Graduate Admissions Policies - Degree Seeking Status (Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies)
For admission into the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program, applicants must demonstrate a high likelihood of success.
Application Process
To apply to the PA Program, applicants must submit an application through The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) at https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login. The PA Program will accept applications through CASPA starting May 1, 2022, for the January 9, 2023 matriculation date. Applications must be verified by CASPA no later than September 1, 2022. Applications verified after this date will not be considered. The applicant is responsible for the cost of application through CASPA; fees are paid directly to CASPA. No supplemental graduate application or application fee is required by the program or university.
Applicants must have official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended submitted directly to CASPA from the institution. If you are an international applicant, you must have your international transcripts evaluated through World Education Services (WES), which is a university requirement, with results sent to CASPA.
A minimum of two letters of recommendation are to be submitted to CASPA with a maximum of five.
(Foreign Applicants Only) Proof of English proficiency may be required if English is not the applicant’s native language or was not the language of instruction for the applicant’s baccalaureate degree, or if the applicant does not hold a graduate degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher learning. Proof of English proficiency may be demonstrated by means of the TOEFL exams or IELTS: For the MSPAS program, the following minimum scores are required for admission: TOEFL (577 paper version; 230 for the computer-based test; and 90 for the internet-based test); or IELTS (6.5). Additional paperwork and documentation will be required by the University as noted on the University's International webpage.
All applicants are required to take the online CASPer (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) test. Successful completion of CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility. The applicant is responsible for the cost; fees are payable directly to CASPer.
Applicants must be able to meet the technical standards as published on the program's webpage.
Prior healthcare experience, exposure, or shadowing is not required by the program, but applicants with these will be given additional consideration. Prior work experience is not required.
Prerequisites
At minimum, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited American college or university or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution of acceptable standing is required for admission.
Qualified applicants must successfully complete all required prerequisite courses with a grade or grade equivalent of "C" or better, earn a cumulative CASPA-calculated undergraduate/graduate GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or higher, and earn a prerequisite GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or higher (program calculated) to be considered for the program. If an applicant repeats a prerequisite course, the repeat grade will be used to calculate the prerequisite GPA.
Prerequisite courses include: General Biology I & II with labs (may substitute botany and zoology with labs in lieu of general biology I & II with labs; in cases where a university does not offer General Biology I and II in sequence, a cell biology course with lab will be accepted as a second biology course once verified ), Anatomy and Physiology I & II with labs (will accept 1 semester of anatomy and one semester of physiology with labs in lieu of anatomy and physiology I & II with labs but these cannot be mixed, ie one semester of A&P and one stand-alone course), Microbiology with lab, General Chemistry I & II with labs, Organic Chemistry I & II with labs, Biochemistry with lab, a statistics course, a psychology course, and a medical terminology course.
On-line courses and labs are acceptable to satisfy prerequisites if completed in an accredited university or college. AP & CLEP credits can satisfy prerequisite course requirements, but these will not be used to calculate the prerequisite GPA.
Additional consideration will be given to applicants who are: Metro-Memphis residents or those living in the Mid-south, Christian Brothers University students and graduates, those who take additional advanced natural science courses, those with healthcare experience or exposure, and those who have served in the armed forces.
No GRE or MCAT is required by the program.
Acceptance Process
The program selects applicants on a rolling admissions basis. Admissions decisions are made by the program’s Admissions Committee, which will base all decisions upon each applicant’s overall application and interview. An interview is required for admission into the program and will be extended to the most highly-qualified applicants. Applicants who have not yet completed all prerequisites may still be accepted for admission on a seat-conditional basis but must provide official transcripts demonstrating achievement of all prerequisites prior to matriculation; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the seat. The program endeavors to fill all seats in each cohort; some interviewees may initially be wait-listed and subsequently admitted to the program.
The following attributes make an ideal candidate: applicant has a positive, realistic outlook, is highly motivated, has a strong academic background, is mature in conversation, is a good critical thinker, possesses good interpersonal skills, wears appropriate attire to the interview, is able to function in a demanding academic environment, is knowledgeable of the PA profession, is able to relate well to others, and has a yearning to serve others.
The program does not grant advanced standing for previous academic work or experience.
If offered a seat in the program, a seat deposit will be required within two weeks of the seat offer. A background check, child abuse clearance, drug screen, and medical clearance are required prior to the start of the program at the cost of the applicant, and each applicant must provide evidence of health insurance and have their own mode of transportation while in the program.
Specific questions regarding the program should be directed to the Program Admissions Coordinator or the Program office. The PA Program accreditation status is published on its webpage. Articulations with other colleges or universities for reserved seats in the program, if any, will be published on the PA website.