FAQ

What are the estimated costs related to the program?

Tuition:

$27, 624 per year
$55,248 for the total program

Application Fee:

$50

Registration Fee:

$145

Education Fee per Semester:

$600 ($1800 per semester)

Required Student Equipment:

$550

Required Text Books:

$4682

Recommended Books:

$500

NCCPA PANCE:

$425

Withdrawal Fee:

$100

Total Estimated Cost

$62,968

 


Tuition: $26,508 per year; $53,016 for the total program
Application Fee ($50)
Registration Fee ($145)
Education Fee per semester $600 ($1800 per year)
Required student equipment for program ($550)
Required text books for program ($4,682)
Recommended books for program ($500)
NCCPA PANCE ($425)
Withdrawal Fee ($100)

 

What Keiser University's accreditation status?
The ARC- PA has granted Continued Accreditation to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Keiser University. Continued accreditation is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Continued Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next comprehensive review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2016.

What is the success of the program achieving goals?

  2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Graduation Rates

100

        
Job Placement

94

        
Attrition Rates

15

4

12

    

 

What is PANCE? 
PANCE is the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination.

What is ARC-PA?
ARC-PA is the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.

Where can I find the procedure for student withdrawal, tuition and fees?
The policy/procedure for student withdrawal is found in the Keiser University catalog on page 495.  Policies and procedures for refunds of tuition and fees are found in the University catalog on page 497.

Can I work while attending the Physician Assistant Program?
Due to the intensity and time demands associated with the program, students are strongly discouraged from working while in the program. There may be classes that meet during the evening hours or weekends as the schedule permits; students must be available to attend these sessions. The intensity of study required for successful completion of the program makes working a significant distraction.

Where can I find the policy and procedure for processing student grievances? 
The policy for processing student grievances is found on page 70 of the Keiser University Catalog.

What kind of degree is granted with the completion of the program?
A Master of Science in Physician Assistant will be granted upon successful completion of the program.

Can a student attend the physician assistant program on a part-time basis?
The physician assistant program is a full-time program only. Students will complete their course of study in six semesters or 24 months.

Can I transfer credits to reduce the number of courses I must take?
Because of the nature of the program, no advance standing or transfer of credits will be granted. Each class is an integral part of the academic experience and is necessary for success in this program.

Can I defer my acceptance into the program for a future class?
No, the physician assistant program will not defer admissions. Offers of acceptance will be valid only for one entering class. Applicants must repeat the entire admissions process.  No preferential treatment will be granted.

Where do students do their clinical rotations?
Keiser University physician assistant students will be assigned to various clinical sites to meet the nine required clinical rotations. Students will not be required to supply their own clinical sites. Clinical sites include inpatient, outpatient, long term care and office settings within the tri-county areas of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade.

Is a laptop computer required?
Laptop computers will not be required.  However, all students must have access to a computer and printer. Keiser University library has computers available for student use.

What if I have not completed my pre-requisites at the time of application?
All pre-requisites must be completed prior to starting the program. Students must provide official transcripts to the Graduate Admission Office reflecting completion of all required coursework.

How many students will be enrolled each year?
Keiser University will enroll 40 students per year.

How long is the physician assistant program?
The program is 24 months in length. The first 12 months will consist of didactic courses and the last 12 months will be clinical instruction.

What clinical rotations are required?
Required clinical rotations will be: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Psychiatry, Prenatal/GYN and two electives.

Do you have a waiting list?
Yes there is a waiting list.

Do I need a baccalaureate degree to attend?
A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign equivalent evaluated by a recognized evaluation agency, will be required to attend the physician assistant program.

Is a GRE required?
The GRE is required.

How do I apply?
Students will apply directly to:
Keiser University, Graduate School and CASPA.

Keiser University, Graduate School
Master of Science in Physician Assistant
1900 W. Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

All classes will apply to the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). The website is http://portal.caspaonline.org//.  The phone number is (617) 612-2080.

Are applicants required to have health care experience?
Candidates for admission to the physician assistant program will be required to demonstrate evidence of healthcare experience.  In addition, physician assistant shadowing and volunteering are required.

Where should I obtain references?
It is recommended that candidates seek references from individuals who are well acquainted with them academically, personally and/or professionally. Three letters of recommendation to include:

  • A Physician Assistant
  • Any practicing Healthcare provider
  • A Personal reference

If I am on the alternate list and not accepted, do I need to reapply the following year?
Yes, candidates on the alternate list who are not offered a seat for the current admissions cycle must reapply through CASPA the following year.

Is a criminal background check or drug screen required?
Yes.  Criminal background checks and drug screens are required.

When will the program begin?
A new class begins in January of each year.

What is the deadline for applying to the physician assistant program?
Nov 1st of each year however, applicants are accepted on a rolling basis and you are strongly encouraged to submit your application early.

Is financial aid available?
Yes, many of our students will use some form of financial aid from public and/or private sources. Part of planning for entry should include planning for the financial situation faced by students.

What is the required GPA?
Applicants must have the minimum GPA to be considered:
Undergraduate GPA: 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
Cumulative Science GPA: 3.0
Cumulative Prerequisite GPA: 3.0

Are any standardized tests required for admission?
Yes. Applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The program does consider the applicant's performance on the GRE during the selection process, there is a minimum score requirement of 950. If an applicant’s primary language is not English, applicants must present a TOEFL score of 500 or higher on a paper-based examination (TOEFL PBT), a score of 64 on an internet-based examination (TOEFL IBT), or an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Testing
1 800 GRE CALL (1 800 473 2255)
Educational Testing Service www.ets.org
Keiser University GRE Institution Code: 6257

English Proficiency Test for Foreign Applicants Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) www.toeflgoanywhere.org

I already have a baccalaureate degree; do I need to complete all the prerequisite courses?
Yes.  All prerequisite courses will be required for admission to the physician assistant program. There are no exceptions or substitutions.

I am a medical doctor from another country. Do I still have to complete the requirements?
Yes. All of the requirements must be met by all applicants. Transcripts from other countries must be evaluated by Joseph Silny and Associates or World Education Services, Inc only. There are no institutional policies or practices that favor specific groups of applicants.

Foreign Evaluation Agencies
Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants
7101 S.W. 102 Avenue
Miami, FL 33173
Phone: (305) 273-1616
Fax: (305) 273-1338
Fax: (305) 273-1984 (Translations)
email: info@jsilny.com
web: http://www.jsilny.com

World Education Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 5087
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-5087
Phone: (212) 966-6311
Fax: (212) 739-6100
email: info@wes.org
web: http://www.wes.org

What happens to me as a student if the program loses its accreditation?
You will be eligible to sit for the PANCE regardless of any subsequent changes in program accreditation status.

Can I still apply if I have outstanding prerequisite courses?
Yes. However, students submitting an application with greater than two outstanding prerequisite courses in the semester prior to the program's start will not be considered for admission.

Does Keiser University provide on-campus housing?
No. Our Student Services Department can assist you with finding local off-campus housing.

Does Keiser University accept High School Placement Courses?
Yes, provided that student submit official transcripts from their high school showing grade obtained.

What is CASPA?
The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants know as, CASPA, offers applicants a convenient, state-of-the-art, web-based application service that will allow you to apply to any number of participating PA educational programs by completing a single application. The on-line application was specifically designed for your ease and convenience, with far lass paperwork, streamlined processing, and ongoing communication with applicants. CASPA is a service of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). PAEA's missions is to pursue excellence, foster faculty development, advance the body of knowledge that defines quality education and patient-centered care, and promote diversity in all aspects of physician assistant education.

Can the CLEP examination be used as a substitute for pre-requisite courses? No. Keiser University does not accept the CLEP examiniation.