Admissions Information and Criteria for the M.M.S. in Physican Associate Medicine

Admissions Cycle

The University of New Haven Physician Associate program participates with CASPA for the submission of applications for incoming cohorts. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the CASPA cycle, as we conduct a rolling admissions process. Recruiting will start when the CASPA cycle opens and closes annually on January 15th. Candidates must be verified by the closing date to be considered for the current CASPA cycle. Incoming cohorts will start in the Fall for our 24-month program.  

Admissions Philosophy and Ideal Candidates

The University of New Haven Physician Associate program is dedicated to the holistic review of each applicant. Thus, there is no minimal GPA to apply to the program. Factors influencing applicant selection for interview and acceptance include evidence of perseverance in past endeavors, clinical work experience, and the personal and professional attributes indicative of potential for success both academically and as a practicing Physician Associate. Ideal candidates include those who have demonstrated resiliency and possess the desire to practice medicine as a Physician Associate with a focus on service consistent with the Planetree philosophy.

Learn more about the Planetree philosophy here: https://www.planetree.org/our-story

Components of evaluation included in the applicant review for Interview include academic and personal capacity for success, mission alignment, and healthcare experience. Academic capacity for success is scored on the following three components; academic trajectory, academic history, and academic rigor of completed coursework. Assessment of personal capacity for success is scored on evidence of an applicant’s ability to care for immediate needs and work towards long-term goals, emotional maturity, demonstrated capacity to work within and navigate systems, evidence of resilience/overcoming obstacles, ability to self-appraise and ability to work as a member of a team. Healthcare experience is scored based upon the number of hours, quality of experience, direct patient interaction and degree of application of skills. Mission alignment is scored based upon evidence of community, school or organizational leadership, personal traits that align with the program mission, diversity and knowledge acquired in and about the care of diverse populations and as a member of a setting in which the applicant has experience with living or working within a diverse population.

The holistic application review results in preference being demonstrated for applicants with one or more of the following verifiable experiences:

• History of military service
• Hours of clinical experience that exceed the minimal number required
• Evidence of resiliency – overcoming personal, academic, professional and/or socio-economic factors to meet the requirements for admission.
• Evidence of a service-focused work or volunteerism

Applicants selected for, and accepted an interview invitation, will complete three interview components during their on-campus experience. These components are designed to allow for the continued holistic review of each interviewee and are organized as below:

1. Teamwork Skills: Collaboration, Communication, Contribution, Flexibility, Conflict Resolution and Leadership.
2. Ethical Dilemma Management: Communication, Analysis of Dilemma and Consideration of Stakeholders
3. Mini Interviews – traditional interview questions aimed at assessing individual applicants' Maturity, Commitment, and Insight.

Minimum requirements for candidacy

Admissions to PA programs are competitive, so, while there are minimum requirements to be considered for admission, ideal candidates will exceed some of these requirements. 

• Submission of a complete, verified application through CASPA by January 15th.
• Earned Baccalaureate degree by June 1. 
• Completion of all prerequisite course at the time of application.
• 750 hours of direct patient contact are required at the time of application (will be verified upon acceptance).
• Three letters of recommendation; one must be from an employer and one from a professor.
• Completion of program-specific supplemental questions and the personal statement.
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident status at the time of application. Applicants with pending citizenship or temporary residency will not be considered. 
• Applicants educated outside the U.S. must also submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and a transcription evaluation demonstrating academic credit and grades. The TOEFL total score result must be 100 or greater and within 2 years of the application date.
• The program does not accept graduates of foreign/domestic medical school programs.
• GRE is not required.
• The program does not grant or award advanced placement.

Required Prerequisite Courses

All prerequisite courses must be completed before application and within 7 years of anticipated matriculation. Applicants must have earned at least a "C" in each prerequisite course.

• Biology
  • Microbiology with Lab (4 credits),
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II (8 credits)*, and
  • Upper-Level Human Biology course with or without laboratory (3-4 credits)
    (Examples include Histology, Immunology, Pathology, Genetics)

  *8 hours of Human Anatomy with Lab plus 8 hours of Human Physiology may be substituted for the 8 hours of Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II

• Chemistry
  • Chemistry course with lab (8 credits)
    (Examples include Inorganic and general chemistry)
    and either
  • Organic or Biochemistry with or without lab (3-4 credits)
• Statistics
  • Statistics/Medical Statistics/Biostatistics (3 credits), or
  • Calculus (3 credits)
• Psychology
  • Any General or Introductory Human Psychology Course (3 credits)

Healthcare Experience and Direct Patient Care Requirements

The program requires at least 750 hours of direct patient care experience at the time of application. All qualifying healthcare experiences must be compensated, occur in person, within the US healthcare system, and must be verified upon acceptance. The program recognizes that not all healthcare experience hours are equal. The program weighs an applicant's level of involvement in patient care, overall quality of healthcare experience, and the level of skill required. 

Interviews, Offers, and Candidacy Status

Applicants are selected for interviews based upon a holistic review of all application materials. Interviews must be completed in person, on campus. Applicants selected for an interview will receive notification of interview invitation via the Office of Graduate Admission.

Post the interview process, all interviewees are considered for admission. The three possible outcomes include: offer of admission, placement upon a wait list, and decline. Candidates who are admitted have 14 days from the date noted on their official acceptance letter to accept admission and secure their seat with a $1,000.00 deposit. Note that deposits are not refundable.

Interviewees placed on a waiting list will be ranked according to interview and application scores and admitted if space becomes available. Candidates placed on the waitlist will be notified by the Office of Graduate Admissions, but their ranking is not made available. If admitted from the waitlist, candidates must reply to the program within 48 hours. The security deposit must be received within 14 days from the date of the candidate’s acceptance of admission.

Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements will be notified through CASPA. CASPA does not notify students that they may not meet minimum requirements before applying nor refund application fees.

Requirements for Enrollment, Matriculation, and the Clinical Year

Students must have completed, or obtain, all university and program required immunizations. University and program required immunizations are based upon the current CDC recommendations.

University Required Immunizations:

• The State of Connecticut requires ALL students to have the MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella). Vaccines after December 1956 or given before the first birthday are not valid. MMRV is also acceptable.
• The State of Connecticut requires ALL students to have the Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine. Two doses are required, proof of history of disease, or blood test to prove immunity required. MMRV is also acceptable.
• The State of Connecticut requires that all students living in university housing receive 1 injection of the Meningitis (MCV 4 Sero Groups, A, C, Y and W135) vaccine within five (5) years of enrollment. If you are planning on living in the residence halls or in university housing, you MUST have received this vaccination and be able to produce valid proof. Proof this vaccine is also required of all University of New Haven athletes, whether living on or off campus.

COVID vaccination is not required to be attend the UNH PA program. However, failure to become vaccinated against Covid may result in limitations of available SCPEs (clinical rotations) due to clinical sites requiring vaccination. This may result in a delay of graduation and increased expense incurred by the student to extend their time in the program beyond 24 months.

• Students must acknowledge and agree to comply with the preclinical screenings required for participation in the clinical phase. Clearance to enter the program's clinical phase will include a signed clearance from a licensed medical practitioner, drug screen, background check, up to date vaccinations, infectious disease screening and titers as recommended by the CDC.
• The cost of all preclinical clearance compliance is the student's monetary responsibility. Failure to comply with preclinical requirements, including Covid and Influenza vaccination, will result in limited opportunities for clinical placements based on requirements from our clinical affiliates. This may result in a delay in graduation and an increased financial burden for the student.
• Some clinical sites may require additional screening or documentation beyond what is required by the program. In such cases, students will be notified of what is required by the Clinical Coordinator with ample time given before that clinical rotation starts.

Students are required to submit a criminal background check twice during the program. The first is required upon accepting an offer of admission and the second is before the start of the clinical phase. Students are responsible for the cost of the background checks (typically $75).

Drug Screens
Students must have a drug screening completed before the start of the program's Clinical Phase. Students are responsible for the cost of the testing, which typically ranges from $35 to $75. Students must pass a drug screening test to be eligible for the program's Clinical Phase. Students must consent to have results released to the program by a third-party provider. Students must also sign a global consent form which allows the program to release results to our clinical affiliates for onboarding clearance. Failure to pass the drug screen or comply with any of the above may result in the failure to participate in the clinical phase.

 

All students entering the University of New Haven must have a completed Health Examination Report on file, thus enabling the Health Services staff to render optimum health care when needed. All students must complete the health history form before classes begin in the initial term of full-time enrollment. 

All students are required to have health insurance. The University of New Haven offers student health insurance for those who do not have private insurance. Information about the University student health insurance program and the online waiver system for those with private insurance can be found on the Bursar’s Office webpage. For specific questions regarding health insurance, please contact Health Services at (203) 932-7079.

Students must purchase and maintain a supplemental accidental insurance policy while enrolled in the program. The cost is approximately $50.00 annually per student. Plan participation information will be provided to students prior to the program start date.

Health Services maintains all medical records, which are confidential and cannot be released without the student's consent. 

Physician Associate students must provide care to patients in a wide range of circumstances and settings to complete the program. Every student must master the required basic knowledge and the application of that knowledge during supervised clinical practical experiences. To do so, students must have sufficient capacities and demonstrate sufficient abilities in Motor/Tactile function, Communication, Observation, Cognitive/Intellectual function, as well as Social and Behavioral attributes.

Each student must demonstrate these capabilities continuously and consistently throughout their enrollment in the program to successfully complete it. No use of technology or surrogate may be utilized to meet these standards.

Students must attest at the time of acceptance of entrance to the program that they meet these technical standards. If at any phase of the program, a student fails to meet these standards, they are not qualified to continue in the program.

Motor/Tactile

 

• Students must be able to directly perform palpation, percussion, auscultation and all physical exam and diagnostic maneuvers.
• Students must demonstrate sufficient coordination of fine and gross motor skills, balance/equilibrium, and functional sensation.
• Students must demonstrate functional capacity to operate equipment and instruments as needed to perform diagnostic tests and procedures.
• Students must be mobile enough to move from one setting to another in a timely manner.
• Students must demonstrate stamina in physical, mental, and emotional parameters.

Communication

 

• Students must be able to receive and process auditory information.
• Students must be able to write clearly and concisely.
• Students must demonstrate the capacity to communicate in an empathetic and sensitive manner.
• Students must be able to synthesize complex information and literature and convey this information in a patient-sensitive and easily understood manner.
• Students must demonstrate the capacity to recognize non-verbal cues.

Communication

 

• Students must be able to receive and process auditory information.
• Students must be able to write clearly and concisely.
• Students must demonstrate the capacity to communicate in an empathetic and sensitive manner.
• Students must be able to synthesize complex information and literature and convey this information in a patient-sensitive and easily understood manner.
• Students must demonstrate the capacity to recognize non-verbal cues.

Observation

 

• Student must possess adequate sensory and mental abilities to accurately perceive information in the educational setting – including auditory, visual, tactile, and olfactory.
• Students must demonstrate the ability to interpret radiography and other graphic images.

Cognitive/Intellectual Function

 

• To meet program outcomes, students must demonstrate capacity to problem solve and apply critical thinking.

Social and Behavioral Attributes

 

• Students must possess and demonstrate emotional intelligence and stability.
• Students must show the ability to form meaningful and productive working relationships with peers and treatment team members.
• Students must demonstrate the ability to work in small and large groups.
• Students must possess interpersonal skills adequate to relate to and build meaningful relationships with peers, patients, and family members of patients.
• The student must demonstrate a compassionate and service driven focus.
• The student must demonstrate tolerance to ambiguity and flexibility.
• The student must consistently behave in an ethical and moral manner.
• The student must demonstrate the capacity to accept constructive criticism, self-assess and modify behavior as needed.