Location:

Erie, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Physician Assistant

Program Overview

Program Description:

Accreditation Mercyhurst University has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Mercyhurst University anticipates matriculating its first class in June 2015, pending Accreditation - Provisional in March 2015. Accreditation - Provisional is an accreditation status for a new PA program that has not yet enrolled students, but at the time of its initial accreditation review, has demonstrated its preparedness to initiate a program in accordance with the Accreditation Standards. Mission The mission of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies (DPAS) is to prepare students with the highest quality academic and clinical training. The program will prepare physician assistants to be leaders in the profession, proficient in meeting the challenges of healthcare, while providing compassionate, quality care to the diverse communities in which they serve. The department’s mission, vision and core goals were developed to align with the university’s mission, vision and core values. Emphasis has been placed on the Mercy tradition and healthcare core values to stay true to the basic principles set forth by our founders. Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the Mercyhurst Department of Physician Assistant Studies, the graduate will: -Demonstrate competent core medical knowledge to include knowledge and application to patient care in the acute and chronic setting. -Display interpersonal and communicative skills to include verbal, nonverbal and written competencies to result in effective exchange with the patient, patient advocates, other health care providers and systems. -Demonstrate patient care competencies to include the ability to gather appropriate historical data precisely, conduct accurate examination of the patient, order appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, develop management plans, counsel and educate patients, provide preventative care and counseling, all while using scientific evidence-based practice. -Display knowledge of professional practice to include an understanding of the professional guidelines for ethical conduct, legal and regulatory requirements, and commitment to the profession, patient and community. -Demonstrate lifelong learning skills essential to the healthcare profession. This includes practice-based learning to facilitate assessment, evaluation and improvement of patient care experiences. -Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a systems-based practice that provides the best patient care practices and strives to continue to improve the healthcare system.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

Mercyhurst University has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Mercyhurst University anticipates matriculating its first class in June 2015, pending Accreditation - Provisional in March 2015. Accreditation - Provisional is an accreditation status for a new PA program that has not yet enrolled students, but at the time of its initial accreditation review, has demonstrated its preparedness to initiate a program in accordance with the Accreditation Standards. Mercyhurst University is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Financial Aid:

Yes

Requirements:

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, or evidence of expected completion of a bachelor degree at the time of application. The undergraduate degree must be completed at time of matriculation. Minimum GPA of 3.2 for undergraduate work and a minimum of 3.2 or higher in prerequisite courses. Prerequisite Courses: (Including labs) Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Anatomy Physiology with lab, Microbiology Genetics, Statistics, Psychology, Nutrition, Medical Terminology Partial list of Requirements (Full list can be found at Mercyhurst University's website) -200 hours of healthcare experience (paid or volunteer). -Applicants are required to supply 3 letters of recommendation. -Applicants must submit a succinct essay that discusses professional goals in reference to the physician assistant profession -Criminal background checks, including finger printing, child abuse clearance and drug screening are a prerequisite within the program.

International Requirements:

Students must submit official, notarized scores from the T.O.E.F.L. (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam as part of their admission application. Minimum score requirements are 550 for the paper-based exam, 213 for the computer-based exam, and 79-80 for the Internet-based exam. Applications for the test and further information can be found at toefl.org. International students must also provide Mercyhurst with assurance that they possess adequate financial support for the period of graduate studies. This documentation must be provided through submission of an affidavit of financial support. An I-20 form will not be issued until the affidavit of financial support is received and accepted. All documents and credentials submitted must be translated into English. Mercyhurst recommends that international students contact World Evaluation Services (WES) at wes.org, the foremost organization that specializes in transcript and credential evaluation, to provide such translations.