handbook. Additional information pertaining to course sequencing and content is also available on our curriculum page. Information regarding registration deadlines are available at the cashier’s office.

Pre-Clinical Phase

In general, the program follows the University academic calendar. Precise start and end dates as well as holidays and semester breaks vary by year and are reported on the University academic calendar.

• Orientation: 1st and/or 2nd week of January

• Start of Spring Semester Classes: 2nd week in January

• End of Spring Semester: 1st or 2nd week in May

• Spring Final Exams: 2nd and/or 3rd week in May

• Start of Summer Semester Classes: 2nd or 3rd week in May

• End of Summer Semester: 3rd or 4th week in July

• Summer Final Exams: 4th week in July

• Summer Break: 1st through 2nd or 3rd week in July

• Start of Fall Semester Classes:3rd week in August

• End of Fall Semester:1st week in December

• Fall Final Exams: 2nd and/or 3rd week in December

• Pre-Clinical Summative Assessment: 2nd or 3rd week in December

Clinical Phase

In general, the clinical phase of the program follows the traditional calendar for graduation purposes only. Clinical rotations require students to actively participate as assigned by their preceptor which may require weekends, varying shifts, on-call hours, etc. to mirror those of the preceptor and/or to meet the requirements of the assigned rotation. Additional information regarding the clinical phase calendar may be found on the clinical phase curriculum page.

• Clinical Year Orientation – Part I: Spring Semester in the pre-clinical year

• Clinical Year Orientation Part II: End of Fall Semester in the pre-clinical year

• Start of Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs): 1st week in Spring Semester

• Last Day of Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs): 1st week in November

• PA Program Written Summative Examination: 2nd week in November

• Evidence-Based Medicine II (PASC 806) Capstone Presentations: 3rd week in November

• PA Program Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Summative: 3rd week in November

• PANCE Board Review Workshop: 1st or 2nd week in October (4 days)

• PACKRAT Formative Assessment: 4th week in November

• PA Program Exit Interview: 1st week in December

• PA Program Graduation: 2nd Saturday in December

Summative Evaluations

Pre-Clinical Phase

At the end of the pre-clinical year, a global summative assessment will be performed focusing on the core competencies of knowledge, patient care, effective communication and interpersonal skills and professional conduct. The student will take a pre-clinical summative assessment (PCSA) that includes comprehensive OSCEs and clinical skill demonstrations. At the end of the PCSA, the student will receive feedback in preparation for the clinical year.

To advance to the clinical year, the student must pass all courses in the pre-clinical year in addition to passing all components of the PCSA.

Clinical Phase

At the end of the clinical year, a global summative assessment will be administered focusing on core competencies. The student will take a three-day clinical summative assessment (CSA) that includes a comprehensive written exam, comprehensive OSCEs (with skill demonstrations) and structured exit interviews. These OSCE/patient scenarios require that a student show sufficient mastery of all six competencies.

To graduate, the student must pass the written exam and each of the OSCE/patient scenarios, as each scenario is designed to showcase the ability to demonstrate adequate medical knowledge, interpersonal skills, patient care skills, professionalism, ability to work in teams, and troubleshoot systems problems in the clinical environment.