SJVC's Physician Assistant Program prepares students to work as health professionals and to practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician. Students learn to collect and evaluate medical data and participate in the process of clinical decision–making. Graduates are prepared to provide diagnosis and therapeutic management as it relates to their patients and their position in the health care field.
Learn
Obtain medical histories
Conduct physical examinations
Order & interpret laboratory tests
Diagnose Patients
Determine treatment plans
Counsel Patients
Execute diagnostic procedures
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the Physician Assistant program must have completed 60 semester or 90 quarter college units with a satisfactory GPA of 2.5 or higher. Prerequisite courses include 3 semester or 4 quarter units in several life sciences, writing and composition, speech, psychology, sociology, and college level math. Prerequisite science courses should be with a grade of "B" or better.
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Prerequisite courses*
College Algebra or higher
Speech – CAN 4
English reading & composition – CAN 2
General Chemistry with lab – CAN 6
General Microbiology with lab – CAN 14
Introduction to Psychology – CAN 2
Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology
Human Anatomy with lab _ CAN 10
Human Physiology with lab – CAN 12
* Where applicable, it is recommended to use the California Articulation Numbers (CAN) as listed in California Community College catalogs. For more information on general education courses from other institutions, visit www.collegeboard.com
All required coursework completed in the United States must be from a regionally accredited institution.
Coursework listed as "in progress" will not be accepted, and advanced placement, transfer of physician assistant credits, or credit for experiential learning is not permitted. Students must participate in the full 24 month curriculum.
2,000 hours of direct patient care experience is also required for admission (paid and volunteer hours are acceptable). Hours accrued as a student in a training program cannot be used towards this total.
Applicants must also meet the technical standards to be considered for the program. Technical standards provide a reference against which candidates for enrollment to the program are evaluated by the Admissions Committee in the selection of students for the PA program.
Application Process
The Physician Assistant Program has a highly-selective application process in which only the most qualified applicants are chosen to fill available seats. GPA, work experience, admissions assessments and personal interview are considered by the admissions team for acceptance.
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Applicants are selected to fill available seats for each cohort using a points system from:
Postsecondary education (Attainment, GPA)
Healthcare work experience
Application panel interview
Please note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee enrollment.
Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions attended must be included in the application packet. Transcripts of all completed prerequisite courses be sent to SJVC by the application deadline.
Click here for information on Foreign Institutions & Transfer of Credit
Applicants who have completed coursework outside of the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by the International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF) or equivalent organization. An official copy of the Academic Detailed Report from IERF or an equivalent organization must be included with the application. All applicants must include course descriptions of prerequisite coursework in the application packet.
A one page written personal statement explaining why the applicant wants to become a physician assistant(to be done during the applicant panel interview).
Submitted with the application packet, two letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of and able to evaluate the applicant's health care experience.
Qualified candidates will be considered for invitation to interview with the selection committee.
For additional information regarding the application process, please contact the PA Admissions Advisor at (559) 651–2500 ext 148 or email admissions.pa@sjvc.edu .
Program Start Dates
Cohort Start
App Deadline
Cohort Start
App Deadline
Aug 1, 2011
Jan 31, 2011
Aug 6, 2012
Jan 31, 2012
Academic Information
The Physician Assistant Program consists of six 16-week terms and is accredited by ARCPA. The program carries an intense workload and it is recommended that students do not work while completing their studies. Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree and are eligible to take the PANCE and California Medical Board for certification as a Physician Assistant.
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The 96 week program includes 3 terms of didactic course work and 3 terms of clinical rotations and coursework. During the first 3 terms, classes are scheduled between 1:00 pm– 9:00 pm Monday–Thursday with classes on Fridays from 9 am –noon. As students start their clinical coursework, schedules are determined by the clinical site. Students are expected to be on clinical rotations a minimum of 128 hrs per month. It is strongly recommended that while enrolled in the PA program students are not working. No special concessions are granted for working students.
Upon successful completion of all 96 units of coursework, an AS degree is awarded.
Mission & Goals of the Physician Assistant Program
The mission of SJVC's Physician Assistant program is to educate and train students to become primary care physician assistants. The program aims to improve health care for rural, multi-cultural and underserved populations of the California Central Valley.
The goal of the Physician Assistant Program is to enhance the health of individuals who reside in rural and disadvantaged communities. The objectives are to:
Provide education and training in primary care medicine to students who are interested in becoming physician assistants
Add to the supply of primary care services in rural communities
Increase careers in the health care professions for members of rural, disadvantaged groups and underutilized health professionals
Contribute knowledge, expertise and service to the community
Information on program success can be found in the college catalogue.
Accreditation
San Joaquin Valley College's Primary Care Physician Assistant Program has received full accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. The next scheduled accreditation review will be in 2012. The Program was approved by the Physician Assistant Committee of the State of California in 2003.
San Joaquin Valley College is regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
Program Outcomes
Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree and are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) through the California Medical Board to become certified as physician assistants.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to work in a physician's office or hospital as a skilled member of the health care team. Other practice specialties are also available, ranging from Family Medicine to Neurosurgery.
Continuing Education
The Master of Medical Science (MMS) program is a collaborative effort between Saint Francis University (SFU) and SJVC that provides a challenging opportunity for students to obtain graduate education concurrently with their clinical externship. In this program, full-time students complete their graduate studies in one year and obtain a MMS degree upon completion of their Physician Assistant training.
Information on graduate studies for the Physician Assistant Program can be found on the Saint Francis MMS website.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition for the Physician Assistant program is $20,500 per academic year, totaling $61,500.
Additional Information
1.Expenses do not include major medical insurance, which students must obtain and for which they must show proof of coverage.
2.Expenses do not include any housing, transportation, meal privileges or parking for clinical rotations.
3.Costs are estimates based on current available information and are subject to change.
4 Financial Aid is administered through the Financial Aid Offices of San Joaquin Valley College, Visalia Campus, 8400 W. Mineral King Ave., Visalia, CA.
5.Please refer to the SJVC Catalog for withdrawal and refund policies.
Consumer Information
Physician Assistant
Graduate Occupations
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