Apr 19, 2024  
2007-2008 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2007-2008 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Physician Assistant Studies, B.S. Specialization in


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The Physician assistant (PA) is a skilled health care practitioner who provides patient care services under the supervision of a licensed physician. Within the PA/Physician relationship, the PA may exercise significant autonomy in decision making. Physician assistants work in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices and nursing homes. The specific role of a particular PA will vary according to job setting, supervising physician scope of practice, level of experience and state law. This profession requires critical thinking in the context of patient care problems, a commitment to life-long learning and adherence to high ethical standards. This four year program builds upon a liberal arts and science foundation to educate competent and compassionate professionals.

The four-year program includes a two-year liberal arts and science foundation, to educate competent and compassionate professionals (pre-Physician Assistant phase) and a two-year professional phase consisting of a didactic year and clinical year. Once the prerequisite courses have been successfully completed, students should apply to the Physician Assistant Studies Program. Qualified applicants will also have a personal interview with the Physician Assistant Program Admissions committee before acceptance into the program.

Program Requirements


Students interested in entering the program after their first year at Hofstra and transfer students are expected to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 and a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 in their science courses. They should apply to the Physician Assistant program directly and submit a personal essay as well as two letters of recommendation. Qualified applicants will also have a personal interview with the Physician Assistant Program Admissions Committee before acceptance into the program.

Candidates for graduation must successfully complete the following requirements:

1. Total Semester Hours: 147


The successful completion of at least 147 semester hours. All students must maintain a 2.8 cumulative GPA and a 2.8 science GPA through the Pre-Physician Assistant Phase phase. Detailed information is provided in the Physician Assistant Program Handbook.

2. Liberal Arts


At least 74 semester hours in liberal arts courses must be completed before beginning the Professional Phase (didactic year) of the Physician Assistant Program.

3. Residence Requirements


There are two requirements that must ordinarily be completed in residence at Hofstra: 20 semester hours in the major field of specialization and the last 30 semester hours. The 20 semester hours need not be included within the last 30 hours.

4. General Requirements


  • ENGL 1 & 2 or placement examination.
  • Distribution course requirement: (for listing of distribution courses, see the Distrubution Courses program) 6 semester hours in humanities: 3 hours in appreciation and analysis (literature);
  • 3 hours in creative participation (SPCM 1 or 7);
  • 6 semester hours in social sciences;
  • 3 hours in behavioral social sciences (SOC 4)
  • 3 hours in history and philosophy.

Note: Students who matriculate at Hofstra with advanced standing, must complete at least 3 semester hours in humanities distribution courses and 3 semester hours in social science distribution courses in residence. In no case may distribution course requirements be taken elsewhere after matriculation at Hofstra.

5. All Courses are Taught by Hofstra University Faculty


During the fourth year (Clinical year) of the program, students are assigned to clinical clerkships at affiliated clinical campuses. 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. Currently affiliated clinical campuses include North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Winthrop University Hospital, Southside Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital, Elmhurst Hospital, Nassau University Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, Suffolk Department of Health, Island Hospital, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility, Branch Pediatrics, Healthline of Commack, Family Medical Practice of Long Island, Island Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and Barbara Mandell, MD.

6. Major and Additional Requirements


The following major and additional requirements must be fulfilled:

Four-Year Sequence - Total Semester Hours: 147


For Full-Time Students

First Year (Pre-Physician)


Spring Semester - Total Hours: 17


  • Any Behavioral Social Science Distribution course

Summer Semester I, II, III - Total Hours: 1


Second Year


Spring Semester - Total Hours: 16


  • Liberal Arts Elective

Summer Semester I, II, III - Total Hours: 0


Third Year Professional Phase (Didactic Year)


Spring Semester - Total Hours: 15


Summer Semester I, II, III - Total Hours: 14


Fourth Year (Clinical Year)


Fall Semester - Total Hours: 14


Summer Semester I, II, III - Total Hours: 0


Certificate of Completion


Certificate of completion in Physician Assistant Studies: The physician assistant (PA) is a skilled healthcare practitioner, who provides patient care services under the supervision of a licensed physician. Within the PA/Physician relationship, the PA may exercise significant autonomy in decision-making. Physician assistants work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices and nursing homes. The specific role of a particular PA will vary according to job setting, supervised physician scope of practice, level of experience and state law. This profession requires critical thinking in the context of patient care problems, a commitment to life-long learning and adherence to high ethical standards.

Admission Requirements


The program to a credit-bearing Certificate is only intended for those individuals admitted to the professional phase of the curriculum, who already possess a baccalaureate degree and necessary prerequisites. The following admissions requirements apply to those students seeking entry directly into the PA Studies Program, who already possess a bachelor’s degree:

  • General Biology (with laboratory) 8 s.h.
  • General Chemistry (with laboratory) 8 s.h.
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology 6 s.h.
  • Biochemistry 3 s.h. or Organic Chemistry 4 s.h.
  • Mathematics (statistics preferred) 3 s.h.
  • Behavioral Sciences 6 s.h.
  • English Composition 6 s.h.
  • 100 hours of health care experience.
  • Cumulative Science grade point average of 2.8 or higher
  • Cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher.

All interested candidates should consult their University adviser.

Students will be eligible to apply to the PA program if the following academic standards are achieved:

  • Cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher
  • Science grade point average of 2.8 or higher
  • Completion of all required courses.
  • Documented hours of health care experience.

Students should apply to the Physician Assistant Studies program directly and submit a personal essay and two letters of recommendation. Qualified applicants will also have a personal interview with the Physician Assistant Program Admissions Committee before acceptance into the program. Students interested in entering the program after their first year at Hofstra and transfer students are expected to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 and a cumulative grade point average 2.8 in their science courses. They should apply to the Physician Assistant Program directly and submit a personal essay as well as two letters of recommendation. Qualified applicants will also have a personal interview with the Physician Assistant Program Admissions Committee before acceptance into the program.

Certificate Requirements


Candidates for graduation must successfully complete the following:

1. Total Semester Hours: 82


The successful completion of at least 82 semester hours. All students must maintain a 2.33 cumulative grade point average and a 2.33 science grade point average through the professional phase. Detailed information is provided in the Physicians Assistant Program Handbook.

2. All Courses are Taught by Hofstra University Faculty


All courses are taught by Hofstra University faculty. During the clinical clerkships of the program, students are assigned to clinical clerkships at affiliated clinical campuses. 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. Currently affiliated clinical campuses include North Shore- Long Island Jewish Health System.

3. The Following Requirements Must be Fulfilled:


Recommended Sequence - Total Semester Hours: 82


First Year


Spring Semester - Total Hours: 15


Summer Semester I & II - Total Hours: 14


Second Year


Fall Semester - Total Hours: 14


Summer Semester I & II - Total Hours: 0


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