University of New England

The University of New England participates in the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). All applications for admission must be made through CASPA - go to their website for more information. Applications for admissions are accepted from May 1st through October 1 of each year. All admissions decisions are completed in the early spring prior to the June start date.

On-campus interviews are granted to qualified applicants upon invitation by the admissions committee, and are required for admission to the program.

POLICY ON ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Admitted students who have taken basic science graduate or undergraduate courses may qualify for advanced placement (advanced standing). To obtain credit for a course, the student must request an Advanced Placement Form from the Program. An official copy of his/her transcript must be attached to the form, along with the course description from the other institution’s catalog. This form must then be submitted to the Academic Coordinator, who will then refer it to the appropriate instructor. Once the request has been approved, the student must return it to the Program for documentation. The student is also responsible for submitting the approved request to the Registrar’s office. The decision to approve a request is based on the fact that the substitute course is equivalent to the course offered by the Program. Advanced placement credit decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, considering the individual course content and how it relates to the Program curriculum. Students may be asked to take a challenge examination to qualify for advance placement credit. Tuition is based on an annual fee. Advanced placement will not result in tuition savings.

APPEALS/GRIEVANCE

The university follows what is known as due process. Due process allows for fair and equitable treatment of cases brought against students. An important component of due process is the ability to file an appeal if certain conditions are met. Review the following information and the Student Handbook for a detailed explanation of the appeals process.

POLICY ON STUDENT EMPLOYMENT

The Program discourages students from having outside employment while in the Program. If a student feels that it is necessary to work while in the Program, it is advisable that the student informs his/her faculty advisor of this need. Program expectations, assignments, deadlines and responsibilities will not be altered or adjusted to accommodate working students and it is expected that his/her employment will not interfere with his/her learning experience. Should a conflict arise concerning outside employment the issue may be brought to the Student Affairs Committee.

Click here for important dates to remember.

PANCE Pass Rates
First-time PANCE (Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam) Pass Rates for the Five Most Recent Graduating Classes:

2001: 97% (National Average 92%)
2002: 93% (National Average 90%)
2003: 97% (National Average 89%)
2004: 90% (National Average 90%)
2005: 95% (National Average 91%)
2006: 98% (National Average 93%)

Admissions Information Sessions

Each year, the Admissions Office and The Physician Assistant Program host on-campus Info Sessions for individuals interested in learning more about UNE’s Physician Assistant Program. Our Info Sessions provide prospective students an opportunity to visit campus and ask specific questions that address their unique needs. We encourage you to attend one of these Info Sessions in order to assist you with this very important decision. Though our web page, www.une.edu, offers a great deal of information about our university and specifically the PA program, a campus visit could provide added insight.

If any questions arise, don’t hesitate to contact the Graduate Admissions Office at GradAdmissions@une.edu or by calling Admissions at 1-800-477-4UNE, extension 4225. To confirm your attendance, please click on the date you have selected below to register online. The Info Sessions will begin in the Parker Pavilion on the Westbrook College Campus in Portland, Maine. For scheduling purposes, participants should plan on spending two hours on campus. Light refreshments will be served.

Important Dates to Remember

2008-2009

• Saturday, July 26, Graduate Admissions Information Session 9:30 A.M.  (click here to RSVP)
• October 1, Deadline to apply to UNE's PA Program (click here to apply)
• Saturday, November 8, Interview Session
• Saturday, December 6, Interview Session
• Saturday, January 24, Interview Session




For a more detailed Academic Calendar, please click here.

Prerequisites/Academic Admissions Criteria

• At least 90 undergraduate credits from an accredited institution(s) at time of application, and a Bachelors Degree prior to matriculation (unless in UNE pre-PA accelerated 3/2 track).
• At least 6 credit hours of advanced level biology courses with labs, equivalent to 2 semester courses, OR 8 credit hours of general biology.
• At least 8 credit hours of general chemistry, equivalent to 2 semester courses consisting of lecture and laboratory.
• Biology or chemistry courses must have been taken within the past eight years from the time of matriculation.
• Four credit hours of anatomy and physiology, consisting of lecture and laboratory.
• Completion of 6 credits in English, including at least 3 credits in English composition.
• Completion of 6 credits in psychology/sociology or related behavioral sciences.
• Courses in statistics, physics, anatomy, physiology, and organic chemistry are highly recommended.
• All prerequisite courses must be completed by the 15th of May prior to matriculation.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in natural science courses and an overall minimum GPA of 2.75.
• Paid or volunteer experience in a health/human services setting with direct patient/client contact will be viewed as highly desirable.
• The Admissions Committee reserves the right to make exceptions to the above when it deems such a decision is appropriate.
• Before matriculation, accepted applicants will need to obtain a physical exam with proof of up-to-date immunization status and have a current health provider CPR course (adult and child). This information must be presented upon registration.

UNE Medical Biology- Pre-Physician Assistant 3-2 Track

This five-year educational track is designed to combine a biological sciences baccalaureate degree, master's of science degree, and physician assistant certificate. Students begin by completing the required courses for a medical biology-pre-physician assistant baccalaureate degree. During this first phase, which involves the first three years of study, students must obtain at least 250 hours of direct patient experience (paid or volunteer) in a health/human services setting as well as earn and maintain a current certificate in basic life support.

In the second phase, students will begin their application for admission into the graduate Physician Assistant Program. To be eligible for a guaranteed interview for admission into the University of New England PA program, students, by October 1 of their 3rd year, must submit a completed CASPA application, have maintained a natural sciences GPA of 3.30 and an overall GPA of 3.0. Transfer students should note that grade point calculations for this purpose are based on all course work taken regardless of where the credits were earned. Enrollment in the 3-2 option of medical biology-pre-physician assistant track does not guarantee admission into UNE's master's Physician Assistant Program. In the event a student does not proceed into the master's Physician Assistant Program, it is the student's responsibility to plan for timely completion of the medical biology-pre-physician assistant track baccalaureate program. For more details on this program, contact the Admissions Office at 1-800-477-4UNE or visit the website for a detailed explanation.

Information
For more information about Admissions call 1-800-477-4UNE or visit the Admissions website.