Prospective Students

Advising

Preparing for Admission - Advisors Can Help

Advisors can help students assess their potential for the PA Program and provide direction on preparing for admission. Students should prepare for an advising session by reading the information on the program's web site and by attending a general information session. While advisors can be helpful in providing direction and information, the final responsibility for assuring that all prerequisites and deadlines are met rests with the student.

General Information Presentations are given approximately once each month to discuss the PA profession and program and answer questions. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend a general information session before meeting with an advisor.

General Information Presentation Schedule for Summer/Fall 2009:

General Information Presentations are typically scheduled monthly throughout the year. These presentations are given by a faculty member and provide a comprehensive overview of the PA profession and program. These sessions are intended to provide information to those looking into a PA career as well as those who want more detailed information about our program and application process. Presentations last approximately 60-90 minutes and take place at the new Health Sciences Learning Center adjacent to the UW hospital. All applicants to the PA program are strongly encouraged to attend one of these sessions before applying. Please call (608) 263-5620 or (800) 442-6698 for room information and to confirm your place.

For out of state applicants and those unable to attend, please schedule a telephone advising session with one of the program advisors after reading through our entire website. PA Program advisors are available throughout the year for scheduled, individual meetings to answer questions not covered on the web site or in the general information sessions. Students outside the Madison area may schedule telephone advising appointments. All advising appointments are made by calling (608) 263-5620 or (800) 442-6698.

The UW-Madison Advising Compact

UW-Madison recognizes that both students and advisors have responsibilities regarding advising. Although each school and college on the UW-Madison campus provides advising to students in its own way, the following responsibilities on the part of advisors and students are understood.

Students are responsible for:

• Being prepared for advising sessions (for example, reading online program information in advance, bringing a transcript, having a list of questions or concerns, having a tentative schedule in mind, and/or being prepared to discuss interests and goals with the adviser).
• Knowing the requirements of their particular academic program, selecting courses that meet those requirements in an appropriate time frame, and monitoring their progress toward graduation;
• Scheduling and keeping academic advising appointments in a timely manner.

PA Program Advisors are responsible for:

• Helping students clarify their potential for the PA program and profession and setting reasonable goals;
• Providing information about educational options, requirements, policies, and procedures;
• Helping students plan educational programs consistent with the requirements of their degree program and with their own goals, interests, and abilities;
• Assisting students in the continual monitoring and evaluation of their educational progress; and
• Helping students to locate and integrate the many resources of the university to meet their unique educational needs and aspirations.

Preparing for Admission

Prerequisites

Following is information on the prerequisite courses required to enter the UW-Madison Physician Assistant Program. Completion of these courses does not guarantee admission to the program. Courses must be equivalent to courses offered at UW-Madison. Prerequisite courses may be in process/planned for fall or spring semesters at the time of application.  All prerequisite courses must be completed successfully with a grade of C or better by the time the program begins in the summer session.

All applicants must complete all prerequisites.

• Anatomy and Physiology:  1 sem of human anatomy AND 1 sem of human physiology; OR a 2 sem sequence of combined human anatomy & physiology which must be at the 200 (sophomore) level or above
  • Anatomy 328
  • Physiology 335 (must be taken within 5 years of matriculation. If the 5 year limit is exceeded, click here for options).
    
    
• Biomolecular Chemistry or Human Biochemistry or equivalent mammalian biochemistry at an intermediate level.
  • Biomolecular Chemistry 314 OR Biochemistry 501 OR Biochemistry 503 OR Biochemistry 507 + 508.
    
    
• General Chemistry:  2 sem of General or Introductory Chemistry w/ labs OR an accelerated 1 sem course covering equivalent material.
  • Chemistry 103 & 104 OR Chemistry 109
    
    
• Microbiology: microbiology lecture w/ a lab
  • Microbiology 101 & 102 OR Microbiology 303 & 304
    
    
• Psychology:  A minimum of one semester of general, introductory, developmental or abnormal psychology.
  • Psychology 202 – Introduction to Psychology
  • Psychology 509 – Abnormal Psychology
  • HDFS 362 – Development of the Young Child
  • HDFS 363 - Development from Adolescence to Old Age
    
    
• Statistics:  1 semester basic level statistics
  
  
•  Zoology or Mammalian Biology w/ lab
  • Zoology 101 & 102 OR Zoology 151 & 152 ·         
    
    
• No GRE or standardized testing required.
  
  
• 3.00 GPA from an accredited baccalaureate program required. 
  • Attention will be placed on the last 60 credit hours reflecting a level of academic excellence and/or signs of improvement to 3.00 or higher.

Previous BS Undergraduate PA degree prerequisites.

Program Curriculum

The program offers a campus and a distance-based professional program consisting of didactic and clinical education. For campus-based students instruction occurs primarily in the classroom during the first fifteen months with some clinical learning experiences. Distance-based students receive instruction on a part-time basis over twenty-seven months of didactic study and clinical instruction in the student's home community through distance modalities. The clinical component for both campus and distance-based students consists of nine months of full-time community-based clinical instruction. Clinical instruction takes place during four eight-week preceptorships, one in internal medicine, one in surgery and two in primary care. One of the preceptorships must include a minimum four week experience in a medically underserved or culturally diverse area.

According to the PA Program Advanced Placement Policy, no advanced placement will be granted for matriculating students and all PA professional coursework must be completed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Transfer students are not accepted into the program with advanced placement, but must follow the standard admissions processes and must complete all professional program coursework at UW-Madison.

Students enrolled in the professional program should plan for a rigorous curriculum with significant time commitments. Employment while enrolled in the full-time professional program is strongly discouraged. No PA student is required nor are they eligible for employment in the PA Program.

Click here to view our Program's Graduate Competencies and Goals

Campus Track Degree Plan

First Year

Summer I (8 credits)

Anatomy 429
PA 419. History and Physical Examination for Physician Assistants.

Fall Semester (16 credits)

Pharmacy Practice 440
Pharmacology 401
Medical Microbiology 504
PA 348. Theories and Practice in Emergency Care
PA 400. Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants I.
PA 420. Advanced Patient Evaluation in the Primary Care Setting I.
PA 430. Obstetrics and Gynecology for Physician Assistants.

Spring Semester (14 credits)

Pharmacy Practice 441
PA 401 Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants II.
PA 416. Issues in Professional Practice for Physician Assistants.
PA 421. Advanced Patient Evaluation in the Primary Care Setting II.
PA 440. Laboratory Medicine for Physician Assistants.
PA 448. A Team Approach to Emergency Care.

Second Year

Summer Session II (5 credits)

PA 402-403 Pediatrics for Physician Assistants
PA 422. Field Experience in Patient Assessment.
PA 470. Surgical Principles and Procedures.

Fall and Spring Semesters (16 credits each)

PA 629 Surgery Preceptorship
PA 639 Primary Care Preceptorship I
PA 639 Primary Care Preceptorship II
PA 649 Internal Medicine Preceptorship

Sample Distance Track Degree Plan

Year One

Summer I (in residence)

• Anatomy 429: Human Anatomy Laboratory
• PA 419: History & Physical Examination

Fall I

• MM 504: Infectious Disease of Human Beings
• Pharm 401: Survey of Pharmacology
• PA 430: Obstetrics and Gynecology for Physician Assistants
• PA 348: Theories & Practice in Emergency Care

Spring I

• PA 421: Advanced Patient Evaluation in Primary Care Setting II
• PA 448: A Team Approach to Emergency Care
• PA 416: Issues in Professional Practice for Physician Assistants

Year Two

Summer II

• PA 470: Surgical Principles and Procedures
• PA 402: Pediatrics for Physician Assistants I
• PA 403: Pediatrics for Physician Assistants II

Fall II

• PA 400: Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants
• PA 420: Advanced Patient Evaluation in the Primary Care Setting I
• Pharm 440: Therapeutics for Physician Assistants I

Spring II

• PA 401: Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants II
• PA 440: Laboratory Medicine for Physician Assistants
• Pharm 441 Therapeutics for Physician Assistants II

Year Three

Summer III

• PA 422: Field Experience in Patient Assessment

Fall III - Spring III

• Preceptorships: The senior year consists of 4 eight-week preceptorships, each worth 8 credits. Preceptorships are intensive clinical learning experiences under the direction of physician preceptors at off campus clinical settings. Each rotation requires 1-3 days on campus three times a semester for a total of 6 days.
• PA 629: Surgery Rotation
• PA 649: Internal Medicine Rotation
• PA 639: Primary Care Rotations (students take 2 Primary Care rotations).

Professional Curriculum Details

Anatomy 429. Human Anatomy Laboratory for Physician Assistants. 5 cr. Prosected specimens and some supervised dissection of human cadavers. P: Admission to PA professional program.

PA 419. History and Physical Examination for Physician Assistants. 3 cr. Designed to provide primary care physician assistants with the knowledge and physical exam skills to evaluate patients in a variety of settings. Normal and pathological physical findings are discussed. Students master interview skills and physical exam skills applicable to all patients. Selected physical exam techniques are emphasized. P: PA-3 or PA-4; or consent of instructor.

Pharmacy Practice 440. Therapeutics for Physician Assistants. 1 cr. Therapeutic and drug product selection, including issues of efficacy, potential toxicities, compliance, monitoring parameters, drug interactions, and cost. The focus of the course will be on chronic disease management, treatment of acute minor illness, and symptomatic therapies. P: Junior standing in PA Program.

Pharmacology 401. Survey of Pharmacology. 3 cr. Pharmacological and toxicological actions and therapeutic use of important drugs. P: Physiology 335; Biochemistry 201, 501, or Biomolecular Chemistry 314.

Medical Microbiology 504. Infectious Diseases of Human Beings. 3 cr.
Pathogenesis, clinical descriptions, and prevention. Primarily for Physician Assistant, Pharmacy, and Nursing students. P: A course in Microbiology. Not for Med Micro Majors. PA 348. Theories and Practice in Emergency Care. 1 cr. Knowledge and assessment skills needed to evaluate and initiate care for acutely ill and/or injured persons. P: Junior standing in PA Program or consent of instructor.

PA 400. Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants I. 5 cr. Clinical medicine modules in psychiatry, hematology, ophthalmology, ENT, endocrinology, dermatology, prevention, and geriatrics. Pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis, prevention, and management. Lectures by Medical School faculty, program staff, community physicians and physician assistants. Case studies utilized for development of clinical problem solving skills. P: Junior standing in PA Program or consent of the instructor.

PA 420. Advanced Patient Evaluation in the Primary Care Setting I. 1 cr. Advanced physical examination and patient evaluation techniques with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal system: selected physical exam procedures in the complete evaluation of patients: advanced medical interviewing skills. P: PA 419.

PA 430. Obstetrics and Gynecology for Physician Assistants. 2 cr. Presents the fundamentals of pre/postnatal care, normal/abnormal labor and delivery, and gynecological problems encountered in primary care. P: Junior standing in PA Program.

Pharmacy Practice 441. Therapeutics for Physician Assistants. 1 cr. Therapeutic and drug product selection, including issues of efficacy, potential toxicities, compliance, monitoring parameters, drug interactions, and cost. The focus of the course will be on chronic disease management, treatment of acute minor illness, and symptomatic therapies. P: Junior standing in PA Program.

PA 401. Clinical Medicine for Physician Assistants II. 5 cr. Continuation of 400. Clinical medicine modules in pulmonary medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, rheumatology, allergy and immunology. Pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis, prevention and management. Lectures by Medical School faculty, program staff, and community physicians and physician assistants. Case Studies utilized for the development of clinical problem solving skills. P: Junior standing in PA program, Pharm D. majors.

PA 416. Issues in Professional Practice for Physician Assistants. 1 cr. Introduction to issues related to the physician assistant profession. Emphasis on developing an understanding of health care systems and the role of the physician assistant. P: Junior standing in the PA Program.

PA 421. Advanced Patient Evaluation in the Primary Care Setting II. 2 cr. Advanced physical examination and patient evaluation techniques; regional physical examinations; radiology; advanced evaluation of heart sounds. P: PA 420.

PA 440. Laboratory Medicine for Physician Assistants. 2 cr. Emphasizes the utilization of laboratory methods for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The content focuses on those aspects pertinent to the provision of ambulatory, primary care. P: Junior standing in PA Program or consent of instructor.

PA 448. A Team Approach to Emergency Care. 3 cr. Concepts and skills related to the provision of emergency medical care and urgent ambulatory care.Includes laboratory in emergency medicine clinical skills: splinting, casting, suturing, venipuncture, injections, BLS and introduction to ACLS.P: Junior standing in PA Program or consent of instructor.

PA 402-403 Pediatrics for Physician Assistants. 2cr. An introductory pediatrics course which covers problems encountered in the general pediatric population and reinforces basic primary care clinical principles. P: Junior standing in PA Program or consent of instructor.

PA 422. Field Experience in Patient Assessment. 2 cr. Clinical experience in the evaluation of hospitalized medical and surgical patients. Students participate in team activities related to patient care. Refinement of skills in patient evaluation and case presentations to faculty and other students. P: PA 421.

Each student must take one rotation each in PA 629 Surgery and PA 649 Internal Medicine and two rotations in PA 639 Primary Care. These rotations include a minimum four-week experience in a medically underserved or culturally diverse area. The major consideration while assigning students to preceptorship sites is to provide the best clinical learning experience. Preference for specific facilities and geographical locations cannot be guaranteed. Students are not required to supply their own preceptors or clinical training sites.

PA 516. Contemporary Professional Issues-Physician Assistant. 1 cr. A course for senior physician assistant students that provides information about certification and registration, employment, economics, professional organizations and political/legislative topics. P: Senior standing in the PA Program.

Technical Standards

A candidate for the Physician Assistant Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison must have abilities and skills in five categories: Observation, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioral/social. Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but a candidate must be able to perform in an independent manner. The following skills are required, with or without accommodation.

Observation: Candidates must have sufficient sensory capacity to observe in the lecture hall, the laboratory, the outpatient setting, and the patient's bedside. Sensory skills adequate to perform a physical examination are required. Functional vision, hearing and tactile sensation must be adequate to observe a patient's condition and to elicit information through procedures regularly required in a physical examination, such as inspection, auscultation and palpation.

Communication: Candidates must be able to communicate effectively in both academic and health care settings. Candidates must show evidence of effective written and verbal communication skills.

Motor: The ability to participate in basic diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers and procedures (e.g. palpation, auscultation) is required. Candidates must have sufficient motor function to execute movements reasonably required to provide care to patients. Candidates must be able to negotiate patient care environments and must be able to move between settings, such as clinic, classroom building, and hospital.

Physical stamina sufficient to complete the rigorous course of didactic and clinical study is required. Long periods of sitting, standing, or moving are required in classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences.

Intellectual: Candidates must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize. Problem solving, one of the critical skills demanded of physician assistants, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, candidates should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand the spatial relationships of structures. Candidates must be able to read and understand medical literature. In order to complete the Physician Assistant degree, candidates must be able to demonstrate mastery of these skills and the ability to use them together in a timely fashion in medical problem-solving and patient care.

Behavioral and social attributes: Candidates must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, and the prompt completion of all academic and patient care responsibilities. The development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and other members of the health care team is essential. The ability to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical practice, flexibility, compassion, integrity, motivation, interpersonal skills, and concern for others are all required.

International Students

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS WHO HAVE ATTENDED UNIVERSITIES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

Applicants who have attended universities outside of the U.S. must provide evidence that they are a permanent resident of the United States.  We do not consider applicants who have student or other temporary visas.

Students for whom English is a second language must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper), 250 (computer), 100 (Internet-based) OR 80 (no speaking). Scores must be submitted to UW-Madison directly from the testing agency. The UW-Madison School code is 1846.

TOEFL website


TRANSCRIPTS
Most applicants needing a foreign transcript evaluation for our program use Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc in Milwaukee. 

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
(414) 289-3400
www.ece.org
 
Please ask a PA Program advisor for additional options.

Distance Education FAQs

What is the UW-Madison Physician Assistant Distance Education Program?
The UW-Madison PA Program has developed a distance education option that allows selected students to remain in their home communities while completing their education as physician assistants. The goal of the program is to improve access to health care for people living in Health Professional Shortage Areas and was developed with support from WisTREC (Wisconsin Program for Regionally Employed Care Providers), MnPFT (Minnesota Partnerships for Training), and the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Who is eligible for the distance option?
Up to four students will be chosen from qualified applicants. Qualifications include a desire to be part of this innovative opportunity, strength in all areas of the traditional admissions criteria, demonstrated interest in home community, and evidence of potential for success in this new method of delivering instruction. Consideration will be given to those expressing an interest in serving a medically underserved population. Preference will be given to students from Wisconsin and Minnesota; applicants from states adjoining Wisconsin will be considered on an individual basis. Because of funding and programmatic restrictions, we are not able to offer this option to students beyond the Wisconsin region. Only students who request the distance option, and meet the admission criteria, will be considered for this opportunity. Final selection of students will be made by the admission committee.

What is the admission process for the distance program?
Students requesting consideration for the distance option complete the same CASPA application, program supplemental application, and admission process as those requesting the traditional program. In addition, potential distance students will submit an essay addressing their motivation and aptitude for distance learning. Distance applicants who advance in the process will have an additional interview focused on the distance option. Potential distance students must indicate on the application that they are requesting the distance option.

How does the distance education program differ from the traditional program?
The traditional program consists of twenty-four months of full-time didactic and clinical instruction and requires campus residency. Traditional students pay full-time university tuition.

The distance education option extends the length of the program by one year and consists of 36 months of didactic study and clinical instruction. The didactic component is completed over the course of 24 months. Distance students spend the first summer in residence on the Madison campus and return to campus twice each semester for 2-3 days. The balance of didactic instruction is completed on a part-time basis in the student's home community through distance modalities. The clinical component consists of 9 months of full-time, community- based clinical instruction. While every effort will be made to place students in clinical sites near their home communities, final decisions for placement will be based on availability of qualified preceptors. Distance students will pay university tuition based on their part-time or full-time status.

What are the campus residency requirements?
10 weeks of campus residency are required in the first summer session. Each of the following semesters (including summers), will require two, three-day periods of campus residency. The summer before the clinical year will also require a 3-6 week campus or community-based clinical experience. Although efforts will be made to refer students to campus housing, final responsibility for securing housing rests with the student.

What will participation in a distance education course be like?
Distance education courses will be delivered asynchronously through a combination of video, audio, print, and web-based materials. Distance students will receive instruction equivalent to that of campus students and will view the same material in a different format. Instruction will include individual assignments, cooperative group projects, on-line discussions, and will require students to take exams to demonstrate mastery of material. Students will have frequent contact through e-mail with other students, program staff, and course instructors. Students also receive support from community mentors and exam proctors.

Technology requirements include a newer computer and a high-speed internet connection. Technology support will be provided. Because the program is committed to using emerging technologies, distance students must be willing to learn or modify technology skills as needed. Distance students must be willing to meet all academic and technological requirements of the program.

What happens after I am accepted as a distance education student?
Distance students will spend the first summer in residence on the UW-Madison campus. During that time, distance students will take two courses with their campus cohort and receive orientation to technology and the learning plan. While on campus, distance students have the opportunity to get to know PA faculty and campus-based students. The program has a distance education coordinator who works closely with each student to identify campus and community resources and provide support.

Due to the evolving nature of the distance education program, the UW-Madison Physician Assistant Program may modify distance education program structure and requirements as needed.