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Currently, there are more than 140 accredited Physician Assistant programs located throughout the United States. These PA programs vary in prerequisites required, program length and credentials awarded. In general, the various types of PA programs can be summed up as follows:
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PA Credentials Awarded: |
Requirements for entrance: |
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Associate degree |
nurses wishing to upgrade to PA license |
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Bachelors degree |
minimum of two years of college credits |
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Masters degree |
undergraduate degree with appropriate prerequisites |
| While the UNDSMHS does offer an entry level Master of Physician Assistant Studies program, enrollment in this program is limited to current certified/licensed clinically practicing professionals wishing to change professions (i.e., nurses, parmedics, etc.). |
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| UND offers excellent preparation for undergraduate students planing to go on to a masters level Physician Assistant program that does not require prior health care certification. The Pre-PA track of the Pre-Medicine Program offered through the College of Arts and Sciences sets guidelines and timetables for UND students to successfully complete the prerequisite coursework and other requirements relating to these PA schools. |
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| This program is not a major and does not lead to a degree from UND! In order to graduate with a degree from UND, students must: |
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Choose a Major and complete the specific requirements of that major as determined by the department responsible for that major |
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Complete Essential Studies Requirements |
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Complete 125 semester credits (36 of which must be upper divisional credits) |
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| In order to join the Pre-PA Program at UND, freshmen students (planning to finish in 4 years) must: |
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Officially declare Pre-PA in the main office of the College of Arts and Sciences (Montgomery Hall 125) |
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Activate and use their UND e-mail account |
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Attend all freshmen group advising meetings during fall semester |
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Attend one freshmen group advising meeting during spring semester |
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Complete the following courses, with a C grade or better, before the start of sophomore year: |
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Bio 150-151, with labs |
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Math 103 (may test out of this with an ACT Math score of 26, or UND Math ALG Test score of 18) |
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Chem 121-122, with labs |
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Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher |
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7. |
Visit with their major advisor |
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| In order to stay in the Pre-PA Program at UND, students must: |
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Complete the prerequisites for PA school(s) as advised |
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Maintain a competitive cumulative GPA (3.0 minimum) |
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Take the GRE |
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Visit with the Health Sciences Advisor regularly |
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5. |
Visit with their major advisor regularly |
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| We encourage you to meet with the Health Sciences Advisor, Mrs. Kimberly Ruit, as early in your UND undergraduate education as possible. Mrs. Ruit can help in all aspects of your undergraduate preparation for PA school: from scheduling to study skills, to interview preparation. Together, you can plan the undergraduate curriculum that is right for you. |
Competitive
Applicant Profile
No matter what PA school a student
chooses to attend, there are 5 areas that will be scrutinized by any Admissions
Committee when reviewing applications. It is therefore very important
that the student is well prepared in order to present his/her best possible
application. The table below summarizes these areas:
| Academics |
Degree needed? Schools offering Master's programs require a undergraduate degree.
Major? Any major is fine - schools just
want well rounded and broadly educated applicants.
GPA? National average is 3.5. |
Relevant
Life Experiences and
Other Training |
Essential!!!!! Especially experiences that
include contact with patients in a hospital or medical setting. As
many as 1000 hours (paid or volunteer) may be required.
Some programs may require CPR training and certification. |
Letters of
Recommendation |
Required, although numbers and authors vary from
school to school. |
| State of Residency |
Other programs around the country
offer an MS degree without the clinically licensed or practicing requirement. These schools usually do not have a residency
requirement. The state of North Dakota does not provide funds through
WICHE or PSEP for PA students. |
| Legal Record |
Keep your legal record and personal image squeaky clean!!
1. Background checks
a. More and more health professional schools are now doing background checks on all matriculants and/or applicants.
=> If you have been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor of a violent or sexual nature, you will be prohibited from professional health care practice in many states, so health professional schools will not accept you.
=> All other misdemeanors (underage drinking, drug possession, etc.) will also show up on background checks (even if they happened before you were 18). Having just one of these can definitely hurt your chances of acceptance into a health professional school!
b. UND's medical school will ask you to list any violations beyond a simple parking ticket on their application! You will have to disclose everything – no matter how old you were!!
The legal drinking age in North Dakota is 21. Illegal drugs are just that – illegal at any age. Stay away from alcohol and illegal drugs and any activities or instances where they may be present!! Why risk it? Is it worth ruining your future?
2. MySpace, Facebook, etc.
a. As more and more companies and schools use the internet to research potential employees and students, it is essential that you make sure comments posted by you and about you are wholesome, reflect good character, and show maturity.
=> Limit visitors to your site to friends only.
=> Regularly check and remove any unwanted postings by others
b. Be sure pictures are in good taste and not incriminating.
=> Regularly check and remove any unwanted postings or tags by others.
=> At UND, students may be written up by their RA's for university conduct violations with evidence provided by just a picture!
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Remember...admission to PA school is highly selective and competitive.
It is imperative that you take your studies very seriously from the first day of your freshman year!!
Pre-PA Handouts
| Sample Pre-PA Schedule |
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All PA schools have required coursework that must be completed successfully by prospective students. This handout suggests a schedule for the most commonly required and basic classes. However, please be warned that there is a great deal of variability from school to school with regards to specific classes and other experience required. It is in your best interest to meet with the Health Sciences Advisor early in your undergraduate education if this is the career path you plan to choose. |
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| Possible Interview Topics and Questions |
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Bulletin
Board
Welcome New and Returning Students!
Don't forget to check in with Mrs. Ruit this year to make sure you are on track with your program! |
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Freshman Pre-Health Student Orientation Meetings
Dates: August 22, September TBA, October TBA, 2011
Time: 8:00pm
Place: Reed Keller Lecture Hall, UND Medical School
Come meet Mrs. Ruit, the Health Sciences Advisor, and find out what you need to know to be a successful Pre-PA student! |
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Don't forget.....
You may need to be CPR certified for certain schools -
classes in CPR are offered at UND each semester! |
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GRE Test
Many PA schools require the General GRE Test. The general GRE test is offered electronically through the Sylvan/Prometric Testing Centers in Grand Forks, Fargo and Bismarck. You may take the test on almost day of the year.
Information on the General test, along with registration instructions are posted on the GRE website:
http://www.ets.org/gre/
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Pre-PA
Links
Check out
these links to sites of interest for Pre-PA students:
PAEA (Physician Assistant Education Association)
This site is the national
organization representing physician assistant educational programs in the
United States.
AAPA (American
Academy of Physician Assistants)
This site contains info
on the PA profession, PA organizations, links to PA schools, etc.
CASPA
(The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants)
SAAAPA (Student
Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants)
This page is run by both
student and graduate PAs for student PAs across the country to bring you
the most current information relevant to PA students in the United States.
GRE On-Line
The site contains information on the Graduate Record Examinations, including online publications, reference materials, and sample test questions.
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Mrs. Ruit's Office Hours for 2011-12
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August 22, 2011 -
December 15, 2011 |
January 9, 2012-
March 8, 2012 |
March 19, 2012-
May 17, 2012 |
Summers
(Out of the Office) |
| Tuesdays |
9am - 2pm |
9am - 2pm |
9am - 2pm |
None |
| Wednesdays |
12 - 2pm |
None |
12 - 2pm |
None |
| Thursdays |
9am - 2pm |
9am - 2pm |
9am - 2pm |
None |
Mondays
(During Early Registration dates) |
9am - 12pm
(Oct 31 - Nov 18) |
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9am - 12pm
(April 2012) |
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Pre-Health Advising is by appointment only.
Appointments with Mrs. Ruit can only be made by calling 701-777-2749 during regular weekday business hours.
No e-mails for scheduling appointments please!
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