Program Selection Factors

The following cognitive and non-cognitive selection factors are recommended for applicants to be competitive with the applicant pool:

  • Recommended overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Recommended Prerequisite GPA of 3.2 or higher
  • Amount and quality of health care experience
  • The MUPAP recognizes academic success with review of total, science, and prerequisite GPA. Further, the MUPAP values diverse backgrounds within its cohorts and specifically identifies the below qualities in application review as contributing to the diversity of our program and profession.• Students who are from economically and/or environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds
    • Military affiliation (active duty, veteran, reserves, military spouse)
    • Exceeding the 1,000-hour clinical experience requirement
    • Extracurricular activities (i.e. student athlete, club/organization member/leader, significant volunteer experiences, etc.)
    • Completion of an honors program
    • Graduate of a master’s level science program
    • Rigorous post-bacc performance (with 25 or more semester hours and above a 3.0 GPA)
    • Cape Fear region resident
    • Extraordinary life or healthcare experiences
  • Competitive applicants have demonstrated the following traits through the application and interview process that he/she is prepared for a demanding curriculum and profession:
    • consistent and upward trend in academic performance, demonstrating evidence to handle the PA curriculum
    • strong study skills
    • dependability, reliability, likability
    • maturity
    • strong verbal/written communication skills
    • an understanding of the role of the physician assistant
    • professionalism
    • ethical qualities
    • specific motivation toward pursuit of a health career and becoming a PA
    • understanding of the concept of a “team player” and how it relates to the medical field
    • strong critical thinking skills
    • strong interpersonal skills
    • other technical standards abilities that would enable them to master the educational and clinical content of the program within a reasonable time frame.
  • Students who have taken all or part of the undergraduate work at Methodist University, and who have met the academic selection factors, will be given first consideration for an interview over those who have not.
  • No dismissal from a PA program or professional medical program (nursing, PT, OT, medical, etc.).
  • Criminal background checks will be employed for each accepted student.