The South University-Richmond PA program teaches basic medical theories and ideas and equips students with the information, abilities, and attitudes required to work under the direction of a physician as respected members of the healthcare team.
Physician assistants carry out tasks related to medicine such as evaluation, monitoring, diagnostics, treatments, counseling, and referral, among others. State legislation, the clinical setting, and the physician assistant’s training all affect the practice’s scope. Physician assistants are allowed to prescribe and/or dispense medication in numerous states. After completing the MS in Physician Assistant program at South University’s Richmond campus, students will be well-prepared to carry out their anticipated competences in an ethical, legal, safe, and efficient manner.
Cost of South University-Richmond PA program
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) degree’s expected cost of attendance (effective October 1, 2022)
- $10,550.00 every three months
- Cost of instruction: $94,950.00
Fees necessary for the MSPA degree;
- Acceptance Fee: $1000 (Non-Refundable; Used Towards Tuition).
- $225 in registration fees ($25 per term)
- Cost of graduation: $125.00
- Student membership costs for the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) are $70.00. (One-time Fee)
Other Projected MSPA Degree Costs:
- $1,100 for professional instruments (Approximate)
- $2,610.00 (or $15 per credit hour) for textbooks
- $3,480.00 ($20 per credit hour) technology fee
- $55.00 for surgical scrubs (Approximate)
- $1,500 for a laptop computer and privacy screen.
- Background check cost: $200 to $400 (Additional fees may apply to the base package fee contingent upon credentialing requirements of the hospital.)
- Fees for State Associations: $75.00 ($25 annually)
- BLS approved by the American Heart Association: $100 (Approximate)
Total Projected for the MSPA Degree:
- Cost of instruction: $104,695
Changes may be made to the tuition and fees. Both in-state and out-of-state residents must pay the same tuition. When a student is accepted, their acceptance fee is applied against their tuition; it is not refundable. The cost will not be returned if a student declines to enroll after accepting.
South University-Richmond PA Program Application Process
Admissions process for the Master in Science Physician Assistant program (MSPA);
- The South University-Richmond PA program requires formal application evaluation and interviewing to be admitted. Through the “Central Application Service for Physician Assistants” candidates can apply to the program (CASPA).
- The South University campus(es) to which their application should be submitted inside the CASPA system must be precisely specified by applicants.
- To be considered by any of the South University campuses, an application must be filed through CASPA. Every year in April, the application period for the January start will open. Every year, on August 1st, the CASPA application portal must have all application materials finished
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Prerequisites Courses
Prior to submitting their application for the South University-Richmond PA program, candidates must successfully complete all necessary courses mentioned below at a U.S. college or university that has received regional accreditation with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite courses from a college or university in the United States that has received regional accreditation may be completed in-person, online, or both.
REQUIRED:
- PHYSIOLOGY AND ANATOMY
- IHUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I&Ii WITH LAB
NO COURSES WILL BE ACCEPTED IN PLACE OF HUMAN ANATOMY WITH LAB OR HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY WITH LAB TO COMPLETE THIS REQUIREMENT.
- OVERALL BIOLOGY (LAB RECOMMENDED)
- General Biology, II (LAB RECOMMENDED)
- IMMUNOLOGY, MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, CELL BIOLOGY, GENETICS, GENERAL CHEMISTRY, AND LABS
- GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (LAB)
- ADVANCED GENERAL CHEMISTRY II WITH LAB EXPERIENCE
- ECOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
- BIOCHEMISTRY
Unless explicitly created for science majors, prerequisite courses with titles like “Essentials of,” “Survey of,” or “Introductory to,” is typically thought of as less competitive.
Science majors should take basic science courses. A lab is suggested but not needed for the General Biology and Biochemistry courses.
Prerequisite requirements will only be accepted for courses with an associated lab (excluding General Biology, Biochemistry, and Organic Chemistry). In the case that a required course does not offer a laboratory, applicants may ask the program to waive the lab requirement for that course. The Admissions Committee has the power to allow course or lab replacements. If they do, applicants should be prepared to provide supporting materials, such as course descriptions but not exclusively.
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant program at South University accepts Advanced Placement (AP) course credit. Taking and passing an AP course counts as one course credit toward finishing the corresponding required subject. The applicant’s cumulative or prerequisite GPA is calculated without taking into account grades obtained in AP courses.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit is not accepted by the South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant program for any prerequisite requirements.
The South University-Richmond PA program do not accept transfer credits from other schools for this profession, nor do they provide enrolled students a credit waiver (i.e., advanced placement) for any part of the necessary curricular material. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant program at South University requires all students to pass every course.
Eligibility of South University-Richmond PA program
The basic requirements for those interested in applying to the South University-Richmond PA program are as follows:
- A obtained bachelor’s degree from a U.S. university with regional accreditation is required of applicants.
- The applicant’s overall GPA must be 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), as determined by the CASPA service (including undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate coursework). Those with an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher will receive preference.
- According to the CASPA service, applicants must have a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (BCP) science. Priority will be given to applicants with a prerequisite (BCP) GPA of 3.15 or higher.
- Candidates must use the South University PA program code 7147 to submit their GRE general exam results directly to the CASPA service. The 50th percentile or higher in both the quantitative and verbal reasoning sections of the GRE will be given preference.
- On the CASPA application, at least three letters of recommendation must be provided.
A physician (MD/DO), physician assistant, or nurse practitioner who the candidate has worked or shadowed and who is unrelated must provide at least one reference on the CASPA application. Competitive consideration is given to compelling, clearly stated, and unambiguous letters attesting to the applicant’s drive, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and potential future contribution to healthcare. A letter from a PA is preferred by employers when considering applicants.
Additional Requirements:
- Complete the CASPA online application and upload your GRE results as well as all of your transcripts.
- Official GRE scores must be electronically submitted to CASPA through ETS (Educational Testing Service) using the Richmond program GRE Code: 7147 for the General Test (verbal, quantitative, and written essay). Paper copies cannot be submitted.
- Transcripts should not be sent to South University directly. CASPA should receive transcripts.
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Admissions Selection Criteria
A compulsory interview will be offered to people whose applications are deemed competitive. As a result, applicants who submit their applications earlier in the cycle than those who submit them later are more likely to be granted an interview. When all seats are filled during the admissions round, each program ends its interview process. Not all eligible candidates will be contacted for interviews.
Numerous elements are taken into account when ranking and considering admission candidates. According to the following criteria, applicants are given preference points:
1. Academic success (overall GPA, BCP, GRE).
- The 50th percentile or higher in both the quantitative and verbal reasoning sections of the GRE will be given preference.
- Those with an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher will receive preference.
- Applicants with a prerequisite (BCP) GPA of at least 3.2 will receive preference.
2. The standard of the reference letters.
- Physician Assistant (PA) references are desirable.
- We advise against receiving references from close friends.
3. Excellent direct patient care.
Candidates with clinical expertise involving direct patient care, such as physical therapists, respiratory therapists, EMTs or paramedics, nurses, or certified nursing assistants, are given preference.
Essay.
4. Mentoring and shadowing opportunities with medical professionals.
5. Hours of volunteer work.
6. Your interviewing skills.
The program’s mission and goals are taken into consideration as the admissions committee evaluates an applicant’s evidence of their interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, professionalism, drive, academic potential, communication skills and knowledge of the PA profession and the healthcare system.
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Post-Acceptance & Admission Retainment
The following tasks must be finished by accepted applicants in order to be given permission to matriculate in January:
- Satisfactory report from a criminal background check and drug test
- Medical/Vaccination Requirements
- Medical Insurance Records
- Verifying Baccalaureate Diplomas
- Approved by the “American Heart Association”
- Financial aid applicants must submit an FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form.
The College of Health Professions Background Check Policy and Substance Abuse and Screening Policy must be followed by applicants who wish to be considered for admission to the Physician Assistant program. A student’s ability to later earn license or certification is not ensured by their acceptance into or completion of a South University program.
All students enrolled in the South University-Richmond PA program are responsible for adhering to the matriculation dates and specifications outlined in the campus-specific Enrollment Guide.
Those who are accepted into South University, Richmond’s Physician Assistant program must pay an acceptance fee of $1000, $900 of which is refundable.
FAQs about South University-Richmond PA program
What is the quality of South University’s PA program?
The program maintains a very low attrition rate and a high persistence rate. The Accreditation Review Commission for the Education of the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted the program accreditation, allowing it to accept up to 70 new students each year.
Which major suits PA school the best?
The best majors to take into account while applying to PA schools are biology, biomedical sciences, kinesiology or exercise science, chemistry, and psychology, according to this data alone.
Is it worthwhile to become a PA?
You will always be in demand if you become a physician assistant. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that medical assistants have excellent job prospects. By 2029, 31% more people are predicted to work in this field. This profession is growing its workforce more quickly than the norm.
What is the PA’s highest annual salary?
Up to $252,000 a year can be earned in the finest physician assistant positions. In both routine and urgent situations, physician assistants, or PAs, operate in hospitals and medical offices.
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