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| 2021-2022 Graduate Studies Bulletin |
2021-2022 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]
Associate Professor Gould, Graduate Program Director, 516-463-4411
Physician assistants (PAs) are nationally certified and state-licensed health professionals able to practice medicine in collaboration with physicians providing a team-based approach to quality, patient-centered care. PAs conduct physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, assist in surgery, coordinate care, counsel on preventive healthcare, prescribe medication, and more. PAs are qualified to care for patients in every medical and surgical specialty and setting such as surgery, emergency medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, and family medicine.
There are two pathways to becoming a PA at Hofstra. One is the freshman dual-degree pathway and the other is as a post-baccalaureate student. The freshman dual-degree program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to earn both the BS and MS degrees in five and a half years. Freshman dual-degree students first complete the pre-professional phase, consisting of three years of collegiate instruction including all prerequisite courses, followed by a two and a half year graduate or professional phase of the curriculum. For more information on the freshman dual-degree program, please see the Undergraduate Bulletin.
Post-Baccalaureate students complete the professional phase of the program only. The professional curriculum is divided into three semesters of didactic instruction, three semesters of clinical clerkships, and one semester of research for a total of two and a half years of study. The didactic phase of the program uses a vertically and horizontally integrated approach and centers around components of medicine. For example, students learning about cardiology in the medicine course will be learning about cardiac-related drugs in the pharmacology course, and the cardiac physical examination in the physical diagnosis course. To best match multiple learning styles, instruction is provided using a multi-modal approach. Examples include case-based learning, use of simulation, use of standardized patients (actors), hands-on practice sessions for procedural and physical examination skills, use of cadavers for anatomy instruction and procedure skills, and the traditional lecture format.
During the clinical year of the program, students complete approximately 2,000 hours of clinical training. Clinical clerkships are completed at affiliated hospitals, private physicians’ offices, and community clinics which offer training in various medical disciplines and provide the opportunity for exposure to a wide variety of patient populations.
During the last semester of the program, students will take a condensed series of graduate research methodology coursework. They will then conduct an original research project with classmates related to improving clinical practice and the health of patients; projects are developed using partnerships within Hofstra University, the surrounding community, and the Northwell Health system. The research semester culminates in a master’s thesis and professional poster presentation.
Students must meet the following requirements to be considered for the MS program.
All prerequisite course work must be completed before matriculation into the physician assistant program. It is necessary to indicate courses in progress or planned on the CASPA application.
Please note the following conditions:
Students must apply to the program in physician assistant studies through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applications are submitted to CASPA on-line at https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login. A university supplemental fee of $50 is required in addition to the CASPA fee. The deadline is October 1st for admission to the class beginning the subsequent September. Applicants must have their application verified (GPA calculated) by October 1st. Applications must be completed (e-submitted, payment received, transcripts received, and two letters received) at least four weeks in advance of the deadline to ensure the application is verified on time. Admission to the PA program is granted on a rolling basis.
Please forward documents requested by CASPA to their offices. Verification documents, such as transcripts, references, and proof of health-related experience will not be accepted by the PA Program until a seat is offered.
The personal essay should include career goals, personality traits, or specific experiences that have influenced your decision to become a physician assistant.
Two letters of reference are required.
An interview is required for admission. Students possessing all requirements for entry into the program are not guaranteed an interview. The PA program is competitive and only the strongest applicants will be selected for a personal interview with the physician assistant studies program admission committee prior to acceptance into the program. Applicants should be aware that a minimum overall GPA of 3.30 and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 in science courses do not guarantee an interview or entry into the program
The following major and additional requirements can be fulfilled as follows:
MS in Physician Assistant Studies
Two and one-half Year Sequence
Full-time Students: 79 s.h.