1. Introduction

On behalf of the faculty, administration, staff, and student body, we welcome you to the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine's Physician Assistant Program (USF MCOM PA Program).

The USF MCOM PA Program is currently considered a developing program by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The program has applied for Provisional Accreditation and is scheduled for a site visit on June 30, 2016 by the ARC-PA. Results of the Provisional Accreditation site visit will be released in September 2016. Program preparations continue with the intent to begin receiving prospective student applications in October 2016 for the inaugural class starting in May 2017.

This handbook has been developed by the administration and faculty of the PA Program. It contains guidance statements and the policies and procedures of the PA Program, MCOM, and USF.

All students are subject to the policies of the University as delineated in the USF Student Rights and Responsibilities website. It is recognized that this handbook may not contravene the constitutions and laws of the state of Florida; rules, regulations, and policies of the Florida Board of Governors; and rules, regulations, and policies of USF. The foregoing authorities will govern in the event that any provision of a local governance document is inconsistent with or in conflict with them.

It is the student’s responsibility to read this handbook. All students must sign a declaration of understanding prior to beginning of the program and again before the clinical year stating they have read, understood, and agree to abide by the contents of this handbook.

Although not specifically stated after each section, failure to comply and/or conform to the guidelines, academic requirements, rules, and regulations of this handbook could result in disciplinary action, up to and including referral to the PA Program Academic Progress and Professionalism Committee (APPC) and dismissal from the program.

This Handbook is not a contract between the University and you. Rather it is intended to provide up-to-date information, which will be helpful to you. If you have questions or need clarification, please contact the PA Program office, MDC 900, 813-974-8926.

Note: Policies and guidelines presented in this handbook are subject to change at any time. As changes occur in institutional policies that affect students, they will be notified via e-mail.

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