Biology Department Valdosta State University 
Outline of this document:
Additionally, students can find a wealth of advice and information from many networked sources. One of the best I've seen (first link below) for advice about health professions is by Dan Knauft, an active member of the National Academic Advising Association, and former senior health professions counselor at the University of Texas at Austin. There are over 800 useful links to be found on this site covering aspects of choosing careers, pre-medical and other allied health field advising, interviewing, testing, and applying to various programs. Pre-Medical and Allied Health Fields Information and FAQs
More information on Allied Health Fields (Link 2)
Students are reminded that Valdosta State University does not have either
an Optometry or Physician Assistant major. The biology major curriculum
at VSU offers enough latitude in choosing coursework that will be appropriate
for students who want to meet the admission criteria for these two programs
at other institutions. While at Valdosta State University, students
are only Biology Majors, not Physician Assistant or Optometry
majors. Legally and morally it is my job to advise students of
the appropriate courses to take that will fulfill the requirements for
the B.S. degree in Biology, that will allow students to graduate in the
shortest reasonable time frame. I will advise the student interested
in the above careers about which courses to take that will fill both biology
requirements and admission requirements for the program in which they are
interested. Students will have very little free elective credits
to choose from because of the necessity to choose the correct elective
courses in the biology curriculum that will fulfill admission credit for
the programs in which they are interested. This is why it is so important
for students to visit their advisor every semester for advice. I
offer here some specific advice on these two areas of study.
General Information about Optometry and admission to optometry schools: Doctors of optometry are independent primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders of the human eye and visual system. Generally, students who apply and are accepted for admission into schools of optometry are thoroughly prepared in terms of the coursework they have completed and in their understanding of the optometry profession and what it means to be an optometrist. In general, students can demonstrate these attributes by maintaining excellent grades (GPA), performing well on the OAT, and volunteering or otherwise working with professionals in the field. There are 16 optometry programs in the continental United States, one in Puerto Rico and two in Canada. Our students generally apply to one of the following three schools and colleges in the area:
Additional information about these and other optometry programs can be obtained from the individual institutions or from the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO).
The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) is comprised exclusively of multiple choice test items presented in the English language. There are four sections that require just over one-half day for administration. The exam includes: I. Survey of the Natural Sciences The earliest recommended time to take the OAT for the first time is February of the Junior Year. If a student scores well on this administration of the test, then the student will be able to submit a complete application at an earlier date than other students. The majority of students wait until October of their senior year to sit for the exam. Any student scoring less than a 310 on the OAT should consider retaking the test.A. BiologyII. Physics Applications and information on the administration of the Optometry
Admissions Test can be obtained from:
Online Application: (Click target link then follow link for online registration)
General Information about Physician Assistant (PA) and PA schools The physician assistant is a skilled professional
qualified by academic and clinical training to provide medical and health-care
services under the supervision of a licensed physician. In most settings
physician assistants obtain medical histories, perform physical examinations,
order and interpret laboratory and other diagnostic studies and assess
and manage common illnesses. Disease prevention and health-promotion activities,
counseling and patient education are other important services provided
by physician assistants. Most students at VSU are Georgia residents and
obtain preferential consideration at the Medical College of Georgia (MCG).
VSU students generally apply to one of the following three schools that
train Physician Assistants at the entry level leading to the baccalaureate
degree:
Additional PA programs can be found by state at the AAPA website. Physician Assistants in the state of Georgia practice under the provisions of the Physician Assistant Act, the Rules of the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners and an approved job description. Successful completion of the National Certifying Examination for Physician Assistants is required. Practice options for the certified physician assistant are as varied as the many disciplines within the field of medicine. Students should look for institutions that offer a comprehensive (generalist) education which allows graduates to become employed in many specialty areas. Further, prospective students should be sure that any program they enter will prepare them to pass the necessary National Certifying Exam. Further information about PA's, the career, and other opportunities can be obtained through various organizations such as the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). Additional information about other programs available in the United States can be found at this link. Students should check with each institution in which they are interested
to learn the specific requirements of each of these programs. The
following links lead to documents I created as an aid to students for planning
their curriculum at VSU. In general, the courses fill requirements
of the Georgia State System and therefore are more closely directed at
the specific requirements defined by the Medical College of Georgia PA
program. Courses suggested should fill most if not all of the requirements
of other programs.
VSU Advising Worksheet for Students interested in a career as a Physician Assistant Course Scheduling Advice:
Return to the VSU Biology Homepage
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16 March 2004