Program Costs and Policies

Financial Aid

CBU's Financial Aid team is committed to helping you find and secure the resources you need to finance your educational investment. 

Program Costs

Program Costs 2023-2024

Tuition Refund and Withdrawal from the University

A student withdrawing from the university during the semester may receive a credit on tuition (room and board not included) according to the following schedule:

1. Within the first two weeks after semester begins: 100%
2. Within the third week after semester begins: 75%
3. Within the fourth week after semester begins: 50%
4. Within the fifth through eighth week after semester begins: 25%
5. After the eighth week of the semester: no refund

Completion of even one course in a semester will make a student ineligible for withdrawal from the university for that particular semester.

For information about tuition and other related topics go to Student Accounts. 

Medical Insurance

Students are responsible for securing their own health insurance coverage and must submit proof of health care coverage prior to matriculation. California Baptist University will provide Liability Coverage for students during their clinical clerkship experiences.

Transportation

Students must have a current driver's license and reliable transportation in order to fulfill program-related activities at clinical sites and other venues.

Student Work Policy

Due to the rigorous nature of the academic coursework, students in the California Baptist University  Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program are strongly discouraged from working during the period of study. Students who choose to work must inform the MSPAS Program Director in writing. If employment causes a pattern of concern (marginal or failing grades, interference with clinical duties or class attendance), the student will be subject to administrative action, including dismissal from the program.

Additional CBU Policies

CBU Faculty Resolution of Grievances and Disputes Procedures

CBU Honor Code: See entry in the Student Handbook

Guidelines for Addressing Sexual Harassment and Other Forms of Unlawful Discrimination

Student Grievance Policy: Conflict Resolution

A student who believes that he or she has a conflict with a program professor resulting from what the student perceives is an incorrect test score, course grade or improper disciplinary action by the program professor, and desires to challenge the adverse action, then the student shall seek redress using the following procedure:

Step 1. Seek to resolve the conflict directly with the program professor involved.

• Students should seek to resolve conflicts with staff personnel directly with the staff member in question.
• If a student has a conflict with a program policy, they should bring their concern to the attention of a faculty or staff member.

Hearing

Step 2. If Step 1 fails to resolve the conflict, the student shall file a written complaint to the MSPAS Program Director specifying the nature of the adverse action, evidence supporting the student's assertion, and the desired remedy sought by the student. Evidence may be in the form of written documentation and witness testimony. Upon receipt of the student's written complaint, the MSPAS Program Director shall, at the MSPAS Program Director's discretion, either schedule a hearing to be heard by MSPAS Program Director or designate a faculty panel to hear the complaint. The panel shall consist of the MSPAS Program Director and other program faculty specifically excluding any faculty which may have involvement in the student's complaint.

A complaint should:

1. Be submitted in writing.
2. Specify the nature of the adverse action.
3. Identify and include the evidence on which it is based.
4. Describe the specific relief sought.

At the hearing of the complaint, the student shall respond to any questions of the MSPAS Program Director and/or panel and is permitted to provide any evidence, including witnesses, in support of the complaint. The hearing will not be recorded except that the student, the MSPAS Program Director and panel are permitted to take notes. Third party advisors (e.g. parents, family members and legal counsel for the student or any witnesses) are not permitted to attend the hearing. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the MSPAS Program Director will render a written decision to the student within ten (10) calendar days of the hearing. The decision of the MSPAS Program Director is final and not subject to appeal.

For conflict resolution and appeal of non-academic issues, students must direct their complaints and follow procedures required by the appropriate office.

Remediation and Deceleration

Students are required to complete each component of this program successfully before progressing on to the next phase. Students who are identified through self-referral or through faculty observation as being at risk for failure will be referred for remediation. Remediation may include tutoring, self-study, completion of specific tasks, or referral to the Office of Student Success for counseling. Resulting administrative action may include probation, or dismissal from the program.

• Each student must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale throughout the program.

• A student having an overall GPA of less than 3.0 will be given the following term to bring the GPA up to at least a 3.0. A student who fails to do this will be dismissed from the program.

• Each student must receive a course grade of B- or above in each graded course. In courses that are graded as pass/fail, students must receive a pass grade. A student who receives below a B- course grade, or a failing grade in the appropriate course, is subject to deceleration or dismissal from the program when the students performance is viewed as a whole.  

• A student with a professionalism deficiency will undergo remediation. If remediation is unsuccessful, the student will be dismissed from the program. Note, students with infractions such as DUI, positive drug test, spouse/child abuse, inappropriate provider-patient interaction, and other felony offences will be dismissed from the program.

• Remediation is required for any failed written examination or skills assessment. Written exam or skills assessment including written tests, check-offs/lab practicums, papers, presentations, OSCE's, and end-of rotation (EOR) exams. Remediation of exams and skills assessments must be completed within two weeks

• Remediation is for learning and not for grade changes, and the student must demonstrate he/she has learned the material for the areas in which the deficiency was identified. Successful remediation will allow the student to progress

• Remediation is student and/or situation specific and is determined by the PA faculty and the course director/instructor. Arrangements for remediation are made with the course director/instructor.

Although a student may have passing grades in all courses, but when viewed as a whole, the record shows an area or areas of concern*(see below), that student will be given a written warning or be placed on probation with a remediation plan.

Failure to successfully complete the terms of the plan will result in dismissal from the program.

Decisions concerning academic issues are made in consultation with the program's Student Progress Committee and Faculty Committee.

Areas of concern

• Failure of two (2) or more exams in one course. For courses that include labs/practical exams, failure of 2 or more exams in either the written or lab/practical
• Failure of three (3) or more exams across all courses in a single term
• Receiving a failing mark on any section of a Preceptor Evaluation of a student
• Failure of an End of Rotation (EOR) examination
• Marginal passing (70-76.9) on two or more exams in any one term
• Failure to adhere to professional standards (see Student Handbook)

Deceleration

Deceleration will only be granted to students in the didactic phase of the program who apply for a leave of absence and are in good academic standing. Students in the clinical phase of the program, who need to make up time due to a personal or family illness or emergency, may be granted an extension on a case-by-case basis.

Leave of Absence

In exceptional circumstances, such as the sudden onset of a serious medical condition or family emergency, a leave of absence from the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program may be granted by the Program Director. Students may request a leave of absence for up to one year in length. All requests must be made in writing. Please note the following: (i) a student who is absent for more than 1 week and has not requested a leave of absence will be dropped from the program; (ii) a student with an approved leave of absence who has not re-registered with the program after a leave of absence has ended, will be dropped from the program.

The program reserves the right to determine the conditions for re-entry after any leave of more than one week duration. Coursework, exams and clinical experiences missed during any leave must be made-up within a time-frame agreed upon by the course instructor and the Program Director before the student may continue in this program in good standing. Additional tuition may be required to complete this program after re-entry.

Withdrawal

A student may withdraw from the program at any time. Students requesting full official withdrawal from the University must complete a Petition to Withdraw form available in the Office of Academic Advising (Yeager Center B146, 951-343-4212).

To complete the official withdrawal process, the student must also initiate enrollment changes in the Office of the Registrar, complete the Exit Interview process through the Financial Aid Office, and reconcile any account balance in the Student Accounts Office.

Failure to comply with these regulations will result in failing grades being entered on the student's permanent record, and dismissal will be recorded as unofficial.

Ceasing to attend does not constitute an official withdrawal from a course or from the University. However, ceasing to attend all courses may result in Return to Title IV (Financial Aid) processing as required per federal regulations.

Refer to the Financial Aid and Student Account sections in the catalog for additional information regarding the effects of completing an official withdrawal and the effects of ceasing to attend without providing official notification to the University according to the official withdrawal process.

Dismissal

Each student must meet at least the minimum academic and professional requirements to remain in the program. In addition, each student must meet the University's citizenship and financial requirements, and must not receive any adverse actions from within or outside the institution that may affect the student's ability to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), apply for state licensure, or to prescribe medications.

Reasons for dismissal include but are not limited to the following:

1. Failure to maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale throughout the program.
2. Receiving a course grade of less than "B-".
3. Failing a drug test or background screen.
4. Failing to remediate.
5. Substantiated academic dishonesty.
6. Unprofessional conduct such as inappropriate relationship with a patient, instructor or clinical preceptor, DUI, spouse or child abuse and other felony offences.
7. Failure to maintain health and immunization requirements
8. Providing false or incomplete information to the program.
9. Failure to meet didactic and clinical attendance requirement.
10. Unremediated pattern of concern. 

In each instance, the case will be brought before a program committee and both sides will be allowed to present arguments. The finding of the committee is final and will be delivered to the student within 10 days of the meeting. A student may appeal a dismissal by submitting an appeal in writing to the Dean, College of Health Science, within 10 days of the committee's decision for dismissal. The student is expected to follow the procedure of the Dean's office during the appeal process.