What if I can not complete prerequisites by the application deadline?
To be eligible for an interview, applicants must not have more than 9 semester hours of prerequisite courses remaining by January 1st. If more than 9 semester hours of uncompleted prerequisite courses exist, the candidate will be referred to the next annual application cycle.
How do I get health-related experience?
There are many avenues open to obtain experience in the health care field. Students in the past have obtained experience as nursing assistants, EMTs, surgical technicians, athletic trainers, and x-ray technicians. Applicants may also volunteer their time in a wide range of health care facilities if the aforementioned opportunities are not available. It should be noted that hands-on patient experience is preferred, and operating room experience is regarded highly by the program.
Are online courses acceptable for prerequisites?
The admissions committee prefers onsite, in person, courses for prerequisites course work and especially for science courses that include a laboratory component.
Online courses offered by a regionally accredited institution may be accepted at the discretion of the UAB graduate school and the SPA admissions committee.
What is the first time PANCE pass rate for UAB SPA graduates?
UAB S-PA first time pass rates on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) are comparable to the national average. Below are first time PANCE pass rates for UAB S-PA compared to the national average.
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First Time PANCE Pass Rates
|
|
|
UAB Percent Passed
|
National Average
|
|
2004
|
88
|
90
|
|
2005
|
96
|
91
|
|
2006
|
100
|
92
|
|
2007
|
100
|
93
|
|
2008
|
100
|
94
|
|
5 Year Average
|
97
|
92
|
What is the GRE code?
1856
Is there a supplemental application?
Yes, the program has a supplemental application. Applicants can assess the UAB SPA Supplemental Application online by clicking here. Applicants should complete the supplemental application and send, along with a check or money order for $25.00 made out to UAB, to the following address:
University of Alabama at Birmingham
School of Health Professions
Surgical Physician Assistant Program
Attn: Kelley Swatzell, MPH
1530 3rd Avenue South; SHPB 461
Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1212
The Supplemental Application must be postmarked on or before September 3, 2011.
Do I need to apply to the graduate school when I apply to CASPA?
No, application is made to the UAB Graduate School after applicants have been notified of their acceptance into the UAB Surgical PA Program.
How many applicants usually apply each year?
The number of applicants to the program varies to some extent. There were over 350 applicants for the incoming class of 2007 and about 450 for the incoming class of 2008. From this applicant pool, about 100 are selected for interviews, and about 36 are selected for the incoming class.
Who should write my letters of recommendations?
Letters of recommendations should typically underscore two things about an applicant: the applicant's academic work and the applicant's understanding of the clinical work of a physician assistant. Typically this means that, ideally, at least one letter is from someone who has had interactions with the applicant in a professional clinical setting (i.e. a physician assistant, physician or other health related professional) and at least one letter from someone who can speak on the applicant's academic work (i.e. a professor or other instructor). The third letter can be from either an academic person or a clinical person dependent upon what the applicant wants to highlight about his/her application.
Does graduating from a surgical PA program mean that I can only work in a surgical setting?
The UAB SPA program provides extensive surgical education and training in addition to a comprehensive medical curriculum. All students spend time in both medical and surgical clinical rotations. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Successful completion of the PANCE certifies the student as a Physician Assistant and qualifies the student to pursue work in any area where PAs practice. Graduates from the UAB SPA program work in a variety of settings including medical and surgical.
Do you offer advance placement?
The UAB Surgical Physician Assistant Program does not offer advance placement.
Can I make an appointment to talk to an advisor or someone in person?
The Surgical PA Program provides information sessions for individuals interested in learning more about the program. The sessions are open to all and are designed to provide information about the program’s mission, curriculum, tuition and fees, and graduate demographics. A seat may be reserved by calling 205-934-4605. Summer 2010 sessions are scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8; Tuesday, July 13; and Tuesday, August 10.
Individual counseling sessions may also be arranged by contacting the SPA Program Office.
How much does it cost to attend UAB?
For more information, see: Tuition and Scholarships