Admission Requirements
- Students qualified to apply to the WLU Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree program will have:
- A Bachelor’s degree (B.S. or B.A.)
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Minimum Science GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- One year of General Chemistry with laboratory (General Chemistry I & General Chemistry II with corresponding labs, 8 units minimum) – OR – Inorganic Chemistry + Organic Chemistry + Biochemistry (all three) with corresponding labs (8 units minimum), prefer majors level. Note: A single, combined course in organic, inorganic, and biochemistry will not meet this requirement.
- Microbiology with corresponding laboratory (4 units minimum), prefer majors level.
- One year of Anatomy & Physiology with labs (8 units minimum & “human” in nature), prefer majors level.
- One course in Psychology (General, Introductory or Developmental)
- One course in Humanities or Social Science (3 units minimum)
- One year of English and/or Writing (6 units minimum)
- One of the following Math courses: college level Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus or Statistics (3 units minimum)
- One course in Genetics - Preferred (3 units minimum)
- All applicants must take, report and submit results for the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) (GRE code: 4027)
- Basic computer literacy including the ability to use Microsoft WORD, email, and conduct web-based and electronic database searches.
- All applicants must take the CASPer Examination (Once the cycle opens and at least 4 weeks before it ends, to allow CASPer time to score and report results to us).
- Students from non-English speaking countries and those whose primary language is not English MUST provide Evidence of English Language Proficiency.
- Three letters of recommendation will also be required. (At least one of these must be from a person with which the applicant worked or from a professor). The reference letters must address the applicant’s personal qualities, ability to work with others, and ability to be an empathetic provider.
- Personal statement addressing the individual’s motivation for entering the program and expectations from the program will be evaluated.
- No more than 2 prerequisite courses may be in progress at the time of application.
- Prerequisites will not be waived.
- All prerequisites must be completed in the United States.
- Would prefer all prerequisite courses to have been completed within the past 10 years.
- The applicant may have a Bachelors Degree in progress at the time of application however, it must be complete with proof of degree matriculation.
International Student Applicants
In addition to the requirements listed above, please submit:
- Proof of English Proficiency. Please submit one of the following test results:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 80 for the Internet-based test (IBT), or 550 for the paper-based test (PBT)
- International English Language Testing (IELTS). 6
- EIKEN. Grade Pre-1
- Pearson Test of English. (PTE) Academic. 54
- Credit Certification. Have all your coursework and credits from institutions outside of the United States evaluated by a credential evaluation service provider (e.g. World Education Services (WES), Global Credential Evaluators (GCE), Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE), American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), etc.
- Proof of Financial Support. Submit adequate documentation of financial support for one academic year (12 months). (E.g. Official bank statement, sponsorship award letters, scholarship awards, Affidavit of Support (DHS Form I-134), etc.
- Copy of your ID page in your passport.
Recommended
- Knowledge of medical terminology and statistics
- A foundation in biochemistry and genetics
- Shadowing a PA
Preferences for Selection
- Patient care experience is preferred
- A record of community service
- WLU graduates
- West Virginia residency
Transfer of Credit The WLU PA Program does not accept transfer of credit for any of the PA courses, either in the didactic or the clinical phase of the curriculum.
Screening Candidates will be issued screening exams during the interview. Applicants must be proficient in writing to be accepted into the program. Math, Medical Terminology, composition, and other evaluations may be used to assist with determination of acceptance into the program.
Advance Standing The WLU PA Program does not award advanced placement in either the didactic phase or the clinical phase. No advanced standing or placement will be granted for prior medical education training/experience.
Technical Requirements
The intent of the Physician Assistant Studies Program is to educate competent primary care Physician Assistants (PAs) who can evaluate, manage, and provide quality healthcare to the general population. Candidates admitted to this program are expected to complete the academic and clinical requirements of the professional program.
Candidates are reviewed for admission into the program on an individual basis. In addition to meeting the academic, professional, and administrative requirements, candidates must also have the ability to develop the intellectual capacity and technical skills required to perform the functions of a practicing physician assistant. A student must possess skills and behaviors at a level of capability to perform a variety of duties required of a physician assistant as a healthcare professional. In order to ensure that patients receive the best medical care possible, the faculty of the Physician Assistant program have identified certain skills and professional behaviors that are essential for successful progression of physician assistant students in the program.
Required Standards
Candidates who are accepted as students in the physician assistant program must meet the following standards:
Observation The student must have sufficient vision to be able to observe demonstrations, experiments, laboratory exercises, visual presentations and computer-facilitated instruction. He or she must be able to differentiate between normal and pathological states and distinguish between colors. In addition, the student must be able to observe patients closely and at a distance. Observation necessitates the complimentary use of smell, touch and hearing.
Communication The student must be able to speak, hear, read and write in order to elicit and exchange information with patients, family members, and other health care providers. He or she must be able to perceive verbal and non-verbal cues as it pertains to patients’ conditions. In addition, the student must be able to facilitate the flow of information with respect and sensitivity towards faculty, patients, families, and other members of the health care team.
Motor The student must have the motor control and coordination to perform physical examinations through inspection, palpation, auscultation and percussion in order to elicit information. He or she must be able to perform laboratory procedures, clinical skills and diagnostic maneuvers, with and without the use of equipment. In addition, the student must be able to bend, manipulate, lightly lift to approximately twenty-five pounds, and assist patients.
Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative The student must have the ability to comprehend, memorize, interpret, analyze and synthesize information presented in the classroom, laboratory and clinical settings. He or she must also be able to measure, calculate, formulate, reason and make diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. The student must be able to assimilate and integrate information through a variety of modalities such as classroom instruction, group interaction, research, individual study, and presentations. In addition, the student must be able to integrate the use of computer programs and web-based resources into learning.
Behavioral and Social Attributes The student must have the emotional health for full utilization of his or her intellectual capabilities, to exercise good judgment, to promptly complete all responsibilities and assignments attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the deportment to exercise sensitive, empathic, mature and effective relationships with patients, their families, peers and other members of the health care team. The student should be able to recognize limitations of his or her education and training. The student should also be willing to seek consultation when appropriate, and be able to recognize, handle and/or assist in life-threatening situations. He or she must also have the humility to accept constructive critique and the perseverance to complete an arduous course of study.
All students are expected to perform physical examinations on both males and females and on each other. Breast and pelvic examinations will be conducted on anatomic models and/or simulated patients during the didactic (1st) year, and on real patients during the clinical year. Candidates who are unable to meet this requirement based on religious beliefs or other reason must inform the program by the end of the first full week of class so that reasonable arrangements may be made.
Chronic or recurrent illnesses or problems that may interfere with patient care or safety, or may lead to a high likelihood of absenteeism are incompatible with PA training or clinical practice. Deficiencies in knowledge, judgment, integrity, character, professional attitude or demeanor may jeopardize patient care. Reasonable accommodations will be made for applicants with disabilities. However, all applicants must be able to perform all listed technical requirements.
Applicants / Students with Disabilities Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) prohibit discrimination against otherwise qualified students and applicants with disabilities, solely on the basis of the disability, in any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance. In compliance with the ADA and Section 504, the University provides reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities in order to provide them with an equal opportunity to participate in the University’s programs, services and activities. A reasonable accommodation does not, however, guarantee that students will be successful in meeting the admission requirements and/or requirements of any course, program or clinical activity.
All applicants and students are evaluated in accordance with the Technical Standards and must possess not only the academic abilities, but also the physical, cognitive and emotional capabilities required to undertake the full curriculum and achieve the levels of competence required by the faculty of the WLU PA program.
The University provides reasonable accommodations but is not required to lower or substantially modify essential program requirements. The University also is not required to make adjustments to any program service, or activity that would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity, or that would result in an undue financial or administrative burden. Finally, the University is not required to provide personal services including but not limited to personal attendants, individually prescribed devices, wheelchairs, readers for personal use or study, or other devices or services of a personal nature, including but not limited to tutors and typing for out of class studying.
Applicants and students are required to provide verification of disabilities that are not readily apparent.
Whether or not an accommodation is reasonable will be determined on an individual basis. Determining what is a reasonable accommodation is an interactive process between the disabled individual, the Program Coordinator, and the course instructor.
All services for students with disabilities are coordinated through the Learning and Student Development Center (LSDC). There is no standardized form or set of requirements regarding what students must share about their disabilities. Thus, a student needs to decide what, if anything, they want to reveal. If the student chooses not to disclose their disability and decides, at a later time, to make a disclosure, accommodations will not be made retroactively. Any coursework and grades completed before the disclosure will remain. Approved accommodations will be implemented after the student has completed the registration process with the LSDC. For this reason, students are strongly encouraged to contact the LSDC to register for services at the outset of each academic course. Recent documentation of a student’s disability from a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or other subspecialty physician must be provided to the LSDC to establish accommodations. In addition to reviewing documentation to facilitate arrangements for specific classroom accommodations, ongoing individualized guidance is available from the LSDC’s disabilities specialist to include referrals to outside agencies for testing and assessment as necessary.
Applicants and students may obtain information about the accommodation request and ADA grievance procedure by contacting:
Bridgette Dawson, Director/ADA Coordinator
Office of Tutoring and Accessibility Services, Learning and Student Development Center, Main Hall 140 Office 144
304.336.8018 (phone) 304.336.8398 (fax) http://westliberty.edu/lsdc/disability-services
Health Insurance Students must submit proof of health insurance coverage by the time of matriculation. See health insurance policy under Program Costs.
Health Screening and Immunization WLU requires that its students and faculty be up to date on the following immunizations and skin tests. Students are expected to have these immunization current upon matriculation and updated as needed prior to beginning their clinical clerkships.
Tuberculosis (TB) Must be completed within the two months after entering the program. Applicants with a history of positive tests must provide documentation of appropriate screening and treatment. A history of receiving the BCG vaccine is not a contradiction to skin testing. Two-step testing is required
Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus Primary series of 4 doses with DTaP or DTP. TdaP booster must be within the last 10 years.
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Series of 2 doses. Dose 1 at 12-15 months or later, dose 2 at 4-6 years or later and at least one month apart from the 1st. (and/or provide MMR titer results).
Influenza Immunization is required each year.
Hepatitis B Immunization is required for all students. This series of three immunizations and post-vaccination antibody titer for proof of immunity is required.
Chicken Pox (Varicella) History of disease is acceptable (titer still required). If no history, two doses of vaccine at least one month apart and titer are necessary.
Bacterial Meningitis (highly recommended)
Application and Admission Process
The applicant will fill out and submit a CASPA Application
The applicant will complete and submit West Liberty University's supplemental application & $25.00 application fee (Applicants educated outside of the United States must also submit the additional required additional materials.)
The applicant will take and submit the GRE General examination to CASPA using GRE Code #4027.
The applicant will complete a CASPer (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) examination.
All applicants are required to complete this online assessment exam and successful completion is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility. The test assesses for non-cognitive skills and
interpersonal characteristics we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program, and as such, will complement other tools we use for applicant screening. In implementing CASPer, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process.
In order to register for the exam, you will need your CASPA ID & a government-issued photo ID. You are responsible for securing access to a computer with audio capabilities, a webcam, and a reliable internet connection on your selected test date. The last date to take the exam for our program is September 26, 2019. Please be reminded, however, our program does practice rolling admissions, therefore, choosing a later test date may hinder the faculty review committee's decision when offering seats.
NOTE: If you are a "re" - applicant, the CASPer exam must be taken again. Please go to www.takeCASPer.com for more information.
Select applicants will be invited to West Liberty University campus for personal interviews. During the interview process, all applicants will be asked to write a brief composition on a particular topic & screened in Medical Terminology.
All candidates will be notified in writing of the admissions committee's decision. Candidates who are chosen to interview could possibly be notified of the admissions committee's decision as early as the day of their interview but, no later than March 31, as we do offer seats on a "rolling basis”. Successful candidates will be contacted personally by the PA program director and invited to take a seat in the program. The official letter of acceptance from our University's Admissions Office will follow.
A confirmation and deposit in the amount of $500.00 is required to accept your place in the class and to confirm your acceptance. You will not be registered for classes until your deposit has been received. Additionally, we require a second deposit of $500.00, not later than 1-month before orientation. Both deposits will be applied towards your first term's tuition. Should you decide not to attend after sending in your deposits, please keep in mind that they are non-refundable.
*Note: It is not necessary to send transcripts directly to the University in addition to what the applicant has already submitted to CASPA during the application process unless:
- The applicant has courses in progress at the time of application.
- The applicant is in the process of completing an undergraduate degree.
- The applicant is offered a seat in the program: (Should the applicant accept a seat in the program, admittance is contingent on receipt and verification of all "official" transcripts and any other supporting documents. Selected candidates are also required to pass a Background Check as well as a Drug Screening. All will be complete and successful BEFORE matriculation.)