Know our Admissions Requirements

Transcription

1 Know our Admissions Requirements Admissions Information The following application information is effective beginning with candidates applying for the class matriculating in the fall of 2010 (Application period of April October 2009) and thereafter. The Drexel University Hahnemann Physician Assistant Program uses the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). All applicants must complete the CASPA application process no later than October 1 of the year prior to expected date of matriculation, including the receipt by CASPA of all transcripts, reference forms, and other supporting documentation. Applicants may no longer apply directly to the Drexel University Hahnemann Physician Assistant Program. Applications made directly to the Office of Enrollment Management (Admissions) of Drexel University will not be processed. Application Completion Deadline: The completion deadline by which date all transcripts, reference forms, and supporting documentation must be officially received by CASPA for all applications for the class that begins each fall academic quarter term (September) is: October 1st of the year prior to expected date of matriculation. Applications remaining incomplete with CASPA for any reason by the October 1st deadline will not be processed! Application Prerequisites: A minimum grade point average of.0 on a 4.0 grading scale from all colleges and universities attended is required for the following three categories: 1) non- science courses, 2) natural science courses, and ) combined overall courses. Applications will not be reviewed unless the

2 applicant has attained these minimum requirements. Meet the technical standards for admission, progression, and graduation from the Physician Assistant Program which requires all individual must be able to independently, with or without reasonable accommodation, meet the following technical standards of general abilities and of observation; communication; motor; motor; intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities; as well as essential behavioral and social attributes. Each applicant is expected to review completely the detailed description of the technical standards listed at the end of this document. Individuals unable to meet these technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, are counseled to pursue alternate careers. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended sent directly to CASPA. Send non- United States- based educational institutional transcripts for evaluation by an approved agency (see the listing of acceptable agencies on the CASPA website at ). Evaluation fees are the responsibility of the applicant. Provide three completed reference forms with accompanying letters of recommendation attached submitted as part of the official CASPA application. Preferred references are from individuals who have been in a supervisory capacity over the applicant or academic instructors who have personal knowledge of the applicant. Submissions of references from friends, relatives, personal physicians, or instructors who do not possess a personal, supervisory knowledge of the applicants are discouraged. Complete a minimum of 500 hours of clearly documented types of volunteer/paid patient contact that has to be accrued by the time of application and recorded as part of the official CASPA application. Provide a personal statement recorded as part of the CASPA application. An applicant whose native language is not English must submit scores from the combined TOEFL and TSE examination unless the applicant has graduated with a bachelor s degree from a U.S. college or university. The minimum required score for the IBT (Internet Based Testing) is 79 and a minimum score of 26 is required for the speaking component. Find more detailed information at Meet the minimum prerequisite coursework in prescribed and elective transfer credits as detailed in the Prerequisite Course Information section below. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required. The Physician Assistant Program does not currently grant advanced standing for coursework similar to that contained in its curriculum when completed at

3 other educational institutions. The Application Process Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early to avoid delays in processing and to facilitate the transmission of completed CASPA applications to the PA Program in a timely fashion. Applications remaining incomplete for any reason by the October 1st deadline will not be processed. Please follow all instructions exactly and completely as indicated on the CASPA website. CASPA s preferred method for submitting applications is online at: CASPA Post Office Box 9108 Watertown, MA (617) or caspainfo@caspaonline.org (617) Fax (617) TTY Line An Important Note Concerning the CASPA Application Processing: Applications will not be reviewed by the Physician Assistant Program until all official transcripts and supporting documents are received by CASPA. It is the responsibility of each applicant to contact CASPA (not the PA Program Office) directly to verify the receipt of all application materials and the current status of his or her application. Contact CASPA online at Submit Supplemental Application Information to the Physician Assistant Program Supplemental Information: In addition to the CASPA application, the Drexel University Hahnemann Physician Assistant Program requires that the appropriate Supplemental Information Sheet (SIS) Form be completed and submitted to the Physician Assistant Program within 2 days of initiating the CASPA application. Fax the completed form to: (See the link to the appropriate Supplemental Information Sheet Form in the Prerequisite Course Information section below.) Should you have any questions, please contact the Drexel

4 University Hahnemann PA Program office at Applicants enrolled in prerequisite courses at the time of application, or who will complete prerequisite courses by the end of the fall or spring academic term(s) prior to expected matriculation, must indicate all courses that are either in progress or that will be taken in the appropriate section for both the CASPA application and the Drexel University Supplemental Information Sheet Form. Applicants may have no more than two (2) remaining prerequisite courses in progress during the spring academic term prior to expected matriculation. Prerequisite coursework not completed by the end of the academic term as indicated will disqualify applicants for further consideration for admission. All prerequisite courses must have a grade of C (2.0) or higher documented on official transcripts in order to be accepted. Course grades of C Minus (C- ) or lower are ineligible for transfer. Successful completion of all prerequisite coursework, either in progress or planned, missing at the time of application must be documented on official transcripts submitted to the Physician Assistant Program at the end of the academic term(s) in which taken. Failure to submit official transcript documentation by the end of the spring academic term deadline will disqualify further processing of applications. Effective with the fall 2008 academic term, the PA Program converted from the semester credit hour system to the academic quarter hour credit system to coordinate more fully with the other educational programs of the College of Nursing and Health Professions and the Drexel University general academic calendar. The major differences resulting from the transition to the academic quarters curriculum include: o The academic quarter term will be shortened to approximately 10 weeks of instruction and a final examination week o An individual academic quarter course credit is calculated to be 0.67 of the prior semester hour credit (One quarter credit equals 0.67 semester hour credit). Drexel University converts semester credit hours (SH or sh) to quarter credit hours (QCH or qch) by the following formula: SH = QCH x (0.67) Some frequent QCH conversions to SH equivalents for various credit- level courses include: 6 QCH = 4.00 SH 4 QCH = 2.67 SH 2 QCH = 1. SH 5 QCH =. SH QCH = 2.00 SH 1 QCH = 0.67 SH General Prerequisite Course Information Only completed course work with grades of C (2.0) or higher

5 (grades of C minus or below will not transfer), verifiable on official transcripts from regionally accredited United States colleges and universities as acceptable. Only those courses for which a final course grade can be documented on official transcripts by the end of the spring academic term prior to the applicant s expected matriculation can satisfy prerequisite requirements. If any courses cannot be completed by that deadline, defer applying. Coursework from non- United States educational institutions requires evaluation by an educational evaluation service approved by CASPA. CASPA- approved services are listed at o The applicant must have the completed evaluation sent to CASPA (not directly to the PA Programs). CASPA will forward the evaluation to the PA Program as part o of the applicant s CASPA record. The applicant bears the additional expenses associated with evaluation of coursework from non- United States educational institutions. Prerequisite coursework may also be satisfied by College Level Equivalency Program (CLEP) examination achievement. CLEP information is available online at: The applicant having, at the time of initial application, prerequisite coursework either in progress or planned for completion no later than the end of the spring academic term prior to expected matriculation may only be offered provisional acceptance. Full acceptance to the program will be offered after documentation by official transcript of successful completion of all in- progress or planned prerequisite coursework has been received by the Physician Assistant Program. Failure to provide official documentation by the deadline provided at the offer of provisional acceptance will result in the rescission of the provisional acceptance. Specific Prerequisite Course Information Applicants are categorized as: o Degreed: Those who already hold baccalaureate or graduate degrees from regionally accredited educational institutions at the time of initial applications. o Pending- Degree- Completion: Those who anticipate receiving their baccalaureate degrees no later than the end of the spring academic term prior to their anticipated matriculation in the PA Program o Non- Degreed: Those who do not hold an undergraduate degree but have accumulated at least 90 semester credit hours (or 15 quarter credit hours) of acceptable transfer

6 credits at the time of application. Currently, Non- Degreed Applicants accepted into the PA Program will matriculate for a single degree, the Master of Health Science, and not as candidates for dual degrees, the Bachelor of Science and the Master of Health Science. Degreed Applicants: Prerequisite Coursework The following prerequisite coursework is required for the applicant who holds a baccalaureate (or advanced) degree at time of application: The Degreed Applicant must document the granting of each degree by official transcripts from the awarding educational institutions as part of the CASPA application. Additionally, the courses listed in the table below must be documented on official transcripts. To facilitate adequate evaluation of an applicant s prowess in these prerequisite disciplines, the Degreed Applicant may have no more than two (2) prerequisite courses scheduled for the spring academic term prior to expected matriculation. All missing prerequisite courses must be successfully passed and documented on official transcripts no later than the end of the spring academic term prior to the anticipated matriculation. Any Degreed Applicant missing significant prescribed courses should defer applying until prerequisite coursework is complete. To download SIS Form for Degreed and Pending Degree Applicants, go to Course Requirements for Degreed Applicants Psychology: One course in General, Developmental, or Abnormal Psychology Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab: Regardless of the number of credits, the requirement is the complete study of the anatomy and physiology of all the major human bodily systems. Typically, this requires either two semester-long or three quarter-long courses with laboratory components to accomplish. Minimum Credits 6 Alternatively, a complete course of human anatomy with lab and a complete course in human physiology with lab may satisfy the requirement provided that together the two courses also constitute the complete study of the anatomy and physiology of all the major human bodily systems. Note: Exercise Physiology does not satisfy this requirement. General Biology with Lab: Regardless of the number of credits, the course sequence must constitute a complete general study of a collegiate, year-long, survey course of biology. Typically, this requires either two semester-long courses or three quarter-long courses to accomplish. General Chemistry I with Lab: At least one course in general, college-level chemistry General or Medical Microbiology (Preferably with Lab):Regardless of the number of credits, the course or course sequence must provide collective study of all the major constituent organisms included in general microbiology. Individual courses in bacteriology, virology, mycology, or parasitology do not satisfy this requirement. 6

7 sequence must provide collective study of all the major constituent organisms included in general microbiology. Individual courses in bacteriology, virology, mycology, or parasitology do not satisfy this requirement. General or Medical Genetics (Preferably with laboratory): One course Medical Terminology: One course that may be taken either on-line or in residence. Course credits may vary, but the course must be taken for grade through an accredited college or university. 1- Pending- Degree- Completion Applicants: Prerequisite Coursework The prerequisite coursework for the Pending- Degree- Completion Applicant is identical to that for the Degreed Applicant. A Pending- Degree- Completion Applicant will be considered only for provisional acceptance if any prerequisite coursework is not completed at the time of initial application. To facilitate adequate evaluation of an applicant s prowess in these prerequisite disciplines, the Pending- Degree- Completion Applicant may have no more than two (2) prerequisite courses scheduled for the spring academic term prior to expected matriculation. All missing prerequisite courses must be successfully passed and documented on official transcripts no later than the end of the spring academic term prior to expected matriculation. Any Degreed Applicant who will be missing significant prescribed courses beyond the spring academic term prior to the expected matriculation should defer applying until prerequisite coursework is complete. The provisional acceptance for a Pending- Degree- Completion Applicant who does not document the official awarding of an anticipated baccalaureate degree by the end of the spring academic term prior to anticipated matriculation will be rescinded, unless the applicant can demonstrate full compliance with all the prerequisite coursework requirements of a Non- Degreed Applicant by the end of the spring academic term prior to anticipated matriculation. To download SIS Form for Degreed and Pending Degree Applicants, go to Course Requirements for Pending-Degree-Completion Applicants Psychology: One course in General, Developmental, or Abnormal Psychology Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab: Regardless of the number of credits, the requirement is the complete study of the anatomy and physiology of all the major human bodily systems. Typically, this requires either two semester-long or three quarter-long courses with laboratory components to accomplish. Minimum semester Credits 6 Alternatively, a complete course of human anatomy with lab and a complete course in human physiology with lab may satisfy the requirement provided that together the two courses also constitute the complete study of the anatomy and physiology of all the major human bodily systems. Note: Exercise Physiology does not satisfy this requirement.

8 Alternatively, a complete course of human anatomy with lab and a complete course in human physiology with lab may satisfy the requirement provided that together the two courses also constitute the complete study of the anatomy and physiology of all the major human bodily systems. Note: Exercise Physiology does not satisfy this requirement. General Biology with Lab: Regardless of the number of credits, the course sequence must constitute a complete general study of a collegiate, year-long, survey course of biology. Typically, this requires either two, semester-long courses or three quarter-long courses to accomplish. General Chemistry I with Lab: At least one course in general, college-level chemistry General or Medical Microbiology (Preferably with Lab): Regardless of the number of credits, the course or course sequence must provide collective study of all the major constituent organisms included in general microbiology. Individual courses in bacteriology, virology, mycology, or parasitology do not satisfy this requirement. General or Medical Genetics (Preferably with laboratory): One course Medical Terminology: One course that may be taken either on-line or in residence. Course credits may vary, but the course must be taken for grade through an accredited college or university Non-Degreed Applicants: Prerequisite Coursework Each Non- Degreed Applicant must complete the Prescribed Coursework indicated below and sufficient additional elective credits to total the minimum number of transferable credits of 90 semester hour credits (or 15 quarter credit hours). In order to evaluate the applicant s academic prowess in the prerequisite disciplines, the Non- Degreed Applicant is expected to have the vast majority of the prescribed coursework completed at the time of initial application and may not have more than two prerequisite courses, either planned for or in progress, during the spring academic term prior to expected matriculation into the PA Program. A Non- Degreed Applicant will be considered only for provisional acceptance if any prerequisite coursework is not completed at the time of initial application. All missing prerequisite courses must be successfully passed and documented on official transcripts no later than the end of the spring academic term prior to expected matriculation. The provisional acceptance for a Non- Degreed Applicant who does not document on official transcripts the successful completion of all missing prerequisite or elective coursework by the end of the spring academic term prior to expected matriculation will be rescinded. Any Non- Degreed Applicant missing significant prescribed

9 courses should defer applying until prerequisite coursework is complete. To download SIS Form for Degreed and Pending Degree Applicants, go to Prescribed Coursework for Non-Degreed Applicants Minimum Credits Psychology: One course in General, Developmental, or Abnormal Psychology Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab: The requirement is the complete study of the anatomy and physiology of all the major human bodily systems. Typically, this requires either two semester-long or three quarter-long courses with laboratory components to accomplish. Alternatively, a complete course of human anatomy with lab and a complete course in human physiology with lab may satisfy the requirement provided that together the two courses also constitute the complete study of the anatomy and physiology of all the major human bodily systems. Note: Exercise Physiology does not satisfy this requirement. General Biology I & II with Labs: The course sequence must constitute a complete general study of a collegiate, year-long, survey course of biology. Typically, this requires either two, semester-long courses or three quarter-long courses to accomplish. General Chemistry I & II with Labs: general, collegelevel chemistry General or Medical Microbiology (Preferably with Lab): The course or course sequence must provide collective study of all the major constituent organisms included in general microbiology. Individual courses in bacteriology, virology, mycology, or parasitology do not satisfy this requirement. General or Medical Genetics (Preferably with laboratory): One course Medical Terminology: One course that may be taken either on-line or in residence. Course credits may vary, but the course must be taken for grade through an accredited college or university. English composition and literature: Courses in standard, college-level English or one or more composition (writing) and English literature courses Mathematics: College Algebra, Pre-calculus, Calculus, or Statistics Computer Science Applications (word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database) SH (4.5 8 SH ( SH ( SH (12.0 SH (4.5 SH ( SH ( SH (9.0 SH (4.5 SH (4.5 Additional Social Sciences (see list below) 6 SH (9.0 Additional Humanities (see list below) 6 SH (9.0 Total Prescribed Credits= SH (87-90 Additional Elective Coursework for Non-Degreed Applicants Total of Additional Electives Credits (Minimum) Must be sufficient to bring the total of all transfer credits to at least 90 semester hours (or 15 quarter credit hours) 0-2 SH (45-48 Total of All Credits (Minimum) 90 SH (15

10 (15 Additional electives may be taken from the following disciplines: Natural Sciences (e.g. chemistry, biology, physics) Social Sciences (e.g. sociology, history, political science, economics, anthropology, additional psychology) Humanities (e.g. ethics, medical ethics, critical thinking, logic, philosophy, religion, foreign languages, art history, music history, speech communications, American Sign Language, additional English courses) College- level Mathematics (non- remedial): (e.g. college algebra, precalculus, calculus, statistics, probabilities) Computer Science (e.g. applications, programming, theory) For those seeking suggestions for additional elective courses to take, the following is offered for the applicant s consideration and planning. Strongly recommended electives include: Abnormal psychology Biochemistry Critical thinking Death and dying Developmental psychology Embryology Ethics/ Ethics in Medicine (Health Care) and Methodology Foreign languages Introduction to pharmacology Logic Nutrition Organic Chemistry Pathophysiology Philosophy Public Speaking/Speech Research Design Sociology

11 Statistics Submission of False or Inaccurate Information: Any intentional or unintentional falsification, misrepresentation, or omission of any required application materials or supporting documentation, either to CASPA or the Physician Assistant Program, may result in termination of the processing of the offender s application, the revocation of any offer of acceptance tendered, or dismissal from the PA Program if discovered after matriculation. PA Program Review and Invitations for Personal Interview: Only after both the completed CASPA application and the PA Program s Supplemental Information Sheet Form are received will an individual s application be further processed. In addition to a thorough review of all supporting documents, candidates are evaluated for their ability to handle the high demands of training, commitment to people-oriented service, and familiarity with the physician assistant's role. After review, the most promising applicants are invited for a personal interview. Eligible candidates are typically invited to an all-day interview session during the months of September, October, November, December, January and February. Post-Interview Processing: The Physician Assistant Program Admissions Committee meets approximately one to two weeks after each interview session. The Committee reviews the full application file for each applicant who was interviewed and then formulates and submits its recommendation to the Program Director for action: Some candidates may be offered an early acceptance All applicants will receive notification regarding their status within the March- April time frame: o Offer of Acceptance o Offer of Alternate Status o Non- Acceptance Offer of Acceptance to the PA Program: The applicant will receive an official written offer of acceptance along with additional forms and instructions. The candidate should acknowledge his or her acceptance or non-acceptance of the offer of admission promptly to Ms. Janet Stern by telephone at or to js64@drexel.edu. Those accepting the offers should complete the following by the deadlines indicated in the written admissions materials: Complete and return all required written materials and forms

12 as soon as possible but no later than the deadlines specified in those materials Submit a non- refundable deposit of $500 to hold his or her place in the class o Upon actual matriculation, the deposit is credited to o the student s first university bill. Should an accepted student fail to matriculate by the deadline, the entire deposit is forfeit. Submit documentation of current certification in at least Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended, Advanced Placement Examination scores, and CLEP results directly to the PA Program. Send all correspondence to: Janet L. Stern, Director of Admissions Physician Assistant Program Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Profession 1505 Race Street M.S. #504 Philadelphia, PA Note: Do not have official documentation sent to the Drexel University Office of Enrollment Management (Admissions Office) as that will delay final processing by the PA Program. Arrange for the required medical examination and proof of current immunization status and submit those directly to the addresses indicated on those medical forms. Note: To obtain current immunization requirements click on the following link: ( Departments/Student_Immunization_Program/ ) Note: Do not send official medical documentation or forms to the PA Program Conversion of Conditional to Unconditional Acceptance: o For all courses (whether prescribed pre- requisite or elective) taken during the fall or winter academic terms, the final official transcripts should be mailed to Ms. Stern at the above address. o For prerequisite courses taken in the spring academic term, the final course grades should

13 o be e- mailed to Ms. Stern at by the course professor as soon as the course has been completed. Receipt of official transcript confirming final grades for spring academic term courses must be received within two (2)weeks of the official end of the spring academic term Failure to provide official transcripts documenting the successful completion of all prescribed and needed elective coursework by the indicated deadlines will result in the rescission of the offer of acceptance. Keep the PA Program Updated! Between the offer of acceptance and the orientation activities and the start of classes in September, much of the communication from the PA Program to incoming students occurs through and by telephone; therefore, the applicant is strongly encouraged to promptly notify the PA Program of any changes to e- mail or mailing addresses and telephone numbers. The PA Program cannot be responsible for failures of important communications due to outdated or incorrect contact information provided by the applicant. Please Read the Following to Help You Assess Your Capacity to Successfully Undertake Training in the Drexel Hahnemann PA Program! Classes matriculate once a year in September. If accepted into the PA Program, students will need to send official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended to Janet Stern Drexel University reserves the right to revise without notice admissions standards and procedures as it deems necessary.