MS Physician Assistant Studies: Admissions

All applicants to the AdventHealth University (AHU) Physician Assistant (PA) Program must submit an application directly to the online Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA), accessible at CASPA. The application cycle opens in April and the deadline for a verified application is September 1. Applications that are not verified by the application deadline will not be considered for admittance. Please note, the CASPA application verification process can take days to weeks, depending on when CASPA receives your application and documentation. CASPA will verify an applicant when they receive the application, required payment, all transcripts, at least two letters of reference, and they have calculated the GPAs. We recommend that you begin your application early in the cycle and submit your file in time to be verified by the September 1 deadline. Any questions you have about submitting your application through CASPA can be directed to caspainfo@caspaonline.org or by calling Call617-612-2080. The program does not accept applications through our website or sent to the University.

The program will not review any documentation submitted after the application is verified by CASPA, including coursework, experience hours and shadowing hours. The program does not  have the authority to amend or edit your CASPA application. 

Apply at CASPA

Official Transcripts
Transcripts from each regionally accredited college and university attended, whether or not a degree was awarded, must be submitted directly to CASPA. Failure to disclose all colleges and universities previously attended could result in denial or dismissal. We do not accept transcripts delivered to our campus. Applicants with transcripts demonstrating high academic performance and the ability to carry a full course load of substantial, rigorous content will receive preference points during the selection process.

Transcript Evaluations
Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applicants, we are unable to provide individual transcript evaluations. If you have questions or concerns regarding specific courses and if those courses fulfill our prerequisite requirements, you are welcome to email your inquiry to our program admissions team. In this email, please include the course description(s) with the course code(s) and the name of the institution(s) where the course(s) was completed. Please indicate which requirement you are looking to fulfill with each course that you submit. Email course inquiries to PA.info@ahu.edu.

International Transcripts
We require course-by-course transcript evaluations of college or university work that has been completed outside of the Unites States whether or not a degree was awarded.. All non-U.S. transcript evaluations must be completed through World Education Services (WES) and sent directly to CASPA. You can contact WES at Call212-966-6211, info@wes.org, or at www.wes.org.

All applicants must have a minimum of a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to matriculation into the program. To determine if a college or university is regionally accredited, visit http://www.chea.org/. Those who are still completing their bachelor's degree at the time of application submission for verification must submit an unofficial transcript showing completion of a conferred degree by May 7, 2027. Selection preference is not granted to any specific fields of study. All fields of study are equitable and competitive.

We require a 3.00 minimum cumulative GPA and a 3.0 minimum overall science GPA on a 4.00 scale as calculated by CASPA at the time of application submission. Beginning in the 2026-2027 cycle, those candidates with higher GPAs, including pre-requisite courses, last 60 hours, and biology/chemistry/physics (BCP) GPAs, as calculated by CASPA, will be considered more competitive and given preference points during the selection process.

Each applicant must complete nine prerequisite courses—either in person or online—through a regionally accredited college or university. Virtual laboratory courses are acceptable. A grade of C or higher is required in each of the nine prerequisite courses.

Science prerequisites
(all science prerequisites must include a lab component with the exception of Genetics)

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with Lab or Human Anatomy with Lab and Human Physiology with Lab – 8 credit hours
• Organic Chemistry I with Lab – 4 credit hours
• Organic Chemistry II with Lab or Biochemistry I with Lab – 4 credit hours
• General Microbiology with Lab – 4 credit hours
• Genetics – 3 credit hours

TOTAL – 23 credit hours

Other prerequisite courses

• *General Psychology or Developmental Psychology or Abnormal Psychology – 3 credit hours
• *General Statistics or Elementary Statistics or Biostatistics – 3 credit hours
• Medical Terminology – 1 credit hour (certification acceptable)

TOTAL – 7 credits

Prerequisite Timeframe Cap:

All prerequisite courses must have been completed with a C or higher within 10 years of the date of application verification.

Applicants who have one or more science prerequisite courses completed more than 10 years prior to the date of application verification may submit a PA-CAT Student Transcript as an alternative to retaking those science prerequisite courses only. The PA-CAT scaled score must be from an examination administered in the current or previous cycle and will only be considered if the percentile rank is at or above the mean shown on the PA-CAT Student Transcript. The AHU PA program does not require the PA-CAT for admission and does not require any candidate to take the exam in place of prerequisites. Therefore, if the exam has already been taken as part of the admissions requirements of another program, it is the applicant's responsibility to submit the PA-CAT Student Transcript directly to pa.info@ahu.edu by March 31, 2027, if this option is selected.

All other prerequisite courses (psychology, statistics, and medical terminology) completed more than 10 years prior to the application verification date must be retaken and completed by March 31, 2027. 

*Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses will be accepted in place of the above referenced courses. The course must be listed on the applicants conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. The program does not accept CLEP or ACE exam credit.

Policy regarding outstanding pre-requisite courses
An applicant is allowed up to 8-credit hours of outstanding prerequisites on the date they submit their application in CASPA. Those applicants who have completed all prerequisites with a C and above by the date they submit their application to CASPA will be considered more competitive and receive preference points.

Students who have up to 8 outstanding credit hours on the date they submit their application to CASPA are required to show proof of enrollment in those outstanding prerequisite courses by submitting either an unofficial transcript or proof of registration directly to pa.info@ahu.edu by September 1, 2026. All outstanding prerequisites must be completed by March 31, 2027. Transcripts showing completion of the outstanding prerequisite(s) course with a C or higher must be submitted directly to our admissions department at pa.info@ahu.edu by March 31, 2027.

CASPer

All applicants are required to complete the CASPer online test as part of our admissions process. CASPer is an online test that assesses social intelligence and professionalism, which we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program and will complement the other tools that we use for applicant screening. In implementing CASPer, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process. We do not require the Snapshot component or the Duet component that CASPer offers.

In order to take CASPer, you will be responsible for securing access to a computer with audio capabilities, a webcam, and a reliable internet connection on your selected test date. CASPer can be taken practically anywhere that you can satisfy the aforementioned requirements.

Please go to acuityinsights.app, select the current Admissions Cycle to sign up for the United States Casper 2 and reserve a test using your CASPA ID and a government-issued photo ID. You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times. These are the only test dates available for your CASPer test. It takes 2 weeks for CASPer to grade and submit your score to AHU therefore, the last date you can take your exam for us to get your results before our verified application deadline is August 11, 2026, at 8 pm.. Keep this in mind when scheduling your exam date. If you take your exam less than 2 weeks before the September 1 verified application deadline, it will be your sole responsibility to contact Acuity Insights to ensure that we receive your score in time. There will be no exceptions made, and we will not contact Acuity Insights on your behalf. Use an email address that you check regularly; there may be updates to the test schedule. You can find information and test preparation for CASPer at the CASPer Landing Page.

Acuity Insights (CASPer) program provides a fee waiver for any applicant who qualifies and is approved for a CASPA fee waiver.

GRE and PA-CAT

The GRE and PA-CAT are not required in the selection process for AdventHealth University’s PA Program.

The AHU PA Program does not require patient care or health-related experience, but strongly recommends that applicants submit a minimum of 1000 hours of direct patient care and/or health related experience, including exposure to the PA profession. The Program believes that involvement in direct patient care, health care related experience, and exposure to the PA profession give an applicant a foundation to begin PA school and demonstrate an interest and commitment to the health care field. Quality and quantity of patient care hours will be considered during the selection process. The Program does not accept experience hours completed after an application is submitted for verification but encourages applicants to continue gaining experience until the time of matriculation. Verification of listed experiences may be required.

Patient Care Experience

Patient Care is defined as positions that have hands-on, face-to-face contact with patients for the purpose of diagnosis, treatment, and management.

Examples of preferred patient care experience include:

• Athletic trainer
• Audiologist
• Cardiac monitor technician
• Certified nursing assistant
• Clinical pharmacy technician – hospital based
• Clinical researcher
• Dental hygienist
• Medical assistant (clinical)
• Medical scribe*
• Military medical corpsman
• Nurse coordinator/navigator
• Occupational therapist/Occupational therapy assistant
• Ophthalmic technician
• Paramedic/Emergency medical technician
• Perfusionist
• Phlebotomist
• Physical therapist/Physical therapy assistant
• Radiology technologist
• Registered dietician
• Registered nurse or Licensed practical nurse
• Respiratory therapist
• Surgical technician

*Although scribing does not involve direct patient contact, the program categorizes it as patient care due to their involvement with direct patient encounter, diagnoses, and prescribed treatments.

Health Related Experience

Health Related experience is defined as positions that allow exposure to the health care field and may have an effect on the health of individuals, but do not allow for direct "hands-on" care for patients.

Examples of Related Healthcare experience include:

• Medical assistant (administrative)
• Medical laboratory technician
• Non-clinical researcher/Non-clinical research assistant
• Nutritionist
• Patient care advocate
• Peace corps
• Pharmacy technician – retail/compound, non-hospital based
• Social worker

The above list of patient care and health related experiences is not all inclusive. Additional types of patient care and health related experience will be critically evaluated for depth and breadth of the experience. When entering hours for direct patient experience and health related experience, take care to follow the definition of each here and in CASPA and ensure you are not listing one experience as both. If you have any questions about your experience, please contact pa.info@ahu.edu.

Please note, shadowing healthcare providers and any hours credited as part of a training, educational, or internship/externship program will not be considered direct patient care or related healthcare experience.

Although PA shadowing is not required, competitive applicants will distinguish themselves by having observed a variety of PAs for enough hours to show they have a well-founded understanding of the role of a PA within the healthcare team. Applicants with higher quantity and quality of unpaid PA shadowing hours will be given preference points. Shadowing hours will not be accepted if you received pay or salary of any kind for the time shadowing. Shadowing hours must be distinct from any paid employment or any other work experience. Only non-paid shadowing hours will be accepted for consideration. The program will not accept additional shadowing hours submitted after the application has been verified. Only the shadowing hours reported on the verified application will be reviewed.

Although not required, other experiences will be considered during the selection process, such as extracurricular activities, working full-time or participation in university athletics while maintaining a rigorous course load, leadership experiences, research, teaching, and volunteer/community activities.

The program maintains that such experiences substantively enhance an applicant’s overall competitiveness and aligns with the program mission of service, therefore, applicants who present a broad portfolio of diverse experiences will receive preference points.

Three letters of recommendation are required and must be submitted through CASPA. If more letters of recommendation are submitted in CASPA, we will only consider three. We highly recommend that two letters of recommendation come from practicing advanced practice providers you have worked with and can strongly attest to your potential as a physician assistant, and one letter come from a college or university professor who can strongly attest to your academic ability. Applicants with letters of recommendation from practicing PAs that they have worked with or shadowed are more competitive and, will be given preference points. We do not accept letters of recommendation from family members or friends.

CASPA requires applicants to write essays within the application. The Personal Statement and Life Expectancy Essay narratives are required and will be read and used in the student selection process to determine program and mission fit. The Situational Decision-Making Essay is not required and therefore, will not be read as part of our admissions process.

Please make sure to open the Custom Questions section of your CASPA application and answer all the program specific questions. These questions are all required by the program and answers will be read and used as part of the student selection process.

We are grateful to our veterans and military.  In fact, we’re a Yellow Ribbon school, meaning we have financial aid options to help cover the costs that your military benefits don’t cover. The program also gives preference points during the selection process to applicants with current or prior documented military service. For more information about military benefits or financial aid, go to Military and Veterans Aid | AdventHealth University

Pre-requisite courses:
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AHU PA program will allow an applicant up to 8-credit hours of prerequisite pass/fail grades received during the 2020 and 2021 calendar year only. Any prerequisite course that has not received an alphanumeric grade must earn a “Pass” grade or equivalent. If the applicant has more than 8-credit hours of prerequisites with a pass/fail grade during this timeframe, their application will not be complete or considered for admittance until the applicant retakes the course(s) for an alphanumeric grade prior to matriculation. Prerequisite pass/fail credit hours will not be accepted outside of the 2020 and 2021 calendar year. Please note that courses taken for a pass/fail grade will not impact the applicant’s GPA. With this in mind, all applicants are still required to meet the minimum science and overall GPA for their application to be considered.

Non pre-requisite courses:
There is not a cap for non-prerequisite pass/fail credit hours as long as the applicant has a minimum of a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university at the time of matriculation.

International Students and International Medical Students

International Students: The PA program accepts international students who hold or will apply for an F-1 visa only. International applicants must submit their non-U.S. transcripts, whether or not a degree was awarded, in a timely manner to WES for evaluation and require the evaluation be sent to CASPA. WES transcripts must be received by CASPA no later than the verified application deadline; late submissions will not be accepted. Transcripts are required for all colleges and universities attended, even if they do not include prerequisite courses. Applicants are strongly encouraged to start the WES transcript process early to meet the application verification deadline.

For more information or inquiries about your F-1 visa status, please contact Zohaniris Torres Rosado at ahu.international.students@ahu.edu.

International Medical Graduates (IMGs): IMGs are welcome to apply to AdventHealth University’s (AHU) Physician Assistant (PA) Program. IMGs must follow the same protocol for non-U.S. transcripts as listed above for international students. IMGs, regardless of past medical experience, are required to complete all admissions requirements and all aspects of the 27-month program, including all clinical rotations. No exceptions to this policy will be granted.

International applicants, where English is not the primary language, must demonstrate English proficiency by providing one of the following. These requirements are supplemental to the general education requirements.

• An overall score of 4.5 or higher on the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language iBT (TOEFL iBT), as well as appropriate evidence of temporary or permanent U.S. residency. TOEFL scores are good for 2 years.
• Successful completion of a bachelor’s, master's, or doctoral degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction.

Applicants with a verified application by September 1, 2026, and who have met all minimum admissions requirements will receive a pre-interview score based on minimum admissions requirements and preference points assigned. Interview invitations are given in order of pre-interview score ranking. The department does not share scoring rubrics used to calculate the pre-interview score, nor how preferences are assigned points. Interviews for the 2026-2027 cycle will be held in October 2026. Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email using the email address provided in CASPA. Our interview experience is an opportunity for the program to learn more about the applicant than what can be gleaned from the application and for the applicant to learn more about the program to determine if our program is the right fit for them. Please understand that meeting our minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview invitation. Additionally, all applicants who are interviewed are not guaranteed admission.

The AdventHealth University PA Program takes a holistic approach to evaluating applicants, recognizing that each individual is more than their academic record. The admissions committee reviews cumulative application data, the strength of the interview, and the applicant’s clear and committed interest in both the PA profession and our program. The most competitive candidates demonstrate strong alignment with our mission and core values—academic excellence, leadership, life experience, and service. Due to the competitive nature of our admissions process, meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or acceptance.

Selection Preferences

We value candidates from diverse backgrounds and prioritize those who strongly align with our mission. Preference points will be awarded to candidates during the pre-interview selection process for the following criteria:

• Graduates of a Seventh-day Adventist college or university, with highest preference given to graduates of AdventHealth University
• Active Seventh-day Adventists verified by a letter from the applicant’s pastor confirming regular attendance and good standing in an SDA church
• Current or prior documented military service
• Strong academic performance, including higher prerequisite, last 60 credit hours, and BCP (biology, chemistry, physics) GPAs
• Completion of all prerequisite coursework (grade of C or higher) by the date application is submitted for verification
• Higher quantity of direct patient care experience
• Higher quality and quantity of PA shadowing experience
• From a medically underserved area (as indicated in CASPA)
• Economically disadvantaged background (as indicated in CASPA)

Preference points will be awarded to candidates during post interview student selection process for the following criteria:

• Strong letter(s) of recommendation from a practicing PA who has supervised or been shadowed by the applicant
• Higher quality of direct patient care experience
• Engagement in multiple and diverse experiences such as:
  • extracurricular activities while maintaining a full academic load
  • volunteering/community service
  • leadership roles
  • research or teaching experience
  • collegiate athletics participation while maintaining a full academic load
• Strong alignment with the mission and values of the AHU PA Program

Demonstrated understanding of the healthcare system and the role of the physician assistant - along with motivation, maturity, personal insight, and strong interpersonal skills - are also important factors considered in the admissions process. 

While these qualities and preferences strengthen an applicant’s overall competitiveness, applicants who do not meet these preferences will still receive full consideration for admission to the program, provided they meet all minimum admission requirements. 

Articulation Agreement:

Additionally, AdventHealth University Physician Assistant Program has an articulation agreement with Stetson University that provides admissions preference to Stetson University graduates who meet the requirements of the agreed memorandum of understanding.

*Applicants who believe they qualify for admissions preference under the AdventHealth University Physician Assistant Program articulation agreement/memorandum of understanding with Stetson University should contact the appointed advisor at Stetson University to assess their eligibility. For more information, please read the articulation agreement at: Stetson Articulation Agreement MOU.

State Residence Preference
Preference is not given to in-state applicants. Regardless of the state of residence, admission to the AHU PA program is equitable and competitive.

The AHU PA Program uses a holistic review process to select each incoming cohort. Through CASPA, the program receives thousands of completed and verified applications. From this pool, approximately 100 applicants are invited to interview. Following the interview process, a final cohort of 30 students is selected, so admission is very competitive. The student demographic data of the CO2025-2027:

• Average age of 25 (20-40)
• Average overall GPA of 3.63 (3.12-4.0)
• Average overall science GPA of 3.57 (3.07-4.0)
• 80% females and 20% males
• 76% white, 9% Asian, 13% black or African American, 2% American Indian or Alaskan Native
• 29% Hispanic
• Average hours of direct patient care and health related experience combined: 4901 (12-15, 960)

We require that accepted applicants place a non-refundable $1000 deposit to reserve your program seat. This deposit will be due within 3 weeks of the program seat offer. Those offered a seat off the waitlist may be given a shorter deposit deadline. Your acceptance letter will note the exact date we must receive the deposit. Once enrolled in the program, these funds will be applied to your account. Those who paid the deposit but decline to enroll in the program will forfeit the deposit. A professional program deposit is not transferable to another cycle or department.

Students are required to follow all immunization requirements based on current AdventHealth policies and CDC health professionals' recommendations found at  Healthcare Professionals: Adult Immunization Schedule by Age | Vaccines & Immunizations | CDC. Each student must provide the program proof of compliance with all immunization and health requirements in accordance with Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.001(9). The program uses Complio, an online platform of DISA Healthcare Technology for collection, management, and storage of all compliance related documentation. Students must be compliant with all immunization and health requirements at matriculation and remain in compliance for the duration of their academic career in the program. The costs associated with compliance are the responsibility of the student. The PA program supervisor of administration and offices services, manager of academics/admissions, and manager of clinical programming will randomly check the status in Complio for student compliance.

Students are required to provide verification of the following:

• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) 2 vaccine series or proof of immunity (titer)
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine within the last 10 years or signed waiver
• Varicella history or 2 vaccine doses or proof of immunity (titer) 
• Hepatitis B (3 vaccine series) or proof of immunity (titer) – for more information on Hepatitis B, read the CDC’s Vaccine Information Statement at Hepatitis B Vaccine (Interim) VIS | Vaccines & Immunizations | CDC
• Influenza vaccine declination (annually, after August 1) -  the program follows the current CDC and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines,  which recommend but do not require vaccination. If choosing not to receive the influenza vaccination, you are required to complete and sign the waiver found in Complio. For more information on Influenza (Flu) visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu.
• Covid-19 vaccination – the program follows current CDC guidelines for Covid-19, Infection Control Guidance: SARS-CoV-2 | Covid | CDC, which recommend but do not require vaccination. If choosing not to receive the vaccine, you are required to complete and sign the waiver found in Complio.
• Tuberculosis screening (PPD)
  • All accepted students must provide annual evidence of a tuberculosis screening test. Students must provide proof of a negative TB skin or serum test. (Positive results will require the student to receive a chest x-ray within the last 3 years and a TB clearance letter annually or negative QuantiFERON Gold and further evaluation). In the event of a positive test result, please refer to the Communicable Disease Policy in the AHU Student Handbook.
• AHU Physical Examination Form filled out and signed by a healthcare provider
  • All accepted students must complete and validate the university’s Student Health Assessment Form and Immunization Form per Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6001(9).
• Read and sign the Consent to Maintain and Release Student Immunization and Compliance Records

The following is recommended by the program but not required: 

• Meningococcal Meningitis vaccine is recommended but no documentation of vaccine or declination is required by the program. For more information about Meningococcal Meningitis disease,  read the CDC’s Vaccine Information Statement at Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine VIS | Vaccines & Immunizations | CDC per Florida Board of Governors Statute 1006.69.

Please note: Clinical sites may enforce their own immunization requirements. As a result, immunization waivers may lead to the inability to engage in fieldwork, internships, and/or clinical placements required for program completion and graduation.

All accepted students must provide proof of health insurance at the time of matriculation and maintain health insurance throughout the duration of the program. AdventHealth University does not offer any health insurance programs for students.

All accepted students will be required to complete a drug screening prior to matriculation and before the clinical phase.  AHU and the PA department also reserve the right to do random drug screens during the duration of the program with the cost the responsibility of the student. Please see the AHU Alcohol and Drug Policy.

Upon acceptance to the program and again before the start of clinical rotations, a required Level II background check will be conducted that includes fingerprinting, GSA/OIG, sexual offender background check, and drug screening panel. Criminal convictions of any nature may create difficulty placing the student in clinical rotations, as well as potentially resulting in ineligibility for the national board examination and licensing in many states. It is the student’s responsibility to address any such issues and determine the continued viability of their program candidacy. Please refer to NCCPA and Florida Board of Medicine for further information.