PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Program Description

A Physician Assistant is a dependent mid-level health professional licensed by the state to practice medicine as delegated by and under the supervision of a physician. As a part of their responsibilities, physician assistants perform physical exams, diagnose illnesses, develop and carry out treatment plans, order and interpret lab tests, assist in surgery, provide patient education and in most states, prescribe medications. PA’s are employed in virtually all types of health care settings including private offices, clinics and hospitals. PA’s can practice in almost any field of medicine including family practice, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry and orthopedics to name just a few.

The King’s College Department of Physician Assistant Studies has over 25 years of experience in preparing students for the PA profession and provides sophisticated didactic and clinical training in all areas of general medicine. King’s College has graduated over 800 Physician Assistants who practice throughout the country in all areas of medicine.

The Five-Year BS/MS Program

The five-year BS/MS program is an accelerated and challenging program for students entering King’s College as a first semester freshman only. It is composed of two parts: a three-year pre-professional phase and a two-year professional phase. For the first three years, students follow a prescribed academic sequence consisting of liberal arts and preparatory science prerequisites needed for the professional phase of the program. All courses must be successfully completed by the end of the third year in order to enter the professional phase.

Throughout the first three years at King’s, a pre-professional phase student must meet or exceed the “Progression Criteria” for the major. Students are given a full copy of the “Progression Criteria” during advisement. A partial summary of these requirements is as follows:

Minimum overall and cumulative science GPA REQUIREMENTS by semester:

A grade of less than a C- (1.75) in any course will exclude the student from the 5-year BS/MS program.  Students are not permitted to repeat science or core classes.

Students must also complete a minimum of 500 hours of “Clinical Experience Hours” before the end of the spring semester of their junior year. Seventy-five percent (375) of those hours must be completed by the fall semester of the junior year (year 3). It is strongly recommended that most of these hours be “hands-on” direct patient care and some of these hours be spent shadowing a Physician Assistant. Students will receive more information regarding the “Clinical Experience Hours” during their initial meeting with their academic advisors.

All 5 year BS/MS pre-professional phase students are guaranteed a seat in the professional phase of the program as long as they meet the Progression Criteria and undergo an interview.  These interviews will be conducted in late January/early February of their junior year (year 3).

After successful completion of the first three years, students enter the professional phase of the program (see The Professional Phase Years 4 and 5 for more information).

Enrollment Disclaimer

Enrollment in the professional phase is limited by the number of seats available. Therefore, in the unlikely event that the number of qualified BS/MS students exceeds the number of seats available in the professional phase, students with the highest overall and science GPA’s will be granted seats in the class. Those qualified students who were not offered seats will be deferred until the next year. 

Application to the Two-Year Master's Program in Physician Assistant Studies

In order to apply to the 2 year Master’s degree (MSPAS) program, all applicants must apply through the Centralized Application System for Physician Assistants (CASPA at www.caspaonline.org). The enrollment process and seat availability are determined by the number of undergraduate BS/MS students who matriculate successfully. Students should check with CASPA and the Program’s webpage at www.kings.edu/paprog for availability of enrollment. Students must also meet the following minimum requirements:

• Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree or higher degree (or be completing a Bachelor's degree or higher degree by the end of the spring semester prior to the start of the program in August).
• Candidates must complete all of the following prerequisite science courses, preferably with labs by the end of the spring semester prior to the start of the program in August: Anatomy and physiology (8 credits), general biology (8 credits), chemistry (8 credits), and microbiology (4 credits).  
• No grade less than a 1.75 "C-" will be accepted for any prerequisite science courses.
• Candidates cannot have more than two outstanding prerequisite science courses in the spring semester prior to the start of the program in August.
• Candidates cannot have any outstanding courses in the summer prior to the start of the program in August.
• For admission in fall 2011 and 2012, candidates must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a cumulative science GPA of 3.0.
• For admission beginning fall 2013, candidates must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 and a cumulative science GPA of 3.2.
• Candidates must complete all 500 clinical hours of health care experience by the end of May prior to the start of the program in August. The hours may be voluntary or paid but the majority must be direct hands-on experience.
• Candidates must have all coursework that was completed at an academic institution outside the U.S. evaluated by an accredited agency.
• Candidates must prove competency in the English language by taking and passing the TOEFL exam with a 90% or better if English is not your native language. The passing score on the TOEFL will vary depending on the type of exam you take (internet-based, computer-based, or paper-based).*  If you have a degree from an English-speaking college or university, you do not need to take the TOEFL exam. 

*Minimum TOEFL Scores needed to apply:
Internet-based Test minimum of 108/120
Computer-based Test minimum of 270/300 and a 5.5 on the essay
Paper-based Test minimum of 610/677

We do not require GRE, MCAT, or USMLE scores.
    
Our CASPA Application deadline is December 1st. It can take CASPA up to 4-6 weeks to process your application and send it to us, so be sure to submit your application as early as possible.

Applicant Selection Process

Graduate applications are scored based on GPA (cumulative GPA and overall science GPA) the level of degree (Bachelors, Masters), major (science or non-science); and the quality of the direct health care experience hours.  Your personal statement, references, and other experiences (work experience, community service, extra- curricular activities, etc.) included on your application are also scored.  A personal interview is required for admission. Selected candidates will receive an invitation for an interview in late January/early February.  Selected candidates will be scored during their interview and will be required to do an on-site writing sample.  The King's College Department of Physician Assistant Studies will make a decision and notify the candidates within 2 weeks of their interview. This interview and selection process will continue until the class is filled or until May 1st, whichever comes first. For more information, see the Program's website (www.kings.edu/paprog) or call the King's College Department of Physician Assistant Studies Office at (570) 208-5853.

The Professional Phase (Years 4 and 5) The professional phase is full-time only and a total of 24 months in duration, beginning with 10.5 months of didactic instruction in all areas of medicine. Direct patient encounters begin early and are greatly expanded during the final 13.5 months of clinical rotations. The full-time program faculty, along with clinical adjunct faculty, including physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, and other health care professionals, present the curriculum and monitor the students’ clinical experiences. Students in the professional phase (year 4) must earn no less than 80% (2.5 or “C+”) in each didactic module and achieve a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 (87% or “B”) by the end of the spring semester of the didactic year in order to progress. Pre-professional grades are not included in this calculation. Students must maintain this minimum G.P.A. throughout the remainder of the professional program in order to graduate.

During the clinical phase, students are required to do a rotation in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Psychiatry, General Surgery, and Emergency Medicine. Each rotation is six weeks in length. In addition, students have a six week elective rotation. Students may choose to do their elective in any field of medicine.  Elective rotations are subject to availability and approval by the clinical faculty.  Students finish their clinical year with a 3.5 month Family Practice Preceptorship.

It is not advisable for a student to complete all rotations at one site or in one locale.  Therefore, students are generally scheduled to do a minimum of 2 rotations away from the Wilkes-Barre area.  Students are not required to provide their own clinical sites.  Students may arrange some of their rotations and/or preceptorship; however, this must be discussed with the Clinical Faculty BEFORE any arrangements are made and approval is NOT automatically guaranteed.  The remainder of the required clinical rotations will be scheduled within the Wilkes-Barre area.  Students will have clinical rotations in various settings such as private clinics, community hospitals, rural health centers, and teaching institutions. Students are required to travel to clinical sites during the clinical phase and are responsible for their own individual transportation.  Expenses, including travel, meals, and lodging for local and away clinical rotation sites and/or preceptorships are also the responsibility of the student.

Degrees Awarded

Upon successful completion of the first four years of the five year program, students receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Studies with a minor in Biology. After successful completion of the two-year Professional Program, students will be awarded a Master of Science Degree in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) and will be eligible to take the National Board examination for certification as a Physician Assistant.

Experiential Learning Credits and the Professional Phase of the PA Program

The professional program does not allow for exemption from courses, clinical skills, laboratories, or clinical education regardless of prior experience, degree or credential. Students must matriculate through all aspects of the program and successfully complete all program requirements in order to graduate.