Distance Learning Program vs. Non-Distance

[NYJETPA]

Hello everybody! I recently found myself in a predicament that probably is not a bad one to be in, but a big choice nonetheless. Let me start off by saying that I am so grateful for the opportunities that have been provided to me and I don't want to sound unthankful to the schools that have accepted me. Anyway, on to the issue. I recently got accepted into both Dubuque University in Iowa (New program but looks very welcoming and enjoyable) and UNMC-Kearney (Distance-Learning but 25,000 cheaper). I now have about a week to make my decision as to which to attend. Does anybody have any experience with either of these programs? Was that experience positive or negative? Also, would you choose a distance learning program over a non-distance if it was cheaper and more convenient (Would not have to move far compared to a 8 hour move to Dubuque). Any insight is appreciated! Thank You!

[EMEDPA]

There are strong feelings about this on both sides. Folks of my generation believe distance programs are the worst thing ever, due to a lack of interaction with your classmates and faculty and minimal hands-on experiences with physical exam, etc( 6 hrs/week x 16 weeks vs 1 weekend/semester). Distance learning is the NP model, not the PA model.

Millennials will say distance learning is the wave of the future.

It is very telling that when the dean of the Yale school of medicine was announcing the new online PA program he was asked when the med school would go online. he said basically "that's ridiculous, it will never happen. you can't learn medicine that way". Um, going to PA school IS learning medicine....at least it should be.

[boli]

I'm not sure if EMEDPA caught what you meant by DL, but in my experience it's not a "online" program model. It's multiple campuses (with classmates, physical exam rooms, professors etc at each campus) that connect via video and microphone to conduct shared classes... You can call it a way to make more money or whatever but it extends a particular program across multiple cities in a state (Omaha and Kearney for example) I agree that "online" school is a joke and not a way to learn medicine.

OP, I don't go to UNMC but I attend a school that uses DL. TBH I don't think it's a big deal. You still have interaction with your classmates and you still have the opportunity to do plenty of physical exam stuff and labs and all the fun interactive things. You sit in a physical classroom all day just like every other school. After about a week you barely notice the microphones and the video. I actually enjoy the DL sometimes as I can get up to go to the bathroom, ask my neighbor a question, or whatever I need to do without feeling like I'm totally disrupting class with an in-person lecturer. At our program we have about 1/2 the lectures in-person so you still have plenty of interaction with faculty too. Also, there are smaller classes at each campus instead on one giant class so you get to know your campus classmates very well. If I were in your shoes I would personally pick UNMC but that's just me. Good problem to have! 

Edited December 15, 2018 by boli

[NYJETPA]

2 hours ago, boli said:

it's not a "online" program model. It's multiple campuses (with classmates, physical exam rooms, professors etc at each campus) that connect via video and microphone to conduct shared classes

This is correct, sorry for the confusion as this isn't an online program, but a distance-learning mic/video program at a UNMC facility. Thank you for your helpful response! I guess a big concern of mine is the amount of in person interaction that will be given. I know you said that about 50% of the lectures are in person, but i don't know if this is the case for UNMC as they did not address it in the interview... I am kinda old school so something like this makes me a bit nervous as I am kinda a face to face kind of person. Maybe it will just take getting used to.

[EMEDPA]

should be ok if only the lectures are online if they are in real time and interactive.

[Victory1322]

I have a friend currently in the program at Dubuque and for what it's worth he absolutely loves it. He's about to start clinicals soon and has had nothing but positive things to say about it. At the same time, he was relatively young, not married, no kids, only moved about four hours from home and had no commitments other than a dog and a girl he's successfully doing the long distance situation with. Not sure what your personal situation is but that's something to take note of when deciding which program to attend. 

I'm not too familiar with the type of distance learning that Kearney offers but if that type of style works for you, then I would think it would work as long as there's plenty of opportunity for hands on learning with patient assessments and such. It doesn't sound like something that would work for me but if you applied you must have been okay with that aspect. To each their own. 

Another area I'd also take a look at is how each program conducts their rotations. I've never researched a DL program and my friend has yet to start clinicals so I'm coming from a place of ignorance here. Do they set them up for you and assist with finding housing? Are you required to set up some yourself and pay for your own accommodations? How many electives are offered? Are the rotations 4 weeks, 6 weeks, or varied? Going through PA school is stressful enough, there's no need to add onto that stress by having to set up your own rotations. 

[NYJETPA]

On 12/17/2018 at 8:53 AM, Victory1322 said:

Going through PA school is stressful enough, there's no need to add onto that stress by having to set up your own rotations

Great point. Thank you for your reply. I have also heard great things about Dubuque, though I am leaning towards UNMC currently due to convenience. Though it is distance learning (virtually about 50% of the time and in person the other half.), I would be closer to the family and I would not remove my girlfriend from her job. Plus being about 30,000 cheaper also plays a factor! 

[EMEDPA]

having to set up my own rotations was a non-starter for me back in the day. I lived near the Stanford program and would likely have gotten in there, but having to set up all my own rotations was not something I was willing to do. As a paramedic, I did not know any trauma surgeons, intensivists, and peds EM physicians outside of my county system.