Physician Assistant Program Admissions Requirements
A bachelor’s degree from a four-year regionally accredited college or university. No specific major is required. An overall GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended. Competitive applicants exceed the overall 3.0 GPA recommendation.
Applicants must demonstrate satisfactory completion of all required prerequisite coursework, earning a letter grade of C or higher in each course. All prerequisite courses must be completed in the United States at a regionally accredited institution. At the time of application, applicants may have no more than three (3) outstanding prerequisite courses remaining. A prerequisite GPA of 3.2 or higher is recommended. Competitive applicants exceed this recommendation.
A science GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended. Competitive applicants exceed the 3.0 science GPA recommendation.
A minimum of1,000 hours clinical experience completed at the time of application. Applicants who have not completed the 1,000 hours at the time of application will not have their application considered further.
Standardized Tests: The MUPAP does not require a standardized test (e.g., GRE, PA-CAT, MCAT, or Casper) for admission. Extra consideration will not be given if test scores are submitted.
The MUPAP recognizes academic success with review of overall, science, and prerequisite GPAs. Further, the MUPAP values diverse backgrounds within its cohorts and specifically identifies the below qualities as competitive enhancers within the application review process.
• Students who are from economically and/or environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds (determined from HRSA indicators on the application)
• Military affiliation (active duty, veteran, reserves)
• Student-Athlete
• Volunteer experience (defined as 50 hours or more)
• Completion of an honors program
• Graduate of a master’s level science program with a 3.0 GPA or higher (examples, but not limited to: Biomedical Sciences, Physiology, Biology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Public Health)
• Rigorous post-bacc performance (with 25 or more semester hours in science related courses and above a 3.0 GPA)
• North Carolina resident
• Cape Fear region resident (Cumberland, Bladen, Scotland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Robeson, Sampson, NC counties)
No history of drug abuse or conviction of a felony.
No history of dismissal from a PA, medical, or nursing school for academic or disciplinary reasons.
Applicants who have attended and/or completed a foreign or domestic medical school must have achieved a 3.0 overall GPA (program will use WES evaluation for GPA calculation for foreign schools), no history of dismissal from the medical program, and/or no failures on the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE).
Advanced Placement: The programdoes acceptadvanced placement (AP) credit from high school for prerequisite coursework. The programdoes not grantadvanced placement into the program based on previous educational experiences. For example, if a student has been enrolled in another medical program (i.e. PA school, medical school), coursework completed in the previous program will not replace any curricular components of our program, if accepted. All required curricular components of the program must be completed.
Applicants who have completed their degree outside the US must follow policies forForeign Graduates.
Three letters of recommendation are required as a part of the CASPA application. Letters of recommendation must be uploaded to the CASPA application by the individual who is recommending the applicant. A maximum of five letters can be uploaded to the CASPA application. Letters sent separate from the CASPA application will not be accepted.Letters of recommendation should be from the following individuals:
• A professor or advisor within the science department of your university
• Medical personnel with whom you have worked in a clinical setting (e.g., physician assistant, physician, supervisor). It is highly recommended that a PA write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
• An additional professional employer. If not applicable, you may submit an additional letter from another professor or medical co worker/supervisor.Points will be deducted from an application for the following types of letters:
• Letters submitted from individuals who are family members or friends and who have no insight into one’s clinical or academic abilities.
• Letters that indicate “Do Not Recommend” or “Recommend with Reservations” in the Overall Recommendation.
Completion of a successfulinterviewwith the Admissions Selection Committee. Only in-person and on-campus interviews are conducted. Virtual interview requests will not be granted.
Applicants must review the Policies and Procedures page to ensure understanding of specific program policies and requirements separate of cognitive and non-cognitive admissions requirements.
Background Checks: Only applicants who are accepted to the program and pay an enrollment deposit will be required to have a background check conducted by Certiphi. The average cost to the student is $75-$85, but not to exceed $250. Students will be automatically contacted by Certiphi, via email, within 24 hours of submitting an enrollment deposit. Applicants who have paid an enrollment deposit and who do not complete the background check process or have criminal or felony charges that are not permissible by MU, the MUPAP, or our clinical affiliates will automatically have their acceptance rescinded.
Applicants who are recommended as a part of an Admissions Preference Program will receive preferential consideration for an interview or acceptance. Preferential consideration for an interview or acceptance is defined on the terms of the preference agreement.
