SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY

Master of Physician Assistant Sciences Program

Saint Francis University’s Master of Physician Assistant Science program prepares graduates for one of the most dynamic and fastest growing careers within the health professions.  Since 1977, the Saint Francis University Physician Assistant (PA) Program has provided its students with a challenging curriculum that combines specialized coursework, practical professional application with a variety of national and international clinical opportunities, along with a strong liberal arts foundation. The ultimate goal of this educational process is to prepare students to deliver high quality, cost-effective primary health care in a wide variety of settings under the responsible supervision of a licensed physician.

Our Mission

The Department of Physician Assistant Sciences educates individuals as Physician Assistants to provide competent, compassionate, and comprehensive health care to people and communities in need.

Our Vision

Our faculty, graduates, and students will be the leaders of the physician assistant profession, striving for excellence in all academic and professional endeavors while providing for the health care needs of all.

Our Tradition

• Educating graduates who are compassionate, competent and motivated to be excellent PA’s

• Producing leaders for the profession

• Pushing the envelope of PA education

Our Expectations

• Motivation to be outstanding
• Drive to distinguish oneself among your contemporaries
• Commitment to the professional and the Department
• Concern for the patient above all else

Our Commitment

As a Program, we are dedicated to providing excellent care to the patients in our charge, our focus is the patient, and what we can do to assist them in maintaining/regaining their health.

• One of the most attractive features that make the PA Department at Saint Francis University unique and very successful is the commitment of the faculty. The number of full-time, department faculty allows the student frequent opportunities for individual advising and counseling opportunities. The department faculty at Saint Francis emphasizes a close one-to-one interaction which facilitates the educational process. This dedication, coupled with high quality instruction, attracts students from a variety of educational, professional and cultural backgrounds.

• The winning combination of high quality coursework, dedicated faculty, student diversity, and strong professional training allows Saint Francis to graduate highly qualified and compassionate health practitioners.

• The Physician Assistant program at Saint Francis University is ranked as one of the top ten master’s degree granting PA programs by U.S. News and World Report.

• The Saint Francis University Department of Physician Assistant Sciences is fully accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), and is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA).

• In order to become a certified physician assistant, a graduate from an accredited physician assistant program must pass the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistant's board exam.  The average NCCPA Board Pass rate for the Master of Physician Assistant Science graduates (first-time takers) is 96%. The graph below shows the MPAS Program's board pass rates.

Program Description

• A two-year (three didactic and three clinical semesters) program for graduate students who already possess a baccalaureate degree.

• Didactic Year:

• Commences in the summer semester (late May, early June) and proceeds through the following spring.
• Various components of the didactic curriculum are integrated to develop a complete approach to the delivery of primary patient care.
• A continually evolving didactic curriculum that provides students with new modes of learning experiences that supplement the traditional lecture format.  Among these are:

• small-group critical-thinking sessions
• half-day clinical experiences
• simulated patient encounters
• stress management seminars
• student/faculty feedback sessions

• Utilizes technologies in medical education including computer-based learning modules, video teleconferences, and on-line testing.

• Clinical Year:

• The clinical portion begins with the subsequent summer semester and includes nine five-week clinical rotations in the following specialties:

• Behavioral Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Family Practice
• Internal Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Surgery
• Women’s Health
• Elective

• A full-time off-campus experience which allows students to develop their clinical skills under the supervision of physicians and other allied health personnel.
• Students work in a variety of clinical sites, including private practices and hospitals; in a variety of locations - from rural family practices to inner-city clinics to major medical centers.  The majority of clinical sites are in Pennsylvania and the surrounding states; however, rotations are available in various locations within the U.S. and abroad.
• Includes a Transition to Practice course that is designed to provide a bridge experience for the student who is completing clinical rotations by addressing issues relevant to everyday PA practice. Included within this course is a capstone experience which must be completed at a satisfactory level.
• Housing during the clinical year is the student’s responsibility. Placement at clinical sites may require travel to distant sites.

Admission Criteria

• Prior completion of a Bachelor's degree.
• Prerequisite courses:

• Chemistry (two courses with labs)
• Human Anatomy & Physiology (two courses with labs)
• Microbiology - (with lab)
• Psychology
• Statistics (or upper level math)

• Completion of an application via the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (www.caspaonline.org)
• Competitive applicants have a 3.0 cumulative GPA, as well as a 3.0 average GPA in the following prerequisite courses.
• Health care experience is not required, however it is reviewed with your application material
• On-campus interview (scheduled after receiving an invitation from the Program)

Department of Physician Assistant Sciences

117 Evergreen Drive (104 Sullivan Hall)
Loretto, PA 15940
814-472-3020
Fax: 814-472-3137
Email: paonline@francis.edu
www.francis.edu/BeaPA

About Saint Francis University

Saint Francis University is a comprehensive four-year, co-educational, liberal arts university. The University was founded in 1847 and conducted under the tradition of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular. The University is concerned with the development of each student for the world today.

Saint Francis University is situated on 600 acres in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains of central Pennsylvania. The campus is located in the borough of Loretto.  The campus is six miles from the county seat of Ebensburg. The cities of Johnstown and Altoona are within 25 miles of Loretto and have populations of 35,000 and 55,000 respectively. The University is a 90-minute drive east of Pittsburgh.

Quick Facts about SFU:

• Total Enrollment: 2000
• Student/Faculty Ratio: 14:1
• Campus: 600 acres, 23 buildings
• NCAA Division I Athletics, competing in the Northeast Conference

[Graduate/Professional School]