Matriculation Requirements

Forms

Accepted candidates must fill out the following forms as directed by the Admissions Coordinator: Photo/Video Release, Student Health Clearance Form, Health and Immunization Form, and Technical Standards Disclaimer.

Pre-Matriculation Course

Accepted candidates must take and complete the EXXAT Pre-Matriculation course.

  • The course is at no charge to the student and consists of five (5) courses: Time Management, Critical Thinking, Anatomy & Physiology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology.
  • At the end of each science module students are required to take an exam and are expected to score at least 75%. If a student does not achieve this minimum score, students will retake the exam in Study Mode.

PA-CAT: Early Alert Tool

Students matriculating in 2025 (Cohort 2027) are required to take the PA-CAT after they are accepted into the program and before the start of the Fall I semester. The PA-CAT is at no charge to the student and will not be used as part of the selection process for admission into the program. Students will be given a voucher and instructions from the Admissions Coordinator to register for the exam. The PA-CAT will only be used as a predictor for student success in the program identifying students needing early intervention to promote student retention and ensure a smooth successful transition into the didactic year. Students receiving a composite score <1418 will receive additional resources e.g. early success coaching and advisement within the first few weeks of the semester.

Success Coaching Course

All students will take a virtual pre-recorded self-paced success coaching course 2 weeks prior to the start of the Fall I semester to learn study habits and time management skills that will prepare them for the intense semester ahead.

Health Screening and Immunizations*

The following health requirements are mandatory prior to any experiential education course at offsite facilities. The immunization requirements must be fully complied with in the first 30 days post matriculation, or the student will be withdrawn from classes without credit.

  1. Tuberculosis: One of the following completed within the past 12 months is required:
    • step TB skin test (administered 1-3 weeks apart)
    • QuantiFERON Gold blood test (lab report required)
    • If positive results, submit a clear chest x-ray (lab report required)
  1. Immunizations: Students must be current on all required immunizations. Either record of immunization or serologic proof of immunity must be provided for all listed conditions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for health care personnel, to include, but may not be limited to:
  • Hepatitis B: BOTH of the following are required:
    • 3 vaccinations AND
    • A positive antibody titer (lab report required)
    • If your titer was negative or equivocal, you must repeat the series and provide a 2nd titer.
  • Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR): One of the following is required:
    • 2 vaccinations: The first vaccination MUST be administered AFTER the age of 1 regardless of vaccination type. Vaccinations can be a combined MMR vaccination, however if individualized vaccinations are submitted you MUST submit 2 vaccinations for Mumps and Measles and 1 vaccination for Rubella OR
    • Positive antibody titer (lab report required) for all 3 components. If your titer was negative or equivocal, you must receive 1 booster vaccine (administered after your titer) and provide a 2nd titer.
  • Varicella: One of the following is required:
    • 2 vaccinations OR
    • Positive antibody titer (lab report required) If your titer was negative or equivocal, you must repeat the series.
  • Tdap (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis: One of the following is required:
    • Documentation of a Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) vaccination administered within the past 10 years OR
    • Documentation of a Tdap vaccination administered from any time AND a Td (Tetanus & Diphtheria) booster administered within the past 10 years. Renewal will be set for 10 years from the most recent vaccination. Upon renewal, a Td booster is required.
  • Influenza: Students will be required to obtain influenza immunization annually while enrolled in the program.
  1. Other Immunizations: Maybe needed on a case-by-case basis. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the Program Director, Clinical Education Director, or Clinical Coordinator to determine if any additional precautions are necessary.

Background Checks and Drug Screen*

To foster a safe learning environment and comply with affiliates for off-campus learning experiences, the UMES PA Program requires all students have a Criminal Background Check, Maryland Child Abuse Clearance Check, and a Urine Drug Screen (UDS) that will be placed on file with the UMES Physician Assistant Program.

Criminal Background Check:  A National Records Indicator with SOI will be issued.  Criminal records are not indexed by social security number but are typically indexed by name and date of birth.  Should you have a criminal record dispute, per the FCRA, students have the right to dispute the results of their background check. All disputes are conducted by CastleBranch at no additional charge. Result disputes are reviewed within 5 days of submission and are resolved within thirty days. Refer to Background Check Policy for the detailed policies.

Maryland Child Abuse Clearance Check:  A review of the state database will be issued. The State maintains a Centralized Confidential Database that contains information about child abuse and neglect investigations conducted by Maryland State Departments of social services. Refer to Background Check Policy for the detailed policies.

Urine Drug Screen:  A 12-Panel Drug screen analysis will be issued.  The screening site and instructions will be provided through CastleBranch.

All students are required to have a criminal background check (CBC), Maryland child abuse clearance check, and urine drug screen (UDS), which is performed by CastleBranch at the expense of the student. Information on obtaining the initial CBC is sent to each student who has accepted an offer of admission with the UMES Physician Assistant Program for the incoming class. Please note the following: 

  • The Criminal Background Check, Maryland Child Abuse Clearance Check, and Urine Drug Screen is MANDATORY.
  • Information from the CBC check, MD Child Abuse Clearance Check, and UDS must be on file with the UMES PA Program before the student secures a seat in the class.
  • Additional CBCs, MD Child Abuse Clearance Checks, and UDSs may be required of external institutional partnerships prior to participation in experiential activities. Financial and other responsibilities for these tests are the sole responsibility of the student.
  • Additionally, each student is subject to mandatory random urine drug screening during the PA program as requested by the UMES Department of Physician Assistant and/or the clinical site. Failure to successfully pass a UDS, refusal to submit to a test, or any other violation of the UMES substance abuse policy, will have consequences that may result in dismissal from the program, legal issues and/or financial complications for the student.
  • Refer to Student Urine Drug Screen Policy for the detailed policy.

Proof of Health Insurance

Students are required to maintain personal health insurance during enrollment in UMES’s Physician Assistant Program. Proof of insurance coverage must be provided prior to orientation. Full-time international students are automatically enrolled in a university health insurance plan unless they opt out. To opt out of the University health insurance plan, students must sign the insurance waiver in the Student Health Center, present proof of current enrollment in an alternative insurance policy that meets the University minimum standards. Refer to the International Students Minimum Health Insurance Standards, minimum requirements.pdf (umes.edu) for more details.  Waivers must be completed by September 30 for the Fall and by February 28 for the Spring. If no waiver is completed, the student’s account will be billed for insurance at the current rate.

Students are responsible for all personal health care costs incurred while enrolled in the PA Program. These costs may include, but are not limited to: immunizations, illness, PPD testing, health evaluation post exposure to a communicable disease, or other accidental injuries sustained during program mandated training activities. Due to the potential for exposure to potentially infectious materials, insurance should cover screenings, diagnostics, treatments, and short- and long-term disability compensation that may result from any potential exposure. All screening, treatment, or disability maintenance costs that insurance does not cover will be the sole responsibility of the student. All covered, uncovered, or related costs are the exclusive responsibility of the student and not the responsibility of University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Basic Life Support

All entering students are required to have current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification designed for health care providers. The BLS certification is required for attendance at clinical practice mentorship and SCPE sites during both the academic and clinical phases of the program. Proof of current certification will be required on or before the first day of summer term. If students have never been BLS certified, they can contact their local chapter of the American Heart Association to inquire about registering for potential classes. Students can do this through the AHA website (Course Catalog Search | American Heart Association CPR & First Aid) by entering their zip code to locate a local chapter. 

*A record of the student’s completed immunizations, tuberculosis screening, urine drug screen, criminal background check and MD Child Abuse Clearance check will be placed in the student file. Student health records are kept confidential and not accessible by the Program or Program Faculty, except for immunization and screening results, which may be maintained and released with written permission from the student.

Scroll to Top