Frequently Asked Questions
Is South University accredited?
Yes.
South University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate,
baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or
call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of South University.
The South University – Tampa Physician Assistant Program has attained provisional accreditation. This status is awarded by the Accreditation
Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA), 12000 Findley Rd., Suite 240, Duluth, GA 30097; 770-476-1224.
This accreditation status qualifies graduating students to take the national certifying examination administered by the National Commission
on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The Physician Assistant program is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association
(PAEA), the national organization representing physician assistant education programs.
Provisional accreditation is granted for a limited defined period of time to a new program that, at the time of the site visit, has
demonstrated its preparedness to initiate a program in accordance with the Standards. Initial provisional accreditation visits are conducted
during the calendar year prior to enrollment of the charter class of students.
Provisional Accreditation does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status.
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What degree is offered by the South University Physician Assistant Program?
The South University Physician Assistant Studies Program awards graduates the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) degree. Once provisional
accreditation is granted, graduates will be eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) offered by the
National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Graduates of our Physician Assistant Program, who are certified by the
NCCPA, are eligible to practice in all 50 states.
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How many students are accepted into each class?
The Program accepts approximately 24 students in each class.
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Is the South University Physician Assistant Studies Program a CASPA participating school?
Yes.
To apply to the South University PA Program go to: https://portal.caspaonline.org/
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What is the deadline to apply to the Program?
December 1st is the deadline for applicants to submit their applications to our program for the first year.
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When does the Program start each year?
The Program begins each year in early January. A one-week orientation precedes the formal start of classes.
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Do you have more than one start date?
No.
The Program only matriculates one class per year in January.
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What is the cost of attending the South University Physician Assistant Studies Program?
Current tuition and fees estimates can be viewed on the Physician Assistant Studies Programs website at the following link: http://www.southuniversity.edu/PhysicianAssistant/Tuition.aspx
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Is there a supplemental application?
No.
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Does the South University Physician Assistant Studies Program require students to have a bachelor’s degree?
Yes.
Students must have earned their bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution prior to matriculation at the Program.
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Does the Physician Assistant Studies Program have a preference as to what my undergraduate major is?
While most incoming students have earned their bachelor’s degrees in a science or healthcare field, it is not required. Strong preparation in natural sciences is highly valued. The number of courses, the level of those courses, and performance are important considerations. Applicants should demonstrate ability to handle social science and humanities as well. If an applicant does not possess a science or healthcare related degree, it is strongly encouraged that they attempt to get as much clinical experience as possible.
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What are the prerequisites required by the South University Physician Assistant Studies Program?
Please view the prerequisites here
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Can I still apply if I have outstanding prerequisite courses?
Yes.
However, students submitting an application with greater than two outstanding prerequisite courses will not be considered for admission.
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Can I matriculate at the South University Physician Assistant Studies Program if I have outstanding prerequisites?
No.
No prerequisites for admission are waived on the basis of prior healthcare/life experience.
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Do you accept other prerequisites besides those specified?
In general, prerequisites cannot be substituted. Exceptions to the prerequisite requirements will be considered only in very rare instances and must be approved by the Admissions Committee.
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Does the Physician Assistant Studies Program accept AP or CLEP credit?
The South University Physician Assistant Studies Program accepts credit for Advanced Placement (AP) courses. AP courses taken and successfully completed will be counted as one course credit toward completion of the respective prerequisite subject. Grades earned in AP courses are not used in calculation of the applicants overall or prerequisite GPA. The South University Physician Assistant Studies Program does not accept College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit for any prerequisite requirements.
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Should I send official transcripts to the Physician Assistant Studies Program offices?
No.
The South University – Tampa PA program is a CASPA-participating program. Official transcripts should be sent to CASPA at the time of application. HOWEVER, if there are outstanding prerequisite courses at the time of application, official transcripts of that coursework should be sent to the program upon completion.
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Do you require a certain amount of healthcare experience?
South University strongly encourages applicants to participate in patient-centered clinical experience prior to application and matriculation. The experience of working with patients is valuable to anyone considering a career as a Physician Assistant. While it is advantageous that entering students have some direct patient contact, it is the policy of the South University Physician Assistant Studies Program not to prescribe a minimum number of patient contact hours or fields in which the experience must be gained. Experience is considered in the application review process of each individual applicant. Significant healthcare experience is valued in considering the admission qualifications of any given applicant.
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Do you have any suggestions on how I can obtain patient care experience?
Many applicants begin working in the healthcare field in the summer between high school and college. By working in healthcare each summer during their undergraduate education, they accrue the necessary hours. Potential entry-level positions (paid and unpaid) include Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), paramedic, medical assistant, phlebotomist, nursing aide, home healthcare aide, and volunteers for community mental health or family planning agencies.
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Do you require applicants to take the GRE?
Yes.
Applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test.
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Can I apply to the Program if I have not yet taken the GRE?
Yes.
Applications will be reviewed if GRE scores are not yet received by CASPA and/or the South University Physician Assistant Studies Program. However, admissions decisions cannot be made until all application materials are received including GRE scores.
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What are competitive GRE scores for applicants?
The GRE scores are assessed in conjunction with the applicant’s complete profile. The South University Physician Assistant Studies Program does not set a minimum acceptable score for the GRE, but looks at scores at or above the 50th percentile as more competitive. For additional explanation on the meaning of the GRE scores, click on the following link: http://www.ets.org .
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Should I send my official GRE scores to the Physician Assistant Studies Program office?
Yes.
The Program office must receive an official GRE score report for each student prior to admissions decisions or matriculation.
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What is the GRE code for South University?
The South University GRE code is 1990. There is no specific program code for the GRE.
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Does the South University Physician Assistant Studies Program conduct interviews for applicants?
Yes.
After review of applications, those applicants deemed competitive are invited for an on-campus interview. The Physician Assistant Studies Program conducts “behavioral” interviews on each candidate. (For information on this style of interview you can do a web search for “Behavioral Interviews.”) Each applicant will have two general interviews and one interview with the Program Director. The general interviews generally include one applicant and one to two Program representatives.
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Do you give preference to Florida state residents?
Admission preference is not given to residents of Florida. Tuition for all students is the same.
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If accepted, do I have to have a criminal background check prior to matriculation?
Yes.
Upon acceptance, each student is required to purchase a criminal background check. The background checks are at the expense of the student and are performed by a third party agency. Finding of any prior criminal activity may terminate the student’s acceptance into the South University Physician Assistant Studies Program.
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Does South University’s Physician Assistant Studies Program offer a part-time option or online courses?
Our program does not offer a part-time option or online courses.
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Can I transfer into your program?
No.
Every student accepted to our program must apply for admission as specified.
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What are your guidelines on TOEFL?
Students for whom English is a second language must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum paper-based score of 600, TOEFL no longer administers the computer based test or TOEFL Internet (iBT) based score of 80.
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What is the average GPA for entering students?
The following are the minimum GPA requirements for acceptance to the South University Physician Assistant Studies Program:
Overall (Cumulative): 2.6/4.0 Required
Prerequisite Courses: 3.0/4.0 Strongly Recommended
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Where do students do their clinical rotations?
Students may rotate in busy clinics, private physicians’ offices, teaching hospitals, large institutions, and military hospitals and clinics. Rotations may exist in small Florida towns and huge metropolitan cities. Opportunities exist for students to rotate in underserved areas in rural, suburban, and urban settings. Our students are offered a wide variety of experiences and locations for their clinical rotations, thus rounding out the application of knowledge and skills to actual patient care.
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How are the clinical rotations set up/assigned?
Students are offered a choice in selecting their clinical rotations. Academic and professional performance while in the Program and prior clinical experience are taken into consideration in all placements.
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Can you provide me with information about on-campus and off-campus housing opportunities?
Rental apartments and housing are available in the surrounding area through realtors and relocation services. In addition, students may avail themselves to housing services through The Art Institute of Tampa (a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design) Housing and Residential Life program at 813.393.5271.
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Where can I get information about financial aid?
Financial Aid is available to those who qualify. Financial Aid officers are available to assist students seeking financial aid. The contact number is 813.393.3800.
http://www.southuniversity.edu/campus/TuitionFinancialAid/
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What is the South University school code when filling out the FAFSA forms?
The school code for South University – Tampa is 013039-08.
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Will I be able to work during the time I am a student?
Working while attending the Program is not recommended. Due to the intensive nature of the Physician Assistant Studies Program curriculum and study hours involved in the didactic phase (the first 15 months), most students do not work. During clinical rotations, students find that their patient management responsibilities and time required preparing for rounds and attending conferences do not allow them to work. In no case are students allowed to work more than 15 hours per week.
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