Tampa Master in Physician Assistant (PA) Degree | South University (2024)

South University’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant prepares students to pursue becoming physician assistants through coursework that offer fundamental medical concepts and theories, provides students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function, with physician supervision, as medical professionals who will serve as valued members of the health care team. Physician assistants are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. The Physician Assistant program is designed to provide students with effective learning opportunities that will prepare them to perform their expected competencies in an ethical, legal, safe, and effective manner as students learn how to pursue becoming a physician assistant. Physician assistants perform medical functions that include, but are not limited to, evaluation, monitoring, diagnostics, therapeutics, counseling, and referral. The scope of the practice varies according to state laws, the medical setting, and the training of the physician assistant. In many states, physician assistants can prescribe and/or dispense medicine.

South University Physician Assistant Program graduates are eligible to pursue national certification by sitting for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) developed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Please see the Professional Licensure Disclosure in the South University Academic Catalog for the determinations if our program meets the professional licensure requirements in your state of residence.

South University does not guarantee third-party certification/licensure. Outside agencies control the requirements for taking and passing certification/licensing exams and are subject to change without notice to South University. Students must pass the certification exam and obtain professional state licensure to work in their respective field.

South University cannot guarantee each graduate will pass the required licensure examinations. Outside agencies control the requirements for taking and passing certification/licensing exams and are subject to change without notice to South University.

*South University does not promise or guarantee employment or salary amounts.

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Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistant

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation Continued to the South University Physician Assistant Program, Tampa, Florida sponsored by South University, Tampa, Florida. Continued accreditation is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA standards. Continued 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 comprehensive review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2027. The program's accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at: http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-south-university-tampa/Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc., 12000 Findley Road, Suite 275, Johns Creek, GA, 30097; Telephone: 770.476.1224

Admissions Requirements

Procedure for Admission to the Master in Science Physician Assistant (MSPA) Program

Entrance to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) program is gained through a formal application review and an interview. Application to the program is made through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applicants must specifically designate the South University campus(es) to which their application should be submitted within the CASPA system.

A completed application must be submitted through CASPA in order to be reviewed by any of the South University campuses. The application cycle for the January start will begin in April annually. The deadline for all application materials to be complete* in the CASPA application portal is August 1st annually.

To apply for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant degree program at South University, Tampa, individuals must:

• Complete CASPA online Applications including submission of all transcripts and GRE scores.
• Official GRE scores for the General Test (verbal, quantitative, and written essay) are required to be electronically submitted to CASPA through ETS (Educational Testing Service) using the Tampa program GRE Code: 0454. Paper copies are not accepted.

*This is the date your application became complete and was placed in the verification queue. Your complete date is the day your final required item - a transcript, reference letter, payment, or e-submitted application - posted to your CASPA account.

**Please do not send transcripts directly to South University. Transcripts should be sent to CASPA.

Individuals whose applications are deemed competitive will be invited for a required interview. Therefore, those who apply early in the admission cycle are more likely to be granted an interview than those who apply later. Each program concludes interviews for the admissions cycle upon filling all available seats. Not all qualified applicants will receive an interview.

Students who are offered a seat in the Physician Assistant program are only permitted to reserve a seat at one campus. Within 14 days of the applicant signing and submitting the acceptance form, it is the responsibility of the applicant to notify any other South University Physician Assistant program(s) of his/her intent to withdraw. Seat acceptance fees are non-transferable to other South University programs.

Note: Applicants should refer to the Physician Assistant Program policy on Acceptance Fee for more details.

Admission Criteria

Selection for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant program is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or admission. Successful applicants will generally exceed the minimum criteria. The following criteria represent the minimum conditions established for students interested in applying to the South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant degree program:

• Applicants must have an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institutionno later than August 1^st of the year they apply.
• Applicants must have an overall GPA as calculated by the CASPA service of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale) (including undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate coursework).
• Applicants should have a Biology-Chemistry-Physics (BCP) science GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) as calculated by the CASPA service.
• Applicants must submit scores from the GRE general exam directly to the CASPA service using the South University PA program code 0454.
• At least three letters of reference on the CASPA application must be submitted
• At least one reference on the CASPA application must be from a physician (MD/DO), Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner with whom the applicant has worked or shadowed and to whom the applicant is not related. Impressive, well- articulated, and unequivocal letters attesting to the applicant’s motivation, communication and interpersonal skills, professionalism, and future contribution towards health care are considered competitive.

Clinical Experience

Clinical experiences should provide the applicant with a knowledge of and orientation to the presentation, signs, and symptoms of a variety of ill or injured patients.Although clinical experience is not required, preference is given to applicants who have direct patient care experience (i.e., care that involves personal interaction with patients such as: physical therapist, respiratory therapist, emergency medical technician/paramedic, nurse, medical assistant, or certified nursing assistant, or other similar professions). However, there is no requirement for a predetermined number of hours (or months) of health care experience to be earned by an applicant.

Admissions Committee Selection Factors

Applicants for admission are considered and ranked using multiple factors. Applicants are awarded preference points based upon the following selection factors:

Academic achievement (overall GPA, BCP, GRE).

• Preference will be given to those with an overall GPA at or above 3.4.
• Preference will be given to those with a prerequisite Biology-Chemistry-Physics (BCP) GPA at or above 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) as calculated by the CASPA service.
• Preference will be given to those with GRE scores (Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning) at the 50th percentile or above.

Quality of letters of referencefrom medical providers (e.g., MD, DO, NP, PA).

• References from Physician Assistants (PAs) are preferred.

Clinical experience that requires direct patient care.

• Preference is given to applicants with clinical experience that requires direct patient care, such as: physical therapist, respiratory rherapist, emergency medical technician (EMT)/paramedic, nurse, medical assistant, or certified nursing assistant (CNA).

Personal statement/essay.

Healthcare providermentorship/shadowing experiences.

Community service.

Interview performance.

The Admissions Committee assesses evidence of an applicant’s interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability, professionalism, motivation, academic potential, communication, knowledge of the PA profession and the health care system with an alignment to the mission and vision of the program. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program adheres to the South University Non-discrimination policy.

Post-Acceptance Requirements

Accepted applicants will be required to complete the following items in order to obtain approval for matriculation in January:

• Satisfactory Criminal Background and Drug Screen Report
• Health/Immunization Requirements
• Health Insurance Documentation
• Baccalaureate Diploma Verification
• American Heart Association (AHA) Approved Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
• FAFSA application (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) submission for those applying for financial aid

Applicants seeking admissions to the Physician Assistant program must abide by the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy and Substance Abuse and Screening Policy. Acceptance into a South University program or its completion does not guarantee that a student will be able to obtain subsequent licensure or certification.

All Physician Assistant program students are responsible for meeting matriculation deadlines and requirements as published within the campus-specific Enrollment Guide.There is a non-refundable $1000 acceptance fee for those applicants accepted into the Physician Assistant programs at South University, Tampa. Acceptance fees are applied towards tuition.

If you have questions in regard to the application process, please call the Tampa Physician Assistant Program office at813-393-3720 or contact via email at paprogramtampa@southuniversity.edu.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite Courses

Applicants must complete all prerequisite courses listed below with a grade of C or better at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university prior to submission of his/her application. The PA program accepts prerequisite coursework completed in an online, virtual, or on-ground format from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

In general, prerequisite coursework with titles that include "Essentials of," "Survey of," or "Introductory to," unless specifically designed for science majors, are considered less competitive.

Basic science courses should be those for science majors. The General Biology and Biochemistry courses are recommended to include a lab, but it is not required.

Only courses (excluding General Biology, Biochemistry, and Organic Chemistry) with an associated lab will be given credit for fulfilling prerequisite requirements. In the event that a laboratory is not offered with a prerequisite course, applicants may request the lab requirement for that course be waived by contacting the program. Lab waivers and/or course substitutions are granted at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Applicants requesting such should be prepared to submit supporting documents, including, but not limited to, course descriptions.

The South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant program accepts credit for Advanced Placement (AP) courses. AP courses taken and successfully completed will be counted as one course credit towards completion of the respective prerequisite subject. Grades earned in AP courses are not used in the calculation of the applicant's overall or prerequisite GPA.

The South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant program does not accept College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit for any prerequisite requirements.

South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant programs do not accept a transfer of credits from other physician assistant programs or provide enrolled students with a waiver of credit (i.e., advanced placement) for any component of the required curricular coursework. All students must complete each course in the South University Master of Science in Physician Assistant curriculum.

Admissions Calendar

Annual Admissions Cycle

April
CASPA begins accepting applications for the following year matriculation.

June - October
Admissions Interviews.

August 1
Application deadline for which application must be in “Complete” status with CASPA for consideration of matriculation the following January.

January
Classes begin.

Curriculum

Program Goals

Please click HEREfor information on our Physician Assistant program and effectiveness in achieving program goals.

The following are program goals for the South University, Tampa Master of Science in Physician Assistant program:

• The program aims to foster a culture of inclusivity and equity for students, faculty, and staff by means of education and resources..
• The program will strive to adequately prepare graduating students to achieve a first-time pass rate that exceeds the national average upon completion of the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE).
• The programwill provide opportunities for local community service and outreach that foster a commitment to reducing health disparities.

(Note: Requirements for NCCPA Certification are determined by the NCCPA and are subject to change without notification to South University. Graduation from the South University, Tampa Physician Assistant program does not guarantee certification or employment.)

PANCE Certification and Attrition

Graduates of an accredited Physician Assistant program must pass the national Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) in order to acquire state licensure to practice. This exam is developed jointly by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Below are the percentage pass rates for the first-time test takers of the PANCE for the past five South University, Tampa Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) graduating classes.

Click the link below to view the pass rates of South University, Tampa students

View PANCE pass rates of South University, Tampa students.

Student Attrition

To view the South University, Tampa MSPA program student attrition information, please clickHERE.

Tuition and Fees

Estimated Tuition for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) Degree

Per quarter: $10,856.00

Total tuition: $97,704.00

Required Fees for the MSPA Degree

Acceptance Fee: $1,000.00 (Non-refundable/Applied to Tuition)

Registration Fees: $225.00 ($25.00 per term)

Graduation Fee: $250.00

Textbooks: $2,610.00 ($15 per credit hour)

Technology Fee: $3,480.00 ($20 per credit hour)

Clinical Experience Fee: $9,000.00 ($1000.00 per quarter)

Other Estimated Costs for the MSPA Degree

(South University will not charge for these costs. They are the student's responsibility.)

American Academy of Physician Assistant (AAPA) Student Membership Fee: $75.00(One-time Fee)

Professional Instruments: $1,100.00 (Approximate)

Surgical Scrubs: $55.00 (Approximate)

Laptop Computer and privacy screen: $1,500.00 (Approximate)

Background Check: $800.00 (Additional fees may apply to the base package fee contingent upon credentialing requirements of the hospital.) (Approximate)

State Association Fees: $60.00(Approximate, can vary by state)

American Heart Association approved BLS: $100.00

Estimated Total for the MSPA Degree

Tuition and Fees: $116,959.00

Tuition and fees are subject to change. The tuition for in-state and out-of-state residents is the same. Acceptance fee is non-refundable and upon acceptance is applied toward the student’s tuition. If a student decides not to attend after accepting, the fee will not be refunded.

All students are required to have a laptop computer with wireless internet access for use in the multimedia classroom. Purchase of these items is not recommended prior to acceptance into the program because of these very specific requirements.

Inclusive in Tuition, Technology, and Digital Resources

Students obtain access to the following digital platforms:

• Lecturio, Rosh Review, Up-To-Date
• AccessMedicine, AccessPharmacy, AccessAnesthesiology, Case Files Collection
• Complete Anatomy 3D4, My EKG Lab
• Butterfly Ultrasound Technology
• PANCE Board Review in person sessions and digital test bank questions
• CORE clinical logging and portfolio resources
• PAEA End of Rotation Exams, End of Curriculum Exams, PACKRAT1 and PACKRAT2
• PAVMT (PAs in Virtual Medicine and Telemedicine) up-to-date medical technology trends
• LinkedIn Learning
• Bright Space Learning Management System
• ExamSoft Testing platform

Clinical Experience Fee and Additional Clinical Expenses:

Clinical Experience Fees support the recruitment of clinical sites across the nation, strengthen the quality of the learning experience, and subsidize the increasing costs of clinical sites. Students may be scheduled for rotations outside the local campus geographical area.

All students should plan to travel/commute for some clinical rotations. Students are given the opportunity to share their scheduling preferences during their pre-clinical meetings. This will provide the Clinical Education Team with information which may have a bearing on their rotation assignments. Students are responsible for their credentialing, transportation, housing, and living expenses during their clinical year. Expenses will vary depending on the location of each rotation site.

Payment of Tuition and Fees

All charges are due and payable on or before the registration date for each quarter. Circumstances which prevent a student from adhering to these dates should be discussed with the financial aid office. Students attending school under grants and/or loans should confer with the financial aid office concerning payment of fees. Students attending school under the G.I. Bill may discuss payment of school fees with the Director of Financial Aid. Failure to make proper payments, unless otherwise cleared by the financial aid office, will result in dismissal from the university. Grades will not be issued, degrees granted, or academic transcripts furnished until all financial obligations have been satisfied and all university property returned. For refund policies, please see the academic catalog HERE.

Policies and procedures for student withdrawal, refunds of tuition and fees, policies that limit or prevent students from working during the program and policies and procedures for processing student grievances can be found in theSouth University catalog.

Student Handbook and Employment

For the South University, Tampa Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) program Student Handbook please click HERE. All Physician Assistant program policies apply to all students, principal faculty, and the program director regardless of location, i.e., didactic and clinical settings.

Student Employment

Due to the rigorous nature of the Physician Assistant program, employment during a student's course of training is strongly discouraged.

Employment must never interfere with academic or clinical assignments.

At no time is a South University Physician Assistant student allowed to or required to work for the South University Physician Assistant program or program clinical sites.

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