Physician Assistant Early Assurance Program

A select number of qualified high school seniors are chosen for early admission to our Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program. They can earn their undergraduate and graduate degrees in just six years.

Applicants to ODU's Physician Assistant (PA) Early Assurance Program must complete both an application for admission to ODU as well an application to the PA Early Assurance Program. 

Get Started!

Apply to Ohio Dominican University
Apply to the PA Early Assurance Program

Deadline Information

For entrance, all applications materials (the ODU application and PA Early Assurance application) must be complete and submitted by:

Priority Deadline: Nov. 7, 2025

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. 

Note that letters of recommendation may take several weeks to obtain from letter writers; please plan accordingly.

• You must also apply and be admitted to Ohio Dominican University through general admission to be considered for the program. We encourage you to apply to ODU and submit your required academic documents (e.g., high school transcript, ACT/SAT scores, post-secondary transcripts) early to meet the Nov. 7, 2025 priority deadline.
• You must have a minimum high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 unweighted scale, and a minimum composite score of 28 on the ACT (1320 SAT)
• Two letters of recommendation (one from a science teacher, one from a medical professional)
• Submit an essay detailing why you wish to pursue a career in medicine
• Appear for an in-person or virtual interview with ODU faculty and staff

• To remain eligible as an early assurance participant, students must have an overall GPA of 3.7 or higher, and a GPA of 3.6 or higher in all science courses upon graduation
• Once admitted, students must complete these prerequisites during their undergraduate studies
• Students must complete all PA Program admission requirements and apply through CASPA

Application Timeline

• September 1, 2025 - Applications open
• November 7, 2025 – Priority Deadline (pending available seats)
• November 17-21, 2025 - Interviews
• February 27, 2026 - Final deadline to apply
• March 2026 - Final deadline to apply

You will need to provide two letters of recommendation to complete your application. 

• One from a science teacher familiar with your academic work.
• One from a medical professional familiar with your character and aspirations for a career in health care.

Please have those submitting a recommendation upload their letters at ohiodominican.edu/PAearlyrec.

Or, they can send their letters by postal mail to:

Director of Undergraduate Admission

Ohio Dominican University
1216 Sunbury Road
Columbus, OH 43219

Questions? Please email admission@ohiodominican.edu

 

Through the Physician Assistant Early Assurance program, Ohio Dominican University prepares qualified students for enrollment in our highly competitive Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program.

Ohio Dominican's PA Program is designed for individuals committed to helping others through a compassionate and holistic approach to health care.

Program Features:

• 27-month program with classroom and clinical phases.
• State-of-the-art PA Program building includes cadaver and simulation labs.
• Partnerships with clinics and health care centers throughout Ohio.
• Housing available on campus.

ODU's program prepares students in:

• application of coursework concepts
• clinical skills
• critical thinking
• effective communication
• professionalism
• working in the community

Students enrolled in the Physician Assistant Studies program at Ohio Dominican benefit from the university’s strong liberal arts foundation. To understand the health of the body and improving the health of others requires a true application of the liberal arts approach to draw on foundations in business, ethics and the natural sciences. As a result, Ohio Dominican is uniquely positioned to take a distinctive approach to Physician Assistant Studies. 

Ohio Dominican was the first university in Central Ohio to offer a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies, which graduated its first class in Fall 2014. 

Ohio Dominican University has a state-of-the-art science building equipped with cadaver, clinical, psychology and environmental science labs.
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