Mission Statement
Bethel University's mission is to create opportunities for members of the learning community to develop to their highest potential as whole persons - intellectually, spiritually, socially, and physically, in a Christian environment. It is Bethel University's Physician Assistant Program's specific mission to create opportunities for the members of the learning community interested in health care to ultimately graduate as competent, caring healthcare professionals who practice medicine within an ethical framework grounded in Christian principles.
Accreditation Status
The Bethel University Physician Assistant Program has been granted continued accreditation through the ARC-PA. Graduation from an accredited PA program is the only way to be eligible to sit for the National Certifying Exam (PANCE). For more information regarding the implications of accreditation please visit: www.arc-pa.org .
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies M.S.P.A.S. Degree
The Bethel University Physician Assistant Program will confer a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies upon completion of the 27 month educational program. Our program consists of 12 months of didactic education and 15 months of clinical experience.
Application Procedure
You must complete a CASPA application along with a supplemental application to the PA program. CASPA application forms may be requested from www.caspaonline.org (Central Application Service for Physician Assistants) or by calling CASPA at (240) 497-1895. The supplemental application form is available online at www.bethelu.edu/bethelpa. Selected applicants will be interviewed by the admission committee. Following the interview candidates are evaluated by the admission committee to assess their acceptability to the program. Admitted candidates ordinarily have two weeks to respond to the offer of acceptance. A non-refundable fee of $500.00 will secure a spot in the upcoming class.
Admission Information
We will begin the interview process as soon as eligible applications are received from CASPA. Interviews will be offered to qualified applicants and student positions will be offered on a rolling admissions basis. Early application is strongly encouraged. Selection for a place in our PA program is very competitive.
Statistically, the ideal applicant has presented with a 3.0 overall GPA, 1000/3.0 GRE scores, completed 300+ hours of healthcare experience, 100 shadowing hours, and 80 science hours before applying to the program. These applicants have gone on to be very successful PA students. Therefore, we encourage all applicants to have scores similar to the ones mentioned above. Applicants who have scores that deviate significantly from the average will be considered on a case by case basis.
Application Requirements
To apply you should have the following:
Ø Completed CASPA application.
Ø Completed supplemental application and fee received.
Ø A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
Ø Official transcripts from all universities attended. Original transcripts need to go to CASPA and to our program for review.
Ø Three letters of recommendation: Two (2) of your letters of recommendation must be from a PA, MD, DO, or FNP. One (1) letter can be from a university professor or advisor. We do not accept letters of recommendation from family members.
Ø Non-native speakers of English: Achieved TOEFL IBT (internet based testing) scores of at least 87 for non-native speakers of English with the minimum section requirements of: Reading: 21, Speaking: 26, listening: 20, and Writing: 20.
Ø Completion of our nine prerequisite courses.
Ø Completion of GRE and results received by Program.
Pre-requisite course work consists of the following classes:
Ø Two Semesters – General Biology (or equivalent)
Ø Two Semesters – General Chemistry (or equivalent)
Ø Two Semesters – Human A & P
Ø One Semester – Microbiology or Bacteriology
Ø One Semester – General Psychology
Ø One Semester - Genetics
General Information
Students may apply before the completion of some pre-requisite courses but should inform the university as to when and where the needed course(s) will be taken. Such candidates may gain conditional acceptance.
No prerequisites older than 5 years will be accepted unless you have been employed full time in the health care field since completion of those prerequisites.
Advanced placement is not possible.
There is no credit for experiential learning.
No Physician Assistant credits from another institution may be transferred into the didactic or clinical years. BUPAP students must complete the entire program at Bethel University.
An applicant who possesses a degree from an accredited institution outside of the US may also be considered for admission. These students must have their transcript verified and translated by an approved organization (such as World Education Service) and should meet all other requirements.
Acceptance into the BUPA Program is provisional pending:
- Completion of all application requirements.
- Completion of all outstanding prerequisite coursework with a grade of "B" or better.
- Attended a personal interview. (By invitation only)
- Receipt of acceptance letter and non-refundable acceptance deposit.
- Proof of health insurance. All students are required to maintain health insurance for the duration of the program.
- Receipt of negative drug screen and a background check indicating no prior convictions that would result in failure to obtain medical licensure.
- Completion of physical examination and immunizations prior to matriculation.
- No history of dismissal from another PA, medical, or nursing program for academic or disciplinary reasons.
Averages of Incoming Class
The following is an overview of averages for the class that began in January, 2011. This information may be used by applicants to help assess their application. Please note that these are AVERAGES. We evaluate each application on its own merit. Admission is based on academic achievement, high quality performance in science and/or health-care related courses, demonstrated motivation and professional potential, and strong interpersonal skills. Admission committee decisions are final.
Cumulative GPA – 3.3
Healthcare Experience – 5500 hours
Shadowing Hours – approximately 200
Science Hours – 82
Average Age – 27
GRE Scores – 1050/4.0
Recommended Courses Consist of the Following Classes
Biochemistry
Organic Chemistry
Cell Biology
Pharmacology
Immunology
Introductory Statistics or Critical Thinking
Additional Selection Factors
The following applicants have a slight advantage: Applicants having shadowed a physician assistant and applicants with significant healthcare experience. Healthcare and/or shadowing experience provides students with an awareness of the intricacies of the health care delivery system as it exists today and provides information that enables them to realistically commit themselves to a profession that helps the sick and injured. (The Additional selection factors assist in evaluating an applicant for admission and do not guarantee admission to the PA Program.)
Deadline
CASPA will begin accepting applicationsin April, 2012 and will continue to accept applications until September 1, 2012. You must have all required forms and documentation to the BethelUniversity Physician Assistant Program by October 1, 2012. If received after October 1,your application may not be reviewed and youmay not be considered for the entering class. APPLYEARLY.
Dates to Remember
· April 15 – start applying to CASPA
· September 1 – deadline to apply to CASPA
· October 1 – deadline to have all materials to Program (example: original transcripts, supplemental application, etc.)
· May - October – interviews will be conducted
· January – classes begin
Tuition, Fees, and Expenses
Tuition and fees are determined on a yearly basis by the University’s Board of Trustees. The University reserves the right to change tuition and fees at any time without prior notice.
Tuition
Tuition is based on full-time studies and covers our 27 month program. Tuition is $63,700.00 or $9,100.00 per semester. (Note: our program consists of 7 semesters.)
Fees and Expenses
$70 graduation fee
$4000.00 for lab coats, books,medical equipment, malpractice insurance, TAPA Annual Conference fee, BLS and ACLS certifications, additional drug screen and immunization updates before beginning clinicals, and any other fees deemed necessary by the Program.
Medical Equipment
Students must purchase a stethoscope before classes begin. This is the only medical equipment that students are required to purchase.
Health Insurance
It is mandatory that all students have health insurance while enrolled in our program. This health insurance must be maintained through the entirety of our program. You must provide proof of medical insurance coverage before enrollment, and you must be able to provide proof that you are maintaining that insurance at any time you are asked during your enrollment in the program.
Additional expenses that may occur during enrollment in the BUPAP 27-month program are the responsibility of the student. This may include but is not limited to traveling to assigned clinical sites, lodging, meals, etc. At this time, BUPAP does not provide housing for students during clinical rotations. There may be reduced cost housing available at some, but not all sites. Rotations will typically be anywhere within 150 miles of Bethel University and the student is expected to incur the expense of travel to and from the rotation site, lunch and/or housing. Please plan for these additional expenses ahead of time.
Academic Standards
Students in the BUPAP graduate program must maintain at least a B average (80%) in each course during their didactic year in order to progress to the clinical year. Students must act professionally to everyone at all times while maintaining patient and practice confidentiality. Breaches of professional conduct may result in dismissal from the program.
Grading System
Grades are assigned by the program on the following:
a. Individual exams, practicum, check offs, etc.
i. You will find specific information in your course syllabi.
b. Grading System:
i. 4.0 A- Excellent (90-100)
ii. 3.0 B - Good (80-89)
Any grade below 80% (3.0) received by a student of the Bethel University PA Program is considered a failing grade.
Remediation and Academic Probation
· Students must maintain a class average of 80% or greater at all times, if the running average falls below 84% in any course, the student will be placed on academic probation for the remainder of the semester. This insures early recognition of deficiencies in knowledge and/or skills.
· After a student obtains a second academic probation in a semester the student will need to see the promotions/retention/disciplinary committee to discuss their future in the program.
· If a student earns a grade of less than 78% on any test/exam, they must meet with the primary course instructor to discuss their study habits and receive additional study material and review the exam- this is “remediation”
· Students will be allowed to remediate 2 times per course per semester or 5 times total before meeting with the promotions/retention/disciplinary committee to discuss their future in the program.
· During the didactic phase, if a student fails a course, then a comprehensive make-up exam may be offered to allow the student to demonstrate proficiency in the course and correct any deficiencies in knowledge and skills.
· The final comprehensive exam grade will be averaged as 50% of the total final grade for the course.
· There is no guarantee that the promotion/retention/disciplinary committee will offer this option. It is at the committee’s discretion based on a review of the student’s overall performance in the program, including academic and professional performance.
Technical Standards
A candidate for the Physician Assistant Program at Bethel University must have abilities and skills in five categories: observation, communication, sensory/motor, intellectual, and behavioral/social. Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but a candidate must be able to perform in an independent manner. The use of a trained intermediary is not acceptable in many clinical situations, in that it implies that a candidate’s judgment must be mediated by someone else’s power of selection and observation. Furthermore, it is expected that the student will meet the technical standards throughout the duration of the program of study. It is incumbent on the student to notify the Program immediately if they are unable to meet one of the standards. The following skills are required with or without accommodation.
Observation: Candidates must have sufficient sensory capacity to observe in the lecture hall, the laboratory, the outpatient setting, and the patient’s bedside. Sensory skills adequate to perform physical examination are required. Functional vision, hearing, and tactile sensation must be adequate to observe a patient’s condition and to elicit information through procedures regularly required in a physical exam, such as inspection, auscultation and palpation. A candidate must be able to: observe a patient accurately, at a distance, and close at hand, with or without standard medical instrumentation; acquire information from written documents, and visualize information as presented in images from computer screens, paper, film, slides, or video. This includes, but is not limited to, information conveyed through physiologic and pharmacological demonstrations in animals, microbiological cultures and microscopic images of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states. In any case where a candidate’s ability to observe or acquire information through these sensory modalities is compromised, the candidate must demonstrate alternate means and/or abilities to acquire and demonstrate the essential information conveyed in this fashion. If the alternatives are acceptable, it is expected that obtaining and using such alternate means and/or abilities shall be the responsibility of the student.
Communication: Candidates must be able to communicate effectively in both academic and health care settings. A candidate must be able to speak, to hear, and to observe patients by sight in order to elicit information; describe changes in mood, activity and posture; and perceive nonverbal communication. Candidates must show evidence of effective written and verbal communication skills.
Sensory & Motor: The ability to participate in basic diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers and procedures (e. g. palpation, auscultation) is required. Candidates must have sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonably required to provide care to patients. Candidates must be able to negotiate patient care environments, and must be able to move between settings, such as clinic, classroom buildings, and the hospital. Physical stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous course of didactic and clinical study is required. Long periods of sitting, standing, or moving are required in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical areas.
Intellectual: Candidates must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize. Problem solving, one of the critical skills demanded of Physician Assistants, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, candidates should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships, and understand medical literature. In order to complete the PA degree, candidates must be able to demonstrate mastery of these skills, and the ability to use them in a timely and often critical fashion in medical problem solving and patient care.