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Events
| Application | Prerequisite Courses | Prior Healthcare Experience Requirement | Personal Essay | Reference Letters | Advanced Placement | Transfer of Credit | Experiential Learning | Tuition & Fees | Withdrawal Policies |
APPLICATION
Students must apply to the physician assistant studies program through the Centralized Application Service. Applications are submitted on-line through the Central Admission Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) or by mail:
CASPA
https://portal.caspaonline.org
Post Office Box 9108
Watertown, MA 02471
Telephone: (617) 612-2080
E-mail: apply@caspaonline.org
Deadline for applications: March 1 of each year for the following fall semester.
All documents needed to complete the application are submitted to CASPA.
Students must apply to the physician assistant studies program through the Centralized Application Service. Applications are submitted on-line through the Central Admission Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) or by mail:
CASPA
https://portal.caspaonline.org
Post Office Box 9108
Watertown, MA 02471
Telephone: (617) 612-2080
E-mail: apply@caspaonline.org
Deadline for applications: March 1 of each year for the following fall semester.
All documents needed to complete the application are submitted to CASPA.
PREREQUISITE COURSES
All prerequisite courses must be completed before matriculation into the Physician Assistant Program. It is necessary to indicate courses in progress or planned on the CASPA application.
- General Biology (with laboratory): 8 s.h.
- General Chemistry (with laboratory): 8 s.h.
- Human or Mammalian Physiology: 4 s.h.
- Biochemistry: 3 s.h. or Organic Chemistry: 4 s.h.
- Statistics: 3 s.h.
- Microbiology: 4 s.h.
- Genetics or cell biology or another upper level biology 3-4 s.h.
- Physiology, microbiology and biochemistry or organic chemistry must be taken within the past five years of the start of the curriculum.
- General Biology and General Chemistry will be waived in circumstances where more advanced courses have been passed with a grade of B+ or better
- Bio 100 may be substituted by Soc 180, Psy 40, or any other statistics courses approved by the Program.
- In addition to the above prerequisites, students who do not hold a bachelors degree must complete Hofstra University general education requirements prior to beginning the Physician Assistant Studies curriculum.
PRIOR HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT
The program requires applicants to have at least 100 documented hours of healthcare experience. Many types of experience will qualify, and the experience ideally includes direct observation of a practicing physician assistant ("Shadowing"). The experience may be paid employment, such as working as a paramedic or EKG technician. The experience may be as a volunteer in a hospital or other healthcare facility. Supporting documentation should be on letterhead from an appropriate source and must certify the hours completed.
Applicants who have accumulated more than the 100 hours of experience will have a stronger application, but the quality of the experience is also important. Shadowing a PA in clinical practice is one of the best ways to understand the physician assistant role in modern healthcare systems.
The program requires applicants to have at least 100 documented hours of healthcare experience. Many types of experience will qualify, and the experience ideally includes direct observation of a practicing physician assistant ("Shadowing"). The experience may be paid employment, such as working as a paramedic or EKG technician. The experience may be as a volunteer in a hospital or other healthcare facility. Supporting documentation should be on letterhead from an appropriate source and must certify the hours completed.
Applicants who have accumulated more than the 100 hours of experience will have a stronger application, but the quality of the experience is also important. Shadowing a PA in clinical practice is one of the best ways to understand the physician assistant role in modern healthcare systems.
PERSONAL ESSAY
The personal essay should include career goals, personality traits or specific experiences that have influenced your decision to become a physician assistant.
The personal essay should include career goals, personality traits or specific experiences that have influenced your decision to become a physician assistant.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
There is no advanced placement in the professional phase of the program. Students having completed prerequisite coursework elsewhere may receive transfer credit for prerequisite course work only.
There is no advanced placement in the professional phase of the program. Students having completed prerequisite coursework elsewhere may receive transfer credit for prerequisite course work only.
TRANSFER OF CREDIT
Hofstra University publishes Credit Evaluation Guides for students transferring from Nassau Community College, Suffolk Community College and SUNY Farmingdale. These guides pertain only to transfer of credit. The Physician Assistant Studies Program evaluates if courses qualify as prerequisite courses. Guidelines for prerequisite coursework are contained in the Application Instructions and Application.
Hofstra University publishes Credit Evaluation Guides for students transferring from Nassau Community College, Suffolk Community College and SUNY Farmingdale. These guides pertain only to transfer of credit. The Physician Assistant Studies Program evaluates if courses qualify as prerequisite courses. Guidelines for prerequisite coursework are contained in the Application Instructions and Application.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
There is no advanced placement in the professional phase of the program, therefore, no credit for experiential learning in the professional phase. Students applying to Hofstra to complete prerequisite coursework may be eligible for transfer credit on the basis of nontraditionally acquired prior learning. Students may consult the Office of Prior Learning in the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean's Office for further information.
There is no advanced placement in the professional phase of the program, therefore, no credit for experiential learning in the professional phase. Students applying to Hofstra to complete prerequisite coursework may be eligible for transfer credit on the basis of nontraditionally acquired prior learning. Students may consult the Office of Prior Learning in the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean's Office for further information.
TUITION AND FEES
Expenses listed are approximations, subject to change and exclude room and board. Visit our Tuition and Fees page for the most up-to-date information. Students should reserve funds for the following expenses:
| Didactic Year | |
|---|---|
| Tuition (55 credits at $740) | $40,700.00 |
| University Fees | $2,220.00 |
| Books, per semester | $1,200.00 |
| Equipment | $750.00 |
| Health Insurance | $1,000.00 |
| AAPA Student Membership (one-time fee that expires 4 months after graduation) |
$75.00 |
| NYSSPA Student Membership | $60.00 |
| Infection Control Certificate | $40.00 |
| Total | $46,045.00 |
| Clinical Year | |
|---|---|
| Tuition (27 credits at $740) | $19,980.00 |
| University Fees | $1,110.00 |
| Car Expenses such as gasoline, tolls and parking | $2,500.00 |
| Malpractice Insurance | $200.00 |
| Health Insurance | $1,000.00 |
| BCLS/ACLS | $400.00 |
|
Total
|
$25,160.00 |
WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Students may withdraw from the PA program at any time except during the final examination period. This request must be made in writing to the program director. Upon receipt of a request for withdrawal prior to the end of the first week of classes, please consult the Hofstra University Class Schedule.
Students may withdraw from the PA program at any time except during the final examination period. This request must be made in writing to the program director. Upon receipt of a request for withdrawal prior to the end of the first week of classes, please consult the Hofstra University Class Schedule.