Next Steps for Admitted Students - Physician Assistant

Set Up Your BW Network Account (access your username)

To set up your BW Network Account, go to myaccount.bw.edu and confirm your identity using your BW student ID which is printed on the enrollment confirmation card enclosed with your letter of admission. If you don’t know your BW student ID or have questions, please contact Amiyra Alveranga at (440) 826-8005 or aalveran@bw.edu.

Your BW username and email address will be displayed after completing this form.

Pay Your $1000 New Student Deposit

All recently admitted nursing students must pay a $1000 New Student Deposit within two weeks of admission to secure their enrollment.

Pay Online

Pay online now >

Online payment instructions: Log into the BW Payment Portal using your BW username. If you have questions, please contact Amiyra Alveranga at (440) 826-8005 or aalveran@bw.edu.

In the BW Payment Portal, follow these steps to make your payment:

Select DEPOSITS in the top menu
Select your TERM
From the SELECT A DEPOSIT dropdown, choose PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT 1000
Complete the steps in Payment Portal using your preferred method of payment

Pay by Mail

If you prefer to mail a check, please make it payable to Baldwin Wallace University with your name and student ID, and the notation 'Physician Assistant Program - enrollment confirmation'.

Send your check to:
Baldwin Wallace University
Bursar Office
275 Eastland Rd.
Berea, OH 44017

Orientation and Didactic Calendar Dates

Orientation

Thursday, May 5 and Friday, May 6, 2016. Attendance is mandatory; students will be contacted with more details as they are confirmed.

Summer Semester, 2016

Classes Start: May 9
Last Day of Finals: Aug 12
Semester Break: Aug 15 - 19

Fall Semester, 2016

Classes Start: Aug 22
Last Day of Finals: Dec 16
Semester Break: Dec 19 - Jan 2

Spring Semester, 2017

Classes Start: Jan 3
Spring Break: Mar 6 - 10
Last Day of Finals: May 5
Semester Break: May 8 - 12

A complete course schedule will be distributed during orientation.

Background Checks

Download: Background Check Instructions

All students are required to complete a comprehensive background check, including finger printing, as part of the initial enrollment process. The search will take about four weeks to complete and must be completed well in advance of the start for the program. PA students are required to have a clear background check to be permitted to begin the program and practice in the clinical setting. Students whose background checks reveal a criminal history or arrest record of any sort that cannot be successfully adjudicated will not be allowed to begin the PA program.

Baldwin Wallace University contracts with Corporate Screening Services, Inc. for background checks, located at 16530 Commerce Court, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130. Phone: (800) 229-8606, option 4. Upon completion of the background check, the PA program will work with Corporate Screening Services to confirm that a satisfactory background check was completed. To maximize your travel time, plan to complete your background check and drug testing (see below) on the same day.

The cost of the service is $83 and must be covered by the student; it is not included in the comprehensive cost of the PA program. This service includes Office of Inspector General, General Services Administration, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Fingerprint State BCI and Fingerprint FBI searches. Corporate Screening will conduct additional searches if any concerns are raised during the standard search process.

Prior to going to Corporate Screening Services in Middleburg Heights to complete the background check, students must first register and pay online for the background check (use the "background check instructions" link provided above). The PA program will have access to your results online.

NOTE: If the travel distance to the Middleburg Heights office is arduous given the time constraint, please contact Michele Siverd at (440) 826-8585 to discuss the possibility of another option; complete your online registration before calling. An additional cost will be incurred.

Immunizations and Health Screening

Download: PA Program Immunization and Health Form

Prior to beginning the PA program, students must have personal health documentation on file in the physician assistant program Office well in advance of the start date for the program in May(use Form link provided above). Students must have completed a physical examination within one year prior to admission to the program, confirming a health status that qualifies the person to work directly with patients (refer to technical standards), and with proof of the following:

MMR (rubeola aka: measles, mumps and rubella)
Adult diphtheria tetanus
Hepatitis B series
Varicella (aka: chicken pox)
Tuberculin skin test (2-step Mantoux required)

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

As a guest of the health care facilities that provide clinical experiences, students are subject to the policies of the agency, which include meeting the above standards for immunizations, a current negative TB test and the ability to work directly with patients (refer to technical standards). Since clinical experience is an essential element of the PA program, the inability to work directly in patient care may result in the student not continuing in the program.

Drug Testing

Download: Drug Testing Instructions

Drug testing will be done at the Baldwin Wallace Health Center well in advance of the start date for the program in May at no charge to the student (use instructions link provided above). To maximize your travel time, plan to complete your drug testing and background check (see above) on the same day.

The PA program at Baldwin Wallace University recognizes its responsibility to maintain a drug-free educational environment and to ensure that students provide safe, high quality health care services while engaged in official school educational activities. In keeping with this goal, the PA program supports the policies set forth by the University relative to the use of drugs and alcohol. If drug or alcohol usage is detected in the classroom, clinical or other campus settings, students will be referred for appropriate follow-up according to the BW policies outlined in the BW student handbook.

All new students will be subject to substance abuse testing as part of the pre-enrollment health requirements. As a guest in the health care facilities, students will be subject to the policies of the agency, which may include random urine testing. If drug or alcohol usage is detected in the clinical settings, students will be tested at the clinical agency, in accordance with agency policies. Detection of drug or alcohol usage while in the clinical setting will result in dismissal from the PA program. All students returning to the PA program after an absence will be subjected to substance abuse testing.

NOTE: If the travel distance to the BW health center is arduous given the time constraint, please contact the PA program office at (440) 826-2221 to discuss the possibility of another testing option. The cost of drug testing done elsewhere may be the student's responsibility.

Financial Aid

FAFSA

To apply for a federal direct student loan, complete the FAFSA annually. For the first year of the program, complete the 2016-17 FASFA available after January 1, 2016. Many PA students also apply for graduate PLUS loans, which are available to help graduate students finance any remaining educational costs not covered by other forms of student financial aid, including program costs and estimated living expenses as determined by the financial aid process.

PROGRAM COSTS & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

View details on program costs and how to finance your PA education.

Professional Liability Insurance

Baldwin Wallace provides liability insurance for PA students while they are at a clinical site at no cost to the student. This policy provides coverage while on site at the clinical setting only. This coverage does not extend beyond the active clinical experience under the auspice of the PA program.

Personal Medical Insurance

Students must provide their own personal health insurance while a student at Baldwin Wallace University. Proof of insurance will be required prior to participating in any clinical experience. Neither the University nor clinical affiliates cover student health-related incidents.

Professional Liability Insurance

Baldwin Wallace provides professional liability insurance for nursing students while they are at a clinical site at no cost to the student. This policy provides coverage while on site at the clinical setting only. This coverage does not extend beyond the active clinical experience under the auspice of this nursing program.

Books and Supplies

Books are covered in the cost of the program and will be distributed at orientation. A lab coat and a stethoscope will be provided during the didactic year.

Parking

Parking permits are covered in the cost of the program and will be ordered through the PA office; do not use the online process to order a permit. All students are required to follow University parking regulations. Students are responsible for any citation fines, payable at the BW cashier's office in Bonds Administration Building. Unpaid fines are attached to the student bill after ten days.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Baldwin Wallace is committed to providing all students equal access to learning opportunities. The disability services for students (DSS) office is the campus office that works with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations. Students who have or think they may have a disability (e.g. mental health, attentional, learning, vision, hearing, physical or systemic) are invited to contact DSS to arrange a confidential discussion at (440) 826-2147 or disability@bw.edu. Find additional information about how to get connected with DSS.

Housing

BW is located just 20 minutes from Cleveland, and nursing students find many affordable housing options within the surrounding communities. Baldwin Wallace has limited campus-owned apartments for nursing and other graduate students

View graduate housing options >

Physician Assistant - Next Steps for Admitted Students

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