Program Overview
SJVC's Physician Assistant Program prepares students to work as health professionals to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. Students learn to gather and evaluate medical data and participate in the process of clinical decision–making. Graduates will also be prepared to provide diagnosis and therapeutic management as it relates to their patients and their position in the health care field.
Learn
- Physical examinations
- Diagnostic procedures
- Ordering & interpreting laboratory tests
- Making diagnoses
- Determining treatment plans
- Counseling patients
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have completed 60 semester or 90 quarter college units with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. Completion of prerequisite science courses should be with a grade of "B" or better. A minimum of 3 semester or 4 quarter units is required for each of the following courses or equivalent:*
- College Algebra or higher
- Speech – CAN 4
- English reading & composition – CAN 2
- General Chemistry with lab – CAN 6
- General Microbiology with lab – CAN 14
- Introduction to Psychology – CAN 2
- Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology
- Human Anatomy with lab _ CAN 10
- Human Physiology with lab – CAN 12
* Where applicable, it is recommended to use the California Articulation Numbers (CAN) as listed in California Community College catalogs. For more information on general education courses from other institutions, visit www.collegeboard.com
All required coursework completed in the United States must be from a regionally accredited institution.
Coursework listed as "in progress" will not be accepted; and advanced placement, transfer of PA credits, or credit for experiential learning is not permitted. Students must participate in the full 24 month curriculum.
2,000 hours of direct patient care experience is also required for admission (paid and volunteer hours are acceptable). Hours accrued as a student in a training program cannot be used towards this total.
Applicants must also meet the
technical standards to be considered for the program. Technical standards provide a reference against which candidates for enrollment to the program are evaluated by the Admissions Committee in the selection of students for the PA program.
Application Process
The application process for the PA Program is highly selective. The most qualified applicants meeting the prerequisites and minimum requirements will be selected using points earned from:
- Postsecondary education (Attainment, GPA)
- Healthcare work experience
- Application panel interview
Applicants with the highest number of points will be selected for available seats with five alternates for each student cohort.
To begin the application process,
click here to view the application and necessary admissions forms.
Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions attended must be included in the application packet. Transcripts of all completed prerequisite courses be sent to SJVC by the application deadline.
Click here for information on Foreign Institutions & Transfer of Credit
Applicants who have completed coursework outside of the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by the International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF) or equivalent organization. An official copy of the Academic Detailed Report from IERF or an equivalent organization must be included with the application. All applicants must include course descriptions of prerequisite coursework in the application packet.
A one page written personal statement explaining why the applicant wants to become a physician assistant(to be done during the applicant panel interview).
Submitted with the application packet, two letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of and able to evaluate the applicant's health care experience.
Qualified candidates will be considered for invitation to interview with the selection committee.
For additional information regarding the application process, please contact the PA Admissions Advisor at (559) 651–2500 ext 148 or email
admissions.pa@sjvc.edu .
Academic Information
The Program consists of six 16–week terms (including summers). This includes 3 terms of didactic course work and 3 terms of clinical rotations and coursework. During the first 3 terms, classes are scheduled between 1:00 pm– 9:00 pm Monday–Thursday with classes on Fridays from 9 am –noon. As students start their clinical coursework, schedules are determined by the clinical site. Students are expected to be on clinical rotations a minimum of 128 hrs per month. It is strongly recommended that while enrolled in the PA program students are not working. No special concessions are granted for working students.
Upon successful completion of all 96 units of coursework, an AS degree is awarded.
Click here for the course listing.
Program Start Dates
| Cohort Start |
App Deadline |
Cohort Start |
App Deadline |
| Aug 1, 2011 |
Jan 31, 2011 |
Aug 6, 2012 |
Dec 31, 2011 |
Accreditation
San Joaquin Valley College's Primary Care Physician Assistant Program has received full accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. The next scheduled accreditation review will be in 2012. The Program was approved by the Physician Assistant Committee of the State of California in 2003.
The program has been placed on "Administrative Probation"* pending review of its December 2009 report to the ARC–PA describing the program's plans to demonstrate compliance with reporting Standards C1.01f, C2.01b3, C2.01b4, and C2.01b5.
*"Administrative Probation" is a temporary status conferred, indicating that a program has not complied with an administrative requirement, such as failure to pay fees or submit required reports. Once placed on Administrative Probation, programs that fail to comply with administrative requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC–PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and/or risk having their accreditation withdrawn.
San Joaquin Valley College is regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
Program Outcomes
Graduates earn an Associate of Science degree and are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) through the California Medical Board to become certified as physician assistants.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to work in a physician's office or hospital as a skilled member of the health care team. Other practice specialties are also available, ranging from Family Medicine to Neurosurgery.
Board Pass Rates
| Graduating Class |
Number of PA Students |
1st time test taker passing rates |
Graduates Certified on retest |
| 2005 |
20 |
90% |
100% |
| 2006 |
16 |
87% |
100% |
| 2007 |
18 |
78% |
100% |
| 2008 |
17 |
76% |
88% |
| 2009 |
20 |
80% |
80% |
Tuition & Fees
Estimated cost for tuition, fees, equipment and books for the program is $55,365. The tuition is $18,455 per academic year, for a total of $55,365. A registration fee of $100* and tuition deposit of $800 are due prior to enrollment.
*This fee is non–refundable. Tuition & fees at San Joaquin Valley College are subject to change. Please contact the campus near you for the most current information.
Additional Information
1.Expenses do not include major medical insurance, which students must obtain and for which they must show proof of coverage.
2.Expenses do not include any housing, transportation, meal privileges or parking for clinical rotations.
3.Costs are estimates based on current available information and are subject to change.
4 Financial Aid is administered through the Financial Aid Offices of San Joaquin Valley College, Visalia Campus, 8400 W. Mineral King Ave., Visalia, CA.
5.Please refer to the SJVC Catalog for withdrawal and refund policies.
