cbarron Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 Does anyone know anything about their 3-year distance learining program? It's an intriguing option for someone like me with a family and no local PA schools, but just wondering how anyone who has been through it feels? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
istat2 Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 What 3 year distance program? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest reallyrb Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 The program in Nebraska? I believe it is only for already practicing PAs with a bachelors degree that want to advance their education to a masters level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
istat2 Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 The Nebraska program is a Master's completion program for practicing PA's only. It does not have a time requirement, but instead is requirement based (X classes/clinicals). Good program, particularly the price. Not a program that's useful to the Pre-PA candidate. From the earlier message, I'm not sure that this is what charron was referring to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USN2UNC Posted July 2, 2010 Share Posted July 2, 2010 They mean this: http://www.fammed.wisc.edu/pa-program/distance-education Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just_me Posted July 2, 2010 Share Posted July 2, 2010 From my understanding there are only 6 seats and its really hard to get into if you are not local Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c0untingstars Posted July 2, 2010 Share Posted July 2, 2010 Also, I believe David said they are considering increasing to 9 beginning the class starting in 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbarron Posted July 5, 2010 Author Share Posted July 5, 2010 yes i did mean the one at the UofWI (http://www.fammed.wisc.edu/pa-program/distance-education) i'm planning to call next week to talk to someone about it, but just thought i'd check here first. from their website it says they take 9 students into the distance program. if anyone is interested, i'll let you know what i find out about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firemedic13 Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 I am interested... though I get the feeling that because there are PA programs within 40 miles of me they might not consider me. Though I did do a lot of distance education so that might make me more competitive... hmmmm.... lemme know what they say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acozadd Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 Distance learning for PA school would be extremely difficult imo. I'm sure it's possible, but there's only so much you can get from online powerpoints and maybe some tape recorded lectures. The 1 on 1 personal attention from professors is priceless, and the extra labs and experiences on campus cannot be done through a computer. I dunno, I wouldn't want to learn physical diagnosis online, or do a cadaver dissection on a computer program. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted July 5, 2010 Moderator Share Posted July 5, 2010 Distance learning for PA school would be extremely difficult imo. I'm sure it's possible, but there's only so much you can get from online powerpoints and maybe some tape recorded lectures. The 1 on 1 personal attention from professors is priceless, and the extra labs and experiences on campus cannot be done through a computer. I dunno, I wouldn't want to learn physical diagnosis online, or do a cadaver dissection on a computer program. totally agree. do it right. go to a program, sit in class, question the instructor directly in real time, interact with other students in lab, etc the last time a program tried this it failed miserably and closed out the option within 1 cycle because of the response from the professional pa community at large....( in other words if I had to choose between a new grad distance student vs traditional all else being equal I would take the known product, the traditional student....) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
istat2 Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 I know that things have changed since my time in training. But I really have a hard time envisioning how this could be done effectively. I really don't know anything about the program or have any objective data to base this on. It just, as Agent Gibbs would say, a gut feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USN2UNC Posted July 5, 2010 Share Posted July 5, 2010 as Agent Gibbs would say, a gut feeling. Oooorahh Gibbs! Gotta love some NCIS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firemedic13 Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 I don't know guys, I really do think things have changed now a days. While I agree labs are difficult to do, lectures really don't need to be done in person anymore. I mean, I know a bunch of med students who basically never go to class and still do well just by reading. I can't see how lectures in PA school could be that different. Also, I notice on their website that the 1st 12 weeks are on campus, possibly taking care of that whole cadaver lab issue, I bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 123snap Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 The Distance program is a 3 year program. The first 12 weeks are on campus for Anatomy and the first H and P class. Then the distance students return 2 or 3 times a semester for a couple days of test out on stations and to take some exams with the on campus students. The distance students have less classes per semester so that is why 3 years. All lectures are video recorded, on campus students have access too for reviewing. Distance students are assigned an advisor who works very closely with them. Occasionally there is a live chat thing they use to ask questions in real time. Most of those who I know have gone through it really liked it. Best advice, contact the program directly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbarron Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Sorry, I started the post and then have not followed-up here about it. Thank you 123snap for your description - I would've said the same thing. I can agree it is certainly not the best option for everyone, but for those of us without a local PA school and with families to consider, and who can excel distance learning (which is a separate skill set, for sure), it is very intriguing. I still have not called the school to talk about it (busy getting that application done!) but will let you know if I find out anything new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just_me Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 I applied to the DL and the traditional program--I'll let you know how the process works out for me :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudypa Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 You need to be able to attend the program in the summer months I believe, so you need to be close to wisconsin. You also need to be from a rural area that has a need for primary care providers and you will be staying. Not sure where any of you are from, but this would seem to be a hurdle. Maybe Im mistaken on the true "distance" aspect. just_me, where you from?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just_me Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Im from Orlando but I would like to practice in a medically underserved area here...those areas are not neccessairly rural here but eh it was worth a try.....two "programs" supplemental--just the additional essay---its worth a try Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbarron Posted September 28, 2010 Author Share Posted September 28, 2010 I never ended up calling to find out any more information, but I did apply to the DL option. I live in Vermont which is definitely a medically underserved population in need of rural primary care, so perhaps that will help my app. I have experience in distance learning and strong ties to my community here, both attributes they look for. I'll let you know when I hear something (not til Dec it looks like). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just_me Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 I figured it was worth a try after watching the information session (which I wish more programs would have online) I never ended up calling to find out any more information, but I did apply to the DL option. I live in Vermont which is definitely a medically underserved population in need of rural primary care, so perhaps that will help my app. I have experience in distance learning and strong ties to my community here, both attributes they look for. I'll let you know when I hear something (not til Dec it looks like). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OpSite Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 I spoke with one PA who had a friend who did this program and LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. I wasn't convinced based on heresay, though, and was not planning on applying. At work, one day, I actually met a PA who had done this program. She said that she felt very connected to campus. Students actually spoke to her in the videos (they had met during the Anatomy lab). She said the advisors were fabulous. I was concerned about having to set up my own clinical rotations and she said, "You have a solid access to medical professionals, but I was just a stay-at-home mom and it worked great. You should have no problem getting the experiences you need." We talked for a couple hours, actually, and she was convincing enough that I did actually apply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swooshie1 Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 OpSite, I'm really interested to hear more; keep us posted if you get an interview and get in! I'm also in a rural area and want to work rural, but I'm not in Wisconsin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianprepa Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 David Payne is the Academic Director of this program and he is absolutely outstanding. He provided the website www.prospectivepa.com to assist people with the entire process of deciding to become a PA through finding a job. I live in Orlando and have been encouraged by him to apply so distance is no problem. I am confident that he will make sure you are successful if you want to be successful. For questions, all you have to do is friend him or send a message on Facebook and he will respond. It's appropriate to ask him anything about the program or even individual questions. Just be sure not to take advantage of it by asking about interview status, etc. This is a one of a kind, excellent program. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anacodia Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 I am thinking seriously about this program. I am in my middle thirties and would like to continue working part time during school to help finance my education. I currently already work in healthcare. Any additional information would be great!!!!! Do you know how many David Payne's there are on facebook??? Dozens and dozens!!! Erika Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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