About the Program
The College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) at Augusta University has implements a Master of Physician Assistant (MPA) bridge program online that will allow graduates with a baccalaureate in physician assistant studies from an accredited physician assistant program to earn a master’s degree while continuing their career in health care. The program was started Augusta 2014. The Bridge MPA program is composed of 30 credit hours. It is possible to complete the PA bridge program in one year, if the student so chooses. The emphasis of the course work is to develop professional and teaching skills that enhance clinical practice.
Technical Standards
In addition to demonstrating personal characteristics appropriate for a health professions career, students must satisfy general and specific technical standards for this program. Please visit http://www.augusta.edu/alliedhealth/pa/bridgeadmissions.php to review these requirements.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Financial aid and other assistance is available. Augusta University participates in all federal student aid programs as well as state and private programs. Augusta University helps students fund their education through grants, scholarships, loans, a service commitment and/or employment.
General Admissions Criteria
Deadlines for application and required materials and documents:
| Semester |
Program Start |
Application Deadline |
| Spring Semester Start |
January |
Last Day of August |
| Summer Semester Start |
May |
Last Day of February |
| Fall Semester Start |
August |
Last Day of May |
Note: All required application materials and documentsmust be received in order for an application to be considered complete and before an admission decision can be made. Applications and supporting materials received after the program deadline will only be considered on a space-available basis.
GPA: A minimum overall 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale from their baccalaureate PA program is required for consideration.
Official Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges attended from their baccalaureate PA program are required. Official transcripts should be sent to Augusta University’s Office of Academic Admissions. To remain official, all transcripts must remain in the original , unopened, sealed, and stamped/signed enveleope from the Registrar’s Office of the issuing institution. Alternatively, Augusta University will accept official electronic transcripts from the Registrar’s Office at your prior institution. Electronic transcripts should be directed to admissions@augusta.edu.
References: Recommendation from a supervising physician is required. The recommendation should focus on the applicant’s aptitude for clinical work and their academic ability. Graduate reference forms and letters can be submitted online only. Applicants list the name and contact information of the supervising physician as a referenceduring the online application process. Once the application is submitted, the referee will receive an email directing them to complete the online reference form. The completed reference form will then be forwardedto the Office of Academic Admissions via the online application system, CollegeNet. An applicant wishing to change a reference after the application has been submittedmust log into his/her CollegeNet account and change the name and contact information for the reference.
GRE Requirement: The GRE is not required for the bridge MPA program.
Prerequisite Coursework: Applicants must submit proof of current CME (50 hours of Category I and 50 hours of Category II) with 4 of these CME hours in approved pharmacotherapeutics continuing medical education and an active NCCPA certification and state licensure. BLS and ACLS certification proof should also be submitted.
Work Experience: We prefer that applicants be actively employed as a PA in clinical practice.
Computer Literacy
General Laptop With Webcam Requirement: https://gru.service-now.com/kb_view.do?sysparm_article=KB0010397
Masters of Physician Assistant Completion Track Prerequisite Requirements
Nationally certified physician assistants who graduated from an accredited bachelor’s-level physician assistant program and alumni from the Medical College of Georgia Physician Assistant program who graduated between the years of 1974 and 2007 – the last year of the bachelor’s degree program- will be eligible to apply for the MPA bridge program. The MPA bridge program will award credit to those PAs who have maintained national certification and state licensure through prior learning assessment. To receive the maximum credit of 15 hours, the applicant must provide documentation of current CME (50 hours of Category I and 50 hours of Category II), hold an active NCCPA certification, and be actively employed as a PA in clinical practice. BLS and ACLS certification proof should also be submitted. The bridge program director will be responsible for evaluating prior learning assessment.
Advanced Credit Courses For Meeting Competencies:
Total Possible Advance Credit Received: 15
Estimated Tuition and Fees
For estimated tuition and fess, please see the Financial Information section of this catalog.
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