Policies

Progression criteria

In order to advance from one semester to the next, and from Year I to Year II in the Physician Assistant Studies program, students must:

• Complete all courses with a minimum grade of "B" or equivalent.
• Comply with the Professional Curriculum.
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
• Complete all didactic courses before entry into the clinical year curriculum.
• Complete any incomplete grades prior to the conclusion of the clinical year.
• Satisfactorily complete all clinical rotation objectives.
• Successfully complete didactic and clinical comprehensive exams.

Failure to comply with any of the progression criteria standards will result in an academic review by the PAS program director and Committee on Academic and Professional Progress (CAPP).

Graduation requirements

The following requirements must be met in order to graduate with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies: 

• Complete all 54 credit hours in the Physician Assistant Studies program curriculum with a minimum of "B" or its equivalent in each course. As of September 2022, 75 credit hours are required. 
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Fulfill all financial obligations to Wayne State University. All courses contained within the Physician Assistant Studies curriculum must be completed prior to graduation without exception or exemption.
• The maximum amount of time to complete the course of study is two years, unless otherwise approved by the program.
• No transfer credit or credit by portfolio is accepted. No students are exempt from classes or class participation in workshops because of prior courses, training, or experience.

Transfer credit policy

Coursework in the Physician Assistant Studies curriculum is lock step and quite different from other graduate programs. Work in each semester builds upon work from the previous semester. It is imperative that all students in the Wayne State University Physician Assistant Studies program complete all of the required coursework and do so in the required sequence. No transfer of credit from other programs or institutions will be allowed to fulfill any requirement of the program. Likewise, no advanced standing will be afforded to any individual since all course credits must be completed in order.

This policy will also apply to students requesting to transfer from other Physician Assistant programs, and no credit will be accepted in lieu of required coursework.

Physician Assistant programs have variations of curriculum and intensity of instruction. Due to these variations, no students will be accepted for transfer into the Wayne State University Physician Assistant Studies for the clinical curriculum (rotations).

WSU PAS statement on past criminal history 

The Wayne State PAS Program supports individuals with criminal conviction histories to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant. We understand that some applicants' history of criminal convictions may have been the inspiration that led them to the field of medicine.

In the interest of a fair and inclusive admissions process, the WSU PAS Program does not require applicants to disclose felony convictions or pending felony charges. We strongly support applications from all prospective students.   

Applicants who are admitted to the Program will be required to undergo a background check prior to entrance into the Program.  This is required for clinical rotation placement, a requirement for graduation, and for continued success as a PA professional. 

It is important for the Program to be transparent regarding the challenges that students with criminal histories may face as they pursue their PA education and career. Students with criminal histories may be precluded from participating in clinical education experiences, which are required to graduate. While the Program will make every reasonable effort to assist students in securing an appropriate clinical placement, the Program nor University can guarantee a clinical placement. Also, students with criminal histories may be excluded from obtaining PA licensure in some states or credentialing in some hospital systems.