This page outlines the requirements for applying to the PA program.

Quick links:

• Degree requirements
• GPA requirements
• Prerequisite coursework
• Healthcare experience requirements
• Letters of recommendation
• Requirements for international students

Degree requirements

You must have a bachelor’s degree to apply.

• We accept science and non-science majors.
• You may apply while your degree is in progress, but you must finish it by the end of fall term before enrollment. 

GPA requirements

You must meet both GPA minimums below.

Cumulative undergraduate GPA

• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Includes all undergraduate coursework, whether it counted toward your bachelor’s degree or not

Students admitted last cycle had an average GPA of 3.5. Review class profile.

BCP GPA (biology, chemistry and physics)

• Minimum 3.0 BCP GPA required
• Includes undergraduate coursework in biology, chemistry and physics related to medical, human or animal sciences

Students admitted last cycle had an average BCP GPA of 3.4. Review class profile.

Prerequisite coursework

Complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C (2.0) or higher before your program starts. Courses must be from a regionally accredited school.

Review full prerequisite requirements.

Healthcare experience requirements

You need a minimum of 2,000 hours of healthcare experience by the time you apply, completed within the last 10 years.

What counts

• Paid or volunteer work
• Direct patient care or healthcare-related experience

What doesn't count

• Shadowing (helpful for career exploration but does not count toward hours)
• Hours earned as a student for credit or certification
• Hours completed more than 10 years ago

Preferred experience

We prefer hands-on patient care with acutely sick or injured patients in a hospital or clinical setting.

• Most of your 2,000 hours should involve direct patient care.
• Up to 1,000 hours can be related to healthcare.

How we evaluate your experience

• Direct patient care versus healthcare-related duties
• Total hours (paid or unpaid)
• Workplace setting
• Duties and skills acquired
• Patient population served
• Level of supervision
• Relevance to the PA profession

Tip: Give detailed descriptions of your healthcare roles in your application.

Common positions

These lists show common roles, but we also consider other relevant experiences. If your job includes both direct patient care and healthcare-related duties, classify the role based on your primary responsibilities.

Direct patient care roles (most competitive)

• Medical assistant (MA)
• Emergency medical technician (EMT)
• Paramedic
• Certified nursing assistant (CNA I or II)
• Registered nurse (RN)
• Emergency room technician (ER Tech)
• Hospital tech positions (ultrasound techs, patient care techs, etc.)
• Phlebotomist
• Medic or medical corpsman
• Clinical dietitian
• Physical therapy aide

Healthcare-related roles

• Scribe
• Lab assistant/medical laboratory scientist (MLS)
• Peace Corps volunteer
• Clinical research assistant
• Community health researcher
• Medical technologist
• Newborn hearing screener
• Care coordinator
• Clinic receptionist/office manager/scheduler
• Patient transport
• Medical interpreter
• Pharmacy technician

Tip: Healthcare-related experience alone is not considered competitive. Combine healthcare-related experience with direct patient care roles.

Letters of recommendation

Submit three letters of recommendation through your CASPA application. You may submit up to five additional letters, but they are not required.

Submit all letters through the Evaluations section of CASPA so they arrive with your complete application.

Recommended sources

We do not require letters from specific sources, but we prefer letters from:

• A physician associate (PA) or physician (MD or DO)
• A current or former work supervisor
• An academic source, such as an academic advisor, instructor or professor

Choose references who know you well. Letters should come from professional contacts, not family or friends.

For detailed instructions on requesting letters, visit the CASPA help center. 

Admissions information for international students

You qualify as an international applicant if you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or be in a legal status that permits them to study in the U.S. for the entirety of their program. Proof of eligibility to enter and complete the program must be obtained prior to the first day of the program. Examples of proof of eligibility are a U.S. social security number and a student visa; however, this is subject to change. Obtaining a social security number and student visa requirements and fees are the responsibility of the student.

International applicants must also:

• Complete required prerequisites, including some that you must complete at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution
• Submit credential evaluations through CASPA
• Meet English language proficiency requirements

Academic credentials

Submit an evaluation from an approved international credentialing agency. Refer to the CASPA help center for accepted agencies. 
 
Prerequisite requirements for international students

You must complete all prerequisites. Some must be completed at an accredited U.S. or Canadian institution. Review full prerequisite requirements for details.

You must also complete 6 semester or 9 quarter credits of English (reading and writing). This requirement may be waived if your coursework or degree was completed at an English-speaking institution.

Language proficiency

Submit TOEFL or IELTS scores unless you have a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. institution. Scores must be sent electronically from ETS and are valid for two years.

TOEFL minimum score: 95

Minimum section scores:

• Reading: 24
• Listening: 25
• Speaking: 25
• Writing: 24

IELTS minimum score: overall band score of 8

Financial aid

Federal aid is only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Licensure

International applicants should confirm eligibility for licensure in the states where they plan to work.

Healthcare experience

International healthcare experience from the past 10 years can count toward the 2,000-hour minimum. We strongly recommend gaining some direct patient care experience in the U.S. before applying.