PCOM's Physician Assistant program is designed to prepare the student for comprehensive practice in a variety of clinical settings following completion of the second year of the program. The goals and objectives of our program are guided by the criteria set forth by the Standards and Guidelines for an Accredited Education Program for the Physician Assistant. The program has received full accreditation from the Commission and our graduates are eligible to sit for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) examination for national certification and regional, local and national licensure.

PCOM is now participating in the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). You may obtain additional information about CASPA or apply online at www.caspaonline.org. Deadlines for the CASPA application is January 1st, 2006. Applications must be completed in order for an applicant to be considered for an interview. It is the responsibility of each applicant to meet the requirements list below. Selection for the professional phase of the PA program at PCOM is very competitive. The following requirements represent the minimum criteria for consideration for admission. Successful applicants will generally exceed the minimum criteria. All science and math prerequisites must have been completed within the last 10 years. (Applicants with graduate degrees and/or over five years of health care experience may be considered on an individual basis.)

REQUIREMENTS

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Physician Assistant Studies when the CASPA profile and supporting credentials are received in PCOM's Office of Admissions.  It is the responsibility of each applicant to meet the following minimum requirements.

3. Documented 200 hours of patient contact experience in volunteer or employment in the health care industry.

CRITERIA

Selection for the professional phase of the Physician Assistant program is very competitive.  The requirements listed above represent the minimum criteria for consideration for admission.  Succesful applicants will generally exceed the minimum requirements.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The PA program at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine participates in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).  CASPA is a web-based application service that allows you to apply on-line.  Click here to access the CASPA website.  You may apply on-line or you may request a paper application from CASPA.  In either case, all application materials must be submitted to CASPA no later than January 1st, 2006 along with the required processing fee.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early.  The PA program utilizes a system of rolling admission, therefore early applicants have the greatest chance of successful admission.

Send official transcript from all colleges and universities attended directly to CASPA.

Three letters of recommendation should be sent to CASPA from the persons making the recommendation.  The letters will be reproduced and forwarded to PCOM.

When all credentials are on file, they wil be verified, processed and sent to PCOM.

For questions regarding the CASPA application, assistance is available by emailing caspainfo@caspaonline.org or by calling (617) 612-2080.

Candidates who wish to enrol are also asked to review and acknowledge PCOM's Technical Standards for Admission and Matriculation along with a $500 non-refundable deposit.  Click here.

POLICY ON ADVANCED STANDING, TRANSFER OF CREDIT and EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

The Physician Assistant program does not offer advanced placement based upon transfer of credits for academic work completed at other institutions of higher learning or upon credit from experiential learning.  Applications are not accepted from graduates of medical schools.

Should you have any questions, please contact us via email at: gradadmissions@pcom.edu

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