One of the primary purposes of the PAC is to ensure each student successfully completes all programmatic requirements for progression through and subsequent completion of the academic program. The council will meet at the end of each semester to review progression requirements, providing one of the following recommendations for each student:
Progress with good academic standing
Progress with academic violation(s)
Progress with disciplinary violation(s)
Progress with academic and disciplinary volations
Dismiss
Requirements for progression and completion of the program are as follows:
Didactic Progression (each semester)
Achieve a passing grade in each didactic course
Achieve a minimum semester GPA of 2.5
Receive a GPA of less than 2.75 in no more than one semester (any single semester GPA between 2.5 and < 2.75 will result in a written action plan)
Meet all of the conditions established in a written behavioral action plan (if applicable)
Recommendation from the Progression & Accountability Council (PAC) to progress semester to semester
Didactic Phase to Clinical Phase
Comply with all clinical year prerequisites
Receive an affirmative designation for progression from the Didactic Phase to the Clinical Phase from the Progression & Accountability Council (PAC)
Clinical Progression
Achieve a passing grade on each Supervised Clinical Practice Experience (SCPE)
Achieve a passing score on each end-of-rotation examination (EOR) or Grand Rounds presentation
< 3 EOR failures (whereby the third EOR exam failures will result in remediatory SCPE and delayed graduation)
Achieve a passing score on each clinical preceptor evaluation of student
Program Completion
Successfully complete all requirements for the Didactic Phase
Successfully complete all requirements for the SCPE Phase
Successfully complete the Physician Assistant Summative Exam (PASE) given within the School of Physician Assistant Studies
Successfully complete all PANCE preparation reviews and activities
Be in good standing with the Lipscomb University Registrar, Business office, and Security office concerning all tuition, fees, fines, or requirements
Receive an affirmative designation for graduation from the Progression & Accountability Council (PAC)
Deadline for Program Completion
Complete the entire PA program within 48 months of matriculation
Page/Policy/Guideline Information
Last Reviewed: 2025.08
Devised/Revised: 2025.08