Physician Assistant Program Admission
The Midwestern University PA Program considers applicants who possess the academic and professional promise necessary for the development as competent, caring members of the health care community. The admissions environment is highly selective with approximately 2,000 applications received each year. The application deadline is October 1st; however, applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Competitive Admissions
Completed applications received on or before the application deadline are reviewed to determine applicant eligibility for interviews. Interviews are typically held between August and March. The PA Program conducts rolling admissions and admissions decisions are generally made within two weeks following an interview. Candidates are notified of their status shortly thereafter. Cumulative and science grade point averages (GPAs), letters of recommendation, health care experience, knowledge of the profession, and motivation for a PA career will all be considered when reviewing applicant files.
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the PA Program must submit the following documented evidence:
- All applicants must apply through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) and meet the published admission criteria.
- Minimum cumulative science and overall GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- Completion of prerequisite courses as listed below from regionally accredited colleges or universities. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C, or better. Life experience credits do not count toward fulfillment of any prerequisite courses. Courses in which "credit" or grades of "pass" are earned will be counted only when applicants can provide verification that the earned grades were equivalent to grades of C or better (grades of C- are not acceptable).
- Completion of prerequisite courses prior to matriculation.
- Applicants must determine which prerequisites are missing and which courses must be taken to fulfill any outstanding prerequisites.
- Completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university before matriculation.
- Motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by paid direct patient care hours, volunteer, work, shadowing, or other life experiences.
- Demonstration of service and leadership through community service or extracurricular activities.
- Oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.
- Satisfactory Midwestern University criminal background check.
- Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
- Successful completion of all required immunizations prior to matriculation.
- The applicant must meet the technical standards prior to matriculation.
Prerequisite Courses
Course |
Sem Hrs |
Qtr Hrs |
Biology with lab* (must include at least 4 hours of Anatomy) |
8 |
12 |
General Chemistry with lab* |
8 |
12 |
Organic Chemistry with lab* |
4 |
6 |
Math (college algebra or above) |
3 |
4 |
English Composition |
6 |
9 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (sociology, psychology, anthropology, etc.) |
6 |
9 |
Statistics |
3 |
4 |
Biochemistry (not required but strongly recommended) |
4 |
6 |
*All science prerequisites must be courses designed for science majors. No survey courses will count to fulfill science prerequisites. No online labs will be accepted.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
International applicants must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or from a recognized post secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 hours must be in the sciences, six hours in non-remedial English composition, and three hours in speech/public speaking.
Applicants who wish to receive transfer credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the US or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the following evaluation services:
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE): 414/289-3400 or Fax 414/289-3411 or visit www.ece.org
- World Education Services (WES): 212/966-6311 or Fax 212/739-6100 or visit www.wes.org
- Josef Silny & Associates International Education Consultants: 305/273-1616 or Fax 305/273-1338 or visit www.jsilny.com
International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable US or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive credit, and will be required to complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university in the United States, or at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.
For clarification about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada that use English as a primary language of instruction and documentation, international applicants should contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.
Click here for more information on International Student Financial Services
Technical Standards for Admission
The technical standards set forth the nonacademic abilities considered essential for students to achieve the level of competence required by the faculty to obtain the academic degree awarded by the college.
A candidate must be able to perform the following abilities and skills:
1. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand, including those on a computer screen or electronic device. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and sense of touch and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses. The candidate must be able to accurately auscultate lung/breath, heart and bowel sounds to complete the curricular requirement to individually complete physical examination of a patient/client.
2. Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate in English, proficiently and sensitively, in verbal and written form, and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.
3. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine muscular movements, maintain equilibrium and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks. Candidates must be able to lift 20 lbs.
4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record, and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process. The candidate must agree to participate in touching/palpated on the skin by individuals regardless of gender in all academic settings, including dental head, neck exams, including intra- and extra-oral examinations. These activities will take place in large and small group settings as directed in the College's curicular requirements.
Candidates are required to verify that they understand and meet these Technical Standards at least 4 weeks prior to matriculation (or if admitted later, within 1 week of deposit). Candidates who may only meet Technical Standards with accommodation, must contact the Office of Student Services to make formal request for accommodation. The Dean of Students, in consultation with the College Dean/Program Director, will determine what reasonable accommodations can be provided. The College is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum.
Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment at the college. After matriculation, if a student fails to continue to meet the Technical Standards during subsequent enrollment, the student may apply for accommodation by contacting the Office of Student Services. If the accommodation needed to meet the Technical Standards alters the educational standards of the curriculum, the student's ability to satisfactorily progress in the curriculum will be evaluated by the appropriate College's Student Graduation and Promotion Committee.