Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a healthcare provider who can heal not only the body, but also the mind and spirit? Look no further than the Central Coast Physician Assistant Program.
This 24-month master’s degree program, offered by A.T. Still University in partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers, immerses you in the osteopathic tradition of whole person care. But that’s just the beginning.
With a unique curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences, this program prepares you to enter the Community Health Center system and make a lasting impact in primary care.
So, if you’re ready to embark on a transformative journey, keep reading to uncover the details of this remarkable program.
Program Overview
The Physician Assistant Program at CCPA is a 24-month residential master’s degree program that provides comprehensive training in primary care. This program, offered in partnership with A.T. Still University and NACHC, aims to educate community-oriented physician assistants who’ll provide whole person primary care to underserved populations. The program is designed to prepare graduates for primary care in various medical disciplines, including family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, women’s health, and behavioral health/psychiatry.
The CCPA program consists of a didactic phase and a clinical phase. The didactic phase takes place in Santa Maria for one year and focuses on building a strong foundation in the Health Sciences. During this phase, students learn the necessary knowledge and skills through engaging educational experiences. The program emphasizes the osteopathic tradition of whole person care and fosters critical thinking through engaged scholarship.
Following the didactic phase, students enter the clinical phase of the program, which includes 35 weeks of supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in various medical disciplines. These clinical experiences provide students with hands-on training and allow them to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Through these experiences, students develop the professional attributes necessary to become competent and compassionate physician assistants.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are well-prepared to provide primary care to underserved populations. They’re equipped with the knowledge, skills, and professional attributes necessary to make a positive impact on the health of individuals and communities. The program’s emphasis on whole person care and its focus on underserved populations make it an ideal choice for those aspiring to make a difference in the field of primary care.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Central Coast Physician Assistant (CCPA) program at Health Sciences (Central Coast), you must meet certain requirements. These admission requirements are designed to ensure that applicants possess the necessary qualifications to succeed in the program and become effective and diverse physician assistants (PAs) in primary care settings, such as Community Health Centers (CHCs).
First and foremost, applicants are required to have a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.50. This ensures that students have a strong academic foundation before entering the program. Additionally, certain prerequisite coursework must be completed by the application deadline. These courses include Human Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics, and Medical Terminology. The completion of these courses demonstrates the applicant’s readiness for the rigorous curriculum of the CCPA program.
While there’s no set number of hours of clinical experience required, it’s highly encouraged for applicants to have experience in healthcare delivery. This experience allows students to gain valuable insight into the field and develop important professional attributes, such as clinical problem-solving skills.
In terms of educational background, a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution is required. This ensures that applicants have a solid foundation of knowledge and critical thinking skills before entering the program. Unlike some other programs, the CCPA program doesn’t require applicants to take the GRE.
To apply to the CCPA program, applicants must submit their application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and also complete a secondary application for university admissions.
Curriculum and Clinical Experience
After meeting the admission requirements, students in the Central Coast Physician Assistant (CCPA) program at Health Sciences (Central Coast) embark on a comprehensive curriculum and gain valuable clinical experience.
The CCPA program is a 24-month residential master’s degree program with a one-year on-campus didactic phase in Santa Maria. This phase focuses on building a strong foundation in medical knowledge and clinical skills. During this time, students participate in classroom lectures, laboratory sessions, and simulated patient encounters to develop their understanding of primary care and the role of physician assistants.
Once the didactic phase is completed, students transition to the clinical phase, which includes 35 weeks of supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in diverse medical disciplines. These experiences primarily take place at partnered Community Health Centers (CHCs) across the U.S. The goal of this phase is to provide students with hands-on experience in a variety of healthcare settings, allowing them to develop their clinical problem-solving skills and gain exposure to different patient populations.
The CCPA program prepares graduates for primary care in family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, women’s health, and behavioral health/psychiatry. The curriculum emphasizes the development of professional attributes such as effective communication, cultural competence, and ethical decision-making. Students are also encouraged to develop an understanding of the unique healthcare needs of underserved populations and to foster a commitment to serving these communities.
To provide even greater opportunities for students interested in serving underserved populations, the CCPA program offers the Hometown Scholars program. This program aims to attract and educate qualified healers by providing advance applicant consideration and focusing on the needs of community health centers. By producing providers who are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge, the CCPA program aims to address the healthcare disparities faced by underserved communities.
