Admission Information
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of North Dakota is a competitive selection process. Each applicant is reviewed individually and evaluated on his/her own merits. The Admission Committee considers the entire application without regard to gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital status or disability. Each candidate is evaluated based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, academic strength and prior academic performance, completion of prerequisite coursework, quality of past health care experience, written personal statement, references, character, communication skills, demonstrated concern for others, and motivation for a career in medicine. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee progression in the application process.
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Admission Emphasis
The admission requirements are consistent with the Program mission to prepare competent PAs to serve primary care in rural and/or underserved areas. Along with the mission, the goal is to improve access to healthcare, help alleviate shortages of primary care providers and deliver comprehensive, affordable health care services to the people of rural and/or underserved populations. Consequently, acceptance is on a competitive basis with emphasis on the proven adult learner with recent clinical health care experience and an insight and inclination to meet the Program mission. The UND PA Program seeks applicants with:
Extensive clinical experience including:
- background and potential for a career as a clinical PA serving the mission of the UND Program
- understanding of the Physician Assistant role
- levels of previous clinical healthcare experience that involves critical thinking and decision making
- evidence of effective health care team effectiveness
- strong references from physicians and other clinical supervisors
Strong academic preparation including:
- solid achievement in undergraduate coursework
- strong performance in prerequisite coursework
- ability to learn in an adult learner model, accelerated environment
Dedication and experience with rural (<25,000 population) and underserved populations including:
- prior clinical healthcare experience with rural and underserved populations
- residence in rural and/or underserved geographic areas
- potential to work as a PA with rural and/or underserved populations
Clinical healthcare experiences involving direct patient care are evaluated on an individual basis. Past disciplines within the UND PA Program have been, but are not limited to: RN, respiratory therapist, chiropractor, physical therapist, radiologic technologist and paramedic. Due to the accelerated and intense nature of the educational program, competitive applicants generally have many years of clinical healthcare experience with direct patient care in a variety of settings with a high level of patient responsibility and critical thinking. Areas of clinical healthcare experiences which are not acceptable would include, but not limited to the following: administrative assistant, hospital/clinic receptionist, phlebotomist, hospital chaplain, personal trainer, medical assistant, social work, CNA, EMT, LPN, dental hygienist and massage therapist. Although these disciplines are certainly valuable to the practice of medicine, clinical healthcare experiences which lack high level direct patient care and decision making responsibilities do not prepare students for successful completion of the accelerated program or the professional board exam.
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Admission Requirements
ALL OF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE OF OCTOBER 1ST, 2012.
Clinical Preparation (see details in previous admission information section)
- Current professional licensure, registration, or certification in a clinical healthcare field with evidence of continued medical education throughout professional employment
- A minimum of three years of full-time clinical healthcare experience in one’s field of certification/licensure. Hours accrued in a training program are not eligible. This ensures foundational knowledge and skills needed for successful completion of this program. Not all health care positions will provide the appropriate required experience. In addition to previous requirements, any student graduating from a professional health care program outside of the US must have a minimum of 3 years of clinical healthcare experience within the US to ensure understanding and insight into the US health care system.
Academic Preparation
- BA or BS degree, preferable in a health related area. (This four-year bachelor's degree (equivalent of 125 semester credits) must be from a recognized college or university. For U.S. degrees, the institution must be accredited by one of the following six regional accrediting associations: MSA; NASC; NCA; NEASC-CIHE; SACS-CC; or WASC-Sr. Applicants with a three-year bachelor's degree must complete the equivalent of one year of post-baccalaureate work).
- GPA of 2.75 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in undergraduate work, or more recent transcripts showing improvement. If GPA is lower, an applicant may be accepted, but would be admitted under Provisional Status within the Graduate School.
- Eligible prerequisite coursework each must be at a 200 level (sophomore) or higher with achievement of a “B” as minimum grade and be completed within the United States.
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology within 10 years of the application deadline
Note: If a combined course such as Human Anatomy and Physiology, 2 full semesters are required (preferably with lab)
- Comprehensive (must cover all body systems) Pharmacology within 5 years of the application deadline
- Minimum of one science course within 5 years of the application deadline; recommended courses include general microbiology, pathophysiology, genetics or biochemistry. (This prerequisite could be met if one of the courses listed above is within 5 years of the application deadline.)
Note: Additional coursework beyond the minimum academic preparation requirements will strengthen an application, especially if the additional courses are highly correlated with medicine. Assistive supplementary coursework would also include basic statistics and technical writing.
Additional Requirements
- Completion of a successful interview
- Written personal statement
- Three professional letters of reference ideally from health care professionals such as physicians and other clinical supervisors
- Additional personal and non-cognitive criteria include:
- willingness to assume responsibility for own education
- willingness to accomplish a successful role transition from experienced clinician to physician assistant student
- evidence of professional role development in clinical decision making, communication and leadership
- sensitivity, enthusiasm, confidence, motivation and sincerity/honesty
- diversity of life experience
- success in overcoming adversity
- aptitude for continued learning
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score submission required of all non-native speakers of English as indicated by the UND Graduate School. For additional information on international student requirements, access the graduate school website: The Graduate School | The University of North Dakota
As a student of the University of North Dakota and prior to matriculation into the Physician Assistant Program at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, students will be required to complete a health screening and a criminal background check (CBC). The health screening process is conducted by Student Health Services. Information can be found on their website: Forms | Student Health | Health & Wellness | The University of North Dakota Information regarding the criminal background check requirements can be found on a link on the PA Program website: Physician Assistant Program | UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences Cost of the CBC and health screening are the responsibility of the student. If a student declines to undergo the health screening or background check or if findings of a grievous nature are revealed, the offer of admission may be revoked.
North Dakota residents as well as residents from the surrounding states of Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota are given admissions preference, although well-qualified out of state applicants are also readily accepted. International applicants are encouraged to apply as long as the coursework and health care experience requirements are met as written above. Additional information for admission to the Graduate School at the University of North Dakota are located on their website: Admissions-International | New | Graduate Students | The Graduate School | The University of North Dakota
The Physician Assistant Program of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences (UNDSMHS) has a responsibility to society to graduate the best possible future Physician Assistants. All graduates of the Program must have knowledge, skills, and capacities to function in a wide variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. Academic and technical standards for matriculation, promotion, and graduation from the UND PA Program are available http://www.med.und.edu/physicianassistant/standards.html.
Please note that decisions of the Admission Committee are not appealable and Acceptance into the UND PA Program and successful completion of the program does not imply or guarantee that the student will be able to pass the national certification exam or obtain state licensure upon graduation.
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Preceptor Requirements
- An arrangement with a licensed physician (MD or DO) who is willing to serve as the primary clinical preceptor to the student during the clinical portion of the program. Clinical medical practice must be in primary care/family medicine or general internal medicine. If internal medicine, a pediatric co-preceptor will be required. Preference is given to clinical sites in rural (<25,000 population) and/or underserved populations. More information regarding preceptor requirement noted below.
ALL OF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE OF OCTOBER 1ST, 2012.
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Advanced Standing
The University of North Dakota Physician Assistant Program does not accept transfer students from other PA programs. Advanced standing and transfer of credits is not allowed.
Ordinarily, credit for experiential learning is not allowed. This is because each course builds on the previous course. The only area in which a student is allowed to supplement previous experience is in the accomplishment of certain identified clinical skills. This is further defined when the student begins PA 540, Primary Care I.
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Student Work Policy
The PA Program is an intensive 24 month program. During the first two semesters of on-line courses, the student may continue working on a part-time basis if it does not interfere with the student's ability to complete the required coursework. During the remainder of the Program, employment which interferes with the student's ability to meet this requirement is not allowed. After the initial two semesters, the faculty strongly advises against outside employment while a student in the PA Program.
At no time are students asked or allowed to do administrative or clerical work for the Program.
Students may not be substituted for paid employees in the clinical settings.
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Tuition and Other Expenses
Tuition for the 2012/2014 class is $33,948. Tuition rates are subject to legislative and state board of higher education guidelines and are based on funding availability adjusted on a semester basis. Currently, tuition is divided equally into 6 semesters spanning across the curriculum.
Not included in the tuition are other University fees (about $650 per spring and per fall semester), books, and required equipment. All students are required to have a lap top computer with specific hardware and software. Details on obtaining computer specifications will be available later in the admission cycle.
If after the telephone interview, a preprogram site visit is recommended, there is a one-time fee of $150-$200. (The applicant is not required to come to campus for an interview; rather, a member of core faculty goes to the applicant’s home site to interview the applicant, the proposed primary preceptor, and tour the clinical site). If accepted into the program, there is a non-refundable program fee of $200.
Dislocation costs such as lodging and food while on campus run approximately $1500 per didactic depending on student personal needs. This does not include travel costs to and from ND or to areas of clinical learning sites if outside one's home area.
Upon completion of the Program, there is a fee to take the National Certification Exam. At present the cost of that exam is $475.
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Criminal Background Check
A Criminal Background Check is required of each student after acceptance into the program. Most hospitals, nursing homes, and medical practices require this of anyone working with patients. The UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences has an agreement with Verified Credentials, Inc. to perform this check. The student is responsible for the cost of this service. (At present, the cost is $60). Upon acceptance into the program, the student will be given information on completing this requirement.
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