PA PROGRAM Information Sessions

      October 20

6:00 pm in room WHCS A223 at Western Campus 

PROGRAM START DATE PROPOSAL

Tri-C PA program has submitted a proposal to move the start date for 2010 from May to August. Please check back to the website in November to see status of proposal. If approved, application deadline will be extended.

Physician Assistant 

Area of Study: Physician Assistant  
Degree/Certificate: Post Degree Professional Certificate / Master's Degree Affiliation  
Program Description

CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE / CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY PA PROGRAM

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) has been educating physician assistants for over thirty years.   Our graduates are active participants in the healthcare community practicing in  primary care, surgery, education, and research throughout the United States.

The Physician Assistant (PA) Program at Tri-C has an emphasis in primary care, and is one of over one hundred and thirty PA educational programs throughout the country preparing highly qualified, cost effective health care professionals who not only provide medical and surgical care to the sick, but also promote wellness by providing patient education, health promotion and disease prevention services.

Cuyahoga Community College, in partnership with Cleveland State University, is offering a 27 month physician assistant education program that will award students a Master of Science Degree in Health Sciences as well as a certificate in Physician Assistant Studies upon program completion. 

Our program has a challenging 27 month curriculum, state of the art lab with two simulated operating rooms, a seven bed simulation clinic, a virtual practice room, and a Human Patient Simulator lab with Standardized Patient rooms that provide our students virtual and hands on training during the didactic phase.

Individuals with broad educational backgrounds, prior health care experience, and those who are under-represented in the health care professions are encouraged to apply for program admission.

The Cuyahoga Community College  / Cleveland State University PA Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission for the Education of the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA).

DOWNLOAD FILES:

                  Program Information Packet

                  Physician Assistant Program Vision, Mission, Goals 2009

                  Graduate Competencies 2009

        

Program Requirements
Program Admission Requirements:  
Application may be submitted to the Health Careers Enrollment Center after meeting the following requirements:
  • Application is available online through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA): https://portal.caspaonline.org
  • Submit all college transcripts verifying a bachelor’s degree
  • Complete ENG-1010 (or equivalent transfer course)
  • Complete MATH-1410 (or equivalent transfer course)
  • Complete the following:
    • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) - see note below
    • BIO-1500 (or equivalent transfer course with lab)
    • BIO-1510 (or equivalent transfer course with lab)
    • BIO-2330 (or 1430) and (or equivalent transfer course with lab)
    • BIO-2340 (or 1440) (or equivalent transfer course with lab)
    • BIO-2500 (or equivalent transfer course with lab)
    • CHEM 1300 (or equivalent course with lab)
    • CHEM 1310 (or equivalent course with lab)
    • CHEM-2300 (or equivalent transfer course with lab)
    • PSY-1010 (or equivalent transfer course with lab)
    • ENG-1020 (or equivalent transfer course with lab)
    • MA-1020 (or equivalent transfer course with lab or student may show proficiency by passing -75% or greater- an exam given by program during interview session)
  • 10 year time limit on Sciences
  • GPA required: 3.00 overall. Completion of all prerequisite coursework with “C” or better
  • Math and Science Courses: 3.00 GPA required.
  • Health care experience is strongly recommended and applicants who possess hands-on patient care experience are preferred. This is hands-on patient contact experience that may include volunteer work.
  • Verification of completion of 40 hours of observation during which the candidate will shadow an NCCPA certified Physician Assistant in their work environment. Shadowing experience arranged by applicant. A letter of verification from the PA-C to the Program is sufficient.
 
Other Information:
  • 30 students accepted per year.
  • Completion of an application to Cuyahoga Community College and completion of a graduate application to be submitted to Cleveland State University upon notification of program acceptance.
  • GRE – REQUIRED BY ALL APPLICANTS. Official scores are required from the GRE and should be submitted directly to Cuyahoga Community College with designation code 3877. See website for details (www.tri-c.edu/programs/physicianassistant/pages/programapplication.aspx
  • Science courses must have been completed within the past ten years of application submission.
  • Completion of a physical examination and immunizations prior to matriculation. A form will be provided with the letter of acceptance into the PA program.
  • All students are required to maintain adequate health insurance throughout the program. Information regarding health insurance will be required upon program acceptance.
  • Foreign graduates: Competetive scores are 600 on TOEFL. See website for details.
  • Criminal background check required.
 

Suggested Semester Sequence

Summer Semester 1 Credits

PA-1200

History & Physical Exam Techniques I

3

PA-1240

Clinical Anatomy

4

PA-1350

Electrocardiography

1

PA-1550

PA and the Profession

1

 

Graduate MSHS coursework (1)

4

 

Graduate MSHS coursework (1)

4

Total

17

First Semester Credits

PA-1210

History & Physical Exam Techniques II

3

PA-1360

Adjuncts to Diagnosis

 3

PA-1600

Clinical Medicine I

4

 

Graduate MSHS coursework (1)

3

 

Graduate MSHS coursework (1)

3

Total

16

Second Semester Credits

PA-1230

Basic Surgical Skills

2

PA-1250

Clinical Pharmacology

4

PA-1370

Behavioral Medicine

2

PA-1610

Clinical Medicine II

4

 

Graduate MSHS coursework (1)

3

 

Graduate MSHS coursework (1)

3

Total

18

Summer 2 Semester Credits

PA-1220

Basic Technical Skills

2

PA-1620

Clinical Medicine III

4

PA-2302

Patient Management

2

PA-2501

Emergency Medicine

4

 

Graduate MSHS coursework (1)

4

Total

16

Third Semester Credits

PA-294A

Field Experience I: Family Practice

1

PA-294B

Field Experience I: Women’s Health

1

PA-294C

Field Experience I: General Surgery

1

PA-294D

Field Experience I: Internal Medicine

1

PA-2910
OR
PA-2915

Directed Practice I: Primary Care
OR
Directed Practice I: Surgery


1

PA-2972

Field Experience Seminar I

1

 

Graduate MSHS coursework (1)

3

Total

9

Fourth Semester Credits

PA-2920
OR
PA-2925

Directed Practice II: Primary Care
OR
Directed Practice II: Surgery


1

PA-295A

Field Experience II: Emergency Medicine

1

PA-295B

Field Experience II: Geriatrics

1

PA-295C

Field Experience II: Psychiatric/Behavioral Medicine

1

PA-295D

Field Experience II: Pediatrics

1

PA-2982

Field Experience Seminar II

1

 

Graduate MSHS coursework (1)

3

Total

9

Summer 3 Semester Credits

PA-2610

Preparation for Practice

4

 

Graduate MSHS coursework (1)

3

 

Graduate MSHS coursework (1)

3

Total

10

Program Total Credits

 

95

 

Notes  

(1) See Cleveland State University Graduate catalog for specific graduate course requirements.

 
Program Outcome