PA Admissions Information

Pa Students With Faculty In Simulation Lab At Unthsc

PA Application Closes September 1 (11pm CST) for Fall 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The HSC at Fort Worth PA Program is a 30-month, full-time course of study leading to a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree.  A class of 75 students is accepted each year with classes starting in August.  We are dedicated to helping students prepare for a career in one of health care’s most rewarding fields and we invite you to apply.

Important dates for applying for the class entering in 2024:

        • CASPA Application Opens: April 27, 2023
        • CASPA Submission & Verification Deadline: September 1, 2023
        • GRE Scores Received by CASPA: September 1, 2023
        • HSC Application Processing Fee Due: September 15, 2023
        • Prerequisite Course Completion: December 31, 2023

Additional Resources:


Rolling Admissions

Our program offers admission on a rolling basis; therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the application process early in the cycle.

Applicants must submit the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA), non-refundable Application Processing Fee, and official GRE score report to be eligible for consideration for the MPAS program.  No incomplete applications will be considered, and no application materials will be accepted after the published deadlines.

The program will begin making invitations to interview in late summer. To be considered for our first interview day of the cycle, applicants should have their application completed, fees paid, and all supporting materials submitted no later than the end of June. An applicant’s CASPA must be verified and all application materials must be received before the file will be read by the Admissions Committee.

No application status updates will be available until after CASPA has verified an application.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for consideration for the MPAS program, applicants must:

  • Earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States prior to matriculation into the MPAS program.
    • Applicants may have a degree in progress at the time of application but must have a plan in place to have their degree conferred prior to matriculation into the MPAS program.
  • Achieve a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 as calculated by CASPA.
  • Complete all prerequisite course requirements, with a grade of C or higher, by the published deadline.
    • See details in the Academic Prerequisites section below.
  • Complete all additional application requirements.  See details in the Application Requirements section below. 

The Physician Assistant Studies Program does not award advance placement or course waivers to students accepted into the PA program.

Application Requirements

CASPA: The Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) is offered through the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). Applicants must have a verified date through CASPA on or before September 1 of the year the applicant applies.

Once all of the required application materials are received, the application’s status changes to Complete, and the application is placed in line to be verified. Verifications occur in chronological order and typically take two to four weeks. Once the application is verified by CASPA, the applicant will receive a notification from CASPA and the application’s status will change to Verified.

All transcripts and letters of recommendation must be submitted through CASPA. No letters of recommendation will be accepted outside of CASPA.

Transcripts should not be mailed to the program unless the applicant has received an email requesting that the applicant submit transcripts.  Applicants may use CASPA’s academic update feature to report grades that have been earned since submitting their application.  No academic or health care updates should be sent to the school. No supplemental application is required in addition to the CASPA.

GRE official score report: The MPAS requires a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Score. The official GRE score report is due by September 1.

There is no minimum score requirement; however, higher scores are considered more competitive.

Applications will be considered incomplete until an official score report is received from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Early submission of scores is strongly encouraged.

The GRE code for the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC) PA Studies is: 6380.

$50 Non-refundable Application Processing Fee: This HSC processing fee is in addition to any fees required by CASPA.

The processing fee is payable online. Instructions for paying the application processing fee will be emailed to an applicant once the program has received a verified CASPA application.

Academic Prerequisites

***REQUIREMENT CHANGES: Satisfactory completion of all prerequisite requirements at time of application.***

Prerequisite coursework must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Prerequisite coursework must be satisfied with a grade of C or higher (2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale). All science coursework must be intended for science majors.

Only coursework from regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States can be used to satisfy prerequisite requirements. (Foreign coursework is not accepted.) The HSC Office of Admissions and Recruitment cannot provide transcript evaluations. Applicants are responsible for confirming that prerequisite requirements have been satisfied.

If there is a question about whether a particular course satisfies one of our prerequisite requirements, please contact the HSC Office of Admissions and Recruitment at admissions@unthsc.edu.

CLEP or AP credit will be accepted for courses that have been recognized by the applicant’s undergraduate institution and the credit is recorded on the applicant’s college/university transcript.

Required Courses:

    • Psychology – 3 Semester Credit Hours
    • Statistics – 3 Semester Credit Hours
    • Anatomy with Lab – 4 Semester Credit Hours *
    • Physiology with Lab – 4 Semester Credit Hours *
    • Organic Chemistry with Lab – 4 Semester Credit Hours
    • Microbiology with Lab – 4 Semester Credit Hours
    • Genetics – 3 Semester Credit Hours

*A combination of 8 semester credit hours of A and P coursework can be used to fulfill the requirements for Anatomy and Physiology.

(Note: there is no restriction on when prerequisite courses were completed.)

Applicant Selection Factors

In reviewing applications for interview selection and acceptance, many factors are evaluated that help us examine the qualities that an applicant could bring to our program. These factors include:

  • Academic background
  • Direct patient care or healthcare-related experiences
  • PA mentorship/shadowing experiences
  • Understanding of the role of the PA
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Community service
  • Honors, achievements, and awards
  • Other life experiences and extracurricular activities
  • Communication and leadership skills
  • Resiliency and adaptability
  • Desire to attend HSC

Although an applicant’s entire academic record is considered, strong academic performance alone does not ensure acceptance. Applicants who demonstrate consistent academic success, particularly in their most recent 60 credit hours of coursework, with grades above “C” in prerequisite courses, a competitive science GPA (3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale), and with no persistent pattern of withdrawals on their transcript, are more likely to be extended an invitation to interview.

While prior experience in a health care setting is not required, this experience is considered a beneficial attribute and viewed positively by the Admissions Committee. Typically, admitted students will have experience working in a setting where PAs practice and will have experience shadowing PAs. PA mentoring and shadowing experiences are not required but are encouraged.

Letters of recommendation from a PA or physician are strongly encouraged.

    • Evidence of personal integrity, maturity, motivation, well-developed communication, interpersonal skills, critical thinking skills, writing ability, dedication, and the ability to work with others are additional factors that will be considered.

The above qualities are evaluated by several means, including the content of the application, letters of recommendation, the scope and nature of extracurricular activities (including work and volunteer experience), the scope and breadth of prior education, and the interview process.

Candidate factors that decrease the likelihood of offer of admission to the program include a criminal record or evidence of prior enrollment, without conferring a degree, in a PA program, medical school or other health professions program.

Interviews

Between 200-300 selected applicants will be invited to the HSC for an interview annually.  The program utilizes a multiple-mini-interview (MMI) format.

Interviews generally take place on campus from September to January, but interviews may end sooner if the class is filled.

Candidates who are invited to interview will be contacted by email. Declining an invitation or failing to appear for a scheduled interview will result in rejection of the application.

Early submission of a candidate’s application can increase the chances of interview selection. Interview results are confidential.

Offers of Admission

The MPAS program may make offers of admission as early as September. Offers will be continuously made until the class is filled.

A $500 seat deposit, which will be applied toward the student’s first semester tuition, is required upon acceptance of an offer of admission.

Applicants are considered without regard to age, race, creed, sex, national origin, veteran’s status, or disability.  All applicants are required to meet the posted Health and Technical Standards in order to participate in the MPAS program.

Thank you for your interest in our program! The HSC Office of Admissions and Recruitment is here to assist applicants in the application process and to answer questions that arise. Additional information about admission policies and selection factors can be found in our list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Applicants are encouraged to attend admissions information sessions or events, sign-up for a campus tour, or schedule a virtual advising session.

Additional information about admission policies and selection factors can be found in Frequently Asked Questions. We welcome questions at: Admissions@unthsc.edu.