Reply With QuoteThat's great to hear. Classes in Phoenix make it even better. Too bad it wasn't around 3 or 4 years ago. Any updates would be appreciated. Thanks.
NAU is in the process of getting accredited for their PA program. They have a site visit in November 2011, and project to have an answer by March 2012, and matriculate their first class in the summer 2012. This is a state school so it'll be much cheaper than A.T. Still and Midwestern, I assume. Classes will be taken in Phoenix. This would have been a great option for me, but I'll be close to graduation by then, in Oct 2012.
That's great to hear. Classes in Phoenix make it even better. Too bad it wasn't around 3 or 4 years ago. Any updates would be appreciated. Thanks.
That would be amazing. I go to ASU right now and plan on applying to PA School for 2013 after getting more health care experience. I'm willing to go to a different state for PA school if not accepted into Midwestern or AT, but I really want to stay in Arizona and the Phoenix area. I love it here.
Originally Posted by sammy0190
I love Phoenix too. Can't wait to get back. I'm in Vegas right now and I prefer to be in Phoenix.
I was on their mailing list and this is the info I received from them the other day. Hope you find it helpful.
Dear Prospective PA Student,
The new NAU Physician Assistant Studies Program development is moving along well, and as promised, we have determined the program prerequisites.
Because the program will be an intensive 24 months, it is critical that you are adequately prepared for the pace and rigor of the curriculum. To that end, our faculty has established the following list of prerequisites as well as other recommended coursework and experiences that they believe will provide you with the information and skills necessary to be a successful student in the program.
In addition to this list, you will be required to submit the results of the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) taken within the past five years (both the current and new test will be accepted). For those whose first language is not English, TOEFL scores must also be submitted.
Prerequisites (ALL coursework must be from regionally accredited US schools)
Bachelors level degree or higher
Min. 3.0 GPA
College level courses (min. 3 semester credits or 4 quarter credits):
2 in Chemistry (inorganic, organic, or biochem)
1 in anatomy
1 in physiology
OR 2 sequential combined anatomy and physiology courses (assuring that all body systems have been covered)
1 in statistics (biostats, educational stats, general stats, finance stats)
1 in microbiology
1 in genetics
1 hands-on science lab course (NOT online)
AND at least two upper division biology courses (level 300 or above) in addition to the above requirements
Other Recommended Coursework and Experience
Complete some the prerequisite coursework in the last five years
Refresher courses in anatomy and physiology taken in the last two years
College level courses (not survey courses) in:
Biochemistry
Immunology
Organic Chemistry
Abnormal Psychology
Ideally . . . in addition to the above
A minimum of 500 hours of health care experience, with no more than 20 hours of shadowing experience counted toward the 500 hours. Both volunteer and paid experiences are acceptable.
At least 50 semester credit hours of upper division science courses
Many of you have inquired about the application process. This first year, we will not be using CASPA, but will have our application for admission posted on the NAU PA web site. At this time, we anticipate the application will be available in October, 2011 and selection will begin in January, 2012. It is also likely that the new program will begin August, 2012 rather than June, 2012 as earlier anticipated. I will send out another email as soon as we know the specific application and program start dates.
I hope this provides you with the additional information you need to prepare for a fall application to the new Physician Assistant program. We are delighted to have such a wonderful response and look forward to working with you through the application process. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.
Best Regards,
Kay Look
Program Coordinator
602-776-4656
Kay.look@nau.edu
Thanks for posting. Do you have any idea about their tuition? This is a state school so I would imagine it'd be cheaper than Midwestern and A.T. Still
I will def be applying 2013
so they are another school that doesnt seem to care much about previous hce.
NAU really isnt the best school...just because it is cheaper doesn't mean you should choose it. I think it is really stupid to have such low health care experience hours as a requirement...nothing really compares to experience.
my point is that when a new school opens up, they arent going after the traditional demographic for thier students for whatever reason. im a believer in experience as well, but the folks educating new PAs dont seem to believe in it.
How do you know about the school? Their program is brand new. I'm not saying they are good or bad, only questioning what you base your answer off of. If you have some insight that may be helpful, please share. I'm not to excited about the school myself only because of the probation period they will have to go through as a new school. On top of that, they are going to be ironing out all the wrinkles as a new program...and I don't feel like being a guinea pig.
If I wouldn't be graduating in Oct 2012, I would definitely apply. I wonder if they accept transfers.
do you guys know any new school opening in 2013 or 2014?? I would love to see a list of upcoming schools?
As a University, they are sub par. I went there for my bachelor's. New programs/programs under change are definitely definitely not the greatest. I was in their nursing program which had been going under changes the entire time I was there. They kept dinosaur teachers who had not been at the bedside for a decade, and the entire program was run by hormonal older women. Let me just tell you it was an awful experience and yeah....being a guinea pig was not fun. I think that the fact that NAU is already requiring less health care experience hours fits their motive. They just want people to fill their school. Easy money. "Oh hey students! Here we require less HCE, and are cheaper! We are also new so come on by, it should be easier to get in!" AKA, We are 'dumb-ing' down the profession so that we can get students up here.. If you want the best experience and the best education, you want a school that has a long standing history of producing classes with high pass rates and truly...a lot of the time, you get what you pay for.
One thing that appeals to me about NAU is that it is going to be in the brand new medical facility in downtown next to tgen and I would guess there may be some overlap between the UofA med school and this program.... but other than that, yeah I concur with everyone here that this is a PA school which is targeting a younger, "fresh out of college" crowd.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks