Physician Assistant Studies, MPAS

ADMISSIONS

Scholastic Requirements and Statement of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Refer to general section for the School of Allied Health Professions under Graduate Professional Scholastic Requirements and Provisions for Academic Progression.

Method of Application

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program participates in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). All application materials must be sent directly to CASPA. Students interested in applying to the program must apply online using the CASPA application. Deadline for applications is August 1st.  Please visit the CASPA website at www.caspaonline.org.  A new in-coming class is enrolled each January.

All applications must be processed through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). GRE Scores must be sent directly to the CASPA website. Unsolicited information or letters of recommendation will not be added to any application. All application materials will be gathered by CASPA and mailed to the program after completion and all information is verified. The LSUHSC-NO Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program will then review applications for accuracy and compliance with published prerequisites. Those applications not meeting minimum criteria will not be considered for an interview. PA Program faculty will screen and rank all eligible candidates against pre-determined criteria. The final stage of the process involves face-to-face interviews with PA Program faculty.

Technical Standards & Essential Functions for Physician Assistant Students

Medical education requires that the accumulation of knowledge be accompanied by the acquisition of skills and professional attitudes and behavior. Allied health school faculties have a responsibility to society to matriculate and graduate the best possible physician assistants, and thus admission to PA school is offered to those who present the highest qualifications for the study and practice of medicine. Technical standards presented in this document are prerequisite for admission, progression, and graduation from Louisiana State University School of Allied Health in New Orleans. To accomplish its mission LSUHSC-New Orleans has developed a curriculum consisting of core courses and clerkships, required rotations, and elective rotations. The faculty and administration of the school have developed essential functions with which all students must comply independently in order to satisfy PA school curriculum demands. All core courses in the curriculum are required so that students can develop the essential knowledge and skills necessary to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care.

The LSUHSC NO PA Program in New Orleans maintains a strong institutional commitment to equal education opportunities for qualified students with disabilities who apply for admissions to the LSUHSC- NO PA or who are already enrolled. The technical standards are not intended to deter any candidate for whom reasonable accommodations will allow the fulfillment of the complete curriculum. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act LSUHSC has determined that certain technical standards must be met by prospective candidates and students. A candidate for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree must possess aptitude, abilities, and skills in the five areas discussed below as advised by the Special Advisory Panel on Technical Standards for Medical School Admissions convened by the AAMC. (memorandum 79-4). 

The Technical Standards listed are identical to the technical standards required of students matriculating in the LSUHSC- NO School of Medicine and conform to these standards. This description defines the capabilities that are necessary for an individual to successfully complete the LSUHSC-NO PA curricula.

Observation:

The individual must be able to observe demonstrations and participate in experiments of science, including but not limited: to dissection of cadavers, examination of specimens in anatomy, pathology and neuroanatomy laboratories, physiologic and pharmacologic demonstrations, microbiologic cultures, and microscopic studies of microorganisms and tissues. PA students must be capable of viewing and interpreting diagnostic modalities and to detect and interpret non-verbal communication from patients.

Communication:

Students should be able to communicate with patients in order to elicit information, detect changes in mood, activity and to establish therapeutic relationships. Students should be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and all members of the health care team both in person, in writing and possibly through telecommunication.

Motor Function and Coordination:

Individuals must possess the capacity to perform physical examinations and diagnostic maneuvers. Individuals must be able to perform motor activities required in providing general and emergency treatment to patients, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administering intravenous medication, applying pressure to stop bleeding, opening obstructed airways, suturing simple wounds, and performing routine obstetrical maneuvers.

Intellectual Abilities: Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative:

Individuals must have sufficient cognitive abilities and effective learning techniques to assimilate detailed and complex information presented in the PA school curriculum. Individuals must be able to learn through a variety of modalities including classroom instruction; small group, team and collaborative activities; individual study; preparation and presentation of reports and use of computer and information technology. Individuals must be able to memorize, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize, and transmit information by multiple mechanisms. Problem solving, a critical skill demanded of physician assistants, may require all of these intellectual abilities. Individuals must meet applicable safety standards for the environment and follow universal precaution procedures.

Behavioral and Social Attributes:

Individuals must possess the emotional health required for the appropriate use of their intellectual and mental abilities, including logical thinking, good judgment, impulse control, empathy, interest, and motivation. These abilities should be sufficient to assure the development and maintenance of therapeutic relationships with patients and those who care for them. Individuals must be able to maintain emotional health despite stress, uncertainty, and physically taxing workloads and to adapt to changing situations while handling the responsibilities associated with medical education and patient care. Individuals must accept responsibility for learning, exercising good judgment and promptly completing all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients.

The technical standards outlined above must be met with or without accommodation. Students who, after review of these technical standards, determine that they require reasonable accommodation to fully engage in the program should contact the Office of Disability Services at (504) 568-2211 or ods@lsuhsc.edu to confidentially discuss their accommodation needs. Given the clinical nature of our programs, time may be needed to create and implement the accommodations. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are encouraged.

Louisiana State University School of Allied Health - New Orleans Physician Assistant Program will consider for admission, progression, and graduation individuals who demonstrate the knowledge and the ability to perform or learn to perform the skills described in this document. Individuals will be assessed not only on their scholastic accomplishments, but also on their physical and emotional capacities to meet the requirements of the school’s curriculum and to graduate as skilled and effective practitioners of medicine.

Academic Standards

Scholastic Requirements and Statements of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Refer to general section for the School of Allied Health Professions under Graduate Professional Scholastic Requirements and Provisions for Academic Progression.

Fees

In addition to costs for fees and required items listed in the sections of Health Science Center Fees and Tuition additional expenses may be incurred by students while enrolled in the program. Please refer to our website http://alliedhealth.lsuhsc.edu/pa/additionalexpenses.aspx for information on additional expenses associated with the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program.

Students are required to show proof of and maintain health insurance coverage for the entire length of the program.

Curriculum

Physician Assistant Studies Curriculum