Mar 28, 2024  
2011-2012 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2011-2012 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Physician Assistant Studies, Bachelor of Science/Master of Science Dual-degree Program


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Theresa Horvath, Director

Administered by the Department of Biology 

Professor Seagull, Chairperson

Physician assistants are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Physician assistants work in a variety of medical settings, ranging from basic primary care to sub-specialty medicine. Physician assistants are qualified to assist in surgery, attend medical emergencies, or care for patients in out-patient internal medicine, pediatrics or family medicine offices and clinics.

Hofstra’s program is designed for both graduate- and undergraduate-level students and will provide undergraduates the opportunity to earn both the B.S. and the M.S., as well as provide graduate instruction and an M.S. degree to post-baccalaureate students who complete all requirements. Undergraduate students first complete the pre-professional phase, consisting of three years of collegiate instruction including all prerequisite courses. Students apply to the program during the third year of undergraduate study, and if successful in gaining admission, enroll in the 28-month professional curriculum. The professional curriculum is divided into three semesters of didactic instruction, three semesters of clinical clerkships and one semester of research. Using a number of learning modalities including case-based learning, students integrate basic science with the study and application of clinical medicine.

During the clinical year of the program, students are assigned to clinical clerkships at affiliated hospitals, private physicians’ offices and community clinics. Located in a variety of medical settings, these clinical campuses offer training in all disciplines of medicine and provide the opportunity for exposure to a wide variety of patient populations. The research semester will culminate in a research project using community partnerships and based on the principles of community-oriented primary care. Upon successful completion of the program, candidates are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE). Undergraduate students having completed 126 semester hours of coursework and all Hofstra University undergraduate degree requirements will receive a bachelor of science degree in physician assistant studies(1). All students, including those earning the baccalaureate, will earn a master of science in physician assistant studies upon completion of the entire curriculum(2).

Notes


(1) Students who complete 126 semester hours of course work and all Hofstra University undergraduate degree requirements are eligible for the B.S. degree; however, they will not be eligible either to sit for the PANCE exam or to receive the M.S. degree until all requirements for the M.S. degree are fulfilled, including completion of the PA Professional Phase of the program.

(2) Students who earn the B.S. in Physician Assistant Studies at Hofstra need only complete 37 additional semester hours of course work to earn the M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies. Students who enter the program with a baccalaureate degree from another institution must complete the entire Professional Phase of the program, or 79 semester hours of course work.

(3) For undergraduate transfer students who plan to earn the B.S./M.S., 20 semester hours in the major field of specialization and the last 30 semester hours must both be completed in residence at Hofstra University. The 20 semester hours need not be included within the last 30 hours.

Prerequisite Requirements


Prerequisite requirements that apply to the program include the following: 

  1. At least 84 semester hours in liberal arts courses must be completed, including all Hofstra University general education requirements and program prerequisite courses;
  2. Minimum cumula­tive GPA of 3.0;
  3. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the SCIENCE courses;
  4. Personal essay;
  5. Two letters of recommendation;
  6. Documentation of 50 to 100 hours of health-care experience;
  7. International students must take the TOEFL exam and pass with a minimum score of:
    Internet-based test: 80
    Computer-based test: 213
    Paper-based test: 550.

Centralized Application Service


Students must apply to the physician assistant studies program through the Centralized Application Service. Applications are submitted online through the Central Admission Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) or by mail:

CASPA
P.O. Box 9108
Watertown, MA 02471
Telephone: (617) 612-2080
apply@caspaonline.org

Deadline for applications: November 1 of each year for the subsequent fall semester.

Applicants should be aware that a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in science courses do not guarantee entry into the program. The PA program is competitive and only the strongest applicants will be selected for a personal interview with the physician assistant studies program admission committee prior to acceptance into the program.

Applications completed by November 1 will be screened for regular acceptance. Applications completed after November 1 will be considered late and will be reviewed only if there are openings. Those who apply earliest have the best chance of being invited for an interview and therefore being offered a seat.

Dual-degree Requirements


Candidates for the dual degree (B.S./M.S.) must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. The successful completion of at least 163 semester hours. All students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA throughout the physician assistant curriculum.(3)
  2. For undergraduate transfer students who plan to earn the B.S./M.S.,20 semester hours in the major field of specialization and the last 30 semester hours must both be completed in residence at Hofstra University. The 20 semester hours need not be included within the last 30 hours.
  3. The following general requirements: WSC 1 and 2 or placement examination. Distribution course requirement: (for listing of distribution courses, see Distribution Courses); 6 s.h. of humanities distribution courses (3 s.h. in literature (LT) and 3 s.h. in appreciation and analysis (AA)); 6 s.h. of social science distribution courses (3 s.h. in behavioral social sciences (BH) and 3 s.h. in history, philosophy, or religion (HP)); MATH 50 or 71; completion of level 4 of a foreign language, or placement above level 4 on the appropriate placement test administered by the language laboratory; BIO 11, 12, 25, 135 or 137, 140; CHEM 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 71 or 131A/B and 132A/B; BIO 100 or PSY 40 or SOC 180; all PHA-prefix courses listed in the sequencing chart below.
  4. For undergraduate transfer students who plan to earn the B.S./M.S., 20 semester hours in the major field of specialization and the last 30 semester hours must both be completed in residence at Hofstra University. The 20 semester hours need not be included within the last 30 hours.

Admission (First-year Students Only)


For those Hofstra University students who are provisioinally admitted to the program as incoming first-year students, it is possible to proceed directly into the physician assistant program without undergoing the PA admission process in the junior year. In order to qualify, a student must meet each of the following conditions:

  1. Enter Hofstra University as a first-year student with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 in high school academic work and a SAT score of 1230 (on the Critical Reading and Mathematics sections);
  2. Complete a successful interview prior to acceptance into the Direct Entry Program;
  3. Attend Hofstra University for all undergraduate course work;
  4. Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 for the six semesters prior to beginning the PA program curriculum;
  5. Maintain a science grade point average of 3.3 for the six semesters prior to beginning the PA program curriculum;
  6. Follow the pre-professional curriculum;
  7. Complete three years in residence before entering the professional phase of the program;
  8. Meet with a PA program faculty member once each semester;
  9. Document 50 to 100 hours of healthcare experience.

Should a student meet all conditions, a seat will be reserved in the class beginning in his/her senior year. Students who do not meet every condition for the first-year direct entry option may apply to the program via the CASPA process. Such students compete for admission to the program with all others applying through CASPA.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 163


The following major and additional requirements can be fulfilled as follows:

B.S./M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies
Suggested Five and One-half Year Sequence
Full-time Students: 163 s.h.

Pre-PA Phase - Total Semester Hours: 84


First Year


FALL
Course Semester Hours
WSC 1 3
MATH 50 or 71 4
BIO 12 4
CHEM 3A, 3B 4

Total

15

 

SPRING
Course Semester Hours
WSC 2 3
BIO 11 4
CHEM 4A, 4B 4
Language Level 1* or
3 s.h. of liberal arts electives
3
Any BH distribution course 3
Total 17

 * See number 3 above on language requirement under Dual-degree requirements.

Second Year


FALL
Course Semester Hours
CHEM 71
(131A/B and 132A/B may be substituted-8 s.h.)
4
Liberal arts elective 3
Any LT distribution course 3
Language Level 2* or
3 s.h. of liberal arts electives
3

Total

13

 

SPRING
Course Semester Hours
BIO 137 or 135 3
Any HP distribution course 3
Language Level 3* or
3 s.h. of liberal arts electives
3
Liberal arts elective 3
Total 12

* See number 3 above on language requirement under Dual-degree requirements.

Third Year


FALL
Course Semester Hours
BIO 25 4
BIO 140 4
Language Level 4* or
3 s.h. of liberal arts electives
3
Any AA distribution course  

Total

14

 

SPRING
Course Semester Hours
BIO 100 or PSY 40 or SOC 180 4
Liberal arts electives 9
Total 12

 * See number 3 above on language requirement under Dual-degree requirements.

Professional Phase - Total Semester Hours: 79


Fourth Year


FALL
Course Semester Hours
PHA 223  4
PHA 217  2
PHA 215  3
PHA 212  4
PHA 224  3

Total

16

 

SPRING
Course Semester Hours
PHA 200  2
PHA 216   2
PHA 202  2
PHA 220  2
PHA 225  4
PHA 221  2
Total 14

  

SUMMER
Course Semester Hours
PHA 219  2
PHA 233  2
PHA 227  6
PHA 234  2
PHA 235  2
Total 14

Awarding of B.S. Degree: 126 s.h.

Fifth Year


FALL, SPRING AND SUMMER
Course Semester Hours
PHA 250  3
PHA 255  3
PHA 260  3
PHA 265  3
PHA 270  3
PHA 275  3
PHA 280  3
PHA 285  3
PHA 290  3

Total

27

NOTE: Each of these courses must be completed before the end of the program; however, the sequencing varies.

Sixth Year


FALL
Course Semester Hours
PHA 218  2
PHA 202  2
PHA 301   3
PHA 302  3

Total

10

 

Tuition


Students enrolled in the Pre-Pa phase of the program will be charged the standard undergraduate tuition. Students in the PA Professional Phase of the program will be charged the standard graduate tuition . Undergraduates (students who have earned fewer than 126 semester hours in course work, and/or do not hold bachelor’s degrees) enrolled in the PA Professional Phase are eligible to apply for undergraduate financial aid packages.

Post-Baccalaureate Applicants


Admission requirements for applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree at another institution are as follows:

General Biology (with laboratory): 8 s.h.
General Chemistry (with laboratory) 8 s.h.
Human or Mammalian Physiology 4 s.h.
Biochemistry: 3 s.h. or Organic Chemistry 3 s. h. (BIO) or 4 s.h. (CHEM)
Statistics 3 to 4 s.h.
Microbiology 3 to 4 s.h.
Genetics or cell biology or another upper level biology 3 to 4 s.h.

Please note the following conditions:

  1. Physiology, microbiology and biochemistry or organic chemistry must have been taken within the past five years of the start of the curriculum.
  2. General Biology and General Chemistry will be waived in circumstances where more advanced courses have been passed with a grade of B+ or better.

In addition, the following requirements must be met:

  • Cumulative science GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • 50-100 hours of health care experience
  • International students must take the TOEFL examination.

Applicants must apply to the Physician Assistant Studies program through CASPA.

Applicants should be aware that a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in science courses do not guarantee entry into the program. The PA program is competitive and only the strongest applicants will be selected for a personal interview with the Physician Assistant Studies Program Admissions Committee prior to acceptance into the program. All students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA through the professional phase. Detailed information is provided in the Physician Assistant Studies Program Handbook.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 79


The following major and additional requirements can be fulfilled as follows:

Physician Assistant Studies
28-Month Sequence
Full-time Students: 79 s.h.

Fourth Year


FALL
Course Semester Hours
PHA 223  4
PHA 278  2
PHA 215  3
PHA 212  4
PHA 224  3

Total

16

 

SPRING
Course Semester Hours
PHA 200  2
PHA 216   2
PHA 217  3
PHA 220  3
PHA 225  3
Total 13

  

SUMMER
Course Semester Hours
PHA 219  2
PHA 221  3
PHA 227  6
PHA 233  2
Total 13

 

Fifth Year


FALL, SPRING AND SUMMER
Course Semester Hours
PHA 250  3
PHA 255  3
PHA 260  3
PHA 265  3
PHA 270  3
PHA 275  3
PHA 280  3
PHA 285  3
PHA 290  3

Total

27

NOTE: Each of these courses must be completed before the end of the program; however, the sequencing varies.

Sixth Year


FALL
Course Semester Hours
PHA 218  2
PHA 301   3
PHA 302  3

Total

8

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