Physician Assistant Studies Student Resources

Agnes Scott College views disabilities as an integral part of the rich diversity of our community.  The College is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to all students and complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008.  The Office of Accessible Education collaborates with students, faculty, and staff to help create an inclusive educational environment for students with disabilities.  We also engage in outreach across campus to promote a welcoming and accessible environment.  Accessible Education provides accommodations, services, and resources to students with varying disabilities including psychological, medical, physical, or learning specific.  Academic accommodations may include but are not limited to the use of accessible textbooks or readings, a note taker, extended time for examinations and quizzes, a reduced-distraction environment for examinations and quizzes, or use of word processing for examinations.  

Process for Requesting Accommodations

1. Students requesting Academic Accommodations should submit the New Student Application along with supporting documentation from their treating health care provider. Please see the Documentation Guidelines for additional details. Please note that the requesting student should not delay completing the New Student Application out of concern for not having the right documentation.  Office of Accessible Education staff will discuss specific third party documentation needs during the Welcome Meeting and steps the student can take after the meeting.
2. After submitting the New Student Application, the information will be reviewed and assigned to an Office of Accessible Education staff member.  This process takes up to two business days. Once the requesting student has been assigned to a staff member, the student will be sent a “Schedule your Welcome meeting with OAE '' email to their Agnes Scott email account.  The email will have contact information for the assigned staff member and information for how to schedule the appointment. Initial appointments last approximately 45-60 minutes.
3. During this meeting the OAE staff member and student will discuss reasonable accommodation based on the submitted documentation and how the student will implement the accommodation(s). OAE staff will also discuss campus and community resources that you can utilize as part of your success network, and next steps.
4. OAE will then provide instructors with a Course Accessibility Letter. Students should collaborate with their instructors to determine how the accommodations will be implemented in their course.  A student should meet with their instructors as early as possible to discuss accommodations and other specific arrangements or questions that they may have about the course.
5. Students should complete any other requests that were discussed during their OAE appointment prior to the close of the first class meeting or as early as possible (i.e. books in alternate format, scheduling test accommodations, etc.)
6. When questions, challenges and concerns arise, students should contact the Accessible Education staff at accessibility@agnesscott.edu or 404-471-6440.

   Accommodations or status will not be indicated on academic transcripts. In order to receive accommodations in a class, students with sensory, learning, psychological, physical or medical disabilities must provide their instructor with the Course Accessibility Letter.  New letters are provided each semester. Students with a history of a disability, perceived as having a disability, or with a current disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are also strongly encouraged to register with the Office of Accessible Education.  

   For additional information please visit the Accessible Education website at https://www.agnesscott.edu/academicadvising/accessible-education/index.html. 

In the event that a student is identified as experiencing academic difficulties, the student will meet with the course director and/or faculty advisor as soon as possible. In certain circumstances, the program director may be involved during these meetings as well. Prior to this conference, the student should conduct a personal self-assessment focusing on potential sources of difficulty and identifying possible plans for improvement. Following these gatherings, the faculty will promptly assist the student in identifying institutional resources and/or student services to assist the student in their continued success in the program, which may include referral for professional counseling offered at the Agnes Scott College.

Confidential counseling services are offered for all enrolled Agnes Scott students by licensed clinicians. Services include individual and group counseling, consultation and referral services, outreach, and programming. Students seek counseling for a variety of concerns including managing relationships, handling family problems, coping with stress, handling a crisis, eating and/or body image concerns, improving study skills, improving time management, increasing self-esteem, and dealing with alcohol and/or drug concerns.

Individual counseling involves one-on-one meetings with a counselor and sessions may vary in time.  Group counseling is offered on an as-needed basis and involves three or more students meeting with one or more counselors to deal with shared concerns.

The center’s wellness educational programs include stress reduction, prevention of illness, self-care, and promotion of and encouragement of positive health practices. Reference materials on wellness issues are also available.

The Career Exploration Center works closely with each graduate program to provide individualized career coaching and relevant professional tools based on student goals and career interests. Agnes Scott faculty and staff maintain relationships with employers, other graduate and professional schools, friends of the college, alums, and others so that students have access to a rich and vibrant network of professionals. In recognition of the busy lives and varied professional goals of graduate students, learning and access to opportunities is delivered in several ways.

The Center for Writing and Speaking (CWS) is a peer-tutoring organization providing assistance to students for writing, oral presentations, multimodal projects, and related assignments and activities. The CWS is located on the ground floor of Campbell Hall in G-14. Tutoring is free to Agnes Scott graduate and post-baccalaureate students and is available Sunday through Friday during posted hours. Tutors understand and practice tutoring as an act of collaborative learning—not a remedial service, but a satisfying and fruitful way of encouraging students of all ability levels to write and speak better. The tutor is a resource, someone who can help students improve their writing or speaking even if it is already excellent. In CWS tutorial sessions, students are encouraged to develop their own ideas and to respond effectively and creatively to course assignments. They may visit the CWS at any stage of their assignment or project. Tutors can help with brainstorming, outlining, drafting, writing, revising, proofreading, visual aids, speech practice, interview skills, and more.

The CWS serves the entire Agnes Scott community by sponsoring events such as speakers, panels, readings, and contests to support writing and speaking and related activities. The center prides itself on being an “intellectual hub.” Computers, audio and video equipment, sample papers, model speeches and presentations, and other resources are available in the Center for Writing and Speaking for students to use in tutoring sessions or on their own. Visit us at agnesscott.edu/writingandspeaking. 

The primary purpose of the Wellness Center (404.471.7100) is to assist students in maintaining a state of health that allows them to function at their maximum capacity.  The members of the center strive for the highest level of integrity, empathy, professionalism, and compassion, while working as a team to meet the health care needs of a diverse and growing student body.

The nurse practitioner and registered nurse work collaboratively with the contract medical director, physician consultants in internal medicine, gynecology, dermatology, psychiatry, and sports medicine.  Services include evaluation and treatment of health problems, counseling, special health education, and screening programs.

The program director, medical director, and the principal faculty do not act in the capacity of a health care provider for students in the physician assistant program. In the event of a medical emergency with a student, the program faculty follow College processes and procedures regarding sick or injured students or employees. Upon hire, physician assistant program faculty and staff are informed that acting in the capacity of health care providers for students is not within the scope of their duties and responsibilities. Students are responsible for purchasing and maintaining personal health insurance, and the College provides services to students through its student health services.

Information technology provides campus-wide service and support for administrative computing, desktop computing, media services, network services, technology purchasing, telecommunications, and web services. Graduate students may seek support from the Agnes Scott College Personal Support Center and its team of higher education technology industry professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year by reaching the center at itshelp@agnesscott.edu. The Personal Support Center team is equipped to handle a wide range of technology-related issues such as user access, password resets, Email, WIFI & network connectivity, Adobe products, Zoom, Google Meet, printing, and more.

The James Ross McCain Library combines strong collections, individual attention, inviting study spaces, and advanced technology to meet the learning, research, teaching, and personal development needs of our students, faculty, and staff. Built in 1936, the architecturally distinguished McCain Library reopened in 2001 following total renovation and major expansion. Features include comfortable lounge chairs, an outdoor reading terrace, individual study carrels, group study rooms that may be reserved in advance, and wireless network connectivity throughout the facility. McCain Library is open 94 hours each week during the academic year, with extra hours near exam time (break and summer hours vary). Library staff and student assistants at the Circulation Desk can help locate items to borrow, check out library materials, renew items, handle fines, and/or answer questions about routine library services.

The Office of Public Safety (next to the West Parking facility on S. McDonough Street) is responsible for administering and enforcing vehicle parking regulations at Agnes Scott College. Vehicle and Parking regulations are in effect at all times throughout the year. The College reserves the right to initiate and change parking violation fees, fines and regulations at any time following proper notification to the College Community. The College reserves the right to assign parking areas to College employees and students on campus as needed. Vehicles parked in violation of these Parking Regulations will be ticketed. All employee and student vehicles must be registered. Failure to register may result in immobilization.

Registered vehicles must park only in designated areas on campus. Vehicles parked in unlined paved areas or on the grass, NO PARKING zones, FIRE LANES, RESERVED/SERVICE VEHICLE spaces will be ticketed. These areas are enforced 24/7. Vehicle registration is $100 for the academic year or $50 for one semester.  Students can register their vehicle and pay the fee to receive a parking permit at the Office of Public Safety.