On May 22nd, 2010 The American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA COCA) approved LECOM’s application for implementation of the Accelerated Physician Assistant Pathway (APAP), an accelerated three-year medical school curriculum for Certified Physician Assistants to obtain a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine degree.

Physician Assistants undergo rigorous didactic medical curriculum as well as at least one year of clinical rotations to obtain the entry level masters degree for the profession. Some PAs express a desire to return to medical school citing the desire to practice independently, the need for professional growth and development, the need for increased medical knowledge and the ability to do more for their patients as reasons to do so. Cost and time away from clinical practice are identified as major barriers. By accelerating the medical school curriculum to 3 instead of 4 years, LECOM will reduce the cost and time away from clinical practice for PA-Cs within this pathway by one quarter.

APAP currently has twelve slots for this pathway. Six slots will be designated as primary care where participates will be required to select primary care residencies.

Application Requirements

Applicants to the program must:

1. Be Certified Physician Assistants
2. Have obtained a minimum of 22 on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
3. Have a minimal GPA of 2.7