Public Health/Physician Assistant, M.P.H./M.M.S.

About Arcadia’s Dual Degree Program in Public Health and Physician Assistant

The dual degree offers a synergistic integration of individual patient management with health promotion and disease prevention affecting local communities and global populations.

Arcadia’s College of Health Sciences has nationally recognized health care, science and business programs that make the world a laboratory by providing real-world, experiential learning. Graduate programs use evidence-based research and project-based learning to prepare health care and business professionals for a rapidly changing global environment. Applied and pro bono clinical research, clinical rotations, public health internships, international fieldwork, and multicultural assessment are threaded through the curricula. Graduate students also conduct research and publish with expert faculty in many fields.

Dual degree candidates must be accepted into each of the programs in order to pursue dual degrees: Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) and Master of Public Health (M.P.H.).

This dual degree program prepares graduates for leadership roles in meeting community health care needs in today’s rapidly changing medical environment. The master’s degree program in Medical Science (M.M.S.) is designed to produce graduates who are well-equipped to deliver high-quality, cost-effective primary health care in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices and other community settings. The Master of Public Health degree focuses on population health and includes the disciplines of epidemiology and biostatistics with an in-depth fieldwork thesis project oriented toward a student’s primary area of research interest

Arcadia has one of the largest Physician Assistant programs in the nation, with campuses in Glenside, Pa., and Christiana, Del. Arcadia utilizes the region’s medical communities for diverse clinical experiences and offers opportunities for service learning in international settings. Applicants who are invited to interview will be evaluated by both PA and PH faculty. If offered admission, the student will complete the public health degree during the first year before entering the PA Program.

Admission to the Master of Public Health Program

In addition to the general admission requirements for graduate students, the following program-specific requirements must be met:

1. A completed graduate application including personal statements, to be completed online at www.arcadia.edu/gradapp.
2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a recommended GPA of 3.0 or better in the major course of study.
3. One official transcript from each college, university or professional school attended. Transfer credits included on a transcript must include grades earned; if not, an official transcript from the original school must be submitted. Transcripts must be sent from the issuing school in a sealed envelope and contain the appropriate signatures and seals to be considered official.
4. Three letters of recommendation, at least one from a professor (if a recent graduate) and one from a health professional.
5. Test scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), taken within the last five years. Test scores are not required for students with an earned graduate degree in a related field.
6. Knowledge of the profession through work or volunteer experience.
7. International applicants should visit www.arcadia.edu/international for detailed information on admission requirements and application procedures. TOEFL/IELTS results are required for all students for whom English is a second language or who have not earned degrees or diplomas from post-secondary institutions in English-speaking countries (e.g. the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand). A course-by-course evaluation of all transcripts by an independent evaluation service based in the United States also is required.

Admission to the Physician Assistant Program

1. A Physician Assistant application to be completed through CASPA at www.caspaonline.org.
2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a recommended GPA of 3.0 or better.
3. One official transcript from each college, university or professional school attended. Transfer credits included on a transcript must include grades earned; if not, an official transcript from the original school must be submitted. Transcripts must be sent from the issuing school in a sealed envelope and contain the appropriate signatures and seals to be considered official.
4. Students must have completed the following prerequisites:
   1. Biological Sciences—five lab/lecture courses from a biology department, to include Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology. Biochemistry is recommended.
   2. Chemistry—four lab/lecture courses from a chemistry department, to include Organic Chemistry.
   3. Psychology—one course; Developmental or Abnormal Psychology is highly recommended.
   4. Statistics—one course.
   5. Humanities—five courses; a course in Ethics or Medical Ethics is highly recommended.

NOTE: Students with exceptional clinical experience may have one or more prerequisites waived. The program does not allow students to waive courses, nor does it accept students with advanced standing.

5. Three letters of recommendation, at least one from a professor and one from a practicing licensed physician or physician assistant.
6. Test scores from either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), taken within the last five years.
7. A minimum of 200 hours of patient care experience or a combination of patient care experience and research.
8. Students must meet the minimal technical requirements for admission, continuation and graduation. The technical standards are available upon request from the Physician Assistant program office and are posted on the program Web page.
9. International applicants should visit www.arcadia.edu/international for detailed information on admissions requirements and application procedures. Official results from the TOEFL or IELTS are required for all students for whom English is a second language except for non-native speakers of English who hold degrees or diplomas from post-secondary institutions in English-speaking countries (e.g. the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand). A course-by-course evaluation of all transcripts by an independent evaluation service based in the United States also is required.
10. Increasingly, clinical facilities are requiring that students seeking placements undergo various criminal background checks, child abuse clearances, and/or drug screens prior to placements. Therefore, students should be prepared to participate in these screenings. Applicants who are are unable to pass these background checks may be denied admission into the program.

Expenses

Tuition and fees for the dual degree program are billed in equal increments over the program’s nine semesters. Information on current costs is available at www.arcadia.edu/finaid. Financial aid is available to assist qualified students in covering tuition and related expenses, as well as living costs. Upon review for admission, students automatically will be reviewed by the academic department for a limited number of merit scholarships. Additionally, students can apply to receive up to $20,500 annually through the Federal Direct Stafford Loan at a fixed interest. In addition to the Stafford Loan, students can choose to borrow either a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan or a private alternative student loan to cover remaining expenses. Graduate assistantships also may be available to those who qualify. For more information on available financial aid and how to apply, visit www.arcadia.edu/finaid and click on Graduate.

Requirements for the Dual Degrees in Public Health and Physician Assistant

(152 total credits, with 6 shared credits)

Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant) (116 credits)

Master of Science in Public Health (42)