Master of Physician Assistant Studies
Admissions Information for Prospective Students Effective Fall 2010 Admission
Admission Requirements | Application Requirements | Academic Prerequisites | Foreign Course Work | GRE Requirement | Applicant Selection | Interview Selection | Decision Dates | Transcripts | Waivers and Advanced Placement | Transfer Policy for Students from other PA Programs | Texas Residency | Contact Information
Applicants are considered without regard to age, race, creed, sex, national origin, veteran's status or disability. All applicants are required to meet the posted Health and Technical Standards in order to participate in the Physician Assistant Studies degree program.
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- An earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to matriculation to the Physician Assistant Studies program.
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.85.
- Satisfactory completion of all prerequisite course requirements
- Two letters of professional reference (submitted to CASPA). A letter from a practicing physician assistant is highly recommended. A third letter may also be submitted to CASPA.
- CASPA (Central Application Service for Physician Assistants) Due by November 1, 2009
- Supplemental Application (Due by November 15, 2009 )
In addition to the CASPA application, all applicants are required to submit a Supplemental Application directly to the Physician Assistant Studies program. The additional information requested on the Supplemental Application will provide us with valuable insights during the selection process. Applicant files will not be evaluated until we receive both the CASPA application and the Supplemental Application. There is no fee for the Supplemental Application.
- A earned bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university is required by matriculation
- Prerequisites may be in progress at the time you submit an application to CASPA, however, they must be completed by December 31 of the year prior to matriculation into the program.
- Minimum prerequisite requirements cannot be waived and exceptions are not permitted.
- Prerequisite coursework must be satisfied with a grade of 'C' or higher (2.0 on a 4.0 scale).
- One course cannot be used simultaneously to meet two different prerequisites. For example, Calculus cannot be used to fulfill both requirements for mathematics and statistics.
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The Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS) is a cooperative effort among Texas community colleges and universities to facilitate transfer of freshman and sophomore level general academic courses. The list does not include all possible courses that will be accepted by the UNT Health Science Center PA program. Contact us if you need assistance or clarification. |
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GENERAL EDUCATION |
CREDIT |
TEXAS COMMON COURSE |
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General or Introductory Psychology |
3 |
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Psychology, Sociology or Anthropology Electives |
6 |
Any course within Psychology, Sociology or Anthropology |
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College Algebra or higher |
3 |
Math 1314 or higher level math |
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Statistics |
3 |
Math 1342 or other disciplines |
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SCIENCE COURSES (must be designated for science majors) |
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Anatomy and Physiology with lab |
8 |
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Organic Chemistry with lab |
4 |
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Microbiology with lab |
4 |
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Immunology or Genetics |
3 |
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Biochemistry or Cell Biology |
3 |
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Important Notes
- Exceptions cannot be granted to the prerequisite deadline (December 31).
- Preference will be given to applicants who complete their course work in the classroom versus through examination tests such as CLEP.
- Distance learning or online courses obtained through regionally-accredited colleges or universities are recognized to meet the prerequisite requirements.
Foreign Course Work
An applicant with academic credentials from a college or university located outside the United States, who chooses to apply that study toward meeting prerequisite requirements, must follow all instructions posted in the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistant (CASPA) application. Applicants must also follow application instructions when submitting coursework from foreign colleges or universities for U.S. equivalence through CASPA, and these courses must be deemed equivalent by the PA Studies Program. Upon satisfying all prerequisite requirements, applicants with academic credentials from non-U.S. colleges or universities are processed with the same consideration as all others.
Admission requirements are the same for applicants with foreign course work. All course work taken at foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated for U.S. equivalence by a CASPA approved evaluation service.
For a listing of evaluation services, you should contact CASPA at apply@caspaonline.org or visit their website at https://secure.caspaonline.org/
Upon completing of all the required applications and admission requirements (see above), applicants with foreign course work will be processed with the same consideration as that given to other applicants.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Requirement
All applicants are required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections) that were received no more than five years prior to application to the program. No minimum GRE score is required; however, the applicant's scores will be taken into consideration as one potential indication of student success in the program. The GRE code for the PA Studies program is 6380 and information on registration is available at: http://www.ets.org
Applicant Selection Factors
In reviewing applications for interview selection and acceptance, we evaluate many factors that help us examine the qualities that you bring to our program. Those factors include:
- Academic background
- Patient care or healthcare-related experience
- PA mentorship/shadowing experiences
- Understanding of the role of the PA
- Letters of reference (or support)
- Community Service
- Honors, achievements and awards
- Other life experiences and extracurricular activities
- Applicant's personal interview
Although an applicant's entire academic record is considered, this alone does not ensure acceptance. While prior experience in a health care setting is not required, this experience is considered a beneficial attribute and viewed positively by the Admissions Committee. PA mentorship and shadowing experiences are not required, but are encouraged. Letters of reference from a physician assistant or physician are strongly encouraged. Evidence of personal integrity, maturity, motivation, communication skills, interpersonal skills, critical thinking skills, writing ability, dedication and the ability to work with others are additional factors that will be considered. The above qualities are evaluated by several means, including letters of reference, the scope and nature of extracurricular activities (including work and volunteer experience), the scope and breadth of prior education and through the interview process.
Interview Selection
Selected applicants will be invited to the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth for an admissions interview. Interviews generally take place on campus from September to February. Interviews may end sooner if the class is filled. Candidates that are invited to interview will be contacted by phone or email. Declining an invitation or failing to appear for a scheduled interview will result in rejection of your application. Early submission of your application can increase your chances of interview selection. Interview results are confidential and are considered in the competitive selection process.
Offers of Admission
The PA program may make admission offers as early as October. Offers will be continuously made until the class is filled.
Transcripts
Upon notification of acceptance, all candidates admitted into the PA program will be required to send new official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities directly to the UNTHSC Admissions and Outreach Office.
Reminder: Official transcripts must be sent directly from the originating school to CASPA during the application process. Do not send transcripts directly to UNTHSC unless specifically requested to do so.
Waivers and Advanced Placement
Advanced placement and waiver of courses in the professional curriculum are not available to applicants to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree program. Once enrolled, a PA student may apply for advanced placement and/or course waiver by meeting specific requirements and deadlines. For more information on this, applicants should contact the PA program academic office directly. Prerequisite courses cannot be waived.
Transfer Policy for Students from other PA Programs
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree program does not admit transfer students from other physician assistant studies programs. All applicants must participate in a competitive admissions process.
Texas Residency
At least 90 percent of each entering class must be Texas residents. Up to 10 percent of each entering class may be filled with non-Texas residents. An alien living in the United States under a visa permitting permanent residence, or who has filed with the proper federal immigration authorities a declaration of intention to become a citizen, has the same privilege of qualifying for Texas residency as do citizens of the United States.
For rules and regulations on Texas residency, visit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Residency Information site.
Contact Information
University of North Texas Health Science Center
TCOM Office of Admissions and Outreach
Attn: PA Studies
3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard
Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699
Phone: (817) 735-2204 or (800) 535-TCOM (8266)
Fax: (817) 735-2225
E-Mail: PAAdmissions@hsc.unt.edu
Applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, sex, national origin, veteran's status or disability.
Candidates must meet Health and Technical Standards to participate in the Physician Assistant Studies degree program.
This page last updated Jan 20, 2009
