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FAQs for the Secondary Application

When does the Program anticipate starting the program?

We anticipate the program will launch the first week in June 2024.

Why did the Program change the initial January 2024 launch timeline?

Administrative timelines related to the master’s degree approval require the Program to adhere to University-mandated timelines for processing the degree proposal. The degree proposal was submitted in early 2023 and has been making its way through the appropriate channels as expeditiously as possible. It has received favorable reviews and approvals throughout the process thus far.

Is the Program’s application for accreditation affected?

The accreditation timeline is entirely separate from the Master’s degree proposal timeline. In June 2023, site visitors from the ARC-PA completed their planned virtual visit with Program faculty, staff, and institutional leadership in the School of Medicine. The ARC-PA will meet to review the Program’s application of record and supporting documents in September 2023 and make their decision regarding the Program’s accreditation status following that meeting. The Program’s decision to launch in June 2024 does not affect the process described above, but the Program is obligated to notify the ARC-PA of the new launch date which remains within the original timeline issued by the ARC-PA in 2022.

Is a CASPA application still required?

 Yes. Submitting a CASPA application by the currently published August 1 deadline is still required.

Will the CASPA application deadline change?

 There are no changes to the existing CASPA deadline of August 1.

Will the Secondary Application deadline change?

The Secondary Application is currently disabled to comply with University of California System requirements for master’s degree approval. The application will be re-opened for 30 days when the Program receives notification of degree approval. The 30-day period will give applicants who have not yet submitted the Secondary Application time to do so. The Program will publish these new dates at a later time and notify all applicants via our website and CASPA’s email notification system.

What happens to existing Secondary Applications and fees?

Secondary Applications will be free of charge for all applicants during this admissions cycle only.  Applicants who submitted a Secondary Application this cycle and paid the fee will not have to re-apply and will receive a full refund when the link to the Secondary Application is enabled on the Program’s website. Applicants who did not submit a Secondary Application before the link was disabled in July will have 30-days to complete and submit their secondary application as described in the previous FAQ on this topic. 

Will the program still interview applicants and when will that occur?

 Admissions interviews will be scheduled as soon as the Program receives clearance to move forward with program launch. We anticipate they will occur in the late Fall or early Winter quarters. Interviews will be occur via virtual/remote technology.

Will this affect financial aid?

The launch date delay ensures that the availability of financial aid will not be affected. Master’s degree approval is a key requirement necessary to offer financial aid funds and services. The Program reminds applicants to submit their FAFSA applications between October and March to ensure their financial aid packages can be prepared expeditiously should they be offered a seat in the inaugural cohort. Apply here:  https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Will this change affect other elements of the Program?

Given the Program’s significant institutional support, the Program does not anticipate any difficulties. The proposed curriculum, policies, and clinical training agreements related to the Program’s operation are unlikely to be affected.

Accreditation

Accreditation

The University of California San Diego School of Medicine Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program has applied for Accreditation-Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The University of California San Diego School of Medicine Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program anticipates matriculating its first class in June 2024, pending achieving Accreditation-Provisional status at the September 2023 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

In the event that Accreditation-Provisional status is not granted by the ARC-PA, the University of California San Diego School of Medicine Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program will not matriculate its first class in June 2024 as anticipated. The University will not be responsible for refunding application fees or expenses incurred by applicants during the application and/or interview process (e.g., CASPA fees, supplemental application fees, travel to/from campus, etc.).

Master's Degree

The University of California San Diego School of Medicine Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program has submitted the Master of Advanced Study in Physician Assistant Studies (MAS-PAS) degree plan of study for approval through the UC system. Approval is anticipated prior to the planned June 2024 launch. In the event that the MAS-PAS degree is not approved in time for a June 2024 launch, the program will not matriculate its first class in June 2024 as planned. The University will not be responsible for refunding application fees or expenses incurred by applicants during the application and/or interview process (e.g., CASPA fees, supplemental application fees, travel to/from campus, etc.).