Physician Assistant Studies, M.M.S.

The 28-month (nine semesters) 120-semester hour course of study is designed to train and prepare the next generation of qualified students for entry into the physician assistant profession. The length of the program and curriculum content is ARC-PA compliant and consistent with PA graduate programs nationally.

Accreditation

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The University of Maryland Eastern Shore anticipates matriculating its first class in August 2020, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the March 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.  The program will not commence in the event that provisional accreditation is not received.

Mission

The Physician Assistant Department is a master degree granting educational program of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). As a component of the 1890 Land Grant University, it is committed to providing equal opportunity, especially to those of multicultural backgrounds. The program promotes health and wellness through the provision of quality primary care health education, in a diverse environment that values the discovery of knowledge, the development and dissemination, and practical application of that knowledge through community outreach and service. The department aims to educate and prepare competent and socially conscious, clinical professionals to provide holistic, ethical, and compassionate care to meet the needs of diverse communities in local, state, national and global environments.

Vision

We are committed to –

1. Fostering the interpersonal and collaborative attributes necessary for our PA students to become exemplary medical providers working in team-based practices. 
2. Producing graduates who will master the skills required to competently and compassionately practice preventive and diagnostic medicine.

Program Goals

The Goals of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Physician Assistant Program are to:

1. Cultivate a holistic admission process to recruit and select multicultural diverse and highly qualified applicants who can complete the rigorous Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies.
2. Facilitate a learning environment that promotes interprofessional collaboration to ensure continuity of patient care and positive patient outcomes.
3. Foster an environment that ensures our education, research, technology and service initiatives address the primary health care needs of the underserved rural and urban communities across Maryland and the nation.
4. Instill a commitment to continuous personal growth and  professional development to empower learners to remain socially aware of regional and global health care concerns.
5. Prepare physician assistant students to exhibit the highest level of clinical, interpersonal and professional competencies while working as members of healthcare teams.

Student Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Upon completion of the UMES PA Program, graduates are expected to be competent in the following areas: The PA Program learning outcomes are as follows:

1. develop ability to perform a complete a physical exam and to organize, integrate, interpret and present clinical data in a clear, concise manner;
2. support effective and sensitive communication with patients;
3. apply advanced critical thinking skills to evaluate sources of information;
4. exhibit attributes of engaged citizenship, community service, and social justice;
5. develop effective communication and teamwork skills with health care teams, working in teams and groups to facilitate conflict resolution;
6. provide a comprehensive approach to normal human health and development, both physical and mental;
7. provide explanation and demonstration of skills needed to assess core diseases encountered in primary care;
8. integrate diagnostic assessment skills with knowledge of patient presentation, pharmacology and health care subspecialties to synthesize appropriate treatment plans;
9. promote cross-cultural and socioeconomic sensitivity, confront prejudice, and support development of effective medical practice in a diverse society;
10. exhibit competency practicing in clinical settings involving special needs patient populations;
11. promote commitment to provide effective, accessible, continuous, comprehensive and personalized health care;
12. emphasize fundamental importance of ethical behavior in medical practice;
13. promote teaching of patients, community and colleagues;
14. participate in generating new and evolving medical knowledge through research and intellectual inquiry;
15. apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods to the appraisal of clinical studies and other information on diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness and integrate evidence from scientific studies related to patients’ health problems;
16. develop cutting edge knowledge of the PA profession with abilities to participate as leaders at the local, regional, state and national levels, shaping future policy and legislation to promote PA practice and advancement;
17. apply knowledge of basic science concepts to facilitate understanding of medical sciences;
18. demonstrate basic competency in basic clinical procedures performed by a graduate PA;
19. upon graduation, be prepared to enter the workforce as a gainfully employed PA with excellent job search skills and knowledge to obtain and maintain licensure in any state as a practicing PA;
20. collaborate effectively as a member of interprofessional health care teams; patients in emergency setting;
21. exhibit competency while practicing in community health and population health settings.

* The University of Maryland Eastern Shore PA Program intends to publish evidence of goal achievement here after the initial cohort of students matriculates and graduates.

Application Requirements

The Department will admit qualified candidates to matriculate through the MMS-PAS curriculum of study. Applicants from Health Personnel Shortage Areas (HPSA) https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area/hpsa-find or Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA/P) https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area/mua-find and groups and/or racial/ ethnic populations underrepresented within the physician assistant profession are encouraged to apply and will receive preference. The Physician Assistant Admissions Committee selects students for admission. Applicants must meet the following minimum criteria for consideration for admission into the MMS-PAS Program:

1. A Bachelor’s degree from US institutions of higher education accredited by a regional accrediting association or the degree equivalent in another country. Students must have completed or be in the final stages of completing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university or appropriate international institution. Students may apply while their degree is in progress; however, degree completion and final transcripts are required prior to enrollment into the PA Program.
2. As a policy, UMES Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program does not round-up any grades, including our own course examination scores and course GPAs. This also applies to prospective applicant cumulative science and prerequisite GPAs. However, if your cumulative undergraduate total GPA is below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and specifically only for the cumulative overall undergraduate GPA, we are mindful that some students do poorly in their freshman year but then excel in their remaining undergraduate years. Here in the PA Program, we view this as a sign of academic and emotional maturity. If you are such a student, and only once your application has been completed and verified by CASPA, you may email our Program Management Specialist at PaDept@umes.edu. If approved, the Program may then recalculate your overall GPA based on your Junior and Senior course grades at a 4-year regionally accredited college or university. Courses completed at a community college and courses taken alone (i.e., not with a full semester course load) will not be included in this recalculation. It is important to understand that this is done on a case-by-case basis and the program decision regarding permitting the recalculation and the results of the recalculation are final and not open to consideration for appeal. Regardless of the outcome, all applicants must still have a cumulative science grade point average of 3.0 or higher as noted above.  Students requesting this exception may be asked to provide more information related to the reasons for academic performance.
3. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree earned outside of the US must send their transcripts to one of the member organizations associated with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (https://www.naces.org/members) for translation. Then submit the results to CASPA, and complete all Medical Core prerequisite courses (see below) in the United States. No exceptions will be made.
4. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens are required to submit official test scores for either Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) https://www.ets.org/toefl or Pearsons Test of English (PTE) https://pearsonpte.com/ or the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) https://www.ielts.org/en-us . The following are the minimum scores for admission consideration:

a. TOEFL: 250 computer-based or 100 Internet-based,

b. PTE: overall score of 68

c. IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0, with no individual band score below 6.0.

5. All applicants must successfully complete the following Medical Core prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher (within the Bachelor’s degree or through coursework at a regionally accredited US institution of higher education).

Medical Core Prerequisite Courses  and Credit Hours are listed in the chart below:

Coursework	Semester Credit Hours
Medical Terminology	1
Biology with Lab	4
Microbiology	3
Organic Chemistry I with Lab	4
Inorganic Chemistry/Biochemistry with Lab	4
Human Anatomy/Anatomy and Physiology I	3 - 4
Human Anatomy/Anatomy and Physiology II	3 - 4
Developmental Psychology (From birth through old age)	3

 

6. Prerequisite science courses are to be completed within six years prior to the date of admission.

7. A waiver of the six-year requirement, or grade requirement, for a prerequisite course may be requested by the applicant if 1) there is a continuous employment history that would demonstrate knowledge of the course content, or 2) the applicant has a B grade or better, within the last six years, in a more advanced course in the same subject. Knowledge-based testing does not satisfy any of the prerequisites.  All waivers must be submitted with the supplemental application. The waiver must be approved by Program Director .

8. Applicants must submit Graduate Record Exam scores taken within the last five years. Official GRE score reports must be received by UMES no later than December 1 for an application to be considered for admission. The institution code for UMES is 5400.

9. All applicants to the PA Program must apply through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login. Applicants must also submit and supplemental application to the UMES Graduate School (https://www.umes.edu/Grad/).

10. When completing the CASPA application particular attention should be given to the following:

1. The applicant’s personal statement detailing their desire to become a physician assistant.
2. Three (3) letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential as a physician assistant.
3. One of the letters of recommendation must be from a practicing physician assistant with whom the applicant has had a minimum of 40 hours of first-hand observation or “shadowing” experience.
4. Documentation of a minimum of 500 hours of paid experience involving direct patient care hours are required. It is recommended that students obtain direct patient care hours in different medical settings, e.g., hospice, assisted living facility, hospital, underserved areas/countries, etc. To obtain strong direct patient care experience, students are encouraged to obtain certification credentials, e.g., paramedic, nurse’s aide, phlebotomist, medical assistant, radiologic technologist, EKG tech, EMT (I or Basic), LPN, dental hygienist, or clinical laboratorians (the student MUST be performing phlebotomy, assisting with bone marrow aspirations/biopsy and must have direct patient interaction, not just with their specimens), and behavioral health technician. All required direct patient care hours must be completed by the application deadline. (Hours must be completed by the December 1st deadline).

11. Applicants must have no history of drug abuse or conviction of a felony and must be able to pass a background and drug test.

12. Applicants must have no history of dismissal from another Physician Assistant school for academic or disciplinary reasons.

13. All applicants must be able to meet the program’s Technical Standards which can be found on the UMES PA Program website (www.umes.edu/pa/Content/Technical-Standards-for-the-PA-Program).

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted to CASPA by December 1st for consideration for the following fall (next year’s) entering class. Incomplete CASPA applications will not be considered.

Available Seats and Wait List (Alternates)

1. The program will offer seats to 20 candidates. Class size is determined by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC‐PA).
2. A wait‐list of qualified alternate candidates for admission to the program may be maintained to replace previously selected candidates who decline or who do not matriculate.

Interview and Admissions Criteria

1. Applicants submitting a complete CASPA application prior to the December 1^st deadline may be invited for early interview. Otherwise, interview of selected candidates will be conducted January through April.
2. Using criteria developed by the PA Program’s Admissions Committee, applicants will be invited to interview. Please note that not all qualified applicants will be invited for an interview.
3. Criteria used by the interviewers in their evaluations of candidates include.
   • Past academic performance, grades, grade point averages in undergraduate and required Medical Core courses, GRE scores, extracurricular activities, work experience, length and quality of healthcare experiences.
   • Understanding of the history of the PA profession, the role and scope of physician assistant practice.
   • Appearance, emotional and intellectual maturity demonstrated during interview including interpersonal skills, the ability clearly communicates and establish rapport with others.
   • The competitive applicant should be aware of the uniqueness of a PA program at an HBCU, health disparities, be able to articulate an understanding of diversity, professionalism, cultural competency and have an interest or experience in serving in a medically underserved area.
   • All candidates selected for interview must apply for admission into the Graduate School. (https://www.umes.edu/Grad/)

Acceptance Policy

1. Admission decisions will be based on information contained in the candidate’s CASPA application, criminal background check, and the result of candidate interviews.
2. Admission decisions will be made no later than April 15^th.
3. Upon acceptance to the MMS‐PAS Program, the candidate will be notified of acceptance and given two weeks to respond to their acceptance letter.
4. A non‐refundable acceptance fee of $1,500.00 must accompany the acceptance letter. On admission, this acceptance fee will be credited toward PA program fees.
5. The program reserves the right to rescind acceptance of any candidate offered or seated into the program who has submitted incorrect or false information or documentation.

Tuition and Fees

Completion of the UMES Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies program will require 120 semester hours of full‐time study over the course of the 28‐month (nine semesters) curriculum. The following are the estimated Graduate School tuition and fees expected to be incurred by resident and non-resident students matriculating through the program (2020-2022).

The following are the estimated PA fees and costs expected to be incurred by students matriculating through the program (2020-2022).

Maryland Resident
Tuition & Fees	Cost	Required	Total (over 9 semesters)
Graduate	$349.00/credit hour	120 required hrs.	$41,880.00
Student Fee	$  33.00/credit hour	120 required hrs.	$  3,960.00
Athletic Fee	$  46.00/credit hour	120 required hrs.	$  5,520.00
Technology Fee	$  10.00/credit hour	120 required hrs.	$  1,200.00
Tuition & Fees only		Total	$52,560.00
Estimated PA Fees:		$11,365.00	$11,365.00
Books, equipment, lab and activity fees	$11,365.00
		Total Program Costs	$63,925.00

 

Eastern Shore Region
Tuition & Fees	Cost	Required	Total (over 9 semesters)
Graduate	$481.00/sem. hr.	120 required hrs.	$57,720.00
Student Fee	$  33.00/credit hour	120 required hrs.	$  3,960.00
Athletic Fee	$  46.00/credit hour	120 required hrs.	$  5,520.00
Technology Fee	$  10.00/credit hour	120 required hrs.	$  1,200.00
Tuition & Fees only		Total	$68,400.00
Estimated PA Fees:		$11,365.00	$11,365.00
Books, equipment, lab and activity fees	$11,365.00
		Total Program Costs	$79,765.00

 

Non-Resident
Tuition & Fees	Cost	Required	Total (over 9 semesters)
Graduate	$647.00/sem. hr.	120 required hrs.	$77,640.00
Student Fee	$  33.00/credit hour	120 required hrs.	$  3,960.00
Athletic Fee	$  46.00/credit hour	120 required hrs.	$  5,520.00
Technology Fee	$  10.00/credit hour	120 required hrs.	$  1,200.00
Tuition & Fees only		Total	$88,320.00
Estimated PA Fees:		$11,365.00	$11,365.00
Books, equipment, lab and activity fees	$11,365.00
		Total Program Costs	$99,685.00

 

PA Fees/Costs	Didactic Year	Clinical Year	Total
Textbooks (includes supplies, memberships, ACLS/PALS/ BLS, Insurance, etc.)	$6,500.00	$1,000.00	$7,500.00
Equipment	$500.00	$250.00	$750.00
Standardized Pts/Simulations  @ $1,350.00 ea. (Didactic and Clinical Years)	$1,350.00	$1,350.00	$2,700.00
PACKRAT (assessment exam @ $45 x 3)	$90.00	$45.00	$135.00
End of Rotation Exams (8) $ 35/test		$280.00	$280.00
Total:	$8,440.00	$2,925.00	$11,365.00

NOTE: Notwithstanding any other provision of this or any other University publication, UMES reserves the right to make changes in tuition, fees and other charges at any time such changes are deemed necessary by the University and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents.

Payment of Tuition and Fees

All program fees must be paid in accordance with Departmental and UMES policies and payment schedules.  (See PA Fees and Graduate School Tuition and Fee Schedule). In the event that the program will not commence and provisional accreditation is not received, students will be refunded fees submitted to the university and the UMES PA Program 60 days after the university is notified of its accreditation status by the ARC-PA.

Curriculum

The program operates within the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. The UMES PA Program is a 28-month, full-time graduate professional medical sciences program designed to be taken over nine consecutive semesters with a curriculum emphasis on primary care medicine and clinical methods. The program trains learners to become ethical, compassionate and professional health care providers while preparing them for certification and licensing as graduate PAs.  A Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MMS-PAS) degree is awarded upon successful program completion.

The UMES PA Program consists of nine (9) continuous semesters of rigorous graduate level training that covers all areas of medicine.  The program, during the first 16 months of didactic study, provides students with a firm background in basic medical science, stressing the importance of patient interaction and teamwork in medicine through courses such as clinical medicine, history and physical examination, pharmacotherapy, clinical problem solving and diagnostic testing and clinical procedures. 

The second year of the program is 12 months in duration and will provide students with Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs). Students will be matched to practicing MDs, PAs, NPs, or Nurse Midwives who serve as preceptors to assist in further educating and training PA students through actual patient encounters in team-based settings.  Clinical rotations include the core four primary care clerkships of family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, and behavioral/mental health; three critical care clerkships of general surgery, internal medicine, and emergency medicine, and; one elective clerkship. Students must pass each clerkship individually. You will learn more about the second year of studies during the second winter semester when you will undergo your formal Clerkship Preparation Course and receive the Clinical Program Handbook.

It is important to note that all courses to be counted towards this degree must be taken at UMES while enrolled in the Physician Assistant Program.  Under no circumstances will graduate level courses taken during undergraduate education, or at any time prior to beginning the Physician Assistant Program, be counted toward the MMS-PAS degree.  Courses taken at institutions other than UMES will not be accepted for credit towards your MMS-PAS. Furthermore, transfer credits will not be accepted.

Grading

a. Assignment of course grades is the responsibility and prerogative of the course instructor. Your course instructor will inform you of the criteria that will be used to determine final course grades. In general, where course grades are determined on the basis of a cumulative system of points, grades will be assigned according to a straight grade system. Grade Point Average (GPA) equivalents are as follows:

A	90-100%
B	80-89%
C	75-79%
F	<  74.99%

b. Minimum passing course grades

Students must earn a grade of A through C in order to receive a course credit toward their degree and to continue in the program. Courses in which a student earns a grade below C do not count toward meeting MMS-PAS degree requirements, and require an academic hearing by the faculty. Earning below a C in a course (under 74.99%) may prevent a student from being permitted to continue in the program.

c. Incomplete (I) Grades

At the discretion of the instructor, a grade of instructor, a grade of Incomplete maybe may be used in reporting a student’s standing in a semester’s work if the instructor has received a satisfactory explanation for the student’s inability to complete the required work of the course. In addition, the grade may be used only if the student’s prior performance in the course has been satisfactory.

d. Minimum overall GPA requirement

Students must also maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 throughout the program or they will be placed on academic probation as described in the Graduate Catalog 2017 – 2018 located here http://catalog.umes.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid =233#minimum-gpa-grades-for-graduate-students. Failure to earn better than a 3.0 semester grade point average in terms subsequent to probation may prevent a student from being permitted to continue in the program.

Minimum passing course grades

Students must earn a grade of A through C in order to receive a course credit toward their degree and to continue in the program. Courses in which a student earns a grade below C do not count toward meeting MMS-PAS degree requirements, and require an academic hearing by the faculty. Earning below a C in a course (under 74.99%) may prevent a student from being permitted to continue in the program.

Incomplete (I) Grades

At the discretion of the instructor, a grade of instructor, a grade of Incomplete maybe may be used in reporting a student’s standing in a semester’s work if the instructor has received a satisfactory explanation for the student’s inability to complete the required work of the course. In addition, the grade may be used only if the student’s prior performance in the course has been satisfactory.

Minimum overall GPA requirement

Students must also maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 throughout the program or they will be placed on academic probation as described in the Graduate Catalog 2017 – 2018 located here http://catalog.umes.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid =233#minimum-gpa-grades-for-graduate-students. Failure to earn better than a 3.0 semester grade point average in terms subsequent to probation may prevent a student from being permitted to continue in the program.

Academic Probation

This is a professional program with high expectations of its students. The academic performance and behavior of all students is closely monitored.  Academic Probation and Dismissal are sanctions that may be invoked for: 

1. Academic performance below expected standards, or
2. Violation(s) of the Physician Assistant Program Policies and the UMES Code of Conduct 

If a student’s academic performance or behavior does not meet the standards and/or requirements of the Department, their performance and behavior is reviewed by the Progress and Promotion Committee. 

Academic Probation Guidelines 

1. Students on academic probation may continue attendance under conditions specified by the Progress and Promotion Committee. Please review the Program Handbook (www.umes.edu/pa/Content/Program-Handbook) for additional information.
2. If after one semester, a student again violates any of the conditions set forth for the probationary status, the student is subject to continued academic probation, withdrawal from the Program, or dismissal. 
3. Any student placed on probation by the Progress and Promotion Committee will be advised of that action in writing.  The deficiencies will be clearly outlined and the student will be required to attest to his or her knowledge of the deficiencies noted. 
4. The letter of probation from the Program Director, representing the Progress and Promotions Committee’s decision will stipulate the requirements of probation and a time line for the student to meet the assigned requirements to avoid dismissal.
5. The student will be advised as to what course of action will be available to them to regain academic standards.
6. Written acknowledgment of the specific requirements will become a permanent part of the student’s record and will be available for future reference.

Dismissal

Dismissal - A single grade of “F” 

In the Didactic year the Didactic Education Director will meet with the student to discuss the circumstances which contributed to the student’s poor performance. The Didactic Education Director will refer the student to the Progress and Promotions Committee for review WITH A RECOMMENDATION FOR DISMISSAL FROM THE PROGRAM pursuant to Departmental policy. The Progress and Promotions Committee will review the student’s overall progress, the instructors’ evaluation of the student in the course(s) involved and all other applicable information. After completing its review the Progress and Promotions Committee will: 

1. Formally dismiss the student from the program; and
2. Refer the student to the School of Graduate Studies for academic retention, career and mental health counseling. 

Note: A student who receives a grade of “F” or below during the Didactic Phase will be ineligible to apply for reinstatement or re-admission into the program.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal From the Program

During the course of the Didactic Phase, if a student encounters difficulty meeting course objectives or maintaining acceptable grades due to unexpected illness or other significant problems or impairment IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTIFY THE DIDACTIC EDUCATION DIRECTOR AND/OR THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The didactic director and/or the program director will meet with the student to discuss the option of withdrawal from the program/University. A student who withdraws from the program while in good academic standing may re-apply for re-admission into the program. However, re-acceptance after withdrawal is not guaranteed. The former student must re-apply in its entirety and compete with that cohort of applicants also seeking admission into the program. 

Readmission

A student who withdraws from the program while in good academic standings may re-apply for re-admission into the program. However, re-acceptance after withdrawal is not guaranteed. The former student must re-apply in its entirety and compete with that cohort of applicants also seeking admission into the program. 

General Program Completion Requirements

The program requires successful completion of the 120 credit hours which includes didactic courses and clinical clerkships. Academic performance as well, clinical competency and professional conduct are factors in meeting  the UMES PA Program completion requirements. The student must meet all three program requirements for successful completion.

Activities used to assure that graduates achieve required professional and program competencies

1. Periodic review with formative and summative assessments by assigned faculty advisors.
2. Formative and summative assessment of students’ knowledge, clinical skills and professionalism using a variety of assessment measures delivered on a regular basis during didactic and clinical courses.
3. Successful completion of a Summative I at the conclusion of the didactic year and a Summative II evaluation before graduation.  A Summative evaluation consists of a comprehensive written assessment of knowledge base, review of professional behavior evaluations, and practical testing of clinical skills with standardized or simulated patients.
4. Completion of an approved “Capstone Project”.
5. Monitoring of curricular content and student performance with reference to program goals, ARC-PA standards and AAPA competencies.
6. Administration of the Physician Assistant Clinical Knowledge Rating and Assessment Tool (PACKRAT) at the end of the didactic year and at the end of the clinical year before graduation to benchmark student performance with national norms and access student core medical knowledge prior to taking the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE). 

For more information on this program, please contact:

Physician Assistant Department

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Hazel Hall, Suite 1062

Princess Anne, MD 21853

Phone:  (410) 651-8452

Email:  PADept@umes.edu

Website: www.umes.edu/pa