MS in Physician Assistant Studies

Mission

The Division of Physician Assistant Studies supports Long Island University’s mission through the education of men and women of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds in the art and science of medicine in order that they may become competent, compassionate, high quality healthcare providers.  

Goals and Outcomes

Evidence of Meeting Program Goals

Goal 1: Medical Knowledge: The LIU PA Program strives to prepare students and graduates to be knowledgeable, clinically competent providers of high quality medical and surgical care via the completion of a rigorous 28-month curriculum.

Benchmarks:

• Graduates are expected to meet or exceed the national mean first time pass rate on the PANCE.
• Clinical preceptors of second year students are expected to score clinical year students as above average or excellent in their medical fund of knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Rationale for Benchmarks:

• PAs must pass a PA National Certification Exam (PANCE) in order to gain employment to practice medicine or surgery.  A strong foundation in medicine and professional development must be built in order for graduates to pass the PANCE and pursue a rewarding PA career. 
• With 90% of clinical students earning above average or excellent scores in their clinical rotations, the program ensures that its graduates are exceptionally prepared to serve as highly competent PAs immediately upon graduation.

Goal 2: Community service: The LIU PA Program encourages PA students to serve the community and to embrace compassionate service as a fundamental cornerstone of Physician Assistant practice.

Benchmark: PA students will participate in at least two PA-related community service experiences during the program.

Rationale for Benchmark: In order to practice compassionate care, healthcare providers must place the patient’s needs before their own and care for all who are in need, without regard to those issues that divide us.  Community service activities and interprofessional educational experiences contribute to the development of a well-rounded, compassionate, competent future clinician.

Goal 3: Professionalism: Development of the PA Profession. The LIU PA Program strives to generate national and regional awareness, appreciation, and promotion of the value and key role of the physician assistant (PA) on the health care team. The LIU PA Program strives to engender a sense of pride in the profession, service to the profession, and leadership in its students and alumni.

Benchmark: 100% of PA students will become members of an organization associated with the physician assistant profession (AAPA, NYSSPA).

Rationale for Benchmark: To advance their careers, successful PAs must remain current in their knowledge in the field and seek professional development that guides them in managing their professions. PA students who become part of a professional PA organization will begin their careers with a supportive network and diverse opportunities to increase their competencies.

Goal 4: Interprofessional Education: In promoting patient centered care, the LIU PA Program strives to educate students to successfully collaborate with colleagues and work in interdisciplinary teams to promote patient centered care and ensure the best possible outcome for the patient.

Benchmark: PA students will participate in at least two interdisciplinary patient care experiences during the program.

Rationale for Benchmark: Experience with the coordination of care among healthcare professionals enables PA students to develop their professional identities and develop teamwork skills that increase patient access to medical care.

Goal 5: Employment and career satisfaction of new graduates:

Benchmark: The LIU PA Program’s goal is to find that new graduates have secured gainful employment within 8 months of graduation of the PA Program and are happy with their careers as Physician Assistants.

Rationale for Benchmark: The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 28% job outlook growth for physician assistants through 2031. The PA program identifies 8 months as the target for employment of graduates within the profession because it allows for a transition period after program completion and full employment in a satisfactory professional situation.

Program Competencies

The program’s defined competencies are based on the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession as developed jointly by the National Commission on Accreditation of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the Accreditation Review Commission for Education of the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).

Student success in achieving program competencies are monitored throughout all phases of the program. For example, but not limited to, the program’s faculty and clinical preceptors evaluation of students through a variety of assessment tools, including but not limited to multiple choice examinations, collaborative group projects, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), reflection papers, and clinical performance evaluations.

Our graduates will demonstrate entry-level proficiency as PAs in the following program competencies:

Medical Knowledge

• History and physical findings and diagnostic studies to formulate differential diagnoses

• Management of general medical and surgical conditions to include pharmacologic and other treatment modalities

• Interventions for prevention of disease and health promotion/maintenance

Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Demonstrate interpersonal and communication (verbal, nonverbal, written, and electronic) skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, patients’ families, physicians, professional associates, and other individuals within the health care system
- Accurately and adequately document information regarding care for medical, legal, quality, and financial purposes

Patient Care
- Obtain an accurate history and perform a comprehensive physical exam
- Perform medical and surgical procedures common to primary care
- Provide health care services and education aimed at disease prevention and health maintenance

Professionalism
- Demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements
- Demonstrate sensitivity to a diverse patient population by identifying the socio-cultural, familial, psychological, economic, environmental, and spiritual factors impacting health care and health care delivery; and responding to these factors by planning and advocating the appropriate course of action at both the individual and the community level

Practice-based Learning & Improvement
- Critically evaluate the medical literature in order to use current practice guidelines and apply the principles of evidence-based medicine to patient care

Systems-based Practice
- Provide advocacy and support to assist patients in obtaining quality care and in dealing with the complexities of health care delivery systems
- Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger system of health care to provide patient care that balances quality and cost, while maintaining the primacy of the individual patient

Admissions Requirements

Application

Initial application to the PA program must be made through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) by visiting https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/loginCASPA will collect and summarize all of the applicant's data (application form, transcripts, and recommendations) which will be forwarded to the Physician Assistant Program. 

Admissions Requirements

Academics

• Obtain at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university no later than at the time of matriculation to the Division of Physician Assistant Studies.
• Maintain a required grade-point average of 3.0 or above (overall and science) in courses taken at an accredited college or university.
• Demonstrate acceptable academic performance.
• Complete all prerequisite coursework, which includes the courses listed below.
• All such courses must be taken at an accredited college or university. The student must receive a grade of no less than C. All prerequisite courses must be completed no later than at the time of matriculation to the Division of Physician Assistant Studies.
• One year (two courses) of not less than 4 credits each in general biology, with laboratory;
• One year (two courses) of not less than 4 credits each in general chemistry, with laboratory;
• One semester (one course) of not less than 4 credits in human anatomy, with laboratory;
• One semester (one course) of not less than 3 credits in human physiology, with or without laboratory;
• One semester of microbiology (at least 3 credits);
• One semester of statistics (at least 3 credits)

All prerequisite coursework must be college-level courses (AP courses will not be accepted). Any prerequisite courses listed above taken more than 10 years prior to matriculation will not be accepted.

Direct Care Experience

Complete a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care experience by no later than at the time of matriculation to the Division of Physician Assistant Studies. Of these 500 hours, a minimum of 400 hours must be completed by the time of submission of CASPA application. Acceptable types of direct patient care experience include:

— Medical assistant
— Surgical technologist
— Licensed practical or registered nurse
— Dental assistant
— Dental hygienist
— Certified nursing assistant
— Home health aide
— Residential aide
— Emergency medical technician
— Paramedic
— Physical therapist
— Occupational therapist
— Physical therapy assistant
— Physical therapy aide
— Occupational therapy assistant
— Occupational therapy aide
— Respiratory therapist
— Perfusionist
— Electrocardiographic (EKG) technician
— Phlebotomist
— Ophthalmologic technician
— Volunteer work involving direct patient care
— Shadowing a physician, physician assistant or dentist
— Athletic Trainer
— Scribe

The application to the Division of Physician Assistant Studies is evaluated on the following criteria:

1. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
2. A cumulative science GPA of 3.0 or higher.
3. A personal statement detailing the applicant's motivation for becoming a physician assistant.
4. Demonstrated breadth and depth of patient care experience.
5. Three satisfactory recommendations, submitted via the CASPA application.
6. Completion of prerequisite coursework (within 10 years) and fulfillment of the above criteria
7. Completion of the GRE by CASPA application deadline (January 15). While no minimum score is currently required, the exam must be completed by the specified deadline. Our GRE Code is 2831.

A recommendation for an interview will be made by the Division of Physician Assistant Studies Admissions Committee, based on the holistic review of all components mentioned above. Applicants invited for a personal interview will be determined by an established screening rubric. This rubric evaluates a candidate’s qualifications in the following areas: personal statement, academic performance, research experience, recommendation letters, leadership ability and patient care experience. 

If an applicant is invited for a personal interview, the interview itself is evaluated on the criteria of satisfactory performance based on assessment of qualities such as interpersonal relations, concern for others, integrity, and an ability to communicate effectively and maturely.

Following each interview session, the Admissions Committee meets to discuss the interview outcomes for each applicant, and decisions are communicated to candidates via email within two weeks. 

The Admissions Committee reviews applicants holistically, with a focus on academic performance, clinical experience, personal qualifications, the quality of their letters of recommendation and their personal statement.The Division of Physician Assistant Studies does not offer advanced standing to any applicants, including those who have prior experience as a medical student or physician assistant student or who are foreign medical graduates.

If the candidate is accepted to the program, a deposit of $1500 is required to hold a seat in the incoming class.

Advanced Standing Policy

The Division of Physician Assistant Studies does not offer advanced standing to any applicants, including those who have prior experience as a medical student or physician assistant student or who are foreign medical graduates.

Technical Standards

Observation - The ability to observe is required for demonstrations, visual presentations in lectures and laboratories, laboratory evidence and microbiological cultures, microscopic studies of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathological states. A candidate must be able to observe patients accurately and completely, both closely and from a distance. Observation requires functional vision and somatic sensation and is enhanced by a sense of smell.

Communication - A candidate should be able to speak, hear and observe patients in order to elicit information, perceive non-verbal communications and describe changes in mood, activity and posture. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients through speech, and through reading and writing. Communication in oral and written form with the health care team must be effective and efficient.

Motor - A candidate should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation and percussion, as well as to carry out diagnostic maneuvers. A candidate should have motor function sufficient to execute movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Such skills require coordination of gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and sensation.

Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities - Problem solving is a critical skill demanded of physician assistants; this skill requires all of these abilities. The candidate must also be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships as well as the spatial relationship of structures.

Behavioral and Social Attributes - A candidate must have sufficient emotional health to fully use his or her intellectual ability, to exercise good judgment, to complete all responsibilities, and to attend to the diagnosis and care of patients. A candidate must be able to develop mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and colleagues. A candidate must be able to tolerate physical and emotional stress and continue to function effectively. A candidate must possess qualities of adaptability, flexibility and be able to function in the face of uncertainty. He/she must have a high level of compassion for others, motivation to serve, integrity and a consciousness of social values. A candidate must possess sufficient interpersonal skills to interact positively with people from all levels of society, all ethnic backgrounds and all belief systems.

The administration of the Physician Assistant program recognizes its responsibility to present candidates who have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical situations and to render a wide spectrum of patient care. The responsibility for these technical standards is primarily placed on the Physician Assistant Admissions Committee to select entering Physician Assistant students who will be the candidates for the degree.

Health Requirements

All students entering or re-entering the M.S. degree in Physician Assistant Studies must complete and submit a Health Examinations/Vaccinations form located in the Forms & Documents section of the University's Admissions website, as well as the Division’s health forms. The Division’s health forms will be sent along with the package of materials that is mailed out once a student is accepted into the program and sends in the deposit to hold the seat. Additional health forms are required for entry into the clinical year of the Division’s curriculum.

Didactic Year Curriculum

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

TOTAL CREDITS: 40

Clinical Year Curriculum

Each clinical year student completes ten (10) clerkships of five (5) weeks in length. The faculty creates an individual rotation schedule for each clinical year student. The student must return to the LIU campus at the end of each clerkship for a two-day End-of-Rotation Meeting with the faculty.

Students must rotate in each of the following clerkships during the clinical year:

FALL, SPRING, SUMMER (3 courses per term)

FALL 2 (following the Clinical Year)

Student Employment Policy

Student Employment Policy

In compliance with the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA), PA program students must not be required to work for the PA program in any capacity and must not substitute for or function as instructional faculty. Students must notify the PA program immediately if they are put in such a position, or if they have any questions or other concerns regarding this policy.

Student employment is not recommended for the PA student due to its rigorous curriculum. However, any student engaging in gainful employment during their time at the PA Program must notify the Program Director.

Background Checks and Drug Testing

Many of our clinical/field experience affiliates now require the completion of criminal background checks and/or drug testing for employees, volunteers and students affiliated with the site. Therefore, students may be asked to undergo a criminal background check, and/or a drug screen. A criminal conviction and/or the use of illegal drugs may impede or bar your entry into your chosen field of study. Students desiring entrance into the School of Health Professions should be aware that our clinical/field affiliates can reject or remove a student from the site if a criminal record is discovered or if a drug test is positive. In the event that a student is rejected from a clinical/field site due to information contained in the criminal background check, or drug screen, you may be unable to complete a required clinical/field experience. If you are unable to complete program requirements, you may be advised to withdraw from the program.

In addition, students seeking entrance into health and human service professions should be aware that the presence of a criminal record can result in the refusal of licensing/certification/registration agencies to issue the credential needed to practice in that field of study. Prospective students are urged to contact the pertinent state and/or federal licensing board to inquire whether a criminal record will have an impact on your eligibility to obtain licensure or certification.

Student Grievances

In a matter in which students feel that their rights have been violated, the PA students may avail themselves of the following formal grievance procedure:

1. The student will notify their academic advisor in person or via electronic mail within ten (10) days of the event and will include a written statement that clearly describes the event and grievance.

2. The student will receive a response from their academic advisor within a reasonable amount of time. This will include a time and date during which the academic advisor will meet with the student. Following this meeting, the academic advisor will render a decision regarding the event within a reasonable amount of time via electronic mail and via overnight courier (Federal Express, UPS, or similar courier).

3. If the academic advisor is on vacation or is otherwise on leave from the University, the student will be made aware of their absence via electronic mail. In this case, the student will then notify the Program Director of the event and grievance via electronic mail.

4. If the student is not satisfied with the response received from the Academic Advisor, the student may appeal the decision to the Program Director. The student will notify the Program Director in person or via electronic mail within ten (10) days of the meeting with the Academic Advisor and will include a written statement that clearly describes the event and grievance.

5.  The student will receive a response from the Program Director within a reasonable amount of time. This will include a time and date during which the Program Director will meet with the student. Following this meeting, the Program Director will render a decision regarding the event within a reasonable amount of time via electronic mail and via overnight courier (Federal Express, UPS, or similar courier).

6. If the student is not satisfied with the response received from the Program Director, the student may appeal the decision to the Appeals Committee of the Physician Assistant Program.

This committee is made up of the Program Director, Academic Coordinator, and Director of Clinical Education. If necessary, additional members may serve ad hoc any of these people are unable to do so.

7. If the student is still not satisfied with the decision of the Appeals Committee of the PA Program, the student may appeal through the Associate Dean of the School of Health Professions. The Associate Dean will review the matter and will follow the following procedure:

Dean’s Office Appeal Process, School of Health Professions

The following process will be used for all appeals that students choose to bring to the Dean as part of the University appeal process:

The student MUST have first followed PA departmental appeal processes including, but not limited to, the appeal to the Academic Advisor, Program Director, and Appeals Committee of the PA program.

Appeals to the Dean of Health Professions must be submitted in writing and must be submitted within ten (10) business days of receipt of the decision letter from the PA Program. This written appeal will be transmitted to the Appeal Board for review and will be a factor in the final decision made by the Dean of Health Professions. The appeal must be accompanied by a completed Appeal Checklist.

If deemed necessary by the Dean of Health Professions, the Associate Dean will serve as a hearing officer and will appoint an ad hoc Appeal Board. The Appeal Board will consist of three faculty members from the School of Health Professions, who may be tenure track, non-tenure track, or have administrative roles. One of these faculty members will be from the program from which the appeal has originated. The Dean will be present at the hearing but will not contribute to the discussion.

The hearing will be scheduled as expeditiously as possible.

At the hearing (with all parties present):

The hearing may be recorded for future reference.

The student will present his/her appeal including justifications, circumstances, and anything they wish the Board to consider. The maximum time allowed is 30 minutes.

The course instructor, or other appropriate faculty member, will present the circumstances and evidence leading to the decision being appealed. The maximum time allowed is 30 minutes.

Student and faculty will not engage in debate of the circumstances with each other but will answer questions posed by the Board for the purpose of clarification.

Upon completion of the presentations and any questioning by the Board, the student, and faculty will be excused.

The Board will discuss the facts of the appeal and reach consensus, or vote, on a recommendation to the Dean. If a vote is taken, the Associate Dean will not vote.

Within 24 hours of the hearing, the Associate Dean will prepare a written report that contains:

A summary of the information presented by both sides at the hearing.

A summary of the discussion of the Board after the parties were dismissed.

A recommendation for action by the Dean.

The Dean will then reach a decision based upon the report from the Board, the written appeal submitted by the student, and any other information relevant to the case. The Dean will then notify the student by certified mail. This decision will normally be made within 48 hours unless further investigation is necessary, or the Dean is unavailable within that time frame. If the decision will be delayed longer than 48 hours, the student will be notified by the Dean’s office of that delay.

**The foregoing procedure shall be a formal grievance procedure for the resolution of all student grievances, including those alleging actions prohibited by legislation.

For university policies on the appeal process for grade changes, course drop/add, involuntary call to military duty, death in the family, etc., visit the university’s weblink:

 https://www.liu.edu/enrollment-services/registration/policies

Tuition and Fees

LIU PA Students and prospective PA students are encouraged to visit the LIU website for details regarding tuition and fees as well as policies regarding tuition and fees at:

http://liu.edu/Brooklyn/Enrollment-Services/Tuition

Projected Expenses for the PA Program

Tuition and fees listed below are at the projected prevailing rates:

• Tuition per credit for PA students: $1,405
• Number of credits in the curriculum: 86
• Fees: $1017 per semester (x 7 semesters): $7,119

 

Projected Expenses for the Didactic Year

Didactic year: 40 credits @ $1,405 per credit: $ 56,200

Fees:  $1017 per semester @ 3 semesters:       $ 3,051

 

Total: $ 59,251

 

Projected Expenses for the Clinical Year

Clinical year: 46 credits @ $1,405 per credit: $ 64,630

Fees: $1017 per semester @ 4 semesters:  $ 4,068

   

Total:  $ 68,698

 

Subtotal for Tuition & Fees    * $127,949

Estimate of additional expenses per year (see detailed list below) $3,733

 

Grand total for all expenses: ** $ 131,682

* Tuition and fees subject to change yearly

**Does not include housing and other personal expenses

Additional Expenses include (but are not limited to):

Textbooks, software or other educational supplies  $650

Medical equipment $700

Laptop computer with service plan  $1000

Two short lab coats (approx. $25 each) $50

Criminal Background Check $132

Castlebranch Drug Screening  $76

American Heart Association BCLS certification $90

American Heart Association ACLS Certification  $270

Infection Control Certificate  $35

HIPPA  $30

American Academy of PAs Student Membership $75

New York State Society of PAs Student Membership $75

Registration fee for the PA National Certifying Exam $550

Total = $3,733

Faculty and Staff

Amanda Kulesza, MPAS, PA-C | Program Director | Assistant Professor | amanda.kulesza@liu.edu

Camille Kiefer, PA-C | Director of Clinical Education | camille.kiefer@liu.edu

Brittany O'Gara, MPAS, PA-C | Director of Admissions | Assistant Professor | brittany.ogara@liu.edu 

Stephen DeRoux, MD | Medical Director | stephen.deroux@liu.edu

Sherry Shaker, MS, PA-C | Assistant Professor | sherry.shaker@liu.edu

Laura Goshko, MS, RPH | Assistant Professor | laura.goshko@liu.edu

Danielle Vitalo, DMSc, MATS, PA-C | Assistant Professor | danielle.vitalo@liu.edu

Ankita Dubey, MHSPA | Assistant Professor | ankita.dubey@liu.edu

Katherine Browne, MBA | Administrative Assistant | katherine.browne@liu.edu

Michael Maldonado, BS | Fieldwork Coordinator & Data Analyst | michael.maldonado@liu.edu