PA School Prerequisites For Admission To West Liberty University

Students qualified to apply to the West Liberty University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree program will have, at a minimum:

• Bachelor’s (4-year) degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum Overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Minimum Overall Science GPA of  3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• One year of General Chemistry with laboratory  (General Chemistry I & General Chemistry II with corresponding labs, 8 units minimum) – OR –  Inorganic Chemistry + Organic Chemistry + Biochemistry (all three) with corresponding labs  (8 units minimum), prefer majors level.   Note:  A single, combined course in organic, inorganic, and biochemistry will not meet this requirement. 
  
• Microbiology with corresponding laboratory  (4 units minimum), prefer majors level.
• One year of Anatomy & Physiology with labs  (8 units minimum & “human” in nature), prefer majors level.
  NOTE:  On-line laboratories for any of the “science specific” prerequisite courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis, due to COVID-19.
• One course in Genetics – PREFERRED  (3 units minimum)
• One course in Psychology  (General, Introductory or Developmental) – Online courses are accepted for this prerequisite
• One course in Humanities or Social Science  (3 units minimum) – Online courses are accepted for this prerequisite
• One year of English and/or Writing  (6 units minimum) – Online courses are accepted for this prerequisite
• One of the following Math courses:  college level Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus or Statistics  (3 units minimum) – Online courses are accepted for this prerequisite
• All applicants must take, report and submit results for the GRE  (Graduate Records Examination)  (GRE code: 4027 )  Note:  the “GRE test at home” option is acceptable due to Coronavirus.
• Submit a CASPA Application. (Application MUST be coded as “verified”  by CASPA before it will be reviewed. Link can be accessed on the Admissions Process page).
• Complete our West Liberty University Supplemental Application w/$25.00 application fee.  (Link can be accessed on the Admissions Process page).
• Basic computer literacy including the ability to use Microsoft Word,  e-mail, and conduct web-based and electronic database searches.
• Students from non-English speaking countries and those whose primary language is not English MUST provide Evidence of English Language Proficiency.
• Three letters of recommendation are also required. (At least one must be from a professor). The letters must address the applicant’s personal qualities, ability to work with others, and ability to be an empathetic provider.
• A personal statement addressing the individual’s motivation for entering the program and expectations from the program will be evaluated.
• No more than 2 prerequisite courses may be in progress at the time of application.
• The applicant may have a Bachelors Degree in progress at the time of application however, it must be complete with proof of degree by matriculation.
• All students must receive Basic Life Support Certification from the American Heart Association during the month of their June Orientation.
• Our PA school prerequisites will not be waived.
• All PA school prerequisite courses must be completed in the United States.
• Would prefer all prerequisite courses to have been completed within the past 10 years.
• AP credit will be accepted for those applicants receiving grades of 4 or better in the following courses:
  1.  Humanities/Social Science prerequisite (3 credits)
  2.  Psychology (3 credits)
  3.  English and/or Writing (6 credits)
  If the applicant enters their undergraduate University receiving AP credit for any of the other prerequisite courses, those courses will not meet the requirements for the P.A. Program.  An applicant will meet the prerequisites by either taking the same number of credits of advanced classes in the subject area at the major’s level (preferred) – OR – by retaking the prerequisite courses at the collegiate level.

PA School Prerequisites For International Student Applicants:

In addition to the requirements listed above, please submit:

1) Proof of English Proficiency: Please submit one of the following test results:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): a minimum score of 80 for the internet-based test (IBT)) or 550 for the paper-based test (PBT). West Liberty code is TOEFL 5901.  Arrangements for the TOEFL test can be made by visiting the TOEFL website.
• International English Language Testing (IELTS): band score of 6
• Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic):  score of 54
• EIKEN:  Grade  Pre-1
  **Tests are taken more than two (2) years prior to the date submitted cannot be accepted**

2) Credit Certification: Have all your coursework and credits from institutions outside of the United States evaluated by a credential evaluation service provider (e.g. World Education Services (WES), Global Credential Evaluators (GCE), Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE), American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), etc. (Please remember:  All prerequisite courses must be completed within the United States.)

3) Proof of Financial Support: Submit adequate documentation of financial support for one academic year (12 months). (e.g. Official bank statement, sponsorship award letters, scholarship awards, Affidavit of Support (DHS Form I-134), etc.

4) Copy of your ID page in your passport.

Technical Requirements

Applicants must be able to meet the technical requirements to successfully complete the program.

Recommended

• PA Shadowing
• Knowledge of medical terminology and statistics

Preferences for Selection

• Direct patient care experience is preferred
• A record of community service
• West Liberty University graduates
• West Virginia residency >/= 30% of cohort from Appalachia
• Additional preference given to:  Applicants from environmentally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds (as determined by CASPA), underrepresented medical minorities, and veterans

Transfer of Credit

• The WLU PA Program does not accept the transfer of credit for any of the PA courses, either in the didactic or the clinical phase of the curriculum.

Screening Evaluation

Candidates will be issued two screening exams during the interview process:  English Composition and Medical Terminology.  Applicants must be proficient in writing and reading comprehension to be accepted into the program.  The Medical Terminology evaluation will not be used to determine acceptance into the program but rather to see where the applicant stands at the time of matriculation.

Advanced Placement (Prior Education and Training/Experience)

The WLU  PA Program does not award advanced placement in either the didactic phase or the clinical phase. No advanced standing or placement will be granted for prior medical education or training/experience.

Student Work Policies

Policy Governing Student Employment: This is a fast-paced, intensive program with a finite amount of time to assimilate course work and complete assignments.  Due to the rigorous academic coursework of the WLU PA Program, students are strongly discouraged from working during the course of study.

Didactic Phase:  Although students are strongly discouraged from working in the didactic phase, they are permitted to do so.  Students who choose to work must inform the Program Director in writing.  If employment affects a student’s performance or causes a pattern of concern (e.g. failing grades, interfering with academic performance/duties, or sustained marginal performance), the student will be subjected to administrative action up to an including dismissal from the program.

Clinical Phase:  Students are NOT permitted to work during the clinical phase.  If a student is discovered by the program to be employed against the policy, whether or not it does or does not affect their performance or causes a pattern of concern, the student will be subjected to administrative action by the PA program up to and including dismissal from the program.  A student who fails a clinical rotation will be required to repeat the rotation.  Any student who fails a repeated course or clinical rotation will be dismissed from the program.

Health Insurance

Students must submit proof of health insurance coverage by the time of matriculation. See health insurance policy under
Program Costs.

Immunizations and Health Screening Requirements

West Liberty University requires that its students, staff, and faculty be up to date on the following immunizations and skin tests. Students are expected to have these immunizations current upon matriculation and updated as needed prior to beginning their clinical clerkships.

Bacterial Meningitis immunization is strongly recommended.
See the following link for more information:  CDC – Meningitis

Health Screening and Immunization Verification

A health screening and immunization record form are to be completed by the successful candidate and forwarded to the Health Services Center as part of the application process prior to, and as a condition of, matriculation. Students will be required to update their health status and immunizations, prior to entering the clinical phase of the program. Health screening, immunizations, and tests are available at the Student Health Services center. Candidates and students may obtain the immunizations from their own health care provider, but will still need to show proof and obtain clearance from the campus Student Health Services.  Students must provide documentation of immunization or make arrangements with the Student Health Services to meet these requirements.

Documentation of compliance with these requirements (i.e., clearance from Student Health Services) is provided to the Physician Assistant Studies Program for inclusion in the student’s permanent record. Students must sign an authorization that allows the Student Health Services office to provide documentation that the health and immunization requirements have been met.

ALL HEALTH SCREENING & IMMUNIZATION DOCUMENTS, ALONG WITH THE CORRESPONDING LAB RESULTS ATTACHED, MUST BE FORWARDED TOGETHER & RECEIVED BY THE PA PROGRAM BEFORE THE LAST FRIDAY IN MAY, PRIOR TO MATRICULATION. 

NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.

Transportation

Students must have reliable transportation in order to report to clinical sites and other scheduled program events.