PA program ranks among
nation’s best
The Southern Illinois University
Carbondale (SIUC) Physician Assistant (PA) Program began in 1997 and
utilizes a problem-based learning (PBL) format for delivery of its
medical curriculum. The SIUC PA Program is currently accredited by the
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician
Assistant (ARC-PA). Our
most recent site visit was held in December 2009.
The results were that we are now accredited for seven (7) more
years. Our Program is part of the School of Allied Health in the
College of Applied Sciences and Arts in cooperation with the SIU
School of Medicine. We are housed in Lindegren Hall and Life Science
II. The SIUC PA Program
was a pioneer in and continues to use PBL, simulated patients,
innovative evaluation techniques, and clinical mentoring programs.
SIUC has a national certification rate of 100% for 2010 and a 98% five
year average. SIU
PA Program NCCPA Program Report.
The mission of
the Southern Illinois University Physician Assistant Program is to
prepare professionals to provide primary healthcare.
We enhance this process by preparing graduates who are
interdependent medical providers, dedicated to both the community and
their profession. Our
academic setting fosters creative thinking and communication skills in
the pursuit of excellence.
Because SIUC is a major research institution and the
national trend in PA education has moved toward the Master’s Degree,
the PA Program has transitioned to a Master’s level degree program
that began with the class entering summer of 2007. Two separate degree
options are offered. A Master of Science in Physician Assistant
Studies (MSPA) can be gained within 26 months. This full program is
for students who wish to become physician assistants. We have also
added an online master’s degree completion option for those who
already hold a Bachelor’s Degree in and are currently practicing
physician assistants. This Master’s Completion Program (MCP) can be
achieved in one (1) year using distance learning and a supervising
Preceptor. Detailed information about each of these programs can be
found by clicking on the appropriate links in this website – MSPA or
MCP.
Applicants will be required to complete a Bachelor’s
degree before being considered for admission to the PA Program.
Any degrees in the sciences or medical field will suffice for
the MSPA. A Bachelor’s
degree in PA is required for the MCP.
Note
for Potential Students
SIUC no longer offers a Bachelor’s
Degree in Physician Assistant Studies.
A student can enroll in a pre-health profession track program
through the SIUC Science Department, choose a baccalaureate oriented
major and fulfill requirements simultaneously.
Therefore, a student planning a professional career in
Physician Assistant Studies but has not completed a Bachelor’s degree
should register in the College of Science.
Students may consider the disciplines of Physiology, Anatomy,
Biological Science, Chemistry, Radiological Sciences, Health Care
Management, Psychology, Nursing or other health related undergraduate
majors. Remember that in
addition to a Bachelor’s degree, you will have to score highly on
several prerequisite courses, have strong references and healthcare
experience to be considered for admission to the SIUC PA Program.
It is also highly recommended
that an applicant shadow a PA-C. Please see related information on
this website.
Curriculum
Our curriculum includes intense
problem-based learning modules combined with clinical experiences.
These units of study are based on the most common disease
states and preventive medicine guidelines utilized in medical
practice. The curriculum
is designed to prepare primary care providers for medical practice.
All physician assistant courses are sequenced and are required
of all students. The
first year of study (Phase I: Didactic) is on campus in Carbondale.
It focuses on the PBL modules,
Human Anatomy, clinical medicine, the core sciences and research
methods. The second year (Phase II: Clinical Rotations) is completed
at several Illinois locations.
Currently those are: Carbondale/Delta, Decatur, Mattoon, Olney,
Peoria, Quincy and Springfield.
These locations are subject to change. Second year students may
be required to relocate to one of these towns.
Learning is continued through
our PBL modules. Phase III is the eight-week Preceptorship and
students may complete this at a site of their choice, with faculty
approval. Phase III is
entered after all clinical rotations are completed. (More complete
curriculum information is available elsewhere on this website.)
The Master’s Completion Program is
designed to be completed via distance education with possible periodic
scheduled seminars on campus.
The MCP curriculum includes research methods, medical ethics,
current PA practice and a Master’s seminar. The Program can be
completed in 12 months.
This option was developed for those students who are practicing PAs,
hold a Bachelor’s degree in PA and have graduated from an accredited
PA program.
Applicants
Applications for the full 26 month PA
Program are accepted the
year prior to matriculation, between April 15th
and currently December 1st of each year. These dates may
change within an application season.
Check our official website or contact the Academic Advisor for
updated information. There is a $50 application fee.
After applications are completed, those who are accepted into
the Program all start classes in June.
Before students are accepted into the
MSPA they must complete a Bachelor’s Degree, take the GRE, MAT
or MCAT, as
well as all Physician Assistant prerequisites.
Transfer credits may be accepted (contact academic advisor).
No academic credit is awarded for prior work experience.
Consideration for admission to the MSPA Program is given to
candidates with high cumulative and prerequisite grade point averages
(GPAs), appropriate healthcare experience and strong letters of
recommendation, preferably one from a PA-C.
The most qualified candidates are invited to campus for
interviews. After
interviews, thirty to thirty four students are offered a position in
the class each year.
Applications for the MCP are accepted until June 1st
of each year. There is a
$50.00 application fee and classes for the MCP start in the fall
semester of each year or by special arrangement of the Program. MCP
students do not use the CASPA application process.
They must contact the Academic Advisor for an application
package.
Tuition and Fees
PA students will pay a higher tuition rate than
other normal graduate programs. Consult the Financial Aid Department
or the Program Academic Advisor for questions.
Please be advised that border state students will
not receive a tuition decrease.
Therefore they will pay a higher tuition rate.
Establishing residency to receive the in-state tuition rate can
be applied for after six (6) months with a form and certain
requirements. Applicants may contact the Graduate School Registration
Office at (618) 453-2969 or the Program Advisor.
Degree
Awarded
Upon successful completion of both
programs, a Master of Science Degree in Physician Assistant Studies
(MSPA) is awarded. A
Certificate of Completion in Physician Assistant Training is also
awarded to students in the full 26 month Program. These graduates are
then candidates for national certification through the National
Commission of the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
(www.nccpa.net)
Program
Advisement
To speak with an academic advisor for
any questions about recommended majors, the new PA Program
requirements or if you need any assistance, call (618) 453-5527 or
send an e-mail message to
paadvisement-L@listserv.siu.edu. A complete transcript must be
sent before advisement.
(Revised 4/07;6/08;5/10;4/11;5/11fjk)