Physician Assistant Program

Program Contact: Timothy Ferrarotti 203-582-7782

The Physician Assistant program, which leads to a Master of Health Science, educates qualified individuals to be highly skilled licensed healthcare providers who practice team-based medicine in collaboration with physicians, in a number of healthcare facilities ranging from private practices to tertiary care hospitals. This program fosters the development of compassionate and professional healthcare providers who embody the competencies of the PA profession. These competencies include “the effective and appropriate application of medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, systems-based learning as well as an unwavering commitment to continual learning, professional growth and the physician-PA team, for the benefit of patients and the larger community being served.” ¹

The vision of the Physician Assistant program at Quinnipiac University is to create a PA workforce that provides high-quality, affordable health care that is accessible to all people in all settings by fostering teamwork, critical-thinking skills, high ethical standards and respect for diverse populations.

Quinnipiac is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) and accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA).

¹

 Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession. National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (2012).

MHS Physician Assistant Program of Study*

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Summer Semester		Credits
PY 503	Principles of Interviewing	3
PY 507	Principles of Electrocardiography	1
PY 508	Diagnostic Methods I	2
PY 521	Human Anatomy	3
PY 521L	Human Anatomy Lab	2
PY 522	PA Success Skills	1
PY 550	Physiology and Pathophysiology for PA	5
	Credits	17
Fall Semester
PY 505	Clinical Pharmacology I	2
PY 506	Principles of Internal Medicine	6
PY 514	Diagnostic Methods II	1
PY 518	Physical Diagnosis	3
PY 518L	Physical Diagnosis Lab	1
PY 520L	Clinical Decision Making	1
PY 572	Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases	3
	Credits	17
Spring Semester
PY 504	History, Roles and Responsibilities of the PA	1
PY 509	Principles of Obstetrics and Gynecology	3
PY 510	Principles of Pediatrics	3
PY 511	Principles of Surgery and Emergency Medicine	4
PY 512	Psychosocial Issues in Health Care	2
PY 513	Behavioral Medicine	3
PY 516	Clinical Pharmacology II	2
	Credits	18
Second Year
Summer Semester
PY 526	Principles of Epidemiology	3
PY 548	Ethics in Health Care Delivery I	2
PY 553	Transition to the Clinical Year	1
PY 652	Medical Writing & Biostatistics for PA	3
	Credits	9
Clinical Rotations
PY 611	Clinical Residency I	3
PY 612	Clinical Residency II	3
PY 613	Clinical Residency III	3
PY 614	Clinical Residency IV	3
PY 615	Clinical Residency V	3
PY 616	Clinical Residency VI	3
PY 617	Clinical Residency VII	3
PY 618	Clinical Residency VIII	3
PY 619	Clinical Residency IX	3
	Credits	27
Third Year
Summer Semester
PY 608	Graduate Seminar	3
PY 676	Comprehensive Examination	2
PY 648	Ethics in Health Care Delivery II	1
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	94

*The curriculum for the Physician Assistant program is subject to modification as deemed necessary to maintain a high-quality educational experience and keep current with best practices in the profession.

In addition to the intensive classroom study during the first year, students are introduced to the clinical application of their training by being paired with a licensed healthcare professional one half day a week. This is designed to facilitate application of the skills and knowledge acquired in the classroom setting to the care of the patient.

PY 611-PY 619: All students must complete seven core rotations (clinical residencies) and two elective rotations. The core rotations are: family medicine/primary care, internal medicine, general surgery, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics and psychiatry. Supplemental electives include a wide variety of medical, surgical and pediatric subspecialties.

Requirements for Graduation

Upon successful completion of the 27-month Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant program, students are granted a Master of Health Science and a certificate of completion as a physician assistant. Students are expected to complete all requirements in 27 months. Students must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Satisfactory completion of the PA curriculum requirements (including academic, clinical, medical writing, clinical logging, professionalism and community service requirements).
2. Satisfactory completion of the PA program core competencies and essential learning outcomes.
3. Satisfactory completion of all PA course requirements.
4. Satisfactory completion of the capstone comprehensive examination.
5. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.00/4.00.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Physician Assistant program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:

1. Medical Knowledge: Demonstrate a knowledge of biomedical and clinical sciences and apply this knowledge to patient care in a variety of clinical setting as an entry-level practitioner.
2. Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Possess the ability to safely and effectively communicate with various populations, including but not limited to other healthcare providers, members of the healthcare team, patients and their families.
3. Patient Care: Be able to provide cost-effective, equitable, high-quality patient care in a variety of settings as an entry-level practitioner.
4. Professionalism: Demonstrate the attributes of a high-quality healthcare provider, and be able to apply an ethical framework in medical decision-making, practice evaluation, and their altruism to their profession, community and society.
5. Practice-Based Learning and Improvement: Be able to evaluate, assess and critically analyze their patient care practices.
6. Systems-Based Practice: Demonstrate an awareness and responsiveness to all aspects of the healthcare system.

Mission Statement

The mission of Quinnipiac University’s Physician Assistant program is to increase access to quality health care through the education and development of caring, knowledgeable and competent physician assistants who are dedicated to:

1. Clinical Competence—Developing highly qualified healthcare providers who demonstrate an investigative and analytic approach to clinical situations and provide care that is effective, safe, high quality and equitable.
2. Professionalism—Providing care with respect, compassion and integrity with a commitment to excellence and ongoing professional development.
3. Interprofessionalism—Preparing students for a team-based care system through interprofessional education. 
4. Leadership—Working effectively with healthcare professionals as a member or leader of a healthcare team or other professional/community group. Mentoring and developing future leaders within the profession and the community.
5. Community Outreach—Demonstrating responsibility and accountability to patients, society and the profession through active community involvement and volunteerism.
6. Cultural Humility—A state of openness toward understanding and respecting important aspects of other people’s cultural identities. This requires an awareness of one’s personal and professional beliefs, biases, attitudes and actions that affect patient care and a commitment to ongoing professional development. (PAEA Core Competencies for New Physician Assistant Graduates, 2019)
7. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion—Demonstrating awareness, acceptance and accountability in creating a diverse, inclusive, equitable and just community, built upon awareness, acceptance, respect and compassion toward others. 

Vision 

To create a PA workforce that provides high quality, affordable health care that is accessible to all people in all settings by fostering teamwork, critical-thinking skills, high ethical and professional standards and respect for diverse populations.

Core Values

The PA program core values reflect a commitment to the ethical concepts that guide the PA profession. They stand as the program’s pledge to the profession as well as the patients, families and communities with which the PA students engage.

These core values include:

Excellence—A commitment to teaching excellence and championing quality, patient-centered, evidence-based health care in an innovative and supportive learning environment that fosters the student’s personal effectiveness.

Accountability—Demonstrating responsibility to students, the university, patients, society and the PA profession utilizing a continuous process improvement system.

Integrity—Honesty and adherence to the highest standards of professional behavior and ethical conduct.

Teamwork and Collaboration—Building respectful partnerships within the university and the community to transform the healthcare system.

Advocacy and Equity—Seeking to eliminate disparities and barriers to effective, quality health care through patient advocacy and advocacy of the PA profession.

Intellectual Curiosity—Exhibiting self-reflection, intellectual curiosity and initiative, critical thinking and the enthusiastic pursuit of lifelong learning within a supportive environment that encourages research and scholarly work.

Wellness — Promoting an environment of personal health and wellness and mindfulness in the care of self and others.

Admission

The Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant program believes that excellence is inclusive and built upon equity. We recognize that all members of society deserve the best healthcare possible and this is most effectively provided by a diverse healthcare team. The program is committed to admitting qualified individuals using a holistic evaluation. The program seeks students who possess intellectual capacity, personal maturity, communication and interpersonal skills.

Interested students must possess, at a minimum:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a nationally recognized institution
• An overall GPA of at least 3.20 (includes all undergraduate and graduate coursework)
• An overall science GPA of at least 3.20 (includes all undergraduate and graduate science coursework)
• A combined GPA of at least 3.20 on the following required prerequisites:
  • Four semesters of courses in biology (credits must be in mammalian or human biology), including one semester of microbiology with lab and two semesters of human anatomy and physiology with labs.
  • Three semesters of courses in chemistry with labs, including one semester of organic chemistry (with lab) or biochemistry
  • One semester of pre-calculus, calculus or statistics
  • All prerequisites must be completed at a regionally accredited institution in the United States or nationally recognized institution in Canada within ten years of the date of application
  • Prerequisite labs must be completed through an on-campus course (not online)
    • COVID exception (Prerequisite labs that were changed to an online format and completed between the start of Spring 2020 and the end of Fall 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will be accepted. Online labs prior to Spring 2020 or after Fall 2021 will not be accepted.)
• All academic requirements must be completed prior to September 1 of the year of application
• A minimum of 2,000 hours of direct patient care experience in the United States or Canadian healthcare system. The program values the exposure of direct, patient-facing, hands-on healthcare careers rather than those that lack physical contact with patients. Examples of hands-on experiences that we consider toward the minimum 2,000 hours include: EMT/paramedic, certified nurse’s aide, medical assistant, patient care assistant, orthopedic technician, athletic trainer, radiology technologist, respiratory therapist, registered/licensed practical nurse, licensed clinical social worker, surgical technician, pharmacy technician, military medic, physical therapist/aide and occupational therapist/aide. Examples of experiences that we do not recognize toward this include: lab technician, patient transport technician, massage therapist, personal trainer, medical secretary, life coach, lifeguard, and patient sitter. Scribe or clinical research coordinator positions that offer a majority of hands-on patient activities, like those assigned to a medical assistant, do count; scribe and coordinator positions only permitting observation and record-keeping do not.
• Scores from the Acuity Insights Situational Judgement Test (Casper). Repeat applicants must take a new test each year. my.acuityinsights.app/signin
• Scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if the applicant received a bachelor’s degree from a non-English speaking country
• Scores from Graduate Record Examination are not required

The Physician Assistant program is a full-time program. There is no part-time status. The program does not accept: transfer credits, advanced placement to the program, applications for challenge examinations and/or credits for experiential learning. The program does not accept graduates of foreign medical school or domestic medical school programs.

Admission to the program is highly competitive. Applicants not meeting the above requirements are not considered. Candidates are evaluated for the following factors: overall GPA, science GPA, prerequisite courses GPA, academic load, timing of prerequisite courses, direct patient care experience, PA shadowing, community service involvement, leadership activities, quality of narratives, letters of reference, performance on the Casper assessment, evidence of professional memberships and history of scholarly (published) activity. Utilizing this combination of factors, we determine the most qualified individuals to offer personal interviews to (required for admission). Following the interviews, the most qualified applicants based on this holistic evaluation are offered admission.

Quinnipiac University has a designated undergraduate feeder program for the Master of Health Science Physician Assistant program, known as the Entry-Level Master’s Physician Assistant program (ELMPA). Students who have successfully completed all requirements of the ELMPA program will be granted admission to the Master of Health Science Physician Assistant program. These students are required to document a minimum of 1000 hours of direct patient care. Our program has 54 seats available each year and approximately one-half of those spots are reserved for ELMPA program graduates (2020 - 25; 2021 - 33; 2022 - 35, 2023 - 27).

The Quinnipiac Physician Assistant program participates in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Go to caspa.liaisoncas.com for more information regarding the application process and fees. All applications, transcripts, references and other supporting materials are submitted directly to CASPA. Go to my.acuityinsights.app/signin to complete the Acuity Insights Situational Judgement Test (Casper). Note that these tests are offered only on certain dates and it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure the tests are completed prior to the application deadline, September 1. Applicants may contact Acuity Insights, CASPA or the Office of Graduate Admissions for more information.

PA Program Technical Standards

The Physician Assistant program is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in the program. The PA certificate/master of health science degree signifies that the holder is prepared for entry into the practice of medicine. It follows that the graduate PA student must have the skills and knowledge to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. The technical standards set forth by the physician assistant program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills and competencies of the physician assistant profession as well as to meet the expectations of the program’s accrediting agency:

Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA)

3325 Paddocks Parkway, Suite 345
Suwanee, Georgia 30024
Phone: 770-476-1224
Fax: 470-253-8271

All students entering the graduate Physician Assistant program at Quinnipiac University must be able to meet the established abilities and expectations of the PA program technical standards. Students must possess ability, aptitude and skills in the following areas: observation, communication, motor, intellectual-conceptual-integrative, behavioral, social and physical. PA students must be able to meet the requirements and worker attributes of a physician assistant as defined by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration’s Occupational Information network (O*NET) Handbook. In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, they will not be admitted or may be dismissed from the program.

Students matriculating into the PA program are required to verify they understand and meet the technical standards. Verification of understanding includes the student reading, thoroughly reviewing with their medical provider, signing and returning a copy of the Technical Standards Agreement to the program prior to arrival on campus in the summer semester.

A listing of the technical standards for the PA program can be found on the program’s website. Both the student and medical provider must sign the document and return it to the PA program prior to the start of class.

Background Check and Drug Screen

To ensure their safety and maintain high quality care of patients, clinical affiliates of the university require students to have a criminal background check. All students entering the Quinnipiac University PA program are required to undergo a criminal background check (through the university vendor) prior to beginning classes and prior to beginning the clinical year. Students are required to obtain a drug screen prior to entry into the pre-clinical experience and again prior to the clinical phase. These are mandatory components of the program. In addition, PA students may be required to undergo a criminal background re-check and/or a drug screen prior to any of their clinical rotations. The results are made available to the student through their own personal and secure online portal. Whenever a Quinnipiac PA student may need proof of criminal background check for pre-clinical clerkships or clinical rotations, the student will release the information directly from their personal portal to the clinical site. The cost of the criminal background check and any re-checks and/or drug screens is the responsibility of each individual student.

Modifications

The curricular and other requirements for the professional courses in the program are subject to modification as deemed necessary to maintain a high-quality educational experience and keep current with best practices in the profession.

Additional Program Costs

The Physician Assistant program requires some expenses that go beyond standard university tuition and fees. Most of these costs can be included in your financial aid requests and awards. Some of these costs include:

Miscellaneous Costs

The following items are “miscellaneous” components of the Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant Program. Please note that these items have been budgeted for as part of the estimated budget for the program, which is submitted to the federal government. It is from this estimated budget that federal student loans are determined. The program would like to remind students of these miscellaneous costs and fees since they are not listed as a specific line item, but included with other items in your proposed QU PA program budget.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

The Quinnipiac PA Program requires all its students to join the Connecticut Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. The work of both organizations has made the PA profession what it is today and both continue to advocate for improvements in PA practice and patient care. The cost of both memberships has been factored into student budgets and financial aid packages. 

IMMUNIZATIONS/HEALTH INSURANCE:

All students must provide proof of immunizations and complete required screenings and health assessments upon admission into the program and at various time throughout the program. Costs: variable (the student should check with their insurance carrier).

Students must have health insurance throughout their time at the program and must show proof of healthcare coverage. Health/medical insurance is offered through the university’s insurance agent; students may enroll or opt out of this coverage. Details are sent to students upon acceptance into the program.

LIABILITY INSURANCE:

All students have liability insurance coverage through the university, free of charge, while performing required clinical activity. Students may choose to purchase additional coverage at their own expense.

COPYING COSTS:

Tuition and fees at Quinnipiac University do not include copying costs. The program provides electronic copies of the PA Program Student Handbook, Clinical Rotation Handbook and course syllabi. In addition, numerous lectures/notes and other resources are posted on Blackboard. If the student desires a printed copy of any program resources it is their responsibility to incur the associated costs. The estimated cost of photocopying/printing is $0.07 per page.

BASIC LIFE SUPPORT AND ADVANCED CARDIAC LIFE SUPPORT:

Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) are required by the Quinnipiac University PA Program prior to entering the clinical phase of a student’s training. Students must have both BLS and ACLS certification that is valid through the end of their second year (the clinical year). Students may choose to attend training set up by the QU PA Program or a self-arranged training as long as it meets the requirements as outlined by the QU PA Program. The estimated cost of the ACLS program is $250-$350. This cost is figured into the overall estimated PA program budget and is NOT included in the student tuition and fees. The course is offered on site, at the university and is taught by certified instructors. Each year there are a minimum number of registrants necessary in order for the course to be held. If there are not enough students registered by the deadline, it is left up to the students to secure their own training at another facility. Once in the program, all students must provide documentation of successful completion of BLS and ACLS by a specified due date or they cannot go to or continue in clinical rotations. Students do not need to provide proof of BLS and ACLS certification upon entering the program. 

Background Checks:

All students entering the PA Program will be required to have an initial background check through the university-approved vendor (Exxat). The PA Program will also require a background recheck and a drug screen prior to entering the clinical year. Additionally, certain clinical rotation sites may require an additional check prior to the student rotating at their institution.

The approximate cost for the initial background check is $63 for all domestic addresses for the past seven years or $158 for students who have resided in New York State in the last seven years due to NY state surcharge. After the initial background check, the cost for each recheck required is $32 (or more for NY state residents).

DRUG SCREENING:

Students may be required to obtain a drug screen prior to entry into the pre-clinical experience and will be required to obtain a drug screen prior to entry into the clinical phase, and periodically thereafter at the request of clinical sites, during the graduate program. Cost: $43.25

EXXAT Compliance Software:

Students will be required to pay for the initial fee (approximately $35.00) and yearly continuance ($10.00) for the Exxat APPROVE vendor, which the university uses to manage the health requirements. The system allows for completion and compliance checks, storage and distribution of the students’ health requirements without involvement of the program. The prices are subject to change.

EXXAT PRISM:

Exxat is the community service, pre-clinical and clinical tracking and assessment program used by the School of Health Sciences. The cost is a one-time payment of $150 per student (students are responsible for this cost).

CLINICAL EDUCATION TRAVEL (ex: gas, parking, public transportation):

Costs for transportation, vehicle maintenance, parking, travel and housing are the responsibility of the student. Costs: variable

CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION COSTS:

Upon successful the completion of the program (after graduation), students will be eligible to register for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), administered through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Students may register for this during the final months of the program and are responsible for the registration fees associated with the exam.

OTHER COSTS:

Students that have a delayed graduation (“late finishers”) may incur additional costs and fees.

There may be other costs associated with the Graduate PA program. Information regarding tuition and fees can be found on the program’s website

Accreditation

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Physician Assistant program sponsored by Quinnipiac University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA standards.

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2023. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the accreditation standards and ARC-PA policy.

Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (arc-pa.org) 
3325 Paddocks Parkway, Suite 345
Suwanee, Georgia 30024
Phone: 770-476-1224
Fax: 470-253-8271