Note: The PA Program in Orlando has been awarded Provisional Accreditation. Provisional accreditation is the only means by which a new PA program may enter the accreditation process. Provisional accreditation must be obtained prior to matriculation of the first class and does not guarantee any subsequent accreditation action.

For June, 2010 Admissions

Prospective students are selected by the Committee on Admissions (COA), which considers the overall qualities of the applicant. Areas of consideration include:

• personal motivation,
• interpersonal skills
• knowledge of the PA profession,
• quality and length of prior health care experience,
• academic performance and level of achievement,
• recommendations/evaluations
• life experiences.

Personal interviews are offered to the most qualified applicants to assess interpersonal and communication skills, maturity, altruistic attitude and commitment to a PA career.

Undergraduate/Physician Assistant Dual-Admission Program with Florida Hospital College of Health Science – Orlando Student Education Center

Nova Southeastern University’s College of Allied Health and Nursing has established an articulation agreement with Florida Hospital College of Health Science for a select number of highly motivated, qualified students interested in pursuing professional studies in the Physician Assistant Program.  This allows candidates to receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Florida Hospital College and a Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) degree from the Physician Assistant Program at NSU in a five-year period. Candidates must maintain a specified grade point average during the undergraduate year and achieve acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).  Students will be awarded a B.S. degree from Florida Hospital College of Health Science at the end of the first academic year of the PA program and an M.M.S. degree upon completion of the PA program.

For information and requirements, contact:

Office of Admissions
Florida Hospital College of Health Science
671 Winyah Drive
Orlando FL, 32803-1226
Phone: (800) 500-7747 or (407) 303-9798
Fax: (407) 303-9408

Application Procedure

The Physician Assistant Program participates in the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) for the receipt and processing of all applications.  CASPA takes no part in the selection of students.  CASPA application s are online at www.caspaonline.org.

Questions regarding completion of the online application may be directed to CASPA’s email address, caspainfo@caspaonline.org, or by telephone at (617) 612-2080.

The CASPA application may be submitted as early as April 16, the year prior to the admission cycle.  The CASPA application deadline is January 15 to be considered for admission in June.

Supplemental Application Form:

Once the CASPA application has been received by Nova Southeastern University, a supplemental application will be mailed. Your complete supplemental application must be returned and received no later than February 15, 2010 in order to be considered for admission for the June entering class. Once we receive the GRE scores, the supplemental application, and the $50 fee, your file will be reviewed by the admissions counselor.

1. Prior to matriculation, applicants must have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours of specified course work of which 30 semester hours must be upper division courses (designation of 300/3000 or higher), exclusive of physical education, from a regionally accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 2.8 on a four point grading scale and a minimum science GPA of 2.80 on a 4.0 grading scale, both from the date of application.
   
   
2. Required Courses: The College requires applicants to earn a grade of C or better in each of the following required subjects:
   
   
   • College Algebra or higher
   • English Composition - 3 sh.**
   • English Literature - 3 sh.**
   • Humanities/Arts - 3 sh.
   • Social Sciences - 9 sh.
   • General Chemistry (I & II) including laboratory - 8 sh.
   • Microbiology including laboratory - 4 sh.
   • General biology and lab OR Zoology including laboratory - 4 sh.
   • Human Anatomy & Physiology - 6 sh.
   • Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry - 3 sh.
   • Medical terminology - 1 sh.
   • Introduction to Statistics - 3 sh.
   • Electives - 40 sh.
   
   
   

   Note: Graduates of foreign institutions where English is not the primary language of instruction must present transcripts showing at least 18 semester hours (sh) of study from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Of these 18 semester hours: 3 sh must be in English Composition, English Literature, and Public Speaking (courses do not include ESOL). The remaining nine semester hours can be any course of the applicant's choosing (excluding physical education).

   Recommended Courses:

   • Biochemistry lab - 1 sh.
   • Organic chemistry lab - 1 sh.
   • Anatomy lab - 1 sh.
   • Physiology lab - 1 sh.
     
     

   ++ Applicants are encouraged to complete their elective course work in the areas of behavioral, physical and social sciences or humanities. Upon review of a student's record, the Committee on Admissions may require additional course work and testing as a condition of acceptance. In addition, previous clinical experience is highly recommended.

   
   
3. GRE Standardized Test: All applicants are required to submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test to the EPS, attention Physician Assistant Orlando Admissions. NSU's school code for the Orlando program is 5522. The GRE must have been taken within the past 5 years and must be taken early enough for official scores to be received in the admissions office by the supplemental application due date of February 15th, 2010. Applications will not be considered complete without GRE scores.
   NOTE: Applicants must have taken all sections of the GRE including quantitative, verbal, and analytical writing in order to be considered for admission.
   
   
   
   For further information, contact:
   
   
   

   Graduate Record Examination (GRE) http://www.gre.org 1-609-921-9000

   
   
4. Basic Cardiac Life Support:
   We no longer require proof of current certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support. All students are required to take BLS/BCLS, ACLS and PALS (pediatrics) during the program regardless of previous certification status or training.
   
   
5. Computer Requirement:
   All students are required to have a laptop computer and printer. The computer must have the following minimum specifications:
   
   
   1. 512 MB RAM
   2. Combo DVD and RW drive
   3. Sound capability and speakers
   4. Internet connection with private Internet service provider (ISP) foaccess from home to the Internet
   5. Wireless capability
   6. Printer
      

   The following are recommended features:

   7. Video capable of 800 x 600 screen display or better
   8. Windows 2000/ME/XP or NT
   9. Printer
   10. Microsoft Office 2000 with PowerPoint, Word, and Excel minimum
   11. Surge suppressor electrical outlet
   12. Flash drive

   Note: Mac computers may have difficulties integrating with the required PDA software.

   1. Handheld computing device (PDA)
      All students will be required to have a handheld device (PDA) with a Palm OS operating system with a minimum of 8 MB of memory prior to the start of the advanced didactic component of the curriculum. The PDA will be essential to completing all required documentation for rotations during the clinical year.
      
      
   2. Computer Skills:
      All applicants must show evidence of computer skills through course work or self study prior to the end of the first term. Students may obtain instruction through the NSU Microcomputer Laboratory or other training facilities.
      
      
   3. Foreign Transcripts and English Test:
      Applicants who have attended foreign universities or colleges are required to have their academic credentials evaluated for U.S. institution equivalence by either World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc.
      
      

      World Education Services
      P.O. Box 01-5060
      Miami FL 33101
      212-966-6311 (N.Y. Office)
      www.wes.org
      
      Josef Silny & Associates
      P.O. Box 248233
      Coral Gables FL 33124
      305-273-1616
      305-273-1338 (fax)
      info@jsilny.com
      www.jsilny.com
      
      Educational Credential Evaluators
      P.O. Box 514070
      Milwaukee , WI 53203-3470
      414-289-3400
      www.ece.org
      

   4. Healthcare Experience:
      Prior health care experience is highly recommended and is considered for admission. Applicants must submit verifiable information about prior health care experience in order to be competitive for admission to the program. The most current PA program brochure, university catalog and application information should be consulted for the most up-to-date information.
      
      
   5. Transcripts:
      Official transcripts from the Registrar of all institutions where course work was completed OR attempted must be mailed directly to CASPA by the institutions. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that arrangements are made for these transcripts to be sent.
      
      
   6. Letters of Recommendation:
      Three letters of recommendation must be submitted. One letter of evaluation must be sent from an individual (other than a relative) such as an academic advisor, professor, co-worker, supervisor or close friend. Two letters of evaluation must be from health care professionals, one of which must be a physician or physician assistant (PA).