MS Entry Requirements (Post-Baccalaureate)

Students must meet the following requirements to be considered for the MS program.

1. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3;
2. Cumulative GPA of 3.3 in the science courses;
3. Completion of all prerequisite course work;
4. Personal essay;
5. Two letters of recommendation;
6. Documentation of 50 hours of health care experience;
7. Successful completion of a background check without any convictions;
8. International students must take the TOEFL exam and pass with a minimum score of:
   Internet-based test: 80
   Computer-based test: 213
   Paper-based test: 550

Prerequisite Coursework

All prerequisite coursework must be completed before matriculation into the physician assistant program. It is necessary to indicate courses in progress or planned on the CASPA application.

1. General biology (with laboratory): 8 s.h.
2. General chemistry (with laboratory): 8 s.h.
3. Human physiology: 4 s.h.
4. Human anatomy: 4 s.h.
5. Biochemistry: 3 s.h. or organic chemistry: 4 s.h.
6. Statistics: 3 s.h.
7. Microbiology: 4 s.h.
8. Genetics, or cell biology, or another upper-level biology course: 3-4 s.h.

Please note the following conditions:

1. Anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and either biochemistry or organic chemistry must have been taken within the five years preceding the start of the curriculum.
2. General biology and general chemistry may be waived in circumstances where more advanced courses have been passed with a grade of B+ or better.
3. Completion of prerequisites at a United States-accredited four (4)-year college or university is preferred.
4. Completion of prerequisites designated for science majors is preferred.

Application

Students must apply to the program in physician assistant studies through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). Applications are submitted to CASPA on-line at https://caspa.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login. A university supplemental fee of $50 is required in addition to the CASPA fee.  The deadline is AUGUST 1st for admission to the class beginning the subsequent September. Applicants must have their application verified (GPA calculated) by AUGUST 1st. Applications must be completed (e-submitted, payment received, transcripts received, and two letters received) at least four weeks in advance of the deadline to ensure the application is verified on time.  Admission to the PA program is granted on a rolling basis.

Please forward documents requested by CASPA to their offices.  Verification documents, such as transcripts, references, and proof of health-related experience will not be accepted by the PA Program until a seat is offered.

Personal Essay 

The personal essay should include career goals, personality traits, or specific experiences that have influenced your decision to become a physician assistant.

Reference Letters

Two letters of reference are required.

Interview Process 

An interview is required for admission. Students possessing all requirements for entry into the program are not guaranteed an interview. The PA program is competitive and only the strongest applicants will be selected for a personal interview with the physician assistant studies program admission committee prior to acceptance into the program. Applicants should be aware that a minimum overall GPA of 3.30 and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 in science courses do not guarantee an interview or entry into the program

MS Program Curriculum - Total Semester Hours: 79

The following major and additional requirements can be fulfilled as follows:

MS in Physician Assistant Studies

Two and one-half Year Sequence

Full-time Students: 79 s.h.

Tuition

Graduate students in the PA Professional Phase of the program will be charged the standard graduate tuition . 

Beginning with students entering the graduate program in the Fall of 2021, a clinical placement fee in the amount of $1,000 will be applied during the student’s clinical clerkship year.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation is dependent upon successful completion of the following:

1)  All courses in the physician assistant curriculum including all clinical rotations;
2)  Completion of all research curriculum requirements;
3)  A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be earned;
4)  Successfully passing all summative examinations;
5)  Meeting all patient and procedural log requirements;
6)  A faculty review of professional behavior throughout the entire program;
7)  Any student enrolled in the dual-degree program must also complete all Hofstra University requirements.