Agreements Add to Range of Graduate Program Opportunities for Pre-Health Advisement Students | SUNY Plattsburgh

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June 30, 2017

SUNY Plattsburgh graduates will gain special opportunities to continue their education in the fields of physical therapy, occupational therapy and physician’s assistant studies through a new agreement with Clarkson University.

The St. Lawrence County institution will reserve seats specifically for SUNY Plattsburgh students in its doctor’s degree in physical therapy, master’s degree in occupational therapy, and master’s degree in physician’s assistant studies programs. Available now, students must meet course prerequisites, submit an application, participate in faculty interviews and submit letters of recommendations, among other requirements depending on the program.

The Clarkson University agreement joins those offered at the American University of Antigua, New York College of Medicine, St. George University in Granada, SUNY School of Optometry, the University of Bridgeport, and the University of Buffalo. With these arrangements, students pursuing medical and healthcare-related fields, such as podiatric medicine, optometry, chiropractic medicine, and pharmacological studies, can more seamlessly earn advanced degrees.

Edge in Acceptance

“These agreements give our students an edge in gaining acceptance into each of these competitive programs,” said Dr. Donald Slish, biology professor and chair of the college’s pre-health professions advisory committee.

“The advantage for students applying to the physician’s assistant program at Clarkson is an automatic interview for two students per year as long as they meet minimum criteria. This puts the student ahead of 800 other applicants vying for an interview,” he said.

For the physical therapy and occupational therapy departments, two students per year will get automatic acceptance as long as they meet minimum criteria, he said.

“The University of Buffalo’s School of Pharmacy, St. George’s University, American University of Antigua, New York College Podiatric Medicine and SUNY Optometry are 3+4 programs,” Slish said. “Accepted students can enter their post-graduate school after three years at SUNY Plattsburgh. They receive their bachelor’s in biology from SUNY Plattsburgh after their first year at their graduate school. And students who meet the minimum criteria will get an automatic interview.”

Scholarships and Top Rankings

Slish said the University of Bridgeport  College of Chiropractic includes scholarship money based on the applicant’s undergraduate grade point average. The student can receive up to $2,500.

According to U.S. News &World Report’s “Best Jobs 2017” rankings of the top 100 careers, occupational therapy comes in No. 23, physical therapy comes in No. 16, and physician’s assistant is ranked No. 3.

For more information on these programs, email Slish at [email protected].