Admissions

• All applicants to the Pfeiffer University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program must apply through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).
• Applicants may start applying to the Pfeiffer University Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies program through CASPA on April 30, 2021, and our deadline for applications to be received through CASPA is September 1, 2021.
• We will be accepting and reviewing applications on an ongoing basis until the deadline of September 1, 2021.
• Click here for CASPA Application Fees.

• CASPA applications may be submitted starting April 29, 2021
• Deadline for submission of applications to CASPA is September 1st, 2021
• Qualified candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis June, 2021 through November 1st, 2021 and admission cycles thereafter;
  • Number of students or 3rd cohort – 45
  • Maximum entering class 2023 and thereafter – 45

  See Interview Process below for details.

Note: CASPA takes no part in the selection of students.

• Transcripts are to be sent to CASPA, not to the Pfeiffer University MS-PAS program.
• Do not send additional coursework or experience information to the Pfeiffer University MS-PAS program unless such information is specifically requested.

During these uncertain times, the program would like to address the following concerns.

Pass/Fail Grades

The program will accept pass/fail grades for the following prerequisite courses.

• Psychology
• Statistics
• Medical Terminology

Please note that pass/fail coursework will not factor into the GPA calculations. All GPAs will be calculated by CASPA.

Direct Patient Care/Shadowing Hours

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all applications will be considered regardless of clinical hours completed at the time of application. Proper documentation of those completed direct patient care and shadowing hours is still required for this process. Click here to complete the form.

Please note this consideration is only acceptable for the 2021-2022 application cycle.

PA-CAT Standardized Test

Due to continued challenges faced by students due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PA-CAT is not required for the 2021-2022 application cycle.

Application Deadline

CASPA will open on April 29, 2021, with a Completed status by the September 1, 2021 deadline. A Completed date is given when the application is e-submitted, at least two letters of reference are completed, and all transcripts and payment fees have been received by CASPA and attached to the application. Applicants should prepare and move forward with the application process as early as possible to ensure all documentation is received in a timely manner.

Interview Process

There are no changes currently. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis starting in June 2021.

If you have any questions regarding these updates or the application process, please contact our Admissions Support Coordinator, Deidra Harwood, [email protected].

Baccalaureate Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited College or University.

The following GPA is required:

• Overall GPA of 3.0
• Prerequisite GPA of 3.2
• Trends U60 GPA (Looking for an upward grade trend of the last 60 credit hours taken.)

Due to continued challenges faced by students due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PA-CAT is not required for the 2021-2022 application cycle.

Click here for updated admissions requirements for the 2021-2022 application cycle due to the COVID -19 pandemic.

• The following are REQUIRED courses and MUST be completed. A prerequisite GPA of 3.2 is required.
• Please note that all prerequisite coursework must be completed by the application deadline.

• Requisite coursework MUST have been completed no more than 7 years prior to matriculation. We strongly recommend that applicants repeat any prerequisite course older than 5 years.
• CLEP (College Level Examination Program) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses credit may not be used or substituted to meet prerequisite requirements.
• Experiential learning is not substituted for prerequisite coursework.
• Online courses from regionally accredited institutions are accepted.

North Carolina Community College Equivalents

Please use the chart below to plan your prerequisite pathway.

• Applicants are expected to have in-depth, hands on, direct patient care experiences in a healthcare setting.
• A minimum of 500 hours of direct patient care experience in a healthcare setting must be completed prior to application. 24 of the 500 hours must be shadowing a physician assistant.
• Direct patient care experiences in a healthcare setting will be evaluated based on the type of experience and the number of hours during the application process.
• Quality of prior health care experience will be taken into consideration, favorable healthcare settings include:
  • Direct health care experience serving disadvantaged populations
  • Rural health care experience
  • Military health care experience

  Click here for Direct Patient Care Experience/Shadowing form. This form should be completed and included in your CASPA application.

• Examples of direct patient care experiences in a healthcare setting may include but are not limited to: EMT, Paramedic, Medical Assistant, Nurse, Surgical Technician, Athletic Trainer, Physical Therapy Aide, and Military Medical Corpsman.
• Shadowing experiences will not substitute direct patient care experiences in a healthcare setting.
• Applicants will submit verifiable information regarding their direct health care experiences on CASPA.

• Three letters of recommendation are required.
• Letters should be from physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, research mentors, professors or volunteer coordinators/supervisors who had direct interaction with the applicant and can attest to his/her qualities, strengths and suitability for a career as a physician assistant.
• Letters must not be from a family member or peer.

Personal Statement is an admissions requirement.

The admissions process at the Pfeiffer University MS PAS program is designed to give balanced consideration to the experiences, attributes, and metrics of each candidate. To best evaluate personal characteristics such as communication, ethics, and empathy; the program is requiring all applicants to complete the CASPer ® test. This is an online “situational judgment test” designed to evaluate non-cognitive skills. For more information regarding the CASPer ® test please visit: takecasper.com. The applicant is responsible for the CASPer ® test fees. The CASPer ® test must be completed after submitting the CASPA application.

• Degree and prerequisite coursework taken outside of the U.S. is not accepted (regardless if made equivalent by a U.S. institution).
• In accordance with Pfeiffer University Graduate Admissions; if degree and prerequisite coursework are from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university; international students must submit evidence of English proficiency through one of the following methods:
  • TOEFL score of at least 550 PBT/213 CBT80 IBT, administered at an official ETS testing center (not at a university)
  • IELTS score of at least 5.0
  • English as a first language reinforced with a satisfactory graduate entrance assessment score
  • Completion of an appropriate level in an ESL program which, according to the ESL school, is sufficient for the undergraduate level of university study
  • CEFR score of C1

• U.S. Citizen.
• If not a U.S. citizen, documentation of immigration status will be required.

• Transfer credit or admission with advanced standing from another PA program is not accepted.
• All of the curricular components of the program are required for graduation and must be completed at the Pfeiffer University Master of Science in Physician Assistant program.

Veterans and Pfeiffer University students/alumni A3.15 (a)

Favorable consideration for admission is given to applicants who are Veterans and/or have graduated or will be graduating from Pfeiffer University. A3.15 (a):

• All veterans and Pfeiffer University students/alumni who meet or exceed the program’s requirements and selection factors will be granted an interview and an opportunity to earn acceptance into the program.

Underrepresented Populations experiences A3.15 (a)

Additional preferences, such as, ranked higher, will be given to all applicants who demonstrate the following attributes and experiences.

• Applicants from underrepresented populations and those whose backgrounds correspond to (CASPA) socioeconomic indicators.
• Applicants who have direct health care experience serving disadvantaged populations.
• Applicants who have rural health care experience.