ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Acceptance is on a competitive basis with emphasis on the proven adult learner with clinical experience in primary care nursing, or, if selected for the “pilot” group, clinical experience in a health care profession.
- Current licensure in nursing, or, to be a member of the “pilot” group, professional licensure, registration, or certification in ones clinical field.
- RN with a minimum of 3 years of clinical experience, or, if a member of the “pilot” group, a minimum of three years clinical experience in one’s field of certification/licensure. These 3 years must be completed prior to matriculation.
- BA or BS degree, preferable in a health related area. Undergraduate degree must be completed by the end of December, prior to matriculation.
- Previous coursework in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology with a grade of B or better.
- Within the last 5 years, a 200 level or higher science course such as genetics, microbiology, pharmacology, physiology, pathophysiology, anatomy, biochemistry.
- GPA of 2.75 or higher in undergraduate work, or more recent transcripts showing improvement (If GPA is lower, an applicant may be accepted, but would be accepted on a Provisional Status in the Graduate School for the first two semesters.)
- A proven record of continuing education in areas appropriate to the applicant’s field
- Current BLS certification. ACLS certification must be in place prior to the ER experience in Primary Care II Clinical.
- Completion of a successful interview
- Reference letters, written personal statement and other personal qualifications are also considered prior to final acceptance
- An arrangement with a licensed physician (MD or DO) whose practice is in Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine or Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, preferably in a rural and/or with an underserved population, who is willing to serve as the primary clinical preceptor to the student during the clinical portion of the program.
- TOEFL
All non-native speakers of English are required to submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer based) or for the Internet based TOEFL the minimum scores for each category: Speaking 23/30, Listening 19/30, Reading 19/30 and writing 15/30 to be considered for admission. UND recognizes the IELTS test with a minimum overall band score of 6.5 or successful completion of English Language Service (ELS) level 112 as equivalent to TOEFL. This test must be sent directly from ETS—photocopies are not acceptable. The TOEFL requirement will not be waived for any reason, and test scores older than two years are no longer valid. Applicants who have received a bachelor’s degree or higher from the United States or English-speaking Canada are not required to fulfill the English test requirement.
Any student graduating from a Medical School outside of the US must have a minimum of 3 years of clinical practice in a Health Care Profession within the US. For additional information on International Student requirements please visit the Graduate School Website: http://www.graduateschool.und.edu/html/admissionshome.html
Prospective students need to understand that they must pass a background check after acceptance into the program. Failure to pass the background check may deny the student entrance into a clinical site and completion of the required curriculum. Cost of the CBC is the student’s responsibility. (Refer to “Criminal Background Check” for more information).
[ back to top ]
PILOT PROGRAM
We are presently conducting a pilot program in which we are accepting health care professionals other than nurses who have extensive health care employment/experience. The health care experience must be in a profession requiring advanced training and subsequent certification or licensure. Work such as CNA, hospital/clinic receptionist, phlebotomist, dental assistant, personal trainer, and medical assistant would not meet the requirements.
[ back to top ]
ADVANCED STANDING, TRANSFER OF CREDIT, CREDIT FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
The University of North Dakota Physician Assistant Program does not accept transfer students from other PA programs. Advanced standing and transfer of credits is not allowed.
Ordinarily, credit for experiential learning is not allowed. This is because each course builds on the previous course. The only area in which a student is allowed to supplement previous experience is in the accomplishment of certain identified clinical skills. This is further defined when the student begins PA 540, Primary Care I.
STUDENT WORK POLICY
The PA Program is an intensive 24 month program. During the first two semesters of on-line courses, the student may continue working on a part time basis if it does not interfere with the student’s ability to complete the required coursework. During the remainder of the program, employment which interferes with the student's ability to meet this requirement is not allowed. After the initial two semesters, the faculty strongly advises against outside employment while a student in the PA Program.
At no time are students asked or allowed to do administrative or clerical work for the Program.
Students may not be substituted for paid employees in the clinical settings.
[ back to top ]
STUDENT SELECTION
Student applicant selected on basis of:
Personal criteria
- Willingness to assume responsibility for own education;
- Sensitivity, enthusiasm, confidence, motivation and sincerity/honesty;
- Willingness to take the steps required to accomplish a successful role transition from experienced clinician to physician assistant STUDENT.
Professional criteria - clinical experience and competence:
- Current licensure as a registered nurse, or, for the pilot program, current licensure within one’s healthcare profession;
- Minimum of three years of professional clinical experience (time of experience is calculated from date of matriculation)
- Baccalaureate degree;
- Demonstrated academic ability (transcripts from ALL colleges, universities attended);
- Evidence of on-going academic and/or continuing education efforts;
- BLS certified;
- ACLS certified (if not certified, certification must be in place prior to the ER experience in Primary Care II Clinical);
- Evidence of professional role development in clinical decision making;
- References from physicians, employers, teachers, and/or other health care professionals (a reference from friends and/or your proposed physician preceptor not acceptable);
- Communication skills, including submission of personal statement;
- Ability to do on-line course work requires familiarity with computers, e-mail, use of the web, and various software programs.
PRECEPTOR REQUIREMENTS: GUIDELINES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A pivotal component of the Program is the incorporation of a primary clinical preceptor throughout the entire clinical component of the program. This clinical preceptor is located in the student’s home area. The clinical experience is structured on a rotating basis with on-campus didactic sessions, which allow for an on-going student-preceptor-faculty relationship and educational experience. The clinical experience is not considered a practicum or an internship, but is an integral part of the student's learning process.
No candidate is admitted into the Program without the sponsorship of a practicing physician who is committed to serving as a preceptor for the entire clinical portion of the program. This physician MUST practice in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, or Internal Medicine/Pediatrics.
Each participating physician is required to sign a written agreement indicating commitment and willingness to serve as the preceptor and provide one-to-one clinical teaching, supervision, and evaluation feedback to the student for the entire length of the program.
At the beginning of the 1st Clinical Phase, the preceptor will receive the “PRECEPTOR MANUAL” with detailed guidelines for each clinical phase.
The Physician/Preceptor is selected on basis of:
Professional criteria
- Current license to practice medicine in the specific state;
- Primary care practice in family medicine, general internal medicine, or internal medicine/pediatrics;
- Good standing with the state medical board;
- Personal professional liability coverage;
- Evidence of on-going continuing medical education efforts;
- Board Certification preferred;
- Past clinical teaching experience or past supervision of PA's (preferred).
Commitment to the Program
- Receptive attitude concerning the role of physician assistants in health care;
- Willingness to meet with a member of faculty during the first clinical phase. This meeting will be at the preceptor’s place of practice;
- Willingness to collaborate with the Program in the teaching/learning process, including, willingness to take time for a scheduled phone conference during the 2nd and 3rd clinical phase, and at other times if necessary;
- Willingness to alter practice schedule, as needed, to allow time for teaching physician assistant student;
- Agreement to supervise and evaluate student performance;
- Interest in working with the physician assistant graduate upon completion of the Program (preferred).
Practice criteria
- Located in rural area and/or in underserved area (preferred);
- Well established practice with apparent future stability;
- Sufficiently large and diverse patient volume for teaching;
- Practice and community receptive to the physician assistant;
- Oriented to primary care;
- Adequate office space to accommodate student;
- Availability of hospital and nursing home sites for student to get experiences in these settings.
Preceptor Guidelines:
There are certain guidelines based on previous experiences as well as legal, social and other considerations that are followed to the mutual benefit of the practice setting, preceptor, student and Program. For the most part, these guidelines should be viewed as flexible and interpreted and implemented in a manner most appropriate to the local setting.
- The student will require the opportunity to apply new knowledge and skills in the practice setting under close supervision. As the student gains competence, the preceptor and student mutually develop appropriate patterns of practice that insure ongoing supervision and role development.
- The initial patient load must be light enough to allow the student to develop skills and competencies; however, it must be large enough to demand that the student learns to set priorities. Specific guidelines are set for each of the 3 clinical phases.
- All patients seen by the student for care must also be seen by the preceptor. As the preceptor becomes assured of the student's ability, selected tasks may be delegated and management may be carried out by the student under mutually understood and accepted guidelines. At all times, the student must have access to guidance and responsible supervision from the physician in relation to medical decisions.
- The student should be provided with space in the office setting to see patients. This area should be in close proximity to the preceptor as ready access for supervision MUST be assured.
- The projected role of the student should be discussed in advance with all personnel working in the clinic to avoid misunderstandings regarding responsibilities. Clinic personnel are to inform patients when they are seen first by a Physician Assistant student.
Preceptor responsibilities center upon on-going teaching, supervision, and evaluation of the student.
Preceptor Responsibilities:
- Adhere to the University of North Dakota Physician Assistant Program objectives;
- Conduct teaching sessions with the student;
- Review the Preceptor Manual for guidelines for each Clinical Phase;
- Give assignments based on learning needs;
- Regularly observe the student's clinical performance for teaching and evaluation purposes;
- Designate an alternate preceptor to provide supervision to the student in the absence of the primary preceptor;
- Regularly review the student's “Patient Contact Log” and “Clinical Skills Log”;
- Provide the student with clinical experiences outside the practice setting but within his/her referral pattern, as needed to facilitate fulfillment of the Program objectives;
- Provide verbal and electronic written evaluations to the Program regarding student progress and performance;
- Oversee and assist the student in meeting Program deadlines and in progressing satisfactorily toward graduation;
- Communicate to the Physician Assistant Program faculty any problems that arise regarding the student's performance or role in the practice;
- Communicate to the Administration of any Health Care Facility that a PA student is working with him/her.
[ back to top ]
TUITION AND OTHER EXPENSES
Tuition for the class that matriculates in May, 2010, is projected to be $32,000 (The fee schedule is adjusted yearly based on availability of state funds appropriated to the University. The tuition schedule for the class matriculating in May, 2010, will be available by June, 2009). Tuition is divided into 6 semesters.
Not included in the tuition are other University fees (about $600 per spring and per fall semester), books, and required equipment. All students are required to have a lap top computer with specific hardware and software.
There is a one-time fee $150-$200 for the preprogram site visit to interview potential candidates. (The applicant is not required to come to campus for an interview; rather, a member of core faculty goes to the applicant’s home site to interview the applicant, the proposed primary preceptor, and tour the clinical site).
If accepted into the program, there is a non-refundable program fee of $200.
Dislocation costs - lodging and food while on campus - is approximately $1000-$1300 per didactic. This does not include travel costs to and from ND and to areas of clinical practice if outside one's home area.
Upon completion of the Program, there is a fee to take the National Certifying Exam. At present the cost of that exam is $425.
[ back to top ]
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
A Criminal Background Check is required of each student after acceptance into the program. Most hospitals, nursing homes, and medical practices require this of anyone working with patients. The UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences has an agreement with Verified Credentials, Inc. to perform this check. The student is responsible for the cost of this service. (At present, the cost is $60). Upon acceptance into the program, the student will be given information on completing this requirement.
[ back to top ]
