collageTo be a student at the University of Lynchburg, you have to do more than just attend classes in the classroom. It’s really about learning how to learn. To succeed in your courses and be a good citizen of our campus community, you’ll have to work hard and make good choices. Thanks for choosing this great program.
Collegelearners is replete with top-notch information on Mary Baldwin University PA program, Radford University PA program, South University PA program, JMU PA program, and so much more. Be sure to surf through our catalog for more information on similar topics.
The University of Lynchburg PA Medicine program is a 27-month curriculum conferring the Master of PA Medicine (MPAM) degree.
The MPAM program at University of Lynchburg enrolled its first class in June 2015. The facilities located adjacent to campus were designed specifically to meet the needs of the PA Medicine students including state-of-the-art space for classrooms, a physical diagnosis lab and simulation training. The program will also utilize an anatomy lab that features flat screen monitors and twenty-one cadaver stations. Our faculty bring both experience in higher education and clinical practice to enhance the education that students will receive. Members of the local medical community will also serve as guest lecturers.
PAs are advanced medical practitioners who are able to obtain medical histories, perform examinations, diagnose illness and prescribe medications. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of PAs is expected to increase 38 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than average growth for most occupations.
About the Program
The overarching goal for University of Lynchburg is to build a strong program that attracts top-quality faculty and students who will serve local, regional and national needs for well-educated PAs. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to serve as generalists. Students will also be mentored in leadership to provide opportunities for professional growth within their careers, and foster advancement of the profession.
university of lynchburg pA program requirements
Application Requirements
The University of Lynchburg Master of PA Medicine Program participates with the Central Application Service for PAs (CASPA). All applicants must apply through the CASPA website.
For information about the application process, go to Admission Process.
The following criteria are established for students interested in applying to the University of Lynchburg Master of PA Medicine program:
- Students will only be admitted to enroll on a full-time basis.
- Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada and must have completed the requirements for direct patient care and shadowing a licensed PA prior to enrolling.
- Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all courses; a minimum science GPA of 3.0 and a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Applicants must submit official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to CASPA using the University of Lynchburg code 3874 for the PA Medicine program. Scores must be within 5 years of the CASPA application. There is no minimum score requirement. The GRE requirement will be waived for applicants with a previous graduate degree or who submit official MCAT scores to CASPA.
- All prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally or nationally accredited college or university in the United States or Canada.
- International applicants must submit an official score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to CASPA. The minimum total score is 80.
- Applicants who completed coursework from a college or university outside of the U.S. must submit a transcript evaluation from the World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) to CASPA.
*Please note: WES and ECS credits will not be accepted toward Program Prerequisites - Applicants will affirm that they have aptitude, ability, and skills that fulfill the Technical Standards.
- Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation to CASPA supporting the applicants’ ability to be a PA. One letter must be from a practicing PA, nurse practitioner, or physician.
No applicant will receive advanced placement in the program. University of Lynchburg does not accept transfer credit from a student previously enrolled in another PA program or experiential credit. Applicants previously enrolled in another PA program, nursing, or medical school will be considered on an individual basis.Accreditation Statement
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the University of Lynchburg Physician Assistant Program sponsored by University of Lynchburg. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. 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 validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2029. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at: http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-university-of-lynchburg/
university of lynchburg pA program prerequisites
Program Prerequisites
University of Lynchburg PA Medicine Admissions Response to COVID19
Sciences
- 8 semester hours of biology with lab (2 biology with lab courses)* (excludes A&P)
- 4 semester hours of general chemistry with lab or introductory chemistry with lab*
- 4 semester hours of organic chemistry with lab or biochemistry (200 level course or higher) with lab*
- 4 semester hours of human anatomy with lab
- 4 semester hours of human physiology with lab
- 3-4 semester hours of microbiology with lab
- 3 semester hours of genetics
* These courses should be equivalent courses required in the science majors.
Psychology
- 3 semester hours of general or developmental psychology
Math
- 3 semester hours of introductory statistics (or equivalent course in other discipline)
Social Sciences
- 3 semester hours of economics, sociology, political science, or similar coursework.
Prerequisite Requirements
All prerequisites must be completed at a regionally or nationally accredited college or university within the U.S. or Canada prior to matriculation. CLEP scores will not be accepted in place of prerequisites.AP scores will be accepted. The AP credit must be reflected on an undergraduate transcript. No prerequisite courses may be completed as “pass/fail” or “credit/non-credit.” A minimum course grade of C is required for all required prerequisite courses. For Anatomy and Physiology prerequisite courses, while a minimum grade of C is required, a course grade of B or better is preferred. It is preferred that prerequisite courses are completed within 5 years of application to the program.
Bachelor’s Degree Requirement
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada is required to enter this program.
GPA Requirements
The minimum cumulative GPA to be considered for admission is 3.0. Strong applicants will exceed the minimum GPA. In addition to the cumulative GPA applicants must have a minimum science GPA of 3.0 and a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (all on a 4.0 scale).
Direct Patient Care Requirements
Students must have completed a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care and 8 hours shadowing a licensed PA prior to matriculation. Many applicants far exceed the minimum amount for direct patient care hours. Patient care may consist of work or volunteer experience including but not limited to: athletic trainer, paramedic or EMT, military medic, nurse, nurse aide, laboratory technician, radiology technician, respiratory therapist, and surgical technician. Hours received through a certificate training or undergraduate degree program are typically not accepted (AT, EMT, OT, RN). Certificate training or undergraduate experiences with high levels of independent patient care will be considered on an individual basis by the clinical director. Employment as a scribe and PA shadowing hours may count toward the direct patient care hours on a case by case basis. We do not require documentation of your patient care hours but reserve the right to verify them. Verification of PA shadowing is required for the Supplemental Application.
For additional information, please contact us at pa@lynchburg.edu or 434.544.8876.
collage