Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.P.A.S.)

Students may enter the Professional phase of the PA Program as graduate students into the two-year master’s (M.S.P.A.S.) degree program. The term “professional phase” refers specifically to the full time 24 month training program during which the student trains to be a physician assistant. The professional phase consists of ten and one half months of didactic instruction followed by thirteen and one half months of clinical rotations. Upon completion of this phase, students will graduate with a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies and are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). This phase was awarded continued accreditation by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants, Inc. (ARC-PA) in 2010. The term “PA Program” refers only to the professional phase of the training at King’s College.

These students who already have a bachelor’s (or higher) degree apply to the two-year master’s program through the Centralized Application System for Physician Assistants (CASPA). For information Contact:

CASPA

P.O. Box 70958

Chevy Chase, MD 20813-0958

www.caspaonline.org

CASPA will be open mid May 2012 for Fall 2013 applicants.

The deadline for final CASPA application to King’s College is October 1st. Applicants are strongly encouraged, however, to apply as early as possible, since it may take CASPA up to four-six weeks to process an application and forward it to King’s.  The enrollment process and seat availability are determined by the number of undergraduate BS/MS students who matriculate successfully.  Candidates should check with CASPA and/or our website (www.kings.edu/paprog) for availability of enrollment.

King’s Alumni

Applicants who have received a bachelor degree from King’s College are not required to apply through CASPA. They can call the PA Program at 570-208-5853 to request a King’s Alumni Application. These applicants will be scored according to the same criteria as the CASPA applicants, but do not have to pay the CASPA application fee when applying to the King’s Physician Assistant Program. The deadline for these applicants is October 1^st.

 Students accepted into the program will be eligible to apply for the $44,000 federal tuition assistance grant.

PREREQUISITES:

• 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 beginning fall 2013, candidates must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 and a cumulative science GPA of 3.2.
• Candidates must complete 500 clinical hours of health care experience by the CASPA application deadline. The hours may be voluntary or paid. Of these 500 hours, a minimum of 300 must be direct patient care while the remainder can be indirect. In addition, a minimum of 20 hours must be spent shadowing a Physician Assistant.  Please read the document fully describing clinical hour requirements.
• 2 letters of reference.
• A personal statement discussing desire to be a Physician Assistant.
• We do not require GRE, MCAT, or USMLE scores.
• Candidates must have all coursework that was completed at an academic institution outside the U.S. evaluated by an accredited agency.
• Candidates whose native language is not English must pass the TOEFL exam or complete a bachelor degree in a U.S. College or University. The passing score on the TOEFL will vary depending on the type of exam you take (internet-based, computer-based, or paper-based). TOEFL scores must be submitted by the CASPA application deadline.

*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

 TOEFL test information may be obtained from ETS, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, or by calling (609) 771-7100.

• There are written technical standards that all PA students must meet in order to complete professional phase training. Please review these standards before making application to the program.
• Once an application is completed, members of the PA selection committee review and evaluate each applicant’s academic transcripts, work experience record, and any other prerequisites.
• Selected candidates will receive an invitation for an interview.
• Upon completion of all interviews, the committee, at their sole discretion, recommends to the program director the applicants selected for admission to the professional phase.
• The Professional Phase of the Physician Assistant Program does not allow for exemption from courses, clinical skills, laboratories or clinical education regardless of prior experience, degree or credential.  All students must matriculate through all aspects of the professional phase of the program and successfully complete the requirements for graduation.
• Immunization requirements
• Matriculating students must have yearly physical exams completed and maintain current health insurance.
• FBI Background Checks and Child Abuse Security Clearance

All PA students are required to have a federal background check prior to starting the program. All Physician Assistant students must be fingerprinted for FBI Background Clearance, at the student's expense, prior to the first day of classes. This Federal Criminal History Record Check (FCHR) must be completed annually at an approved Cogent site.

Students must complete and submit, at the student's expense, a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Form prior to starting the program. The program will supply the student with this form which must be filed and cleared with the Childline and Abuse Registry, Department of Public Welfare, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Students are required to have a PA state background check to be completed by the Program. Social Security numbers and the student’s payment for this background check must be submitted to the Program Coordinator in the main PA Program Office prior to the start of rotations. 

A student who does not have a clear check may be denied access to hospitals and/ or clinical rotations. This may affect their ability to complete the Program. A check which is not clear may also affect one’s ability to sit for the PANCE exam, obtain professional licenses or institutional privileges. The Federal Criminal History Record Check (FCHR), PA state background check and The Child Abuse History Clearance Form check must be maintained on an annual basis. In an attempt to schedule clinical rotations, any information found on these checks will be disclosed to clinical facilities and preceptors. Background checks which reveal a felony offense may result in denial of admission and/ or dismissal from the Program.

• King’s College Physician Assistant Drug and Alcohol Policy

            The King’s College Department of Physician Assistant Studies follows the policies outlined in the King’s College Student Handbook.  The use of drugs or alcohol prior to or during any activities pertaining to the program is strictly prohibited.  If there is reasonable suspicion of impairment, the student will be removed from that activity/class/rotation immediately.  An institution, clinical site or the PA Program may request or require drug and/or alcohol testing, and/or referral for counseling and treatment. Prior to the start of the professional phase of the program, students will be required to undergo a 10 panel urine drug and/or alcohol test performed at a licensed laboratory. Students are required to have this testing done annually and in some cases, testing will be done randomly upon request. Students will sign a consent form with a waiver of liability releasing this information to the Program and any Clinical Site that may require the reported results. The student is responsible for all associated costs incurred.  If the student refuses they may be unable to complete the requirements of the program.  Specific disciplinary actions and/or dismissals will be handled on an individual basis. 

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 1^st, whichever comes first.

For tuition information click here.  

For information about what is included in the tuition fee and miscellaneous fees that are not included in tuition click here.

Employment during the professional phase of the PA Program

            Due to the rigorous nature of the PA program during both the didactic and the clinical phases of training, it is inadvisable for students to hold a job during their professional training. Employment demands will not justify an excused absence from any academic or clinical requirements of the Program nor will any special accommodations be made.

*Questions can be addressed at the PA office by calling (570) 208-5853 or contact the program secretary at sharonkaminski@kings.edu