Physician Assistant Program

The two-year, full-time program is designed to provide the academic and clinical foundations for primary-care Physician Assistants; to foster the development of the attitudes, values, and behavior appropriate for professional health-care providers; and to prepare students to participate in a team approach to patient care. Emphasis is placed on student understanding of the role and responsibilities of Physician Assistants in the provision of quality health service, in the treatment and management of disease states, in meeting the health care needs of a richly diverse patient population and in fostering health promotion and disease prevention.

The program, which begins in late May or early June, offers a 27-month, upper-division professional course of study leading to the B.S. degree. The curriculum integrates the basic sciences, social sciences, medical sciences, and clinical experiences needed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the practice of medicine.

The four-semester didactic phase consists of lectures, laboratories, and practical and simulation experiences designed to provide students with the knowledge necessary to address patients in a clinical context. The clinical phase consists of ten supervised clerkships (clinical training experiences) at a broad range of clinical affiliates, designed to provide seniors with a valuable opportunity to develop and refine their professional clinical skills. Graduates of our Program are trained with a focus on Primary Care, but are qualified to practice medicine in different settings under the supervision of a licensed physician.

Physician Assistant graduates from Programs in New York State are required to successfully complete the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant (NCCPA) initial certification examination, before becoming licensed and registered to practice medicine in the state. However, they may obtain a limited permit which allows Physician Assistants to practice temporarily prior to passing the Board exam.

Detailed information regarding the Physician Assistant Profession in New York State and licensure requirements may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Professions, Board of Medicine.

NCCPA is the only credentialing organization for Physician Assistants in the United States and is dedicated to assuring the public that certified Physician Assistants meet established standards of knowledge and clinical skills upon entry into practice and throughout their careers.

Downstate First Time Pass Rate
Year	Students	Program	National
2002	21	86%	90%
2003	27	81%	89%
2004	22	95%	90%
2005	31	77%	91%
2006	30	77%	92%

Detailed information about the National Certification Exam for Physician Assistants may be obtained by contacting the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Summary

The SUNY Downstate PA Program is committed to educating highly qualified, diverse Physician Assisants, interested in meeting the health care needs of Brooklyn and New York City residents. The PA faculty collectively possess close to 100 years of PA clinical experience and are national recognized as leaders in the field to PA education.

The Program offers a stimulating curriculum, utilizing innovative instructional methods designed to meet student need. Students enjoy rich clinical experiences in varied urban clinical settings. The program is recognized for academic and clinical excellence. It continues to show committed leadership in urban PA education and graduation and has successfully graduated over 300 Physician Assistants of diverse backgrounds, who are practicing throughout New York City, New York State and the nation.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. and is approved by the New York State Board of Higher Education and Board of Regents.