<p>Hi, I'm hoping to get some help here. My d (going to be a HS senior) is interested in doing the physician's assistant program (she prefers that to nursing) and we are trying to find combined Bachelor/Masters programs in that field where she could get admission as an undergrad & not have to reapply. She would prefer schools in the Northeast close to home (Ma), but is open to other geographical areas if the program is good. Her combined SAT score is 2000 (710-Math). She has several EC's, volunteers at Samaritans, plays varsity field hockey & has a part-time job. Her GPA is not great, just OK, about 3.0. She has been trying to find a job-shadowing opportunity but privacy laws make that difficult.
Most of the programs we have found are 2 years Masters programs after a related Bachelors degree. I would really appreciate it if anyone could tell us about any combined programs they have found. The only one I have come across is at Quinnipiac in Ct which we will be visiting next week. Also, does anyoe know how difficult it is to get into these programs? Thanks in advance for the input.</p>
<p>When my husband looked into getting a PA degree a few years ago he found the programs wanted 18 months paid direct hands-on patient experience before you could apply. Volunteer work (even as a EMT) did not qualify. Schools he looked at were west coast - east coast schools might be different.</p>
<p>You probably haven't heard of this college, but it's newish Physicians Assistant program is very well regarded. Campus is beautiful and it's in the Northeast: <a href="http://www.desales.edu/default.aspx?pageid=1295%5B/url%5D">http://www.desales.edu/default.aspx?pageid=1295</a> </p>
<p>DeSales University graduated its first class of Physician Assistants in 1999. Two avenues of entry are possible into the program: 1) directly from high school or 2) following graduation from a college or university. Students entering from high school have three years in the pre-professional phase and subsequently enter the professional phase. The professional phase of the PA Program is 24 months in length. The first 12 months of the program emphasize didactic instruction, and the clinical year consists of nine, five-week rotations.</p>
<p>As of August '05, more than 200 students have graduated from the DeSales Program. Overall, we have a first-time pass rate on the National Certifying Examination of 99% (national average approximately 89%). For the five most recent graduating classes, our graduates have scores on this licensing examination that exceeded the 99th percentile when compared to ALL programs in the country. We have 100% employment rate within 4 months of graduation. Since the institution of the PA Program, we are also proud that we have a graduation rate that exceeds the national average for programs in our region and also nationally.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information, does anyone have any other suggestions for colleges with the Physician's Assistant program? Would really appreciate them.
Thanks.</p>
<p>I found this information while searching:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Philadelphia University
The Physician Assistant Program
<a href="http://www.philau.edu/paprogram/%5B/url%5D">http://www.philau.edu/paprogram/</a></p>
<p>Combined Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences/Master of Science in
Physician Assistant Studies
<a href="http://www.philau.edu/paprogram/PAfreshman.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.philau.edu/paprogram/PAfreshman.htm</a></p>
<p>==============================================</p>
<p>Nova Southeastern University
Physician Assistant Program
<a href="http://www.nova.edu/pa/prospective.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.nova.edu/pa/prospective.html</a></p>
<p>What degree does the NSU PA program offer? </p>
<p>“Graduates of our program receive both a B.S. degree in Physician
Assistant Studies and a Masters degree in Medical Sciences. All
students must enroll in the dual program for both degrees regardless
of previous work or education history.”
<a href="http://www.nova.edu/pa/questions.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.nova.edu/pa/questions.html</a></p>
<p>==============================================</p>
<p>Midwestern University
<a href="http://www.midwestern.edu/az-pa/%5B/url%5D">http://www.midwestern.edu/az-pa/</a></p>
<p>About Physician Assistant Studies: College of Health Sciences: Arizona
<a href="http://www.midwestern.edu/content/pj2.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.midwestern.edu/content/pj2.asp</a></p>
<p>==============================================</p>
<p>Daemen College
<a href="http://www.daemen.edu%5B/url%5D">http://www.daemen.edu</a></p>
<p>The Physician Assistant (BS/MS) Program Curriculum
<a href="http://www.daemen.edu/academics/physician_assistant/department/Curriculum/bs-ms-degree.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.daemen.edu/academics/physician_assistant/department/Curriculum/bs-ms-degree.htm</a></p>
<p>=============================================</p>
<p>Seton Hall University
<a href="http://www.shu.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.shu.edu/</a></p>
<p>“The Physician Assistant program is a six-year joint B.S./M.S.
program. Students complete a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Seton
Hall University and a Master's in Physical Therapy from the University
of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
<a href="http://domapp01.shu.edu/depts/enrollment/faqes.nsf/0/96f58e1db24fe2c7852568b2007c15e7?OpenDocument%5B/url%5D">http://domapp01.shu.edu/depts/enrollment/faqes.nsf/0/96f58e1db24fe2c7852568b2007c15e7?OpenDocument</a></p>
<p>=============================================</p>
<p>King's College
<a href="http://www.kings.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://www.kings.edu/</a></p>
<p>Physician Assistant Program
Five-year integrated B.S./M.S. program. May also be entered as a
two-year (24 month) full-time M.S. program by applicants with a
bachelor's degree.
<a href="http://www.gradschools.com/listings/east/physician_asst_east.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.gradschools.com/listings/east/physician_asst_east.html</a></p>
<p>=============================================</p>
<p>In the near future SUNY Downstate will be offering a BS/MS Physician
Assistant Program</p>
<p>“Visit the PA Program Webpage in 2003 for updates regarding progress
in the development of the BS/MS Physician Assistant Program, the
Master's Completion Program for graduate Physician Assistants and
Continuing Medical Education offerings for Physician Assistants.”
<a href="http://www.hscbklyn.edu/pa/whatsnew.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.hscbklyn.edu/pa/whatsnew.html</a></p>
<p>SUNY Downstate
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM
<a href="http://www.hscbklyn.edu/pa/%5B/url%5D">http://www.hscbklyn.edu/pa/</a>
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=221652%5B/url%5D">http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=221652</a></p>
<p>Other schools that have combined programs: College of Saint Elizabeth and Drexel</p>
<p>As someone who has been thru it, if she doesn't get into a combined masters/bachelors PA program, I suggest that she apply to a school that offers a BA as a PA. There are still a few out there. I know RIT in NY has a 4 year PA program and you earn your bachelors. From there she would pass the boards and after that it is really easy to get a masters once you are already certified. She can even practice with just a bachelors. This way, she would graduate with a PA degree already in just 4 years rather than doing a pre med and then trying to get into the PA program after (as I did) because honestly, even if she were to get into a combined program she would have to keep a high gpa to continue and most schools still require you to reapply. I would encourage her to get into a program that will actually give her a degree that she can use after 4 years, (like the one at RIT, or one similar). Right now many PA masters programs are more competitive to get into than med school. Some have 30 slots and get over 900 apps, so getting a degree as an undergrad is not only much easier to get into but also if she already is a PA, they obviously won't deny her into a masters program. I would also encourage her to look into a nurse practitioner program. Essentially they have the same job as a PA but can practice independently. Another good option would be a 4 year degree in nursing and then apply to PA school after for a masters. I just definitely recommend doing something in undergrad that will allow one to get a job rather than a pre med, bio, chemistry, etc etc which will get you no where without more schooling</p>
<p>This is a 4+2 program, with four years of undergraduate study and two years of graduate study in the Master of Medical Science program. Students interested in becoming part of the Physician Assistant program must first earn a bachelor's degree in a major such as Biology, Chemistry or Psychology that enables them to complete the prerequisite courses. Arcadia University undergraduates whose academic records and Graduate Record Examination scores meet the 4+2 entrance requirements are assured admission into the graduate program at the end of the senior year.</p>
<p>A friend has three adult children (now in their mid-late 20's) who went through this program at Duquesne in Pittsburgh. All three have thriving careers (in 3 different states), one in dermatology, one in ER and one I'm not sure.</p>
<p>Duquesne</a> PA - Curriculum</p>
<p>They all seemed to really like the program and the end results.</p>
<p>Also another been there done that, I agree with m1285, if NP is a total no go, which honestly, is a better flexibility choice than PA, HUGE benefit to independant practicing versus employee. NP, and some family members PAs. PAs unless employed by a private practice are SLAVES to the hospital that employ them, not much better pay than RN some places less, and the same no mercy on holidays/weekends off. If they are lucky enough to be picked up by a private MD and that usually happens after working and getting noticed.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.stjohns.edu/admission/undergraduate/learnmore/physassist-4%5B/url%5D">http://www.stjohns.edu/admission/undergraduate/learnmore/physassist-4</a> year BS </p>
<p>Another New York Institute of Techonology 3 + 3
NYIT:</a> Department of Physician Assistant Studies</p>
<p>Please let me correct you, respectfully:
It is not Physician's Assistant it is Physician Assistant.
My mom is a PA, she loves it, not slaves, fairly independent, and the profession is growing tremendously. There is increasing use of PAs in the hospital setting, and the pay is good when compared to other new graduates.
PAs in interventional radiology and CVTS make the most money, sometimes 6 figures.
The lowest paid PAs are in the family practice setting.
Surgical PAs are somewhat in the middle.
She went to PA school because she started later, but as a primary profession, she tells me I would be better off in the driver seat, not in the passenger seat.
It depends on what your daughter decides though.
Good luck</p>
<p>Along1 - Here is more information that you probably need. Just click on the state you might be interested in. Good luck to your D!</p>
<p>I've researched this subject to death! I found an accreditation site and looked at every school that has a P.A. program. Actually the web site posted in the previous reply looks pretty accurate. There are around 25 schools that have the combined program, running 5-6 years, to get a master's degree. Most are in the state of Pennsylvania. Three, from memory, in the NE would be Springfield College, Wagner University, and Seton Hall. Almost all list a minimum GPA and test score on their web site to be considered for entry. I'm not sure your daughter's 3.0 is high enough. As far as medical experience, the range from none required to 2 years in the medical field. Most are satisfied if you've volunteered in a hospital or shadowed a P.A.
My son will be in the program at Gannon or Duquesne next year.</p>
<p>UNE in Biddeford, ME sounds like what you're looking for--<a href="http://www.une.edu/cas/biological/medical3.asp">http://www.une.edu/cas/biological/medical3.asp</a></p>
<p>Just wanted to add, UNE is a DIII school where she may be able to play field hockey (if that's something she's interested in continuing). And if finances are a concern, we found the financial aid offered was quite reasonable (small gap--son went elsewhere for other reasons).</p>
<p>Northeastern is Boston has a PA program</p>
<p>My daughter is thinking of becoming a PA someday. She would like to work in one of those urgent care/walk in clinics that are popping up everywhere these days. She didn't want to do a combined program because she does want to keep her options open (since she is only 17 and her wants may change). She is going to major in Health Sciences (a general allied health track) in college. This degree will prepare her for entry to any master's program for PA, or occupational or physical therapy, or, if she takes Calculus and one more semester of organic chemistry...Med school.</p>
<p>I didn't realize there were so many 4 year and combined PA programs. I just recently decided that I want to be a PA (after organic I nearly killed me, there was no way I was going to stay premed :)) Plus, I like the flexibility of the job - depending on your specialty, you may not have to take call, and if you decide you want to change your specialty, it's not completely impossible to do.</p>
<p>As mentioned before, if you're planning to do your bachelors, then apply for a masters separately, be aware that many, many programs want you to have direct hands-on patient contact for X number of hours or months. I'm likely going to take a year off and work as an EMT - I just got certified and am volunteering with our on-campus squad - and then apply for a master's program.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies, I guess I have been out of circulation for a while. My d was accepted into the 6 year PA program at Seton Hall & the 5 yr at Drexel but Drexel is out since they require spending summers there after the first year and also because they charge tuition even during the co-op In any case, her final choices are between the PA prog at Seton Hall, the Pathways prog at Northeastern (from which she can go into any related medical program that they offer at the undergrad level - PA is only Masters) or an undergrad degree in Psychology from U Conn. At UConn, she would take the required courses in Bio/Chem as electives so she has the prerequisites for applying to PA at the Masters level, but can also continue with Psychology if she decides the sciences are not for her. She does like Psychology & Biology but Chemistry and Physics are a different story so she (and we) are a little apprehensive about 6 years of science related classes. In fact, she did not get into the PA program at Quinnipiac even though her ECs were great and SAT scores were above their averages because of one C+ in Honors Chemistry last year (as per the Admissions Counselor). Anyway, just looking for any opinions since she is really confused. She loved the UConn campus & would be more comfortable with Psychology but after hearing on this forum & elsewhere, that the PA Masters programs are very hard to get into, we are wondering if Seton Hall may be the better option. However I am a little apprehensive about Seton Hall as a school. Any advice would greatly appreciated.
Another concern is that all the PA's we have come across have been in Orthopedics or Surgery but she is interested in Pediatrics. Does anyone know if there is a demand for PAs in that field?
Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I really believe there is a demand for P.A.'s in all fields. Call some of your local pediatricians. I'm sure one of the P.A.s would be happy to speak with your daughter and I'll bet she'll want that P.A. degree more than ever. That's what happened with my son. Have you looked at Seton Hall yet? I have a friend who has 2 kids in their 30's that are P.A.'s. She was amazed to hear about the combined programs and thinks we'd be fools to pass up the chance. I'm hoping that my son will fit in at whatever school he ends up at, even though it may not be his first choice.</p>
<p>It is very interesting reading the replies.
In our area, all the PAs I know have hands on experience prior to applying, although the experience varies, some were nurses, one was a med tech, some were scrub techs. PAs are almost exclusively used by surgeons of various ilks. The medicine people use NPs as physician extenders, and the pediatricians don't make enough money to employ anyone - I don't know if any peds or OBs here use PAs or NPs.</p>
<p>Just interesting to hear the differences in different areas of the country.</p>
<p>To be the most flexible and the most employable, I think a person needs that hands on experience rather than a program straight from high school, but that may well change as the market changes.</p>