Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
College of Health Sciences and Education
Department Chair and Program Director Erin Burns Kilduff, MSPAS, PA-C
Accreditation Statement
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has issued the following Accreditation statement to the MU PA Program on October 18, 2022:
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Misericordia 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remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards.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 2032. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-misericordia-university/
Faculty
Department Chair and Program Director: Erin Burns Kilduff, MSPAS, PA-C, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, BS Marywood University; MSPAS Kings College
Nehal Aleemuddin, Medical Director for Physician Assistant Studies, MD Xavier University School of Medicine
Didactic Director: Nicole M. Munley, MSPAS, PA-C, Assistant Professor, MSPAS Kings College
Clinical Director: Lindsey Vigilante, MSPAS, PA-C, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, BS, MSPAS Marywood University
Principal Faculty Member: Samantha Burk, MSPAS, PA-C, Assistant Professor, MSPAS Salus University
Principal Faculty Member: Jessica Frawley Woolfolk, MSPAS, PA-C, Clinical Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, MSPAS Kings College
Principal Faculty Member: Amy Flaherty, MSPAS, PA-C, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, MSPAS Kings College
Principal Faculty Member: Justine Samanas, PhD, PA-C, Psych-CAQ, Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, MSPAS Kings College, Ph-D Marywood University
Program Description
The Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program is a 25-month, year-round Graduate Program that starts in July. The didactic year (first year), is composed of 22 medical and clinical science courses that prepare students to enter the clinical year. The program curriculum prepares students to provide patient-centered care and collegially work on collaborative medical teams in an interprofessional environment. The curriculum establishes a strong foundation in health information technology and evidence-based medicine and emphasizes the importance of remaining current with the changing nature of clinical practice. During the clinical year, students must successfully complete 8 supervised clinical experiences and a summative evaluation course. Each experience has been designed with rotation-specific course topics, including Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, Women’s Health, Emergency Medicine, and an Elective. Instructional objectives were created to complement and guide the PA student to achieve each course’s learning outcomes and prepare students for clinical practice.
The Program curriculum has been designed to support students’ achievement of the mission and goals of the program and program competencies. Program competencies have been developed to align with professional standards put forth by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Competencies are the medical knowledge, interpersonal, clinical, and technical skills, professional behaviors, clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities required for PA practice. Each student who successfully completes the Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program is required to possess the skills, characteristics and attributes listed in the program competencies.
Our Program team consists of experienced PAs, physicians, a pharmacologist, a professor of anatomy, a pathophysiologist, and inter-professional collaborators. We have devoted much time and attention to the development of a PA program that is rooted in sound biomedical concepts and clinical practice. The program fosters and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion to prepare our students to provide service to others that is not exclusionary of any group, race, or culture.
Together, the didactic and clinical curriculum totals 105 graduate credits. Students who successfully complete the program are awarded a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree. Misericordia University Physician Assistant Studies Graduates are eligible to take the PANCE for certification.
Mission Statement
“The Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program strives to attract intellectually talented and caring students who will be educationally transformed and mentored to become competent and compassionate Physician Assistants.”
Program Competencies
Expectations of Graduates
Each student who successfully completes the Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program is expected to possess the following skills, characteristics and attributes. The expectations have been developed to align with professional standards put forth by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
- Demonstrate the biomedical knowledge required to care for patients seeking services for preventive, emergent, acute, and chronic healthcare during any stage in a patient’s lifespan.
- Demonstrate an ability to elicit an appropriate and essential medical history from any patient, as based upon presenting complaint, co-morbid conditions, age, gender, race and socio-economic position.
- Demonstrate the psychomotor skills necessary to complete a full or problem focused physical examination, as may be required in preventive, emergent, acute, or chronic care settings.
- Demonstrate the ability to gather and analyze patient care data effectively, leading to the development of differential diagnoses and effective clinical decision making.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop appropriate and complete diagnostic evaluations.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to develop treatment management plans for patients seeking care in preventive, emergent, acute, and chronic care settings.
- Demonstrate communication skills that support the delivery of sound patient education to diverse populations in such a manner that facilitates patient understanding.
- Possess the skills necessary to develop and maintain medical records that will support inter-professional communication and minimize errors in care delivery.
- Provide clinical procedures and testing in a safe and competent manner, as may be required in preventive, emergent, acute, and chronic care settings.
- Apply evidenced based medicine concepts in an effort to improve patient outcomes and patient understanding of the care that they receive.
- Adhere to the “Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession”, established by the American Academy of Physician Assistants. (www.aapa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/16-EthicalConduct.pdf)
Technical Standards for Admission & Successful Academic Progression
Misericordia University is committed to creating an environment where all are welcome and does not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, educational process, or treatment of students. In the spirit of hospitality and justice, we comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended. In order to receive services, students must self-identify their disability and provide documentation from a healthcare professional. Eligibility for accommodations such academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aides is determined through an individualized, interactive process in the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).
The OSD is located in the SSC, on the lower level of Alumnae Hall. Individuals seeking accommodations may call 570-674-6408 or email Kristen Ricardo, Assistant Director SSC/Office for Students with Disabilities at [email protected].
The following are required of all individuals who seek entry into and for successful progression through the Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program. As such, candidates and students must meet the following Technical Standards:
Each Physician Assistant student must possess the following capabilities, with or without accommodations:
General Abilities
Adequate functioning of the senses of vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Each candidate’s and student’s senses must be keen enough to allow for gathering, integrating and analyzing data obtained during physical examinations, and in a consistent and reproducible manner. Additionally, candidates and students must possess the ability to detect temperature differences, pain, pressure, vibration and movement. The ability to gather and analyze such information must be accurate when compared to accepted physical examination standards, and physical findings confirmed by experienced clinicians. Finally, sufficient emotional health and stability is required for exercising good judgment and promptly completing all academic and patient care responsibilities.
Perform Motor Tasks
Students must possess sufficient fine and gross motor control to effectively conduct inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation activities, all of which are required to complete a physical examination. Additionally, all students must possess stable equilibrium, postural control, good motor function, and sound eye – hand coordination, as is necessary to for satisfactory performance in patient care and classroom or laboratory settings, including handling surgical instruments and providing routine and emergent medical procedures. Students must also possess sufficient mental and physical stamina to meet the demands associated with extended periods of sitting, standing, moving, lifting, and physical exertion required for satisfactory performance in patient care, clinical education, and classroom or laboratory settings.
Communicate
Communicate effectively and sensitively with persons of any cultural and social background using appropriate verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills with faculty, peers, other members of the health care team, and patients/clients/caregivers. Read, write, and interpret written and nonverbal communication in a timely manner at a competency level that allows one to safely function in the academic or clinical setting. Answer calls, make calls, and communicate needs on a telephone.
Maintain Safety
Maintain a safe environment for students, faculty, patients, and colleagues. Recognize and respond appropriately and in a timely manner to a medical emergency.
Observation
Students must be able to accurately observe, through vision, hearing, and smell, a patient’s physical and emotional condition, as a means to differentiate between states of good health, acute illness or injury, and chronic illness.
Cognitively Process
Receive, remember, analyze, interpret, evaluate, and synthesize information from multiple sources, in a timely fashion. Attend to multiple tasks throughout the day of scheduled classes and clinical education experiences. Organize and prioritize information to make safe, appropriate, and timely decisions regarding patients for the purpose of further examination, intervention, or referral. Problem solve, recognize deviations from a norm, formulate evaluations, and derive clinical judgments from information collected, in a timely fashion. Observe and accurately interpret patient responses and adjust examination and/or intervention as indicated by the patient response.
Demonstrate Professional and Social Behavior
Students must demonstrate the emotional health and stability that is required to persevere in spite of longs hours of classroom instruction, challenging laboratory settings, unsettling patient care experiences, differences of opinion with peers and instructors, and personal sacrifice. They must demonstrate the flexibility and personal resolve that is necessary to endure long hours of physical and intellectual stress, without demonstration of adverse behavior. Work with multiple patients/families and colleagues at the same time. Work with lab partners, patients, families, and others under stressful conditions, including but not limited to medically or emotionally unstable individuals, situations requiring rapid adaptations, the provision of CPR, or other emergency interventions. Organize and prioritize multiple tasks, integrate information, and make decisions. Adhere to the “Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession”, established by the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
Admission Requirements
The Misericordia University Physician Assistant Program will adhere to a rolling-admission process. You do not need to complete a GRE, GMAT, or MCAT examination to qualify for entry. The Misericordia University Physician Assistant CASPA admission cycle will run from April 25, 2024 to March 1, 2025. Please apply through The Central Application Services for Physician Assistants.
Requirement 1:
Completion of a baccalaureate degree or graduate degree (from a regionally accredited college or university) prior to matriculation.
Foreign Educational Experience
Applicants who intend to use foreign educational experiences and degrees (those obtained outside of the United States), must have their higher education record, including all course work and completed degree(s), evaluated by an organization accredited and licensed to do so.
English Language Proficiency
If applicable, must be completed with submission of application.
If English is not your native language, or if English is not the primary language spoken in your home, you must submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The following are the minimum score requirements: Internet-based TOEFL exam (iBT): The Internet-based TOEFL has four subsections, with a grading scale for each section from 1 to 30 (30 being the highest score). Misericordia University will look closely at the score for each section rather than the total score.
The minimum scores for each section are as follows:
Writing: 20
Speaking: 20
Reading: 20
Listening: 20
Students should indicate on the registration form that they wish the test results to be sent directly to Misericordia University. The TOEFL code for Misericordia University is 2087; the department code is 44. See https://www.ets.org/toefl for more information.
Requirement 2:
Academic Requirements (minimums):
Overall GPA = 3.2 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
Science GPA = 3.2 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
Prerequisite Courses must have received any grade of “B” or higher. All prerequisite courses must have been completed within the last 10 years from entry into the program. Applicants may apply with no more than two prerequisite courses in progress or planned. Official transcripts are required to be submitted once courses are completed.
Required Prerequisite Courses are as follows:
- A&P I (w/ lab – 4 credits)
- A&P II (w/ lab – 4 credits)
- Microbiology (w/ lab – 4 credits)
- Biochemistry (3 credits)
- Genetics (3 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Medical Terminology (1 credit)
PA PROGRAM POLICY: ADVANCED PLACEMENT
ARC PA STANDARD A3.13: The program must define, publish, consistently apply and make readily available to prospective students, policies and procedures to include:
c) practices for awarding or granting advanced placement,
The Misericordia University PA Program does not grant advanced placement to anyone. Advanced standing or special consideration for previous coursework or degrees are not provided. All applicants will be evaluated and assessed through the same application and interview processes.
Requirement 3:
Completion of a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care experience.
Direct patient care hours are required to be completed and reported in the CASPA application. Hours working in direct contact (hands-on) with patients are considered Direct Patient Care Experience. See the Admission Process page for a list of acceptable direct patient care experiences. See the Admission FAQ page for directions on how to report hours on CASPA.
Requirement 4:
A personal statement in which the applicant clearly and concisely describes why they have chosen to apply to the Misericordia PA Program, their understanding of the PA role in a healthcare setting, and why they want to become a PA. The personal statement with your full name in bold print as the title in the title CASPA application.
Requirement 5:
Two to three letters of recommendation are required. Medical Professional (PAs, MDs, DOs, and NPs) recommendations will be scored at a higher value. Other recommendations will be considered.
Process
APPLICATION: All applications for entry into the MU PA Program must be completed through CASPA. Those candidates who meet the minimum Admission Requirements (see Admission Requirement information above) will be reviewed for interview consideration. Each application that is evaluated will be reviewed in an equitable and unbiased manner.
OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS: Official transcripts and all admission materials must be submitted through CASPA. Applicants who have completed their undergraduate degree (or graduate degree) within the United States must present an official transcript which demonstrates a specific and distinct grade for each course and an overall GPA.
REQUIRED PREREQUISITE COURSES: All courses, including medical terminology, must have an associated grade. Pass/Fail grading will not be accepted. Any “C” grades or lower are not acceptable and will result in an applicant being disqualified for that application cycle. Applicants may repeat prerequisite course once for grade improvement. However, all grades for science courses, whether a course is repeated or taken once, will be included in the calculation for the undergraduate science GPA. Greater points are awarded to higher grades in the prerequisite courses.
SCORING OF INITIAL APPLICATION MATERIALS:
Cumulative GPA (Increased points are awarded based on GPA)
Science GPA (Increased points are awarded based on GPA)
Prerequisite Courses:
- A&P I (w/lab – 4 credits)
- A&P II (w/lab – 4 credits)
- Microbiology (w/lab – 4 credits)
- Biochemistry (3 credits)
- Genetics (3 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Medical Terminology (1 credit)
Misericordia University Advantage: Applicants who have completed a bachelor or master’s degree through Misericordia University will receive higher scoring of their initial application materials.
Military Advantage: Applicants who are on active duty reserve status or who are a United States Military Veteran will receive higher scoring of their initial application materials.
PA Shadowing Advantage: Applicants who have shadowed a Physician Assistant for a minimum of 10 hours. PA Shadowing hours are required to be completed and reported in the CASPA application.
Direct Patient Care Experience (increased hours earn more points)
Acceptable experiences include but are not limited to: Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, Phlebotomist, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Medical Scribe, Emergency Medicine Technician, Paramedic, Anesthesia Technician, Cardiovascular Technician, Ultrasound Technician, X-Ray Technician, Surgical Technician, Speech-Language Pathologist, Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation are scored by the following types: highest score goes to PAs, MDs, DOs, NPs, middle score goes to Professor(s), other Health Care Professionals, Supervisors who don’t meet above categories, and lowest score goes to Personal References, Friends, etc. The two best letters are used for scoring.
POST INTERVIEW REVIEW FOR ACCEPTANCE:
Applicants who are invited to participate in the on-campus interview will be evaluated, scored, and expected to speak in detail on the following criteria:
- Understanding of the Misericordia University PA Program
- Self-Awareness of the Role of Physician Assistants in the Healthcare Setting
- Patient Care Experience
- Commitment and Preparation to the PA Profession
- Experience in Diversity and Inclusion
- Good Communication Skills
- Maturity, Professionalism, and Integrity
Interview Day
The prospective student interview includes:
- Welcome and overview of the MUPA Program with Q&A time.
- Individual interview with PA faculty and CHSE faculty (please refer to the post interview review for acceptance above)
- Facilities tour
What to expect following the interview:
- Top ranked applicants will be notified of acceptance into the program shortly after interview day.
- Alternative applicants will be waitlisted and notified shortly after interview day.
- Remaining applicants will receive a letter of decline.
- Vacant seats may become available. An attempt will be made to fill vacant spots with waitlisted applicants.
- Accepted applicants must meet all admission criteria by June 1, 2025 in order to matriculate in July, 2025.
DEPOSIT: Applicants will be notified in writing of acceptance and will be given two to three weeks to reply and pay a $1000 nonrefundable deposit. This deposit will hold the applicant’s place in the class. The total deposit fee will be applied to the cost of tuition once the student matriculates.
PA PROGRAM POLICY: EMPLOYMENT DURING THE PROGRAM
ARC PA STANDARD A3.15: The program must define, publish, consistently apply and make readily available to students upon admission:
e) policy for student employment while enrolled in the program,
Misericordia University does not prohibit admission into or progression through the PA program if a student determines that he or she must work while in the program. HOWEVER, students are strongly discouraged from working during their time in the PA program.
If a student chooses to work during the academic year, the work schedule must not interfere with class performance, course schedules, or clinical rotation schedules.
No time is excused for participating in outside education activities including but not limited to playing a sport, or coaching a sport. Students are highly encouraged to be mindful of their commitments while in PA school due to the rigors of the program curriculum.
PA PROGRAM POLICY: STUDENTS NOT REQUIRED TO PROVIDE OR SOLICIT CLINICAL SITES OR PRECEPTORS
ARC-PA Standard A3.03 The program must define, publish, make readily available and consistently apply a policy for prospective and enrolled students that they must not be required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors.
Although students may participate in the selection of a clinical site for an elective rotation, or may request to establish a particular clinical rotation, no student will be required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors. The director of clinical education will be responsible to coordinate all clinical experience activities, including evaluation of any clinical experience locations and preceptors that students help to establish.
ANNUAL HEALTH SCREENING AND IMMUNIZATION
Credentialing requirements for matriculating into the program, participating in supervised clinical practice experiences, and progressing through the program are listed below. Students are financially responsible for the required credentialing, which may need to be repeated annually or more frequently as required by clinical sites.
Students are required to provide a completed Technical Standard Form, current immunization or serologic immunity verification in accordance with CDC guidelines for Vaccines for Healthcare Workers, completed MUPA Program Health History and Physical Exam Form(annually), and have proof of current/active health insurance throughout the program. Health insurance is required to be kept current at all times throughout the program.
Incoming students will create an account with CERTIPHI/MyRecordTracker, the web-based tool used to store, monitor, and maintain confidential Physician Assistant student immunization and health records. Completed health forms are not to be submit to PA Program faculty or staff. Students must first give written permission for their immunization record and tuberculosis screening results to be shared with the program by signing the Student Authorization and Release Form. Program personnel will not conduct health screening, immunizations, and/or healthcare services.
Criminal background checks, including fingerprinting, child abuse clearance, and drug screening are required. Adverse results at any time can prevent a student from matriculating into the program, progressing in the program, placed at clinical sites or recommended for graduation.
Included in Immunization Requirements are MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Varicella, TDAP, Current CDC Covid-19 recommendations (current COVID-19 vaccine) current season Influenza, Hepatitis B: Step1, Step2, Step3, and TB: Step1, Step2. See reference links below.
Credentialing Requirement Reference Links:
New Student Orientation Day
Prior to first day of classes student will attend a New Student Orientation Day. Laptops with wireless compatibility, Camera, Microphone, MS Windows 10, and the most up to date versions of Google Chrome, Fire Fox, and Internet Explorer are required. Please bring your laptop to New Student Orientation Day.
New Student Orientation day will include:
- A meet and greet with the PA Program Faculty and Staff.
- All PA Program Policies review.
- PA Program tuition and fees including MU refund policies, curriculum, calendar, and schedules review.
- Lunch will be served.
- Representatives from Campus Safety, Student Help Desk, Blackboard, Library, Student Services, Student Financial Aid, and Health and Wellness Center will present orientation information.
- Medical equipment purchase guidance.
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