Program Spotlight

Program Spotlight: Samford University

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** Updated March 2020 **

Location:  Birmingham, AL

Accreditation Status: Provisional
Learn more about what provisional accreditation status means for you.

Number of students:  Not Reported

Application Cycle: April 30th -  August 1st

Admissions: Non-rolling

Start date:  August - annually

Length of Program:  27 months

Public/Private: Private

HCE:  Preferred, not required

GPA:  Overall: 3.0, Science GPA: 3.0

Shadowing:  Preferred, not required

PA Shadowing: Preferred, not required

LORs: Three required: One each from a professor, supervisor, and PA, MD, DO or CRNP

Seat Deposit: $1,000

Total Tuition: $97,000

Program Link:  Samford University PA Program Website

View other PA Programs in Alabama

Program Spotlight: South University (Richmond, VA)

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** Updated February 2020 **

Location:  Richmond, VA

Accreditation Status: Provisional
Learn more about what provisional accreditation status means for you.

Number of students:  36

Application Cycle:  April 1st - August 1st through CASPA

Interview dates:  July-September

Start date:  January

Length of Program:  27 months

Public/Private: Private

HCE:  Recommended, but no specific requirement

GPA:  Minimum 3.0 overall; minimum Biology-Chemistry-Physics GPA of 3.0

Shadowing:  Recommended, but no specific requirement

Total Tuition: $84,600.00

The Good Stuff:

  • Quarter system

  • Working is not recommended, but allowed up to 15 hours during the didactic year

  • GRE is required, and preference is given to scores greater than the 50th percentile

  • Behavioral interview style

  • Pending accreditation September 2017

Program Link:  South University PA Program Website - Richmond, VA

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Program Spotlight: Florida Gulf Coast University

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** Update February 2020 **

Location:  Fort Myers, FL

Accreditation Status: Provisional
Learn more about what provisional accreditation status means for you.

Number of students: 20

Application Cycle:  January 15, 2020 - FGCU program deadline for the receipt of VERIFIED CASPA application.
March 2020 - Offers of Admission are made.
April 2020 - August 2020 - Offers of Admission are made from the waitlist.

Start date: August 2020 (if approved)

Length of Program: 27 months 

Public/Private: Public (significantly cheaper tuition for Florida residents)

PCE/HCE: Minimum 250 hours PCE - most competitive if requiring certification and paid 

GPA: Minimum 3.0 for last 60 credits of Bachelor's degree and minimum 3.0 for Biology/Chemistry/Physics

Shadowing: 20 hours strongly encouraged 

Tuition: In-state resident tuition and program fees: $56,000
Non-resident tuition and program fees: $139,000

The Good Stuff:

  • Minimum of a C in prerequisites

  • Prerequisites must be done within 7 years

  • GRE required

  • Required letter of recommendation from a PA

  • No out of state rotations allowed - all will be in Florida

Program Link: Florida Gulf Coast University PA Program Website

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Program Spotlight: Florida International University Herbert Werthelm College of Medicine

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Location: Miami, FL

Number of students: 45

Application Cycle:  CASPA and supplemental June - January; for early consideration, submit by October 7th 

Interview dates: One week in November and one week in February

Start date:  August

Length of Program:  27 months

Public/Private: Public

HCE:  Not required, but strongly recommended

GPA: Minimum last 60 hrs, overall and science GPA of 3.0

Shadowing: Highly recommended, and "extra points" given if greater than 800 shadowing hours

The Good Stuff:

  • Pre-entrance exam to determine whether or not you receive an interview

  • GRE required

  • Open houses are available to learn more about the program

  • Goal of 50% students from Florida (tuition is less for in-state students since it is a public program)

Program Link: Florida International University PA Program Website

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Program Spotlight: Hofstra University

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Location: Hempstead, NY

Number of students: 50 students

Application Cycle: CASPA by October 1st 

Interview dates: October - February

Start date: Fall 

Length of Program: 28 months

Public/Private: Private

HCE: 50 hours

GPA: Minimum cumulative and science GPA of 3.2

Shadowing: No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

  • A&P, microbiology, biochemistry or organic chemistry must be taken within the past 5 years

  • General biology and general chemistry may be waived if more advanced courses have been passed with a grade of B+ or better

  • Prerequisites preferred for science majors and at a 4-year college or university

  • Option for Freshman Direct Entry BS/MS in PA Studies - 3 years of prerequisites, followed by PA school

  • Cadaver lab

Program Link: Hofstra University PA Program Website

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Up and Coming: Florida State University

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Location:  Tallahassee, Florida

Number of students:  40 

Application Cycle:  CASPA by October 1st, and a supplemental application

Interview dates:   For 2017, starting January

Start date: Pending start date in August 2017 (will be evaluated for provisional status in March 2017)

Length of Program:  27 months

Public/Private: Public (In-state tuition for Florida residents)

HCE:  Minimum 500 hours of direct patient care (scribe does not count)

GPA:   Minimum overall of 3.0 and minimum math/science of 3.0

Shadowing:  No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

  • GPA exception - If you have completed a graduate program with at least 30 hours and your graduate GPA is higher than your undergraduate GPA, you can write to ask for consideration of your graduate GPA.

  • GRE required in the last 3 years. No listed minimum

  • HCE exception - If you do not have the required 500 hours, you can take a course at FSU called "Introduction to the PA Profession" that waives this requirement. They would still like for you to have some patient experience.

  • Preference is given to Florida residents, South Georgia and South Alabama residents of counties with borders on the Florida line, and veterans

Program Link:  Florida State University PA Program Website

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Program Spotlight: Dominican University of California

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** updated March 2020 **

Location: San Rafael, CA

Accreditation Status: Provisional

Listen to this podcast to see how accreditation status can affect you

Number of students: 30

Application Deadline: November 1

Admissions: Rolling

Read this blog post about When to Apply to PA School

Start date: August

Interviews: September-November

Order your copy of The PA School Interview Guide here

Length of Program: 28 months

Public/Private: Private

Tuition: $107,154 (including fees)

Read this blog post about How to Pay for PA School

HCE: 500 Hours

Read this blog post about HCE

GPA: Overall: 3.0, Science: 3.0 (last 30 hours)

Required Standardized Testing: None

Shadowing: 8 hours

LOR: Three required, one from a PA or NP, MD or DO, or PhD, One from an employer/supervisor and one from a professor

Listen to this podcast about requesting a Letter of Recommendation

The Good Stuff:

  • Anatomy and Physiology must be taken in the last 5 years

  • The program boasts extensive use of high fidelity medical simulation technology throughout the curriculum

  • Students start seeing patients in clinic in the 2nd semester of didactic year

Program Link: https://www.dominican.edu/academics/graduate-programs/physician-assistant-studies

** All information is from The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs 2020 and the Program’s website. For corrections and comments, please fill out this form.

Program Spotlight: Medical University of South Carolina

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Location: Charleston, SC

Number of students: 60 

Application Cycle: July 1- September 15th NOT on CASPA; NOT rolling admissions

Interview dates: November with acceptances offered by the end of January

Start date: End of May

Length of Program: 27 months

Public/Private: Private, but tuition is slightly lower for SC residents

HCE: No specific minimum, but a most "successful" students have a minimum of 500 hours

GPA: Minimum 3.0 for cumulative, prerequisite and Science-Math GPAs; C or greater in prerequisites (higher grade counts for prerequisite GPA, but both grades count for cumulative GPA)

Shadowing:  No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

  • Prerequisites must be taken in last 10 years

  • Cadaver lab

  • Information sessions, both in person and through webinars, are offered periodically

Program Link: Medical University of South Carolina PA Program Website

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Program Spotlight: Salus University

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Location:  Elkins Park, Pennsylvania

Number of students: Approximately 50

Application Cycle:  April to the following March 1 through CASPA

Interview dates:  Beginning in September with weekly acceptances until the class is full

Start date: Fall

Length of Program:  25 months

Public/Private: Private

HCE: Minimum 300 hours

GPA: Minimum cumulative and science GPA of 3.0; C or greater in prerequisites, and must be completed in the last 10 years

Shadowing: Minimum 20 hours, multiple disciplines recommended

The Good Stuff:

  • 2 separate 3+2 undergraduate affiliate programs with Brigham Young University - Idaho and with Western New England University

  • GRE required within the last 3 years

  • Prerequisites may be in progress when applying, but must be completed before matriculating

  • Cadaver lab

Program Link:  Salus University PA Program Website

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Up and Coming: Case Western Reserve University

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Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Number of students: 24-30

Application Cycle: CASPA through November 1st

Interview dates: September - January

Start date: May

Length of Program: 27 months

Public/Private: Private

HCE: Minimum 1000 hours required at time of application; any hours that counted for academic credit will not count

GPA: Cumulative and science GPA minimum of 3.0 for at least the last 40 hours of coursework

Shadowing: Encouraged, but not required

The Good Stuff:

  • Currently under Provisional Status
  • Prerequisites with labs may not be taken online
  • GRE required
  • Scribe may be considered as HCE if responsibilities go beyond note dictation and should be addressed on application
  • Require that you upload a document and upload a log of your community service (not direct patient care) from the past 5 years- see below for an example you can use (and the sooner you start recording the better)!

Program Link: Case Western Reserve PA Program Website

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Program Spotlight: Touro University - California

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Location:  Mare Island, California

Number of students: 44

Application Cycle:  CASPA by November 1st and supplemental application (if invited); rolling admissions

Interview dates: September - May

Start date: August

Length of Program:  33 months

Public/Private: Private

HCE:  500 required hours

GPA:  Minimum 2.75 overall and science (recommended 3.0 to be competitive) and C or better in all prerequisite courses; will focus primarily on the last 30 hours of coursework

Shadowing: Preference given to >20 hours shadowing 

The Good Stuff:

  • The program is actually a joint PA and Master's of Public Health program
  • Information sessions are held monthly
  • GRE is NOT required
  • Can choose between the Community Track or Global Health Track if desired.  
  • All requirements must be completed at time application is submitted. 
  • Interview is "mixed format with both one-on-one and group interactions"

Program Link:  Touro University - California PA Program

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Program Spotlight: University of California - Davis

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Location:  Sacramento, California

Number of students:  80-90 (including PA and NP students)

Application Cycle:  CASPA April - July 15th, then a supplemental application is sent. 

Interview dates: October

Start date:  Summer

Length of Program:  27 months

Public/Private:  Public, but no preference to California residents or UC Davis students and tuition is the same

HCE:  Minimum 1000 hrs in clinical setting

GPA:  Minimum overall of 3.0, minimum science/prerequisite 2.7.  

Shadowing:  No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

  • Graduate with an MHS degree
  • A&P within the last 5 years by application deadline/review (desired).  If a practicing clinician, it is recommended that you do a refresher course.  
  • Classes are 4 days a week from 8-5
  • No preference to California residents or UC Davis students
  • No GRE requirement
  • All lab courses for prerequisites must be done in person and not online
  • Dual Track Program for students in the NP program to be able to become both NP and PA. 

Program Link:  UC Davis PA Program Website

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Up and Coming: Indiana University

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Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Number of students: 44

Application Cycle: CASPA by August 1

Interview dates: October

Start date: May

Length of Program: 27 months

Public/Private: Public (less tuition for in-state residents)

HCE: 500 hours of direct patient care (within last 5 years)

GPA:  Minimum CASPA overall GPA of 3.0; prerequisite math/science of 3.2  

Shadowing: Minimum 10 hours

The Good Stuff:

  • Focus on underserved rural and urban communities
  • Cadaver lab
  • Preference given to Indiana residents that live in underserved communities and military/veterans
  • Online courses accepted, with the exception of science courses with labs
  • One prerequisite course that is retaken may be substituted with the higher grade to calculate science GPA through CASPA; any other retaken courses will average the grades
  • Applicants who have previously matriculated into any PA program are not eligible for admittance.  
  • GRE required  

Program Link: Indiana University PA Program Website

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Program Spotlight: New York Institute of Technology

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Location: Old Westbury, NY

Number of students: 56

Application Cycle: CASPA by October 1st; no rolling admissions 

Interview dates: October - February

Start date: Fall

Length of Program: 3 years

Public/Private: Private

HCE: Minimum 100 hours

GPA: Minimum 3.0 overall; minimum B- in prerequisite courses, and you may only take them twice to achieve the required grade

Shadowing: No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

Program Link: New York Institute of Technology PA Program Website

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Program Spotlight: Marywood University

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Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania

Number of students: Approximately 40

Application Cycle: CASPA by November 1st, unless you are a Marywood student and then you may apply internally

Interview dates: August - October

Start date: May

Length of Program: 24 months

Public/Private: Private

HCE: 500 hours minimum

GPA: Minimum 3.0 overall and in science prerequisites (must be completed in last 7 years)

Shadowing: No specific requirement

The Good Stuff: 

  • You can choose a clinical focus for rotations - orthopedics, hospitalist, emergency medicine, or general surgery
  • Post-bacc program to become eligible for PA school
  • Pre-PA program - if you meet certain requirements, you can either have a guaranteed interview or guaranteed acceptance! 

Program Link: Marywood PA Program

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Up and Coming: University of North Carolina

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Location:  Chapel Hill, NC

Accreditation Status: Provisional
Learn more about what provisional accreditation status means for you.

Number of students: 20 students

Application Cycle: CASPA and supplemental due by August 1st (recommended by July 1st)

Interview dates: 1 week in the fall (previously October)

Start date: August

Length of Program: 24 months

Public/Private:  Public - less expensive for in-state residents

HCE: 1000 hours required at time of application

GPA: Minimum cumulative of 3.0, or will evaluate last 60 hours; minimum 3.2 in prerequisites with a minimum C in courses

Shadowing: No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

  • Currently under Provisional Status

  • No time limit on recommended courses, but recommended within the last 7 years

Program Link: UNC PA Program Website

Programs in North Carolina

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Program Spotlight: Campbell University

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Location:  Buies Creek, NC

Number of students: 44 students

Application Cycle: CASPA through November 1st with Supplemental Application; rolling admissions

Interview dates: August - November/December

Start date: Early August

Length of Program: 24 months

Public/Private: Private

HCE: 1000 hours at time of application required

GPA: Required minimum overall and/or last 60 hours >3.0; recommended prerequisite minimum of 3.4; all grades C or better

Shadowing: Recommend 20 hours

The Good Stuff:

  • There's a joint Public Health option

  • No time limit on coursework

  • Interview - 30 minute interview with faculty and community clinician, and group session with a scenario

Program Link: Campbell University PA Program Website

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Program Spotlight: University of Wisconsin (Madison)

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Location:   Madison, Wisconsin

Number of students: Around 40

Application Cycle: CASPA due by August 1

Interview dates: January/February

Start date: May/June

Length of Program: 24 months

Public/Private: Public

HCE: Minimum 1000 hour requirement starting in 2018 cycle

GPA: Minimum 3.20 GPA overall and science starting in the 2018 cycle

Shadowing: No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

  • There's the option of setting up an appointment with a Pre-PA Advisor or attending an information session.  These information sessions are available online to watch as well. 
  • Human Physiology must have been taken within the last 3 years
  • GRE is NOT required
  • Distance education option - Very unique, but not an option for all states (Excluded states - AL, AR, CA, DC, DE, FL, GA, KS, KY, LA, MD, NC, NH, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, SC, TN, TX, WA, WV). It's a 36 month, part-time program where 80% is done from your home state. You still have to visit the campus for 10 weeks the first summer, and then a few times throughout the semesters of didactic year, and after each clinical. 
  • Option for Masters of Public Health joint program
  • wisPACT option for Northern Wisconsin residents
  • Interview - 2 individual 15 minute interviews with faculty/staff
  • Opportunity for International electives in Belize

Program Link:  University of Wisconsin - Madison Website

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Program Spotlight: University of North Dakota

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Location:  Grand Forks, ND

Number of students:  35 (approximately)

Application Cycle: September 1st

Interview dates: October 

Start date:  May

Length of Program:  24 months

Public/Private: Public; Preference given to residents of North Dakota and surrounding states (Montana, Minnesota, South Dakota), but no difference in tuition rates

HCE: 2 tracks - If outside of ND, minimum 3 years experience; if ND or surrounding state, 500 hours with strong science background

GPA: Prerequisites must have B or higher.  

Shadowing: No specific requirement

The Good Stuff:

  • Unique structure - After an on-campus orientation, the first 2 semesters are done online, and may be done at a distance, and then the program alternates between didactic and clinical blocks
  • Article with an interview with a student
  • Focus on serving in rural or underserved populations
  • Organic chemistry only required if doing 2nd track (ND resident w/ less experience)
  • A&P must have been done within 10 years 
  • Clinical Pharmacology requirement within last 5 years
  • No GRE requirement
  • Interview - 20 minute sessions of group/team activity, writing sample, two separate 2-on-1 interviews

Program Link: University of North Dakota PA Program Website
 

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

Program Spotlight: Augsburg College

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Location: Minneapolis, MN

Number of students: Around 30

Application Cycle: CASPA and Supplemental due by August 1st; Applications are not evaluated on a rolling basis

Interview dates: October, November, January; Acceptances are given on a rolling basis once interviews start

Start date:  Summer

Length of Program:  31 months

Public/Private: Private

HCE: 2000 hours paid experience - Scribing does NOT count

GPA:  Minimum 3.0 overall and science GPA from CASPA calculations at time of application (courses completed after submission will not be recalculated into GPA); recommended 3.2 to be competitive; prerequisites must have C or better

Shadowing: Highly encouraged, but if unable to formally shadow, recommended to meet with PA to discuss profession to show understanding

The Good Stuff:

  • Favor experience in under-served communities (doesn't have to be medical)
  • Applications go under blind reviews - age, race, gender are not considered  
  • All applicants notified of status in mid-February
  • NO GRE requirement
  • Most of the academic year is Monday-Thursday classes
  • Interviews are done over the phone, but applicants are invited to an Open House on campus to meet faculty and students

Program Link:  Augsburg College PA Program Website

For the most up to date information on PA programs in one place, check out The Applicant’s Manual of Physician Assistant Programs. (Affiliate link)

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