College of Health Sciences & Human Services

College of Health Sciences & Human Services

College of Health Affairs

Agenda 1. Introductions 2. Objectives 3. News & Updates 4. Apple Distinguished Program & Apple Distinguished Educator Awards 5. The curriculum (UTRGV) 1. Didactic year 2. Clinical year 3. Capstone semester 6. 10 Minute Break 7. The Admissions Process 1. Minimum requirements 2. Prerequisite courses 3. Interviews 8. Why UTRGV? 9. Ask our students

Introductions Faculty in attendance Students in attendance 1. Didactic year (1 st years) 2. Clinical year (2 nd years) 3. Capstone semester (3 rd years) Audience survey 1. Where from? 2. Applying this year? 3. International applicants?

Objectives The purpose of this event is to: provide program news and updates review the PA curriculum discuss the admissions process and its requirements answer your questions meet our students

News & Updates Admissions 1. Prerequisite coursework & completion 2. Minimum GPA 3. GRE 4. 15 hours last 5 years 5. Healthcare experience 6. Volunteerism/Community Service 7. Interviews Curriculum 1. UTRGV transition 2. Modular curriculum 3. Grades

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Curriculum 28 month curriculum 9 semesters (includes summers) Didactic Year 1. Four semesters (fall/spring/summers) 2. On campus courses Clinical Year 1. Four semesters (fall/spring/summers) 2. 8 required clinical rotations, 1 elective rotation 3. Primarily off campus Capstone Semester 1. Last semester 2. 3 clinical rotations with concentrations 3. 2 online/on campus courses

Master s Didactic Curriculum YEAR ONE Fall SCH* PHAS 5301 Medical Human Anatomy 3 PHAS 5306 Medical Physiology & Pathophysiology I 3 PHAS 5328 Pharmacology I 3 PHAS 5325 Patient Communication 3 PHAS 5120 Immunology/Hematology Module 1 PHAS 5121 Infectious Disease Module 1 PHAS 5122 HEENT Module 1 PHAS 5123 Neurology Module 1 PHAS 5124 Cardiac Module 1 PHAS 5125 Pulmonary Module 1 Total Hours 18 Spring SCH* PHAS 5307 Medical Physiology & Pathophysiology II 3 PHAS 5329 Pharmacology II 3 PHAS 5308 Patient Evaluation 3 PHAS 5262 Clinical Clerkship 2 CLSC 5227 Clinical Laboratory Methods 2 PHAS 5126 Gastroenterology Module 1 PHAS 5127 Genitourinary Module 1 PHAS 5128 Musculoskeletal/Rheumatology Module 1 PHAS 5129 Women s Health Module 1 PHAS 5130 Endocrine Module 1 Total Hours 18 Summer I SCH* PHAS 5101 Studies in the PA Profession 1 PHAS 5111 Radiology Seminar 1 PHAS 5112 Health Policy & Health Management 1 PHAS 5113 Clinical Laboratory Analysis Interpretation 1 PHAS 5114 Research & Statistical Methods in Health Care 1 PHAS 5131 Dermatology Module 1 Total Hours 6 Summer II SCH* PHAS 5115 Introduction to Clinical Practice 1 PHAS 5116 Electrocardiography Seminar 1 PHAS 5117 Evidence-Based Medicine & Medical Research Design 1 PHAS 5118 Legal & Ethical Issues in Health Care 1 PHAS 5137 Preventive Medicine & Community Health 1 PHAS 5132 Medical Psychiatry 1 Total Hours 6 *Semester Credit Hours Total Didactic Year 48

Master s Clinical Curriculum YEAR TWO Fall SCH* PHAS 64XX Rotation I 4 PHAS 64XX Rotation II 4 PHAS 64XX Rotation III 4 Total Hours 12 Spring SCH* PHAS 64XX Rotation IV 4 PHAS 64XX Rotation V 4 PHAS 64XX Rotation VI 4 PHAS 64XX Rotation VII 4 Total Hours 16 Summer I SCH* PHAS 64XX Rotation VIII 4 Total Hours 4 Summer II SCH* PHAS 64XX Rotation IX 4 Total Hours 4 Total Clinical Year Hours 36 *Semester Credit Hours

Master s Capstone Curriculum YEAR THREE Fall SCH* PHAS 7401 Capstone Clinical Track I 4 PHAS 7402 Capstone Clinical Track II 4 PHAS 7403 Capstone Clinical Track III 4 PHAS 7204 Capstone Research Experience 2 PHAS 7205 Capstone Board Review 2 *Semester Credit Hours Total Master s Capstone Semester Hours 16

Curriculum Cohort model Group assignments Team-based learning (TBL)

Team-based Learning (TBL)

Minimum Requirements Self-Appraisal Checklist Must have: 1. Overall GPA 3.0 (includes all schools all courses) 2. Complete all prerequisites by October 1 3. 50 hours shadowing (MD/DO, PA, NP only) 4. GRE scores** 5. 15 hours of US coursework last 5 years** Should have: 1. Healthcare experience 2. Volunteer and community service Other: 1. AAPA/TAPA membership 2. Open House attendance 3. Pre-PA organizations 4. Additional science courses 5. Advanced degrees/certifications 6. Additional shadowing/varied shadowing 7. Direct patient care experience

Physician Assistant Department Admissions Self-Appraisal Checklist Prerequisite Coursework (must be complete with grade by October 1 deadline) Biological Sciences 3 Credit Hours: General Biology I 3 Credit Hours: General Biology II 3 Credit Hours: Genetics 3 Credit Hours: Microbiology 3 Credit Hours: Anatomy & Physiology I (human preferred) 3 Credit Hours: Anatomy & Physiology II (human preferred) Chemistry 3 Credit Hours: General Chemistry I 3 Credit Hours: General Chemistry II 3 Credit Hours: Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry Statistics 3 Credit Hours: Statistics Humanities 3 Credit Hours: General/Intro Psychology or Abnormal Psychology Complete In Progress Incomplete Grade Point Averages (CASPA calculations are based on all grades, all institutions, including repeats) Overall GPA ( 3.0 on 4.0 scale required) Science GPA (all biological science, chemistry, and physics courses; 3.0 strongly preferred) Last 30 Hour GPA (any course in any discipline; 3.0 strongly preferred) Applications CASPA Application Complete and Submitted by October 1 Apply Texas Application Complete and Submitted by October 1 Transcripts Original transcripts sent to CASPA by October 1 (from all institutions) Letters of Recommendation (sent through CASPA only) Letter of Recommendation #1 submitted by October 1 deadline Letter of Recommendation #2 submitted by October 1 deadline Letter of Recommendation #3 submitted by October 1 deadline Other Requirements Bachelor s Degree completed by August before matriculation Minimum 50 hours shadowing MD/DO, PA, and/or NP GRE Score (2016 2017 cycle) Minimum 15 hours USA coursework completed in last 5 years (2016 2017 cycle) NOTE: It is every applicant s responsibility to review all application requirements and deadlines, which are subject to change periodically. No coursework will be waived. Applications are considered INCOMPLETE if any one of the above items is missing. Late submissions of any admissions materials are not allowed. Check your email address at least once weekly for any correspondence from the program. Log in to the CASPA system weekly to check the progress of your application. We highly recommend reviewing our Frequently Asked Questions webpage at http://www.utrgv.edu/pad/faq.

Applying Follow instructions HERE CASPA application 1. Complete and Submit by October 1 2. Send ALL transcripts to CASPA UTRGV Graduate Application 1. Complete and Submit by October 1 2. CASPA application must be completed as well

Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) The Master in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) prepares graduates with intelligence, sound judgment, intellectual honesty, appropriate interpersonal skills, and critical thinking skills. The graduate will be capable of medical patient assessment and developing a plan of action for addressing health concerns. The professional curriculum for PA education includes basic medical, behavioral, and social sciences, introduction to clinical medicine and, supervised clinical practice, and health policy and professional practice issues. Admission Requirements The minimum admissions criteria for this program are: STEP 1 Online application to the UTRGV Graduate College at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply. STEP 2 STEP 3 Submit payment for your UTRGV Graduate College application at the payment site. This will be a separate account from your UTRGV Graduate College application and requires that you create a new account. Online application to the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) https://caspa.liaisoncas.com Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. The following items are required and can be submitted through CASPA: o o o o o Official transcripts from each institution attended. Personal statement detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree. Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources. Documentation of a minimum of 50 hours of shadowing. NOTE: GRE will be required starting in the 2017 application cycle. Completion of the following prerequisite coursework (a GPA of 3.0 or better will be more competitive): o General Biology I and General Biology II o Genetics o Anatomy & Physiology I, and Anatomy & Physiology II o Microbiology o General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II o Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry o General Psychology or Abnormal Psychology o Statistics Applicants must submit both a CASPA application and UTRGV application for consideration. Additional requirements for domestic applicants who attended foreign universities: TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS, if English is not your native language. For additional information, click here. English translation of educational records. Transcript Evaluation by the Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA) or World Education Services (WES). Click here for FCSA. Click here for WES*. Additional requirements for international applicants: TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. For additional information, click here. Minimum of 15 U.S. Semester hours completed within the past 5 years (starting in the 2016 application cycle). English translation of educational records. Transcript Evaluation by the Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA) or World Education Services (WES)* Click here for FCSA, Click here for WES. Financial Documentation showing sufficient funds (minimum of $25,000) to cover all expenses (living and academic) for the first year of study. For additional information, click here. Immigration documents, including a current copy of your valid passport. For additional information, click here. Document Submission Procedures You must submit your required documents including transcripts to CASPA. The Graduate College staff will retrieve your documents from CASPA including: transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation, resume, documentation of shadowing, and completion of prerequisite coursework. NOTE: Students who are admitted to the PA program will be required to have official transcripts sent to UTRGV after notification of admission which usually occurs in Mid-Spring. Additional Documents If after submitting your CASPA application, you realize you need to submit additional documents, you may use the UTRGV Recommenders and Document upload page located at: Recommenders and Document Upload Page. (Note do not upload documents that have already been submitted to CASPA). The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley The Graduate College Marialice Shary Shivers Bldg. 1.158 1201 W. University Drive Edinburg, TX 78539-2999 *Effective for the Fall 2017 application cycle, only WES will be accepted. www.utrgv.edu/grad

Program Contact Program Director: Mr. Frank Ambriz Phone: (956) 665-7049 E-Mail: pad@utpa.edu Deadlines Domestic International Fall October 1 st October 1 st 1. CASPA Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) application https://caspa.liaisoncas.com 2. Shadowing Experience A minimum 50 hours of shadowing experience are required and MUST be documented on the CASPA application experience section. Shadowing is accepted from MD/DO, P A or NP providers only. Shadowing accomplished as an extracurricular activity is preferred. Shadowing while on-the-job or as part of an educational requirement is not considered ideal. 3. Required Prerequisite Coursework All prerequisites must be completed by the October 1 deadline. Prerequisites taken during the Fall or Spring semesters during or after the October 1 deadline will not be considered for interview or admission. All applicants who are accepted must have a completed Bachelor's degree, its equivalent or a higher degree upon matriculation to the Physician Assistant Department. Prior studies or degree work, work experience, fluency in Spanish, and residency in the underserved counties of South Texas may be helpful to all applicants. Although the prerequisite coursework may be accomplished at any accredited junior college, four-year college, or university, it is preferred that most, if not all, coursework be completed at a four-year college or university. Additional recommendations include Spanish coursework and medical terminology. A human focus is recommended for Anatomy & Physiology. Science Semester Credit Hours General Biology I 3 General Biology II 3 Genetics 3 General Chemistry I 3 General Chemistry II 3 Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry 3 Microbiology 3 Anatomy & Physiology I 3 Anatomy & Physiology II 3 Math Statistics 3 Humanities Introductory Psychology or Abnormal 3 Psychology Total Prerequisite Requirements 33 Note: Pass or Credit grades will not be accepted for any science prerequisite course. Credit by examination is accepted for Statistics and Psychology only. All prerequisite science courses must be taken for science majors. Science courses taken for non-science majors will not be accepted. Anatomy & Physiology with a HUMAN focus is preferred. Note to applicants with foreign coursework: Every applicant must meet ALL prerequisite requirements. No prerequisite course waivers or substitutions will be granted. If admitted, foreign medical graduates will not be given advanced placement standing for any Physician Assistant Department coursework. All matriculates must complete the entire professional curriculum. I. Application Deadline (Traditional Master s Program) Application Deadline is October 1st. All prerequisites must be completed (including FCSA evaluation or WES, transcripts showing conferred degree, translation of foreign educational records, and financial documentation) by the October 1 deadline. Prerequisites taken during the Fall or Spring semesters during or after the October 1 deadline will not be considered for interview or admission. Any application with pending documents by the deadline will not be considered for admission. II. The Admissions Process Meet minimum Graduate College requirements All applicants must first apply to the Graduate College online. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements for entry into the Graduate College will be forwarded to the Physician Assistant Department for further review. CASPA Application Review A. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements for entry into the Graduate College will considered for CASPA application review. CASPA applications for applicants not meeting Graduate College criteria will not be reviewed. B. The basis for inviting an applicant for interview is competitive. GPA s > 3.0 in the sciences and last 30 hours also considered. Offers of invitation for interview consider the applicant s academic performance represented by coursework, grades, and GPAs. In addition, application review includes, but is not limited to, consideration of non-academic qualifications listed below (listed in no particular order of preference or importance): I. Awards and Honors II. Health Care Experience III. Knowledge of and commitment to the PA profession IV. Leadership V. PA shadow time VI. Primary care/south Texas oriented VII. Research background VIII. Scholastic achievements IX. Service/volunteerism X. Work experience C. Admissions Self-Appraisal Checklist. www.utrgv.edu/grad

Interview Admissions interviews are granted by the PA program by invitation only. Applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of the entire application and supporting materials. The interview includes questions to assess the applicant s knowledge of the PA profession, motivation and commitment, maturity, intellectual curiosity, interest patterns, interpersonal skills and academic history. Admissions Committee Decisions At the conclusion of all interviews, the admissions committee (comprised of PA program faculty) meets to review all applicants who were interviewed. The admissions committee will forward their selections to the program director and college dean. Once approved, those selected will be forwarded to the Graduate College for approval and official notification. III. Advanced Placement & Transfer Credit Advanced placement and waiver of courses in the professional curriculum are not available to applicants or enrolled students in the program. All students and applicants must complete the entire professional curriculum in residence at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The Physician Assistant Department does not admit students from other Physician Assistant Departments. All currently or formerly enrolled physician assistant students at other Physician Assistant Departments must participate in a competitive admissions process along with all other applicants. Can I edit my Application if I have already submitted it? Please make sure that you have completed all sections of your application before hitting the submit button as it will then be downloaded for review by the graduate office. You may not edit your application once it has been submitted. V. Application Checklist General Requirements Online application Application fee Official transcripts Completed CASPA application with all supporting materials to CASPA Shadowing Experience Previous Coursework Requirements for International students or students whose native language is not English. TOEFL or IELTS scores Evaluation of educational records English Translation of Educational Records Financial Documentation Current Immigration Documentation IV. Frequently Asked Questions Transcripts Where do I need to submit my transcripts? Official college transcripts are to be sent to CASPA. Do transcripts need to be sent by the Institutions? Transcripts must be sealed and sent directly from the institution to be considered official. Transcripts will be considered unofficial if they are hand delivered by the applicant or third party regardless if sealed by the institution. Failure to submit a complete/correct application and official transcripts from all institutions attended will result in one of the following: rejection of application, withdrawal of admission offer or disciplinary action including expulsion if the student is enrolled. How long will UTRGV keep my admission documents? Admission documents will remain on file for one year if the applicant does not attend the University. Online Application Do I need to submit recommendations to the Office of Graduate College? No. Recommendations are not required. Who can I contact if I need technical support? gradapps@utrgv.edu If I decide not to enroll, can I use my application again? Each application will be kept on file for one year. If a student decides to reapply within one year, they will not need to pay the application fee. If the student was accepted by a graduate program and is reapplying to the same graduate program, the student may use the shorter reapplication form. www.utrgv.edu/grad

Prerequisite Coursework Biological Science n General Biology I n General Biology II n Genetics n Anatomy & Physiology I n Anatomy & Physiology II n Microbiology Chemistry n General Chemistry I n General Chemistry II n Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry Math n Statistics Humanities Notes: n General Psychology or Abnormal Psychology n All courses are 3 semester credit hours each n Total prerequisites = 33 semester credit hours n Quarter/Trimester credits = see CASPA FAQ s.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Physician Assistant Department Prerequisites All prerequisites must be completed by the October 1 deadline. Prerequisites taken during the Fall or Spring semesters during or after the October 1 deadline will not be considered for interview or admission. All applicants who are accepted must have a completed Bachelor's degree, its equivalent or a higher degree upon matriculation to the Physician Assistant Department. Prior studies or degree work, work experience, fluency in Spanish, and residency in the underserved counties of South Texas may be helpful to all applicants. Although the prerequisite coursework may be accomplished at any accredited junior college, four-year college, or university, it is preferred that most, if not all, coursework be completed at a four-year college or university. Additional recommendations include Spanish coursework and medical terminology. A human focus is recommended for Anatomy & Physiology. Applicants should take some time to read our FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) before applying. Prerequisite Course List Science Semester Credit Hours General Biology I 3 General Biology II 3 Genetics 3 General Chemistry I 3 General Chemistry II 3 Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry 3 Microbiology 3 Anatomy & Physiology I* 3 Anatomy & Physiology II* 3 Math Statistics 3 Humanities General Psychology or Abnormal Psychology 3 *Anatomy and Physiology with a HUMAN focus is preferred. Total Prerequisite Requirements 33 Note: Attn: Pass or Credit grades will not be accepted for any science prerequisite course. Credit by examination is accepted for Statistics and Psychology ONLY. All prerequisite science courses must be taken for science majors. Science courses taken for non-science majors and allied health and nursing careers will not be accepted. Every applicant must meet ALL prerequisite requirements. No prerequisite course waivers or substitutions will be granted. If admitted, foreign medical graduates and applicants with coursework from other physician assistant programs or other health care professional programs will not be given advanced placement standing for any Physician Assistant Department coursework. All matriculants must complete the entire professional curriculum.

Interviews By invitation only Held on Saturdays Activities: n One-on-one interviews with faculty n Team/Group interaction and problem-solving n PA profession knowledge n PA Program knowledge n Basic Science Recall n Statistical analysis

Why UTRGV? Faculty to student ratio Scholarships & Financial Aid Innovative teaching methods focused on active rather than passive learning Technology integration (ipads) Spanish immersion Student satisfaction

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