General Program Admission Requirements

General Program Admissions Requirements | Applicant Selection Process | Technical Standards | Guaranteed Interview Pathway

Application for admission to the Austin College Physician Assistant (PA) program is accessible through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) starting in April and closing December 1 each year (applications must be verified by CASPA by 11:59PM ET December 1st). The program will invite select applicants to interview with the program and admit students on a rolling basis. 

The application review process begins in early to mid-May of each year.  Interviews are offered on a first-come-first-served basis until all available interview spots are filled. When all interview spots are full, we no longer review applications. Given this, we encourage applicants to apply early in the admissions cycle.   

The following are not required: GRE scores, CASPER, Pre-admission Content Test (PACT), supplemental application 

All admissions related questions can be sent to PAprogram@austincollege.edu 

AUSTIN COLLEGE PA PROGRAM
GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Admissions Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the U.S. is required to matriculate into the program. Provisional acceptance may be granted pending completion of the degree.
• US citizen or US legal permanent resident
• All prerequisite course requirements must be met* 
• A science grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 (4.0 scale) as calculated by CASPA.
• A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a 3.0 (4.0 scale) as calculated by CASPA.
  
  • If the cumulative GPA is less than 3.00  (4.00 scale), an applicant may still be eligible for admission if
    • the level of academic achievement demonstrates significant improvement with increasing rigor over time (at least a 3.5 GPA in 300 and 400 level courses at the minimum over the last two years of academic training)AND
    • the applicant has at least two years of full-time experience working as a registered nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, respiratory therapist or related health care profession that has a bachelor’s degree as the minimum degree for entry into the health profession
  • Applicants must indicate all courses that are either in progress or planned in the appropriate section of the CASPA application. Applications that do not list all prerequisite coursework (either as completed, in progress, or planned) will not be reviewed.
• Three letters of recommendation are required*
• To matriculate into the program, students must meet the Austin College PA Program Technical Standards for Admission, Continuation, and Graduation requirements as listed on the program’s website. 
  • Reasonable accommodation will be granted as per Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Applicants for whom English is not their first language: the official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL IBT) scores are required if applicant graduated from a high school outside of the United States. 
  • A minimum overall score of 100, including a minimum speaking section score of 26, is required to be considered for admission
  • Scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to CASPA in electronic format 
  • Scores may be no more than two years old

*See the sections below for additional information regarding these requirements. 

Meeting minimal program requirements guarantees neither an interview nor acceptance to the program. The PA program website is the definitive source of information concerning admission criteria.  

Prerequisite Course Requirements

• The following are the prerequisite courses required for admission
  • Anatomy with lab: 4 credit hours (Human anatomy strongly recommended)
    • Or Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (or equivalent): 8 credit hours
  • Physiology with lab: 4 credit hours
    • Or Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab (or equivalent): 8 credit hours
  • Microbiology with lab: 4 credit hours
  • Genetics: 3 credit hours
  • Organic chemistry with lab: 4 credit hours
  • Psychology or Sociology: 3 credit hours
  • Statistics: 3 credit hours
  • Medical Terminology: 1 credit hour
• All required course credits are listed as semester credit hours.  Courses taken using an alternative credit hour designation must be equivalent in credits to meet the semester credit hours listed below.
• All prerequisite coursework must be completed for a grade (except for courses taken during the spring 2020 term, which can be pass/fail). 
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to have taken prerequisite courses within ten (10) years of application.
• All science prerequisite courses must be taken at a regionally accredited institution in the United States without exception and should be courses for science majors
• All prerequisite coursework must be completed by the end of the fall semester prior to matriculation; if this requirement is not met, the applicant’s acceptance may be rescinded. The only exception is for applicants who will earn their bachelor’s degree the May preceding the PA program start date; in this case, prerequisite coursework must be completed by the end of the spring semester before matriculation.
• AP credit for science prerequisite coursework will NOT be accepted.
• Grades below “C” in prerequisite courses will not be accepted.

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be sent directly to CASPA.

Letters of Recommendation

• At least one recommendation should come from a professor able to speak of the applicant’s academic capabilities.
• At least one recommendation from a healthcare professional knowledgeable of the applicant’s performance in the clinical setting is strongly recommended.
• It is strongly recommended that letters of recommendation do NOT come from family members.

Direct Healthcare Experience Requirements

Competitive applicants will have a minimum of 500 total hours of direct healthcare experience. Although not required, direct patient care experience (paid or volunteer) is strongly recommended for all applicants prior to application.  Please note that administrative work performed in a health care setting will not qualify as direct healthcare experience but should be recorded under the “Related Health Care Experience” section of the CASPA application. This would include positions such as medical receptionist, unit clerk, etc.