{"id":1356,"date":"2021-09-27T15:10:16","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T19:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/?page_id=1356"},"modified":"2026-04-06T16:25:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T20:25:25","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">What does it mean to have an Accreditation-Continued status?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Physician Assistant Program sponsored by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Accreditation Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2035. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;The program\u2019s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arc-pa.org\/accreditation-history-umes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.arc-pa.org\/accreditation-history-umes\/<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arc-pa.org%2Faccreditation-history-umes%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjwtownsend%40umes.edu%7C385f7aa1a5184c2518cc08dd707a9034%7Cf3b74c6baf13485097f02e97a8a9b7d7%7C0%7C0%7C638790393897075705%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=tM3rP5ONe6uJD%2FnfzT%2B3Dj8skqCMsX7lgyIthuuWsJo%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">What is the application cycle for the PA Program?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The application cycle for 2026 \u2013 2027 opens in May 2026 and closes on November 1, 2026. All CASPA applications&nbsp;<em><strong>must<\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;be completed and submitted by the November 1, 2026, deadline. Additional verification of the CASPA application is allowed through January 15, 2027. Refer to <a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/admissions-process\/\">Admissions Information<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">What is the interview period for the PA Program and how many applicants will be chosen?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Applicants will be chosen and invited to interview beginning in the fall through the first quarter of the spring of the following year. We do not have a specific number of applicants that we will interview, but we will be accepting up to 30 students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Does the UMES PA Program have scholarships?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, we offer several scholarships.  Refer to the following link, <a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/scholarships\/\">Scholarships<\/a>, for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Do you offer preference to any applicants?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The PA Program will consider the following preferences when selecting applicants for interview and admission into the program:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Applicants from underrepresented populations \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Health Personnel Shortage areas (HPSA): <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/data.hrsa.gov\/tools\/shortage-area\/hpsa-find\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/data.hrsa.gov\/tools\/shortage-area\/hpsa-find<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Medically Underserved Areas\/Populations (MUA\/P): <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/data.hrsa.gov\/tools\/shortage-area\/mua-find\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/data.hrsa.gov\/tools\/shortage-area\/mua-find<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Populations underrepresented within the PA profession\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Underrepresented minorities in healthcare<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Males<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>First generation college students<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Age &gt; 35 years old<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Military veterans<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>HBCU graduates- Graduates of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and other Historically black colleges or universities (HBCUs) who meet <strong>all minimum admissions requirements<\/strong> will be offered an interview<strong>.&nbsp; <\/strong>To ensure timely review of their application, after their application has been verified, applicants must notify the UMES PA Department that they are an HBCU graduate and have completed all admissions requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Science GPA \u2265 3.2- higher science GPAs will strengthen an applicant\u2019s application<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Overall GPA \u2265 3.2<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Health care experience requiring a technical certificate, degree, or license<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&gt;500 hours of health care experience- greater patient contact hours will strengthen an applicant\u2019s application<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Does the UMES PA Program have a supplemental application?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, prospective students will need to submit a supplemental application&nbsp;<em><strong>only upon acceptance<\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;into the PA Program&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.umes.edu\/grad\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">What are the prerequisites needed to apply to the UMES PA Program?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All applicants must successfully complete the following Medical Core prerequisite courses with a grade of \u201cB-\u201d or higher (within the Bachelor\u2019s degree or through coursework at a regionally accredited US institution of higher education). Prerequisites covering similar course content with a different name will be accepted upon verification. For example, at UMES, Principles of Chemistry I and II = General Chemistry I and II, Fundamentals of Organic and Biochemistry = Organic Chemistry, and Biochemical Processes and Pathways = Biochemistry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th>Coursework<\/th><th>Semester credit hours<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Medical Terminology<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Biology with Lab<\/td><td>4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Microbiology<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>General Chemistry with Lab<\/td><td>4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry with Lab<\/td><td>4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Human Anatomy or Anatomy &amp; Physiology I<\/td><td>3 &#8211; 4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Human Physiology or Anatomy &amp; Physiology II<\/td><td>3 &#8211; 4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Psychology <\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Statistics<\/td><td>3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prerequisite courses will not substitute for more advanced content within the UMES PA Program.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The UMES PA Program does not accept knowledge-based testing for prerequisite course work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All prerequisite courses must be completed and verified by the January 15th deadline.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All prerequisite courses are to be completed within six years prior to the date of admission.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Given the accelerated and rigorous nature of the PA curriculum, applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure their foundational anatomy and physiology knowledge is current prior to matriculation. Applicants whose coursework approaches the six-year limit may wish to repeat the course to support a successful transition into the didactic year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A waiver of the six-year requirement for a prerequisite course may be requested by the applicant if the following criteria are met:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There is a continuous employment history that would demonstrate knowledge of the course content and\/or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The applicant has a \u201cB-\u201d grade or better, within the last six years, in a more advanced course in the same subject.&nbsp; A Master\u2019s level course in the same subject is considered to be an advanced course.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The applicant emails the six-year requirement waiver form to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:cparsons@umes.edu\">cparsons@umes.edu<\/a>.&nbsp;<strong>The waiver must be approved by the Program Director.&nbsp;<\/strong>Refer to the link,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/view.officeapps.live.com\/op\/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwwwcp.umes.edu%2Fpa%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F110%2F2022%2F08%2Fpa-student-waiver-request-revised-8_23_22.docx&amp;wdOrigin=BROWSELINK\">PA Student Admissions Waiver Form<\/a>, to access the form.&nbsp;<strong>Waivers will not be considered until the application has been verified by CASPA.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Do you accept Advanced Placement (AP) or transfer credits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The UMES PA Program does not award or grant advanced placement or transfer credits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Are there shadowing hour requirements for admission?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A minimum of 150 Physician Assistant shadowing hours is required. Applicants may shadow more than one Physician Assistant to meet this requirement. Please note that each PA you shadowed must complete a Shadowing Verification Form, which includes both an evaluation and recommendation section. This form can be downloaded from our website under the <strong>Application Documents<\/strong> tab. A separate form must be completed and submitted by each PA shadowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e960d1b55d8e8e2edd34aac87468cec3 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Are there healthcare experience hour requirements for admission?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The applicant must have documentation of a minimum of 500 hours of paid experience involving direct patient care. It is recommended that students obtain direct patient care hours in different medical settings, e.g., hospice, assisted living facility, hospital, underserved areas\/countries, etc. To obtain strong direct patient care experience, students are encouraged to obtain certification credentials, e.g., paramedic, nurse&#8217;s aide, phlebotomist, medical assistant, radiologic technologist, EKG tech, EMT (I or Basic), LPN, dental hygienist, or&nbsp;clinical laboratorians\/scientists (the student MUST be performing phlebotomy, assisting with bone marrow aspirations\/biopsy and&nbsp;must have&nbsp;direct patient interaction, not just with their specimens), and behavioral health technician.&nbsp;All required direct patient care hours must be completed by the application verification deadline. (Hours must be completed by the January 15th verification deadline). Please complete and upload form&nbsp;<a href=\"\/pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2021\/10\/pa-patient-care-hours-document.docx\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Will I have to find my own clinical sites for rotations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The program makes <strong>all<\/strong> decisions with regard to rotation assignments, content and sequencing.&nbsp; The PA Program reserves the right to modify the referenced rotation assignments in accordance with accreditation standards, preceptor availability, clinical site resources and program need.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students are permitted to identify a potential preceptor outside of the established PA Program network.&nbsp; Students must provide contact information for the potential preceptor.&nbsp; The Clinical Coordinator will contact the site to inquire about the interest and appropriateness of the site.&nbsp; Once the site is vetted via phone, a site visit will be made by a member of the Clinical Year Team to determine if the site meets expectations as an acceptable clinical experience. Refer to the Clinical Education Handbook for process on vetting preceptors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Family members are not allowed to serve as a preceptor for a student enrolled within the PA Program.&nbsp; The provider (relative) may serve as a preceptor for other enrolled students within the PA Program.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students are not allowed to have clinical rotations with a current employer.&nbsp; If a student has a signed contract to work with a particular office or preceptor after graduation, the student may not use that provider as a preceptor during the clinical year- this includes the elective rotation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Students are not required to provide or solicit clinical sites or preceptors. The program is responsible for coordination of all Clinical Sites and Preceptors.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">What is the cost of the program?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Current tuition and fees are available in the Tuition and Financial Aid section of our website&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/tuition-and-financial-aid\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1400\">https:\/\/www.umes.edu\/PA\/Tuition-and-Financial-Aid\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">What are your policies regarding refund of tuition and fees?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Students withdrawing from the University during a semester will be credited for all academic fees charged to them, in accordance with the following schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Period from First Day of Instruction<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Refundable Percentage:<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Two weeks or less<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>80%<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Between two and three weeks&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>60%<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Between three and four weeks<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>40%<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>After four weeks No refund&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>0<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Any student who desires or is compelled to withdraw from the University for any cause at any time during the academic year should secure an application for withdrawal from the Office of the Registrar, obtain the proper signatures and file it in the Office the Registrar. The effective date for withdrawals, with regard to refunds and grades, is the date the form is filed at the Office of the Registrar. No student may withdraw after the last scheduled day of classes in a given semester. Exceptions will be referred to the Academic Appeals Board. No part of the charges for room and board is refundable, except when the student officially withdraws from the University or is given permission by the appropriate officials of the University to move from the residence facility and\/or to discontinue dining hall privileges. When permission is given to discontinue dining hall privileges, the meal card must be turned in to the Office of the Vice President for Administrative Affairs. In these cases, the room refund will be computed by deducting ten percent (10%) of the charge for the semester as a service charge and the remainder will be prorated on a weekly basis. Refunds to students for board (dining hall) charges will be calculated in the same manner. No room and\/or board refunds will be made after the fourteenth week of the semester. Weekly basis shall be defined as a complete week or any fraction thereof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Can someone look at my transcripts and tell me what I need?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to review applicant\u2019s transcripts prior to application. Once the application has been verified in CASPA, prospective students may request a review of their transcripts and notification of any outstanding items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Is there housing available on campus?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is housing available for students of the PA Program. Please contact the Office of Residence Life at (410) 651-6144 or via email to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:%20reslife@umes.edu\">reslife<\/a><a href=\"mailto:llhugee@umes.edu\">@umes.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">What is the UMES PA Program policy on student employment?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employment is&nbsp;<strong>strongly discouraged<\/strong>.&nbsp; The Physician Assistant curriculum has been designed to be a full-time activity for students.&nbsp; It consists of a very demanding course load with a great deal of time spent in class and in clinical experiences.&nbsp; There are also many special seminars, films and guest lecturers that may be available to students on relatively short notice.&nbsp; We encourage you to seek outside sources of financial support (scholarships, loans, etc.) so that you may devote as much time as possible to your professional education.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While enrolled in the PA Program, Physician Assistant students may not perform service work for the UMES Physician Assistant Program and will not be substituted for or function as instructional faculty; and\/or clinical or administrative staff.&nbsp; Students are prohibited from substituting for administrative and\/or clinical staff during Integrated Clinical Experiences (ICE) and clinical rotations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-header-secondary-bg-color-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Does your Program have any information sessions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, please check our link on our website&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/physician-assistant-program-information-sessions\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1379\">here<\/a>&nbsp;for the most up-to-date details on our information sessions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What does it mean to have an Accreditation-Continued status? The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Physician Assistant Program sponsored by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Accreditation Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program&#8230;<span class=\"cpschool-read-more-link-holder\"><a class=\"btn btn-basic cpschool-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/frequently-asked-questions\/\">Read more <span class=\"sr-only\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"folder":[],"class_list":["post-1356","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1356","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1356"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1356\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1356"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/folder?post=1356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}