Physician Assistant Program Mission
The Physician Assistant Program at Assumption College seeks to recruit and educate highly motivated and intelligent learners striving to exemplify the best practice of medicine in a team-based environment. The program strives to imbue our graduates with the critical intelligence needed to practice high-quality medicine while serving a diverse population with compassion.  Through its emphasis on compassion, empathy, and treating the whole person, the Assumption PA program embodies the principles of Catholic social teaching that, as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has explained, "human life is sacred and the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society”.
 
The Assumption College PA Program prepares graduates to provide ethical, compassionate, competent evidence-based medical care to individuals, families, and communities in accordance with the principles of Catholic healthcare ethics. Academic excellence, exemplary clinical skills, commitment to service, and principled leadership shall be the hallmarks of the Assumption College PA Program. Its curriculum will be infused with and sustained by the traditional Catholic commitment to reverence for human life and the dignity of every human person.

Physician Assistant Program Vision
The program will graduate PAs who will advance individual and community health through excellence in evidence-based practice, teaching, and service. The Assumption program will be known as the regional PA program of choice for applicants and employers.

Physician Assistant Program Philosophy
In accordance with the mission of Assumption College, the PA Program faculty is committed to educating master’s prepared PAs with the disciplinary and clinical competence to provide healthcare in the Worcester area, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the nation, and the global community. The program will prepare generalist practitioners with a robust education that will allow them to function in a variety of settings, inpatient or outpatient, primary care or subspecialty, across the lifespan and medical community. The primary theme is for our students and graduates to relate to each patient as a whole person, deserving of respect, compassion, and the best health care possible.

Physician Assistant professionals must work both autonomously and collaboratively with patients and other professionals to promote optimal health, and they must do so with full knowledge and acceptance of their legal and ethical responsibilities. The students’ educational experience will teach students accountability and responsibility. The faculty believe that the encompassing framework of the program educational platform’s rigorous work will guide the development of such professionals and spur a pursuit of life-long learning and commitment. Service within the community is an expectation of all Assumption PA students. 
 

Program Goals

1. To accept and educate highly qualified students
2. Through a comprehensive and supportive educational experience, the program will develop exceptional entry-level Physician Assistants.
3. Graduate students who pass the PANCE with 100 percent pass rate on the first attempt. 
4. Develop compassionate health care providers who can provide exceptional care in the communities they serve 
5. Foster lifelong learners who strive to continue their quest for knowledge to practice evidence-based medicine and allow them to be better providers.  
6. Develop students into critical thinkers who excel in a team working environment. 

Measures of Success of Program Goals

Goal 1:  

1. Measure enrolled applicant cumulative GPA >3.2.

Goal 2:   

1. All students passing end of curriculum summative exams with scores >85%
2. PANCE pass rate, in addition, 50% of our students with PANCE scores above the national average.
3. SCPE preceptor evaluation of student average scores >3.5/5

Goal 3: 

1. PANCE first time pass rate

Goal 4:    

1. Employer surveys having specific questions regarding graduates’ compassion for patients and families. Average scores ≥3.5/5 for compassion question item
2. SCPE preceptor evaluations of student average scores ≥3.5/5 for compassion question item
3. Exit survey scores ≥3.5/5 for compassion question item
4. OSCE evaluations average scores for compassion ≥85%

Goal 5: 

1. One year out graduate surveys; average score ≥ 3.5/5 for question item addressing life-long learning
2. Graduate student exit survey question related to evidence-based medicine training with average scores ≥3.5/5

Goal 6:   

1. Preceptor evaluations of students for critical thinking and teamwork with average score ≥3.5/5
2. Graduate exit surveys regarding preparedness for critical thinking and teamwork during program with average scores ≥3.5/5

Adapted from the PAEA Core Competencies: 
These six domains reaffirm a patient-centered focus, highlight the role society plays in determining individual and population health, emphasize communication and team-focused care, and delineate the larger systems that impact health and well-being. The six domains are (with Assumption PA program elaboration):

1. Patient-centered practice knowledge 
   Graduates will be able to recognize healthy versus ill patients in the context of the patients’ lives and determine the stage of illness — acute, at risk of illness (emerging), or chronic. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to utilize up-to-date scientific evidence to inform clinical reasoning and clinical judgment.

   Program Elaboration:
   Our graduates will be able to obtain an accurate history and physical exam, formulate a comprehensive differential diagnosis, diagnose a variety of conditions across the lifespan and develop complex treatment plans and perform common procedural skills essential in the care of patients in an acute, chronic and emergent setting.
    

2. Society and population health
   Graduates will be able to recognize and understand that the influences of the larger community may affect the health of patients and integrate knowledge of social determinants of health into care decisions. 

   Program Elaboration:
   Our graduates will demonstrate cultural sensitivity among a diverse population which will allow our graduates to cultivate deep relationships with their patients and to focus on personalized care with respect for individual beliefs. 
    

3. Health literacy and communication 
   Graduates will be able to communicate with patients as partners who engage in shared decision-making and who communicate, interpret, and express themselves as individuals with unique personal, cultural, and social values

   Program Elaboration:
   Our students will have a strong ability to navigate the ever-evolving medical literature as a means of ongoing education to strengthen the foundation of their education at Assumption College.
    

4. Interprofessional collaborative practice and leadership
   Graduates will be able to recognize that the patient is at the center of all health care decisions and to partner with the patient to define the patient’s health care goals
    
5. Professional and legal aspects of health care
   Graduates will be able to practice medicine in a beneficent manner, recognizing and adhering to standards of care while attuned to advancing social justice  
    
6. Health care finance and systems
   Graduates will be able to articulate the essential aspects of value-based health care and apply this understanding to the delivery of safe and quality care. 

In addition, the Institution and the Program believe strongly in the notion of citizenship and service, thus throughout the curriculum, students will have the opportunity to develop a strong sense of service and thoughtful citizenship both within the classroom and the community at large.

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies is a 28 -month, seven consecutive semester program.  It consists of 113 credits over 27 courses. 

• The Didactic phase is primarily classroom and laboratory-based utilizing Problem-Based Learning, high-fidelity simulation manikins, small group sessions, and Apple technology. 
• The Clinical phase consists of nine, 5-week Applied Practice courses/ clinical rotations in the community.
• The Summative phase includes final evaluations and preparation for the role of a practicing PA. 

Each cohort will begin in January and is expected to finish two and a half years later in May. The College will be accepting CASPA applications for the Charter class starting May 1st, 2020 for the cohort scheduled to enter January of 2021.

Spring Year I (21)

Summer Year 1 (16)

Fall Year I (21)

Spring Year II (17)

Summer Year II (10)

Fall Year II (15)

Spring Year III (13)

*Applied Practice courses PHA 600-640 will occur in a different order for each student. This table represents a sample schedule.  

Candidates will apply to the program through CASPA starting May 1, 2020 for the cohort beginning in January 2021. Applications for the January cohort must be completed and verified by CASPA and received by the program by November 1, 2020. Please note that CASPA applications most often do not transmit to the Assumption PA program until verification via the CASPA processes. Any applications that are completed, verified, and transmitted to the program by CASPA after November 1, 2020 will be considered for the cohort beginning in January 2022. 

Once the application reaches our campus, CASPA applications will be screened to ensure the application is complete and that all prerequisites have been met. 

A rubric and point scoring system (total of 100 points - 50 are pre-interview and 50 are for the interview) will be used by the program to further evaluate qualified candidates. Applicants who are current Assumption College students or graduates will receive 5 additional points on the rubric. Applicants who have served honorably in the US military services also receive 5 additional points. These points are added to the scores received on the 100 point scale. Areas that receive scores on the pre-interview evaluation include: overall GPA, science GPA, prerequisite GPA, health care experience level and hours, CASPA essay, letters of reference, and service. The program awards more points for applicants with highers GPAs, higher-level patient care experience, and more hours of experience. 

After review of the applications, the Admissions Committee decides which applicants will be selected for an interview. The program has an agreement with Clark University for an expedited interview based on verification of prerequisites and a formal letter of recommendation from a health professions committee. No additional points are given for that group of applicants and no guarantees of admission are granted for those applicants. 

Applicants will be informed of their interview status on a rolling basis. The program expects to start interviews for the 2021 class in July 2020. The interview day activities will also be scored, based on the events of the day. No group or individual receives additional points from the interview process beyond what is earned that day. Interviewees can expect the interview process to last an entire day.

After each interview day session, the Admissions Committee will review the scoring of both components and discuss each candidate. The point system serves as a guideline for decision making, but is not the only determinant. Decisions will result in one of three categories: accept, active list, or deny. 

Acceptance to the program will be on a rolling basis. The active list is where the program places qualified candidates for consideration at a later date. Candidates may be moved to the accepted category at any time. Once all interviews and reviews have been completed and the available seats filled, a waiting list will be established and candidates will be informed of their status.

Any acceptance of a candidate prior to the granting of the status of Accreditation-Provisional by the ARC-PA will be conditional upon the accreditation decision. In the event of the program not being accredited, the program will not matriculate any students, and any seat deposit will be refunded in total to the candidate.
 

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited US or Canadian institution

Minimum Overall GPA 3.0/4

Minimum Prerequisite GPA 3.2/4

Minimum of 500 hours of verifiable direct patient care

Courses

Biology – 8 credits, must include microbiology

Chemistry- 8 credits, must include either Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry

Human Anatomy & Physiology – 8 credits

Statistics – 3 credits

Psychology – 3 credits, additional upper-level courses recommended

Genetics – 3 credits

Prerequisite grades must be C or better 

Prerequisite courses must be taken within 10 years of CASPA application date (can be waived if evidence of current employment in a field directly related to the course subject matter)

Patient care experience is evaluated by the program using a weighted system that accounts for the training required and complexity of the experience, plus the amount of hours of verifiable hands-on patient care. The list provided is an example of health care roles that will be considered, but is not all-inclusive.

• Military Corspman

• EMT or paramedic

• Combat Medic

• Nurse- RN, BSN, LPN

• EEG or EKG technician

• Emergency room technician

• Physical therapy aid

• Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)

• Medical Assistant (MA)

• Respiratory Therapist

• Dietician

• Phlebotomist

• Athletic Trainer (AT)

• Hospice

• Medical Technologist

• Licensed Practical Nurse

• Dental Hygienist OR Technologist

• X-Ray Technologist

• Physical/Occupational Therapist

• Medical Social Worker (Mental Health)

• Health Care Counselor

• Dialysis Unit aide

• Optometry Assistant

• Chiropractic Assistant

• Scribe

Tuition for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program is $105,000 and estimated fees are $2,750. The following link provides details on other fees and the tuition policy associated with pursuing a degree in this exemplary program.

P.A. Program Fees and Costs

Refunds

No consideration will be given to an application for a refund unless the student has given notice to the Program Director at the time of withdrawal from a course. No fee paid, or any portion thereof is returnable as a matter of right upon a student’s withdrawal from the College. Where illness, physical disability or extraordinary circumstances require a student to leave, he/she may file with the Director of Graduate Enrollment a written statement of the causes of such withdrawal, accompanied by a statement from the registrar giving the date of withdrawal.

The “date of withdrawal” is the date on which the student has actually notified the department. Refunds on tuition will be made according to the following schedule:

For regularly scheduled courses that meet weekly during the semester whether online, blended or traditional course format.
Withdrawal prior to the 1st class session ...............100%
Withdrawal prior to the 2nd class session ...............90%
Withdrawal prior to the 3rd class session ................50%
Withdrawal after the 3rd class session ......................0%
 

Students must demonstrate the technical standards upon admission and continue to demonstrate them throughout their participation in the program. Any student found in violation of technical standards is subject to dismissal.

Observation/Sensory 

• Students must possess functional vision, hearing and somatic sensation in order to succeed in this program.  
• Be able to see and hear lectures/lecture material and all audiovisual material in order to amass knowledge. 
• In order to benefit from this program, students must be able to observe lectures, assignment and group activities both from a distance and up close.  

Communication 

• Effective and proper communication skills are inherent to the profession of medicine. The ability to speak and empathetically interact with patients, families and other providers in order to elicit information to base diagnosis and therapeutic plans is essential. 
• Students must be able to hear sufficiently and to be able to compile patient complaints, histories and questions and act upon them.  
• Students must be able to communication via writing (paper vs electronic). Communications in English need to be completed in a coherent and thoughtful manner to convey findings, assessments and plans and follow-ups to other members of the care teams. 
• Students must also be able to perceive non-verbal communication including reading body language, facial expression and affect. 

Sensory and Motor

• Students must be able to complete a physical exam by means of palpation, auscultation and any other means of examination required by patient complaints and history.
• Complete movements required for medically necessary care, procedures (including surgical techniques and treatments), use of medical equipment and instruments. 
• Both fine and gross motor skills are required. 

Intellectual

• Must be able to intellectually and cognitively meet the rigors and demands of the didactic and clinical portions of the PA program. 
• Be able to obtain, retain, understand and apply the critical intelligence and knowledge within the PA studies curriculum. 
• Incorporate additional information from peers, medical literature and continuing education activities cohesively. 
• Students will need to effectively share knowledge and experience to others.

 
Behavioral/Social Proficiency

• Rational skills to assess and exercise good judgment in complex problems. 
• Able to establish, maintain and cultivate professional and functional working relationships with patients, families, and colleagues. 
• Must be able to understand their limitations and lack of terminal knowledge. 
• Able to identify areas where improvement is needed, this includes being able to accept constructive criticism professionally. 
• Be able to tolerate the rigors of the program including the physical, mental and emotional stress. 
• Possess the flexibility to adapt to uncertain and changing environments inherent to the profession. 

Ethical/legal
Students planning to work as a Physician Assistant must be able to meet the requirements for licensure. All potential limitations or prior legal disciplinary action must be acknowledged in writing prior to matriculation. Should legal action take place against a student during the program they are required to disclose the incident/s. Failure to disclose, either prior to program admission or during the program, are grounds for separation from the program.  

Results for the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) will be published as they become available after graduation of the first class in May 2023.

What is a PA?

PAs are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. With thousands of hours of medical training, PAs are versatile and collaborative. PAs practice in every state and in every medical setting and specialty, improving healthcare access and quality.

What can PAs do?

PAs’ specific duties depend on the setting in which they work, their level of experience, their specialty, and state laws.

Generally, PAs can:

• Take medical histories

• Conduct physical exams

• Diagnose and treat illness

• Order and interpret tests

• Develop treatment plans

• Prescribe medication

• Counsel on preventive care

• Perform procedures

• Assist in surgery

• Make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes

• Do clinical research

What are you looking for in an application to the program?

The ideal applicant demonstrates a balance between strong academics and a substantial amount of hands-on patient care experience. You need to provide evidence of being a motivated learner. The CASPA essay should make clear the reasons for wanting to be a PA. Moreover, you need to show the ability to be compassionate, empathetic, and open to the diversity that a career in health care entails. Lastly, an Assumption PA student must bring not only the desire to help others but the willingness and heart to serve, very often in their patients’ most trying moments.

What is the program’s accreditation status?

The Assumption College Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program has applied for Accreditation-Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The Program anticipates matriculating its first class in January 2021, pending achieving Accreditation-Provisional status at the September 2020 ARC-PA meeting. "Accreditation - Provisional" is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program's ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

If the Assumption College program is not granted accreditation, no students will be enrolled in the program, and any deposits paid will be refunded. CASPA application fees will not be refunded.

What sort of medical experience do I need?

The program requires that applicants have a minimum of 500 hours of verifiable patient contact experience. Those with compensated hands-on patient care experience and a greater number of hours will be scored higher. Those applicants with experience that required advanced training or expertise will also be scored higher.   

Does the program grant or award any advanced placement for previous experience or education? 

No credit or advanced placement will be granted.

Will every applicant be granted an interview?

No. Each application will be evaluated and the Admissions Committee will determine those who will be invited for an interview. 

Where will classes be held?

We will be located in a new Health Science Building on the Assumption College campus along with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. 

Will you use CASPA, the centralized application service?

We will. Applications for the cohort beginning January of 2021 will open on May 1, 2020. 

When is the deadline for applications?

Applications must be completed and verified by CASPA by November 1, 2020. However, we will use a rolling acceptance policy, so the earlier the application, the better your chances.

How many students will there be?

The first cohort is projected to be 20 to 30 students.

When are interviews held?

Those dates have yet to be scheduled. 

What happens after the interview? 

Candidates will be either accepted, rejected, or placed on an “Active” list for further consideration. Once all interviews are completed and acceptances offered, a formal waiting list will be established. 

Why choose a newly developed PA program?

New programs have been recently provisionally accredited and have undergone an extensive examination of their ability to begin educating students. Two more site visits are done over the next few years to assure compliance with accreditation standards. Graduates of provisionally accredited PA programs are eligible to take the PA National Certification Exam (PANCE). 

New programs often allow greater ability to engage learners with more modern methods and technology than some established programs. The “we’ve always done it this way” attitude that can occur in established programs (and inhibit growth and innovation) does not occur in a new program.  As a member of the earliest cohorts, you also have the ability to help shape the culture of the program going forward.

The program director brings significant experience in the development of PA programs to the Assumption College program. Experienced clinicians will guide your learning. The current program faculty have nearly 100 combined years of clinical experience and this number will increase as more faculty are hired.

When will the program start?

The first cohort will begin in January 2021.

How long is the program?

The program will be seven consecutive semesters, 28 months. 

Can I transfer credits into the program or receive credit for my experience?

Credits may not be transferred and no experiential credit will be granted.

What will my education consist of?

Most of the first 14 months (Didactic Phase) will be classroom and laboratory-based. The program will use lectures, Problem-Based Learning, simulation, case studies, along with other methods to engage our learners.  We plan to employ Apple-based technology using iPads to enhance learning and understanding. This phase will also include clinical and technical skills labs as well as community-based patient experiences. This phase of the program engages the students throughout the entire day, with a scheduled lunch break.

In the Clinical phase, your education will consist of 5-week Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs) that will extend into the third program year. 

The final Summative phase will bring you back to campus to complete and present your final project, complete your final written and clinical skills evaluations (which you must pass to graduate), polish your employment seeking skills, and prepare for the PA National Certification Exam (PANCE).

Where will my clinical sites be located?

The clinical sites will be located throughout New England, but primarily in the Worcester region. You are not expected or required to find your own clinical sites or preceptors. The program will set those up for you.

What kinds of practices will I rotate through?

Our accreditation standards state students will have SCPEs with preceptors practicing in: Behavioral health, Emergency medicine, Family medicine, General surgery, Internal medicine, Pediatrics, and Women’s health. Electives will be offered as well. 

I need to take some prerequisite courses. Where can I take them?

You may take them at any accredited US or Canadian college or university. Online courses will most often meet the prerequisites, except for those requiring labs. If there are questions, it is always best to check with the program.

I took some of my prerequisite courses many years ago.  Will you still count those?

Prerequisite courses must have been taken within 10 years of the CASPA application date. That requirement may be waived if evidence of current employment in a field directly related to the course subject matter can be verified. The final decision will be made by the Admissions committee.

Do you require the GRE?

We will not be requiring the GRE.

Can I work while attending the program?

It is strongly recommended that you do not work while enrolled in the PA program. You will require minimal time away from your intense studies for rest, relaxation, exercise, and time with friends and loved ones. 

What are the keys to success?

Have a strong support network. The time you had for yourself and others will be greatly decreased.  Prepare yourself and others for that.

Be prepared from Day 1 to learn. Your faculty will provide you the tools and support you, but you have to do the work. Student-centered learning means just that. 

Assess your learning style. Many students have been successful throughout high school and undergraduate studies, then struggle in their PA education due to the volume of material and the pace of which it is delivered.

Time management skills are fundamental for the same reasons. There is very little free time in the day to catch up on studying. How you manage your limited time can have a significant effect on your success. 

Thousands of PA students graduate each year, so you know it can be done.  But it is not easy and has the potential to be one of the most stressful experiences of your life.

Marc V. Bisceglia MPAS, PA-C
Emergency Department 
Heywood Hospital

Ashley Corridori MPAS, PA-C
Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Assumption College
Master of PA Studies, MCPHS University
Physician Assistant at Hartford HealthCare - GoHealth Urgent Care

Rebecca Corridori MPAS, PA-C 
Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Assumption College
Master of PA Studies, MCPHS University
Physician Assistant at Hartford HealthCare - GoHealth Urgent Care

Eric W. Cucchi MS, PA-C, DFAAPA
Director of eICU Operations, UMass Memorial Medical Center
Instructor of Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts 
Assistant Clinical Professor, BayPath University
Staff Physician Assistant, Critical Care Unit, Memorial Campus
UMass Memorial Medical Center, eICU Support Center, Hahnemann Campus

Adam W. Katz MPAS, PA-C
Director, Critical Care Affiliate Practitioner Program
Staff Physician Assistant, CCU Memorial Campus
UMASS Memorial Medical Center 

Christopher M. Leahy PA-C
Administrative Chief, Specialty APC Staff
Reliant Medical Group
Department of Orthopedics & Reconstructive Surgery

Heather Z. Morgan MPAS, PA-C
Lead SICU Advanced Practice Provider
Saint Vincent Hospital

Tia Phillips PA-C, MS, DFAAPA
Chief Advanced Practice Provider
Chief Cardiac Surgery PA
Saint Vincent Hospital

Mark M. Wilson, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Associate Director Medical Intensive Care Unit
Chief Respirologist for the MDA/ALS Clinic
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Course Director and Lecturer of the Pulmonary Pathophysiology Block

It is strongly recommended that you do not work while enrolled in the PA program. You will require minimal time away from your intense studies for rest, relaxation, exercise, and time with friends and loved ones. If a student chooses to work, the program will not alter the course schedule to adapt to a student work schedule or allow work related reasons as justification for poor or substandard academic or professional performance.