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PA Student Handbook 2024–2025

All information in this handbook is presented in a good faith effort to inform accepted and enrolled students of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) PA program current policies and procedures. These policies apply to all students regardless of their location.
 

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Last updated: April 8, 2025

The PA program reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to make changes in the policies and procedures of the program, its academic calendar, admissions requirements, degree requirements, and standards necessary for successful completion of the program.

It is the responsibility of each student enrolled in the PA program at SMPH to read and abide by the rules, regulations and policies outlined in this handbook.

Mistreatment of students or unprofessional behavior: Report a concern

Program Overview

Program Policies and Processes

View the Adhering to FERPA Policy and Process (DOCX) for information on student educational records rights.

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Class Schedule, Attendance, Materials and Exams
Academic Standards, Mentoring and Counseling
Clinical Year
Student Employment
Misconduct and Professional Behavior Code
Remediation, Deceleration and Withdrawal
Student Medical Treatment and Wellness

Jump to health and wellness resources

Compliance Requirements

All PA program students are required to be in full adherence to the program’s compliance requirements while enrolled in the program as an essential part of their professional responsibility for patient safety.

These requirements relate to:

  • Health and immunizations
  • Certifications and trainings
  • Verifications and screenings
  • Insurance
  • Travel

Student Services

The Office of Student Assistance and Support at UW–Madison helps students navigate personal, academic, or health issues.

For all campus locations, visit the McBurney Disability Resource Center website for disability services.

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Student Opportunities

University-wide opportunities:

Health professions program student opportunities:

Health Sciences Learning Center (HSLC) spaces on the Madison campus:

  • Four Seasons Multifaith Space, HSLC 3367 (3rd Floor of Ebling Library)
  • SMPH Student Lounge, HSLC 1207
  • Wellness Room, HSLC 2270
Academic and Career Mentorship/Advising

Faculty mentorship: All PA program students, upon matriculation, are assigned to a PA faculty mentor for academic and career advising. Meetings are conducted once per semester and can be scheduled more frequently as needed.

For distance education students, meetings are conducted both virtually during semesters and in person when students return to the Madison campus. These meetings can be scheduled more frequently as needed.

Academic and career advising: For all campus locations, the large majority of academic and career advising is accomplished by the PA program.

The Academic and Career Advising Program (ACAP) is available to all health professions students.

Take advantage of Student Success Coaching in Canvas.

Academic Tutoring and Testing-Taking Skills

Academic student services for PA program students at all campus locations are primarily accomplished within the School of Medicine and Public Health.

Student Academic Support Services (SASS) is available to all health professions students, located within the Health Sciences Learning Center (HSLC). Services can be virtual for students on distant campuses. Areas of assistance:

  • Time management, note-taking, reading, concentration, memory
  • Student methods, tutoring, test-taking, test anxiety, board preparation

Email Sharon Marks or call 608-263-8280 regarding SASS services.

UW-Platteville has academic support programs with a similar range of services: tutoring, writing center, etc. These services are included in required/additional UW-Platteville-specific segregated fees.

Educational Technology Links
Library Services

Ebling Library for the Health Sciences (for all campus locations)

The PA program has a dedicated medical librarian who is available to all PA program students regardless of geographic location. They are available to travel to UW-Stevens Point at Wausau or UW-Platteville as needed or meet virtually.

UW-Stevens Point at Wausau Library

UW-Platteville Karrmann Library

IT Support and Computer Access

IT Support

IT support (for all campus locations)

UW-Stevens Point at Wausau campus:

These services are inclued in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Physician Assistant program.

UW-Platteville campus:

These services are included in required/additional UW-Platteville-specific segregated fees.

Computer Access

Madison and distance education campuses: UW–‍Madison InfoLabs offer several general access computer labs and equipment loaning locations conveniently located across campus. The Ebling Library InfoCommons offers 70 desktop computer stations and 20 Mac and 20 Dell laptop computers available for checkout.

UW-Stevens Point at Wausau campus: Computer workstations for student use are available throughout campus buildings. Computer labs are located in Rooms 146 and 300 and are available when not in use by a class, Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

UW-Platteville campus: The Karrmann Library has 56 general access computers. The ITS Helpdesk has 20 laptops for student checkout. The Markee Pioneer Student Center has 86 devices available in their computer facility.

Financial Aid and Resources

For financial aid assistance for all campus locations, visit the UW Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) website. More financial aid resources:

Emergency support: Health Professions Student Emergency Support Fund

The Bursar’s Office has information and resources on student account billing and payments, refunds, and loans serviced by UW–Madison.

Loan repayment:

Transportation Services

Madison

Platteville

Platteville Public Bus Service: Free with your UW-Platteville student ID

Wausau

Madison, Platteville and Wausau Campus and Community Resources

Campus Resources

UW–Madison:

UW-Platteville:

UW-Stevens Point at Wausau:

Community Resources

Madison:

Platteville:

Wausau:

Health and Wellness

For all campus locations, visit University Health Services (UHS) for health services.

UW-Platteville-specific information: Health services are included in required/additional UW-Platteville-specific segregated fees. Health services are available during the UW-Platteville academic year (no summer health services). UW-Platteville Student Health Services offers: evaluation, testing, and treatment for medical problems, injuries, reproductive health, psychiatric needs and preventative care.

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Mental Health Services

For all campus locations, visit UHS mental health services. UHS mental health services include:

  • 24 hour crisis line: Call 608-265-5600 (option 9)
  • Let’s Talk: No-cost, informal, confidential consultations on campus and virtually
  • Group counseling/workshops
  • Togetherall: Clinically moderated, online peer-to-peer mental health community

Wisconsin DHS crisis services option: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call or text 988)

Uwill offers immediate teletherapy appointments and crisis conversations complemented by wellness programming, all tailored to your preferences.

More university resources:

UW-Platteville-specific information: Mental health services are included in required/additional UW-Platteville-specific segregated fees and are available year-round. UW-Platteville Counseling Services provides a wide range of mental health services that include individual, couples and group counseling; crisis intervention; career assessment; alcohol/other drug information; and self-help resources.

Counseling Services are also available to faculty and staff for consultation on a variety of mental health topics.

Student Health Insurance Program

For all campus locations, students are required to have their own individual health insurance and have the option to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP) through UW–Madison if necessary.

Tier 3 of SHIP offers provider options in the Wausau, WI/central Wisconsin area and Platteville, WI/southwestern Wisconsin area.

Basic Needs Resources

Madison

Platteville

Wausau

Survivor Services and Resources
Recovery Services and Resources