The Student Progress Committee (SPC)

This committee oversees the student’s ongoing academic progress to determine whether the student is eligible for continuation within the program. The committee evaluates any at-risk student to develop remediation or other potential programmatic or educational interventions needed. The chair is responsible for scheduling meeting times and appointing members which include faculty from the didactic and clinical phases of the program as well as the principal faculty and may include a representative from Enrollment and Student Services (non-voting participant). In addition, the committee meets on a quarterly basis to evaluate and discuss student progress and performance in all phases of the program based on student examination scores, preceptor evaluations, and professionalism evaluations.

The Curriculum Committee

The Curriculum Committee oversees the PA program curriculum and policies, including the Master's Capstone Project. The committee deliberates and votes on changes to existing curricula and policies, including revisions, additions, or deletions. Input for changes or curriculum/policy review may be suggested by the Self-Assessment Committee, a course director or a faculty member, and/or students. The Curriculum Committee also considers the sequencing of the curriculum and pedagogy as well as changes in content. The committee meets quarterly, and its members include the program director, director of clinical education, and director of didactic education. Other committee members may be invited as deemed appropriate by the program director and include the medical director, director of accreditation, and/or associate program director.

The Admissions Committee

This committee reviews all qualified applications, determines which candidates will be interviewed, interviews the candidates, and selects the members of the incoming class. The committee is comprised of the director of admissions (chair), the program director, faculty, representatives from the University, employers of PAs, community PAs, and graduates of the program (committee members may vary from year to year). Students play an important role during the interview sessions, but do not have access to applicant files nor do they participate in the final admission decisions. The committee meets before the admissions cycle for orientation and afterward to review the admissions process and procedures as well as plan for the next admissions cycle.

The Self-Assessment Committee (SAC)

This committee oversees the analysis of all data related to student performance, curriculum effectiveness, and program outcomes, and is also responsible for ongoing programmatic self-evaluation and accreditation requirements. The SAC is responsible for ensuring that the School is in compliance with the ARC-PA standards and policies. The SAC is comprised of the program director, medical director, director of accreditation, directors of didactic and clinical education, principal faculty, didactic and clinical faculty, and staff members.  

The President’s Executive Council (PEC)

This committee oversees the administrative components of the SPAS and may need to approve any policy changes if the proposed policy is a change from current University policy or standards. The committee is comprised of the President and all Vice Presidents.

Deans’ Council

This Council focuses on the alignment of academic programming at the University, coordination of interprofessional education, and budgeting to support departmental needs in collaboration with the University Vice President for Finance/CFO. The Deans’ Council (DC) consists of the executive academic leadership at the University. Members are the Deans of Optometry and Pharmacy, the Program Director for SPAS, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the President of MBKU.