Physician Assistant Admissions Requirements

NOW OFFERING ROLLING ADMISSIONS

Tentative 2023 Interview Dates: June 16, July 14, August 11, and September 8, and a tentative retainer on October 6.

The 2023-2023 CASPA Cycle Opens April 27, 2023

Deadline: August 1, 2023

Curriculum for the Physician Assistant Program, on the Williamsburg Campus,  is open to applicants who have earned, or will earn, by the end of the fall semester prior to spring semester entry, a baccalaureate degree and have met, or will have met, by the end of the fall semester prior to spring semester entry, the following prerequisites:

***The following admissions requirements must be completed by the application deadline of August 1st (prior to interviews) unless otherwise noted.

• Completed CASPA application
• Completed PA Supplemental Application – Once an applicant’s CASPA Application has been verified and reviewed, a link to the Supplemental Application will be provided via email
• An earned bachelor’s degree with an overall cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
• A minimum average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 in required pre-requisite courses. Pre-recs must have a grade of C or better. 
• A minimum of 3.0 average on a 4.0 scale in the sciences as figured by Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
• Ability to fulfill any university admission requirements
• Successful completion (as defined above) within ten years prior to admission of the following undergraduate science courses:
  • Anatomy with lab (Human preferred)- 3 semester hours or more
  • Physiology with lab (Human preferred)- 3 semester hours or more
  • Microbiology with Lab- 3 semester hours or more
  • Medical Terminology
  • Biology electives - 6 credit hours (Must be upper level Biology courses; highly recommend Genetics, Molecular Biology, Histology, Immunology)
  • General Chemistry 1 and 2 with labs- 3 semester hours or more
  • Organic 1 or Biochemistry
  • Psychology (Abnormal or developmental preferred)- 3 semester hours or more
  • Statistics- 3 semester hours or more
• Direct Patient Contact Hours (minimum of 500 hours of paid employment or volunteer hours; must include a minimum of 50 hours PA shadowing). 
• Submission of 3 letters of recommendation (Acceptable references: MD, DO, PA, or NP as well as academic advisors)
• Successful completion of an interview with and positive recommendation from program faculty
• If admitted: Student will be required to Complete a satisfactory level 1 background check, urine drug screen, and physical exam with documentation of required immunizations:
  • Proof of TB Test (positive results will require the students to receive a chest x-ray and further evaluation)
  • Proof of Hepatitis B vaccine and positive Hep B Ab (titer)
  • Proof of MMR vaccine or immunity
  • Proof of Varicella history or vaccination
  • Proof of Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis vaccine
  • Proof of Covid-19 vaccination 
  • Annual influenza vaccine while on clinical year
  • Proof of Meningococcal vaccine**
  • Pneumococcal polysaccharide PPV vaccine**

**These vaccinations are not required by the program based on current CDC guidelines. If a clinical site requires these vaccinations, students must comply with facility guidelines.

• Demonstration to program principal faculty of ability to meet the following technical standards:
  • Sufficient capacity for observation in academic, clinical, and other medical settings; functional vision, hearing, and tactile sensation sufficient to observe a patient’s condition and perform procedures regularly required during a physical examination
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills sufficient to both academic and healthcare settings
  • Sufficient motor function to carry out movements necessary for patient diagnosis and care; for free movement inpatient care and between facilities and buildings in academic and healthcare environments; physical stamina to complete didactic and clinical coursework
  • Sufficient intellectual ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize, in the context of medical problem-solving and patient care
  • Sufficient emotional health and stability required for exercising good judgment and promptly completing all academic and patient care responsibilities

** Waivers will be considered by the admissions committee on a case-by-case basis. If requesting a waiver for one of the admissions criteria, please contact the MSPAS program. Under no circumstances will the minimum requirements for entrance to the program be waived.

English Fluency
Documentation of language fluency for non-native speakers of English, such as a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the 8 International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a report from Duolingo. This requirement is waived for students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s level coursework in the U.S. at an accredited institution. The minimum acceptable TOEFL or IELTS scores for admission are: 

• Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) - 550 
• Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) - 79 
• IELTS - 6
• Duolingo - 100

Any international course work completed must have official transcript evaluations completed and submitted to the University by the evaluation firm. Evaluations MUST include GPA for admission.
Approved Evaluation Firms are:

• World Education Services (WES)
• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
• International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
• Educational Perspectives (EP)
• SpanTran

Admission to Pre-Professional

Undergraduate students interested in applying for early admission to the University’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program must complete the following coursework in total or in part at the University of the Cumberlands as Pre-PA Biology majors. Additionally, students must complete all requirements of the General Education curriculum for undergraduates as outlined in the University of the Cumberlands Undergraduate catalog. Admission is made during the third year of undergraduate study. Students must complete all PA admissions requirements by the time of application. Completion of the Pre-PA curriculum does not ensure acceptance into the MSPAS program.

Students who complete the Pre-Professional PA curriculum but do not continue on to the professional phase of the PA program will need nine hours of biology, five hours of chemistry and sixteen hours of electives to complete a major in biology. Alternatively, they can complete a Biology of Science degree in Independent Directions with a focus on applied health sciences. A third alternative is to complete a Bachelor of General Studies degree. Information on these alternatives may be found elsewhere in the University of the Cumberlands’ Undergraduate catalog.

Students who successfully complete the pre-physician assistant curriculum and are accepted into the MSPAS program are awarded a Bachelor of Health Science degree by the University after the successful completion of the first year of didactic coursework in the MSPAS program. Students are then awarded the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree after the successful completion of the second year of coursework.

In addition to the admissions requirements noted above for general applicants, the following courses are required prior to application for Pre-professional students:

• BIOL 113 - Intro. to Population Biology Lab.
• BIOL 114 - Intro. to Cellular Biology Lab.
• BIOL 121 - Medical Terminology
• BIOL 133 - Intro. to Population Biology
• BIOL 134 - Intro. to Cellular Biology
• BIOL 244* - Human Physiology OR BIOL 443 - General Animal Physiology
• BIOL 246 - Biodiversity
• BIOL 340 - Genetics
• BIOL 343* - Human Anatomy OR BIOL 442 - Comparative Anatomy
• BIOL 345 - Microbiology
• CHEM 111 - General Chemistry Lab. I
• CHEM 132 - Chemistry 1 w/ lab- 3 semester hours or more
• CHEM 211 - General College Chemistry Lab. II
• CHEM 232 - Chemistry 2 w/ lab - 3 semester hours or more
• CHEM 321 - Organic Chemistry Lab. I
• CHEM 322 - Organic Chemistry I
• Biology electives (6 credit hours of upper level Biology courses, included, but not limited to genetics, molecular biology, histology, immunology; intro or general courses do not count as electives)
• Upper-level Psychology courses
• Statistics

*preferred

Admission to Professional Phase

University of the Cumberlands Pre-professional Physician Assistant students are not guaranteed admission to the PA program however pre-professional students that meet all requirements for admission will be granted an interview. Each PA applicant that meets all admissions requirements is graded using an admissions rubric that awards points based on academic performance, geographic location of the applicant, clinical work experience and letters of recommendation.

Clinical Experience

Direct Patient Contact Hours: Applicants are required to have a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient contact by August 1st. A minimum of 50 of these hours must be PA shadowing. Other experience can be paid or voluntary. Examples of acceptable direct patient care include EMT, paramedic, LPN, CNA, therapists (RT, PT/PTA, OT, SLP), medical assistant, medical scribe, pharmacy technician, xray technician, surgical technician, athletic trainer, and phlebotomist. Non-acceptable options include lifeguard, pharmacy representative, medical secretary, or transporter. Other questions regarding acceptable options can be directed to the Graduate Admissions Department. The number of direct patient contact hours will be used as part of the applicant ranking process for all applicants that meet all other admissions requirements. Points will be awarded as follows:
Direct Patient Care Experience Hours

Number of Hours	Points Rewarded
>3000	20 Points
1,000-2,999	15 Points
500-999	10 Points
>50 hours of PA Shadowing	5 Additional Points

The University of the Cumberlands Physician Assistant Program does not grant advanced placement to students or applicants

NOW OFFERING ROLLING ADMISSIONS

The 2022-2023 CASPA application cycle opens October 1, 2022 and closes March 1, 2023. All requirements listed below must be submitted by the following deadlines:

March 1, 2023 Deadline

• Completed CASPA application
• Completed PA Supplemental Application - Verified CASPA applicants will receive a direct link to the Supplemental Application.
• Submission of 3 letters of recommendation with at least one from a physician (MD/DO) or PA
• Documentation of language fluency for non-native speakers of English, such as a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the 8 International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a report from Duolingo. This requirement is waived for students who have completed bachelor’s or master’s level coursework in the U.S. at an accredited institution. The minimum acceptable TOEFL or IELTS scores for admission are: 
  • Paper-based TOEFL (PBT) - 550 
  • Internet-based TOEFL (IBT) - 79 
  • IELTS - 6
  • Duolingo - 100
• Any international course work completed must have official transcript evaluations completed and submitted to the University by the evaluation firm. Evaluations MUST include GPA for admission.
  Approved Evaluation Firms are:
  • World Education Services (WES)
  • Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
  • International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
  • Educational Perspectives (EP)
  • SpanTran
• International students seeking to study in the Physician Assistant program under an F1 student visa can only apply to study at our Williamsburg, KY campus.*

July 1, 2023 Deadline

• Earned Baccalaureate degree with overall minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• A minimum Biology-Chemistry-Physics (BCP) GPA average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale calculated by Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA)
• A minimum letter grade of C in all undergraduate or graduate prerequisite courses (listed below) within ten years prior to admission:
  • Human Anatomy with lab - 3 semester hours or more
  • Human Physiology with lab - 3 semester hours or more
  • Microbiology with lab - 3 semester hours or more
  • Medical Terminology
  • Biology electives - 6 credit hours (Must be upper level Biology courses; highly recommend Genetics, Molecular Biology, Histology, Immunology)
  • General Chemistry 1 and 2 with labs - 3 semester hours or more
  • Organic 1 or Biochemistry
  • Psychology (Abnormal or Developmental preferred) - 3 semester hours or more
  • Statistics - 3 semester hours or more
    • Waivers for the above prerequisite courses will be considered by the admissions committee on a case-by-case basis. If requesting a waiver for one of the admissions criteria, please contact the Northern Kentucky Campus Physician Assistant Program. Under no circumstances will the minimum requirements for entrance to the program be waived.
       
• Direct Patient Contact Hours: Applicants are required to have a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient contact. A minimum of 50 of these hours must be PA shadowing. Other experience can be paid or voluntary. Examples of acceptable direct patient care include EMT, paramedic, LPN, CNA, therapists (RT, PT/PTA, OT, SLP), medical assistant, medical scribe, pharmacy technician, x-ray technician, surgical technician, athletic trainer, and phlebotomist. Non-acceptable options include lifeguard, pharmacy representative, medical secretary, or transporter. Other questions regarding acceptable options can be directed to the Graduate Admissions Department. The number of direct patient contact hours will be used as part of the applicant ranking process for all applicants that meet all other admission requirements.

**Please contact PA Admissions at paadmissions@ucumberlands.edu if you have any questions related to direct patient contact hours or PA shadowing hours during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional requirements before possible admission

• Ability to fulfill any university admission requirements
• Successful completion of an interview and positive recommendation from program faculty

If admitted 

• Completion of a satisfactory level 1 background check, urine drug screen, and physical exam with documentation of required immunizations:
• Proof of Hepatitis B vaccine and positive Hep B Ab (titer)
• Proof of MMR vaccine or immunity
• Proof of Varicella history or vaccination
• Proof of Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis vaccine
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination 
• Annual Influenza vaccine
• Proof of TB Test (positive results will require the student to receive a chest x-ray and further evaluation)
• Proof of Meningococcal vaccine**
• Pneumococcal polysaccharide PPV vaccine**

**These vaccinations are not required by the program based on current CDC guidelines. If a clinical site requires these vaccinations, students must comply with facility guidelines.

Demonstration to program principal faculty of ability to meet the following technical standards:

• Sufficient capacity for observation in academic, clinical, and other medical settings; functional vision, hearing, and tactile sensation sufficient to observe a patient’s condition and perform procedures regularly required during a physical examination
• Effective written and verbal communication skills sufficient to both academic and healthcare settings
• Sufficient motor function to carry out movements necessary for patient diagnosis and care; for free movement in patient care and between facilities and buildings in academic and healthcare environments; physical stamina to complete didactic and clinical coursework
• Sufficient intellectual ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize, in the context of medical problem-solving and patient care
• Sufficient emotional health and stability required for exercising good judgment and promptly completing all academic and patient care responsibilities

Admission to Pre-Professional

Undergraduate students interested in applying for early admission to the University’s Northern Kentucky Campus Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) Program must complete the following coursework in total or in part at the University of the Cumberlands as Pre-PA Biology majors.

Additionally, students must complete all requirements of the General Education curriculum for undergraduates as outlined in the University of the Cumberlands Undergraduate catalog. Admission is made during the third year of undergraduate study. Students must complete all PA admissions requirements by the time of application (unless specified above). University of the Cumberlands Pre-Professional Physician Assistant students are not guaranteed admission to the PA program; however, Pre-PA students that meet all requirements for admission will be granted an interview.

Students who complete the Pre-Professional PA curriculum, but do not continue on to the professional phase of the PA program, will need nine hours of biology, five hours of chemistry and sixteen hours of electives to complete a major in biology. Alternatively, they can complete a Biology of Science degree in Independent Directions with a focus on applied health sciences. A third alternative is to complete a Bachelor of General Studies degree. Information on these alternatives may be found elsewhere in the University of the Cumberlands Undergraduate catalog.

Students who successfully complete the Pre-PA curriculum and are accepted into the Northern Kentucky Campus MSPAS program will be awarded a Bachelor of Health Science degree by the University after the successful completion of the didactic phase coursework in the Northern Kentucky Campus MSPAS Program. Students are then awarded the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree after the successful completion of the program curriculum.

In addition to the admission requirements noted above for general applicants, the following courses are required prior to application for Pre-PA students:

• BIOL 113 Introduction to Population Biology Laboratory
• BIOL 114 Introduction to Cellular Biology Laboratory
• BIOL 121 Medical Terminology
• BIOL 133 Introduction to Population Biology
• BIOL 134 Introduction to Cellular Biology
• BIOL 246 Biodiversity 
• BIOL 340 Genetics
• BIOL 343 Human Anatomy 
• BIOL 345 Microbiology
• BIOL 443 General Physiology 
• CHEM 111 General Chemistry Laboratory I
• CHEM 132 General College Chemistry I
• CHEM 211 General College Chemistry Laboratory II
• CHEM 232 General College Chemistry II
• CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
• CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I
• Biology electives (6 credit hours of upper level Biology courses, included, but not limited to genetics, molecular biology, histology, immunology; intro or general courses do not count as electives)
• Upper-level Psychology courses
• Statistics

PA Applicant Review

Each PA applicant that meets all admission requirements is graded using an admissions rubric that awards points based on academic performance, geographic location of the applicant, clinical work experience and letters of recommendation.