Overview  | Admissions Process and Application | Curriculum | Experiential Learning | Faculty
Application due 11/1

Overview
Physician Assistants are health care providers who practice medicine with physician supervision. They are highly sought after members of the health care team who provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient care. PAs are dependent practitioners who perform medical tasks and procedures with the supervision, but not necessarily in the presence, of a supervising physician. The PA scope of practice is authorized by state law and determined by the supervising physicians.

PAs take medical histories, perform physical examinations, order laboratory tests/studies, diagnose, develop and implement a treatment plan in consultation with the supervising physician, prescribe medication in all states, advise patients on health promotion and disease management, provide hospital care for surgical patients and assist in surgery.

They provide care both in teaching institutions and in hospitals where there are no physician residents, and are employed in health centers, health maintenance organizations, emergency rooms, college health services, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, and specialty clinics.

Northeastern University's Bouvé College of Health Sciences has been training physician assistants (PAs) since 1971, making us one of the most experienced programs in the nation. Since its founding, Northeastern's PA Program has been accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant and its predecessors. The 2007 US News and World Report Graduate Rankings list Northeastern University's Physician Assistant Program as #17 in the nation!

The program is a full-time, 24-month graduate program that offers you an opportunity to earn a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.  Graduates of the PA program take the PA National Certifying Examination (PANCE) after graduation.  Certification is required for initial licensure/registration in all states. The pass rates for first-time takers of the Northeastern PA Program compare very favorably with the national rates.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for the PA Program for the 2008-2009 academic year is $24,810/year.  Additional fees include: student fees - $384/year; medical equipment - approximately $700; required textbooks - approximately $250; and CORI check - $25/year.

By law, all students in Massachusetts are required to have health insurance.  If a student does not elect to take the Northeastern University student health insurance plan ($2,220 for the 2008-2009 academic year), evidence of other comparable health insurance coverage must be provided.  For details about the required graduate student fees, please see http://www.neu.edu/registrar/billing-fees0809.html.

Information about financial aid is available through The Office of Student Financial Services (617.373.5899 or www.financialaid.neu.edu).  There are several types of financial aid including a loan a available only for physician assistant students.  Limited part-time employment during the first year of the program is possible but is not feasible during the second year.

Admissions Process and Application
A class of 34 students is admitted once each year. Classes begin in late August. Decisions of the Admissions Committee are based on the applicant's discerned ability to project genuine concern for the well-being of patients and families, as well as demonstrated academic ability to master the content of the program.  Applicants are evaluated initially on their:

• academic records
• science grades
• personal statements
• medical experience
• references

Applications are accepted between July 1 and November 1 of each year for the following August. Please call the program office after July 1 to request an application packet or download the PDF application after July 1.  You cannot apply online.  The application deadline is November 1. 

1. Admissions Process
2. Application
   The application and instructions are in PDF format.  A free PDF reader, Adobe Acrobat is available for download.
   Click here for application.

Curriculum
Northeastern's PA Program is small and well integrated. Small group courses are no larger than 2 to 6 students and our general lectures hold just 34 students. This means that your instructors can take the time to answer your questions and go into the topics in considerable depth, preparing you for the clinical placements where you will put your knowledge to work. As the role of the PA has expanded over the years, Northeastern has adapted its curriculum. While PA education concentrates largely on generalist medicine, more than one-quarter of PAs now go into surgical subspecialties. Northeastern has been in the forefront of creative utilization of PAs. You will be trained as a generalist provider in the traditional primary care environment, and will also be prepared to work in new and emerging aspects of health care.

Successful completion of the entire 2 year program is required to take the national certification exam (PANCE).

Sample Curriculum and Course Descriptions

Experiential Learning
Northeastern's PA Program is affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine, and also draws upon a wide range of medical communities for diverse clinical opportunities. Because Northeastern has such a strong reputation in the field, we can offer you rotations at most of the major acute care hospitals in Boston, including:

• Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Boston Medical Center
• Tufts Medical Center
• Harvard-based medical institutions like Mt. Auburn Hospital

Program Leadership and Faculty

The PA Program leadership has tremendous longevity and cohesion. Some have been with the program for more than 20 years.

     Rosann M. Ippolito, PhD, PA-C, Program Director 
     Carol G. Goldberg, MS, Assistant Director 
     Robin L. Reed, MD, Medical Director
     Rebecca L. Scott, PhD, PA-C, Clinical Coordinator
     Loretta A. Williams, BS, Administrative Assistant 
     Thomas J. Williams, MHP, PA-C, Educational Coordinator

The program's didactic and clinical faculty members are practicing clinicians and experts in their fields. They are based at area medical schools and clinical practices. Most faculty have been teaching in the program for years.

For further information call or email the program directly at 617-373-3195 or paprogram@neu.edu.