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Frequently Asked Questions about the
Physician Assistant Program
Admissions / Financial Aid Questions
PA Program Related Questions
Post Graduate Questions
General Questions
Admissions
/ Financial Aid
What is your GRE code?
The GRE code for the University of Saint Francis
Department of Physician Assistant Studies is 1693.
Are there scholarships available?
While the University of Saint Francis does not offer
scholarships specific for PA graduate students, there
are several financial aid options available. Contact the
student financial aid office for more information.
http://www.sf.edu/financialaid.
Is any transfer credit accepted
or advanced placement given for the PA Program?
There is no transfer credit or advanced placement allowed in the curriculum.
All students, regardless of their academic background
must complete all USF curriculum requirements.
What is the USF PA Program really looking for in an
applicant?
Practicing medicine is a very demanding profession. An
ideal applicant has a bachelor’s degree with a GPA over
3.0. GRE scores are required. Analytical scores should
be 4.0 or greater. This person has taken many science
courses and has gotten A’s in most. After graduation,
the applicant has worked in a position with direct
patient care. The applicant has demonstrated clinical
skill not only in job performance, but also in
documenting many post-graduate learning opportunities
such as training classes in CPR, EKG, ACLS, or any of a
host of clinical education classes. With references,
personal statements, and interviews the applicant will
communicate well his or her desire to practice medicine
with a physician in a caring manner.
Do I really need patient care experience?
Yes. Although some students may have achieved high
academic standards with a college degree, the curriculum
demands an application of skills. A “head knowledge” and
the ability to score high on written tests does not
always transfer automatically when it comes to clinical
reasoning and patient skills. The practice of medicine
is much more than the accomplishment of academic
success. Clinical reasoning and skill require special
ability. The purpose of the patient care experience is
to demonstrate some aptitude in the area of clinical
skill and a pattern of success in working with patients.
How do I find out more?
Call the Graduate Admissions Office at 260-434-7737 or
800-729-4732, or visit our website at
http://www.sf.edu/graduate.
PA Program Related Questions
What is unique about the PA Program at the University of
Saint Francis?
Although the standards of achievement among PA programs
are rather universal, there are unique qualities that
define USF's program. Problem Based Learning, small
class size and one-on-one clinical rotations ensures a
highly effective learning environment with a close
personal touch.
Do I need to go full time?
The PA program is a full time experience that requires
not only a full academic credit hour load but also a
substantial time commitment on behalf of the student.
Can I work while enrolled in the PA program?
The faculty highly recommends that students do not work
at all while enrolled in the program. The time required
to accomplish the curriculum leaves little time left
over for working. It is recommended that any spare time
be devoted to family or relaxation.
What is a typical daily schedule like?
Unlike most college courses that follow a fairly rigid
schedule of classes, the PA daily schedule is varied,
unusually flexible, and highly unpredictable. On some
days, no classes will be scheduled allowing students to
study independently or as groups. On some days, classes
may be held for up to 12 hours. The faculty as needed on
a week-to-week basis constructs schedules. However,
daily schedules may change with little notice.
Does your curriculum use Problem-Based Learning?
Yes. Many medical schools and a few PA schools have
found that Problem-Based Learning (PBL) enhances
clinical reasoning skills and provides for content
retention. PBL is a major component of the USF PA
program. You can learn more about PBL at
http://www.pbli.org
Will I get to be involved in patient care early in the
program?
Yes. It is important to our emphasis on clinical skills
that the students begin almost right away with working
with patients. In the first semester, students visit
with hospital patients “one-on-one” for patient
interviews while learning skills of medical history.
This experience continues and intensifies throughout the
didactic year.
Where are the clinical locations?
Most of the clinical sites used by PA students are in
the Fort Wayne area. Students will not be required to
travel more than 90 minute's driving distance to attend
a clinical site. A very limited number of rotations may
be experienced in distant areas as the student and
faculty can arrange them.
Can I do a clinical rotation near my hometown?
These opportunities are very limited. Because of legal
and academic obligations this process takes time and
effort to set up, but has been done by a number of
students. Faculty are not obligated to accommodate these
requests and students should not expect to do more than
2 rotations outside of the Fort Wayne area.
What computer hardware and software will I need?
The PA Program relies heavily on computer and Internet
tools. The University of Saint Francis is a PC based
institution using Microsoft software. Students will be
expected to own a PC and have access to the Internet.
The standard “entry level” model is sufficient for
anything needed in the program. If this is not possible
computer facilities are provided on campus, but, of
course, the availability of these facilities is limited.
The University of Saint Francis campus utilizes a
wireless computer network. Students are encouraged
to use a laptop computer with a wireless card.
Currently,
because of an agreement with Microsoft, Inc., all
up-to-date operating software (Windows, Word,
PowerPoint, Access, Excel, etc.) is available through
the Campus Shoppe at minimal cost. For more
information on computer topics at USF, link to
http://www.sf.edu/computing.
Post Graduate Questions
Is there job placement available?
Most PA positions are filled because of “insider
information”. That is to say that PA clinical students
find out about jobs while on clinical rotation with
physicians. In addition there are several Internet
sources listing PA job openings. The University of Saint
Francis does have a job placement service that may be
able to assist graduates seeking a position. Contact
them on the web at http://www.sf.edu/careers/
Do USF graduates find jobs as PA's?
Yes. University of Saint Francis PA graduates are
employed across the country in areas such as hospital
emergency departments, medical specialist groups,
clinics and private practice offices. Nearly everyone
that has graduated is working as a PA. Those that are
not practicing as a PA are not because of personal
reasons, not because a lack of availability.
What is required after graduation to practice as a PA?
After completion of the program and graduation in
August, the graduate is eligible to apply for a
temporary provisional license from the state to practice
medicine with a physician. The PANCE exam is a
computerized test given at many locations nationwide
with testing windows over 50 weeks of the year. With a
passing grade on the PANCE, the graduate is eligible for
NCCPA certification. The certification gives the
graduate the credential of PA-C. As a PA-C, the graduate
is eligible to apply to the state for a license to
practice medicine with a physician.
Can I move my license from one state to another?
All 50 states recognize the PA-C credential for
licensure, but each graduate will need to apply to his /
her individual state according to that state’s laws.
Although eligibility is universal, the license in
individual to each state and cannot be transferred.
Do I have to do anything to keep my PA certification?
Yes. Every PA-C must complete a minimum of 100 hours of
continuing medical education over a 2-year period. Those
CME’s must be documented by the NCCPA. In addition to
the CME work the PA-C must pass a recertification exam
every 6 years. If either the CME work or the
recertification exam is not completed in a timely
manner, the NCCPA will not renew the certification and
the graduate will lose the PA-C. That means that the
license to practice will be lost as well.
General Questions
Do you have on campus housing?
Dormitory housing is available if a PA student chooses
to live on campus. There are no apartment facilities on
campus for married students. Visit the web site at
http://www.sf.edu/residential_life/
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