About The Physician Assistant Program
To successfully complete the program, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0, complete OSCE assessments at the end of each program year, pass all clinical rotations, end-of-rotation exams, a comprehensive exam, and complete a capstone project.
Clinical rotations include:
- Family Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Inpatient
- Outpatient
- Behavioral Science
- Emergency Medicine
- General Surgery
- Long Term Care
- Women's Health
- Pediatrics
- Two elective rotations
No advanced placement credit can be used to fulfill PA Program requirements. Due to the rigorous curricular requirements, the program strongly recommends that students do not seek outside employment, even on a part-time basis.
Opportunities
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Participate in simulation-based experiences during their didactic year of study. The program has on-site simulation capabilities in the classroom and at the Upstate University Simulation Center.
- Immerse themselves in an interprofessional environment at a major medical university.
- Complete in clinical rotations in medically underserved communities.
Successful Program Completion
To successfully complete the program, students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0, complete an OSCE at the end of each program year, pass all clinical rotations, end of rotation exams, a comprehensive exam and complete a capstone project.
Students who successfully complete the requirements for the Physician Assistant Program are awarded a Master of Science Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification exam (PANCE) developed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Program History
The Department of Physician Assistant Studies at Upstate Medical University was developed in 2009 in response to the health care needs of Central New York. According to the Health Resources and Service Administration, fourteen out of the seventeen counties in the Central New York region, spanning from Canada to Pennsylvania, are identified as lacking sufficient healthcare providers. The demand for physician assistant services in these communities is supported by the designatation of medically underserved communities.
In 2010, 2011 and 2015, the PA Program was awarded four Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants. These grants totaled 4.5 million dollars. They have supported many aspects of the program including program expansion, student scholarships, high-fidelity simulation equipment and the enhancement of clinical training.
Have Questions
Need more specifics about the program? Questions about admissions requirements? Contact the College of Health Professions Admissions Counselor:
Maggie Moore
Graduate Admissions Advisor
Virtual Information Sessions
The Office of Admissions is conducting virtual information sessions for those who are interested in College of Health Professions programs.