Description of the Physician Assistant Program
Updated March 3, 2011

Christian Brothers University is in process of applying for provisional accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).  This approval must be granted prior to the beginning of the program.

Although there are no course changes in the prerequisites for CBU’s Physician Assistant Program, the launch date has been postponed to Spring 2012:

Those interested in the program should complete the following before applying to CBU’s Physician Assistant Program:

· CASPA application

· The PA Program application completed and application fee received

· Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States

· Official transcripts from all universities attended. Original transcripts will be sent to CASPA and our program for review

· Submit three letters of recommendation, one must be from a health care professional such as a Physician, Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner.

· Completion of all of the pre-requisite course work with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

· Completion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Applicants who already hold a prior advanced graduate degree are exempt from taking the GRE exam.

Course	Semester Hours
General Biology	8
General Chemistry	8
Anatomy and Physiology	8
Microbiology	4
General Psychology	3
Genetics	3
calculus, statistics, or other advanced math	3

*Please note: Christian Brothers University has applied for provisional accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). In order to offer the program beginning Spring 2012 ARC-PA must grant provisional accreditation.

Today’s healthcare environment, while filled with many rewards, can be challenging on both a professional and personal level. In order to maximize your success both as a Physician Assistant and as a CBU Physician Assistant Studies student we believe that prior experience in healthcare and/or shadowing a healthcare provider, preferably a Physician Assistant, will provide the student with an increased understanding of today’s complicated healthcare environment and the fulfillment of providing this care.

While prior clinical experience is not a requirement for admission, evidence of such experience is strongly felt to not only be indicative of the applicant’s desire and commitment to serve as a health care provider, but also as a foundation in which the student can expand their knowledge and abilities as a medical professional.

We prefer this experience to be completed while observing or shadowing a physician assistant as this will allow the individual to acquire specific insights into the role of the physician assistant and will provide information that will allow the individual to fully commit to this rewarding yet demanding profession.

No Advanced placement is possible.

No prerequisites older than 5 years will be accepted unless you have been employed full time in the health care field since completion of those prerequisites.

No Physician Assistant credits from another institution may be transferred into the didactic or clinical years.

No online courses for the chemistry or biology disciplines will meet the program's prerequisite requirements.