HELP Physician Assistant – BSHS Major in Conjunction with PCOM Print-Friendly Page

Physician assistants (PAs) are licensed health professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. PAs are educated with a focus on primary care medicine. They deliver a broad range of medical and surgical services to diverse populations in rural, urban, and suburban communities throughout the country. With the physician assistant education, the graduate may also choose to work in emergency, surgical, and other specialty practices. The PA profession has numerous employment opportunities and was recently rated nationally in the top five list of both most satisfactory jobs and fastest growing careers in the US.

The physician assistant program at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP) and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) is a collaboration to foster excellence in education.

Undergraduate students enrolled in the 5-year accelerated entry-level program will complete the prerequisites in natural and social sciences and general education courses as well as physician assistant–specific coursework at University of the Sciences (years 1–3). Those students who are admitted at the entry level identify the PA program as their program of study. Students applying to the program should have a minimum 3.00 GPA; SAT scores: 550 Math, 500 Verbal or ACT score of 24; knowledge of the PA profession; work or volunteer hours in the healthcare field; somatic and exteroceptive sensation; functional use of vision, hearing, and smell; gross and fine motor skills and stamina; critical thinking ability; and communication and interpersonal skills. Students must comply with PCOM technical standards. See www.pcom.edu for specific details.

Acceptance into the pre-professional phase at USP does not guarantee admission into the professional phase at PCOM. In order to achieve progression into the professional phase of the program at PCOM (years 4–5), students must complete the application for admission to PCOM via CASPA during the summer prior to their third undergraduate year. A successful interview with PCOM faculty is also required. Requirements for progression are described in the Physician Assistant Handbook and PA student contract. After successful completion of the fourth program year (which takes place at PCOM), students will be awarded a bachelor of science in health science from USP. This degree does not qualify the graduate as a physician assistant. Students will complete the fifth clinical year at PCOM preceptor sites across the U.S. to earn a master of science from PCOM. Graduates will then sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Successfully completion of the exam allows the graduate to be employed by a supervising physician and apply for licensure as a PA.

Degree Requirements

Students will sign a “pre-professional academic performance agreement” upon entrance into the program. Successful completion of the pre-professional phase at USP provides progression into the professional phase at PCOM only after the student has fulfilled all required criteria:

• Successful completion of all required pre-professional coursework at USP with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 and minimum natural science GPA of 3.00. These minimums must be earned by application date to PCOM and maintained. There are also requirements at the end of first and second year to advance. (Note: grades of “C-” or lower in any natural science and  “C+” or lower in PA-specific course do not qualify). All second- and third-year natural science and PA-specific courses must be taken at USP.  Transfer credit is at the discretion of the program director.
• Completion of the PCOM application via CASPA (an online application service), which includes three letters of recommendation (one must be from a physician assistant) and a one-page narrative describing the applicant’s motivation for a career as a physician assistant. The narrative should demonstrate knowledge of the profession, motivation, interpersonal skills, and maturity.
• Documented completion of a minimum of 200 hours of direct patient contact that offers the students an awareness of the intricacies of healthcare and/or human service with exposure to care of the sick or injured. Hours may be volunteer or paid service. Students are encouraged to become familiar with the depth and breadth of the physician assistant role.
• Demonstration of professional behavior, good judgment, maturity, motivation, and ability to perform well at the post-baccalaureate level.
• Passing the writing proficiency examination is a graduation requirement for students who entered in Catalog Year 2008 or earlier (see Catalog Year for Degree Requirements). Students who have failed the examination are urged to seek assistance from the Writing Center. Students who entered in Catalog Year 2006 or earlier must also pass the computer competency requirement.
• Successful interview with the PCOM admissions committee.
• Students must meet PCOM technical standards.