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91����'s Bio-PA (3+2) accelerated track is a fast-paced course of study which allows focused students to obtain both a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biology and a Master of Medical Science in Physician Associate Studies degree within five years. Students will first complete three years of undergraduate coursework towards their Biology degree and then enter the physician associate program if all assured criteria are met. The physician associate program is twenty four months in length and spans six semesters, including two summer semesters, beginning in August (fall semester) of the fourth year of undergraduate study for students on the Bio-PA (3+2) accelerated track. The first three semesters will consist of didactic phase instruction, and the last three semesters will consist of clinical phase instruction. The curriculum is based on the most recent ARC-PA standards and NCCPA PANCE blueprint and aligns with the University and Program’s mission and goals.

Admission Requirements: Step One

• Decisions regarding admission into the biology portion of the program will be made by the Office of Admissions in accordance with the University undergraduate admissions policies. The Physician Associate Program Director will be consulted as needed.
• Admission into the Bio-PA accelerated (3+2) program will be available to students who meet the criteria of 3.5 high school GPA. This is a hard cut-off and there will be no rounding. The SAT is optional with a desired score of 1170 to be considered competitive.
• AP credits will not be accepted for any pre-requisite coursework (Biology, Chemistry, Statistics, or Psychology).
• Transfer credits will not be accepted for any pre-requisite coursework (Biology, Chemistry, Statistics, or Psychology).
• Dual-enrollment credits will not be accepted for any pre-requisite coursework (Biology, Chemistry, Statistics, or Psychology).
• Acceptance into the Bio-PA (3+2) accelerated program is conditional pending verification of final high school transcripts. Upon timely completion of ALL admission criteria, applicants will be offered admission into the accelerated program and a conditional guaranteed admission into the graduate PA program as determined by each student’s ability to meet all PA program admission criteria for the Bio-PA (3+2) accelerated track. Students within the accelerated (3+2) format will follow a modified curricular plan in biology labeled “Bio-PA”. For more information about the Bio-PA (3+2) accelerated program contact us at admissions@alvernia.edu.
   

Admission Requirements: Step Two

• All students must apply to the Physician Associate Program .

Academic criteria

• Courses must be taken in the order in which they are listed in the proposed curriculum
• No less than “C” on any science or prerequisite course
• Minimum overall cumulative and science and prerequisite GPA of 3.4 for assured admission
• AP credits will not be accepted for prerequisite courses
• Refer to the 91���� Undergraduate Catalog for details related to the B.S. Biology, Pre-Physician Associate Undergraduate Academic Progression Requirements.

GRE

• GRE is not required.

Direct Patient Care Hours

• The Program defines direct patient care hours as any experience where the applicant provides hands-on patient care and is exposed to patient care delivery and/or the provider-patient relationship. We require a minimum of 200 direct patient care hours with at least 8 hours direct interaction with a PA. Any hours credited as part of education or training will not count. Direct patient care hours may be paid or volunteer. Please refer to our list of acceptable direct patient care hours for guidance.

Interviews

• Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule a virtual interview after all supporting application materials are received and a preliminary review by the Admissions Committee has been conducted.

Custom Essay

• All applicants will be required to complete short-answer essay questions within the CASPA portal that are specific to the 91���� PA Program.

Letters of Recommendation

• Three letters of recommendation will be required, including at least one from a healthcare professional and one from a professor/instructor.

Criminal Background Check

• All applicants must pass a criminal background check prior to matriculation.

The technical standards for the 91���� Physician Associate Program have been established to ensure that candidates have the ability to demonstrate academic mastery, competence when performing clinical skills, and the ability to communicate clinical information. Those standards can be read here.

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. 91����’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.