South University Anesthesiologist Assistant Program: A Comprehensive Overview of Costs, Admissions, and Curriculum

Choosing the right path in higher education can be a daunting task. For those considering a career as an anesthesiologist assistant, understanding the costs, admission requirements, and curriculum of various programs is crucial. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the South University Anesthesiologist Assistant Program, covering tuition, fees, admission criteria, and other essential aspects.

The Growing Field of Anesthesiologist Assistants

In 2019-2020, 321 people earned their degree in anesthesiologist assistant, making the major the 701st most popular in the United States. The field continues to grow, with 382 degrees awarded in 2023, representing a 2.96% increase. This growth reflects the increasing demand for skilled professionals who can assist anesthesiologists in providing patient care. Anesthesiologist Assistant programs prepare individuals to assist anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in developing and implementing patient anesthesia care plans, including preoperative, surgical theater, recovery room, and postoperative/intensive care procedures.

South University's Anesthesiologist Assistant Program

South University has partnered with the Central Application Service for Anesthesiologist Assistant (CASAA) to streamline the application process. Applicants are responsible for completing their individual applications through CASAA. The most qualified candidates are invited for an interview based on the completion and verification date of their application. South University encourages early submission, as interviews are conducted on a rolling basis and the class fills up progressively. In the final months of the cycle, applicants may be offered an interview for a position on the waitlist. Students who are offered admission into a South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program are only permitted to accept an admission offer at one campus. Within 14 days of the student signing the admission acceptance form, it is the responsibility of the student to notify any other South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program(s) of their intent to withdraw.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet several requirements:

Official Transcripts: Submission of official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework. South University Anesthesiologist Assistant Programs accept credit for Advanced Placement courses. AP courses taken and successfully completed will be counted as one course credit toward completion of the respective pre-requisite subject.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Submission of official GRE score reports directly from the Educational Testing Service.
Medical College Admission Test: Submission of Medical College Admission Test.
Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation submitted through the CASAA application.
Non-Cognitive Assessment: The admissions process considers personality characteristics essential for an anesthesiologist assistant, and a non-cognitive or personality assessment may be required.
Criminal Background Check: Applicants with a prior felony or serious misdemeanor conviction will not be considered.
Technical Standards: Applicants must meet fundamental physical, cognitive, and behavioral standards to undertake and successfully complete the program.
Interpersonal Skills: Demonstration of interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability, professionalism, motivation, academic potential, communication, and knowledge of the AA profession/health care system.
Medical Documentation: Provision of an official transcript indicating degree conferred and completion of all required coursework before matriculation, along with a recent medical history, physical examination, and all required immunization records.

South University Anesthesiologist Assistant Program does not accept transfer of credits from other anesthesiologist assistant programs or provide enrolled students with a waiver of credit (i.e. advanced placement) for any component of the required curricular coursework.

Read also: Applying to USF Doctoral Programs

Health Insurance and Medical Requirements

Students in the Anesthesiologist Assistant program are required to have continuous health insurance coverage for the duration of their enrollment. Documentation of this insurance coverage must be maintained in the student’s compliance tracking account selected by the program. Students using private health insurance must ensure that their plan covers treatment and monitoring for needle stick injuries and other documented exposure to blood borne pathogens for all clinical rotation locations. Payment for all medical and psychiatric services, elective, and emergent, are the responsibility of the student regardless of the source of an illness or injury are the responsibility of the student regardless of what the source of an illness or injury may be. The student is responsible for payment of medical services including all laboratory and other diagnostic and therapeutic services rendered as part of a protocol into which a student is entered in the event of exposure to known or suspected pathogenic organisms.

Background Checks and Drug Screens

The Anesthesiologist Assistant program follows the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy located in the South University Catalog (www.southuniversity.edu/admissions/academic-catalog). Students must complete a background check at their own expense using the agency identified by the AA Program prior to matriculation. No other background checks will be accepted. Background checks confirm that students have no current record of criminal activity, and this information may be relayed to clinical sites for verification during their enrollment. Any new activity found as a result of such background checks in violation with the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy may affect the student’s status in the program and the student will be referred to the Progress and Promotions Committee. Any violations that involve felony or serious misdemeanor convictions will result in immediate dismissal from the educational program. Applicants who are accepted into the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program must complete a drug screen at their own cost using the agency identified by the AA Program Director. Applicants must submit the drug screen results to the program office prior to matriculation. Note: Applicants with positive drug screen results will not be admitted into the AA Program. In accordance with policies of South University, the program does not discriminate against any individual because of disability. Applicants must meet the requirements for technical standards as printed above. A statement from a qualified physician describing any emotional or physical illnesses suffered by the applicant during the preceding five (5) years or certifying freedom from such illnesses (International Students only). Student must obtain minimum listed below for each section. Scores must be from exam taken within seven (7) years of application to the program.

Deferral Policy

A one-year enrollment deferral for entrance into the AA program can be granted under specific conditions. The student submits a written request to the Program Director that specifies the reason for the request and confirms his or her intent to enroll in the program at the next class start.

Tuition and Fees

Understanding the costs associated with the Anesthesiologist Assistant program is essential for prospective students. South University offers various graduate programs with different tuition structures.

Graduate Tuition

Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Science: \$11,671 per quarter. This tuition rate does not include textbooks (\$15 per credit hour for digital textbooks) or a technology fee of \$20 per credit hour. There is also a \$500 nonrefundable acceptance fee, which is applied to tuition for the first quarter upon enrollment. Anesthesiologist Assistant students are not eligible for part-time enrollment.
Master of Science in Physician Assistant: \$10,856 per quarter. This does not include textbooks (\$15 per credit hour for digital textbooks), a technology fee of \$20 per quarter credit hour, a \$1000 per quarter clinical experience fee, or a \$1,000 nonrefundable acceptance fee for South University Austin, Savannah, Tampa and West Palm Beach, which is applied to tuition for the first quarter upon enrollment. There is a \$1000 acceptance fee, \$900 of which is refundable, for those applicants accepted into the Physician Assistant program at South University, Richmond. Please note that acceptance fees are non-transferrable between South University locations.
Other Graduate Programs: Tuition for other graduate programs, such as the Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Nursing Practice, varies.

Additional Costs

In addition to tuition, students should be aware of other potential costs:

Read also: Supporting South High Students

Books and Supplies: South University automatically provides required digital textbooks to its students through a contracted third-party vendor. The student cost for these digital textbooks is charged to the student's account. The student cost is per quarter credit hour is \$15. Students may opt out of this method of receiving and paying for required digital textbooks.
Acceptance Fee: There is a non-refundable \$500 acceptance fee for those applicants accepted into Anesthesiologist Assistant program.
Technology Fee: A technology fee of \$20 per quarter credit hour applies to all students, except Pharmacy students, who pay \$150 per quarter.
Clinical Experience Fee: A Clinical Experience Fee of \$1000 per quarter applies to the Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Science and Master of Science in Physician Assistant programs.
Membership Fees: Students enrolling in the Physician Assistant Studies program will incur a one-time fee for membership in the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). The current fee of \$75 is subject to change. Students are also required to join their respective state chapter Physician Assistant Associations (FAPA, GAPA, TAPA, VAPA) for a nominal fee which may vary by location.
Graduation Fee: All South University students pay a graduation fee of \$250.
International Student Fee: A \$400 fee is assessed at the beginning of every quarter for International Students.
Transcript Fee: The charge for official copies of transcripts is \$10 each.

Additional Expenses for Physician Assistant Students

Physician Assistant students should also budget for:

Scrubs/uniforms (approximately \$100)
Basis Life Support (BLS) Certification from an American Heart Association (AHA) authorized training center (approximately \$100)
Professional instruments (approximately \$1100)
Laptop computer with privacy screen (approximately \$1500)
Drug screen and criminal background checks prior to matriculation and prior to clinical placement through a third-party vendor (approximately \$800)
Credentialing, transportation, housing, and living expenses during their clinical year.

Ranking and Value

South University, Savannah, was ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Anesthesiologist Assistant Schools For Those Making \$0-\$30k list. The estimated yearly cost for South University, Savannah is \$23,436 for Anesthesiologist Assistant students whose families make \$0-\$30k. The school also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Anesthesiologist Assistant Schools” ranking.

Curriculum

To undertake and successfully complete the Anesthesiologist Assistant program, as well as to function as an anesthetist after graduation, requires that an individual meet certain fundamental physical, cognitive, and behavioral standards. Having sufficient knowledge, motor skill, and coordination to perform diagnostic and therapeutic tasks, including invasive procedures, on patients in a timely manner so as to ensure the safety and well-being of the patients.

Prerequisite Coursework

English or English Literature- 1 semester
Gen. Biology- 2 semesters. Note: Upper level Biology courses will also fulfill this requirement
Gen. Chemistry with Labs- 2 semesters
Organic Chemistry with Labs-1 semester
Biochemistry- 1 semester
Gen. Physics- 2 semesters
Calculus- 1 semester
Statistics - 1 semester or Biostatistics- 1 semester

Note: Survey Classes Not Accepted, Courses must be for Science Majors.

Gen. Biology Labs- 2 semesters
Biochemistry Labs- 1 semester
Gen. Chemistry with Labs- 2 semesters

tags: #south #university #anesthesiologist #assistant #program #cost