FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Is the
Yes, the UNTHSC PA Program has been accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission for the Education of Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) since 1997. Reaccreditation review is scheduled for 2007.
- What is
the length of the program and what degree is
awarded?
The program begins in Fall (usually the first week of August) and graduation ceremonies take place 34 months later (in May) where successful students are awarded a Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center.
- What
does the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) curriculum consist
of?
The curriculum is approximately 34 months long and is divided into pre-clinical and clinical phases. Learning takes place under the tutelage of expert faculty and scientists. The preclinical phase consists mostly of classroom studies, however introductions to clinical experiences, medical interviewing, physical examination and critical thinking occurs from the very first semester on. Classroom lectures and small group activities are led by faculty who come from diverse backgrounds that range from primary care to specialized medical and surgical disciplines.
The clinical phase involves sending PA students to TCOM and affiliate clinics and hospitals located throughout
- As a
student, what methods are used to evaluate my
performance?
Successful completion of the curriculum will depend upon the student s ability to demonstrate knowledge, attitudes, and skills commonly held by a graduate physician assistant working in a primary care setting. The use of a trained intermediary by the student is not permitted. Technological compensation and/or reasonable accommodation can be made in certain areas, but the student should be able to demonstrate the PA competencies in a reasonably independent manner. Frequency of examinations and evaluations are determined according to the volume and types of material covered. Methods used for evaluating student performance include written examination, multiple choice, matching, true/false, short answer and essay-type questions and demonstrations of skills, such as using a microscope, suturing tissues together, interviewing, performing physical examinations on other individuals, problem-solving, and participating in group discussions. In some courses, completing research and written reports are required. Evaluation will often require students to demonstrate visual, somatic, communicative, analytical, behavioral and discriminatory skills. Participation effort may be also evaluated when measuring performance. Student s professionalism is also assessed and graded. Students will be expected and required to behave and interact with faculty, staff, patients and healthcare workers from all cultures and backgrounds in a ethical and professional manner.
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- Once
enrolled, can I choose where I go for my clinical
rotations?
No. Clinical rotations are assigned by the program faculty based upon the needs of the student and upon availability of clinical sites. While a student s special circumstances may be considered, the PA student is not required or expected to recruit or arrange clinical rotation sites.
- How many candidates
are accepted to the program each year?
Up to 36 candidates can be enrolled each year.
- How competitive is
it to gain acceptance into the PA program?
Applications are welcomed regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. The UNTHSC PA Studies program receives a large number of applications each year; as many as 400-600 applications. Applicants must meet all minimum prerequisite qualifications to be considered. When applicable, efforts to improve qualifications compared with a previous application may also be considered. Nevertheless, the selection process is highly competitive and recommendations for admissionare based on an applicant s qualifications according to the following:
· Academic and Personal Achievement
· Life Experience (including healthcare experience)
· Understanding of the PA Role in Healthcare
· Commitment to Work in a Primary Care Setting
· Commitment to Work in a Medically Underserved Area
· Interpersonal and Communication Skills
· Residency Status
Other attributes that may contribute to an individuals success.
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- Do you interview candidates
and what is the format?
Yes. For the most competitive applicants, two behavioral interviews are conducted by faculty members. Failure to appear for a scheduled interview will result in applicant rejection. Pre-interview evaluations may be conducted by telephone for out-of-state applicants; however, applicants must complete a face-to-face interview before an offer of enrollment can be made.
- How competitive is
it to gain and interview?
Selection for interview is based on information contained in the CASPA and secondary applications, including academic and personal achievements. Interviews are structured to evaluate a candidate s interpersonal skills, communication skills, time management skills, and other professional characteristics including motivation for entry into the PA career field and past behaviors with difficult choices.
- Are there any
writing requirements at the time of the interview?
Applicants may be asked to complete additional written materials such as a questionnaire or Personal Narrative Statement at the time of the interview.
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- What are the
characteristics of an ideal candidate?
The goal of the admissions process is to find and identify the applicants who are most likely to succeed in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies curriculum and contribute to meeting the overall intent of the program s mission. An ideal candidate would have a strong work and moral ethic; and knowledge of and a desire to enter the PA profession combined with a mixture of life, work, and academic experiences that demonstrate commitment to achieving the tenets of a challenging professional career.
- How important is
grade point average (GPA) in the competitive admissions
process?
The minimum required cumulative GPA for admission is 2.85 on a 4.0 scale. A minimum science GPA is not currently established, however a minimum Science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is usually considered competitive. All prerequisite courses must be passed with at least a grade of 'C' or better. As with other competitive admissions processes at other universities and colleges, higher GPA's improve an applicant s chances for selection. However, the admissions committee does not base its decisions solely on an applicant s GPA. The overall quality and breadth of academic preparation is also considered.
- Must I take the
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
No, the GRE is not required to be considered for admission.
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- Is shadowing a PA
required for admission into the program?
No. Shadowing is perhaps the best way for an applicant to personally experience and reflect upon the physician assistant career however it is not required for admission into the program. The Admissions Committee does recognize that increased stringencies in Federal HIPAA regulations have changed the nature of gaining these types of experiences and not every applicant will find an opportunity to shadow a PA or physician in the occupational setting. If unavailable, applicants are strongly encouraged to gain familiarity with the PA profession in other ways.
- Is it beneficial to
have healthcare experience before applying to the
program?
Yes, health care experience can be very beneficial for an applicant for many reasons however that type of experience is NOT REQUIRED for entry into this PA program. If you are working to gain this type of experience, you should keep in mind that prior healthcare experience provides you with greater awareness of the role of the PA and other healthcare professionals involved with direct patient care. Familiarity with healthcare systems, patient care environments, professional roles, terminology and procedures will ease your transitions into the PA role.
- What are my chances
of getting accepted into the program?
A variety of people with various backgrounds apply to the program each year, and a variety of applicants are accepted. There is no way to predict who will or will not be admitted nor can any guarantees be offered about anyone's admittance. A good strategy is to make sure you have met all of the prerequisite requirements before applying, become as knowledgeable as possible about the career, and then prepare yourself for acceptance by making your application and interview as accurate and as good as possible.
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- If I am accepted
into the program, when do classes begin?
The Class of 2010 will begin orientation on Monday, July 30, 2007.
- Can I attend this
program part time?
No, all students must enroll on a full time basis.
- Does
the program accept transfer students?
No. All students accepted into the Master of Physician Assistant Studies curriculum must participate in the competitive admissions process. The program does not admit transfer students from other PA programs.
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- Does
the program ever award advanced placement to students in the
program?
Advance placement and/or course waivers may only be considered once the student is already enrolled in the program and only is granted when that student has: 1) successfully completed the exact or nearly exact same course as that listed in the current MPAS curriculum; 2) taken the exact or nearly exact same course within 3 years of enrollment into the MPAS curriculum; 3) completed the exact or nearly exact same course with a letter grade of B or better; and 4) has obtained written approval of the Director of PA Studies. Advance placement/course waivers may not be offered or approved during the admissions process. Requests for advance placement or a course waiver must be initiated by the student in writing within 5 class days of enrollment into the MPAS curriculum. No requests for course exemption will be considered after that time. Approval of advanced placement and/or course exemption is determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Do you accept out
of state residents?
Yes. However, as a state sponsored and funded institution we attempt to reserve at least 90% of the available seats in the class for residents of
- Is there a time
limit when applicants must complete prerequisites?
Yes, prerequisite coursework must be completed by December 31st of the year before enrollment in the program. In other words, an applicant wanting to enroll in the fall of 2007 must complete all prerequisite requirements by December 31st in 2006. Exceptions are not permitted to the deadline and the minimum SCH requirements can not be waived.
- Can I interview
even though I haven t finished prerequisites?
Yes, it is possible to be invited to interview even before all prerequisites have been completed, however this would not serve your interests if you won t have them finished by the December 31st deadline (noted above). If you do plan to make the deadline, we still suggest you submit your application early and update it through CASPA once you have completed the prerequisite coursework. Don t forget to finish the secondary application too!
- Can I complete
prerequisite courses at a community college?
Yes.
- How
should I report coursework completed outside the U.S.?
Applicants with college or university level coursework taken outside the
- Why is
my GPA calculated by CASPA different than what my transcripts say and which
one is used to determine my admission eligibility?
The Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistant (CASPA) standardizes an applicant's Grade Point Average (GPA) by combining all coursework from undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate years together. If the institution you attended uses a different grading scale than CASPA, these will be converted to CASPA s standardized scale. Under normal circumstances, the minimum GPA used by UNTHSC to determine eligibility for admission to the program is based on the GPA calculated by CASPA.
- Where
can I find out more information on GPA calculations and how coursework should
be reported in my application?
The Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistant (CASPA) website has a Frequently Asked Questions Directory which contains answers and additional information on questions about application fees, instructions for filling out the primary application, deadlines, submitting letters of reference, and many other topics. You should look there for more information too! Their web address is www.caspaonline.org
- Can I
substitute coursework I've taken that is similar to one mentioned in the
program's prerequisites and still satisfy the requirement?
It may be possible to meet a prerequisite requirement by substitution of a similar course completed at an institution of higher learning. Requests must be made in writing and a catalog description or course syllabus from the college or university where the course was completed must be submitted along with that request. If a catalog description is not available, a letter from the education department that offered the original course describing the content and nature of the course may be substituted. Coursework content hours must be equivalent or comparable to the prerequisite requirement. Substitutions are approved by the PA program on an individual basis and the program reserves the right to disapprove any coursework substitutions. Applicants seeking to substitute coursework for prerequisite coursework should electronically submit their request to: PAAdmissions@hsc.unt.edu or by regular mail to the Office of Admissions and Outreach Attn: PA Admissions University of North Texas Health Science Center 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699.
- Will I
be able to work while enrolled in the program?
PA students are not prohibited from working while enrolled in the MPAS curriculum, however due to the amount of study and intensive nature of the curriculum students are generally discouraged from obtaining or maintaining employment while enrolled. No special academic accommodations or scheduling arrangements will be made or granted for students who choose to work while enrolled. In addition, PA students are not permitted to engage in any paid or salaried role in conjunction with completion of their clinical rotations. An example of this would be to receive pay for performing history and physical examinations on nursing home patients while completing an assigned rotation in the same facility.
- How
many of your graduates pass the NCCPA certifying examination on the first
try?
Over the past five years, the average first-time-pass-rate on the PA National Certifying Examination (PANCE) for each class has averaged 93%
- Does
the program require me to own a laptop computer?
Yes, beginning in 2005, enrolled students are required to obtain a laptop computer by the time of their initial enrollment. Information on minimum hardware and software computer specifications is provided to the student on the school s web-site and through other written and electronic correspondence. Applicants who desire more information on this requirement beforehand should contact the PA Program offices.
- Does
the program have a Health and Technical Standards policy for
enrollment?
A candidate for the physician assistant degree must have abilities and skills in five areas: Observation, Communication, Motor, Conceptual, Intellectual, and Behavioral. All candidates must meet certain health and technical standards to participate in the physician assistant educational programs. Graduation signifies the graduate is prepared for entry into the practice of medicine as a physician assistant with the requisite knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and provide a wide spectrum of patient care. Technological compensation can be made for some disabilities in certain areas, but for the majority, the candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. The use of a trained intermediary is not a permissible accommodation. A complete listing of the Health and Technical Standards is available on this website or can be provided to applicants by requesting them from the Admissions and outreach Office.
- Does
the program require completion of a master s or research project in order to
graduate?
Yes. All students enrolled in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program must successfully complete a master s project and receive a passing grade in order to graduate. Faculty will guide, monitor, and assess the quality of the student s work in this process. The Coordinator of PA Research Studies will determine and notify the student when successful completion of requirements has been achieved. More information on the master s project completion requirements can be found under course descriptions found in the program catalog or on this website.
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