Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Admission to the Physician Assistant program is competitive. Concordia University Ann Arbor will admit one class of 32 full-time students in August of each academic year.

Basic Admission Requirements

Candidates for admission must meet the following requirements:

• Baccalaureate Degree (must be earned prior to matriculation from a regionally accredited university or college).
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher, AND
• Minimum 3.0 prerequisite science GPA or higher
• Note: All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.
• All prerequisite science coursework must be completed at the time of application.
• One non-science prerequisite course may be pending at the time of application, but must be completed prior to matriculation in the program.
• Labs must be taken on campus and not online.
• Classes that are audited are not accepted for prerequisite courses.
• Transcripts must be in English. If the transcripts are not in English, transcripts will need to be evaluated through the required service designated by CASPA)

• Please note, the deadline for application is for Verified applications. Submit your applications at least 4-6 weeks earlier than the deadline to allow time for verification of information in your application. Applicants must have completed all prerequisite courses prior to application date. At the time of application there may not be any prerequisite science courses pending or in progress.

• Documentation of 500 hours of hands-on patient care experience. Medical scribe work can be applied towards part of this requirement; however, applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain more hands-on patient care experience than scribe work.  Examples of hands-on experience include but is not limited to: nursing, CNA, ER tech, EMT/paramedic, athletic trainer, lab technician, dental assistant, dental hygienist, dietician, exercise stress test technician, medical assistant, medical interpreter, mental health therapist, military medical/clinical specialist, RN, occupational/physical therapist/assistant, patient care tech, pharmaceutical or medical device representative, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, respiratory therapist, surgical technician. 
• Documented minimum of 50 hours minimum non-health volunteering/community service
• Complete a minimum of 24 hour minimum shadowing of a Physician Assistant.
  • Shadowing must be completed and documented to the program either via email if the CASPA application has been submitted or on the CASPA application by March 1.
  • The program does not find or suggest sites for applicants to complete the shadowing requirement.

• Letters of Reference are required as part of the application process:
  • One letter of reference must be from a PA with whom you have shadowed, and should speak to your understanding of the role of a PA.
  • One letter of reference must be from an employer/supervisor of your patient care experience, and should speak to your interaction and care of patients.
  • At least one more letter (may be more than one) can be professional in nature, academic in nature, or a character reference.

• Applicant must be able to perform the Technical Standards for Physician Assistants

Prerequisites 

• Chemistry – Two semesters - one semester of general chemistry with lab and one semester of organic chemistry or biochemistry
• Microbiology - One semester with lab
• Human Anatomy - One semester with lab done on-campus
•  Physiology - One semester advanced physiology, 300 level or above
  • The following course can also be used to fulfill the upper level physiology requirements: exercise physiology, human physiology, comparative physiology, cell biology, endocrinology, pathophysiology, immunology, neurophysiology, and histology
  • OR may be combined A&P I and II courses including labs.
• Genetics - One semester with or without lab
• Developmental Psychology - One semester
• Statistics - One semester
• College algebra or higher - One semester
• Medical Terminology - One semester
• Nutrition
• English Composition - two courses

Highly recommended courses though not required:

• Pharmacology
• Immunology
• Additional Psychology classes

Additionally:

• All prerequisite science based courses listed above must have been completed within six years of date of application. A waiver may be requested if employment demonstrates use of the material.
• A & P and Medical Terminology are recommended within five years of applying to the program.
• No advanced placement or transfer credit is granted if transferring from another PA or graduate program. No course credit is given for experiential learning.

As a potential candidate, the admissions committee will look at the following for acceptance into the program:

• Cumulative and  prerequisite science GPA
• Reference letters
• Personal statement
• Interview evaluation report
• Applicant's desire to become a PA
• Evidence of academic potential, motivation, personal maturity, self-assurance, and good interpersonal skills
• Volunteerism, service to others

Admission Dates for the Class of 2021

• August, 2018 - CASPA application portal opens
• March 1, 2019 - DEADLINE - CASPA applications must be e-submitted, completed and VERIFIED. Verification of the transcripts and supporting documents may take 4-6 weeks. Applications should be submitted with ample time for verification before the deadline of March 1. Concordia does not require a supplemental application, application fee, or materials.
• March/April - Visit/Interview days for selected applicants
• April - Acceptance offers may be extended to applicants soon after
• A $500 deposit will be due within 3 weeks of acceptance.
• August 27, 2019 - Program orientation
• August 28, 2019 - First day of classes

Applicant Interviews

Completed applications are reviewed as they are received. Selected candidates are chosen to come to campus for an interview. Interview days will be held in March and April, 2019. Applicants will be notified as soon as possible regarding interview selection.

An on-campus interview will give the applicant an opportunity to learn more about the program and will give the program faculty an opportunity to meet and talk with the applicant. During the interview process, the program curriculum as well as other pertinent information will be discussed, interviews with faculty members and/or community PA’s will occur, as well as a tour of the university.

After completion of the interview, the PA program admissions committee reviews each applicant and a final decision made. Applicants are notified if they have been accepted by no later than May 1.

Applicants who have been selected to enroll in the program after the interview process who have not completed their Bachelor’s degree will be conditionally accepted into the program. Those applicants who do not successfully complete their Bachelor’s degree prior to the first day of class, will not be allowed to matriculate into the program. Being offered an opportunity to interview for a seat in the program, does not guarantee admission or acceptance to enroll.

Background Checks

All students accepted into the PA program will be required to complete and pass a background check. A felony conviction may impact our admissions decision.

Working After Admission

It has been the program’s experience that those students who choose to work after admission to the program have struggled to meet requirements of the rigors of the curriculum and the clinical rotations.  For this reason, the program STRONGLY recommends that students NOT work for the duration of the PA program.

International

At this time we are unable to enroll F-1 international students in the Physician Assistant Program.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

As a matter of policy, Concordia University admits students of any age, race, color, gender, and national and ethnic origin. Admitted students enjoy the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally offered to all Concordia students. Further, Concordia University does not discriminate according to age, race, color, gender, and national and ethnic origin in administering admissions and educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Concordia University is committed to full compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibit discrimination against qualified persons with disabilities, as well as other federal and state laws pertaining to individuals with disabilities. Under the ADA and its amendments, a person has a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. The ADA also protects individuals who have a record of a substantially limiting impairment or who are regarded as disabled by the institution whether qualified or not. A substantial impairment is one that significantly limits or restricts a major life activity such as hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, performing manual tasks, walking, or caring for oneself.

1. Concordia University is committed to providing qualified students with disabilities with reasonable accommodations and support needed to ensure equal access to the programs and activities of the University.
2. All accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. A student requesting any accommodation should first contact the Director of Disability Services who coordinates services for students with disabilities. The director reviews documentation provided by the student and in consultation with the student, determines which accommodations are appropriate to the student’s particular needs and programs. It is then the student’s responsibility to make direct requests for accommodations to the appropriate staff.

The Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) Master of Science, Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Program has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Concordia University Ann Abor anticipates matriculating its first class in August 2019, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the March 2019 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation - Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appears to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

In the event accreditation is not granted, program admissions will be delayed until accreditation is received.  Program applicants will be notified as soon as we are informed of accreditation process results.  Should the program not receive accreditation, all deposits will be returned to candidates.  Information on accreditation is available at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation/.  The proposed Physician Assistant program would grant the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) degree. 

Information on accreditation is available at www.arc-pa.org or at: Accreditation review commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc., 12000 Findley Road, Suite 150, Johns Creek, GA 30097, (770) 476-1224.

Estimated Program Costs-Didactic and Clinical Years (2020)

(Fees are subject to change)

Other Costs*

*Cost will vary depending on the equipment selected by the student.

Total: $92,290**

**Costs are the same for both resident and non-resident. Student’s own food, transportation and housing costs are not included.

Tuition Refund

Students who withdraw from the University will receive a pro-rated refund of educational fees and board fees, according to the following schedule (a week runs Mon.- Sun.):

Students who are charged for summer and winterim class but then withdraw will receive refunds on a pro-rated basis as follows:

Preceptors: CUAA offers clinical training rotations in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, OBGYN, Pediatrics, General Surgery, Behavioral Health, Emergency Medicine and elective rotations.  We are seeking potential preceptors in the above fields.  If you are interested in precepting a CUAA PA student, please fill out the letter of intent and return to gradpa@cuaa.edu.  

Faculty: We are seeking faculty to teach in a primary care based program.  Those interested in a faculty position, potentially with a start date in January of 2019, please send an email with CV to Christine.mcgee@cuaa.edu. 

Preceptor Responsibilities

Clinical preceptors are expected to conduct themselves in a fair and conscientious manner in accordance with the ethical standards generally recognized with the academic community as well as those of the medical professions they represent. Preceptors are expected to:

• Be a credentialed and licensed practitioner
• Meet scheduled appointments, rounds and clinical teaching opportunities, be available to supervise all activities of student practitioners and approve implementation of all treatment plans (or delegate this responsibility to a licensed practitioner who has such authority)
• Delegate to students, certain defined duties, with appropriate supervision and direction, but never use students as substitution for regular staff
• Be available at reasonable times for teaching and evaluation of students
• Perform student evaluations in a timely manner
• Communicate with students regarding clinical performance and provide written mid-rotation and end of rotation evaluations that are fair
• Communicate to students at the beginning of the rotation expectations and standards of evaluation
• Base all academic evaluation upon good faith professional judgment
• Not consider in academic evaluation factors such as race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation, political or cultural affiliation, lifestyle, activities or behavior outside of the academic setting unrelated to academic and professional achievement
• Respect confidentiality of student academic information
• Not exploit professional relationships with students for private advantage and refrain from soliciting the assistance of students for private purpose in a manner which infringes upon such student’s freedom of choice
• Give appropriate recognition to student contributions in clinical activities
• Refrain from any activity which involves risk to the health and safety of a student except with the student’s and the program’s informed consent
• Respect the dignity of each student individually and all students collectively in all academic contexts

What is the benefit of precepting a CUAA Physician Assistant student?

1. If you are considering hiring a Physician Assistant but have never worked with one, precepting a student will increase your understanding of the profession. It will give you first hand knowledge of how the PA will interact with your patients and staff, their skill level and the potential impact on your practice.
2. If you are considering hiring the Physician Assistant following graduation, precepting that student would give you an opportunity to participate in their approach to the practice of medicine.
3. A preceptor can earn Continuing Medical Education credits for precepting students.
4. Most preceptors enjoy teaching as it helps them maintain an up-to-date standard of practice.

I have only precepted medical students. How will I have to adjust my supervision for a PA student?

During the clinical year (the final year of training) a CUAA Physician Assistant student functions minimally at the level of a 3rd or 4th year medical student. On rotations they are expected to assume the hours of the site/preceptor including on-call, weekends and off-shifts.

Does the student carry liability insurance?

CUAA Physician Assistant students participating in the PA program and assigned to a health facility for clinical experience are covered by the University’s blanket malpractice insurance policy which presently contains a $1,000,000 occurrence/3,000,000 aggregate coverage CUAA maintains on file evidence of the existence of this policy and will provide this information to the health facility upon request. CUAA will notify the health facility within five (5) business days in the event the aforementioned policy limits are modified or discontinued.

This coverage is limited to:

• Students currently registered and matriculated in the CUAA PA program
• Clinical rotations approved and scheduled through the CUAA PA Program.
• Students practicing within the guidelines outlined in the CUAA PA Policy Manual.

The student is not covered for any service or activity, either voluntary or for remuneration that is not approved and scheduled by the program.

How are students screened prior to clinical rotations?

The College of Health Professions at the Concordia University requires review of the criminal histories of those having direct contact with patients in healthcare and other settings.

These background checks are considered a condition of acceptance into a clinical program. Concordia University does not disclose the information to any person who is not directly involved in evaluating the applicant's qualifications for their clinical program but students do consent to the release of criminal background information to any affiliating health care institution that requests or requires this information as a condition of assignment.

Additionally, submitting a negative urine drug screen is a condition for admission into the Physician Assistant (PA) program.

Students also are required to undergo a physical examination and vaccinations recommended by the CDC for health care personnel.

Who can act as a preceptor for a PA student and what are their responsibilities?

A clinical preceptor must be credentialed and licensed. This would include but is not limited to: MD, DO, PA-C, NP, psychologist, or social workers

Clinical preceptors are expected to conduct themselves in a fair and conscientious manner in accordance with the ethical standards generally recognized with the academic community as well as those of the medical professions they represent. Preceptors are expected to:

• Meet scheduled appointments, rounds and clinical teaching opportunities, be available to supervise all activities of student practitioners and approve implementation of all treatment plans (or delegate this responsibility to a licensed practitioner who has such authority)
• Delegate to students, certain defined duties, with appropriate supervision and direction, but never use students as substitution for regular staff
• Be available at reasonable times for teaching and evaluation of students
• Perform student evaluations in a timely manner
• Communicate with students regarding clinical performance and provide written mid-rotation and end of rotation evaluations that are fair
• Communicate to students at the beginning of the rotation expectations and standards of evaluation
• Base all academic evaluation upon good faith professional judgment
• Not consider in academic evaluation factors such as race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation, political or cultural affiliation, lifestyle, activities or behavior outside of the academic setting unrelated to academic and professional achievement
• Respect confidentiality of student academic information
• Not exploit professional relationships with students for private advantage and refrain from soliciting the assistance of students for private purpose in a manner which infringes upon such student’s freedom of choice
• Give appropriate recognition to student contributions in clinical or research activities
• Refrain from any activity which involves risk to the health and safety of a student except with the student’s and the program’s informed consent
• Respect the dignity of each student individually and all students collectively in all academic contexts

How would I determine if my practice would meet the objectives of the CUAA program?

Part of the initial contact with the site is review of clinical rotation objectives by the clinical director either via phone interview or on-site visit. This review also includes, hours of operation, typical patient census, number of practitioners /potential preceptors, location of assignment and any current affiliations with other facilities.

What if a problem occurs with a student while on rotation?

At the time each rotation is confirmed, contact information is included in the preceptor packet.  The expectation is the preceptor will not be a disciplinarian but if problems arise, the preceptor will get hold of the CUAA contact immediately to discuss the issue and to agree upon an action plan.

How can I get more information about precepting PA students from CUAA or about the CUAA PA program itself?

Please contact:
Christine Oldenburg-McGee
PA Program Director
Concordia University Ann Arbor
4090 Geddes Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
734-995-7437

What is a Physician Assistant and what can they do? (From AAPA*)

Physician assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. . As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and in virtually all states can write prescriptions. Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision-making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. A PA's practice may also include education, research, and administrative services.

How would a Physician Assistant benefit my practice? (From AAPA*)

Physician assistants (PAs) are found in all areas of medicine. They practice in the areas of primary care medicine - that is family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology -- as well in surgery and the surgical subspecialties. Because of the close working relationship the PAs have with physicians, PAs are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training.  What a physician assistant does varies with training, experience, and state law. In addition, the scope of the PA's practice corresponds to the supervising physician's practice. In general, a physician assistant will see many of the same types of patients as the physician. The cases handled by physicians are generally the more complicated medical cases or those cases which require care that is not a routine part of the PA's scope of work. Referral to the physician, or close consultation between the patient-PA-physician, is done for unusual or hard to manage cases. Physician assistants are taught to "know our limits" and refer to physicians appropriately.  It is an important part of PA training.

*American Academy of Physician Assistants, www.aapa.org

Curriculum Plan:  (117 credits: 71 didactic + 46 clinical)

Fall Term 1 (14 credits)

• PHAS 500 Human Anatomy (6 cr)
• PHAS 511 PA Colloquium I (2 cr)
• PHAS 509 Molecular Mechanisms (2 cr)
• PHAS 521 Evidence Based Medicine (2 cr)
• PHAS 520 Neuroanatomy (2 cr)
• PHAS 504 Physical Assessment 1 (2 cr)

Winterim 1 (5 credits)

• PHAS 540 Public Health & Epidemiology (2 cr)
• PHAS 590 Medical Ethics (3 cr)

Spring Term 1 (18 credits)

• PHAS 512 PA Colloquium II (3 cr)
• PHAS 525 Clinical Medicine I (6 cr)
• PHAS 523 Pathophysiology/Pharmacology I (4 cr)
• PHAS 505 Physical Assessment II (2 cr)
• PHAS 527 Medical Diagnostics I (3 cr)

Summer Term I (13 credits)

• PHAS 530 Clinical Medicine II (6 cr)
• PHAS 532 Medical Diagnostics II (3 cr)
• PHAS 524 Pathophysiology/Pharmacology II (4 cr)

Fall Term 2 (19 credits)

• PHAS 575 Obstetrics & Gynecology (2 cr)
• PHAS 545 Emergency Medicine (4 cr)
• PHAS 550 Pediatrics (3 cr)
• PHAS 556 Skills for Clinical Practice (3 cr)
• PHAS 558 Surgical Medicine for Clinical Practice (2 cr)
• PHAS 570 Behavioral Medicine (2 cr)
• PHAS 580 Introduction to Clinical Practice (3 cr)

Winterim 2 (4 credits)

• PHAS  Clinical Rotations (4 cr)

Spring Term 2 (16 credits)

• PHAS Clinical Rotations II (16 cr)

Summer Term 2 (16 credits)

• PHAS Clinical Rotations III (16 cr)

Fall Term 3 (10 credits)

• PHAS Clinical Rotations IV (8 cr)
• PHAS 601 Clinical Seminar (2 cr)

Clinical Rotations:

Students will be placed on a rotation schedule for the last 11 months of their education. The following rotations are required; these may occur in any order depending on availability of clinical sites and schedules. All courses are 4 credits. 

• PHAS 610 Family Medicine Clinical Practicum 1
• PHAS 615 Family Medicine Clinical Practicum 2
• PHAS 620 Internal Medicine Clinical Practicum 1
• PHAS 625 Internal Medicine Clinical Practicum 2
• PHAS 630 Women’s Health Clinical Practicum
• PHAS 635 Pediatric Clinical Practicum
• PHAS 640 Emergency Medicine Clinical Practicum
• PHAS 645 Surgery Clinical Practicum
• PHAS 650 Behavioral Medicine Clinical Practicum
• PHAS 655 Clinical Practicum Elective 1
• PHAS 665 Clinical Preceptorship

Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) has specific technical standards that apply to all candidates for admission and those who are selected to enter the program.  Students selected to enter the program must have the capacity to complete the entire course curriculum to achieve the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree.  Accommodations may be possible for some disabilities, but the Physician Assistant’s (PA) role in the provision of health care requires that he or she be able to perform in an independent manner that does not compromise patient care.

In order to perform the functions required of a physician assistant in a variety of clinical situations and render competent patient care stipulated by the faculty, accreditation agencies, and the standards of practice as a PA, candidates/students for the program must meet the Technical Standards:

In order to perform the functions required of a physician assistant in a variety of clinical situations and render competent patient care stipulated by the faculty, accreditation agencies, and the standards of practice as a PA, candidates/students for the program must meet the Technical Standards:

1. Observation: Students must be able to observe demonstrations, visual presentations, lectures, and laboratory studies in the basic medical and clinical settings.  The candidate must be able to accurately observe a patient both close and at a distance; this requires functional use of vision, sensation, and smell. Adequate visual capabilities are necessary for proper evaluation and treatment integration, including the assessment of symmetry, range of motion, and tissue texture changes.
2. Communication: Students must be able to speak, hear, and observe patients to gather pertinent data, describe their observations (including activity and function, mood, and posture) and be able to perceive nonverbal communications.  Students must be able to effectively communicate with patients, families, faculty, and colleagues from different cultural backgrounds in oral, written, computer and telephonic formats.
3. Motor and Sensory: Students must have gross and fine motor function and coordination in order to auscultate, palpate, and percuss as well as the ability to use appropriate diagnostic techniques and instruments to provide routine and emergent medical care and common diagnostic procedures  such as, but not limited to, performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, advanced cardiac life support, administering intravenous medications, suturing of simple and complex wounds, treatment of respiratory distress or bleeding, and routine obstetric and gynecologic care, as well as assisting in surgery.  Students should have adequate sensory skills, including tactile sensory and proprioceptive capability.  Students must be able to transport themselves from one location to another in a timely fashion in order to facilitate patient care responsibilities and to receive educational training. Strength, mobility and endurance: Students must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads.
4. Cognitive, Integrative, and Quantitative Skill: Students must exhibit skills in problem solving, and critical thinking, measurement, calculation, and comprehension of three dimensional relationships consistent with medical practice.  Students must be able to assimilate and learn large amounts of complex, technically detailed information in the form of lectures, discussions, videos, handouts, and clinical exam demonstrations and to synthesize and apply concepts arising from it to create diagnostic and therapeutic plans.
5. Behavioral and Social Skills: Students must possess sufficient emotional health to allow them to optimally utilize intellectual, cognitive, and reasoning judgment required of medical professionals and be able to quickly complete all duties and responsibilities commensurate with effective diagnosis and treatment of patients of all ages.  Students must be able to demonstrate empathy, sensitivity, and the ability to quickly establish rapport with patients, exhibiting adequate interpersonal communication skills, compassion, concern for others, honesty, and integrity.  Students must be able to tolerate physically demanding workloads (which may involve nights, weekends, and on call), noisy environments, and long hours.  Students need to be able to maintain composure and emotional stability in challenging and stressful, changing circumstances and to deal effectively with uncertain, possibly emotionally charged situations. Students must be able to accept constructive criticism and respond via appropriate behavior modification. Students must be able to complete all assignments and activities as assigned by the program.  Students must be able to attend all classes, labs, examinations, and rotations on time and act in a professional manner.

The PA program at Concordia University Ann Arbor has the freedom and ultimate responsibility for selection and evaluation of students, design, implementation and evaluation of curriculum, and determination of who will be awarded a degree and certificate of completion.  Admission, retention, program completion, and graduation decisions are made based on satisfactory academic and clinical performance and upon non-academic, behavioral factors, which serve to ensure overall success in the PA profession.

Candidates for admission to the Concordia University Ann Arbor’s PA program will be required, if admitted, to certify in writing that they understand and meet the above technical standards.  

Concordia University will attempt, to the best of its ability, to develop mechanisms by which otherwise qualified candidates for admission can be accommodated; however, the integrity of the curriculum and the need to provide optimal patient care must be maintained in order to ensure that all parts of PA education are delivered to all students.

Requirements for the Successful Completion of the Didactic Year

1. Comply with the professionalism expectations (located in the PA Student Handbook).
2. Achieve a grade of 79% or higher in all didactic courses.
3. Maintains a GPA of 3.0 or higher overall.
4. Successfully complete, with a grade of 79% or higher or as designated in the syllabus, summative examinations (complete physical examination practical, cumulative exams at the end of courses).
5. Submit documentation of health requirements for the clinical year.
6. Maintain BLS certification (on their own) throughout the program and obtain or maintain ACLS certification (through the PA program) prior to entering clinical rotations. Students’ ACLS certification must be valid through graduation from the program.
7. Comply with all CUAA and Physician Assistant program policies and procedures. 

Requirements for the Successful Completion of the Clinical Year

1. Follow all policies and procedures published by CUAA and the PA Program. 
2. Achieve a grade of 79% or higher in all clinical rotations.
3. Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher each term.
4. Successfully complete written and practical summative evaluations with a grade of 79% or higher or as designated in the syllabus.
5. Successfully complete the capstone as designated by program requirements.
6. Comply with the professionalism expectations (located in the PA Student Handbook).
7. Comply with all CUAA and Physician Assistant Program policies and procedures.

Requirements for Graduation

A student will be recommended for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree provided s/he:

1. Successfully completes all components of the program (didactic, clinical, and the capstone). The capstone includes the portfolio and multiple written and practical summative exams that will be conducted within the last four months prior to graduation.
2. Maintains an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher;
3. Maintains professionalism standards (located in the PA Student Handbook); and
4. Fulfills all financial obligations to Concordia University Ann Arbor.
5. Comply with all CUAA and Physician Assistant Program policies and procedures

Academic Standing

A student who is in good standing in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies will have met the following criteria:

1. Achieves a grade of 79% or higher in all didactic and clinical courses required by the Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) Physician Assistant (PA) Program;
2. Maintains a GPA of 3.0;
3. Meets the CUAA and Physician Assistant Program professionalism expectations; and
4. Complies with all CUAA and Physician Assistant Program policies and procedures.

Academic Progression

Progression in the Physician Assistant Program is contingent on continued mastery of program student learning outcomes, course objectives, course content, and the demonstration of professional behavior. To remain in good academic standing, all PA students must maintain a minimum term cumulative GPA of 3.00 and earn a 79% or better in all courses.

• A grade less than79% in any course will be reviewed by the Student Progress Committee (SPC)
• A term/cumulative GPA less than 3.00 will result in a review by the SPC
• A student will not progress to the clinical year of the program with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.00 at the end of the 2nd fall term of the program
• Additionally each term, students must earn a grade of 80% or higher on 50% of their exams, failing to do so, will result in a review by SPC

Academic Probation

Students who do not maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher overall or do not meet the Professional Expectations each term, will be placed on Academic Probation and notified in writing by the PA Program Director. In the written notification, the PA Program Director will specify the reason(s) for academic probation, the policy/process for removal from academic probation and the deadline for completing the requirements. Requirements for removal from academic probation include, obtaining a 3.0 the next term (Winterim is not included), and demonstrating professionalism.

Students on Probation:

• May not hold any student society position
• Must meet with their mentor a minimum of twice a month and the course directors they have classes with for the upcoming term at a minimum once
• Must submit a written plan to the Chair of the SPC, Program Director, and to their designated mentor summarizing how they plan to improve their academic performance.
  • The plan must be submitted to the mentor, Program Director, and to the SPC Chair 24 hours prior to this meeting.
  • The plan must be approved by their mentor. If this process is not followed, the student may be dismissed from the program.

If the student does not obtain a GPA of 3.0 the next term (Winterim is not included), and demonstrate professionalism s/he will be dismissed from the program. If a student reapplies to the program and is admitted after failing a course or courses in the program, they will be placed on academic probation. Returning to the program will also require the student to take all courses in the curriculum, including courses previously passed are audited in order to relearn the requisite knowledge needed to progress in the program and to prove competency by successively completing all assessments. The courses that are audited would be on a pass/fail basis. Students auditing courses on a pass/fail basis must achieve a grade of 75% in order to pass the class. If the student fails a course again, they will be dismissed from the program and not allowed to reapply to the program. Students will be required to pay to retake the courses already completed utilizing the auditing fee schedule. The course or courses that must be retaken due to failure will be charged at full tuition.

Dismissal and Withdrawal

The CUAA’s PA Program reserves the right to dismiss any PA student at any time prior to graduation. Circumstances warranting such action may be of an academic, legal or professional nature.

Withdrawing from Courses

Students who wish to withdraw from the University during a term must notify the Director of the Physician Assistant Program. If withdrawal is authorized, the student will receive the notation ‘‘W’’ on their permanent academic record for each course in which they are in good academic standing; for each course, in which the student is doing failing work, they receive the notation ‘‘WF.’’ In the event that a student is seriously injured/ill, receives an official leave of absence, or cannot continue for any acceptable reason, the student will receive a ‘‘W’’ in all registered courses. A student who discontinues attending classes without official permission to withdraw will receive a grade of ‘‘WF’’ for all registered courses.

Students must complete an Add/Drop Form through the Office of the Registrar.

• If a withdrawal is not made through the Office of the Registrar, a failing grade will be recorded for the affected course(s)
• Withdrawals may be made without penalty within the first half of a term (please see the current Academic Catalog for current dates)
• After the beginning of the tenth week of a semester or the second half of a summer session, withdrawals are reported with a grade of WF (Withdraw Fail)
• Exceptions may be made for withdrawals due to extenuating circumstances such as illness or some other unavoidable occurrence by working with the Professor and Director of Physician Assistant Program.

• The student must notify the PA Program Director in writing no later than April 15 of the given year that they will to return to the program.
• The student must be approved by the PA Program Director for return to the program in August of that year.  Medical Reasons: If a student leaves the program due to medical reasons, the readmission request must have a letter from a physician stating the student is cleared for release and will be able to comply with the Technical Standards set by the Physician Assistant Program. Acceptance may be conditional on the length of time the student has been away from the program and space available in the class.
• If the Student Progress Committee is recommending that the student be dismissed, the Chair of the Student Progress Committee will inform the PA Program Director of the recommendation as soon as possible. The PA Program Director will communicate with the student who is being dismissed that they must follow the procedures listed above in the withdrawal section.

Fair Practices

PA students have equal access to facilities and programs of Concordia University Ann Arbor as students in other programs. CUAA is committed to admitting qualified students of any age, sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental conditions, or developmental disability, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Concordia University Ann Arbor does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, physical or mental condition, or developmental disability in the administration of its admission policies, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and extra-curricular programs or other school-administered programs. Concordia University Ann Arbor does not discriminate on the basis of handicap. (cf. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973). All policies concerning nondiscrimination, harassment, and conflicts of interest are found in the Concordia University Code of Student Conduct and/or the PA Student Handbook.

The Concordia University Ann Arbor MSPAS program will publish first time Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) rates for the five most recent graduating classes as provided by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). We will begin publishing this information once it becomes available for our Class of 2021.

Please view the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and the NCCPA PANCE Pass Rates. 

The goals of this program are to:

• Educate physician assistants in primary care, preventive medicine and health literacy.
• Provide opportunities to work with diverse, medically underserved populations to improve access to health care
• Instill the importance of professionalism.
• Instill the value of lifelong learning.
• Provide opportunities for interprofessional education in order to work effectively as a health care team member.
• Promote community philanthropy

PA graduates will:

• Apply medical knowledge to practice and evaluate patient care in a legal, culturally sensitive, and ethical manner
• Perform minor medical and surgical procedures including first or second assistant in the operating room
• Interpret medical lab and radiologic tests
• Demonstrate the ability to instruct patients and families on medically related conditions that take into consideration the mind, body, and spirit
• Work as part of a health care team
• Demonstrate an ability to communicate with other health care professionals, families, and patients in both written and oral formats
• Provide culturally sensitive, ethical, and legal patient care in a professional manner
• Respect patient rights and comply with HIPAA
• Analyze the medical literature and apply best practices to clinical decision making
• Navigate diverse health care delivery systems and utilize resources to provide best practices