Physician Assistant Studies Admission & Prerequisites

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Admission & Prerequisites

Ohio Dominican enrolls students in the MS in Physician Assistant Studies Program every fall. The process is highly competitive, so make sure to read all the requirements carefully.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 3.0 overall and science GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • Prerequisite coursework. While there is no minimum prerequisite GPA, it is included in the application review.
  • Understanding and meeting minimum technical standards.
  • Minimum of 250 hours of documented patient-care experience. These hours are self-documented and subject to audit by the program. While shadowing and community service hours do not count towards patient-care experience, shadowing a PA, physician, or NP and community service is highly encouraged and is included in the application review.
  • GRE and/or MCAT scores submitted no later than the application deadline. ODU's institution code for submitting your GRE is 0436. By using this code, your scores will be sent directly to CASPA for verification. Scores must be within 5 years of admission. 
  • Two letters of recommendation as required through CASPA. It is recommended at least one letter be from a clinician working in healthcare. 
  • An on-campus or virtual interview is required and by invitation only. All travel expenses are the responsibility of the candidate. An interview does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
  • Application completed through the CASPA Portal. You will submit your transcripts directly through the CASPA Portal. ODU does not require a supplemental application or accept any additional documents or updates once an application has been submitted.

Go to Application & Cost

All applicants are held to the same admissions standards. However, preference for interview will be given to current Ohio residents, graduates of Ohio Dominican University, and those who have served in our nation's armed forces. Preference for an interview does not mean preference for selection into the program.

Following determination that an applicant meets the program’s admissions requirements, applicants for interview are selected according to overall GPA, science GPA, prerequisite GPA, GRE (or MCAT) scores, patient-care experience hours, PA shadowing hours, and community service hours.  Applicants with higher GPAs and hours are given preference.  Applicants are invited for interviews following a holistic review of their application considering all application materials. 

ODU offers an Early Assurance Program (EAP) for undergraduates who apply from high school.  Those admitted to the EAP Program, and who maintain eligibility requirements, will be offered a seat in the PA Program.  EAP students must apply to the PA Program through CASPA during the cycle beginning in April of their junior year and complete all application requirements.

Preference for admission will be given to those who display the following:

  • Academic excellence
    Strong GPA, upper level science coursework, strong GRE (or MACAT) scores, master’s degree 
  • Commitment to service
    Volunteer work, mission trips, military service
  • Quality patient-care experience
    Level/diversity of training, hours of experience
  • Professionalism, interpersonal skills
    Strong communication skills, maturity, ability to work with others 
  • Strong letters of recommendation
    LORs from PA/clinician and academic mentors/professors 
  • Resilience, commitment, dedication, and motivation
  • Supplemental Characteristics
    Ohio resident, PA shadowing, CASPA personal statement

Students may not waive any course within the PA Program curriculum, nor does the program allow advance placement. Students who have been dismissed or withdrawn from the program and readmitted can be granted credit for courses they completed successfully. This is subject to review by the appropriate faculty committee.

ODU's Physician Assistant Studies Program is academically rigorous and challenging. Students are strongly discouraged from working during the program. Employment during the program makes it extraordinarily difficult to maintain study and course work, as well as for social activities and much-needed rest. Students may not apply compensated clinical experiences toward academic credit.  

Students may not provide services within a preceptor’s practice apart from those rendered as part of the clinical phase of the program including substituting for or functioning as clinical or administrative staff. Students may not receive compensation for work performed within a preceptor’s clinical site or practice. Students are not permitted to work for the program or function as instructional faculty or administrative staff for the program.

Applicants to ODU's Physician Assistant Program must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States of America.

The PA program requires applicants that completed coursework outside the United States provide foreign transcript evaluation (at their own expense) from one of the accepted credential evaluation agencies, ECE or WES.

All required prerequisite coursework must be taken at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.

In addition to the regular admission requirements above, all students from non-English speaking countries must achieve a score of 550 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

After being accepted into the program, but before enrolling, students are required to:

  • Complete a criminal background check and drug screen prior to matriculation. Drug screening and further background checks may be necessary depending upon program and/or clinical site requirements. The cost of all background checks and drug screens will be the student’s responsibility. Ohio Dominican University reserves the right to rescind admission into its Physician Assistant Studies Program for students whose criminal background check, and or sexual offender database check comes back positive for any conviction, including, but not limited to, alcohol/drug/sexual misconduct-related offenses. Ohio Dominican University reserves the right to rescind admission into its Physician Assistant Studies Program for students whose drug screen results are positive for any illegal or prohibited substances as defined by the State of Ohio or against ODU or PA Program policy.
  • Hold a current BLS Certificate.
  • Provide proof of health screening and immunization status consistent with CDC recommendations for adults and healthcare workers. Student also must provide proof of basic health insurance.
  • Must have valid driver's license.

Additionally, students are required to successfully pass a medical terminology examination administered shortly after the program begins in the first semester. 

To prepare for this examination, students are strongly advised to study and complete the latest edition of Medical Terminology: A short course, by Davi-Ellen Chabner, WB Saunder Co. Publishing. Students will not advance in the program until they pass this examination.