PA Program Distance Education - FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions - 2010

What is the UW-Madison Physician Assistant Distance Education Program?
The UW-Madison PA Program has developed a distance education option that allows selected students to remain in their home communities while completing their education as physician assistants. The goal of the program is to improve access to health care for people living in medically underserved communities.

Who is eligible for the distance option?
Up to nine students will be chosen from qualified applicants. Qualifications include a desire to be part of this innovative opportunity, strength in all areas of the traditional admissions criteria, demonstrated interest in home community, and evidence of potential for success in this new method of delivering instruction. Consideration will be given to those expressing an interest in serving a medically underserved population. Only students who request the distance option, and meet the admission criteria, will be considered for this opportunity. Final selection of students will be made by the PA Program admission committee.

What is the admission process for the distance program?
Students requesting consideration for the distance option complete the same CASPA application, program supplemental application, and admission process as those requesting the traditional program. In addition, potential distance students will submit an essay addressing their motivation and aptitude for distance learning. Distance applicants who advance in the process will attend an additional meeting during the interview process focused on the distance option. Potential distance students must indicate on the application that they are requesting the distance option.

How does the distance education program differ from the traditional program?
The traditional program consists of twenty-four months of full-time didactic and clinical instruction and requires campus residency. Traditional students pay full-time university tuition.

The distance education option extends the length of the program by one year and consists of 36 months of didactic study and clinical instruction. The didactic component is completed over the course of 24 months. Distance students spend the first summer in residence on the Madison campus and return to campus twice each semester for 2-3 days. The balance of didactic instruction is completed in the student's home community through distance modalities. The clinical component consists of 12 months of full-time, community- based clinical instruction. While every effort will be made to place students in clinical sites near their home communities, final decisions for placement will be based on availability of qualified preceptors. Distance students will pay university tuition based on the number of graduate credits they are enrolled in each semester.

What are the campus residency requirements?
12 weeks of campus residency are required in the first summer session. Each of the following semesters (including summers), will require two, 2-3 day periods of campus residency. The summer before the clinical year will also require a 3-6 week campus or community-based clinical experience. Although efforts will be made to refer students to campus housing, final responsibility for securing housing rests with the student.

What will participation in a distance education course be like?
Distance education courses will be delivered asynchronously through a combination of video, audio, print, and web-based materials. Distance students will receive instruction equivalent to that of campus students and will view the same material in a different format. Instruction will include individual assignments, cooperative group projects, on-line discussions, and will require students to take exams to demonstrate mastery of material. Students will have frequent contact through e-mail with other students, program staff, and course instructors. Students also receive support from community mentors and exam proctors.

Technology requirements will be announced at a future date and technology support will be provided. Because the program is committed to using emerging technologies, distance students must be willing to learn or modify technology skills as needed. Distance students must be willing to meet all academic and technological requirements of the program.

• Computer Recommendations
• UW-Madison 'Guide for Prospective Students'

What happens after I am accepted as a distance education student?

Distance students will spend the first summer in residence on the UW-Madison campus. During that time, distance students will take four courses with their campus cohort and receive orientation to technology and the learning plan. While on campus, distance students have the opportunity to get to know PA faculty and campus-based students. The program has a distance education coordinator who works closely with each student to identify campus and community resources and provide support.
Due to the evolving nature of the distance education program, the UW-Madison Physician Assistant Program may modify distance education program structure and requirements as needed.
For more detailed information, please call 800-442-6698 to schedule an appointment with a program advisor. We are happy to conduct these over the phone.