Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Physician Assistant?
Physician Assistants (PAs) are health professionals who practice medicine with supervision by licensed physicians.

• PAs deliver a broad range of medical and surgical services to diverse populations in both rural and urban settings throughout the world.
• PAs work in a variety of settings, including private practice, hospitals, HMOs, nursing homes, student health services, and rural and urban clinics. Although their main focus is patient care, PAs may also perform educational, research and administrative activities.
• PAs are qualified by graduation from an accredited physician assistant education program and by certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
• PAs can treat patients when the physician is away from the practice and can write prescriptions.
• PAs are trained to recognize when patients need the attention of a supervising physician, and they refer as needed.
• PAs have demonstrated a commitment to their patients and a continued competence in delivering quality, humanistic health care. Currently there are more than 46,000 practicing PAs in the United States today. For more information on the Physician Assistant profession, contact the American Academy of Physician Assistants at its Web site: www.aapa.org

How Do I Get Into PCOM's PA Program?
Our program offers three points of entry.

The first applies if you already have a bachelor of science degree. Apply now through CASPA.

If you do not have a bachelor of science degree, PCOM has collaboration agreements with undergraduate programs. One is the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP) and the other is Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. Both schools offer programs of pre-professional preparation for the physician assistant profession. The pre-professional phase at each university consists of three years of solid grounding in natural and social science courses preparing the student for progression into the professional phase, if progressive requirements are met.

More information on Brenau University can be found at www.brenau.edu, regarding this program.

More information on the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia can be found at www.usp.edu, regarding this program.

Students who already have received their bachelor of science degree from other colleges and universities will be considered by PCOM for direct admission into the professional phase of the program at PCOM.

• During the professional phase, students are prepared for their careers in clinical practice using a variety of learning strategies: formal lectures, practical laboratory classes, clinical education and clinical research. Students will develop patient communication skills and advanced clinical problem solving skills, in addition to acquiring technical proficiency in areas related to professional practice.
• Graduates of our program will develop and implement clinical treatment plans in collaboration with their supervising physician. This program is highly intensive, most of it is provided by physicians and physician assistants in order to assure that patient care functions provided by our physician assistant graduates are of the highest quality.

What if I don't have all the prerequisite courses? 
The PA Program at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine has partnership agreements with two undergraduate Universities.  Both offer courses that meet all of the prerequisites.  One school, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, is near to the Philadelphia Campus.  For more information, visit their web page at www.usp.edu.  The other school, Brenau University, is near to the Georgia Campus.  For more information, visit their webpage at www.brenau.edu

What if I have taken courses that are not listed on the prerequisite course list?
When in doubt about your course work it is best to call the Office of Admissions at PCOM or the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. We will be happy to answer your question and have the opportunity to talk with you.

If I don't have a baccalaureate degree, can I still apply for admission to the program?
As long as you plan on completing your degree during the academic year in which you are applying, you can apply to the professional phase of the program.

When can I expect to receive an application for next year?
The admission process for the professional phase of our program begins in late September of each year. You can obtain an application by going online at www.caspaonline.org.

What is the admissions process?
You can apply online anytime. Completed applications are reviewed as we receive them. The deadline for applications is December 1st. Applicants are notified on their selection as soon as possible after their interviews.

When do you interview selected applicants and does everyone get interviewed?
Only selected applicants are interviewed. Admission to the PCOM PA program is very competitive. Interviews are scheduled as soon as possible for selected applicants. It is important to get your completed application in as soon as possible.

What should I expect if I am placed on a waiting list?
You will receive a letter notifying you that you are on a wait list. You must notify the Department of Physician Assistant Studies in writing that you are interested in staying on the wait list. Candidates on the wait list will have an opportunity to strengthen their application for the next admission cycle.

What kind of health care experience or volunteer work do I need to fulfill the 200 documented hours of experience in work related to the health care industry?
The type of health care experience or volunteer work that meets the experience requirement includes, but certainly is not limited to: Emergency medical service experience, military corpsmen or medic, LPN, RN, Allied Health Professional (PT & OT) Medical Technologist, volunteer work at a free clinic, hospice, homeless center, women's center, food bank and/or other health or human service experience.

Would it be useful for me to shadow a PA within a clinical setting prior to applying?
Shadowing includes observing a PA in their daily clinical practice and offers the student the opportunity to understand the role and responsibility of the PA. This experience is extremely useful and should be obtained if possible. This experience should be documented and included in your application.

Will I be able to work full time while I am going to school?
Our program involves an intensive course of didactic and clinical medical education. It is impossible to work during the didactic and/or the clinical phase of the program due to the intensity of the course of study. During the clinical preceptorship year most of our students will average 50 or more hours per week in clinical learning activities.

What about housing and financial aid?
After you are accepted into the professional phase of the program, you will receive information concerning housing and financial aid. The Financial Aid Office at PCOM will send you information shortly after you receive your acceptance letter.

Is there a chance to visit PCOM and see the program?
The Office of Admissions at PCOM offers Open Houses throughout the year; call their office at 215-871-6700 and find out how and when to attend.

If I am chosen is there an orientation program for new students?
Yes, we have an orientation program for new students in early June which also includes an exciting "white coat" ceremony welcoming you to the health care field.

What is the first-time pass-rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination of the NCCPA?

What are the estimated costs for the PCOM PA program?
The estimated cost for the PCOM PA program is $59,280 (for the entire twenty-six months) This is an estimate of tuition costs, student fees, equipment and textbooks for the entire program.