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Physician Assistant Studies Program Admissions
Learn more about the USJ PA Studies program and requirements for the upcoming 2026/2027 application cycle. Request information here.
The CASPA 2026-2027 application cycle will open April 30, 2026.
Completion of the following items are required of all students who wish to apply to the USJ PA Studies Program: CASPA application
Including 3 professional letters of recommendation
USJ CASPA Supplemental Application
Payment of $50 supplemental application fee – payable after application is verified in CASPA.
Documentation at time of application of a minimum of 1,000 Direct Patient Care experience hours within the last 5 years.
- Please Note- Competitive applicants also earn a minimum of 6 PA shadowing experience hours. PA shadowing must take place in-person. Virtual shadowing is not accepted.
Prerequisites
Please note the following Pass/Fail grade policy instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In recognition of the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the USJ PA Studies Program will accept Pass/Fail grades to meet pre-requisite requirements for courses taken in the Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 semesters.
In situations where students are given the option by their institution to select traditional letter grades or Pass/Fail grading options, selecting traditional letter grades provides the Admissions Committee with the most complete opportunity to assess an applicant’s academic ability.
The USJ PA Studies Program reserves the right to not accept Pass/Fail grades from institutions whose grade policies would allow a “Pass” grade to be issued for a course with an earned grade lower than “C”, in keeping with published admission guidelines.
Please note that admission to the PA Studies Program is competitive. Meeting the requirements noted below does not guarantee an interview or admission.
Applicants must have completed the following prerequisite courses:
| Coursework | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Biology with Lab Examples of acceptable courses: General Biology I, General Biology II, Genetics, Immunology, Histology, Infectious Disease, Pathophysiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology- all with a lab component Courses that will not be accepted: Zoology, Botany, Environmental Science, Life Science, Ecology, Biology for Non-Science Majors | 8 |
| Chemistry with Lab | 8 |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab Must be Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II OR Anatomy and Physiology, all with a lab component. Mammalian Anatomy with lab is an accepted alternative. Comparative Anatomy is not accepted. | 8 |
| Organic Chemistry with Lab or Biochemistry no lab | 4 Organic/3 Biochemistry |
| Microbiology with lab | 4 |
| Statistics Biostatistics or Statistics in Psychology are acceptable alternatives | 3 |
| Psychology Examples of acceptable courses: Intro to Psychology, General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Lifespan Development | 3 |
For Each of the Above Courses:
- Grade of “C” or better
- AP Scores are accepted with a score of 4 or 5
- Completed at an institutionally accredited U.S. college or university
- Cumulative prerequisite 3.0 GPA at the time of application
- Students with no more than 2 outstanding prerequisite course requirements are eligible to apply
- All coursework must be satisfactorily completed by December 20, 2026 (the year preceding enrollment).
- All coursework must have been completed within 7 years of enrollment (Waivers may be granted after faculty consideration, on a case by case basis.)
- Course Waiver Request Form
Additional Requirements
- Baccalaureate degree (no preferred major) completed by December 20, 2026 (the year preceding enrollment).
- Cumulative overall 3.0 GPA at the time of application as noted in the “CASPA Overall GPA” calculation. This calculation considers all college-level coursework ever completed. *Applicants with international coursework, please see International Applicants section.
- Ability to meet Program Technical Standards with or without reasonable accommodation as described by the ADA. *(form signed by admitted students only)*
- Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check and urine drug screen, if admitted.
- Review of the program immunization and health requirements required before application.
Applicant Scoring
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| Overall Cumulative GPA | 10 |
| Pre-Requisites GPA | 10 |
| CASPA Application Review | 30 |
| Interviews* | 30 |
| Group Activity* | 15 |
| Essay* | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
International Applicants
All applicants who have earned a degree from a non-U.S. institution must meet all of the above admission requirements including a cumulative overall 3.0 GPA at the time of application. This calculation considers all college-level coursework ever completed and will be manually calculated by the USJ PA Studies Program using foreign transcripts for applicants with international transcripts.
They must also submit proof of the following:
- A course-by-course foreign transcript and degree evaluation
- Official TOEFL scores, from within the last 2 years, with a score of at least 100 (internet based) required if applicant has earned a degree from a non U.S. institution.
Preference
The USJ PA Studies Program currently extends preference in the form of a guaranteed interview to any student who meets all application requirements and has earned a degree from and completed 60 credits or more of their college study at USJ. No points will be added to the applicant’s file scoring. In the event a preferential candidate is not granted admission, they will not be offered preference in subsequent application cycles.
*Beginning Fall 2025, freshmen entering USJ will no longer be guaranteed an interview when applying to the USJ PA Studies Program. (This does not apply to Direct Entry students)
The USJ PA Studies Program will utilize a rolling admissions process. As such, there is a competitive advantage to submission of verified application as early as possible in the application cycle.
Statement Regarding Student Progress Communication
Once a student matriculates into the graduate program, all communication regarding academic progress, performance concerns, probation, and related matters will be directed exclusively to the student. Although students may provide written permission for the program to speak with parents or family members, the program does not engage in such communication except in situations involving an immediate concern for the student’s safety or well being. Faculty and staff maintain this standard to support autonomy and uphold graduate-level professional expectations.
Advanced Placement
The USJ PA Studies Program does not grant advance placement/standing within the program curriculum based upon previous coursework or educational/work experience.
Technical Standards
Applicants to the USJ PA Studies Program will be required to acknowledge that they have read the technical standards prior to submitting their application. The Program will require the technical standards form to be signed by admitted students ONLY.