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Accelerated 3 + 2 Pathway to Physician Assistant Studies

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  5. Accelerated 3 + 2 Pathway to Physician Assistant Studies

This expanded program is designed to allow highly qualified students the opportunity for acceptance into Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University's 28-month PA program (professional phase) after successfully mastering the initial 3-3.5 years of biology-human medicine curriculum (pre-professional phase). This program shortens the total amount of time to receive an MMS: Physician Assistant degree by 6 months to 1 year. Ultimately, these students will graduate with both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology-Human Medicine Track (conferred the 2nd semester of the PA program) and a Master of Medical Science degree in Physician Assistant studies.

Students in this track will not have guaranteed entrance into FranU’s PA program but will be identified as Accelerated 3+2 applicants. Students must fulfill all the requirements necessary for admission to the program.

School
School of Arts and Sciences
Career
Physician Assistant (PA)
Program Contacts

Biology at FranU

Program Admission Requirements

  • 3.3+ GPA (high school or college, whichever is most recent)
  • 26 ACT with 27 Math sub score or credit for MATH 1315; equivalent SAT scores accepted
  • Fewer than 66 college credits (or the University’s current maximum for transfer credits)

Program Mission

The mission of the Biology Program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is to create quality educational experiences in all areas of biology and chemistry, especially those integral to the health of the population. The core principles of scientific inquiry and ethics serve to integrate coursework throughout the curriculum.

Program Goals

  • To provide a multidisciplinary education that emphasizes ethical scientific reasoning and problem solving
  • To prepare students for a wide variety of post-baccalaureate paths, including careers in laboratory science or instrumentation and graduate programs in laboratory research or medicine (physician/physician assistant/physical therapy)

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

  • Illustrate the processes of life using natural science (biology, chemistry, physics) concepts.
  • Apply the scientific method to develop and test hypotheses.
  • Evaluate scientific data using mathematics and statistics.
  • Communicate scientific findings to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
  • Examine the relationship between biology and social problems.
  • Apply scientific and research ethics to decision-making.
  • Examine the relationship between biology and the Franciscan values.
  • Apply anatomical and physiological concepts to the study of human biology and pathophysiology

Accreditation

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Questions about accreditation of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Curriculum

Curriculum Notes:

Total hours for Bachelor of Science in Biology - Pre-Professional Human Medicine Degree = 122 credit hours (106 pre-professional phase and 16 professional phase)

* MATH 1315 is waived with an ACT Math subscore of 27 or SAT equivalent

**Students apply to the PA program in semester 7.

If admitted into the PA program, students begin the program in semester 9 (spring semester). For information on the PA curriculum, visit franu.edu/ Physician Assistant Studies.

Behavioral/Social Sciences electives may be taken from subjects ANTH, ECON, HIST, POLI, PSYC, RELS, SOCI

Ethics/Philosophy elective courses are PHIL 2315, PHIL 2320, THEO 3345, THEO 3350, THEO 3360

Humanities/Fine Arts electives may be taken from subjects ENGL, MUSI, ART, HIST, HUMN, PHIL, RELS, THEO.

Human biology electives may be taken from BIOL 3000 or 4000 level anatomy and/or physiology courses.