Physician Assistant Program
Randi Beth Cooperman, DHSc, MCMSc, PA-C; Professor and Program Director
Program Overview
A Physician Assistant (PA) is a highly qualified health care provider who has been prepared, through a demanding academic and clinical curriculum, to provide health care services under physician supervision. PAs gather and evaluate medical data and participate in the process of clinical decision-making, diagnosis, and therapeutic management.
All students who successfully complete the Barry University Physician Assistant Program (Program) will be awarded the Master of Clinical Medical Science degree.
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Barry University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Barry University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
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remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards.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 2026. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
Mission and Philosophy
Vision Statement
Our vision is that our graduates will be PA leaders in health care technology and clinical practice.
Mission Statement
The Barry University Physician Assistant Program educates students in the practice of collaborative medicine and encourages life-long learning and professional development. It fosters a technology rich environment and clinical training experiences among diverse patient populations. The Program enables students to develop competencies required to meet the health care needs of contemporary society.
Educational Philosophy
The vast amount of information in medicine can never be mastered by any one person. However, it is each practitioner’s responsibility to learn as much as possible each day in order to develop the deepest fund of knowledge possible. The Program encourages its students to engage medicine as a life-long learning experience.
Course syllabi and lecture materials are meant to help the student obtain a broad overview of the identified topics. However, neither tests nor examinations for licensure, nor the patients whom a student may encounter in a clinical rotation, can exhaustively cover the content of any given area in medicine. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the student to study beyond the syllabus and course materials and to develop intellectually to every extent possible.
Program Goals
- Train competent medical providers with the knowledge and skills to provide patient centered care.
- Deliver a technology supported didactic and clinical curriculum that will prepare students to provide care to underserved communities.
- Develop lifelong learners through a curriculum that will enable them to search, evaluate and apply evidence to clinical practice.
- Provide experiences that enhance collaboration with diverse professionals united in caring for patients.
Upon graduation from the Barry University Physician Assistant Program, students will demonstrate proficiency in entry-level competencies listed below.
Program Objectives and Competencies of the PA Profession
Upon graduation from the Barry University Physician Assistant Program, students will demonstrate proficiency in entry-level competencies:
- Medical Knowledge
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Patient Care
- Professionalism
- Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
- Systems-Based Practice
Admission Requirements
The successful candidate for admission to the Physician Assistant Program will have:
- A Bachelor's Degree (any discipline) from an accredited institution;
- An overall GPA and science GPA equal to or higher than 3.0;
- Completed General/Inorganic Chemistry—6 credits (2 course);
- Completed Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry - 3 credits (1 course);
- Completed at least six semester hours (2 courses) Human Anatomy and Physiology - 8 credits (2 courses with labs), Kinesiology, Environmental Engineering and Exercise Science will not be accepted;
- Completed four semester hours (1 course with lab) of Microbiology;
- Completed three additional semester hours (1 course) of Biological Science. Acceptable courses are: General Biology, Zoology, Human Genetics, Histology or Cell/Molecular Biology;
- Completed at least six semester hours (2 courses) In Behavioral or Social Sciences. Only Psychology, Sociology, Human Growth and Development are accepted towards the behavioral science prerequisite. Anthropology, Humanities and Criminology courses are not accepted;
- Taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE); the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) may not be substituted for the GRE. Applicants whose GRE scores are more than five years old from matriculation must re-take the GRE and submit more recent scores. GRE scores must be sent to the university by ETS to institutional code 5053, program code 0634 before the application is submitted. Applications without official GRE scores will remain in pending status until they are received. GRE scores must be submitted no later than 30 business days after receipt of notification from Admissions Office;
- CASPER and PA-CAT are highly recommended at this time, and will be required in future application cycles;
- Submitted official college transcripts from all institutions to CASPA for verification (prerequisite credits that are more than ten years old will not be considered);
- Submit three letters of recommendation, (from clinical work supervisors or clinical coworkers, and academicians);
- Evidence of prior experience in health care is highly recommended; and
- Met the Program Technical and Professional Standards.
Applicants are required to have all prerequisite coursework completed with a C grade or higher prior to application submissions. Any submitted applications with pending prerequisite coursework (including labs) will not be considered. There are no deviations or waivers permitted for the prerequisite science requirement, regardless of educational background or professional experience.
Once offered a seat of provisional acceptance, ALL official (sealed) transcripts and admission documents must be mailed to Miami Campus for processing: Barry University Physician Assistant Program, 11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161-6695 as we do not receive copies sent to CASPA.
In addition, though not a requirement for admission, students accepted Into the Program must complete a course in Medical Terminology prior to matriculation. Accepted students must either provide a grade for Medical Terminology on an official transcript or a Certificate of Completion in the course.
- An interview is required and is extended only at the Invitation of the Admissions Committee.
- The Committee strongly recommends that all documentation be complete prior to the interview.
Foreign-Born Non-U.S. or Non-Canadian Citizens
- Applicants with foreign transcripts or non-grade transcripts must submit a degree equivalent evaluation with GPA provided (an original sealed report from a transcript evaluation service.) A list of transcript evaluation service providers may be found at www.naces.org;
- Must have attended a college or university in the United States for a minimum of one year prior to application; and
- Submit test scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), be able to express themselves clearly to others in spoken English, and have the ability to understand rapidly spoken colloquial English. Curriculum Descriptions
Selection will be made by committee and is based upon the above criteria. Candidates are evaluated in the context of the applicant pool for the year in which they seek to matriculate. Therefore, the admission process for the PA Program is highly competitive. Candidates are considered on the basis of their overall GRE, undergraduate and graduate GPA, health care experience, commitment to service, letters of recommendation, the interview, and their personal statement.
Individuals selected for admission must exhibit the necessary interpersonal skills, physical, psychological, and behavioral capacities to satisfactorily fulfill the rigorous requirements of the Program.
The curriculum leading to the Master of Clinical Medical Science degree, normally takes twenty-eight months to complete. Lecture content is delivered using interactive video conferencing between the two campuses. The first year involves didactic classroom courses (some with laboratories) in the basic and applied medical sciences. The next twelve months involve rotations in hospitals and other approved facilities. Students return to the campus for additional didactic courses and research for their final semester. Successful completion of the entire curriculum is required for graduation.
Special Considerations
As part of an agreement with the University Partnership Center at St. Petersburg College, up to four students per year, who graduated from St. Petersburg College and who are admitted into the program in St. Petersburg, will receive a tuition discount of 20%.
Advanced Standing and Transfer Policy
Due to considerable variation in physician assistant programs throughout the United States, students of other PA programs will not be accepted for transfer into the Program. In addition, applicants to the Program may not receive “advanced standing” based upon previous education or credits taken. Foreign medical graduates must complete the Program in its entirety.
Admission Procedure
All applicants to the Barry University Physician Assistant Program must apply through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applicants may begin the application process by visiting the CASPA web site at https://caspa.liaisoncas.com. Applicants may apply to only one campus (Miami Shores or St. Petersburg). Applicants invited for interviews will be invited only to their first choice site. Due to the increasing competitiveness of our applicant pool, we look for significant academic/professional improvement in our re-applicants (i.e. gaining additional DPC hours, retaking the GRE, improving the Overall & Science GPA, gaining new references, continuing community service/outreach opportunities, etc.).
There are no transfers allowed to other locations.
The Program uses a rolling admissions process, i.e., it reviews applications as they are completed and makes decisions throughout the admissions cycle. For this reason, it is in the applicant's best interests to apply as early as possible and to check the CASPA site frequently until all requirements including references have been submitted, and the application is complete. Well-qualified applicants who apply late in the cycle may not be admitted because the class may already be filled. It is possible that the class will fill after applicants have been invited to, but not completed, their scheduled interview. In that event, applicants will be notified and have the option of cancelling their interview, or interviewing for the wait list. The Program does not reimburse candidates for any costs incurred for changes to or cancellation of travel related to interviews.
The CASPA application is the only application required for admission; there is no supplemental application. The application portal opens in mid-April, and it is in the applicant's best interest to apply as early as possible and submit all supplemental documentation (i.e., GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and evaluation forms) prior to September. All applications must be verified by CASPA. This may take four to six weeks and will be further delayed if CASPA has not received letters of recommendations and transcripts. CASPA must forward the completed applications to the PA Program by December 1st. The Admissions committee upholds and enforces all requirements and deadlines. There are no waivers or deviations accepted to the Admissions requirements. Applications that are received by the PA Program after December 1st will not be considered. Accepted applicants must submit an enrollment deposit of $1000 ten (10) business days from the offer of provisional acceptance. Deposits are non-refundable.
Inquiries or communications concerning admissions should be addressed to the Physician Assistant Program Admissions Office. Telephone inquiries will be answered if the applicant calls (305) 899-3130 or (727) 302-6609 but email inquiries are preferred (please e-mail paadmissions@barry.edu).
Progression Requirements
The Program is continuous (no semester breaks) and sequential spanning twenty-eight months. Each semester’s successful completion is required to progress.
Extension of studies beyond the prescribed twenty-eight months is not possible. The exception is when a student requests a leave of absence for pressing personal, military, or family reasons, or must repeat a clinical rotation. The student may have the opportunity to return at a later date to complete the curriculum and, depending upon the length of the leave, may be required to complete remediation activities and an independent study course prior to continuing. These situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and are at the discretion of the program director and based upon faculty recommendations.
Academic Standing (calculated using a 0.00 to 4.00 scale)
A student must maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above to be considered in good academic standing. The official grading policy of the Program in Didactic and Clinical courses is as follows:
| A |
90-100% |
| B |
80-89.9% |
| C |
70-79.9% |
| F |
Less than 70% |
Probation Status
A student will be placed on academic probation if:
- Achieves a semester GPA below 2.70 (calculated utilizing a 0.0 to 4.00 scale)
- Earns a grade of F on a Clinical Rotation
Dismissal Status
A student will be dismissed if:
- Achieves a GPA less than 2.50 In any semester (not including a failed rotation) or
- Qualifies for academic or professional probation for two consecutive semesters or
- Earns an F in any course except a clinical rotation, regardless of GPA or Earns a second F in any clinical rotation, consecutive or not consecutive, regardless of GPA
Graduation Requirements
All candidates for the degree of Master of Clinical Medical Science in the Physician Assistant Program must have:
- Satisfactorily complete all courses, rotations, and clinical requirements.
- Maintain acceptable professional standards (see Professional Conduct Code).
- Fulfill all responsibilities and financial obligations to the Program and the University.
- Satisfactorily complete a summative evaluation, including written and practical components during their final term.
- Achieve a grade of C or higher on the Primary Care Review course examination.
Recommendation for the Master of Clinical Medical Science degree is a discretionary right residing with the faculty and administration of the Program, but shall not be withheld arbitrarily. There is no contract, stated or implied, between the Program and the students, guaranteeing that a degree or certificate will be conferred at any stated time, or at all. Accreditation guidelines mandate that the Program evaluate each graduation candidate to determine the appropriateness of their graduation. If students are found lacking in appropriateness, remediation will be required in their final didactic semester. Such remediation could delay their graduation.
Students who have satisfactorily completed all program requirements are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).
Notice of Right to Amend
The Barry University Physician Assistant Program reserves the right to withdraw, amend, or add at any time to these policies with or without prior notice and to make such changes applicable to current students, as well as new students. These policies are not intended to and do not create a contract or other binding obligation and may unilaterally be withdrawn, amended, or modified at any time with or without prior notice.
Master of Clinical Medical Science (M.C.M.Sc.) (124 credits)
First Year (59 credits)
Fall (18 credits)
Spring (22 credits)
Summer (19 credits)
Second Year (49 credits)
There will be eight six-week rotations, including Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, Surgery, and an Elective rotation.
Following each rotation there will be End of Rotation exercises at Barry University.
Fall, Spring, Summer (49 credits)
Third Year (16 credits)
Fall (16 credits)