Department of Biology

WPUNJ/UMDNJ

3 + 3 Pre-Physician Assistant Program

The Department of Biology at William Paterson University (WPUNJ) in conjunction with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) has established a collaborative 3 + 3 program of study leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from WPUNJ and the Master of Science-Physician Assistant degree from the UMDNJ after completion of a six year joint program.  Successful students will spend three years (or the time required to complete 92.5 credits) in the Pre-Physician Assistant (pre-PA) program at WPUNJ fulfilling the requirements for admission to the MS-Physician Assistant program at UMDNJ.*  The following requirements must be completed at William Paterson:

**Major Science and Mathematics Courses:      

University Core Curriculum (UCC) and Elective Courses:

Total number of credits required at WPUNJ 92.5 credits**

Students must have a GPA of at least 3.0 to be considered for admission to the MS-Physician Assistant program at UMDNJ.

*Admission to the MS-Physician Assistant Program at UMDNJ is not guaranteed.

**University policy requires that at least 30 of the 92.5 total credits shall be completed at WPU.  Further, half the ‘major’ courses (26 of 52 credits), including at least 8 credits of biology, must be taken at WPU.

Three Year Suggested Course Sequence

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

                                                          Total Credits            92.5

Students accepted in the MS-Physician Assistant Program at UMDNJ will receive the BS Biology degree from William Paterson University after the completion of the first year at UMDNJ, and a MS-Physician Assistant degree after the completion of the program.

Students not admitted to the MS-Physician Assistant Program after their 3^rd year of study in the Pre-PA program, may complete the BS Biology major within the 4^th year at William Paterson University.

S e n i o r Y e a r

(to complete Biology Major)

Ecology, Evolution and Behavior (BIO 2490) 4 credits

AND (select ONE of the three Concentrations below)

Biology: General Concentration 14-16 credits

(Plant course + 3 Biology Electives)

OR

Biology: Physiology & Behavior Concentration 14-15 credits

(An. Behavior + An. Physiology + 2 Biology Electives)

OR

Biology: Ecology Concentration 14-16 credits

(Ecology + Pl. Ecology + 2 Biology Electives)

AND

Biology Seminar (BIO 4800) 2 credits

Writing Intensive course (upper level) 3 credits

Total 23-25 credits

ADDITIONAL FACTS ABOUT THE

PRE-PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT/MS-PHYSICIAN

ASSISTANT PROGRAM AT WPUNJ/UMDNJ

(Initiated Fall 2012)

1. The primary advantage for a student in this articulated program is that it reduces one year of schooling. Students who apply to UMDNJ from non-articulating schools must have a bachelor’s degree.
2. UMDNJ has a total of approximately 50 slots available each year.
3. While no entrance exam is required, the applicant should become very familiar with the Admissions tab on the website (http://shrp.umdnj.edu/dept/primary_care/paweb/). The student should pay particular attention to the General Info, Tuition & Fees, and Essential Functions (and the section for International Students where applicable). For all 3+3 students, the guidelines for articulated schools are given at the BOTTOM of the web site in a section entitled: “Admission Requirements for those who are seeking admission from one of our 3+3 articulated institutions.”
4. An important note about the articulation agreement is as follows : “Please note that enrollment at one of these institutions does not guarantee admittance to the Physician Assistant Program nor does meeting the minimum requirements.”
5. Application Deadlines for 3+3 Applications: “Applications are submitted directly to the PA Program by June 1 at the end of the sophomore year.” The website for the downloadable application is found on the web site for general information: http://shrp.umdnj.edu/dept/primary_care/paweb/documents/completeapplication-web.pdf. This web site includes application instructions and a form for recommenders.
6. Letters of Recommendation for the WP/UMDNJ PA program do NOT include a pre-professional committee letter, and it is the responsibility of the student to learn which letters are required (see website listed in #3), to engage the recommenders, provide them with the correct timeline for the application and provide all addresses or web links etc.
7. Undergraduate financial aid will end when the student completes the program at William Paterson University.
8. After the required 92.5 credits at WPUNJ, the number of credits required in the MS-Physician Assistant Program at UMDNJ is 44 credits during the 4th year of study (136.5 credits for BS degree).
9. Contact person is the admissions coordinator Rebecca Santiago: santanre@umdnj.edu