The University of Florida (UF) Physician Assistant (PA) Program is a highly competitive and reputable program that aims to educate and train future physician assistants to provide high-quality patient care. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and is designed to prepare students for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) certification exam.
Program Overview
The UF PA Program is a 28-month program that consists of 12 months of didactic education and 16 months of clinical education. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the principles and practices of medicine, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to become a competent and compassionate physician assistant. The program’s curriculum is based on the medical model, which emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying pathophysiology of diseases and the pharmacological and therapeutic interventions used to treat them.
Admissions Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the UF PA Program, applicants must meet certain requirements, including having a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, completing a set of prerequisite courses, and gaining a minimum amount of direct patient care experience. The program also requires applicants to submit their applications through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The admissions committee reviews applications holistically, considering factors such as academic performance, clinical experience, and personal statement.
| Prerequisite Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy | 4 |
| Human Physiology | 4 |
| General Chemistry | 8 |
| Organic Chemistry | 8 |
| Biostatistics | 3 |
| Psychology | 3 |
Curriculum and Clinical Education
The UF PA Program’s curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the principles and practices of medicine. The didactic phase of the program consists of 12 months of classroom instruction, during which students learn about the foundations of medicine, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology. The clinical phase of the program consists of 16 months of hands-on training in a variety of clinical settings, including primary care, surgery, emergency medicine, and pediatrics.
Clinical Rotations
The UF PA Program offers a wide range of clinical rotations, including:
- Family Medicine: Students learn about the principles and practices of family medicine, including health promotion, disease prevention, and management of common medical conditions.
- Internal Medicine: Students learn about the diagnosis and management of complex medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and gastrointestinal disease.
- Surgery: Students learn about the principles and practices of surgery, including preoperative and postoperative care, surgical techniques, and management of surgical complications.
- Pediatrics: Students learn about the principles and practices of pediatrics, including health promotion, disease prevention, and management of common pediatric conditions.
Graduate Outcomes
The UF PA Program has a strong track record of graduate outcomes, with a high pass rate on the NCCPA certification exam and a high job placement rate for graduates. The program’s graduates go on to work in a variety of clinical settings, including primary care, specialty care, and academic medicine.
| Outcome Measure | UF PA Program | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| NCCPA Pass Rate | 95% | 90% |
| Job Placement Rate | 95% | 85% |
| Graduate Satisfaction | 90% | 80% |
What are the prerequisites for admission to the UF PA Program?
+The prerequisites for admission to the UF PA Program include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, completion of a set of prerequisite courses, and a minimum amount of direct patient care experience. Applicants must also submit their applications through CASPA and take the GRE.
What is the curriculum like for the UF PA Program?
+The curriculum for the UF PA Program consists of 12 months of didactic education and 16 months of clinical education. The didactic phase covers the foundations of medicine, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology, while the clinical phase provides hands-on training in a variety of clinical settings.
What are the graduate outcomes for the UF PA Program?
+The UF PA Program has a strong track record of graduate outcomes, with a high pass rate on the NCCPA certification exam and a high job placement rate for graduates. The program’s graduates go on to work in a variety of clinical settings, including primary care, specialty care, and academic medicine.
