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Physician Assistant Direct Entry Program

Securing a place in a Physician Assistant Master's Program is extremely competitive.  ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ's Physician Assistant Direct Entry Program gives you a running start and the possibility to transfer smoothly to ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ's M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies program, while you earn a B.S. in Medical Science. 

ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ University is one of only a few universities that offers this possibility for your future. Start on your pathway to success at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ University!

Priority Application deadline for admission in Fall 2025  is December 1, 2024.  Interviews will take place in January 2025.

Rolling applications will be accepted until April 1, 2025.

What is the Physician Assistant Direct Entry Program?

• The Physician Assistant (PA) Direct Entry Program is designed to prepare highly qualified students for admission into ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ University’s M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies program. 
• Upon successful completion of the B.S. in Medical Science undergraduate program
  requirements and fulfillment of all PA graduate admission criteria, 10 students will be assured admission into the M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies program.
• In addition to strong basic science preparation, included in the PA Direct Entry Program curriculum are four 1-credit seminars (PAS101, PAS201, PAS301, and PAS401), taught by graduate PA program faculty, to provide students with a better understanding of the PA role and best practices in healthcare.

Admissions Requirements:

• SAT score 1170 or ACT score 24; cGPA of 3.5 or higher; successful completion of four lab science courses and three math courses through pre-calculus. 
• 2 letters of recommendation, including 1 letter from an academic representative.
• Upon receipt and review of submitted materials, successful undergraduate applicants will be invited to interview with the undergraduate program admissions team. Application requirements may be completed following high school graduation with the submission of official transcripts from an accredited institution but will not be considered for transfer credit towards the B.S. in Medical Science undergraduate degree program.
• Healthcare experience and/or shadowing is strongly recommended.
• Transfer and/or AP credits may be applied to PA Direct Entry Program degree requirements only for courses that are not prerequisites to the M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies graduate degree program. These prerequisite courses include all undergraduate math and science program requirements, comprising a total of 73 credits.
• Accepted PA Direct Entry students must maintain a minimum cGPA of 3.5 throughout their undergraduate enrollment and achieve a grade of “B” or higher in all ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ University program required courses. Students who do not maintain the required cGPA or achieve a grade lower than “B” in program-required courses will have the opportunity to continue study in the B.S. in Medical Science program, without Direct Entry status, or transition into an alternative program.
• Students will be required to complete 400 patient contact hours during the first two years of enrollment. These hours will contribute toward the minimum graduate program admission requirement of 500 patient contact hours.
• Students who meet the criteria to enter the M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies program will need to complete an application in CASPA and an interview to comply with PA program