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What component of the application is most heavily weighed upon evaluation for admission into the M.S. Professional Phase PA Program?
We look at the CASPA calculated cumulative and science GPAs, age of academic experience (the most competitive applicants have completed the science prerequisites within the past seven years), amount and type of hands-on patient care experience, letters of recommendation, and the personal statement.
What types of health care experience are acceptable to fulfill your prerequisite?
Any experience in which you participate in, or observe, the hands-on care of sick people will count toward our requirement. Some applicants have backgrounds in such areas as nursing, nursing assistant, medical assistant, EMT, paramedic, PA shadowing, and volunteer experiences.
You must have at least 3-6 months/200 hours patient care experience- health care or human service, paid or volunteer experience. This information must be completed and documented on the application. This experience should be hands on patient care activities.
As an applicant to the M.S. Professional Phase Program, do I need to have all of the prerequisites completed prior to submitting an application?
No, you may submit your application with a few prerequisites currently in progress, or to be completed prior to matriculation in the program (if accepted). However, please keep in mind that students have the most success in the selection process if all prerequisites are complete. Remember that it is important to apply early in the cycle because of our rolling admissions policy.
I have taken one or more of my science prerequisite courses more than 7 years ago. Is this acceptable?
Applicants who have taken required science prerequisite courses greater than 7 years ago must either retake the science prerequisite course(s) prior to starting the PA Program or may request a waiver. Waivers are to be requested by writing a letter to the Admissions Committee. The letter should explain if/how the field in which an applicant has been working requires continuing education that relates to the required course topic(s). Please address your waiver request to:
Michael Rackover PA-C, M.S
PA Program – 224 Hayward Hall
4201 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144.
Do you accept transfer credits or allow advanced standing?
No. We do not accept transfer credits or experiential learning credits for the Physician Assistant Program. CLEP credit, AP credit and Pass/Fail credit cannot be counted toward prerequisite coursework either. We do not allow for advanced standing, regardless of previous graduate work in healthcare. All incoming students must complete the entire PA curriculum.
Can I work while I am in the PA program?
Our faculty recommend students do not work during the PA program. The curriculum is very demanding in the first year and does not allow extra time for employment. In the second year, you will be in full-time clinical rotations in various locations, making employment impractical.
Where are the clinical sites during the second year?
In the past, we have had hundreds of sites located in the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley area and all across the country. Students can expect to travel to clinical rotations. Of course, it is difficult to foresee exact future rotation sites availability.
Is housing provided for students at all clinical sites?
Some housing is provided for students free of charge, but in most cases, students will be responsible for finding and securing housing at clinical sites. Students are encouraged to budget for this expense when planning for their clinical rotations.
Will I have input to where my clinical rotations will be?
The clinical coordinators meet with each student to discuss site preferences. The clinical coordinators will take those requests into consideration when planning the clinical year. However, due to increasing demand and competition for clinical rotation sites, no guarantees can be made that requests will be fulfilled.
When can I be expect to be contacted about an interview?
Applications for the 5 year B.S./M.S. Freshman Option program will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the January 31 deadline for that current
year. Qualified individuals will be contacted to schedule an interview one to two weeks after submitting a complete application. These interviews can be done by
telephone or in conjunction with a campus visit.
CASPA application process starts after the April 15th for the M.S. Professional Phase Program. and the applications will be reviewed when received.
We will begin contacting qualified individuals starting July/August to arrange an interview. There is a delay between the time the application is
submitted to CASPA and the time the University receives these materials. Remember that it is important to apply early in the cycle because of our rolling
admissions policy.
If I am admitted as a B.S./M.S. Freshman, am I guaranteed a space in the Professional Phase of the program?
Yes. However, it is up to the individual student to fulfill the necessary requirements -- called progression criteria that includes:
Do you offer an option for transfer students?
No. Students who have completed college credits but do not have a Bachelor's degree must complete an undergraduate program at Philadelphia University or another regionally accredited institution prior to applying to the M.S. Program. Philadelphia University has two programs, BS in Health Sciences & BS in Public Health that contain all the needed prerequisite courses.
Have other questions not listed here? Contact the appropriate division by e-mail...
Undergraduate Admissions: B.S./M.S. Freshman Option >>
Graduate Admissions: M.S. Post-baccalaureate Option >>
