School of Health Professions
Application Process & How To Apply
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Application Process
- All candidates must submit their application through the Physician Assistant Centralized Application Service .
- Applications of the student must achieve VERIFIED status in CASPA before they will be considered for admission.
- (Questions completing the CASPA application should be directed to CASPA.)
- The CASPA application includes the following components:
- Official transcripts from all post-high school course work.
- Two letters of reference.
- At least one must be from a PA.
- The other should come from an individual who can attest to your integrity, work ethic and compassion for others such professors or employers.
- References from family members or friends are not accepted.
- Record of direct patient care experience.
- Important Dates
- Each cohort begins in October.
- CASPA application cycles open each April.
- Please note: To be considered for the cohort beginning in October 2025, applications may be entered into CASPA during the application cycle beginning in April of 2024.
- The Â鶹´«Ã½ Physician Assistant Studies Program will admit students on a rolling basis. However, please note that there is a priority deadline (see below).
- Interviews will be conducted as suitable applicants are identified, but may be grouped on specific dates for efficiency and convenience of both the applicants and the program.
- A waiting list will be established, and individuals may receive offer letters until a firm class roster has been determined. This process can take an extended period as candidates make their final decisions.
How To Apply
- Applicants must complete all the application requirements including prerequisite courses to be eligible for acceptance into the Physician Assistant Studies program.
- Complete the online CASPA application for the University of Â鶹´«Ã½
- Applications open for the 2025 cohort: April, 2024
- Priority deadline: November 1st, 2024
- All qualified applicants will be notified of their status and scheduled for an interview as appropriate. Applications received after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the cohort is complete. Additional qualified applicants will be placed on a waiting list.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete application materials early. Applications will not be reviewed until all requirements are submitted. All applications must be verified by CASPA.
- Submit Â鶹´«Ã½s non-refundable application fee.
- Applications will not be reviewed until Â鶹´«Ã½'s application fee is received.
- Fee waiver requests from applicants with approved CASPA fee waivers are considered.
- The program invites the most competitive applicants to interview.
- All Military and Mississippi applicants who meet all minimum admission requirements
will be invited to interview.
- A detailed schedule of interview day activities is included in the invitation.
- During individual and group interviews, applicants will be assessed on the following:
- Understanding of the PA profession
- Understanding of the Â鶹´«Ã½ PA Program
- Interpersonal skills
- Commitment to learning
- Self-Awareness
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Cultural competency
Accepted Applicants Requirements
- Interviewees will be notified of admission decision within six weeks of the interview day.
- Accepted students are required to reserve their seat within seven days of this communication with a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit.
- Initial acceptance to the program is conditional on successful completion of the following post-acceptance requirements, which must be completed by October 1st of enrollment year.
- Technical Standard Attestation Form
- Medical Clearance & Immunizations
- Accepted applicants must:
- Have a physical examination and complete a confidential medical history
- Be up to date on all CDC recommended immunizations for healthcare workers
- Accepted applicants must:
- Immunization and Health Information documentation
- Accepted applicants must pass background and health-related screenings:
- TB testing
- Background Check
- Drug screening
- HIPPA and OSHA Training
- Health insurance documentation
- Applicants must provide proof of personal health insurance and maintain the insurance throughout the entire program.
- Accepted applicants must pass background and health-related screenings:
- Official transcripts submitted to Â鶹´«Ã½ for all undergraduate coursework
- Documentation of completion of all prerequisite requirements
- Failure to comply prior to the start of the program can result in seat forfeiture.
- Students will not be permitted to participate in clinical experiences without medical
clearance.
- Acceptance agreement form
- Students must attend orientation the week before classes begin.
Note: Transportation and Housing
- Students are responsible for their housing during the entire program including during clinical rotations that may occur outside the state or region.
- Students are responsible for their own transportation to attend all classes, activities and clinical rotations.
The information presented here is planned for the Â鶹´«Ã½ Physician Assistant Studies
Program providing accreditation is received from the regional accreditor, the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools, and the PA Program accreditor, ARC-PA.