1. Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university before matriculation. 
   1. Applicants from all academic disciplines are welcome to apply, provided they complete the required prerequisites.
   2. Advanced Placement (AP)/College Level Education Program (CLEP) credits can be counted for pre-requisites if the credit has been accepted by the applicant’s institution and is listed on an official transcript. Further documentation may be required to verify that AP credit granted in science courses meets the program’s admission standards.
   3. The Physician Associate Program does not offer or accept advanced standing credit for any course offered within the program. Students are required to complete all courses during their academic career in the program. 
2. An overall cumulative GPA of a minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and all prerequisite coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Scoring will be assigned on a weighted scale, with science GPA weighing the most. Applicants are selected for interviews based on their academic performance.  
3. Patient care experience is preferred to ensure that applicants recognize the physical and psychological demands of the PA profession and appreciate the challenges and rewards of being a health care professional.
   1. While there is no minimum requirement, consideration is given to applicants with health-related experience, patient care experience, shadowing hours, and volunteer hours. 
   2. Online shadowing will no longer be accepted. 
   3. CASPA experience-type definitions are located on this website.  
4. Three letters of recommendation - One letter is preferred to be from one of these specific Health Care Providers: Physician Associate (PA), Medical Doctor (MD), or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).  
5. A personal statement expressing interest in becoming a Physician Associate must be submitted in the CASPA application. 
6. A life experiences essay explaining how your life’s events and/or perspectives could contribute to the PA profession.
7. For your application to be processed, we must receive the following items by September 1st:  

• Completion of the PA Supplemental Application and fee
• Completion of the CASPA Application and fee
  • Three Letters of Recommendation  
  • Personal Statement  
  • Life Experiences Essay
  • Resume (template provided) 
  • Transcripts submitted through CASPA from all previous institutions

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all requirements are submitted to CASPA before the September 1st deadline.

Due to the competitive nature of the Physician Associate Program, the completion of admission requirements and prerequisites does not guarantee an applicant will be awarded an interview.

Interview Information

1. Applicants are selected for interviews based on their academic performance. 

2. Interviews are held in person on the OUHSC campus. Interview dates will be announced at the end of each application cycle.

Approximately 150 of the most qualified applicants will be invited for a personal interview. Maintaining a high standard of academic excellence, good interpersonal skills, knowledge of the health care system, shadowing a PA, volunteering in the community, personal maturity, and work experience will weigh strongly in the admission decision.

Essential Applicant Qualities

• Strong Academics
• Knowledge of the OUHSC PA Program Mission and Goals
• Maturity
• Professionalism
• Knowledge of the profession
• Community Service
• Interpersonal Skills
• Experiences that prepare for the rigor of PA school

Offers of admission to the Physician Associate Program are contingent upon completion of the following items with satisfactory results as deemed by the PA program. 

1. Satisfactory completion of prerequisites
2. Background Check
3. Drug Screen
4. Immunizations
5. Acknowledgement of Technical Standards

To secure your seat in the program, you are required to make a $300 non-refundable deposit.