Student Resources
Welcome to the Pre-Physician Assistant program at Marywood University.
This program will provide the knowledge you need to diagnose, treat, educate, and empower your patients – and prepare you for the ever-changing health care field.
TIP: Bookmark this site and use it as your resource as you progress through the program.
Admission to the Professional Phase of the Physician Assistant Program
Pre-PA/Internal Marywood University Student Admissions Information
Current Marywood University students can apply internally, alleviating the need to apply through CASPA. The graduate program admissions cycle opens annually in mid-April and closes on October 1st. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, so applying early is beneficial. Application materials for current Marywood students can be found using the link below:
Pre-PA/Internal Student Application Materials
Pre-PA/Internal Marywood applicants must complete & submit the following:
Marywood PA Program Internal Application
Healthcare Documentation Form (listing all patient care hours)
Physician Assistant Program Recommendation Form (minimum of 3, with one written by a current PA-C)
GRE/PA-CAT scores
Essay (prompt can be found on last page of application)
Please email Lauren Tokash in Graduate Admissions (ltokash@maryu.marywood.edu) and notify her of your intent to apply internally to the graduate PA Program. She will provide you with information to submit your application through Slate, the University's admissions portal.
Admissions criteria are the same for Pre-PA/internal Marywood and CASPA applicants. All Pre-PA/internal Marywood applicants who meet the Program minimum admissions criteria are guaranteed an interview with the PA Admissions Committee. Approximately half of each graduate cohort is comprised of Pre-PA/Internal Marywood students, with the remaining half applying through CASPA. Click the link below to find out more about admission to the PA Program:
Physician Assistant Program Admissions Information
Guaranteed Seat Program for Incoming Freshmen
Automatic Acceptance Policy for Incoming Freshmen to the Professional Phase of the Physician Assistant Program at Marywood University
The criteria for an automatic transition from the Pre-PA Program to the graduate PA Program are as follows:
Overall GPA and Prerequisite course GPA at or above 3.5
Completed all other prerequisites, i.e., 500 healthcare hours (of which at least 50 hours must be shadowing a PA)
All courses must be Marywood courses (8 credit maximum may be transfer credits - with prior approval of both the Science Chair and the PA Program Director)
No Disciplinary actions on record
Successful interview with the PA Program Admissions Committee
If you are a current Marywood student but do not meet the above criteria or are a transfer student, you will be guaranteed an interview* and be alleviated from applying through CASPA, however, neither of these conditions is a guarantee that you will be accepted into the Professional PA Program.
*Applicants must meet minimum admissions criteria to be guaranteed an interview.
Academic Assistance
Need Help with Science Class?
Drop in Tutoring Center - Learning Commons (LC) room # 264
Hours are posted throughout the Science Building on bulletin boards.
How to Write a Scientific Laboratory Report
While training to be a scientist, it is important to be able to write effectively so that the details of your experiment can be explained clearly and explicitly. Throughout your time at Marywood, you’ll be asked to prepare laboratory reports for several of your laboratory classes. Below are the guidelines for writing a scientific laboratory report. Additionally, laboratory reports are written in past tense and in third person. And always remember that grammar and spelling are important!
Name: Name of experimenter
Lab Partner(s): List first & last names
Title: The title of the experiment
Date: Date experiment performed
Purpose: A brief description of why the experiment is being performed. Include details about the experiment, such as the methods used, a specific chemical reaction(s), and/or anticipated product.
Hypothesis: Provide a statement or two about the anticipated outcome of the experiment.
Experimental Procedure: A step-by-step description of the experiment including the chemicals, equipment, and/or methods used. Complete sentences must be used for the description. DO NOT simply copy the procedure from a lab manual or a handout. Condense the given procedure into steps so that you can understand and follow them.
Laboratory Safety: Give a complete, descriptive listing of the safety precautions, hazards, or other safety procedures that are needed for this experiment.
Experimental Data: Record all data resulting from the experiment in your laboratory notebook. The experimental data should be recorded in tabular form. Do not record your experimental data in your laboratory manual.
Observations: This section is used to record any qualitative observations and notes on the changes to the experimental procedure. Sudden bursts of scientific insight or other information during the experiment that may aid in the interpretation of the data generated are to be entered in this section. No points will be awarded when the observations are recorded outside of the laboratory. It is also important that you record your unknown number in this section of your notebook.
Calculations: Present outcome/summary of data analysis using tables, Excel graphs, and/or figures. List separately all pertinent mathematical equations followed by a sample calculation for each. Use the recorded data from the experiment when performing the calculations.
Results/Discussion: Questions that should be addressed in this section may include: Did the experiment work, and if not, why not? Were the results obtained in the experiment those expected based on the laboratory procedure? If the experiment was to be repeated, what improvements would be made? What types of errors occurred and how could they be corrected? How did the observations play a role in the outcome of the experiment? When applicable, you should compare your experimental value(s) to that of a published, literature value(s), commenting on the accuracy of your technique.
Conclusion: Summarize the findings of the experiment, which must include the final results of the experiment, e.g., the percent yield of a reaction, the identity of an unknown, etc. Look back at the purpose and hypothesis of your experiment and assess whether or not you met your goal in performing the experiment.
References: Include all pertinent information such as, your laboratory manual, textbooks, web sites, and any other library resources used in the preparation of your laboratory report.
Research Opportunities
Undergraduate Research within the Science Department: BIOL 454/ENVS 454/CHEM 454 Undergraduate Research is an elective open to science majors whose major QPA and overall QPA is at least 3.0. Adherence to the following guidelines is mandatory:
The student must choose a research topic and a mentor/faculty who directs all aspects of the investigation by the end of junior year. In addition, the student must meet with the Science Department Chairperson to receive approval (complete a Registration form and have it signed by the mentor/faculty and Science Department Chairperson) for the proposed project.
The research project must be a library/laboratory-based investigation, which involves data collection.
Students must get approval (signed Registration form) from the mentor/faculty and the Science Department Chairperson before registering for BIOL 454/ENVS 454/CHEM 454 Undergraduate Research for 2 credits in the semester in which the research will be completed.
Research & Internship Opportunities Outside of Marywood University
Local STEM competitions available to students. Marywood is listed as one of the academic partners. http://departments.kings.edu/SusquehannaValleyACS/services/STEM.html
Get Involved!
Pre-Physician Assistant Society
Advisor: Marie Bonavoglia msbonavoglia@marywood.edu
Contact: Kelly Royer, keroyer@m.marwyood.edu or Sara McCormack, smmccormack@m.marywood.edu
Club Type: Departmental Clubs
The Pre-Physician Assistant Society of Marywood University is run by undergraduate students who correspond with Dr. Bonavoglia, the Marywood Physician Assistant Clinical Coordinator. The society advises Pre-PA students in their academic endeavors, aids them in seeking out locations where they can gather volunteer and healthcare experience, guides them through the application process for entrance into the master's portion of the program, and educates them on the roles that physician assistants play in the medical field. The society allows Pre-PA students to develop relationships with their fellow classmates at monthly meetings, group service activities, and campus events.
Biology Club
The biology club serves as a forum for social activities, network possibilities, studying and research opportunities, and exciting excursions for all science majors. The biology club aims to stimulate interest in both the pure and applied biological sciences at the university and community levels and acts on behalf of biology students in campus-wide student government/club activities.
Recent Club activities include working with the local Girl Scout Council to help them earn science badges, a social trip to Dracula's Forest Haunted Hayride, helping to decorate the University Christmas tree, and hosting a booth at Marywood's Kidstuff.
The Biology club partakes in a wide variety of activities throughout an academic year. A few examples include celebrating DNA Day by having a movie night, celebrating Earth Day by having a "Plant Your Own Flower" Day, and going on trips to local facilities like the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour.
Pugwash Club
This Marywood University club is dedicated to promoting advocacy for and awareness of environmental issues. Goals include educating other students and faculty about environmental awareness on campus, promoting environmentally-friendly use of natural resources, and to be an organization through which students can sustainably enjoy nature by taking nature hikes and working closely with Marywood Arboretum Committee. Ultimately, Pugwash works towards helping Marywood become a "green campus," that which is energy efficient and ecologically friendly.
American Chemical Society (ACS) Student Affiliate Chapter (SAC)
ACS Club Advisior - Dr. Deanne Garver
Health Professions Society
Marywood University Health Professions Society does its part to build a spirit of cooperation, a spirit that is becoming ever more necessary in the medical profession, by encouraging the medical professionals of tomorrow to work together today. The MUHPS supports and encourages the students of Marywood University in their endeavors to enter the healthcare field as physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, chiropractors, biotechnologists, and researchers. MUHPS provides network support for students by raising awareness of the current events in healthcare; organizes visits by guest speakers from medical schools, and graduate schools; offers MCAT strategy sessions, mentorship, volunteering programs, career options, and other special events.
"Help us make this YOUR organization" Anyone who is interested in the field of medicine can join!
Club Advisor/Representatives:
Advisor: Dr. Lisa Antoniacci
Student representative: Mackenzie Smith macsmith@m.marywood.edu
Student representative: Alizandra Fiore afiore@m.marywood.edu
Job Opportunities
Science Job Opportunities
Our Science Program graduates are skilled and fully qualified to enter directly into careers such as biotechnology/pharmaceutical researcher, physician assistant, environmental consultant, high school science teacher, medical technologist, chemist. Others go on to graduate and/or medical training, including those whom recently enrolled at George Washington University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Arizona, University of Maryland Medical College. In sum, Science majors are uniquely positioned to achieve any number of goals immediately following graduation.
Check out our recent job openings:
Other Job Opportunities:
Lab / Environmental Sampling Technician. Applicant must have a degree in a science-related field. Candidate must have the ability to lift 50+ lbs. A valid PA driver's license and clean driving record. Must be flexible, hours may vary. Interested candidates, please send resume to vicki@quantumlabs.net Equal Opportunity Employer
Vicki Nagy, Administrator
Quantum A/E Labs, Inc.
824 Enterprise Street
Dickson City, PA 18519
(570) 489-6964 ext. 110
Career Links:
For information on educational employment opportunities, please visit: