Physician Assistant Studies

PROFESSIONAL ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (PEP)

The School of Health Professions believes in the importance of socializing the student into the role of a professional. As such, there is an expectation that students will participate in relevant extracurricular activities. The School requires all students enrolled in the graduate professional programs to participate in 6 professional activities throughout the course of their 3 years of professional phase studies, one per semester. Appropriate activities will be available in each department and students will be notified as new activities arise.

Rationale:

There is a need for students to recognize that being a professional encompasses more than just becoming licensed and practicing as a healthcare worker. There is a need for well-rounded, informed practitioners who are aware of philanthropy, giving back to the community, having an increased awareness of, and participation in, their professional governing body, performing community outreach, and attending seminars and presentations outside their immediate profession. By requiring students to attend these activities, we hope to raise social awareness of, and activism in, their adjunctive professional activities.

WHAT QUALIFIES AS A PEP CREDIT?

Specifically what qualifies for PEP credit will be determined by each department, as opportunities differ depending on discipline. However, general NYIT activities, Global Health Lectures, Sports Medicine Presentations, presentations by Career Services, participation in Relay for Life, NYIT and NYITCOM seminars and presentations etc., would all qualify. Specific to each discipline are activities such as continuing education, participation in professional association meetings, presentations at conferences, participation in fundraisers (MS Walk, etc), and participation in community health fairs. There are more than enough activities available on campus and in the professions that a student can meet the 1-2 required PEP activities/semester.

Every semester, the PA department's student activity coordinator, Professor Jaclyn Cotgreave will notify you regarding pre-approved PEP-eligible events. Other activities/events must receive prior approval from Prof. Cotgreave. Request the approval by email, and include the event title, event description, your involvement, and website address if applicable.

TRACKING PEP CREDITS

It is the student's responsibility to ensure PEP credits are properly submitted and tracked by following the procedures outlined on this page.

For the PA Studies program, a minimum of 6 PEP credit activities must be completed over the 3 years of the program, as follows:

A minimum of one must be completed each didactic semester
A minimum of two (2) must completed over the final clinical year.

IMPORTANT: transferring one or more PEP credits to or from another semester is not permitted. A student may complete more than the minimum required credits if they wish, but those extra credits can only be assigned to the semester when they were completed. For example, if you completed 2 credits in Fall 2022, you cannot then use the extra credit in Spring 2023. Similarly, if you forgot to complete a PEP credit in Fall 2022, you will not be permitted to make it up in Spring 2023.

The student(s) who have accumulated the most PEP credits will receive special recognition at their Graduation Celebration/White Coat Ceremony.

PROCEDURE FOR REGISTERING YOUR PEP CREDITS

The procedure is as follows (DO NOT SKIP ANY STEPS):

Prepare your Proof of Completion in PDF or JPEG image format.
Register your PEP credit using the PEP Registration Form and make sure you receive a confirmation email.
Forward the confirmation email to PAS@nyit.edu, attaching the proof.
Check the PEP Report to ensure that your PEP credit has been registered

Step 1) Preparing your Proof of Completion

The mechanism for submitting proof of completion will differ depending on the activity.

Approved School of Health Professions on-campus events: For these events, a sign-in sheet is usually collected at the door by the program's staff or surrogate. The program will retain a copy of the attendance sheet, and this is sufficient as proof of completion.
Not an SHP on-campus event: Student must first receive approval from Prof. Jaclyn Cotgreave for the event, unless she had already approved it via an email to the class. It is expected that the burden of proof for these events would be minimal, such as a copy of registration and program, photo of student at event, signed letter from event sponsor, completion certificate, etc. Often, faculty or staff are also present at many of these events and can confirm your participation by sending you a "thank you for your participation" email containing the details of the event. It is the student's responsibility to request the confirmation, if not received.

The proof must be in PDF or JPEG image format. The procedure for submitting the proof is explained in the steps below.

Step 2) Registering your PEP credit

The next step is register your completed PEP activities using this PEP REGISTRATION FORM
You will receive a confirmation email. You will use that confirmation to complete the next step.

Email or other forms of communication will not substitute for submission using the above form. Only approved activities can be submitted, and submissions will be compared against proofs of activity.

Step 3) Forward the Confirmation Email and Proof

After submitting your registration form, you will receive a confirmation email (check your Spam folder, if necessary).

Forward the the confirmation email to the program's Administrative Specialist at PAS@nyit.edu
Attach the proof of completion.

Step 4) Check the PEP Report

As the final step, it is your responsibility to check this PEP Credit Report to ensure that your totals and a list of your submissions are correct. Allow one week processing time after each submission. NYIT login is needed to view. Everyone is anonymously identified on the reports by their previously submitted unique PEP handle. The report is not in real time. (Faculty: please view via the submission report linked in the Faculty Resources page, which includes the students' names)

WHICH COURSE WILL THESE PEP CREDITS BE APPLIED TO IN THE PA PROGRAM?

The PEP credits you have accumulated over the six semesters in the program will be included as part of a summative course (PHAS-754) in your third year. The PEP requirement will be listed in the syllabus for that course. You will not receive a grade in the course unless you have completed the PEP requirement. Therefore, failure to complete PEP credits will affect your eligibility to graduate.

Please email Professor Cotgreave or PAS@nyit.edu for any questions or concerns.

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